Next Civic Meeting

Oct 15, 2017 Filed in: Events

Next meeting on Thursday, November 9th, 7:30 PM Historical Society Museum at 328 Hawkins Avenue

The guest speaker will be Dr. Kenneth Graham, the Superintendent of the Sachem Central School District.

Meetings are open to all residents of Lake Ronkonkoma, Farmingville and Holbrook.
Follow us on Twitter: @LRCO2003
and Facebook: @lakeronkonkomacivic

Election 2017: Meet the Candidates on October 12th

Sep 24, 2017 Filed in: Events | General Announcements

The Executive Board has invited candidates for Town and County positions to the General Membership meeting on Thursday, October 12th to meet with our members. The Board does not endorse any particular candidate or political party, but we do encourage our members to come to the meeting and ask our guests about the issues that are important to them.

The meeting begins at 7:30 PM at the
Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum, 328 Hawkins Avenue.

RONKOKOMO!

Sep 18, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

Ronkokomo featuring Comedian/Actor Christopher Brian Roach from Kevin Can Wait on CBS! A tribute to his hometown.

News from Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue

Aug 29, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

Please consider adopting one of these dogs or cats, or donating towards their care. Please share this with others.

Over two dozen dogs and cats came in to Save A Pet from Rebel Ranch Rescue in Texas after the owner of the Ranch, Amy Allen, was murdered on August 21st. All animals were tagged, vaccinated and enjoyed stretching their legs from the long journey. All except two will need to be spayed or neutered. Everyone will be heartworm tested, many need dentals and blood work. Please consider donating at: http://www.saveapetny.org
Their lives depend on all of us!

For information please call (631) 473-6333. We are open 7 days a week, Monday to Saturday 11-5 and Sunday 12-4. Save-A-Pet is located at 608 Route 112 Port Jefferson Station

Suffolk County launches program to thwart park dumping: RID (Report Illegal Dumping)

Aug 22, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

RID@suffolkcountyny.gov

Please share this with others, thank you!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suffolk launches program to thwart park dumping, vandalism
August 21, 2017 By Carl MacGowan carl.macgowan@newsday.com

A wave of illegal dumping incidents in Suffolk County parks in recent years prompted officials Monday to make it easier for visitors to report suspicious activity.

County lawmakers announced a new telephone hotline and email address that parkgoers can use to report dumping and other problems such as vandalism and graffiti they see in parks.

“What we want people to do is report it if they see it,” Legis. Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) said during a news conference at Lakeland County Park in Islandia. “It’s important that those of us who are here to enjoy our beautiful parks are also going to protect them.”

County officials plan to launch a social media and public awareness campaign to call attention to the program, dubbed Parks Watch, which is modeled after neighborhood watch programs in residential areas.

The campaign, also known as Report Illegal Dumping, or RID, will be highlighted in county parks by new signs bearing a pair of owl eyes that list the phone number, 631-854-1423, and email address, RID@suffolkcountyny.gov, for visitors to use.

Officials have been alarmed by a spate of dumping incidents in parks and open spaces in Melville, Manorville, Coram, Miller Place and elsewhere.

Islip Town’s Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood — which closed in April 2014 when 40,000 tons of contaminated construction debris was found there — reopened on July 31.

Besides illegal dumping, officials said parks are easy targets for vandalism, drug dealing, gang activity and graffiti.

Visitors should call 911 if they spot “serious criminal activity,” Legis. Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) said. Suffolk County police are installing security cameras to monitor parks for illegal activity, Anker said.

“You’re not going to see them. You’re not going to know where they are,” she said of the cameras. “It’s a shame we have to get to this, but we have to protect our parks.”

Suffolk has about 70,000 acres of county parkland, County Parks Commissioner Philip Bertolt said. About one-third of the county consists of state, county or municipal parks, he added.
Much of that land is in remote areas away from homes and businesses, making those places difficult to monitor, Bertolt said.

He added he hopes the Parks Watch signs alone might deter people from vandalism and illegal dumping in the parks.

“If people will know they are being watched, hopefully it will keep them away,” he said.

Visitors who call the hotline should provide useful information such as license plate numbers of involved vehicles, and the date and time of suspicious activity, Hahn said.

She said dumping and vandalism cost the county “millions of dollars” to repair and replace playground equipment and bathroom fixtures that suffer damage.

“We love our parks in Suffolk County,” Hahn said. “And we’re going to protect them.”

Please see article from Newsday below regarding a new county initiative to reduce illegal dumping in our parks.

There is a hotline to call: 631-854-1423
Or e-mail address:

Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center Offering Free Adoptions in June

Jun 11, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

www.brookhaven.org/animalshelter.

The Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center will celebrate the start of summer with free adoptions through the month of June. The normal adoption fees of $137 for a dog and $125 for a cat will be waived and include free neuter or spay, vaccinations, microchip, license, heartworm test, flea and fecal. Pictured is "Jaidyn," one of the Animal Shelter dogs available for adoption.

Those who are interested in adopting a dog or cat should visit the Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, please call 631-451-6950 or visit

Ronkonkoma Hub Update

Jun 11, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements | Ronkonkoma Hub

If you missed the last civic meeting on June 8th, you missed a comprehensive presentation by Rob Loscalzo of Tritec, the developer of the project. Rob provided some history of Tritec's involvement with the project and relayed some information on when construction of Phase I might start. He discussed the impact of the sewer line on the project, the number of housing units, Phase 2 (the retail/office section), parking, and much more. He also shared several renderings, a few of which are included below.

Local History Program at Sachem Library

Jun 11, 2017 Filed in: Events | General Announcements

The Manor of St. George
Sachem Public Library • 150 Holbrook Road • Holbrook, NY 11741

Wednesday, June 14 6:30 pm

At one time Suffolk County boasted 13 manors, founded by influential individuals with money and connections to the British Royal Governors, yet the patriots from the towns who won the Revolutionary War wrote LI history as if the manors never existed. The Manors of Long Island, a series of documentary films produced by the Suffolk County Archaeological Association and directed/researched by Gaynell Stone, PhD, tells this untold story. The Manor of St. George uncovers the history of the manors owned by William "Tangier" Smith in Strong's Neck, Yaphank, and Mastic. Dr. Stone will introduce the film and answer questions.

All are welcome to attend this free event at the Sachem Public Library. Register here, or call 631-588-5024.

Kids 4 Vets Day - Sunday June 4

Jun 02, 2017 Filed in: Events | General Announcements

The Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization is supporting the upcoming Kids 4 Vets Day. Please see flyer below for details and share this email with others.

