It is with great sadness that we report that former Locust Valley Water District Commissioner Louis Philip Savinetti has passed away. A mass will be held on Thursday, June 22 at 10:00 am at St. Gertrude’s in Bayville (28 School Street, Bayville, NY)

Lou was a lifelong resident of Locust Valley, NY and was a charter member of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association.

Lou’s personal history was as impressive as his oversight of the Locust Valley Water District. During World War II, he volunteered and served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950 during the Korean War, he served in Korea until 1952. After discharge, Lou became a member of Local 282 of the Teamsters Union for 20 years and worked on many sewer and drainage projects throughout Nassau County. He retired from the Nassau County Department of Public Works in 1991 as a civil engineer.

He proudly served as a Water Commissioner for the Locust Valley Water District for 40 years. He was honored for his many decades of community service which included 25 years as a volunteer football and baseball coach and mentor to the youth of Locust Valley by the Grenville Bakers Boys and Girls Club. Lou was also a member of the Locust Valley American Legion.

His love for Locust Valley and its residents was exceeded only by his love for his family, his Country and God. He is survived by his wife of 70 years Alice, son Louis, daughter-in-law Holly, and Grandson Scott.

Bringing Home the Gold in Suffolk…again.

After an absence of three years, the 34^th annual Best Tasting Tap Water Contest has returned…and the Greenlawn Water District is once again the Best Tasting Water In Suffolk County!

“Being named the best never gets old,” Greenlawn Water District Commissioner John H. Clark stated. “This result from the blind taste contest recognizes every Greenlawn Water District employee because it takes a talented team of professionals working together to produce a superior product year after year. Despite the time interruption due to COVID, this is our third consecutive victory and our 11^th number one ranking overall. We are extremely proud of this recognition.”

Massapequa Water District Commissioner Raymond Averna Plays Instrumental Role in Selection Process for 2023 Nicholas J. Bartilucci Manhattan College Scholarship Awarded to Long Island/North Massapequa Resident

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), one of the region’s leading water supply authorities serving over 620,000 people across Long Island, has awarded its prestigious 2023 Nicholas J. Bartilucci Manhattan College Scholarship to Ms. Isabella Gluszak, a North Massapequa resident who lives within the South Farmingdale Water District. Given for performance excellence in the classroom, this annual scholarship is open to entering freshmen who live within a District of the NSWCA and are enrolled full-time in any engineering degree program at Manhattan College in Riverdale, Bronx, New York.

NSWCA President and Locust Valley Water District Chairperson Patricia Peterson commented, “The NSWCA Bartilucci Scholarship recognizes the enormous contributions made by the late Nicholas J. Bartilucci, a water industry leader who served as a Jericho Water District Commissioner for over 48 years. Nick’s dedication to water supply and environmental conservation as Water Commissioner and as President of D&B Engineers and Architects, was invaluable in elevating consciousness about Long Island’s long-term sustainability.”

Ms. Gluszak thanked members of the NSWCA, South Farmingdale Commissioners Ralph Atoria, John Hirt and Gary Brosnan, and former NSWCA President and current Massapequa Water District Commissioner Mr. Raymond Averna, who were instrumental in this year’s Bartilucci Award selection process. Commissioner Averna added, “Inspiring a younger generation of engineers like Isabella Gluszak through education creates an incredible impact and a path to success. We are happy to select Isabella as this year’s recipient of this commemorative award.”

“It has been wonderful to witness the aspirations I have had since childhood start to become a reality. This scholarship has made those goals much more attainable,” said Ms. Gluszak, who is currently studying mechanical engineering at Manhattan College, and aiming to work in the aerospace industry.

Pictured from L to R: Ray Averna, Massapequa Water District Commissioner; Melissa Gluszak; Isabella Gluszak; John Hirt and Ralph Atoria, South Farmingdale Water District Commissioners. Mr. Atoria serves as 1st Vice President of NSWCA.

NSWCA Members Bethpage, Jericho, Franklin Square and Oyster Bay Water Districts commemorate 100 years of dedicated service to their respective communities

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association has announced that four of its 21 member Districts will celebrate a century of service in 2023, according to NSWCA President Patricia Peterson.

“This is an historic industry achievement right here on Long Island that is very likely unprecedented in the United States,” stated NSWCA President Patricia Peterson, who is also a Chairwoman of the Locust Valley Water District. “The fact is that the Bethpage, Jericho, Franklin Square and Oyster Bay Water Districts are voter-elected and commissioner-run Districts is a testimony to a system that has been perfected over time and guarantees local control.”

