At a general meeting in December 2021 at Spuntino Restaurant in Williston Park, incoming 2022 President Patricia Peterson presented outgoing 2021 NSWCA President Amanda R. Field with an engraved plaque recognizing Commissioner Field’s contributions as President, and also for serving as an NSWCA Board member since 2018.

(Pictured Left to Right) 2022 NSWCA President Patricia Peterson presents outgoing 2021 NSWCA President Amanda R. Field with an engraved plaque recognizing Commissioner Field’s contributions as President.

During her tenure as President, Commissioner Field directed NSWCA positions on water treatment, advocacy, conservation, sustainability and the state of the aquifer. She actively represented the organization in meetings on Long Island and in Albany and increased the recognition of the organization through outreach and dissemination of information regarding the responsibilities and importance of voter-elected, commissioner-run water districts.

Commissioner Field successfully continued the 2021 NSWCA Speaker Series at in-person and virtual meetings that featured luminaries such as former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran; Francis X. DeBobes, Chairman, Nassau County Fire Commission; Deborah Welt, Deputy Executive Director, Nassau County Civil Service Commission and many others.

President Peterson commented, “On behalf of the Board and the members of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association, I thank Commissioner Amanda Field for all her efforts and services at the helm of this great organization. In an era where COVID has presented daily challenges, Commissioner Field’s leadership has prevailed in promoting positioning and messaging so important to our membership and to the vast communities across Long Island that our members represent.”

Re-elected and newly elected Commissioners to serve three-year terms from 1/2/22 – 12/31/24

Voters in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties made their selections at the polls on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, electing or re-electing water commissioners in 21 Long Island commissioner-run water districts. The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association commissioners are collectively responsible for maintaining and providing the highest standards of water quality, supply and distribution to more than 620,000 consumers

2021 NSWCA President and Plainview Water District Commissioner Amanda R. Field commented, “I am extremely pleased to welcome our newly elected commissioners and returning colleagues to the NSWCA. Commissioner-run water districts are hyperlocal and by their very nature, commissioner elections are held annually. All registered residents are encouraged to exercise their voting privilege and vote for their candidate of choice that’s running for the commissioner. Candidate platforms include such topics as conservation, sustainability, governmental compliance, water quality and district economics.”

Newly-elected or re-elected commissioners are as follows:

• Ed Scott, Albertson Water District Newly-elected
• John F. Coumatos, Bethpage Water District Re-elected
• Italo J. Vacchio, Carle Place Water District Re-elected
• Glenn Barnett, Cathedral Gardens Water District Re-elected         ­
• Madeline Presta, Franklin Square Water District Re-elected
• Alan Cooper, Garden City Park Water Newly-elected
• Rod Ford, Glenwood Water District Newly-elected
• James Logan, Greenlawn Water District Re-elected
• Karl M. Schweitzer, Hicksville Water District Re-elected
• Thomas Abbate, Jericho Water District Re-elected
• Charles Savinetti, Jr., Locust Valley Water District Newly-elected
• Brian Morris, Manhasset-Lakeville Water District Re-elected
• Michael E. Mazzola, Massapequa Water District Re-elected
• Richard P. Niznik, Oyster Bay Water District Re-elected
• Andrew N. Bader, Plainview Water District Re-elected
• David Brackett, Port Washington Water District Re-elected
• Michael Kosinski, Roslyn Water District Re-elected
• John Hirt, South Farmingdale Water District Re-elected
• Joseph Perry, South Huntington Water District Re-elected
• Joseph M. Marando, West Hempstead Water District Re-elected
• Rodney Caines, Westbury Water District Re-elected

Re-elected and newly elected Commissioners announced by NSWCA

Essential Service Providers Work Harmoniously to Continue to Protect Local Consumers Water Supply and Delivery a Steady Flow of Water to Fire Fires

For over a century, fire districts and water districts have worked synergistically in providing essential services to Long Islanders. If water pressure and flow is not maintained to the highest level at all times, it would compromise firefighters’ ability to hook up to fire hydrants and fight fires. Communications between member water districts of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) and local fire districts is imperative, and the most recent meeting between these two essential service providers demonstrates a dedicated commitment to the community.

During a fall 2021 NSWCA meeting, hosted by Manhasset Lakeville Water District, a presentation was led by Francis X. DeBobes, Chairman, Nassau County Fire Commission. Chairman DeBobes discussed maximizing efficiencies between fire districts and water districts and commended the 21 member districts from Nassau and Suffolk Counties for providing the more than adequate amount of water pressure and flow needed from hydrants, especially during times when water district well sites are being retrofit to treat water from emerging compounds. The 30+ year decorated veteran also expressed the importance of having residents comply with backflow testing each year to avoid an undesirable flow of water back into a home or business.

(Pictured Left to Right) John Madden, Supervising Fire Marshal, Office of the Fire Marshal Nassau County; Andrew Schmitt, Jr., Division Supervisor, Office of the Fire Marshal Nassau County; Francis X. DeBobes, Chairman, Nassau County Fire Commission; Amanda R. Field, NSWCA Board President and John F. Coumatos, NSWCA 1st Vice President during a fall 2021 NSWCA and Nassau County Fire Commission meeting and presentation.

Discussions during the presentation included putting a plan together, collectively between the Nassau County Fire Commission and water suppliers to go after federal grants to provide proper funding to replace dated fire equipment and hydrants.

