News

OLD BROOKVILLE BOARD TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON MONDAY TO DISCUSS LAW EXTENDING TRUSTEES', MAYOR'S TERMS OF OFFICE

The hearing, at 6:30 on Monday, September 23, will be on whether to enact proposed Local Law 2-2013, entitled “Terms of Office,” which will extend the terms of office of the Mayor and Trustees to four years in the Village of Old Brookville and establish biennial elections in odd-numbered years.

SEA CLIFF VILLAGE BOARD TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETING TO DISCUSS TREE ORDINANCE.

On Monday, September 16, the Sea Cliff Board of Trustees will be holding a Town Hall Meeting in order to “conduct an informal review of the tree ordinance” and to get input from community members on their views of the current policy, and thoughts on whether it ought to be revised in any way.

The current tree ordinance was adopted in 2010. It provides for the formation of a Tree Committee, which is currently made up of Trustee Carol Vogt, Building Superintendent Drew Lawrence, and two community members -  Cecelia Wheeler and Russell Gorog - and requires that a resident wishing to take down a tree that is greater than 8 inches diameter at a height of 4.5 feet, first obtain a permit before removing it. Under the ordinance, the Tree Committee has the authority to grant or deny tree removal application permits. Determinations for issuing permits are based on several factors, including, the “condition of the tree with respect to disease and danger of falling, and proximity to existing or proposed structures and interference with utility services; the necessity of removal; . . . the impact of its removal on ecological systems; . . . the impact of the removal on the existing screening of any public street bordering the property; and, whether the tree is a specimen tree.” In the case of site plan and subdivision applications involving the removal of trees, the Committee issues a statement of findings and recommendations to the Planning Board.

The current policy replaces one adopted in 2005 that allowed residents to remove one tree per year without a permit.  Any subsequent removals required approval.  In an interview with Northwordnews, Trustee Carol Vogt explained that this previous policy was difficult to enforce as it was often unclear whether a resident had already removed a tree.

At the August 15 Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Kennedy announced the Town Hall meeting. Trustee Vogt added in her statement that there are no current proposals being debated, but the Board would like to “get an idea [from the community] of the direction we want to go in.” In her Northwordnews interview, Ms. Vogt described the tree issue as reflecting the classic tension between what is viewed by many as promoting the general welfare, in this case by protecting the character of the village, and protecting the property rights of individuals against government intrusion. The Village, she said, wants to strike the right balance.  The question, she continued, that needs to be considered is “What role
should government play in determining whether or not a resident can take down a tree?"

The September 16th Town Hall Forum will be held at 8 pm in the second floor meeting room of Sea Cliff Village Hall.
(T. Madden)
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UPDATE: SEA CLIFF'S WICKED WEED IS DEAD

The Giant Hogweed. Photo courtesy of NYS DEC.

August 10 - - The Giant Hogweed, a highly toxic and invasive species of plant that was found growing near the bottom of Tilley’s Steps in Sea Cliff a little more than a month ago, is no more.

     Trustee Tom Powell reported the discovery of the weed at the July 7th Village Board meeting, and said that the Village had notified the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and sought advice on how to safely get rid of it.    At the Village Board Conference this past Monday, Powell stated that the unwanted plant had been killed.

Village Administrator, John Mirando, recently explained that the Village followed the steps that the DEC recommended in its reply. “With directions from DEC, we purchased a herbicide and special protective garments to work near the weed. The Herbicide was applied and the weed covered in a plastic bag. Once the weed died it was removed and disposed of with our normal yard waste.”

Although beautiful and innocuous in appearance, the Giant Hogweed has extremely poisonous sap that is far more toxic than that of the poison ivy plant, and can permanently scar or even cause more serious problems, such as blindness, to the person who is unfortunate enough to come into contact with it. The watery sap causes photo-dermatitis, a condition that makes skin especially susceptible to ultraviolent rays, and will cause severe burning and blistering if the affected skin is exposed to sunlight.   The plant was introduced to the United States by gardeners during the early 20th century who were attracted to its towering height (it can grow to 12 feet) and its lovely white flowers, and often used it as an ornamental feature in both home and botanical gardens.
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FOR ITS GRAND OPENING, WOODPECKER HALL HOSTS FUNDRAISER FOR NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC ADVOCATE CANDIDATE SIDIQUE WAI

