From the welcoming remarks by LIWC Chairman Ralph Pugliese to Stan Carey’s closing words, the 2016 Legislative Breakfast  was informative and well received by all attending.  Paul Ganger, Legislative Committee Chair, provided remarks and keynote speaker Jim Tierney (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Deputy for Water Resources) gave a detailed presentation.  New York State Senator Jack Martins was honored with a plaque presentation for  his considerable support for LI water conservation, sustainability, and the health of our sole source aquifer.

Guest speaker Mr. Paul J. Ponturo, P.E., Senior Water Resources Engineer at H2M Architects & Engineers (Melville, NY) addressed the commissioners with scientific information and data regarding the water contamination crisis in Flint Michigan.

“When Flint changed its water source from treated Detroit Water and Sewerage Department water sourced from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the Flint River, officials failed to apply corrosion control treatment to the new water source,” Mr. Ponturo observed. “This culminated in lead contamination, creating a serious public health danger. The corrosive Flint River water caused lead from aging pipes to leach into the water supply, causing extremely elevated levels of lead.”

Mr. Ponturo added that while many Long Island water providers utilize “infrastructures that are almost 100 years old New York State has strict water management compliance regulations. Each District continually maintains their respective infrastructure to avoid potential contamination including lead leaching intrusion.”

Hicksville Water Commissioner Bill Schuckmann; Oyster Bay Water Commissioner Michael Rich; H2M Senior Water Resources Engineer Paul Ponturo; NSWCA President and Massapequa Water Commissioner Raymond Averna; Plainview Water Commissioner Andy Bader.

Local Long Island water districts get their water from “a sole source subterranean aquifer as opposed to lake or river water,” Ray Averna, President of the NSWCA and Massapequa Water Commissioner observed. “While our raw water contains virtually no lead even before treatment, the public can see complete information on what’s in the water of our 21 commissioner-run NSWCA member Districts in each respective District’s annual Drinking Water Quality Report.”

Established in 1926 when Calvin Coolidge was President and the Roaring Twenties were going full blast, The West Hempstead Water District has served residents by delivering high quality water virtually without interruption for 90 years.

Congratulations to the staff of WHWD, Commissioners C. John Sparacio, Joseph M. Marando and Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr, and Superintendent Robert P. York, on a job well done!

Former 2015 Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) President Thomas P. Hand of Massapequa Water District was recently awarded a citation from the Nassau County Office of the Executive, recognizing “Outstanding individuals who render significant contributions for the enhancement of our region and the betterment of our residents.”

2016 NSWCA President Raymond J. Averna of Massapequa Water District presented Mr. Hand the award, commenting, “Thomas truly deserves our appreciation for his leadership and guidance during his tenure. His commitment to NSWCA and the communities we serve merit recognition.”

Mr. Hand currently serves as a Massapequa Water District Commissioner and continues to be active in NSWCA.

On March 15, 2016 Newsday published a  letter from NSWCA President President Raymond Averna in response to a previously issued Newsday article.  Click on the following link to read the response , “Don’t dismantle local water districts”.

NSWCA Letter Editor Newsday 3.15.16

At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting, guest speaker Mr. Mark Manzari, addressed the commissioners on subsurface utility engineering, in particular leak detection and field-to-finish infrastructure data collection.

Mr. Manzari, Vice President and Director of Operations at NYLD Infrastructure, New York Leak Detection, Inc., discussed how water districts can utilize state-of-the-art location and mapping technologies to deliver on site, real time utility location and depth information, as well as leak locations and condition assessments. Several Long Island Water Districts utilize these services including the Hicksville, Glenwood, Manhasset-Lakeville and Franklin Square.

“Detecting leaks is the first step toward repairing them, which conserves natural resources and contains costs,” Mr. Manzari pointed out. “Savings in terms of labor, cost and time are often realized and infrastructure integrity is preserved. Advanced location technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar are being used to verify locations of waterlines resulting in more accurate identification of problems or potential problems. Long Island, with thousands of miles of aging subterranean infrastructure, is a prime candidate for this technology.”

Mr. Raymond Averna, President of the NSWCA, and Massapequa Water Commissioner, commented, “The NSWCA’s Continuing Education Series connects expert professionals with our NSWCA Commissioners who are closest to Long Island’s water supply. We greatly appreciate Mr. Manzari’s informative presentation, and view such services as potential conservation tools in our efforts to enhance the protection of Long Island residents and our sole source supply of water.”

At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting sponsored by the Plainview Water District, the Association elected a new board for the 2016 term, which runs through December 31, 2016.

The newly elected 2016 board includes: President Raymond J. Averna of Massapequa Water District, who succeeds outgoing President Thomas P. Hand of the Massapequa Water District;

Pictured, left to right, 1^st Vice President Andrew N. Bader of the Plainview Water District; 2^nd Vice President Vincent Abbatiello of the Westbury Water District; Secretary Michael F. Rich, III of Oyster Bay Water District; and Treasurer William Schuckmann of Hicksville Water District.

