Friday, November 6, 2020
Vol. 80, No. 45
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SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
HALLOWEEN IN THE SCHOOLS
Hicksville students enjoyed in school Halloween celebrations on October 30th. Above, Fork Lane Principal Susan Guiliano found a kindred pirate spirit. See page 15.
Arrest made in three burglaries
Sergey Fattakhov
Nassau County Police have arrested a Wantagh man for burglarizing a Wantagh home, and say he is also responsible for two burglaries in Levittown during September. According to police, Sergey Fattakhov, 31, was caught after he allegedly tried to burglarize an occupied home in Wantagh on Monday, October 26. According to detectives, a male victim, 51, was in the basement of his Woodside Drive residence when he heard a loud noise. The victim
went upstairs to find out what caused it. He opened his rear door and observed an unknown male running through his yard, jump over a fence and continue running northbound towards N Jerusalem Avenue. After an investigation, police arrested Fattakhov. Police say that Fattakhov also comitted two other burglaries on September 17. In one, on Park Lane, nothing was taken, but in a second burglary, on North Bellmore Avenue, jewelry was taken.
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Water rates rising to pay for new treatments The Hicksville Water District has announced that it will be raising water rates for 2021 to pay for recent improvements to the district's infrastructure which are needed to satisfy new drinking water standards. On July 30, 2020, the New York State Health Department finalized regulations establishing a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS. The State has also provided the Hicksville Water District, and many other water providers throughout the State, with a deferral which grants them two additional years to get treatment systems online while remaining in compliance with the new water quality standards. Although the rate increases range from 30% to 37% (depending on the volume of water used) the District says that the increases will be a modest $6 for the average customer water bill per quarter. The district is in the process of constructing nearly a dozen of the required Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) treatment systems at well sites impacted by 1,4-dioxane. “We never want to raise water rates for our residents, but the financial situation created by the need for emerging contaminant treatment has left us no choice,” said HWD Chairman William Schuckmann. “The District prides itself on ensuring
that our drinking water is of the highest quality now and for future generations. In order to continue upgrading infrastructure, a nominal increase is necessary to help cover these costs. We will continue to seek additional sources of funding whenever we can to lessen this financial burden on our residents.” The Hicksville Water District Board of Commissioners said that two AOP treatment systems are up and running at Plants 1 and 4, which are now producing water that is non-detect of 1,4-dioxane. Plants 5, 8 and 9 are also each under construction to have AOP treatment added. The district has been awarded $17 million in grants from New York State for these projects, but will need to bond an additional $50 million to make up the difference. The district’s current budget of $12.2 million will balloon by an additional $4.8 million each year to pay for debt service, plus another $1.8 million each year for operations and maintenance of the new treatment facilities. These costs are the single driver for the necessary rate increase, the district said. Residents with questions about the capital investments being made, the District’s new rates or their water quality, are asked to call 516-931-0184 or visit the District’s website at www. hicksvillewater.com.
Four seniors earn national recognition PAGE 10 Color the World Orange Day Nov. 2nd PAGE 3