Long Island briefs

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Use of red-light cameras extended

The Suffolk County Legislature late Tuesday extended the county's use of its red-light cameras at dangerous intersections for another five years.

The lawmakers approved the measure on a 14-3 vote with Legis. Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) abstaining. Three Republicans opposed the measure -- Legis. John M. Kennedy (Nesconset), Robert Trotta (Fort Salonga) and Thomas Cilmi (East Islip).

The red-light cameras were approved as a pilot project in Suffolk in 2010 with backers saying the main goal was to reduce traffic accidents. Critics said the initiative is really about bringing in new revenue to the cash-strapped county, although revenues have dropped as motorists have become familiar with camera locations.

The state has recently approved speed cameras to be used around school zones, but Nassau County has experienced problems in the rollout and canceled thousands of tickets. Suffolk will not implement cameras around schools until next year.

County to save with lower bond rates

Suffolk County got lower interest rates on $52.5 million on bonds for capital projects this week, compared to last fall, officials said, adding that the rate reduction will save $4.2 million in long-term borrowing costs.

Comptroller Joseph Sawicki said the county will pay an interest rate of 2.44 percent on the bonds compared to 3.47 percent at the same time a year ago.

"It shows that financial markets have accepted the fact that Suffolk has turned the corner and is coming closer to financial stability by cutting down on one-shots," Sawicki said.

In addition to the long-term capital borrowing, Suffolk received a 0.33 percent interest rate on short-term one-year borrowing for cash flow purposes on $100 million for delinquent property taxes. Last December the county got a 0.82 percent rate on a similar $410 million borrowing, and a 0.62 percent interest rate on an $85 million short-term borrowing in April.

"The lower interest rates demonstrate that the market has confidence in Suffolk County," said County Executive Steve Bellone.

SMITHTOWN

Town board OKs sports complex

Smithtown Town Board members have approved the special exception application to build a $33 million multisport complex, rehabilitation and training center in Kings Park.

The town board voted 5-0 on Tuesday to approve the proposal by Prospect Sports Partners LLC to build at a site on Old Northport Road.

Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio said the project "upgrades a property that was previously industrial, which has been the subject of severe sand mining, and overall it is better for the Town of Smithtown and that entire Old Northport Road area."

The application includes five outdoor multipurpose fields with a concession building, a 3,600-square-foot pool, a 65,040-square-foot building with indoor sports fields and a training center, two medical offices, and retail and restaurant space.

The project has already cleared major hurdles with an environmental impact study that determined it did not appear to "significantly threaten . . . highly valuable environmental or cultural resources." Additionally, the Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals granted 15 variances with conditions.

"We'll be submitting a site plan for final approval so we can start construction as soon as possible," said Prospect's attorney, J. Timothy Shea Jr. of Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman LLP in Hauppauge. "Our goal is to be up and running next summer."

HUNTINGTON

Parking revenues short of forecast

The Town of Huntington's higher-priced parking meters and fees are bringing in about $65,000 a month -- twice the monthly rate of last year, officials said.

Despite the uptick, total 2014 parking revenue will fall below expectations. The town had budgeted for $1.8 million in revenues from the meter fees, but is on track to finish the year generating $600,000 in parking fees -- $1.2 million below projections.

The discrepancy occurred because the town had budgeted for the new, higher-priced electronic meters to go into service on Jan. 1, but they weren't operational until the end of April, town spokesman A.J. Carter said.

The delay also affected parking violation revenues, which were budgeted to generate $1.25 million in 2014, but now are projected to total $600,000 for the year.

In the current budget proposal from Supervisor Frank Petrone, Huntington is projecting $850,000 in revenues from the meters in 2015. Under the old, lower-cost parking system, the town had $311,787 in parking meter fees.

Previously, coin meters cost 25 cents per hour. New electronic meters cost $1 per hour and allow for 25 cents per 15 minutes if paid in cash.Hispanic Heritage Month to be marked

The Town of Huntington and its Hispanic Task Force will be hosting a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Oct. 24.

Musical performances and a dinner are to be held with Carmela Leonardi, principal of Huntington High School, as the keynote speaker.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. It's a celebration of the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The event is to take place at 7 p.m. at Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main St.

For information, contact the town's director of minority affairs, Kevin Thorbourne, at 631-351-2842 or by email kthorbourne@huntingtonNY.gov.

FARMINGDALE

Focus to be on future of LI's water supply

The future of Long Island's water supply will be the topic of a symposium tomorrow in Farmingdale.

County executives Steve Bellone of Suffolk and Edward Mangano from Nassau plan to speak at the Second Annual Long Island Water Quality Symposium to be held at Carlyle On the Green in Bethpage State Park.

