Category Archives: News

Can Spring Be Far Off?

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.

Services For Ernestine Falco

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

Services for Cameron “Cami” McLaughlin

With deep sadness we announce the passing of Cameron “Cami” McLaughlin, wife of Greenlawn Water Commissioner John McLaughlin. The NSWCA extends condolences to the McLaughlin family.

Arrangements are  Wednesday, November 16, 2022 as follows:

Nolan’s Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Avenue, Northport NY 11768 (631) 754-2400

  • 2:00 – 5:00
  • 7:00 – 9:00

 

In Cami’s memory, donations to Huntington’s Disease Society of America, HDSA.org, would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Financing Water Projects

Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner Robert McEvoy

Each month, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) provides information through its Educational Speaker Series and Training Programs. At a recent meeting, Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner and former NSWCA President Robert McEvoy provided an in-depth look into financing water projects by going to bond through local townships. Mr. McEvoy brings over 35 years of public service experience to the fold and is the current Comptroller for the Town of Oyster Bay.

The presentation addressed many topics including how to initiate a project and develop a timeline, town board requirements, engaging engineers for specifications and conclusions…to SEQRA hearings and determinations, public hearings and bond resolution.

“There are many steps within the process to secure bonding,” commented Commissioner McEvoy. “Larger projects may require planning and development, while other projects have a more seamless and less intrusive approach. The bottom line is to create a calculated plan, ensure all steps are covered, document everything, and create a compelling presentation with all benefits associated at the public hearing.”

“Voter-Elected Commissioners have a profound responsibility to the residents we serve within our respective Districts. We continually maintain our technology and are constructing advanced treatment systems to deliver an uninterrupted supply of quality water,” stated NSWCA President and Locust Valley Water District Commissioner and Chairperson Patricia Peterson. “By going to bond, we are able to secure funding at very affordable rates to lessen the burden on our rate payers. As Commissioners, we are fiscally prudent, and securing grant dollars also helps to pay down the bonds in shorter time.”

President Peterson added, “We are grateful to have Commissioner McEvoy sit as our Committee Chair for Government Relations and Auditing. His continual education on this topic is extremely important given the current climate on Long Island and New York State regarding regulation and compliance. We are thankful for his experience and to provide guidance for all District Commissioners.”

Commissioner Augie Carnevale 1959-2022

The passing of Commissioner Carnevale

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and professional associates of former water commissioner Augustine Paul “Augie” Carnevale, 1959-2022. Augie proudly served the residents of the Garden City Park Water District and was a member of the Long Island Water Conference (LIWC) and the NSWCA. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at the Park Funeral Chapel:

Park Funeral Chapel, 2175 Jericho Turnpike, Garden City Park, New York,

Friday, May 6, 2022

  • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  • 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

 

 Mass Saturday, May 7, 2022

10:30 am

Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, 45 Mayfair Road, New Hyde Park, New York

 

Final Resting Place, Saturday, May 7, 2022

11:45 am

Cemetery Of The Holy Rood, 111 Old Country Road, Westbury, New York

Commissioner Intagliata Passes

Long time Franklin Square Water Commissioner Salvatore A. Intagliata passed away on April 27, 2022.  A true gentleman with a deep concern for family and community, Sal was  a member of the Long Island Water Conference (LIWC) and the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA). The NSWCA sends its deepest sympathies to Sal’s  family, friends and professional associates.  He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at The Franklin Funeral Home:

Franklin Funeral Home
42 New Hyde Park Road
Franklin Square, NY 11010

Monday May 2, 2022
2:00pm – 4:00pm
7:00pm – 9:00pm

Mass Tuesday May 3, 2022
10:30am
St Catherine of Sienna Church, Franklin Square

Interment 

St. Charles Cemetery
2105 Wellwood Avenue
Farmingdale, NY 11735

 

Tips to Reduce Water Consumption

During Spring and Summer

Photo Credit: Hunter Industries

As National Drinking Water Week (May 1 – May 7) reminded us, fresh potable water is Earth’s most valuable resource. The necessity to deliver clean water and to protect Long Island’s aquifer system is of utmost importance.

Here are 10 ways to reduce water consumption, especially during the summer months when lawn and landscape irrigation doubles…even triples!  Water conservation protects the environment, preserves existing resources, and will save you money on your water bill.

  1. Most lawns only need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Water early in the morning when evaporation loss is minimal.
  2. Observe proper watering days: Odd-numbered homes water on odd-numbered days, even-numbered homes water on even-numbered days.
  3. Monitor potential water leaks by checking hose connections, inspecting washers and repairing leaky exterior spigots.
  4. Create your own water supply to water flowers and gardens by collecting rain runoff in rain barrels. A rain barrel is a project you can tackle yourself.
  5. Make sure soil is absorbing water and not permitting runoff. Many soil types don’t absorb large amounts of water easily. Use short, repeated watering cycles to deliver water at a rate soil can absorb.
  6. Promote growth and use less water with irrigation furrows alongside plants and flowers. Mound soil to form a water collection basin around plants and shrubs.
  7. Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch to planting beds to slow water evaporation from soil. Mulch also helps suppress weeds.
  8. Check underground sprinklers, pools and spas, and repair any leaks immediately..
  9. Help lawns absorb water efficiently by limiting thatch and aerating on a regular basis. Mowing at the proper height for summer growing conditions reduces a lawn’s water needs.
  10. Check your lawn irrigation system to make sure it’s working properly.  When running a sprinkler, set a timer to ensure you don’t forget to turn the water off.