Thank you!

Substance Abuse Education Workshop for Parents

May 30, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

Please see flyer below for information about this workshop. Please share with others who may be interested.

Town of Brookhaven Events, Programs & Other Information

May 30, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

http://www.brookhavenny.gov/Forms?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=10423

Seasonal Employee Online Application:
https://brookhaven.munisselfservice.com/employmentopportunities/default.aspx

Pre-Season Resident Parking Sticker Sale:
https://www.brookhavenny.gov/Forms?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=10269

Cedar Beach Marine Stewardship Center & Environmental Programs: see flyers below.

Holtsville Ecology Site & Animal Preserve programs:

Cedar-Beach-Marine-Stewardship-Center-2017

LRCO update: Sachem budget information

May 07, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

Residents in the Sachem School District will be receiving the notice below in the mail regarding the 2017-18 budget to be voted on on May 16th.

There is more information available on the school district's website as well as in a comprehensive budget newsletter:

http://www.sachem.edu/Assets/1718_Budget/050517_SachemBudgetNewsletter2017.pdf?t=636295997493570000

http://www.sachem.edu

For Town of Brookhaven residents - 2017 Special Recycling Event Schedule

May 07, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

Please see 2017 schedule below for special recycling days for electronics, pharmaceuticals and paper shredding in the Town of Brookhaven. The next event is tomorrow in Mt Sinai at the Rose Caracappa Center.

2017 Spring Street Sign Clean-Up

May 02, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements | Your Action Needed

The civic is once again compiling a list of street name signs and traffic control signs that are missing, vandalized or in generally poor condition. Send your list of signs to the civic; we will verify and forward on to the appropriate town departments for review and possible replacement. Either bring your list to the next civic meeting, or mail the list to the civic at PO Box 2916, Lake Ronkonkoma, or e-mail the list to information@lakeronkonkomacivic.org. Deadline is May 31st.

Also a reminder that if you notice particular potholes that need filling, please call Brookhaven's Constituent Call Center: 451-TOWN (8696).

Civic Annual Meeting: Thursday, May 11th, 7:30 PM

Apr 27, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

Join us on May 11th for our Annual Meeting and a presentation and discussion on the results of our 2017 Community Survey.

The election of officers to the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization Executive Board will take place at the Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 11th, at 7:30 PM, at the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum, 328 Hawkins Avenue.

2017-2018 Executive Board Nominees
President: Dawn Hopkins (Term Ends 5/18)
Vice-president: Jeff Kagan (Term Ends 5/19)
Treasurer: Jeff Kagan (Term Ends 5/18)
Recording Secretary: Thalia Bouklas (Term Ends 5/18)
Corresponding Secretary: George Schramm (Term Ends 5/19)
Membership Secretary:Gregg Freedner (Term Ends 5/19)
Director #1: Brianna Fitzgerald (Term Ends 5/18)
Director #2: Peter Bonna (Term Ends 5/19)

The position of Director #3 (Term Ends 5/19) is vacant.

Suffolk County Police Department 4th Precinct Monthly Community Meeting: May 2nd

Apr 27, 2017 Filed in: Events | General Announcements

Note: in general, in our area, if you live east of Patchogue-Holbrook Road, you are in the 6th Precinct; west of Patchogue-Holbrook Road is the 4th Precinct.

You are invited to the SCPD 4th Precinct monthly Community Meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday May 2nd at 7PM at the Nesconset Public Library located at 148 Smithtown Blvd. Special guest is SCPD Homeland Security. All are welcome.

Earth Day at Arrowhead Park

Apr 27, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in Saturday's Earth Day event at Arrowhead Park!

• All of the volunteers who dug holes, shoveled mulch & soil, planted trees & bushes and spruced up this community park.
• The local nurseries who donated the plantings: Mike from Bloomin' Haus Nursery in Holtsville, Richard & Scott from Longwood Farms in Middle Island and Donna from Bohemia Garden Center.
• The Town of Brookhaven which provided the mulch and soil.
• And especially Lesia Macko who organized the event!

Volunteers needed at Arrowhead Park - Saturday April 22nd

Mar 26, 2017 Filed in: Events | General Announcements | Your Action Needed

Please help and ask others to assist as well for this Earth Day event!

Two local nurseries have donated several trees to the civic organization to be planted at Arrowhead Park. Brookhaven Town has donated soil and compost. Now we need volunteers to get the trees in the ground. Bring your own shovels & gloves, and wheelbarrows if possible.

LRCO Second Community Survey

Mar 11, 2017 Filed in: Your Action Needed

The Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization is always looking for new ways to ensure it is meeting the needs of the community. We issued our first survey last summer. This second survey focuses on recreational activities.

Please follow the survey link below and share your thoughts so we may help make our community a place we want it to be. And please share this with other members of the community - the more voices we hear from, the more effective this survey will be.

https://goo.gl/forms/V1ERJu4672or7HGj2

Thank you!

The Great Brookhaven Cleanup

Mar 11, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

Volunteer to Keep Lake Ronkonkoma Clean!
Join the Annual Great Brookhaven Cleanup on
Saturday, May 20, 2017
On Saturday, May 20, the Town of Brookhaven will once again participate in Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup and Ronkonkoma residents can participate and help keep the Lake Ronkonkoma shoreline clean and beautiful. From 9:00 am to 4:00 pm volunteers will meet at Brookhaven’s Michael P. Murphy Beach on Lake Shore Road and walk the shoreline of the lake picking up litter and garbage.
For details, visit www.brookhaven.org or call 631-451-6222

Presentation at Sachem Library: The Revitalization of Lake Ronkonkoma

Feb 21, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

The Lake Ronkonkoma Improvement Group will present a program on Saturday, March 18th, 2:00 PM, about the revitalization of the lake, featuring Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Brookhaven Town Councilman Neil Foley and Brookhaven Town Councilman Kevin LaValle. The program will include slides of the history of Lake Ronkonkoma provided by the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society and will showcase the accomplishments of the Lake Ronkonkoma Improvement Group.

Update from Suffolk County Police Department Update from Suffolk County Police Department Update from Suffolk County Police Department

Feb 19, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

discussed the prevalence of massage parlors in our community; some have been involved in human trafficking and prostitution.

We recently heard from the commissioner's office regarding two arrests that took place after a raid at a massage parlor on Portion Road in Lake Ronkonkoma after numerous complaints from local residents were made to the SCPD. See details in press release below. They urged residents to continue to alert the SCPD of any illegal activity believed to be going on in our neighborhoods.