The Bethpage Water District, Jericho Water District, Franklin Square Water District and Oyster Bay Water District all have different plans to commemorate the historic events. These range from special events and historic timelines dating from the presidency of Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929) to open houses, archival photography and web-based educational columns and articles for children and adults.

Providing an uninterrupted supply of quality water generally goes unnoticed, President Peterson added, “because water is taken for granted, especially on Long Island. Whenever you turn the tap, the spigot or the shower knob, the water is there, and it meets all the local, federal and ultra-stringent New York State standards.”

The four centenarian Districts epitomize the uninterrupted provision of billions of gallons of water to consumers and businesses year in and year out for a century despite hurricanes, blizzards, ice storms and even Superstorm Sandy.

As the populations of each District have grown, all four have adapted technology to meet the increased demand, infrastructure management and quality challenges, an unwanted legacy from previous era.

Locust Valley Water District Chairwomen Patricia Peterson named Board President

January 16, 2023, Carle Place, New York, USA – At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting sponsored by the Plainview Water District, the Association elected a new governing Board for the 2023 term which runs through December 31, 2023.

The newly elected NSWCA 2023 Board includes returning President Patricia Peterson of the Locust Valley Water District; 1st Vice President Ralph Atoria of the South Farmingdale Water District; 2^nd Vice President John F. Coumatos of the Bethpage Water District; Secretary Joseph Perry of the South Huntington Water District; and Treasurer Michael Kosinski of the Roslyn Water District.

“This new Board consists of an experienced group of talented and dedicated voter-elected commissioners from local water suppliers,” President Peterson stated. Our 21 members districts within Nassau and Suffolk Counties have the important responsibility of providing quality water that meets or exceeds all local, state and federal standards, to the 620,000 consumers we serve, without interruption and without compromise. I am confident in the leadership of our association as we fulfill our mission of being an authoritative voice in water supply by educating the public regarding sustainability, conservation, and the health of our aquifer.”

2023 Re-elected and Newly elected Commissioners

Carle Place, New York, USA – Re-elected and newly elected water commissioners from 21 local water districts who are members of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) were sworn into office on January 1, 2023 to begin their three-year term. Each local water district is comprised of three commissioners on each board.

NSWCA President and Locust Valley Water District Chairwomen Patricia Peterson commented on the election results, “Local voters came out to cast their ballet in meaningful elections for the men and women of their choice who harness the responsibility of safeguarding our water today, and into the future. This process is a sterling example of local representation by and for each community as water commissioners and voters must reside within their respective district.”

Voter-elected, commissioner-run districts (21 in total) provide water to over 620,000 consumers in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Peterson added, “I am extremely pleased to welcome all our new and returning colleagues to the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association.”

Re-elected and newly elected water commissioners from each District are as follows:

Despite some of the the coldest temperatures seen on Long Island for many years, Spring, 2023 is fast approaching. One sign of spring is Major League Baseball spring training  getting under way over the next week or so. With the advent of spring and warmer weather, conservation of water, Earth’s greatest natural resource, takes on a great priority.  Here are some very important conservation tips to observe:

1. Check all outside hoses and connections against leaks and winter’s ravages.
2. Planting your garden to start the season?  Start off right. There are many beautiful groundcovers that require less watering including lavender, daylilies, forget-me-nots, aloes, marigolds, and zinnias.
3. Avoid wasting water by installing a spring-loaded shutoff nozzle on each garden hose to avoid water waste.
4. When sprinkling your grass and flower or vegetable beds, try to avoid watering the driveways and sidewalks.
5. Water retention in your garden is enhanced by compost, not to mention a wealth of nutrients.  Start a compost pile and add it to your garden.  Mix in some along wood chips or peat moss and your water retention will be boosted.
6. A slow-drip irrigation system will help avoid over-watering, and also save money on your water bill.
7. Watering lawns and gardens at the most opportune times conserves our precious resource. Water generally evaporates most rapidly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Restrict watering to before or after those times and you’ll likely use less.
8. Most people overwater lawns.  Keeping the length of your lawn approximately 2 inches long.  This will help reduce evaporation and require less water.
9. Cycle watering in areas where runoff occurs, especially on slopes or compacted dry soils.
10. Hate raking?  When you’re finished mowing, leave the grass clippings on the lawn. This will boost water retention and help grass grow thicker.

The NSWCA has learned of the passing of Ernestine Falco, wife of former Commissioner Lenny Falco, Sr. of the Franklin Square Water District.

Arrangements:

Franklin Square Funeral Home, 42 New Hyde Park Road, Franklin Square, NY

• Thursday, December 1, 2022,  7:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm
• Friday, December 2, 2022,        4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Mass:   St. Catherine of Sienna

9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 3, 2022, 33 New Hyde Park Road, Franklin Square, NY