Lesko details Brookhaven privatizing plan

Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko detailed a plan Thursday to privatize several key functions of town government, in a State of the Town address that drew a mix of praise and trepidation from town officials and residents.

Lesko said the town's financial state necessitates shedding some of its services. The town's mortgage tax revenue has dwindled from $37.6 million in 2004 to less than $10 million last year, said Lesko, who used terms such as "broke," "insolvent" and "bankrupt" to describe the town's financial future if officials fail to find savings.

A team of town officials and employees -- to be appointed by Lesko and the town council -- will review town services and determine which can be privatized, said Lesko. The group will issue findings March 1. He said Calabro Airport, Brookhaven Amphitheater, the marinas and animal shelter -- which together cost the town more than $2.9 million a year -- could be privatized.

"We should put everything on the table. Make tough choices," Lesko said at Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville, in front of a crowd of about 200.

After the speech, Councilman Tim Mazzei, a Republican, praised Lesko, a Democrat, for pursuing public-private partnerships. The recent privatization of the Davis Park marina has worked to the town's advantage, he said. "With that success in mind, I certainly think it could work in certain situations," Mazzei said.

But MaryAnn Johnston, president of the umbrella Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organization, said Lesko did not include residents in the decision-making process. "None of these initiatives involves the citizens of this community," Johnston said. "It's all getting done by politicians and their acolytes."

Lesko's announcement that the town should privatize the airport in Shirley drew mixed reaction from the town board.

Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld, a Democrat, lauded the idea, saying the airport is a money drain.

But Councilman Daniel Panico, a Republican whose district includes the airport, said the town must ensure that a new operator protects the communities area around the airport. "Any such deal must be fully vetted and respect the fact that that airport is in the middle of a dense residential area," Panico said.

Attempts to reach airport manager Bill Rogers were not successful.

Meg Shutka, the town's white collar union president, jeered at the idea of privatizing public services, and said the union should help decide what services to cut. "We're not sacred cows," she said, referencing a speech by Lesko about how there would be no special treatment when the town makes cuts.

The rest of Lesko's speech focused on the town's political redistricting efforts, the progress of the Ronkonkoma Hub development and Carmans River preservation plans, and the town's response to a series of natural disasters in 2011.

Some agencies targeted for privatization -- and their 2012 budgets

Amphitheater: $79,615

Calabro Airport: $535,059

Marinas and Docks: $624,708 -- Port Jefferson Marina, Mt. Sinai Marina, Sandspit Marina, Blue Point Marina (Corey Beach Marina), Forge River Marina, Davis Park, Great Gun

Animal Shelter: $1,689,871