As you may recall, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini attended the November meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization. During that meeting, we

Suffolk County Community Protection Act

Feb 19, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

The County Executive asked that local organizations share this link with their members:

https://www.change.org/p/new-york-state-protect-our-children-support-the-community-protection-act

Lake Ronkonkoma St. Patrick's Day Parade

Feb 17, 2017 Filed in: Events | General Announcements

Sunday, March 12th at 2:00 PM
Parade will begin at Patchogue Holbrook Road at Portion Road, West on Portion Road, South on Hawkins Avenue, West on Church Street, ending at Pond Road.
Visit http://saintregiskofc.com for details.

Public Hearing for Ronkonkoma Hub - February 7, 2017

Feb 01, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements | Events | Your Action Needed

There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, February 7th at 2:30PM in the Legislative Auditorium of the W.H. Rogers Building (located at 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY 11787) regarding the proposed expansion of the Southwest Sewer District (Suffolk County Sewer District No. 3) to support the Ronkonkoma Hub development.

The proposal was originally presented at a public hearing last year, but was not voted on by the Legislature due to concern it was not clearly expressed this would come at no cost to the taxpayer. These improvements will be paid for using Sewer District Serial Bonds and a grant from the Empire State Development Corporation, with contributions from the developer of the Ronkonkoma Hub. The expansion of the Southwest Sewer District will provide sewage treatment to previously un-sewered areas, creating a favorable ecological and economic impact to the County, and allowing for the construction of an asset within the District that has the ability to generate revenue and future cost savings to District rate payers.

This hearing is critical to the redevelopment of the Ronkonkoma Hub. The County Legislature is deciding on the appropriations for the pump station.

This issue has recently become "political" and if the appropriations are not approved, then the entire project is at risk. The project requires proper sewering to move forward.

It would be helpful if community members in favor of project attend the hearing and state their support of the project and relay how important it is to redevelop the blighted area around the train station.

Emma Bruno Passes Away at 102

Jan 31, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing of Mrs. Emma Bruno. Emma passed away on Saturday January 28th; she was 102 years old.

Many of you know Emma Bruno through her varied community and civic involvements. She had been a steadfast pillar of the Lake Ronkonkoma community for most of her life. Emma's generosity through philanthropy and volunteerism was known by many. She was honored by the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization in 2006 as our Citizen of the Year (see photo below).

Emma Bruno had been an active member of the Lake Ronkonkoma Homemakers Club, the Friends of Sachem Public Library Club, the Lake Ronkonkoma Senior Citizen Club, the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society and the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization. She was an avid gardener and was known to share her vast knowledge of Lake Ronkonkoma history with anyone who was interested. Mrs. Bruno’s husband, Louis, passed away in 1991.

Arrangements are as follows:

Wednesday February 1st: Joseph A. Weber Funeral Home, 231 Hawkins Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Thursday February 2nd: Funeral service to be held at Weber Funeral Home. Internment at St. Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale

Information Regarding Patchogue-Holbrook Road Bridge

Jan 22, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

As many of you know, the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization has been sharing as much information as possible about this frustrating bridge project. We arranged a community meeting with the New York State Department of Transportation in June and have provided any additional information on the project as received.

Just this week, we were provided with the flyer below (even though it was released in November.) It provides some additional information about the project especially with regard to the closure of the northbound lanes.

Please feel free to share via e-mail or Facebook with others in the community who may be interested.

PH-Road-Bridge-NYS-DOT-info-11-2016

Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board Meetings

Jan 12, 2017 Filed in: Events

LAKE RONKONKOMA ADVISORY BOARD

MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2017

Wednesday, January 18th, 2017

Wednesday March 15th, 2017

Wednesday May 17th, 2017

Wednesday July 19th, 2017

Wednesday September 13th, 2017

Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Clerk’s Conference Room at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building (Bldg. No. 20), 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, New York.

Information: if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to our office at 631-854-3735 or ali.nazir@suffolkcountyny.gov

Lake Ronkonkoma Intermunicipal Watershed Organization Meeting

Jan 12, 2017 Filed in: Events

The next meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Intermunicipal Watershed Organization will be held next Wednesday, January 18th at 6:00PM, prior to the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board meeting at 6:30PM. The meeting will be held in the Rose Y. Caracappa Auditorium in the W.H. Rogers Legislative Building, 725 Veterans Hwy, Smithtown, NY 11787.

Town of Brookhaven Coat Drive

Jan 10, 2017 Filed in: General Announcements

Nicolls Road Bus Rapid Transit: Report on the Public Meeting December 13

Dec 28, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

Representatives from the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization attended this public meeting regarding the proposed Nicolls Road Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on December 13th. While funding is always an issue with Suffolk County projects, there is a lack of adequate north-south transit options. The BRT system would connect Stony Brook University and Patchogue with the Ronkonkoma Hub and the LIRR. The LIRR connection combined with a train station near the Brookhaven National Labs pulls together some key population centers. The proposed buses would be comfortable and make for a pleasant ride. And the proposed schedule calls for frequent departures.

Nicolls Road has a wide center median which would readily accommodate the additional lanes required for the buses. The attached exhibits show the alternatives current being considered.

Some might ask about a Smith Haven Mall connection. We believe that there would be normal bus service from the Ronkonkoma Hub to the Mall to accommodate this route.

Folks should send their comments to LIinnovationzone@suffolkcountyny.gov

Pet Adoption Fees Waived During "Home for the Holidays" Promotion at Brookhaven Animal Shelter December 15 through January 15

Dec 27, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

The Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center will celebrate the holiday season with its "Home for the Holidays" promotion, featuring free dog and cat adoptions from December 15 through January 15. Each adoption includes free neuter or spay, vaccinations, microchip, license, heartworm test, flea and fecal tests. Pictured is "Jalapeño," one of the adoptable pets looking for a home this holiday season.

Those who are interested in adopting a pet this holiday season should visit the Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. It is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The shelter is closed on Wednesdays. For more information, please call 631-451-6950 or visit
http://www.brookhaven.org/animalshelter

DOG-PIC

Public Hearing for Ronkonkoma Hub - December 20, 2016

Dec 19, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

This hearing is critical to the redevelopment of the Ronkonkoma Hub. The County Legislature is deciding on the appropriations for the pump station.

This issue has recently become "political" and if the appropriations are not approved, then the entire project is at risk. The project requires proper sewering to move forward.