August 2 - - Thursday night, Woodpecker Hall, the newly renovated buildings at 311 Sea Cliff Avenue, officially opened its doors for a “Grand Opening” hosting a political fundraiser for Sidique Wai, a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for New York City Public Advocate. Read more

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY? GOLD COAST LIBRARY HOSTS PRESENTATION BY NYS HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES OFFICIAL

Assemblyman Edward Ra and Gold Coast Library Director Michael Morea

August 8 - - This past Tuesday evening, the Gold Coast Public Library in Glen Head, hosted an Emergency Preparedness presentation by Patrick Beckley, the Regional Coordinator of the Long Island Office of Emergency Mangement.

Two local Assemblymen Michael Montesano (R-Glen Head) and Edward Ra (R-Franklin Square) who represent Old Brookville and Glen Head were at the event to facilitate the discussion.

Mr. Beckley gave a PowerPoint presentation which offered advice on what to do before, during, and after an emergency.

He emphasized the importance of developing a family emergency plan, with which everyone in the household should be familiar.  The plan should include who to call and where to meet in case of an event that causes family members to become separated. In addition, he stated that all family members should be familiar with basic first aid, and older children and adults with CPR. An emergency kit should also be set up, that at the very minimum would be able to sustain one's family for three days, but preferably seven to ten days. The kit should include water, food, a flashlight, basic tools, a whistle, and first aid supplies.

During the discussion that followed Mr. Beckley's presentation, Assemblyman Michael Montesano commented that a question he got frequently after Hurricane Sandy, is "where do I get copies of the all the important documents, like a deed or birth certificate, that I lost?" He suggested to the Gold Coast audience, that important documents be kept in ziploc bags and fire resistant boxes, which can be purchased at office supply stores like Staples.

For more information on what to do before, during, and after an emergency go to www.ready.gov.

UPDATE: MAYOR SUOZZI ANNOUNCES PETITION DRIVE IN AN EFFORT TO HALT CHANGES AT GLEN COVE HOSPITAL

Early this morning, on the City of Glen Cove EMS
Facebook page, Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi announced that he was initiating a petition drive in an effort to persuade North Shore-LIJ Health System to reconsider its decision to end inpatient and other medical services at Glen Cove Hospital. The electronic petition
he said would not be likely to be up and running until tomorrow. However, a hard-copy version of the petition would be available at The Chemist pharmacy on Forest Avenue, and another was being started at the Glen Cove Senior Center. Mr. Suozzi also supplied contact information for the North Shore-LIJ CEO and President of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Suozzi’s posting can
be found at https://www.facebook.com/glencoveems.

UPDATE: GLEN COVE MAYOR SUOZZI MEETS WITH NS-LIJ VICE PRESIDENT; ASKS THAT DECISION TO CLOSE GC HOSPITAL FOR INPATIENT SERVICES BE RECONSIDERED; CALLS ON HOSPITAL OFFICIALS, GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS A SOLUTION

July 31 -- In a message posted on the Glen Cove
EMS Facebook page early this morning, Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi stated that he met with Mark J. Solazzo the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health System yesterday afternoon, and expressed to him his concerns “about  the many anticipated impacts on the City of Glen Cove Emergency Medical Services (EMS), hospital employees, and businesses and residents in Glen Cove and nearby communities,” that will result from the closing of inpatient and other health service facilities at Glen Cove Hospital.

“Glen Cove Hospital employs about 1200 people,” Mr. Suozzi wrote, “Those employees provide quality healthcare services to Glen Cove and our neighboring communities. Their jobs are undoubtedly important to them and their families. Those employees also eat in our
restaurants, shop in our stores, and use many other services. In other words, they’re significant contributors to our local economy.”

  According to the Mayor, Mr. Solazzo would soon be releasing a “fact sheet” that would be shared with the community. Arrangements are also being made for Mr. Suozzi to meet with the health network’s CEO and Board of Trustees President.

