Plan seeks to speed up permit process

A Suffolk lawmaker is pushing a proposal aimed at speeding up the county health department's permitting process, which business leaders say hinders economic growth with its long timeline for sewer and septic system approvals.

Legis. Sarah S. Anker (D-Mount Sinai) would create a seven-member panel, including legislators and members of the business and environmental communities, to identify and address inefficiencies in the process. For instance, Anker says businesses should be able to track applications online.

The department controls permits for septic systems and sewer hookups to ensure wastewater is disposed of without affecting existing groundwater supplies.

"There are horror stories out there about the length of time it took to get a permit," said Bill Shilling, Anker's chief of staff.

Anker's first resolution to form the panel died in a legislative committee last year. But Anker has made changes, including adding a civic representative, that she hopes will help win passage, Shilling said.

County Executive Steve Bellone has promised to focus on the permitting process, after hearing complaints from local business leaders.

"It's a little hard to get through" the process, said Smithtown Chamber of Commerce president Mark Mancini, who told Bellone in December that it took a mom-and-pop ice cream store eight months to gain a wastewater disposal permit.

Vanessa Baird-Streeter, a Bellone spokeswoman, said he was working to improve the process. Informational seminars are scheduled for next month, and the county will introduce an online "permit portal" for tracking applications.

"We are more than willing to work collaboratively with Legislator Anker, the Suffolk County Legislature and the business community to improve the process," said Baird-Streeter, also speaking for health officials.