Friday, May 21, 2021
Vol. 81, No. 21
$1
SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
Town board OKs funding for water treatment
RALLY AGAINST HATE
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino (right) at rally against hate. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino joined with the Long Island Chinese American Association and Syosset area students to “Rally Together to Stop Asian Hate” on Sunday, May 16. This rally took place days after the Syosset Central School District said it is investigating an allegation of racial harassment in a mid-
dle school. Supervisor Saladino stated, “Our strength lies in our diversity and in the unity of our citizens. An attack against any one, is an attack against us all. We were all sickened and appalled by recent incidents of horrific Anti-Asian bias and senseless violence. Whether it occurs in New York City, on Long Island
or anywhere in the world, we stand together as brothers and sisters in denouncing these despicable acts of hatred and bigotry. There is no place for hate in our community and, as long as we live in a country where freedom and equality is cherished, we will rise up as one to renounce these senseless acts of bias.”
Schools election results
Voters in local school districts went to the polls on Tuesday, May 18th to approve budgets and elect members of boards of Education. Here are the results:
Bethpage Bethpage voters approved the school budget 456 to 145. James McGlynn (476) and Sandra Watson (437) were elected to the Board of Educa-
tion. They ran unopposed. Hicksville Voters in Hicksville approved the budget 684 to 313. Phil Heckler and Brenda See page 10
The Bethpage Newsgram is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68. Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Bethpage Newsgram, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher
At its meeting on Tuesday May 8th, the Oyster Bay Town Board held public hearing for an application by the Oyster Bay Water District to remediate drinking water that contains the contaminant 1,4 dioxane. After an executive session with its attorney, the Town Board unanimously approved a resolution for the Water District’s requested $2.86 million in bonding to finance two OBWD projects. The total costs of the two projects outlined, before the New York State grant funding, is$6.249 millon. Approximately $3.286 million will be covered by different state grants. The contaminant, 1,4 dioxane, a volatile synthetic organic compound that is used as a stabilizer in manufacturing and industrial businesses, has been identified as a possible human carcinogen that is associated with damage to the liver and kidneys. While it’s been found in many personal care products such as cosmetics, detergents and shampoos, 1,4 dioxane also has had applications in paint strippers, greases, and waxes plus in some non-ethoxylated surfactants due to cross-contamination during the manufacturing process. The Oyster Bay Water District’s two-part proposal was presented to the Town Board and audience at Tuesday’s meeting by Dennis Kelleher, executive vice president of H2M Architects + Engineers, consultant engineering firm to the OBWD for its capital planning. He was joined by Water District Commissioner Robert J. McEvoy. Kelleher explained that the increasingly cost-efficient and proven treatment for removal of 1,4 dioxane is the installation of an Advanced Oxidation Process system (known as AOP equipment) for wellhead treatment. The AOP system would be installed at Oyster Bay’s Plant No. 2 located at Shutter Lane and Cove Road. “Plant No. 2 houses two Water District supply wells; Well No. 2-1 and No. 2-2 which provide over 40% water supply capacity to the Oyster Bay Water District. Recent testing has determined that both wells have low levels of emerging contaminants 1,4 dioxane. Last August the New York State Department of Health established a drinking water standard for 1,4 dioxane at 1.0 parts per billion (ppb) as the MCL, or maximum contaminant level. The levels found in See page 10
Summit Lane students celebrate dance PAGE 19 Town's Salute to Veterans set for July 13 PAGE 3