Mr. Suozzi went on to say that while he recognizes “that NSLIJ is making a business decision based on how health care is evolving and economic realities, [he] strongly feels that some of the changes that are being contemplated must be reconsidered.”

The Mayor stated that he has reached out to our representatives in Albany and Washington, as well as Governor Cuomo, and asked that they join him “in urging NSLIJ to postpone this decision in order to encourage a broader discussion about the future of the Glen Cove facility.”

He also called on the community to write or call their elected representatives, and hospital officials in an effort to get NSLIJ to reconsider its decision.

“Let’s work together for the good of Glen Cove,” Mr. Suozzi concluded.

(Story by T. Madden)

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Glen Cove Hospital to Shut Its Doors for In-Patient Services

Last evening, Glen Cove Hospital employees learned that the North Shore Long Island Jewish Healthcare system would be shutting the hospital’s doors for inpatient services. The move is expected to be fully implemented by April, 2014.

The Glen Cove facility will continue to offer outpatient day surgery, a 24 hour emergency room, an outpatient cancer treatment center, and the family practice clinic. Its rehabilitation facilities, psychiatric services, surgery, Cardiac Care Unit and Intensive Care Unit will close.

     According to Newsday, Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi expressed concerns not only about the closing’s impact on the community’s access to medical care but also on the local economy, as he wondered whether local medical offices would remain in the area.

     The decision to end inpatient services will affect hundreds of the 1200 hospital employees. Many will be transitioned to other facilities and some are concerned that they will lose their jobs altogether.

     A hospital spokesperson stated that recent implementation of provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act, led administrators of the country's 18th largest health system to make this decision, Newsday reported.

     Under the provision of the new law, medical providers, will receive greater reimbursement for preventative care and health maintenance services than they did previously, but less for tests and procedures.  Under the traditional fee for service system, providers receive reimbursement through Medicare and private insurers based on the quantity of services provided, thus, according to critics, creating an incentive for overprescribing tests and performing procedures that were not essential.

     The rationale behind the new federal law’s provision is to slow down the rapid rise in healthcare costs.   It creates under the Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Program a shared savings arrangement that seeks to incentivize keeping costs low, and "quality over quantity". Such programs are being adopted by many private insurers as well.

     On his facebook page, Mayor Suozzi stated that he would be meeting with North Shore-LIJ officials today to discuss the hospital’s closing.

Story by T. Madden (Information for this story was provided by a hospital employee, A Newsday report, and a statement posted by Mayor Suozzi)

KILLER WEED FOUND AT TILLEY'S IN SEA CLIFF

July 9, 2013 -- The Giant Hogweed, a highly toxic and invasive species of plant was found growing near the bottom of Tilley’s Steps in Sea Cliff, Trustee Peter Hayes reported at the July 8th Sea Cliff Board of Trustees meeting.
  The weed is about 7 feet tall, but in an area that is largely inaccessible. The Giant Hogweed has beautiful white flowers and can grow to about twelve feet in height.   However, it also has extremely poisonous sap that is far more toxic than that of the poison ivy plant, and can permanently scar or even cause more serious problems, such as blindness, to the person who is unfortunate enough to come into contact with it. The watery sap causes photo-dermatitis, a condition that makes skin especially susceptible to ultraviolent rays, and will cause severe burning and blistering if the affected skin is exposed to sunlight.
    The discovery has been reported to the State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Village is expecting a response shortly on how to kill the weed.
    During the public comment   portion of the meeting, Sea Cliff resident Jim Campbell suggested that the Village put up a signing warning passersby of the danger.   Trustee Hayes replied that he thought that that was a good idea.   Mayor Kennedy agreed and said he he considered it, but that the location of the plant is on a very steep slope and largely inaccessible.
    Go to the department of environmental protection website for more information about the Giant Hogweed. (story reported by T. Madden and written by C. Elorriaga)
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NS SUPERINTENDENT MELNICK WARNS OF 19% TAX HIKE IN 2014-15