It would be helpful if community members in favor of project attend the hearing and state their support of the project on December 20th and relay how important it is to redevelop the blighted area around the train station.

See notice below for Public Hearing number 2055; as noted, public hearings begin at 2:30. The general meeting is held at William H. Rogers County Center in Hauppauge.

Upcoming Events

Dec 04, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

1. The Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4th (tomorrow) at Raynor Beach County Park at 2:00 PM.

2. The Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization will be holding a Farmers Market on Sunday December 11th, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Ronkonkoma Fire District Building (corner of Portion Road and Hawkins Avenue). Vendors will be offering a variety of foods and other goods. We expect to have additional Farmers Market events in 2017 - more info to follow.

3. Suffolk County will be holding a public information meeting on December 13, 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Suffolk Community College regarding the Nicolls Road Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System.

Bus Rapid Transit is an innovative public transportation solution offering many of the advantages of a light-rail system but at a fraction of the cost – both for the passenger and to the municipality.
The transformation of Nicolls Road into a multimodal corridor will establish the first direct north/south connection between three Long Island Railroad lines; linking Brookhaven National Lab to Stony Brook University and Suffolk County Community College; connecting our Patchogue and Ronkonkoma Hub downtowns to Long Island MacArthur Airport; and creating an extensive hiking/biking network. The first public information meeting for Nicolls Road BRT will be held at Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Campus on Tuesday, December 13th from 6:00- 9:00P.M.

4. The Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Hanukkah Menorah Lighting on December 26th, 7:00 PM at Raynor Beach County Park.

5. Their will be no regular meetings of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization in December or January. Stay tuned for information regarding topics/guest speakers at meetings starting in February.

Upcoming Farmers, Craft, Artistry Market

Dec 04, 2016 Filed in: Events | General Announcements

Pasted Graphic
Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization
Farmers, Craft, Artistry Market

Sunday, December 11

8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Ronkonkoma Fire District Building
(Corner of Portion Road and Hawkins Avenue)

Vendors will be offering a variety of foods and other goods.

Ronkonkoma Hub Update

Dec 04, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

Several members of the community have recently asked us to provide an update on the Ronkonkoma Hub project since we previously shared that ground would be broken for Phase 1 in late 2016.

According to Rob Loscalzo from Tritec Real Estate:

In July, Tritec purchased the fence company site on Mill Road and in August, Tritec purchased the World Gym site.
In early October, Tritec finalized the Phase 1 Site Plans with the Town of Brookhaven, and so far have received approvals from the following departments: Planning, Engineering, Highway, and Traffic Safety. The plans were then submitted to the building department and Tritec expects to have a building permit before the end of the calendar year.
The Phase 1 Site Plans have received approvals from Suffolk County Department of Public Works (DPW) and Suffolk County Health Department.
In September, the Council of Environmental Quality unanimously approved the pumping of waste to the Bergen Point Plant and made a recommendation to the Suffolk County Legislature to approve the pump station. Earlier this month the pump station plan was unanimously approved by the Suffolk County Legislature Environmental Subcommittee to be voted on by the full legislature. Last week, the full legislature voted to approve the pump station. The SC Legislature also voted unanimously to approve the inter-municipal agreement with the Village of Islandia to allow the forced sewer main to go through the street Right of Ways in the Village. Tritec has been working with the County Engineers to finalize the path through the development area.
On December 6, the Suffolk County Legislature Budget Committee makes its recommendation to fund the appropriations to build the pump station and forced sewer main.
On December 20th, the Suffolk County Legislature will have a public hearing on the appropriations to fund the construction.
After the Suffolk County Legislature approves the appropriations, the Suffolk County DPW will be able to go out to bid with the plans. They will notice the bid in the paper for 6 weeks, after which they will take 4 to 6 weeks to qualify the bids and another 4 to 6 weeks to negotiate a contract. After the contract is executed, construction will start on the forced sewer main and pump station. It is expected to take about 18 to 20 months for completion.
Tritec plans to mobilize on site this January, and depending on the weather, expects to start demolition and site work. The start of Phase I construction is planned for April 2017.
Tritec is aware of graffiti on a few buildings that have been purchased & are now vacant. They have started the process to have the graffiti cleaned or repainted. They have met with the police since the same vandal tagged other buildings in the area.

Meeting Schedule for 2017

Nov 30, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

All meetings are at 7:30 PM, at the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum, 328 Hawkins Avenue.

Thursday, February 9th: General Membership Meeting
Thursday, March 9th: General Membership Meeting
Thursday, April 13th: General Membership Meeting
Thursday, May 11th: Annual Civic Meeting
Thursday, June 8th: General Membership Meeting
Thursday, September 14th: General Membership Meeting
Thursday, October 12th: "Meet the Candidates"
Thursday, November 9th: General Membership Meeting

If you use Google Calendar, you can subscribe to the Google's LRCO Meeting Calendar by clicking on this link:

Keep Ronkonkoma Clean Every First Saturday

Nov 30, 2016 Filed in: Events | General Announcements

Every first Saturday of the month volunteers like you help keep Lake Ronkonkoma clean.
Saturday, April 3, 9:00 AM will be our next Portion Road & Hawkins Avenue Clean Up, weather permitting.
Read more...

Highlights from the Last LRCO Meeting

Nov 16, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

1. The civic held its first Farmers Market on November 6th. There will be another one in December - details to follow. We expect to schedule additional ones over the next few months.

2. Dunkin Donuts is proposing the addition of a drive-thru; a public hearing is scheduled for November 17th at Brookhaven Town Hall. The civic will indicate its opposition to the Town Board as a drive-thru in that location is not in compliance with the land-use plan for Portion Road. In addition, the site is not configured properly for a drive-thru.

