Category Archives: News

Glenwood Hits The Century Mark

In 2019, the Glenwood Water District begins its 100th year of dedicated service to the public.

When it was formed a century ago, Woodrow Wilson was serving his second term as the 28th President of the Untied States of America. The USA was part of the victorious Allied forces at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. World War I, known then as The Great War had ended by Armistice at 11:00 on November 11, 1918, issuing in a new era.

Since its inception a century ago, the Glenwood Water District has delivered the highest quality water virtually without interruption by hurricanes, hard winters and even Superstorm Sandy! Congratulations to the Commissioners and the  staff of the Glenwood Water District on a job well done!

Manhasset-Lakeville Joins Suit

The Manhasset-Lakeville Water District joined eight other NSWCA member districts by filing a lawsuit against chemical manufacturers for the emerging contaminant 1,4 dioxane pollution in drinking water wells.

Separate lawsuits filed by legal firm Sher Edling LLP (San Francisco, California) include eight NSWCA member districts*, as well as the Water Authority of Great Neck North, and cite negligence, defective design and failure to warn about dangers, among other things.

Michael F. Rich III President of NSWCA stated, “the lawsuits represent a step in the right direction in addressing questions regarding groundwater on Long Island. They not only shed light on 1,4 dioxane, but also draw attention to the potential for other emerging contaminants and properly assign responsibility with the manufacturers and polluters of the water supply. Why should Long Island residents be forced to pay for 1,4 dioxane treatment and clean up when they are the victims? The answer is they should not, and these actions put the potentially huge costs for cleanup and remediation squarely on the shoulders of those who created the situation in the first place.”

* (Albertson Water District, Carle Place Water District, Garden City Park Water District, Jericho Water District, Oyster Bay Water District, Port Washington Water District, Roslyn Water District, West Hempstead Water District)

Welcome New & Returning Members!

It happens every fall and 2018 was no exception.

Michael F. Rich III

The greatest American institutional process was once again put into play on December 11, 2018 as voters went to the polls in record numbers to elect water commissioners in 21 districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The NSWCA welcomes the new and selected men and women and wishes them well in their respective positions. Each newly elected or re-elected commissioner will serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021.

NSWCA First Vice President and Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner Michael F. Rich III commented on the election results. “With the election process being hyper-local and so close to the community, the vote of each individual truly counts,” he said. “I am extremely pleased to welcome both our new colleagues and returning colleagues to NSWCA. Commissioner-run water districts enable all registered residents to express their personal preferences for the men and women of their choice at the ballot box through the voting process. It also helps ensure that present day economic goals as well as longer term goals such as conservation, sustainability and aquifer health are truly reflective of the mindset of all 21 communities.”

The NSWCA congratulates the following Long Island water district new elected and re-elected commissioners on their three-year term election:

  • Howard Abbondondelo, Albertson Water District, Re-elect
  • John F. Coumatos, Bethpage Water District, Re-elect
  • Italo J. Vacchio, Carle Place Water District, New elect
  • Glenn Barnett, Cathedral Gardens Water District, Re-elect
  • Madeline Presta, Franklin Square Water District, Re-elect
  • Chris Engel, Garden City Park Water District, Re-elect
  • James M. Logan, Greenlawn Water District, Re-elect
  • Karl M. Schweitzer, Hicksville Water District, Re-elect
  • Thomas A. Abbate, Jericho Water District, Re-elect
  • Peter Brown Locust Valley Water District, New elect
  • Patricia Peterson, Locust Valley Water District, New elect
  • Louis P. Savinetti Locust Valley Water District, Re-elect
  • Brian Morris, Manhasset-Lakeville Water District, Re-elect
  • Francis J. Flood. Massapequa Water District, New elect
  • Richard Niznik, Oyster Bay Water District, Re-elect
  • Andrew Bader, Plainview Water District, Re-elect
  • David Brackett, Port Washington Water District, Re-elect
  • Michael Kosinski, Roslyn Water District, Re-elect
  • John Hirt, South Farmingdale Water District, Re-elect
  • Joseph Perry, South Huntington Water District, New elect
  • Joseph Marando, West Hempstead Water District, Re-elect
  • Rodney Caines, Westbury Water District, New elect
  • Barry Green, Westbury Water District, New elect
  • Bernard McCabe, Glenwood Water District, Re-elect (not pictured)


Note:  There are three water district commissioner positions in each district. District residents vote for one of the three commissioner positions each year. Due to the passing or resignation of commissioners in 2018, the Locust Valley Water District and the Westbury Water District had elections for more than one commissioner seat.