July 1 -- At this evening's Board of Education meeting, North Shore Schools Superintendent, Ed Melnick warned the audience that North Shore residents may see their school taxes increase as much as 19% in the 2014-15 School Year. The increase is result of a new proposal worked out by the state legislature and Governor and a reassessment of LIPA's Glenwood property.
Under the state government's proposal, LIPA would see its assessments on its power plants decline by about sixty percent over a ten year period beginning in the fall of 2014. In addition, LIPA will discontinue its efforts to recoup what it claims are tens of millions of dollars in tax overpayments to school districts and local governments over the past several years. The communities affected are North Shore, Island Park, Northport and Port Jefferson. School districts and other local governing bodies in which the plants are located will have 4 months from when the proposal is finalized to accept the offer. Districts that reject the proposal can try their luck in court where LIPA has to date been unsuccessful in its tax certiorari lawsuits. Melnick explained that North Shore will be hit particularly hard because of a recent reassessment of the value of LIPA's Glenwood property which was reduced from $210 million to $105 million. LIPAs tax obligation to the district would be reduced from $22 million to $9.6 million. $7 million would be shifted to residential taxpayers. Even if the school tax levy of more than $80 million remained constant from this upcoming school year to the next, a home assessed at $750,000 would see more than a $2000 increase in its school taxes. (story by T. Madden)
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BOARD OF EDUCATION CONSIDERS RESOLUTION CALLING ON STATE TO REFORM HIGH STAKES TESTING PRACTICES

July 1, 2013 -- At this evening’s Board of Education meeting, Trustee Toni Labatte asked the full board to consider adopting a resolution stating the district’s position on the State imposed high stakes testing policies that have greatly altered public education in New York State.   Labatte asserted that the assessment system the state has adopted has put tremendous pressure on teachers to “teach to the test” and that she is concerned that the state’s approach neglects to promote critical thinking and the skills that are necessary to succeed in college and careers.   She suggested the board adopt a resolution similar to those passed by other districts which have called on Board of Regents President Meryl Tisch, Education Commissioner John King, and Governor Andrew Cuomo to reform the current assessment system.
     Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edward Melnick, provided some historical background to the discussion. Prior to 2010, he stated, the district paid little attention to the tests but that in the fall of that year, the district’s scores appeared to decline dramatically from previous years. In reality, he said, this was a result of the recalibration of the cut-off scores for 3’s and 4’s (3=meeting state standards, 4= exceeding state standards). The students’ raw scores, however, were similar to previous years, but because the cut off score for a 3 was raised, many students who would have had a “low 3” in previous years, ended up with a 2 (approaching state standards). This, Melnick asserted, was something that had happened across the state. As a result of the decline, many parents expressed their concerns at a Board meeting in the fall of 2010 (See minutes of Sept 30, 2010, Oct 28, 2010, and Nov. 16, 2010 meetings). The Board responded with a change in district policy outlined in a “white paper” that called for more attention to be placed on preparing students for the assessments during regular daily instruction. Melnick stated that Ms. Labatte, not a trustee at the time, was a lone voice speaking out against moving too far in favor of test preparation.
      Referring to comments made during public participation earlier in the meeting, a few trustees stated that the district had to do more than just make statement, and take action to reduce the emphasis on test preparation during regular instruction.
     Trustee Michael Nightingale stated that real change in state policy could not come just from statements by the school board, but that there has to be a real grassroots movement and organization.
     Trustee Maryanne Russo stated that with the introduction of the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) students often feel the pressure that teachers are feeling to do well on the test. In addition, she wondered whether some teachers had done a good job of preparing students for the test in the past and that tenure makes it difficult to remove teachers whose students do not perform well. She continued that she felt she needed to get a tutor for one of her children a few years ago.
      Dr. Melnick stated that he believed that the district has moved too far in the direction of test preparation, and that while the district had intended to re-calibrate in favor of a “more balanced approach” this year, the introduction of the new Common Core curriculum and the expectation that test scores would plummet in all districts, there continued to be a great deal of emphasis on the tests throughout the year. He urged the Board to adopt a resolution stating the district’s position on the current assessment system, but also stated that the resolution cannot be just “empty words”.
     Trustee Beyer gave background on the 2010 White Paper, and stated that its purpose was to revise a 2007 statement that strongly de-emphasized test preparation. She said the intent behind it was to promote a balanced approach between preparing students for the tests and having meaningful instruction. She continued that the Board ought to consider re-examining the 2010 policy statement.
     Ultimately, the board agreed to develop a resolution regarding State assessment policies, although it is unclear when that will be voted on, and to re-examine the 2010 White Paper and consider revisions. (story by C. Elorriaga)
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TRASH TALK AT MONDAY'S SEA CLIFF VILLAGE BOARD MEETING

August 15 -- At Monday’s Sea Cliff Village Board meeting, Trustee Peter Hayes reported changes taking place in the collection of trash and recyclables that are intended to make life easier for residents, and cut costs in the long run for the village.