3. The proposed 2017 Brookhaven budget was discussed.

4. We received updates from Councilman LaValle's office regarding some outstanding issues.

5. There is another lake clean-up scheduled for November 19th.

6. Guest speaker Police Commissioner Tim Sini addressed the members in attendance and shared a tremendous amount of information. Some highlights:

- He discussed the opioid epidemic in Suffolk County. Year-to-date, there have been 259 fatalities, 30 in our local community. The SCPD has a multi-pronged approach to this crisis including prevention, treatment, recovery and law enforcement.
- The SCPD has an anonymous hotline that can be used to report drug dealing in your neighborhood. Call 631-852-NARC.
- He discussed the Long Island Heroin Task Force.
- He discussed drug prevention activities in the local schools.
- Narcan training has been provided to all officers and first responders. There have been 550 saves YTD, including several "repeats".
- Gang activity is an issue in several Suffolk County communities but is not significant in our area.
- The SCPD has a full time traffic analyst who is monitoring traffic fatalities in Suffolk County. The issue is being addressed with enforcement and also communication to local governments if there is a road safety issue. 2016 fatalities are 27% lower than 2015 so far this year.
- SCPD Shield is a program that partners with local businesses and also churches; it allows them to share information with the SCPD to assist in crime investigations.
- The Commissioner discussed initiatives to increase efficiency in the 911 call system, including the ability to generate a police report over the phone by calling 631-852-COPS.
- He discussed the new false alarm law (if the SCPD responds to three false alarms at your residence, you will be fined). So far, false alarm calls are down 30%.
- 2015 had historically low crime rates; 2016 in on pace to be even lower.
- We discussed the Police Explorers program for youth ages 14 to 20 that are interested in learning about a possible career in law enforcement.
- Commissioner Sini encouraged the formation of Neighborhood Watch Groups.
- He provided crime statistics specific to our area. We have a very low rate of violent crime. We have high rates of property crime and larcenies likely related to the opioid epidemic.
- We discussed the prevalence of massage parlors in our community; some have been involved in human trafficking and prostitution.

Hope to see you at a future meeting!

If you weren’t at the last civic meeting, you missed the following:

LRCO Community Survey Presentation

Oct 04, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

If you missed the last meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization, you missed a presentation on the results of our first community survey.
Click on Read more… below to see the presentation slides.Read more...

Additional Opportunities to Meet the Candidates

Oct 01, 2016 Filed in: Events

ABCO & Member Civics: Debate
Monday, October 17, 7:30 – 9:30 PM
1st District Congressional Candidates
Medford Firehouse, 171 Oregon Avenue, Medford

Centereach, Selden, Lake Ronkonkoma Civics:
Wednesday, October 26, 7:30 PM
Centereach Fire House, 9 South Washington Ave, Centereach

Lake Cleanup October 15th, 9 AM

Oct 01, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

Meet at Brookhaven’s Michael Murphy Beach on Lake Shore Road.

Ronkonkoma Street Fair Sunday, 9/4

Aug 28, 2016 Filed in: Events

Lake Cleanup August 27th, 10 AM

Aug 18, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

Summer Concert Re-cap

Aug 15, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

On August 4, 2016 the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization held its first summer concert at Raynor Park in Lake Ronkonkoma. Presenting a mix of classical music and show tunes, the seven musicians and a barbershop quartet provided excellent entertainment with their array of talents. Many in the crowd enjoyed the sing-alongs to "Sweet Summertime", "Yankee Doodle Dandy", and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Seven lucky members of the civic won gift certificates to Mamma LaRosa's, Chimichanga, Mesoyios, Flanagan's, and the Island Rock Diner. Some in the crowd went to Gino's Pizza and the Island Rock Diner afterwards where they were given 10% discounts. We wish to thank both of them for their generosity and the diner for donating two gift certificates for our raffle. Please see some pictures from the concert below.

We hope to see you at our upcoming concerts and events. If anyone would like to perform in our future concerts, please contact Fred at 631-338-6062

Thank you!

IMG-20160804-191411

Long Island's Hidden Past: Lake Ronkonkoma

Aug 07, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

A special lake, in the heart of Long Island, is featured in this month's Long Island's Hidden Past segment.
Three different tribes lived around Lake Ronkonkoma. To them, the lake was sacred, and used to do their hunting and fishing.
Formed by ancient glaciers, is Long Island's largest fresh water lake.

http://longisland.news12.com/news/long-island-s-hidden-past-lake-ronkonkoma-1.12118139

Follow Up Regarding Patchogue-Holbrook Road Bridge

Aug 07, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

The civic has received additional information regarding the bridge project that we'd like to pass along:

Crews have been working every day since the community meeting.
As was requested by the community, the number of left turn lanes from the North Service Road onto the bridge was reduced to one from two.
They are working on getting a left-turn signal on Patchogue-Holbrook Road & the North Service Road (northbound while on the bridge) to help move traffic along quicker.
They will be putting "Do Not Block the Box" pavement markings on the intersection with the South Service Road.
They have moved the detour sign on Patchogue-Holbrook Road BEFORE Union Avenue to give unfamiliar drivers the opportunity to take Union Avenue as an alternate.
They have increased signage on the entrance ramps to the LIE before the bridge in each directions.

We will continue to pass on additional updates as received. Thanks again to everyone who attended and provided practical and sometimes obvious solutions to some of the traffic impacts of this bridge project.

LRCO Community Survey is Closed

Aug 07, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

The LRCO Community Survey has just been closed out. We wish to express our sincere thanks to those who took the time out of their busy days to participate. Your responses will help us set priorities for future actions.

We are in the process of analyzing the information and will share what we’ve learned at an upcoming General Membership Meeting.

Enjoy the beautiful summer weather!

The LRCO Executive Board

LRCO Summer Concert August 4th

Jul 12, 2016 Filed in: Events

LRCO Community Survey

Jul 12, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

The Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization is always looking for new ways to ensure it is meeting the needs of the community. We’ve prepared a brief survey as one approach. It’s anonymous and may be followed up by future brief surveys from time to time.

Please follow the survey link below and share your thoughts so we may help make our community a place we want it to be. And please share this with other members of the community - the more voices we hear from, the more effective this survey will be.

http://goo.gl/forms/b4jy4oUBxcUPDZtq1

Thank you!

Highlights from Meeting Regarding Patchogue-Holbrook Road Bridge

Jul 09, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

As mentioned previously, the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization has received many complaints about the status of the work on the Patchogue-Holbrook Road bridge. We arranged for a community meeting NYS Dept of Transportation to find out more information about when the project can expected to be completed.

The meeting was held on June 27th at the Sachem Public Library. Here are some highlights:

Approximately 50 members of the community were in attendance.

The bridge was in very bad shape, poorly maintained over the years. The concrete platforms holding up the bridge were deteriorating. Some of the steel support beams needed repair. And the underpinning of the road surface was falling down.

The project has been affected by a series of delays mainly caused by accidents: the bridge has been struck four times over the past two years by trucks. These were serious accidents, one happened just before the work started, two significant hits subsequent to that, and one more recently. The original completion data was June 2016 but that has obviously passed. The contractor has an additional year (until June 2017) to complete the project, but has a financial incentive to be done before this winter. No work can be completed during winter months.