“Protecting, conserving and sustaining Long Island’s water supply has always been a top priority of the NSWCA,” President Averna stated. “In 2016, there will be a greater emphasis on these principles as well outreach educating the public on conservation and sustainability. Efforts will include focus on children and young adults who will someday continue the work we are doing now.”

Karl Schweitzer, Commissioner of the Hicksville Water District led a special presentation on Public Employee Safety and Health Employee Training Requirements during a recent NSWCA meeting hosted by Plainview Water District Commissioners Joel R. Kessler (Chairman), Andrew N. Bader and Marc B. Laykind.

Mr. Schweitzer, a past NSWCA President, spoke about OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and PESH (Public Safety and Health Bureau)  while emphasizing bothworker responsibilities as well as the rights and responsibilities of  water districts. “It is important for workers to follow their employer’s safety and health rules and to report any hazardous conditions to a supervisor or safety committee,” Mr. Schweitzer stated. “In turn, an employer must provide a safe, healthy workplace and follow OSHA standards.”

PESH, created in 1980, provides protection to all public sector employees at the state and local level, and enforces safety and health standards advocated under OSHA. Mr. Schweitzer gave some examples of recent PESH visits within Plainview Water District and discussed minimum employee training requirements including Emergency Action Plans and protection from possible exposure to hazardous materials.

Long Island voters have gone to the polls and elected or re-elected water commissioners in 21 commissioner-run water districts in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The terms run from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018. Water district elections are held annually and residents vote for one of three district commissioners in each district.

“We are very pleased to welcome our new and returning colleagues to the NSWCA,” stated NSWCA President and Massapequa Water District Commissioner Thomas P. Hand. “Commissioner-run water districts enable residents and consumers to express their opinions and preferences through the voting process. One commissioner from each district is elected to represent the people. This puts emphasis on a hyper-local basis in each community. In such hyper-local elections, every resident’s vote truly counts.”

 Those elected or re-elected include:

Albertson WD:                          Howard Abbondondelo

Bethpage WD:                        John F. Coumatos

Carle Place WD:                      Peter W. Meade

Cathedral Gardens WD:         Glenn Barnett

Franklin Square WD:               Madeline Presta

Garden City Park WD:             Chris Engel

Glenwood WD:                        Bernard McCabe

Greenlawn WD:                       James M. Logan

Hicksville WD:                         Karl M. Schweitzer

Jericho WD:                             Thomas A. Abbate

Locust Valley WD:                    Louis P. Savinetti

Manhasset-Lakeville:               Brian J. Morris

Massapequa WD:                    Joseph T. Tricarico

Oyster Bay WD:                       Richard Niznik

Plainview WD:                         Andrew N. Bader

Port Washington WD:            David Brackett

Roslyn WD:                             Michael Kosinski

South Farmingdale WD:          John Hirt

South Huntington WD:            Dominick Feeney

Westbury WD:                         Vincent Abbatiello

West Hempstead WD:             Joseph Marando

NSWCA is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau County and Suffolk County water districts. NSWCA is dedicated to communication, efficiency and best practices among Long Island’s water districts. As part of its mission, the association holds monthly educational meetings sponsoring experts on topics that include law, cost efficiencies, rules and regulations and issues germane to water utilities.

At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) training session, Mr. Joseph Frank, instructed the membership on Town Law Nassau County Civil Division and Statutory Guidance for Water Commissioners.

Mr. Frank, a principal of Sapienza and Frank, Attorneys at Law (Massapequa, NY) discussed the History of Town Law, which was established in 1932, as well as the relationship, powers and duties of elected commissioners. This included limitations and what constitutes a conflict of interest.

Photo L to R:  Joseph Frank, Commissioners Andrew Bader, Thomas Hand and Vincet Abbatiello.

The comprehensive training session included Section 211, which covers voting eligibility and annual elections and General Municipal Law 18, which defines Contract, Interest, and Municipality and Municipal Officer duties. In addition, Mr. Frank instructed the group regarding The Nassau County Civil Divisions Act, which became law in 1939 and established provisions regarding the operations of Water Districts in Nassau County. A vigorous question and answer period followed the presentation.

NSWCA President Thomas P. Hand commented, “Mr. Frank’s extensive water industry background brought simplicity and clarity to many issues that can be cloudy and confusing. Our Continuing Education and Training Series has been highly effective, thanks to knowledgeable speakers like Joseph Frank. The information and expert presentation was greatly appreciated by all attendees.”

A graduate of Manhattan College where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Government, Mr. Frank earned his law degree from Hofstra University School of Law.  He is one of the founding partners of Sapienza and Frank which was established in 1989 and specializes in Municipal Law.