   The new recycling procedures, which were announced in a mailer at the end of July, went into effect a little more than two weeks ago.  Residents no longer need to bundle paper or crush cardboard.  Paper recyclables can simply be placed in a cardboard box or recycling container, and boxes inside of other boxes, and left at the curb on recycling day. Also, sanitation crews will come by twice during recycling day – on the first run to pick up glass and metal, and a second time for paper and cardboard.

   With no longer having to bundle paper and cardboard, village officials are hopeful that residents will be less likely to throw recyclable items into the regular trash and instead put them into a cardboard box or the recycling bin.  Village Administrator John Mirando explained a few days after Monday's meeting, "Particularly in the area of paper and cardboard, when people really pay attention there is a lot of cardboard that can be recycled - cereal boxes, pasta boxes, toothpaste boxes, cardboard from hangers, paper towel and toilet paper carboard rolls, etc.”    For each 1% reduction in solid waste, the village will save approximately $2500 annually, according to Mirando.

   Along with the new recycling procedures, two new sanitation trucks arrived at the end of July, that were purchased six months ago through a state contract, each for $165,000.   The new 20 yard trucks, which will be replacing trucks purchased in 1997 and 2000, have the ability to compact 850 pounds of trash per yard, as opposed to the older trucks’ 500 pounds per yard.   This will nearly double the capacity of the trucks, allowing them to compact up to 8.5 tons as opposed to 5 tons per load, significantly reducing the number of trips the trucks will have to take to the dump.

The old 1997 sanitation truck will become the new village sander, replacing a truck purchased in 1986. The village will look to sell the 2000 truck, and the truck that had until recently been the youngest in the fleet, bought in 2008, will remain in service as a spare for when the new trucks, which will be running five days a week in winter and six in summer, are pulled from service for maintenance or unexpected breakdowns.

In addition to the new trucks, the Village is considering a new home for its garbage.  Currently, village solid waste is brought to the Winters’ Brothers Facility in Glen Cove and recyclables are dumped at the Sea Cliff  yard in 40 yard containers and picked up by Metropolitan Recycling in Westbury.  Mr. Mirando explained that the village is considering using the Town of North Hempstead facility because of “potentially lower tipping fees [the charge that is levied per ton of trash], and to eliminate a messy operation at the village yard.” (T. Madden)
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SEA CLIFF VILLAGE SEEKING GRANTS TO RENOVATE CHILDREN’S LIBRARY

August 10 -- At this past Monday’s Sea Cliff Village Board Conference, the trustees discussed proposed
renovations to the Sea Cliff Children’s Library and efforts to secure funding for the project.

The proposed upgrades include renovating the bathroom so that it is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, adding an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system, converting from oil to gas heat, and installing a new ceiling with improved lighting.

According to John Miranda, the Sea Cliff Village Administrator, the projects are contingent on the Village securing two grants – one for $50,000 from State Senator Carl Marcellino’s office, and a second for approximately $160,000 from the New York State Dormitory Authority. Neither grant has been awarded yet, so the timeline for the renovations is unknown at this time.
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SCORES ON GRADES 3-8 STATE TESTS FALL SIGNIFICANTLY ACROSS NEW YORK;
NORTH SHORE DECLINES MORE MODEST

August 7 -- This morning, New York State Education officials released school test results for the grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Math assessments.  The numbers state-wide showed a significant drop in the percentage of students achieving proficiency - scores of 3 (meeting expectations) and 4 (exceeding expectations) - compared to last year.   On the math assessments they declined by more than 50%.