Day In Day Out Coverage

Donna Lupo, James J. Stanis and Donna Zuzio of J.J. Stanis and Company, Inc.

Providing an uninterrupted supply of water day in day out may not be quite as dangerous as the daily routines of police and fire services, but it is certainly not without its hazards. Protecting each district’s workforce with reliable insurance coverage is a necessity. A trio of experts from J.J. Stanis provided an important overview of new insurance products that addressed the concerns of commissioners in this area. The NSWCA recently welcomed guest speakers James J. Stanis, Donna Lupo and Donna Zuzio of J.J. Stanis and Company, Inc., a third-party health insurance administrator whose presentations included programs for both affordable dental and vision coverage.

Jim Stanis is the past Chair of the Business Associate Advisory committee of the New York State Association of School Business Officials (ASBO-New York), and is responsible for the planning of annual industry events in New York State including their annual conference.

Donna Zuzio, Account Executive has been in the insurance industry since 1998 and received her Bachelor of Administration Degree in Finance from Hofstra University.

Donna Lupo, Account Executive, began her career in 1986 and has worked with Met Life, Oxford and Olsten Health Services. Donna provides Sales and Service to a variety of businesses ranging from sole proprietorships to corporate accounts.

LVWD Superintendent, Charles Savinetti Jr.

The meeting was hosted by the Locust Valley Water District. LVWD Superintendent Charles Savinetti Jr. provided an update and overview of the district.

Drinking Water Symposium

The LIWC Drinking Water Symposium brought together water quality experts, environmentalists, industry representatives and public officials including commissioners and superintendents from seventeen NSWCA member districts.

The Symposium focused on the evolution of treating for contaminants, the systems being implemented to treat for emerging and unregulated contaminants, and the impact of wastewater and on Long Island’s groundwater.

Chuck Savinetti, Chairman of the LI Water Conference and Superintendent of the Locust Valley Water District, provided opening remarks. Carrie Meek Gallagher, Region 1 Director, NYS DEC, provided the keynote address with her usual professionalism and grace.

The first panel discussion on “Evolution of Water Treatment: Meeting the Challenges Presented by Emerging Contaminants in Long Island’s Groundwater,” was moderated by Tyrand Fuller C.P.G, Lead Hydrologist for SCWA and 2nd Vice Chairman of the LIWC. The panel included Scott Meyerdierks, Lead Civil Engineer SCWA and James E. Neri, P.E., VP Water Division Director, H2M Architects & Engineers.

The ensuing panel was moderated by Rich Passariello, Superintendent of Roslyn Water District and 2nd Vice Chairman, LIWC on the topic “Wastewater and Its Impact on Groundwater: Treating Wastewater for Emerging Contaminants”. Panel experts included Peter Scully Suffolk County Deputy County Executive; Karen Gomez, Regional Engineer for Water and Remediation, NYS DEC; and Irene Fisher Hydrologist, US Geological Survey.

Former NSWCA President and Plainview Water Commissioner Andrew N. Bader provided incisive closing remarks.

Infrastructure Discussed

Infrastructure was the educational topic of the day at the recent NSWCA meeting in Williston Park, New York. Guest speaker Adam Szczesniak of Suez Water Advanced Solutions (formerly Utility Service Group) used a PPT presentation to discuss water quality and a wide gamut of related services, including wells, valves, robotically sprayed pipe lining, and pigging (interior scouring of water pipes).

Above: Adam Szczesniak of Suez and NSWCA President Vincent Abbatiello.

 

Mr. Szczesniak focused a large part of the discussion on water tanks both the need for maintenance and ways to control costs of maintenance.  “Steel storage tanks can last for a hundred years, if they properly maintained.” He stated.

“Proper maintenance includes interior and exterior coatings and regular inspections for safety, sanitary and security and other concerns,” as well as ensuring OSHA standards. Mr. Szczesniak pointed out that neglected leaks can become major problems and waste untold amounts of water. He noted that replacement of water storage tanks runs into the millions of dollars and that programmatic inspection and maintenance can save water districts future engineering and procurement costs and time and provide the versatility to focus on other projects.

New NSWCA Commissioners Welcomed

It was full house at the recent NSWCA monthly meeting.Three new commissioners were introduced to the NSWCA membership. Mr. Joseph Perry (South Huntington Water District), Mr. Barry V. Green  (Westbury Water District) and longtime water superintendent  and new Commissioner, Mr. Italo J. Vacchio (Carle Place Water District) joined the association’s active ranks.

