The NSWCA recently welcomed speakers Peter Noonan and Brian McCabe of Digital Provisions (Ronkonkoma, NY), a leading Long Island-based security integration company founded in 2000.  The pair provided an educational talk, discussing new ways to help secure infrastructure and to keep water district employees safe while on the job.

Mr. Noonan and Mr. McCabe described many new products and techniques, including video management systems, deployment of surveillance cameras, access control, one button lockdown and details of visitor management. They revealed potential applications for wireless technology cameras that can be viewed anywhere at any time from a Smartphone, Tablet or PC; thermal or infrared cameras for nighttime viewing; optical zoom cameras to monitor gauges, generators, RPZ valves and other high-value items; and text notifications when a failed entry attempt is made.

Training was a big component of the presentation. “Success in the security industry is measured in what situations do not happen or are prevented”, Peter Noonan stated. “Many companies install and move on quickly, which doesn’t necessarily solve the problem or lessen the threat. Beyond hardware, end-user training is critical to the success of the security system, and Digital Provisions trainers are dedicated to making a difference right from the beginning.”

“The security of our staff members and of our infrastructure are top priorities for all Association members,” said NSWCA President and Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner Michael F. Rich III. “Being able to see what is going on at remote locations from a centralized position in real-time is invaluable. We thank Peter and Brian for the detailed information provided and their ability to put it in proper perspective.”

Photo:  Left to Right:  Larry Zaino Carle Place Water District Commissioner and NSWCA Treasurer; Amanda Field Plainview Water District Commissioner and NSWCA Secretary; Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr., West Hempstead Water District Commissioner and NSWCA 2nd Vice President; Michael F. Rich III, Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner and NSWCA President;  Peter Noonan, Digital Provisions Vice President of Sales ; Brian McCabe, Digital Provisions Sales Manager. 

Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA  Honors Former President Vincent Abbatiello

 Franklin Square, NY, USA……………………….At a recent meeting of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) sponsored by Westbury Water District Commissioners Barry V. Green, William C. Olsen and Rodney Caines, honored former NSWCA President Vincent Abbatiello.

Mr. Abbatiello, currently a Westbury Village Trustee and Commissioner of Claims, received the honorary award in recognition of his term as President of the NSWCA. During his tenure, Mr. Abbatiello directed NSWCA positions on water conservation and sustainability and supervised educational speaking sessions with luminaries such as New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Garden City Park Water District Superintendent Michael Levy on a pilot program to remove 1,4 dioxane, as well as the sponsorship of NSWCA’s Nicholas Bartilucci Manhattan College scholarship to a deserving student.

Left to right: NSWCA President Michael F. Rich III; former NSWCA President Vin Abbatiello; NSWCA Secretary and Plainview WD Commissioner Amanda Field; NSWCA First Vice President and Hicksville Water Commissioner  Bill Schuckmann; NSWCA Second Vice President Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr.

NSWCA President and Commissioner Oyster Bay Water District, Michael F. Rich III commented, “We are grateful to former Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello for all his efforts on behalf of this organization and to the 600,000 people we represent. His vision has helped ensure the purity of our water and the continued compliance with all federal, local and New York State laws and regulations.”

Westbury Commissioner Barry V. Green (above)  addressed the group providing details on the Westbury Water District which was formed in 1911. Commissioner Green discussed the infrastructure necessary to provide water to a population of 40,000, including 10 wells, 785 fire hydrants and 92 miles of distribution water mains.

McEvoy on Financing Water Projects

 The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) provides information through its Educational Speaker Series and was proud to be addressed by former NSWCA President Robert McEvoy who provided an in depth look into financing water projects by issuing bonds. Mr. McEvoy is a former Comptroller, Town of Oyster Bay, and a current Commissioner from the Oyster Bay Water District.

 “Commissioner-run water districts are sub-units of towns, but are subject to Section 202-b Town Law.” Mr. McEvoy stated. “There are multiple steps that must be observed in order to  finance a project. These steps begin with commissioners as a ‘local agency’ under SEQRA (New York State Environmental Quality Review Act) petitioning the Town Board, scheduling of a public hearing, and eventually, adoption of the Public Interest Order and bond resolution. And larger projects may require preliminary financing for planning and development.”  

Left to right: Robert McEvoy, Michael F. Rich III

NSWCA President Michael F. Rich III commented, “We are grateful to Bob McEvoy for a such a detailed presentation about an important subject. Given the current climate on Long Island and in New York State, all Districts should be aware of the policies and procedures that are required to finance water-related projects to ensure compliance with all local, state and federal regulations.”

NSWCA Commissioners and numerous Superintendents recently attended a special training session as part of their Continuing Education Series. Guest speaker Michael Beyer, President of Bancker Construction Corporation, addressed the group on a variety of important issues facing the industry including:

• Changes in the industry
• Sustainability
• Aging Infrastructure
• Technology in the Industry

Left to right:  NSWCA Treasurer and Carle Place Water Commissioner Larry Zaino; NSWCA President and Oyster Bay Water Commissioner Michael F. Rich III; Michael Beyer, President of Bancker Construction Corporation; NSWCA Second Vice President and West Hempstead Water Commissioner Kenneth P. Wenthen; and NSWCA Secretary and Plainview Water District Commissioner, Amanda Field.

About Bancker Construction Corporation (Islandia NY): Established more than 100 years ago and operating under its current family ownership for nearly 60 years across three generations, Bancker is a full-service utility construction firm. The organization provides all phases of quality civil construction, including water, sewer, gas, cable, telephone, drainage, concrete and site work.Customer service and safety serve as the pillars of Bancker’s operational focus and reputation in all projects at all times.

June 6th:  Today is the day the world changed.

To be more specific, it was 75 years ago today when Operation Overlord began and the rugged Normandy coast produced names that will be honored for all history…Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Gold Beach, Sword Beach, Juno Beach…as well as the names of the more than 150,000 brave American, Canadian and British soldiers, sailors and marines who stormed those beaches.

On that one day of the largest amphibious assault of all time, over 9,000 Allied troops were wounded, and over 4,000 were killed. Many of them are still there. Visiting the American cemetery at Normandy is one of the most solemn and moving events you will ever experience. June 6, 1944 witnessed a monumental effort as the mute testimony of countless rows of crosses and stars still reveals.

As General Dwight D. Eisenhower observed “The eyes of the world are upon you”, and so they were. And they still are.

To all the brave men and women who changed the world that day, who opened the gate in the heroic fight against fascism and the inconceivable evils of the Third Reich, we and future generations salute you, and neither we, nor the world, will ever forget.