   Declines for the North Shore School District were significantly more modest than what took place state-wide. The percentage of students in North Shore achieving proficiency was close to 20% higher than the county average.

     Expectations going into the release of the results were that test scores would show a more than 30% decline over last year because the assessments were based on the new, more rigorous “Common Core” learning standards adopted by New York and 44 other states.  Many districts have still been adapting teaching methodologies and curriculum to the new benchmark.  In addition, the methodology for determining cut-off scores was changed for this year's tests.

     In March, New York State Deputy Commissioner of Education, Ken Slentz, sent a memorandum to school districts across the state informing them that the new ELA and Math tests that were to be administered the following month would not be “norm referenced," as in the past, but rather “criterion referenced.” In other words instead of cut off scores being based on how students performed across the state – comparing students to each other, they would be based on a pre-set standard.

    School District, state and federal education officials have been trying to brace parents and students for this decline for the past several months.

    Mr. Slentz warned school district officials across the state, that the percentages of students receiving 3’s and 4’s was likely to decline, but that that should “not necessarily be interpreted as a decline in student learning or as a decline in educator performance.”

     In an early March E-mail to parents, North Shore Schools Superintendent, Dr. Edward Melnick, notified parents of the change, quoting sections of Mr. Slentz' memorandum, and including the document at the bottom of his correspondence. He wrote, “The Common Core Learning Standards have demanded significant shifts in what we teach and the way in which we teach.     The New York State Education Department has issued a memorandum, in which they state, ‘Because the new tests are designed to determine whether students are meeting a higher performance standard, we expect fewer students will perform at or above grade-level Common Core expectations than was the case with prior years’ State tests.’“

    Just a day ago, Arne Duncan, the federal Secretary of Education, issued a statement to minimize the political impact of the lower scores saying that New York State is to be commended for raising the bar, and that students, parents and school officials should not be alarmed by the results.

    In a statement posted on his Facebook page earlier today, State Senator Carl Marcellino (R-Oyster Bay), expressed concerns on how the results might be interpreted. "Before panic sets in," he wrote, "we must remember that the final scores of the 2013 tests are not the clearest method of evaluating the effectiveness of a tercher's performance or a student's achievement in the classroom."

    Observing that New York is the only state out of the 45 who are members of the Common Core coalition to administer tests using the new standards, the Senator commented, "Perhaps this fact alone demonstrates that the NYS Education Department may have moved too quickly." He then called on State Education Commissioner John King to "alleviate unnecessary fear and anxiety and make an official proclamation that clearly states that student and teacher evaluations for 2013 will not be negatively impacted by these tests."

    The last time cut off scores were re-calibrated, in 2010, districts across New York State also saw significant declines in the percentages of students acheiving proficiency levels on the assessments, leading many, including the North Shore Schools to place much greater emphasis on test preparation.
(story by. T. Madden)

FULL RESULTS AND NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEWS RELEASE CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE.

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STATE TESTING DOMINATES TALK AT GOLD COAST LIBRARY MEET AND GREET WITH ASSEMBLYMAN RA

