Republican gets nod for Suffolk water board

Last year, Republican Mario Mattera landed third in a three-way GOP primary for Suffolk legislature. This year, Mattera, of St. James, business agent for Plumbers Local 200, has had his name put forward to join the five-member Suffolk County Water Authority board.

Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory (D-Amityville) advanced a resolution for a five-year board term for Mattera, who's to testify before a legislative committee this week. Mattera would replace Republican Frank Pellegrino, a former Local 200 official, who decided against a second term in the part-time $18,500-a-year post. Under authority rules, the board must include at least one member of a non-majority party. -- Rick Brand