• Toback Sends Letter Saying Sewer Plant Consolidation is Coming •
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Legislator Jeff Toback recently mailed a letter to certain residents of his legislative district to inform us about legislative committee meetings pertaining to the consolidation of the Lawrence and Cedarhurst sewage plants into the Bay Park facility. During the meeting of the Public Works Committee on Monday, May 18th, 2009 Legislator Toback told residents he knew nothing of the plan to have either the county or the villages of Cedarhurst and Lawrence bond the money needed to push the consolidation plan through until it was voted on by the villages Tuesday, May 12th and thusly sent the letter out as soon as he heard the news. If that's the case, then why is Legislator Toback's letter dated Monday, May 11th and why did residents not receive the letter until two days before the May 18th meeting? Is Legislator Toback trying to keep things under the rug so as not to give residents a fair chance to voice their opinion? He may state it was just a typo or that he drafted the letter with hope of the villages voting YES to bond the money. The truth is Legislator Toback knew this was going to happen way before May 18th and neglected to notify Bay Park/East Rockaway residents until the last possible minute. Please read a copy of the letter below. |
May 11, 2009
Dear Constituents:
In an attempt to keep you abreast of the most current information regarding important issues in our neighborhoods, I am taking this opportunity to let you know that on Monday, May 18th, 2009, starting at 2 PM, the legislature’s Public Works, Finance and Rules committees will entertain items in relation to the consolidation of the Cedarhurst and Lawrence sewer operations into the county’s wastewater system.
As you may recall, the county’s 2008 Capital Plan, which was unanimously adopted by the legislature, contained a $1.4 million project for the technical design of the consolidation. That design project is substantially complete, and calls for the consolidation of the villages’ sewer operations into the county’s system, with no construction taking place in East Rockaway and Bay Park.
Now, federal stimulus money is potentially available for the construction that is necessary to tie the villages’ systems into the county wastewater operation. The two items that will be heard on May 18th, will allow for the funding of the construction, taking advantage of the Federal stimulus funding and a low interest loan from the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation.
Once the consolidation is effective, the western bays will “breathe easier” as the county’s wastewater systems are far superior to those of the villages, but we are all mindful that our work is not completed. In fact, a draft of the county’s wastewater master plan calls for $200 million in upgrades to the Bay Park facility over the next 20 years.
I will continue to keep you posted on this, and other important issues. If you have any questions, as always, please feel free to call me at 571-6207, or email at jtoback@nassaucountyny.gov.
Very truly yours,
Jeff Toback
Legislator, 7th LD
Please take the time to contact Legislator Toback by email or telephone and let him know how you feel about the county's ill-conceived consolidation plan.
