Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone discussed water quality and other issues important to the local community at a meeting Tuesday night of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce.
Bellone, who has made water quality his No. 1 priority, said,”Suffolk County must begin to address the water quality crisis to curb decades of nitrogen pollution in our bays. With nearly 70 percent of the county unsewered, Suffolk’s water quality is under threat. Nitrogen pollution is damaging the wetlands that help protect against severe weather conditions, such as Superstorm Sandy.”
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In addition to focusing efforts on sewering in the Carlls River, Forge River and Connetquot River areas.
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Bellone said he plans to put in place programs that will help homeowners afford the costs.
Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri commended the County Executive on his efforts to work with the Village and thanked the County for its assistance in sewering 50 more homes in South Patchogue.
Bellone, who said Patchogue is “a model for what we want to do as a region, ”also talked about the partnership between the County and the Village on the restoration of the Carnegie Library; combating the brain drain, and the Connect LI-BRT/trolley system, a transportation plan to connect research centers, universities and transportation hubs to downtowns like Patchogue.
In addition to Pontieri, about 40 people attended, including Suffolk County Legislator Rob Calarco, Village Trustee Joseph Keyes, Chamber Executive Director David Kennedy, Business Improvement District President Dennis Smith and Patchogue-Medford Library Director Lauren Nichols.
