Guest speaker Stan Carey, Superintendent of the Massapequa Water District, recently updated NSWCA membership on the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection (LICAP) as well as the New York State Drinking Water Quality Council (NYSDWQC).

LICAP is the bi-county entity that addresses quality and quantity issues facing Long Island’s aquifer system and advocates for a coordinated, regional approach to groundwater resources management. Superintendent Carey discussed the five-year extension to continue the pursuit of the commission’s goals, the formation of a Conservation Subcommittee, and the addition of two new LICAP Board positions, raising the number of Board members to eleven.

Mr. Carey also indicated that a state of the aquifer report would be created annually and revealed grant funding from the DEC, Nassau County, and Suffolk County that totaled $350,000.  In addition, consultants will be added to assist in meeting report deadlines.

Mr. Carey’s update on the New York State Drinking Water Quality Council included, among other topics, observations on 1,4 dioxane. He advised that while currently there is no approved lab testing technology for levels below 1 PPB for 1,4 dioxane, water suppliers should prepare and plan for future treatment.

Below, left to right, Superintendent Stan Carey of the Massapequa Water District; NSWCA President and Westbury Water Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello.

Whether it is performing routine preventive maintenance or responding to a water emergency in sub-zero temperatures, the health and safety of water districts employees is always of paramount importance. Guest speakers Bill and Seth Kurz of Kurz Planning, Inc. provided an insightful presentation on dental coverage and how it could apply to water districts and municipalities in terms of health benefits and potentially favorable group rates. A lengthy Q&A session followed the informative presentation.

On August 25th, the Roslyn Water District brought its message of conservation to “East Hills Green Day”, a special event dedicated to informing area residents about products and services that benefit the environment.

Roslyn Water Commissioners Michael J. Kosinski and Dr. Sanford Klein were on hand at the event to discuss the many merits of water conservation and sustainability. The District’s “Save 2 Minutes”, a voluntary public services program initiated in 2015, was chief among the topics. The “Save 2 Minutes” program is designed to conserve up to 10% of the Roslyn Water District’s annual irrigation water. Participating residents reduce the time that each of their irrigation zones are turned on by two minutes.

Another successful program the commissioners discussed was staggering of irrigation by community. The various communities served by the District have varied windows of time that they may irrigate. The District found that this produced dramatic improvements in water availability during times of peak demand.

Left to right:  Commissioner Michael J. Kosinski; Commissioner Sanford E. Klein DDS; Roslyn Water District Superintendent Richard J. Passariello.

For more information:   www.roslynwater.org

Plainview Water District Celebrates 90 Years of Delivering Quality Water and Service to the Plainview Community.

Historical Photos and Items to be Displayed at Plainview Library October 1 – October 14. Community Reception to be Held on October 3 at 6:00 p.m.

90th Anniversary Celebration Invitation

The Plainview Water District is celebrating 90 years of delivering high-quality water and service to members of the Plainview-Old Bethpage community. Since its establishment in 1928, the Plainview Water District has amassed a diverse collection of accomplishments that support its unwavering responsibility as stewards of the water supply and distribution system. To help celebrate 90 years of service, the District has coordinated with the Plainview Library to display several items and photos from the District’s past.

“After ninety years of serving the Plainview-Old Bethpage community with clean, high-quality water, we are excited to celebrate the District’s success and rich history,” said Marc Laykind, chairman of the Plainview Water District board of commissioners. “It’s an honor for the current Board to carry out the great work of our predecessors and continue to ensure our community’s most precious natural resource is well cared for and well managed.”

When the District was first created 90 years ago, it was purchasing its water from the Jericho Water District. It wasn’t until 1954 when the District’s first supply well and elevated storage tower came online that it was capable of producing and fulfilling the community’s water needs on their own. This was a landmark success for the District, and while since undergoing maintenance and rebuilds, those key pieces of infrastructure are still serving the community today. Since this milestone moment, the District has grown to 12 supply wells, seven treatment facilities, 130 miles of water main that collectively have the ability to deliver up to 10 millions of gallons of water per day to more than 30,000 residents.

“Thinking of what the District was when it first began and the advancements in delivery and the sophisticated treatment methods implemented since are nothing short of impressive,” said Amanda Field, secretary of the Plainview Water District board of commissioners. “We take an immense amount of pride in incorporating the latest and greatest technology throughout our water systems so our residents continue to receive the highest quality water possible for decades to come.”

In an effort to provide insight into the District’s earlier years, a visual display of old photos and other historic items will occur at the Plainview Library between October 1 and October 14. In addition, on October 3, 2018 at 6 p.m., the District will be hosting a reception at the exhibit and all family, friends and members of the community are invited to attend.

“We hope the community comes out and enjoys seeing a snapshot of some of the memorable moments in their water district’s history,” said Andrew Bader, treasurer of the Plainview Water District board of commissioners. “It’s important to stop and take some time to reflect on the moments that helped shape the present time. Our District’s past successes will always be remembered, and it is upon us to keep the torch of success moving into the future.”

For more information, please contact the Plainview Water District at (516) 931-6469, info@plainviewwater.orgor through the District’s website www.plainviewwater.org. The District also encourages all residents to sign up for email updates to stay better informed about District activities.