On July 9, the Gold Coast Library in Glen Head hosted a "meet and greet" event with Assemblyman Edward Ra (R-Franklin Square).   About a dozen people attended the 1 hour 45 minute meeting. Mr. Ra is relatively new to the community as his district was redrawn recently to include large sections of Glen Head.
     The issue of New York State testing dominated the event, as several
audience members asked questions related to the issue.  Mr. Ra stated that he had heard similar concerns at a recent meeting in Garden City. He went onto explain
that he opposed the “one size fits all” assessment system that is currently in
place, and that yearly testing is not appropriate for all districts.
     Mr. Ra recently co-sponsored legislation, first introduced by Senator Carl Marcellino (R-Oyster Bay), that would direct the Commissioner of Education to develop a system by which districts that have consistently shown high achievement levels can be granted waivers from having to give the state assessments yearly. (Click to see bill).
     When asked, “how do we change things,” Mr. Ra encouraged grassroots activism through parent groups like the recently formed North Shore Parents Action Committee, working together with similar groups in other
districts and coordinating with his office and other sympathetic legislators.
     When asked about the Opt Out movement, which seeks to push the state to change its policies by having students refuse to take the test, Mr. Ra agreed with the questioner that districts might lose some funding.
But what funding or how much became unclear as the discussion veered towards New York City losing funding for not having developed a teacher evaluation system in time to meet a state-imposed deadline.
     When asked about how he and the Assembly’s Education Committee work with John King, the commissioner of Education, Mr. Ra explained that his office reaches out to Commissioner King’s if the committee is going to be addressing an issue that would be pertinent to him.  He said that Mr. King presents to the Education Committee annually.
     After the meeting had ended, Mr. Ra was asked if he supported Assemblyman Al Graf’s (R-Holbrook) bill that would withdraw New York State from Race to the Top and the Common Core. He replied that he supported the bill in principle, but believed that it would be better to work within the system and seek the remedy that he and Senator Marcellino are pursuing.  He explained that he wanted the state to continue to receive Race to the
Top Funds.
     While testing dominated the evening, a Sea Cliff resident raised the issue of the decommissioning of the LIPA plant in Glenwood Landing and her efforts to transition the property for another use.  She explained her frustration in trying to get people of influence to respond. The resident explained that that the building housing the plant is a wonderful space, that is of historical significance as it represents early 20th century American industrialism, and that it could be put to great use for the community. She explained that the Chelsea Piers
project in Stamford transformed an old industrial space into a state of the art sports center. “I’ve even contacted them,” she said. (story by T. Madden)
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SATURDAY TAG SALE ORGANIZER QUESTIONS VILLAGE BOARD'S SUPPORT FOR THE FUNDRAISER

July 8, 2013 -- At this evening’s Sea Cliff Village Board of Trustees meeting, Mike Lennon, the organizer of the Saturday Tag Sale on the Village Green, expressed disapproval over the approach he believes that the Village government, and more specifically Trustee Edward Lieberman, have taken with regard to the weekend event that has to date raised about $10,000 for the Sea Cliff Library.
     Mr. Lennon stated that Trustee Lieberman, who serves as the Village Board Liaison to the Sea Cliff Library, has repeatedly expressed negative feeling towards the tag sales, and has only forwarded complaints from residents about traffic and other issues, while never expressing anything positive. Trustee Lieberman was not present at the meeting to respond to the charges.
    Mr. Lennon stated that the tag sales have not only raised money for the library, but have also helped local businesses and the community by bringing a vibrancy to the area that has not existed in a long time.  Mr. Lennon requested that the Board replace Mr. Lieberman with another Trustee to act as Library Liaison.
     Mayor Kennedy replied that some in the community “love it [the tag sale], while others hate it,” and that he honestly did not know how he felt about it. In addition, he expressed support for Trustee Lieberman, and stated that he would never entertain such a request from Mr. Lennon, and that only the Library Board ought to bring up the issue of replacing the Board Library Liaison.   Kennedy continued that it would have been more appropriate for the issue to have been addressed in a meeting between Friends of Sea Cliff Library, the Village Board, the Library Board and Mr. Lennon, rather than in a public setting - especially one in which Mr. Lieberman was not present.
     Frank Murray, President of the Sea Cliff Library Board of Trustees, then spoke to the issue expressing support for Mr. Lennon’s efforts and the impact that the sales have had on the community. Mayor Kennedy expressed disappointment that the issue was brought up in this way, and that discussing the issue between the parties involved would have been a much better and more constructive approach. He went onto say that the Board had never granted approval to allow the tag sales to take place on village property in the first place.
Several residents spoke up in favor of Mr. Lennon’s efforts and the positive impact they believe the tag sale has had on the culture of the village center on Saturdays.
     Trustee Carol Vogt stated that the positions presented at the meeting represented only a "slice of the community" and it is the Board’s job to balance various interests.  She stated that she certainly did not support ending the tag sales but that there should be a discussion about what would be the best venue for the sale.
     Mr. Murray stated that while he strongly supported Mr. Lennon’s efforts and the impact they have had on the library and the community, he did not support the removal of Mr. Lieberman as library Liaison.  (story by T. Madden)

