$20 Million to Jump Start Sewers for the Middle of Suffolk

With the goal of having a shovel-ready project in the books for state and federal funds, county officials Monday dedicated $20 million in seed money for sewers along the densely populated Middle Country Road corridor.

Surrounded by local leaders and officials, County Executive Steve Bellone announced the funds as part of an ambitious plan to move homes and businesses off individual cesspools and connect them to modern, environmentally-friendly waste treatment facilities. He was joined by Legislator Nick Caracappa and civic and chamber of commerce representatives in the areas targeted for the sewer expansion: Centereach, Selden, Coram and Farmingville.

“We can’t have a prosperous future without addressing the need to protect our water,” Bellone told a crowd of sewer advocates during a press conference at the Middle Country Library. “We live on an island where water quality is essential. We are putting these communities, these families, in a position to thrive.”

The legislator pointed to a study supported by his mother, Rose Caracappa, when she was a legislator in 1989 that called for sewers in the area. “We are doing this not just to protect our water, but to spur economic development,” he said, pointing out that the lack of sewers prevents businesses from expanding or locating here. “We must have the capacity to serve our future needs. Boarded up buildings need to be knocked down, rebuilt; businesses need to be renewed.”

Cheering the county’s commitment was Michael Wentz, president of the Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce. “Sewers will not only protect our environment, but will also be great for economic growth. Health care providers, restaurants, many businesses had to leave because they had no capacity to grow,” Wentz said.

Holbrook Chamber of Commerce President Rick Ammirati agreed: “This is a win-win situation for our community. I’m glad everyone is coming together on this. Our vision is for clean water and prosperous communities,” he said. “It’s about time that we are seeing something.”

“Other states have neglected this issue and are struggling without adequate supplies of water,” Caracappa noted. “We are not too far gone. We still have a chance to be proactive. We need to get this right,” he said, adding, “Proper sewers means revenue that will help sustain our communities and keep our children and our aging population here on Long Island.”

With projects in various stages throughout Suffolk, including the Forge River Watershed Sewer Project and recent funding announced for Smithtown and the Neighborhood Road Business District in Mastic, Bellone estimated that it will take between $8-$10 billion to fully address the county’s wastewater needs. By funding the groundwork required to get the projects off the drawing board, the officials are looking to be in position to receive monies from the $1 trillion federal infrastructure fund and the state’s $4.2 billion state environmental bond act approved by voters in November. As part of legislation for this year’s state budget, the county was given permission to ask Suffolk voters for an eight-cent increase in the sales tax for environmental projects. County Comptroller John Kennedy, who attended the press conference with his wife, Legislator Leslie Kennedy, noted that the sales tax already has a quarter-cent portion devoted to sewers.

Marisa Pizza, a local media relations personality who serves with various organizations, including the Green Party, welcomed the incoming funds. “We need to revitalize our communities and give people a reason to stay here.”