More than 30 residents attended the Monday night meeting of the North Bellmore Civic Association as it tackled the pressing issues of police precinct closings and the planned purchase of Aqua.

Precinct closings
County Legislator Dave Denenberg was on hand along with police union representative Wayne Hartmann to discuss a proposal now in front of the Nassau County Legislature. On Monday afternoon the Rules Committee voted 4–3 along party lines to downgrade four police precincts to community policing centers. Voting in favor of the proposal were Republicans Peter Schmitt, Howard Kopel, Dennis Dunne and Rose Marie Walker. Those opposed were Democrats Kevan Abrahams, Judy Jacobs and Wayne Wink.
   
Mr. Denenberg said the proposal would have the First Precinct closing and being absorbed by the Seventh Precinct, which would then become the First  Precinct. The Eighth Precinct would be absorbed by the Second Precinct, the Sixth Precinct by the Third Precinct, and the Fifth Precinct by the Fourth Precinct. 
   
Mr. Denenberg said the county’s administration says there would be a reduction of 100 people : 87 sworn officers and 13 civilians. He added that while the current administration claims a savings of $20 million would be realized from these closings, the county’s budget review office states the savings would be closer to $12 million. 
   
Mr. Denenberg pointed out that even the $12 million figure does not factor in termination pay, and the construction costs needed for the police precincts to implement these changes. 
   
Addressing the subject of the simple logistics to handle the county’s criminal activity, Mr. Denenberg said, “Baldwin has two holding cells, Seaford has one cell.” 
   
Mr. Hartmann said, “Construction would be needed in Seaford in order handle the processing of criminals.” 
   
Mr. Denenberg said construction would also be needed to change current precincts into “community policing centers.” 
   
At a community meeting held in Baldwin last week, residents raised concerns about the number of patrols on the street, especially after learning that with fewer precincts there would be fewer police officer staffing requirements, as required by union contract.
   
Mr. Denenberg said he did not support this proposal.  He said the proposal will be voted on by the full Legislature Monday, February 27. Residents with concerns should call County Executive Edward P. Mangano, as well as their Nassau County legislators, to voice those concerns prior to the vote, he concluded.

Aqua to American to WASENC?
John Reinhardt, secretary of the Water Authority of Southeastern Nassau County, WASENC, was also on hand to discuss the impending purchase of Aqua by American Water Works Company Inc., and the possibility of WASENC eventually purchasing the water company and making it a publicly owned utility.
   
Mr. Reinhardt said WASENC was originally created in 1991 to research the feasibility of making the water system a public entity. Its activity ended in 1997.  The second incarnation of WASENC began last year.
   
Mr. Reinhardt said residents have recently become more incensed over rate increases occurring with Aqua every three years.  While he said purchasing the company and making it a public utility won’t initially produce a drastic rate decrease, he added, “If we can take this company over and hold rates where they are now, people will be very happy.”
   
He explained that if the water system were to become public it would be purchased by the ratepayers.  To make the purchase bonds would be issued. The bonds would then be paid back through water rates, not through taxes.
   
Mr. Reinhardt also answered three important questions during his PowerPoint presentation: Why do I buy my water from Aqua?  Why do I have to buy my water from Aqua? And, why is my water bill so much higher than my friends in another town?

A brief history of water supply
He explained that residents buy their water from Aqua now because in 1895 The Merrick Water Company was incorporated to provide water to Merrick. In 1912 the Hempstead Oyster Bay (HOB) Water Company was incorporated and  acquired Merrick, and several smaller systems. From 1912 through 1930 the distribution system developed and extended into Massapequa. In 1930 Federal Water Acquired HOB and sold it to New York Water Service Corporation. In 2007 Aqua Utilities acquired NYWSC. 
   
Mr. Reinhardt said residents have to buy their water from Aqua because water utilities are franchised services.  Water distribution systems are closed systems. Water quality and quantity is highly regulated and monitored. Except in special instances, water pumped by a supplier is treated, distributed and billed by the supplier, he added.
   
Mr. Reinhardt explained why Aqua Water bills are so high. He said each water utility sets its own rate, depending on its cost to supply water.     
   
Depending on raw water quality, some suppliers need to provide more treatment than others. Many public water utilities charge a tax in addition to their water rate. 
   
Private water suppliers pay taxes (property, utility, fuel, corporate, franchise and special utility). Private water suppliers are encouraged to invest in their systems through a return on equity (profit). 
   
Mr. Reinhardt said the proposal by American Water to purchase Aqua is under consideration by the Public Service Commission, which has set up three ways for residents to voice their opinion of this sale. 
   
They may call a toll-free line 1-800-335-2120, they may e-mail to secretary@dps.ny.gov, or they may mail their comments to Hon. Jaclyn A Brilling, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350. 
   
Comments should refer to “Case 11-W-0472 – American Water Works Acquisition.”  Comments must be received by Thursday, February 23. 
   
The website for WASENC is www.WASENC.org. It holds monthly meetings, which are open to the public and announced in this newspaper.

By Linda Delmonico Prussen