LIPA DEAL'S IMPACT ON NSSD UNCLEAR AS SEN. MARCELLINO AND BOE PRES. OFFER DIFFERING ACCOUNTS OF '14-'15 TAX SHIFT

    June 28, 2013. At a public meeting last evening, New York State Senator Carl Marcellino explained the LIPA reforms recently passed by the state legislature and an agreement between LIPA, the legislature and Governor regarding the reduction of the utility's tax payments to school districts like North Shore.
    The meeting was organized by the Glenwood-Glen Head Civic Asssociation and held in the North Shore High School auditorium. The event was emcee'd by Civic Association President and outgoing School Board Trustee George Pombar, and about 40 people were in attendance, including Schools Superintendent Ed Melnick, Asssistant Superintendent for Business Olivia Buatsi, School Board President Carolyn Genovese, School Board Trustee Amy Beyer, and School Board Trustee-elect Sara Jones, as well as two school district attorneys. In addition to Pombar and Marcellino, Assemblyman Edward Ra and an unintroduced advisor to Marcellino sat at the dais.
    At the meeting, Senator Marcellino explained that under an agreement between the legislature, governor and LIPA, beginning in 2014-15, LIPA's tax payments to the district would decline at an average rate of 5% per year over a 10 year time period. During the first year of the decline, the utility's obligation would be reduced far more greatly than in subsequent years. In addition, the utility would end its efforts to recoup past tax overpayments it claims it has made to districts.
    The loss in revenue to the district would likely result either in massive cuts to programs in the North Shore schools, or the tax burden would be picked up by residential, commercial, and industrial taxpayers.
    Marcellino disputed earlier press reports that stated that the tax reduction for LIPA would be 10% per year. School Districts and other local governing bodies will have 4 months to accept the offer. Marcellino strongly recommended that local governments accept the deal. Districts could however refuse the offer and roll their dice in court. LIPA contends that it has made tens of millions of dollars in overpayments to North Shore and other districts such as Port Jefferson and Northport, and as a result has initiated several tax certiorari claims.  The utility has to date not succeeded in any of its lawsuits.
    During the question and answer segment of the meeting, School Board President Carolyn Genovese stated that under the current proposal it was possible that district taxpayers would see in the first year a 19% increase in their taxes on the tax burden shift alone - far greater than the five percent that the Senator had stated in his presentation. This would amount to a $2,175/year tax increase on a property assesssed at $750,000. Marcellino replied that he did not know the exact figures.
    Audience members asked several questions following Marcellino's presentation. One gentleman asked if the agreement was written in stone and whether or not it could be changed in five years. Marcellino replied that he "could not guarantee what would happen in the next five years just as he could not guarantee what would happen in the next ten minutes."
    Another resident raised the issue of the likely contamination of the site and the environmental clean-up that would be required. Marcellino agreed that the site was likely unusuable for other purposes for many years to come but stated he did not know the level of contamination.
    As the meeting neared its conclusion, Pompar thanked Senator Marcellino for his efforts on behalf of the community and expressed hope that, just as he was able to get a $2 million appropriation out of the Senate to lessen the burden on residents in the first year of the tax shift, he would work hard to win similar commitments in subsequent years. (story by T. Madden)
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HARVEST ON HOLD

JUNE 18. Sustainable Sea Cliff Cooperative Inc. asked the Sea Cliff Zoning Board of appeals this evening to postpone  consideration of it's application for a zoning variance to allow the group to plant a community garden.
    The Coop had worked out an agreement with American Water Company to allow the organization to establish a garden on the utility's property at the corner of Shore Road and Laurel Avenue in Sea Cliff.
    The President of SSCC, Amy Peters, asked for the postponement until unspecified issues could be worked out with the water company.
    After Peters spoke, a gentleman in the audience, who lives at a neighboring property of the water company, asked if he could speak concerning the application. He said that he had with him a petition concerning the
proposal.
    Zoning Board President, Mrs. Epstein replied that he could not speak on the issue at this time since SSCC's application had not officially been submitted. Ms. Peters then charged that the man's petition was based on
misinformation.
    Audience members in the back of the room then called out and a bit of a bruhaha erupted as some opponents the proposal and its supporters appeared to argue.
    The Zoning Board will meet again on July 16 when the issue may come up again. (story by T. Madden)
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