L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

PUBLIC WATER NOW! Demonstrators at the rally at the Hempstead Town Hall. From left are Pam Dempsey, Jane Finkelstein and an unidentified Wantagh man. Merrick Life photo by Laura Schofer

Over a dozen residents showed up at the Hempstead Town  Board meeting on Tuesday, September 20, to urge board members to help fund the Water Authority of Southeastern Nassau County’s feasibility study that would evaluate options for the distribution of water to residents in Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh and Seaford.
   
WASENC was reconstituted by the Town of Hempstead in January 2010 in response to residents’ outrage over water rates. WASENC is charged with the task of determining if a public takeover of the private water company is economically feasible.   
   
Area residents receive water from Aqua New York, a subsidiary of Aqua America, a private water company that provides water to 45,000 residents in the Town of Hempstead, as well as residents from parts of Massapequa who live in the Town of Oyster Bay.
   
Water provided by Aqua costs residents 4-5 times more than public water provided by the Town of Hempstead in neighboring communities, including East Meadow and Levittown.
   
A feasibility study would evaluate the worth of the company, as well as determine if a public takeover would save residents money. A previous study conducted by then-county Comptroller Howard Weitzman concluded that savings to residents could be negligible because of the PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) payments, which would have to be made to school districts. Advocates counter that savings to residents would be long-term, and that a new study needs to be done.
   
“I’m asking you to provide funding to the water authority. At meeting after meeting [of the water authority] we are told they need money for study and investigation [of a possible takeover of Aqua],” said county Legislator David Denenberg, Democrat of Merrick.
   
“We provided seed money,” replied Town Supervisor Kate Murray, referring to the $10,000 the Town of Hempstead gave to WASENC 18 months ago. The Town of Oyster Bay provided $5,000 to WASENC as well.
   
“And we thank you for that, but we need more money,” said Legislator Denenberg.
   
“Do you have any money? You have access to member items. Can you assist, as we have?” asked Supervisor Murray.
   
“You are talking about money that is for capital improvement only. It  can’t be used for this. Why don’t you come with me to speak with County Executive [Edward] Mangano and see if you can get him to provide some of the Environmental Bond Act money?” Legislator Denenberg asked.
   
“I will remind you that water is a service that is funded and provided by the towns as stated by state law, while the county is responsible for sewage and police. We don’t ask the town to provide police service. The town is responsible for providing water service,” he declared.
   
Claudia Borecky, president of the North and Central Merrick Civic Association and a candidate for Town Board also urged the Town to provide additional funding. “For the past 18 months WASENC has been seeking grants to fund the study without success. We are struggling here with affordable water,” said Ms. Borecky. “WASENC barely opened a bank account in 18 months.”
   
Jane Finkelstein, a Wantagh resident also urged the Town Board to assist WASENC. “Why is my bill five times as much as yours? It’s not fair. 80% of residents pay less. We need more control over members of WASENC. It’s been a year and a half and nothing is going on,” she asserted.
   
Supervisor Murray said that “we are all on the same page. We gave $10,000 and when they come and ask for more money, we’ll consider it.”

By Laura Schofer

Laura Schofer, staff writer for L&M Publications, has been recognized with several awards for many of her feature pieces published in Bellmore and Merrick Life, The Citizen and The Leader.