Tel. 631-930-5337 Elwood Taxpayers Association …elwoodtaxpayers.org/...Elwood-Taxpayers-Association-Newsletter.pdfElwood Taxpayers Association Keeping Elwood Informed Established

Brueggemann Funeral Home

of East Northport

522 Larkfield Rd. 368-1235

Serving the Community since 1961

American Legion

Post 1244

Greenlawn

754-4281

Gerard J. Fenter ATTORNEY AT LAW

2 Andrea Lane Greenlawn, NY 11740

631-486-2574 [email protected]

6 Greenvale Drive East Northport P. 631-266-2530 [email protected]

Ted Diamond Vice President

Workhorse Products Exclusively From Millennium

www.millenniumproduct.com

[email protected]

P.O. Box 231, Greenlawn 11740

+Site/Civil Design

+Special Inspections

+Traffic Engineering

+Engineering Certifications

+Building/Home Inspections

Tel. 631-930-5337

www.aaepllc.com

[email protected] Elwood Taxpayers Association

Keeping Elwood Informed

Established 1945 November 2014

MEETING

Wednesday November 12, 2014 Elwood Public Library

7:00 PM Business Meeting

Mediavilla Property Update

Town Board votes for stricter environmental review. Attorneys for Dix Hills

Shopping Center want “public scoping”.

(see page 2)

2014-2015 Board of Directors Elwood Taxpayers Association

President: Jim Cameron 462-2803 Vice President: Loretta Hamann 368-3039 Treasurer: Helen Keller 757-1430

Richard Ward, VP Government Affairs

Tom Van de Merlen, VP Communications Heather Mammolito, Corresponding Sec’y Marie Wernert, Recording Secretary

Walter Rabe, Sergeant at Arms

Directors At Large: Karen Alu, MaryJane Mackey, Ann Maguire, Mary Ann Plump, Lauren Ward

Update on Mediavilla Proposal

At the September Huntington Town Council Meeting, town board members voted 4-1 to issue a “positive declaration” which will require Villadom, the developer of the proposed project for the westernmost portion Mediavilla property on Jericho Turnpike, to undergo an intensive environmental review. Villadom, encouraged the issuance to accelerate the review process and to openly address community concerns.

Separately, attorneys for the owners of the Dix Hills Shopping Center have encouraged the Town Board to require a “public scoping” within the environmental review. Public scoping would require greater focus on specifically identified adverse environmental impacts (vs. general) which are made available for public review and comment.

Candidates for Local Office Meet with ETA Members to Seek Support

On October 8th the Elwood Taxpayers Association hosted the annual Meet the Candidates Night at the Elwood Public Library. Thank to those that attended, especially those that are running for office including Georgina Bowman (NYS Senate District #5), Grant Lally (US House of Rep. District 3), Carl Marcellino (NYS Senate District #5), and Andrew Raia (NYS Assembly District #12).

Ms. Bowman spoke passionately about government spending and excessive use of elected privilege. She is a self proclaimed civic activist and is proud of being a mother and a “regular citizen.”

Grant Lally explained the need for New York to diversify its economy and how imperative it is for New York to compete nationally and globally. According to Mr. Lally we have fallen behind economically and in job creation under the direction of Mr. Israel and his House Democratic colleagues.

Mr. Marcellino defended his record, spending and his favorable vote on the NY SAFE Act. He explained the importance to maintaining the Republican Senate Majority. According to Mr. Marcellino, if the NYS Senate falls to the Democrats they will control the Assembly, Senate and most likely the Executive Branch if Cuomo wins.

Finally, Mr. Raia spoke about his years in the State Assembly and his willingness to support the Senate Republicans.

Please remember to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 4th. Contact the Suffolk Board of Elections at 631-852-4500 or suffolkvotes.com for more information about your polling place.

Elwood School Board Update

A recent report by Newsday identified Elwood School Superintendent Peter Scordo as the fifth highest paid school administrator in New York State for the 2013/2014 school year with annual compensation of $328,917. ETA has determined that in the current school year, Scordo’s total compensation is $402,229. The ESB notes that Scordo absorbed the duties of the Supt of Human Resources, a position which was then eliminated.

The District has warned that a proposed school budget for next year that retains all levels of existing service will pierce the 1.6% cap and result in an estimated 6.75% tax increase.

ETA members are encouraged to view the 2015/2016 Budget News under the “Quick Links” on the Elwood School District website(www.elwood.k12.ny.us). An informative PowerPoint and information on budget workshops is provided.

Launch of ETA Website

The Elwood Taxpayers Association now has our own website which can be found at:

elwoodtaxpayers.org

The website will allow us to expand our communication abilities by providing opportunities for community forums, messaging, photos and links to important local information. Please take a look and provide us with your thoughts via the contact options.

2014 Membership Form

NAME_______________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS___________________________________________________________________

PHONE: _______________________________ (day) _________________________ (evening)

E-MAIL______________________________________________________________________

If you wish to have your newsletter emailed instead of sent by regular mail, email us at [email protected]

Check enclosed for __$15 family___$50 Business/Professional (enclose advertising copy or biz card)

Please make check or money order payable to Elwood Taxpayers Association and mail to:

Elwood Taxpayers Association P.O. Box 231 Greenlawn, NY 11740

ETA Membership Drive

ETA is launching an important drive to expand membership to include more Elwood families. The rezoning of the Oak Tree Dairy has reminded us of the importance of a community voice that can represent our local interests to elected government officials and provide accurate information back to the community on important issues that affect Elwood. There are many pending projects and issues such as the final site plan for the Seasons at Elwood, the Mediavilla project on Jericho Turnpike, a relocation of our library, redevelopment of Elwood Road, and the 2015/16 school budget.

PEN/ETA Merger

As part of the membership drive, Preserving Elwood Now (PEN) will be merged within the ETA. We encourage you to direct potential members to our newly created website and to circulate the membership form to any interested friend and neighbors. Our objective is to involve all ages and outlooks in order to best represent community interests.