The concrete road deck of the southbound lanes of the bridge should be poured in July, and once that's complete they can start the second half. Those southbound lanes should be paved in July 2016 with the walkway and side rail shortly thereafter. The northbound lanes may be paved before year end depending on weather. It’s likely that the walkway alongside the northbound lands and that side rail will be built in the spring and may entail some limited lane closures but this isn’t definite.

The contractor will have to pay penalties if work isn’t fully completed by year end 2016 and it seems that the penalties get even more serious if work isn’t fully completed by mid-year 2017.

We learned that as part of the repairs, the bridge is being raised six inches on one end and 18 inches on the other end.

The DOT will review the traffic patterns around the bridge to try to address community concerns. Assemblyman Graf will communicate the plans and the civic will relay any news on this that we learn.

Thanks to everyone who attended!

2016 Brookhaven Road Paving Update

Jul 03, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

Road paving is one of the most visible services we get from Brookhaven Town. The Civic has been working with the Town to raise awareness about the state of the roads in our community and increase transparency about paving plans.Read more...

Lake Ronkonkoma Closed to Bathing

Jul 03, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

Lake Ronkonkoma, in the town of Islip, is closed to bathing due to the finding of bacterial levels in excess of acceptable criteria.

According to Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Dr. James Tomarken, bathing in bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 852-5822, contact the Department's Office of Ecology at 852-5760 during normal business hours, or visit the Beach Monitoring page on the Suffolk County website.

Suffolk County Activates Public Health Information Line

Jun 28, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

County Executive Steve Bellone and Commissioner of Health Services Dr. James Tomarken announced today the activation of the Public Health Information Line: 631-787-2200. The Information Line is being employed to enhance continuing efforts to detect and prevent the spread of communicable illnesses in Suffolk County. The line is now available from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Read more...

ATTENTION: Upcoming meeting regarding Patchogue-Holbrook Road bridge

Jun 21, 2016 Filed in: Events

The Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization has received many complaints about the status of the work on the Patchogue-Holbrook Road bridge. As mentioned previously, we asked Assemblyman Al Graf to set up a community meeting with the NYS Dept of Transportation to find out more information about when the project can expected to be completed.

The meeting has been scheduled for Monday June 27th at the Sachem Public Library, 6:00 PM. Please be there to voice your concerns and urge the DOT and its contractors to complete this project soon! Please share the flyer below with your friends and neighbors.

NYSDOTMeeting

New Cyanobacteria Blooms in Lake Ronkonkoma

Jun 20, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

Recent sampling performed by SUNY Stony Brook has confirmed new cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known as blue–green algae, in Lake Ronkonkoma off Pond Road in the Town of Brookhaven and Mill Pond in Southampton.

Currently, cyanobacteria blooms exist at the following Suffolk County locations:

Lake Ronkonkoma (Brookhaven side)
Mill Pond, Southampton
Maratooka Pond, Mattituck
Agawam Lake, Southampton

Due to these findings, health officials ask residents not to use or swim or wade in these waters and to keep their pets and children away from the area. Extra precautions should be taken to avoid direct exposure to waters at the Brookhaven side of Lake Ronkonkoma and Agawam Lake, as levels of cyanobacteria and associated toxins are very high.

Though blue-green algae are naturally present in lakes and streams in low numbers, they can become abundant, forming blooms mostly typically in shades of green but also in shades of blue-green, yellow, brown or red. They may produce floating scums on the surface of the water or may cause the water to take on paint-like appearance.

Contact with waters that appear scummy or discolored should be avoided. If contact does occur, rinse off with clean water immediately. Seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur after contact: nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; skin, eye or throat irritation, or allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.

To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom that is in a body of water that does not contain a Suffolk County permitted bathing beach, contact the Division of Water at New York State DEC: 518-402-8179 between 8:00 am – 4:00 p.m. or anytime via email at habsinfo@dec.ny.gov

To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom at a body of water that does contain a Suffolk County-permitted bathing beach, contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 between 8:30 – 4:30 or by anytime via email at scdhsweb@suffolkcountyny.gov

For a comprehensive list of affected waterbodies in NY State, visit the DEC’s Harmful Algal Bloom Notification Page at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/83310.html

For more information about blue-green algae, visit the Suffolk County website:http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices/EnvironmentalQuality/Ecology/MarineWaterQualityMonitoring/HarmfulAlgalBlooms/Cyanobacteria.aspx

Highlights from the last LRCO meeting

Jun 20, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

If you weren’t at the last civic meeting, you missed the following updates:

1. Members of Boy Scout Troop 9 were in attendance. They were fulfilling a requirement for the Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge.

2. Anna Throne-Holst, Democratic candidate for Congress, addressed the membership, speaking about her background, experience and priorities if she is elected. She is being challenged in a Democratic primary by Dave Calone. A representative of Mr. Calone was also at the meeting. The Democratic primary is scheduled for June 28th.

3. Maria Barbara from County Legislator Cilmi's office was in attendance.

4. County Legislator Tom Muratore was there and provided an update on the county budget issues and red light cameras.

5. A representative from NYS Assemblyman Al Graf's office was there to discuss the Patchogue-Holbrook Road bridge project as well as the Assemblyman's efforts on the heroin epidemic. The civic has asked the Assemblyman to set up a meeting between the civic and other community stakeholders and the NYS Dept of Transportation regarding the bridge project. We will certainly pass on to the community any updates that we received. Right now, they claim it will be finished in August. However, to those of us who regularly travel over the bridge, that seems optimistic at best.

6. Brookhaven Town Councilman Kevin LaValle and Chamber of Commerce representative Kevin Hyms spoke about the Hawkins Avenue revitalization project.
- 22 new street lights have been installed.
- New street trees have been planted.
- New drainage basins will be installed.
- Hawkins Avenue, from Division to Smith, will be repaved in the fall.
- Pedestrian countdown timers were installed at Division Street.
'In addition, other updates from Councilman LaValle:
- The parks department has cut the grass at Arrowhead Park.
- Shoprite is expected to open in 2017 (located at the old Waldbaum's on Portion Road).
- Five corners: the signage at that corner (from the shopping center) is in fact allowed, a permit is in place. The civic had asked the town if the unattractive & cluttered signs there were legal.
- The town will be paving streets on the Farmingville-Lake Ronkonkoma border, specifically Warren Avenue and some of the side streets there.
- The proposed roundabout for Five Corners is still in the planning phase. The civic will be attending a presentation by the town's consultant.
- The town board passed a resolution requiring a new septic system be installed when any structure is built or re-built within 500 feet of protected bodies of water.