NSWCA Awards Nicholas J. Bartilucci Manhattan College Scholarship To Local Student

Williston Park NY, U.S.A – It’s all about giving back. The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) has awarded the 2018 Nicholas J. Bartilucci Manhattan College Scholarship to Raymond DeSimone of Carle Place, New York.The annual scholarship is open to entering freshmen enrolled full-time in any engineering degree program at Manhattan College. DeSimone, a Carle Place High School graduate, applied for and was awarded the coveted scholarship based on academic credentials and extracurricular activities.

NSWCA President and Westbury Water District Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello presided over the ceremony and stated, “This annual scholarship honors the memory of the late Nicholas J. Bartilucci, a towering figure in the Long Island water industry. Nick passed away in 2016, and by recognizing and enabling outstanding engineering students such as Raymond DeSimone, we continue to keep Nick’s passion for engineering education a tangible reality.”

The award presentation ceremony was held at Angelina’s restaurant in Williston Park. President Abbatiello acknowledged the involvement and assistance of NSWCA Treasurer and Carle Place Water District Commissioner Lawrence F. Zaino, Carle Place High School Principal Thomas DePaolo, and Ms. Mary Ellen Malone, Director of Planned Giving at Manhattan College, all of whom were instrumental in the administration and selection process. Raymond’s parents, Richard and Karen DeSimone, were in attendance along with water commissioners from all districts.

The NSWCA meeting was sponsored by Greenlawn Water District Commissioners’ John McLaughlin, Jim Logan and John Clark.

Locust Valley Water District Commissioner since 1994, and current Chairman of the Board, Anker Johansen has passed away.

Locust Valley Water District Commissioner since 1994, and current Chairman of the Board, Anker Johansen, Locust Valley Commissioner has passed away.

A successful proprietor of a family-owned electrical business, the life-long Locust Valley resident was dedicated to service. Anker Johansen served his country with distinction for four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. His long record of local community service and active participation in many organizations included past-president of the Rotary Club, Commander of the American Legion Post where he was a 50-year member, and 24 years of service with the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association.

Commissioner Johansen was an original member and past-Chairman of the Town of Oyster Bay Electrical Licensing Board for 18 years, holding license # 3. He also served as a volunteer for the Locust Valley Fire Department, as a member of the Locust Valley Exempt and Benevolent Firemen’s Association, and as a past-member of the Old Brookville Police Department.

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association expresses our gratitude for 24 years of dedicated service to our association and extends condolences to the Johansen family.

Viewing and Services:

• Tuesday, August 21, 2018                6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 22, 2018         3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Whitting Funeral Home   300 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head, New York 11545

516.671.0807    https://whitting.com/

Funeral:

• Thursday, August 23, 2018  11:00 a.m.  Locust Valley Reformed Church, 115 Ryefield Road, Locust Valley, New York 11560

As a result of his recent presentation to the NSWCA,  Garden City Park Water District Superintendent Mike Levy was interviewed by The Island Now on the topic of 1,4 Dioxane.

The in-depth interview by reporter Rebecca Klar was published in several publications including the New Hyde Park Herald Courier as well as the Williston Times, and can be read in full at: https://theislandnow.com/great_neck/garden-city-park-water-district-to-launch-14-dioxane-removal-pilot/

Garden City Park Water District to launch 1,4 Dioxane removal pilot

Guest speaker Keith Jewell addressed the NSWCA on the important topic of Robert’s Rules of Order*, the proverbial bible of parliamentary procedure and the most frequently used procedural manual of its kind in the USA.

Mr. Jewell, attorney and counselor at law and proprietor of Keith C. Jewell, P.C., (Carle Place, NY) gave a penetrating presentation on elements of procedure to guide the association during meetings. Selected highlights of Mr. Jewell’s presentation included:

• Majority quorum required (no quorum = no voting)
• Written agenda in advance
• Advance review of attendee list
• Meeting management by the clock
• Use of the “Parking Lot” to manage off topic discussions
• Prewire important points and decisions
• Individualized notetaking
• Meeting follow up
• Executive sessions

The comments were well received by the attending commissioners. The host for the meeting was the Garden City Park Water District. Commissioner Peter Chimenti provided an overview and update of issues affecting the District.

*Robert’s Rules of Order, currently in its 11^thedition, was originally published by U.S. Army Brigadier General Henry Martyn Robert (1837-1923).

NSWCA commissioners were recipients of a detailed training session on internal audits from CPAs Alexandria Battaglia and Brendan Nelson of R.S. Abrams & Co., LLP (Islandia, New York). In business for over 75 years, the accounting firm provides auditing services in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland and Dutchess counties. Their presentation centered on the “Value of Internal Audits” and included:

• The Purpose of Internal Audits
• Internal and External Auditing: Key Factors Differentiating factors
• Internal Audit Function Misconceptions

Perhaps most valuable topic of all presented to the attendees was the education on “How Water Districts Can Better Utilize the Internal Auditor”. This delved into subject matter such as  Valuation of Controls Beyond Transactional Cycles, Investigating Less Costly Alternatives To Achieve Equivalent Results, Evaluation of Operational Areas, and Best Practices. The educational training presentation also explored the “Top Ten Internal Control Deficiency is Cited in the New York State Comptroller’s Reports- Local Government”.