Commissioner Robert J. McEvoy Elected LIWC Secretary

Robert J. McEvoy, Commissioner and Chairman of the Oyster Bay Water District, has been elected Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Water Conference.

Mr. McEvoy has served the people of Oyster Bay as Water Commissioner since 2002 and is a past President of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA). He adds this new responsibility to a distinguished career of public service that includes 35 years at the Town of Oyster Bay with five years as the Town’s comptroller.

Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner Robert McEvoy

“After nearly twenty years of performing my civic duty within the water service industry, it’s an honor to be elected to the Long Island Water Conference Board of Directors,” said the new LIWC Secretary. “I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and water providers across the Island to keep our precious drinking water safe, reliable and plentiful.”

Mr. McEvoy is also currently the Treasurer for New York 811, Inc. and an active member at the New York State Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). A volunteer firefighter for the Oyster Bay Fire Department since 1975, Bob served as Chief from 1986-1988 and as President from 1991-1992.

Best of luck Bob!

NUMC Addresses NSWCA Regarding Pandemic, Concerns and Safety Precautions

Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) Addresses NSWCA Regarding Pandemic, Concerns and Safety Precautions

Set against a backdrop of the Omicron variant surge, a legal and medical expert from the Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) addressed the NSWCA membership with a powerful remote learning presentation regarding concerns about the spread of COVID variants and taking safety precautions within the workplace.

NUMC’s Chief Legal Officer Megan Ryan introduced Dr. Janice Verley, Chief of Infectious Diseases, as Dr. Verley spoke on the timely topic of ‘COVID Pandemic, Ongoing Concerns and Safety Precautions’.  NSWCA (www.nswcawater.org) consists of 63 voter-elected water commissioners who collectively are responsible for maintaining and providing the highest standards of water quality, supply and distribution to more than 620,000 consumers, as well as being responsible for the safety of District employees who qualify as essential service providers.

Dr. Verley noted the dizzying statistic of more than 65,800,000 documented cases of COVID since the start of the pandemic, and the startling 850,000 deaths that have been recorded in the United States through January 2022.

“Understanding the facts of how the virus is spread and transmitted is the first step in successfully addressing COVID in the workplace and keeping employees safe,” Dr. Verley stated. The presentation noted the importance of taking rapid antigen tests or the more accurate lab-based PCR test if people feel ill. In the case of hospitalizations, intravenous anti-viral and steroids treatments are being used. The presenters pointed out that further treatments could include monoclonal antibody treatments.

Dr. Verley and Ms. Ryan stressed the multiple precautions that could help prevention and keep workers safe within local water districts. They pointed out workplace safety includes fastidiously maintaining a fully clean and sanitized work environment in the office as well as in vehicles. Employees should be urged to wash hands and sanitize frequently, use proper masks, and maintain safe distances wherever possible. Dr. Verley and Ms. Ryan strongly stressed the necessity to be vaccinated with all appropriate boosters.

NSWCA President and Locust Valley Water District Commissioner and Chairperson Patricia Peterson introduced Ms. Ryan and Dr. Verley to a receptive commissioner-only audience and later thanked them on behalf of the entire NSWCA organization for their informative presentation. “We appreciate the tireless and selfless efforts of our healthcare heroes and dedicated efforts of Dr. Verley on the front lines in the battle against this unprecedented pandemic. Our membership appreciates the knowledge and guidance provided by Nassau University Medical Center experts and collectively we will apply their recommendations within the workplace of water districts.”

New 2022 Board Elected by NSWCA

Locust Valley Water Commissioner Patricia Peterson named President

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) elected a new Board for the 2022 term, which runs through December 31, 2022.

Patricia Peterson

John F. Coumatos

Ralph Atoria

Michael J. Kosinski

Joseph Perry

The newly elected NSWCA 2022 Board includes incoming President Patricia Peterson, Commissioner of the Locust Valley Water District who succeeds outgoing President Amanda R. Field of the Plainview Water District; 1st Vice President John F. Coumatos, Commissioner of the Bethpage Water District; 2nd Vice President Ralph Atoria, Commissioner and Chairman of the South Farmingdale Water District; Secretary Joseph Perry, Commissioner of the South Huntington Water District; and Treasurer Michael J. Kosinski, Commissioner and Chairman of the Roslyn Water District.

“It’s a privilege to be part of this distinguished board and to lead the membership of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association in 2022,” President Peterson remarked. “NSWCA commissioners from all 21 districts which compose our organization are elected by voters to represent their best interests in water supply, quality and regulatory compliance. Long Island has one of the world’s greatest freshwater aquifers. As stewards of the public trust, the NSWCA will continue to promote sustainability, conservation and transparency through education, as well as to protect the invaluable aquifer that supplies the more than 620,000 people we serve.”

Newly elected NSWCA board members are sworn in during a December 2021 general meeting held at Spuntino Restaurant in Williston Park. (Pictured Left to Right): President Patricia Peterson, Second Vice President Ralph Atoria, Secretary Joseph Perry, and Treasurer Michael J. Kosinski.