“Many residents may not know that most water suppliers are responsible for our fire hydrants within our neighborhoods and communities,” stated NSWCA President and Plainview Water District Commissioner Amanda Field. “Our member Districts test to ensure each hydrant holds line pressure without leaks, and we perform additional maintenance as recommended by the hydrant manufacturer. We flush our hydrants regularly so our heroic firefighters can rely on us to make sure when they connect to a hydrant, water flow will never be an issue.”

“A lot of education is being provided by water providers about their responsibilities to consumers and it’s something worth noting,” said Commissioner DeBobes. “Fire districts and water districts work hand in hand with one another and in many ways we rely on one another. A fact worth noting is response time from local water districts and local fire districts to an emergency situation can be within minutes…something we take to heart as residents rely on us each and every day.”

Dear Association Member:

The Albertson Water District regrets to announce the passing of Milta Scott, the mother of Albertson Water Commissioner Edward Scott . There will be no formal services, family only. A mass for the deceased will be held on 2/19/2022 at 1030 am at the Church of the Epiphany located at 375 2nd Ave NYC.

Please join me in extending our sincerest sympathy to the Scott Family.

Thank you
Comm Richard Ockovic AWD

During the NSWCA summer in-person meeting, current President Amanda Field stood before a constituency of over 50 fellow water commissioners to recognize the outstanding contributions of former Presidents William Schuckmann and Michael Rich.  Commissioner Rich’s presidency passed along to Commissioner Schuckmann during a very challenging time – – the onset of the pandemic.  As part of the executive board, Commissioner Rich continued to work with Commissioner Schuckmann and fellow Commissioners in communicating to the general public about our water supply and what safety measures were being put in place due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Both men worked tirelessly to keep a consistent, steady message that the essential work of water suppliers continued throughout the pandemic, never missing a beat. While offices remained closed to the general public to protect the health and safety of staff and customers, water suppliers continued to work…adhering to the conditions and mandates of the state of emergency.  Commissioner Schuckmann and Commissioner Rich continued to communicate with fellow water suppliers and helped to make PPE available.

Thank you Bill and Mike!  We appreciate your dedication and commitment to the communities we serve.

Commissioner William Schuckmann (Hicksville Water District), NSWCA President Amanda Field (Plainview Water District) and Michael Rich (Oyster Bay Water District) pose during a presentation at the NSWCA summer in-person meeting. Commissioner Schuckmann and Commissioner Rich were each presented with a plaque of appreciation from President Field.

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) had a strong, in-person presence at the official announcement of funding procurement to assist water districts with infrastructural improvements.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran explained that the $1.5 million in grants that originated with the American Rescue Plan will be put to good use “to ensure cleaner water for residents while preventing costs from being passed on to ratepayers.”

NSWCA President and Plainview Water Commissioner Amanda Field led the NSWCA delegation to this important announcement. President Field expressed the gratitude of the NSWCA to the county “for allocating funds from the American Rescue Plan towards emerging contaminants and water conservation. Every dollar counts towards offsetting the cost of designing and constructing treatment systems.”

Ms. Field continued, pointing out “As Water Commissioners representing 21 Voter-Elected Districts serving 620,000 consumers, we (NSWCA) have a fiduciary responsibility to protect our residents while delivering the highest quality water at the lowest possible rate. This grant program will greatly assist with that mission.”

Among the many prominent attendees were NSWCA members:

• Bill Schuckmann, Water Commissioner Hicksville Water District and former NSWCA President
• Andrew N. Bader, Water Commissioner Plainview Water District and President of the Long Island Water Conference
• Marc B. Laykind, Water Commissioner Plainview Water District
• Terri Black, Water Commissioner Bethpage Water District
• John F. Coumatos, Water Commissioner Bethpage Water District
• Scott Greco, Water Commissioner Bethpage Water District

Based on a story by Robert Pelaez, The Island Now:
https://theislandnow.com/great_neck/officials-secure-grants-for-water-districts-throughout-nassau-county/

Photos courtesy of Nassau County Executive’s Office

Officials, including NSWCA President and Plainview Water District Commissioner Amanda Field (center) and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran (left of A. Field) announce the procurement of grants for water districts throughout Nassau County to assist with infrastructural improvements.

Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) Elects New 2021 Board

Plainview Water Commissioner Amanda Field named President

February 22, 2021, Carle Place, New York, USA…….At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) virtual meeting sponsored by the Port Washington Water District, the Association elected a new Board for the 2021 term, which runs through December 31, 2021.

The newly elected NSWCA 2021 Board includes incoming President Amanda Field of the Plainview Water District who succeeds outgoing President William Schuckmann of the Hicksville Water District; 1st Vice President John F. Coumatos of the Bethpage Water District; 2^nd Vice President Patricia Peterson of the Locust Valley Water District; Secretary Joseph Perry of the South Huntington Water District; and Treasurer Michael J. Kosinski, Chairman of the Roslyn Water District.

“Our organization is composed entirely of commissioners elected by the voters of our 21 districts to represent their best interests in the compliance, conservation, safety and economics of water supply,” President Field stated. “Having faced a difficult 2020 including the rigors of the COVID-19 virus, summertime drought, as well as new treatment planning and implementation island-wide, our membership is poised to ensure another year of protecting and serving our island’s most vital resource with an uninterrupted water supply.”

President Field added “I believe that our new 2021 Board brings together a group of commissioners whose talents, years of experience and dedication to serving the public will foster a collaborative atmosphere that features science, education and a continued delivery of public information to our communities. We will continue to emphasize conservation and environmentalism for long term sustainability as a means to overcome production challenges, be compliant with our regulatory partners in government, and to protect the health of our sole source aquifer.”