The Long Island Water Conference, an organization of public and private water suppliers, and law firm Rivkin Radler LLP, are hosting the conference. Environmental experts, environmentalists, industry representatives and public officials will discuss the state of Long Island's aquifers, sewers, water treatment technologies and funding sources, organizers said.

The event is open to the public but attendees must register in advance with Rivkin Radler.

FREEPORT

School district offers free vision testing

The Freeport school district has launched a vision testing program to provide free screening, entitled SpotVision, to school-age children, Superintendent Kishore Kuncham and County Executive Edward Mangano announced Wednesday.

The program uses state-of-the-art technology to instantly determine vision problems, including astigmatisms, officials said in a news release. Astigmatisms, if treated before age 8, are reversible.

"Statistics indicate that one out of four children in the nation have undetected vision problems," Mangano noted, adding that if problems are identified early, they can be alleviated.

The eye exam takes about 10 seconds, officials said.

The school district is Nassau's first testing site for SpotVision. The county's Department of Social Services is partnering with the school district to begin administering the test throughout the district this fall.

Testing will start in one Freeport elementary school with each student receiving an eye exam. The district will notify parents of the test results and, where necessary, advise follow-up with an ophthalmologist, officials said.

"In the very first [test] class of 24 students we screened, five children were found to have a vision problem of some kind," Kuncham said. "We are able to provide early identification of students who have vision issues and notify their parents."

LYNBROOK

Job fair to be held Tuesday at library

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Anthony Santino, Assemb. Brian Curran, (R-Lynbrook), and Lynbrook Mayor William Hendrick will sponsor a job fair Tuesday, at the Lynbrook Public Library, at 56 Eldert St.

The town's Department of Occupational Resources and representatives from a variety of businesses will be featured at the fair, which will be focused on, but not limited to, veterans of the Town of Hempstead, officials said in a news release.

The occupational resources department will provide details on the services it offers, including career training, resume writing, and providing interview assistance and training on computers, printers and other equipment at its site at 50 Clinton St. in Hempstead Village.

"The Town of Hempstead is proud to partner with [all these others] . . . to provide excellent career resources for veterans and local residents," Murray said in the announcement.

The fair runs from noon to 3 p.m.

NEW HYDE PARK

College financial aid to be explained

College students and their parents can learn about different types of financial aid and scholarships during a seminar being held next Thursday at the Hillside Library in New Hyde Park.

The 7 p.m. event, sponsored by state Sen. Jack M. Martins (R-Mineola), will include a representative from Molloy College in Rockville Centre who will discuss options and answer questions. Informational materials will also be available for families to take home.

For more information about the college financial aid program, call Martins' office at 516-746-5924.

The library is at 155 Lakeville Rd.

BABYLON VILLAGE

Roads to be closed for fair, festival, race

A Babylon Village street fair, arts festival and road race will result in road closures Oct. 18, village officials announced.

Deer Park Avenue from Railroad Avenue south to Montauk Highway will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the Chamber of Commerce Fall Harvest Festival Street Fair and the Conklin House's Apples & Arts Festival.

South Carll Ave. will be closed 9 a.m. to noon for the Post Office Café's 5k Run and 1k Fun Run. Some side streets will be closed as well. A map of the racecourse is posted on the village website, villageofbabylonny.gov.

HOLTSVILLE

Jets player exercises with seventh-graders

New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said he usually spends Tuesdays, his day off, resting and relaxing. But he canceled his massage appointment this week to crank out push-ups in the gym of Sequoya Middle School in Holtsville with a group of seventh-graders.

As the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Wilkerson lowered himself to the floor and back up, he encouraged the children to eek out a few more reps.

"It was really cool knowing that the person I usually watch on TV is right there in front of me," said Qwen Loubier, 12, a "football fanatic" and one of nearly 100 Sequoya students who worked out with Wilkerson.

The children participated in various drills and calisthenics, received a nutrition lesson from a registered dietitian, and learned about "Fuel Up to Play 60." The program, launched by the NFL and the National Dairy Council, encourages more physical activity and better nutrition in schools.

"The kids are smiling and we're all having a good time," Wilkerson said. "I'm glad the kids are taking the time out throughout their day to do these different activities to help out their bodies."

He announced that the program, in partnership with the American Dairy Association, plans to award two $5,000 grants to one school in Nassau County and one in Suffolk.

Local elementary and intermediate schools can apply at ADADC.com through Nov. 3. The grants will be awarded to the schools that best showcase how their students stay active for 60 minutes per day, and have increased access to good nutrition, including breakfast.

Schools can sign up at fueluptoplay60.com. Students earn points and can win prizes for logging workouts, tracking their eating habits and participating in campaigns.