Bethpage Newsgram

Page 1

$1

Friday, July 28, 2017

Vol. 77, No. 30

Town helps Bethpage resident with accessibility

LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER

BY GARY SIMEONE

Hempstead Town Councilman Dennis Dunne (3rd left) attended the Lazy Days of Summer event at East Village Green Park in Levittown on July 8, 2017. Councilman Dunne was joined by Tom Kohlman of Wantagh, Patricia Patane of Levittown, Levittown VFW Post 9592 Commander Matthew DeGregorio, John Ferretti of Mineola, Thomas DiIorio of Levittown, Louise Cassano of Levittown and Don Patane.

Assistance for homeowners with disabilities

In celebration of the 27th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, New Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and members of the Town Board remind residents with disabilities of the Town’s Home Improvement Assistance Program. The program allows eligible individuals to make essential home improvements by providing them with grant monies and interest free loans for necessary home repairs. Supervisor Saladino stated, “Federal funds allow the Town of Oyster Bay to offer assistance to eligible residents in making improvements to their home. On this anniversary of the Americans with Dis-

abilities Act, we remind residents with physical disabilities of the Town’s home modification program which can help accommodate your disability through loans for projects such as wheelchair ramps, stair glides, the widening of doorways, and bathroom modifications.” The program is made possible through a Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which the Town has been proudly administering since the program’s inception. In recent years, the Town has dedicated nearly $500,000 annually in CDBG funds to the Home Assistance Program. Administered by the Town’s Department of Intergovernmental Affairs, eli-

gible improvements include wheelchair ramps, stair glides, widening of doorways, and bathroom modifications to make their homes more accessible. Additionally, funds are available for replacement of windows, doors, roofs, as well as electrical and hot water systems. The program is also open to income-eligible senior citizens residing in the Town of Oyster Bay. For more information on the Town’s Home Improvement Assistance Program, please contact the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs at (516) 624-6177 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.

Thanks to the Town of Oyster Bay, Bethpage resident, Marian Luciani, has a new wheelchair ramp in front of her home. The ramp as well as a new walk-in shower with handicap seating was provided to her through the Town’s Home Improvement Assistance Program for residents with physical disabilities. “The ramp has been a tremendous help to me and the bathroom additions are wonderful,” said Luciani, in a press conference in front of her home, alongside Town Supervisor, Joe Saladino and Town councilman, Thomas Hand. “I can now lead a more independent life and I urge anyone out there who is home bound with disabilities to take advantage of this program.” This event was held in recognition of the 27th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act which took place last week. “This is a great program which assists thirty to forty people each year and thanks to this program dozens of our residents are able to live much more comfortably in their homes, living life to the fullest,” said Councilman, Hand. Luciani, who has lived in Bethpage for twenty two years, said that before the new ramp was installed, there was a wood ramp in place that was given to her through the United Way of Long Island. “There was a hole in that ramp which was a real burden to me,” said Luciani. “I had contacted the Town and they came and assessed the entire house and ended up installing this new ramp as well as placing curb cuts in front of my home.” She said the aprons allow her to get out and take the bus which has changed her entire life. Town Supervisor Saladino said that anyone with physical disabilities who is restricted to their homes should contact the Town to take advantage of the government sponsored, Home Assistance Program. “Any of our seniors with disabilities or those with a disabled family member should call my office directly to find out about this program,” said Saladino.

Ten hours of ice cream for resident PAGE 6 MacArthur HS celebrates top seniors PAGE 7


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.