Flushing Water Quality Down the Toilet – The Need for Sewer Infrastructure and Downtown Revitalization is Now
Neighboring communities throughout Suffolk County have begun to take the necessary measures to assure a thriving municipality for future generations. With the help of Suffolk County Executive, Steve Bellone, communities like Ronkonkoma, Central Islip, Babylon and Brookhaven have received grants, private and public funding for major sewer infrastructure revitalization through designing a plan that stimulates economic growth and young talent, while protecting the environment. The town of Smithtown has the potential to grow as our neighboring communities have… if we could just get passed our phobia of change.
Civic associations throughout Smithtown have been vocal in pleading with local officials to take the lead in designing a plan that would revitalize our sewer infrastructure. Without a plan, Smithtown will continue to see a decline in commercial tax revenue, causing higher residential taxes for residents. The recent announcement to close Branch Brook School, due to an increasing decline of student enrollment, is proof of a continuing exodus of young families living here. Most importantly, without a plan to install sewers, we are guaranteeing an eminent water quality crisis, destroying natural resources, vegetation and marine life.
The Dangers of Doing Nothing:
- 70% of the nitrogen pollution load in Suffolk County is due to the some 360,000 unsewered homes
- Failing and unmaintained septic systems and cesspools have become an eminent threat to Long Island’s water quality, wildlife, quality of life
- Last year 300,000 fish and 100 turtles died during three waves of fish kills in the Peconic River, due to increased nitrogen levels causing spikes in algae blooms.
- While urban and storm runoff are the primary sources of pathogens in the Nissequogue River, municipal wastewater, inadequate septic systems and boat discharges have contributed to shellfishing restrictions and threatened coastal vegetation.
Back in October of last year, County Executive Bellone did a walk-through with Supervisor Vecchio to discuss plans to revitalize downtown and possible funding for sewering through Smart Growth initiatives. In a work session early February, Supervisor Vecchio seemed to have a foot-in-mouth moment, when asked about sewering status, saying it was an election year and Bellone yessed him to death. While he immediately corrected the comment, some would argue that the Town has no one to blame for a lack of a sewering plan but itself.
The people of Kings Park have taken matters into their own hands, by collaborating to fund a downtown revitalization plan, created by Vision Long Island. The plan, which is expected to be finished by late spring, can move forward for grants and funding, once its been adopted. Bellone spoke to this concept of designing revitalization plan, independent of the Town, during a luncheon for the Greater Smithtown Chambers of Commerce on January 22nd of this year. The County Executive promised he would move mountains to find Smithtown the funding, but we would need to bring an adopted plan to him first.
Smithtown natives are a proud community. We love our Schools, local businesses and our beautiful homes. With so many pleasing creature comforts, the concept of change can seem disagreeable to the majority of us. However, recent events and reports from environmental and economic experts indicate an eminent threat to our way of life if changes are not made in the near future. Staying vigilant in support of a revitalization plan will secure the value of our homes, quality education systems and a safe habitat for our children’s children to grow up in.
Proven Results for Surrounding Communities:
Sewer Infrastructure
In Spring of 2015, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced proposals for massive sewer system overhauls that would reduce heavy nitrogen and pathogen pollution. By Fall of last year, Suffolk County had received $388 million in state and federal aid for sewering homes in North Babylon, Deer Park, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Oakdale and Shirley in addition to new collection systems for Carlls, Connetquot, Patchogue and Forge Rivers. The new systems are a huge step in protecting water quality while preserving coastal vegetation and marshlands for those communities.
Ronkonkoma Hub:
April 29, 2015 Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, along with The LIRR, Brookhaven and Islip Town Supervisors signed an agreement, forming the Ronkonkoma Hub Regional Planning Alliance, a first of its kind in the county. The 50-acre Ronkonkoma Hub project includes 1,450 apartment units, 545,000 square feet of commercial space and retail space, with intermodal access across air, auto, bus and train transportation systems. In addition to the economic potential, a cutting sewer pipeline is planned for the project, designed to protect Suffolk County drinking water while expanding industrial potential throughout the area. The Ronkonkoma Hub has the potential to transform economic stimulation in Suffolk County, creating thousands of jobs, an expansion of foreign flights for MacArthur Airport and will bring the younger generations back to the Community, putting an end to the Brain Drain.
Wyandanch Rising
Wyandanch was originally named the most economically distressed community on Long Island by the Suffolk County Planning Department. While still Supervisor of Bablyon, Steve Bellone had the vision to create a transit oriented development (TOD) featuring a mix of residential, commercial, restaurant and gallery space. Wyandanch Rising became a comprehensive community revitalization plan that attracted over $500 million from private and government partners for the overhaul. As a result of these revitalization efforts, a new sewer system was installed, Straight Path has been repaved and 177 affordable luxury apartment units have begun to fill up. In Addition to the revitalization efforts, Wyandanch Rising has been chosen as the first permanent home of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame museum.