5. An orchestra is being formed to present an evening of music at Raynor Park during this summer. Musicians are needed; auditions are tentatively scheduled for July 9th at Raynor Park. For more information and/or if you are interested, please contact Fred Wallenmaier:

Phone: 631-338-6062
E-mail: niecees0413@yahoo.com

6. The civic will be placing a plaque in memory of Pat Duffield at Arrowhead Park. Pat was a long-time member and board member of the civic and worked tirelessly on behalf of our community. We'll let you know when the plaque is in place at the park.

7. The next LRCO general meeting is not until September. We'll continue to update you over the summer on events and issues important to the community. Enjoy the summer and congratulations to all of the new graduates!

Squashing the litterbugs

Jun 20, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

The column below appeared in Newsday recently. Given that members of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization have spent countless days cleaning up after other people, we felt it was worth sharing the author's sentiments. Since its creation, the civic has made it a priority to do its part to pick up roadside litter (along Portion Road, Hawkins Avenue and Railroad Avenue) and trash along the shores of the lake. We hope that one day, we will no longer need to do so.

Squashing the litterbugs
May 22, 2016
By Michael Dobie michael.dobie@newsday.com

When we bought a house and moved to Long Island from the Bronx more than 25 years ago, there were certain things I was prepared for. Those quintessentially Long Island things.

I did not expect one of them to be litter. On my own property. In single-family-home heaven.
It’s not so bad in the winter, but now ’tis the season.

That’s not my imagination. The temperature rises, and the litter falls. A lot of it ends up on my lawn. Or, more precisely, on the planting strip outside the hedge and the fence.Read more...

For Town of Brookhaven Residents - Special Recycling Event Schedule

Jun 02, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

Next Civic Meeting: June 9th

May 22, 2016 Filed in: Events

The next general membership meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization will be on Thursday, June 9th, 7:30 PM at the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum at 328 Hawkins Avenue.

We will be discussing the status of repaving town roads and the downtown revitalization grant project.

Civic meetings are open to members and non-members.

MUSICIANS NEEDED!

May 22, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

The Civic is working on an evening of music to be performed by local musicians in Raynor Park this summer.
If you are interested in joining the orchestra, contact Fred at niecees0413@yahoo.com

Town of Brookhaven Residential Building Permit Requirements & Process

May 22, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

Also, here again are links to pamphlets detailing what is allowed and what requires a building permit:

As mentioned previously, the last civic meeting featured an in-depth discussion on the residential permit process in general, with a focus on decks & sheds as these commonly result in homeowners having to obtain approval after the fact and perhaps also having to appear before the Zoning Board. Provided below is more in-depth guidance as provided by the Town of Brookhaven. However, please contact the Town of Brookhaven Building Division directly for assistance with your specific situation.

Decks & Porches Brochure
Shed Flyer

Please share this e-mail with your friends and neighbors who might benefit from this information.

Why do I need a Building Permit?
It’s the law! The Town of Brookhaven Building Division is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and Brookhaven Town Code Section 16-3.

When is a Building Permit Required?
A Building Permit is required for New Homes, Additions, Alterations, Manufactured Homes, and Accessory Structures. Accessory Structures most commonly include detached garages, sheds, decks, gazebos and swimming pools. “A permit shall not be required for minor repairs to existing plumbing systems.”

Alterations Requiring Permits:
• Structural changes:
◦ Extension
◦ Moving internal wall
• Pool; both in ground and above ground
• Fences which meet certain criteria
◦ Over 6 feet tall
◦ Over 4 feet tall in front yard
• Fireplace or Wood burning Stove
• Deck more than 6 inches off ground
• External cosmetic changes if house is in an historic district
• Shed more than 144 square feet (12x12)
• Gazebo more than 144 square feet
• Accessory apartment
• Finished basement (see definition of basement)
• Garage conversion (to non garage use)
• New / Replacement HVAC system
• HVAC conversion to gas
• Solar panels
• Major plumbing system modifications
• Curb cut change – Highway Department
• Driveway apron change (decorative) – Highway Department
• Large garden structures, especially those which restrict a driver’s view
• Outside basement entrance
• Detached Garage
• Barn
Alterations not requiring Permits:
• Kitchen Remodel
• Window replacement / remodel (except historic district)
• New or replacement roof / new or replacement siding
• Electrical system upgrade (i.e. new panel)
• Driveway and related work (note driveway must be hard surface, i.e. asphalt or concrete)
• Shrubbery and trees

Process:
• Bring paperwork (architectural plans et al) to building department (1st floor of town hall – behind guard desk).
• Meet with initial reviewer / reviewer provides form package for completion / reviewer checks package to ensure it’s complete. Scheduled appointments are available through online system.
• Meet with permit examiner / if all is in order building permit is issued.
• Note: one of the forms is a structural affidavit – this will identify any missing permits / certificates of compliance. These need to be addressed as part of the permit issuance process. The Town has access to aerial views allowing the Town to validate the structural affidavit.
• The building permit is good for one year. Extensions are available and may be requested on line.
• During building Town inspectors must be called in to review various stages of constructions. Details will be included in the building permit package.
• Once the construction is complete a final survey must be completed (by a licensed professional such as an architect).
• The final survey and certain other paperwork are submitted to the building department for issuance of a certificate of compliance. The other paperwork will be specified in by the building department and will include items such as a tax assessor statement.

Other matters:
• When there is existing work which was done without a permit, appropriate fees/penalties must be paid. These fees are three times the standard fees. Architectural plans are not required but appropriate descriptions must be provided to the Building Dept.
• Existing work done without a permit must be addressed prior to sale of property.
• The building department will research original certificates of occupancy and certificates of compliance and surveys, for a fee.

Stakeholders Meeting to discuss proposed changes to Suffolk County’s Sanitary Code, Construction Standards, and the upcoming Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan

May 15, 2016 Filed in: Events

In accordance with Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone's Reclaim Our Waters initiative and the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan, Suffolk County is pursuing proactive measures to reduce nitrogen pollution of our waters. The county is currently testing several innovative alternative single-home wastewater treatment systems to evaluate their effectiveness at reducing the amount of nitrogen that leaches from typical wastewater systems that have been widely used in Suffolk County.