 

Below left:  Commissioner Perry

Below right:  Commissioners Green and Vacchio.

 

Greenlawn and Oyster Bay Taste Best!

The NSWCA is extremely proud to announce that our commissioner-led water districts have taken the top prizes for Best Tasting Water in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties at the Tap Water Taste Contest.

In Nassau no one has better tasting tap water than the Oyster Bay Water District, according to the the tasters who sampled and voted  at the Campus Center at SUNY Farmingdale May 7th  through May 10th. And in Suffolk, the Greenlawn Water District’s tap water tasted best and  the District took home the trophy for the eighth time .

Congratulations to the dedicated staff and superintendents of both winning districts, to Oyster Bay Commissioners Robert J. McEvoy, Richard Niznik and Michael F. Rich II, as well as to Greenlawn Commissioners John McLaughlin, Jim Logan and John H. Clark.

To Syracuse and Beyond!

Both winners will be entered into the regional competition which eventually culminates in the New York State Fair in Syracuse to determine the best tasting water in the entire state! Winners at the regional and State Fair competitions receive recognition plaques from the judging body, the Water and Wastewater Education and Outreach Committee (WWEOC).

The Suffolk County Trophy.

 Above Right: Left to right: Greenlawn Water District Commissioners John McLaughlin, Jim Logan, John H. Clark, and Superintendent Bob Santoriello.

 

Oyster Bay Water District receiving the Nassau County Trophy from Chuck Savinetti, Superintendent of Locust Valley Water District and Chairman of the LI Water Conference.

Above Right: Left to right: Oyster Bay Water District Superintendent John W. Walsh, Mr. Savinetti, Oyster Bay Commissioners Robert J. McEvoy, Richard Niznik and Michel F. Rich III.

 

 

Understanding Reporting Requirements

NSWCA The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association was recently addressed by guest speaker Austin R. Graff attorney at law, of The Scher Law Firm, LLP, (Carle Place, NY). The meeting was hosted by Cathedral Gardens Water District and NSWCA.

Mr. Graff’s  in-depth presentation centered on  Civil Service Reporting Requirements including hiring practices and steps to ensure that the duties performed by employees are within title. Other key topics  included the need for employees of Special Districts to abide by Civil Service Rules and Procedures at all times, Competitive / Non-Competitive / Laborer titles, and probation periods.

“Education is one of, if not the most essential principle to successful near term and long term management of Long Island’s single source aquifer and water delivery systems,” NSWCA  President Vincent Abbatiello commented. “By having experts such as Austin Graff be a part of the NSWCA’s ongoing Educational Series, our membership is continually apprised of the latestdevelopments, technologies and information to guide and assist us in the management of our respective districts.”

 

Left to right:  NSWCA 1st Vice President Michael F. Rich III of the Oyster Bay Water District; Treasurer Lawrence F. Zaino Jr. of the Carle Place Water District; NSWCA President and Westbury Water Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello; Guest speaker Mr. Austin R. Graff; 2nd Vice President William Schuckmann of the Hicksville Water District.

 

Commissioner Pat Eliseo Locust Valley WD

Locust Valley WD Commissioner Pasquale J. “Pat” Eliseo has passed away at age 85.

Locust Valley Water Commissioner Pat Eliseo lived and worked in Locust Valley all his life, and honorably served his country in the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War. A member of the Locust Valley Board of Water Commissioners since 1997, Pat helped oversee the rapid growth and changes in the north shore communities that the District supplies, including Locust Valley, Lattingtown, and areas of Mill Neck and Matinecock. Commissioner Eliseo was also an active member of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), where he held various leadership positions, including the position of President.

With deep roots in the community, Pat was a volunteer member of the Locust Valley Fire Department for 65 years, including serving as Treasurer of its Emergency Medical Rescue Squad.  He also held the positions of Department Treasurer, Company Captain and District Fire Commissioner, and was a member of the Locust Valley Exempt and Benevolent Firemen’s Association.

Pat Eliseo’s community involvement was extensive. A charter member of the Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club, he was a member of the Matinecock Neighborhood Association, and served as Vice-President for over 20 years. He was also a member and past-president of the Locust Valley Rotary Club and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow, the organization’s highest award.

In his business life, Pat was well known and respected as the proprietor of Marquis Wines and Liquors for over 30 years.  His guidance, professionalism and good humor will be missed.