LI briefs: Suffolk County's fuel tank program gets state award

SUFFOLK COUNTY
Fuel tank program gets state award

The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Wednesday recognized a Suffolk County program that has replaced more than 200 gasoline and diesel fuel tanks on farms.

Farmers are able to install new tanks that meet regulatory requirements at a reduced cost, the DEC said. The program is run by the Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District.

"The Fuel Tank Replacement Program is a model of excellence as it demonstrates an innovative, sustainable, economically viable and socially acceptable solution to aging agricultural fuel tanks atop Long Island's sole source aquifer," the DEC said in a statement.

The program has helped replace 204 fuel tanks on 127 farms in Suffolk since 2006, said Sharon Frost, a soil technician with the conservation district and coordinator of the program.

The program has used $955,000 in federal and state grant money to replace the tanks, which can cost as much as $17,000 to replace.

"It's really awesome to have this opportunity to come up here and accept this award on behalf of the program," Frost said in an telephone interview on her way back from Albany on Wednesday.

The county required a switch from single-walled tanks to double-walled tanks in 1986, but not all farms immediately complied. It wasn't until 2011 that the program "really ramped up," Frost said, after getting through Suffolk County Department of Health regulations and securing buy-in from farmers, through the Long Island Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Frost said most of the tank replacements have come in the aquifer recharge area, along the spine of Long Island.
-- DAVID SCHWARTZ

BROOKHAVEN TOWN
Wayne Rogers fills vacant zoning post

Former Suffolk elections Commissioner Wayne Rogers has been tapped to join the Brookhaven Town Board of Zoning Appeals.

Rogers, a deputy county clerk, was appointed last week by the Brookhaven Town Board to fill a seat that had been vacant since November, when Neil Foley resigned after he won a special election to replace former Councilman Tim Mazzei. Rogers will complete Foley's term, which expires Dec. 31, 2016.

The town board also appointed BZA member James Wisdom to serve as the panel's deputy chairman, replacing Keri Peragine, who remains on the board. No reason was given for the change, which was unanimously approved.

The town board also made a change on the town planning board, naming Richard Smith to replace Joseph Betz, whose term expired last month. Smith was appointed to a four-year term that expires in December 2018.

Smith's appointment was approved 6-0. Councilwoman Valerie Cartright abstained from the vote, saying Smith was "highly qualified," but she was disappointed Betz was not reappointed.
-- CARL MACGOAWN

BRENTWOOD
Program offers free home smoke alarms

Residents in Brentwood and Bay Shore can sign up today at the Brentwood Public Library for as many as three free smoke alarms to be installed in their homes.

The national initiative, dubbed the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, was launched by the American Red Cross to reduce deaths and injuries from home fires as much as 25 percent over the next five years, as well as increase the use of smoke alarms and encourage people to practice a fire escape plan, according to a news release.

This event will be the campaign's first stop on Long Island. Residents can sign up at the library (34 Second Ave., Brentwood) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to make an appointment to have the alarms installed by a Red Cross volunteer. Trained staff will also be on hand to teach those participating about fire safety. For more information, visit redcross.org/li.
-- SARAH ARMAGHAN

GLEN COVE
Police get new hire, 3 to be promoted

The Glen Cove City Council has authorized three promotions and one hire in its police department.

Police Chief William Whitton said the department's budget will decrease, since Deputy Chief Robert MacDonald is retiring on Thursday. The City Council unanimously approved the staff changes at Tuesday's meeting.

Whitton said MacDonald has "had a stellar career, and we worked very well together . . . I'm excited about moving the department forward."

Lt. Christopher Ortiz was promoted to deputy chief of police with an annual salary of $192,390, a $16,528 raise; Sgt. Peter DiMaggio to lieutenant with an annual salary of $176,105, a $17,702 raise; and officer Perry Giambruno to sergeant with an annual salary of $166,760, a $27,200 raise. MacDonald's annual salary was $197,140, according to city officials and documents.

Darren Pittman, a graduate of Glen Cove High School, was appointed as a police officer with an annual salary of $36,678. His start date is slated for Jan. 23, the expected start of the next Nassau County Police Academy, documents show.

All are Glen Cove residents. Whitton said the force will stay at 50 after the staff changes.
-- MACKENZIE RIGG