To accommodate the use of alternative-wastewater-treatment systems, changes are being proposed tothe Suffolk County Sanitary Code and Construction Standards. In concert with the proposed changes to the codes and standards, a Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan is being prepared that will provide recommendations for nitrogen load reduction goals and a recommended wastewater management strategy for all of the priority subwatersheds of Suffolk County. The stakeholders meeting will present the proposed changes to the Suffolk County Sanitary Code and Construction Standards and will present the proposed scope of work for the Suffolk County Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan.

When:                 12:30 -3:30 p.m., May 16, 2016; registration begins at 12:00 p.m.

Where:                Suffolk County Community College, Ammerman Campus, Babylon Student Center- Montauk Point Room, Selden, N.Y.

Registration:      Seating to this event may be limited. Please click on the link below to RSVP:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/subwatersheds-wastewater-plan-and-proposed-changes-to-sanitary-code-tickets-25207033917

MEMBERSHIP CONTEST!

May 09, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

If you are a member of the civic in good standing and you get a new family to join as a member by our June meeting (June 9th), you will win a $15 gift certificate to one of our local restaurants. If you are not a member but join the civic as a paying member with a friend, you too can win a $15 gift certificate.
Help us grow and support our local restaurants!

LRCO Update

Apr 24, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

If you weren’t at the last civic meeting, you missed the following updates:

1. Ronkonkoma Hub update: Initial ground breaking is likely to commence in November, pushed back from this summer.

Tritec, the developer, does not plan to include Section 8 housing at the HUB.
The State budget included funding for commuter parking structures which will replace the parking north of the tracks. This is of critical importance to the project
The civic will form a committee to make sure Tritec follows through on their commitments to the community.

2. The next LRCO general meeting is scheduled for May 12. We’ll discuss the Land Use Plan and residential building permit requirements.

3. May 21 is the Great Brookhaven Cleanup Day. LRCO will participate with a clean-up effort at Lake Ronkonkoma. More details to follow.

4. The Lake Ronkonkoma Inter-municipal Organization (IO) had its first meeting recently. George Schramm and Dawn Hopkins, LRCO Board members, presented draft bylaws for consideration by the IO. This is an important step towards remaking the Lake into the community asset it once was and should be.

5. The Town Board passed a resolution sponsored by Councilman LaValle and co-sponsored by Councilwoman Cartwright last week requiring the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to attend semiannual meetings with the Law Department. The Law Department will review land use plans and recent town code changes. The intent is to encourage these board to make decisions consistent with community interests. LRCO strongly supports this resolution.

LRCO Update: Sachem School District News

Apr 17, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

If you weren’t at the last civic meeting, you missed an update on the Sachem School District. Jeff Kagan, civic treasurer, attended the last school board meeting and provided the following summary:

The school board voted not to pierce the tax cap reversing their previous direction. The state tax cap is 0.76%. The previous decision to pierce the tax cap was made before the State budget passed. With the additional school funding from the New York State budget, Sachem will stay within the Tax Cap. The budget is not finalized but while they discussed reinstating some of the cuts made over the past year, indications are that not all of the cuts will be reinstated. The next and final budget meeting will be Wednesday April 20.
The school board also voted to select the new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kenneth E Graham. He replaces James Nolan who is retiring June 30. Dr. Graham presently works in the Long Beach school district as assistant superintendent of schools.

Suffolk County to Increase Rabies Monitoring

Mar 28, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

With a recent report of the capture of a rabid raccoon in Nassau County and out of an abundance of caution, Suffolk Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken announced today that he has ordered increased surveillance of raccoons in the Towns of Babylon and Huntington, which border Nassau County.

“Suffolk County has an ongoing countywide rabies surveillance program that we will be enhancing in in those western towns in light of this new information,” said Dr. Tomarken. “We ask the public’s assistance.”

Reporting Guidelines:

Residents of all towns are asked to report raccoons that come into contact with humans or pets to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
Residents of the Towns of Huntington and Babylon are asked to report abnormally acting raccoons and dead raccoons.
In towns other than Huntington and Babylon, dead raccoons should be discarded in the garbage in a safe manner and with no direct physical contact with people or pets.

Residents are asked to report sightings to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services by calling 631-852-5900, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. After hours, call 631-852-4820.

Rabies Protection:
New York State and Suffolk County law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating your pet not only provides protection for the animal, but vaccinated pets act as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people. It is very important to make sure that these animals, as well as livestock and horses have current rabies vaccinations. To further protect yourself from possible exposure to rabies:

Keep dogs, cats and ferrets on a leash and keep livestock confined in the evening.
Do not have contact with any animal other than your own.
Do not feed wildlife or stray animals and discourage them from seeking food near your home.
Do not touch dead or dying animals. Use a shovel, wear rubber gloves and double bag the
carcass, if you need to move them.
Do not approach an unknown animal, either wild or domestic, especially if it is acting in an unusual way.
Keep garbage cans tightly covered and avoid storing any food outside.
Children should be advised to tell an adult immediately if they were bitten or scratched by any animal.
To prevent the possible spread of the rabies virus, no one, including trappers and nuisance wildlife rehabilitators, should transport and relocate any wild animals at this time.

For more information on rabies, visit the New York State Department of Health website at http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/rabies/rabies.htm, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/.

LRCO Update: Lake Advisory Board Meeting

Mar 22, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

If you weren’t at the last civic meeting, you missed an update on the last Lake Advisory Board meeting. Dawn Hopkins, civic vice president attended along with civic president George Schramm, and provided the following summary:

Besides members of the Lake Advisory Board, about twenty-five people attended the Lake Advisory Board meeting on March 9.

Larry Farrell, community member, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the physical conditions around the Lake. Remnants of the bookstore that burned, fallen trees and debris scattered around the Lake were among the pictures that he showed. He wants to work on lake restoration in 2016.

Chart Guthrie, regional fisheries manager for the New York State DEC, reviewed his plan for development of the fishing access site on Victory Drive. A redesign of the bio-filtration system and an enlarged parking area were some of the ideas he presented. He stressed this was still in the design phase and it would be presented to the community for input. He cited numerous sources for funding the project. A number of neighbors from Victory Drive and Richmond Boulevard attended the meeting and some spoke about their concerns. The issue of vandalism was paramount and also that of parked cars at all hours of the day in the area. Chart pointed out he would have an access site steward from 7am until 4pm, weekends, holidays and some weekdays. The steward is recently mandated by State legislation on removal of invasive vegetation on boats going into and out of the Lake. The steward would also be charged with reporting incidents of concern. Chart also pointed out that there is a 24-hour DEC hotline: 877-457-5680.

George Schramm gave a history of the Memorandum of Understanding that created the Intermunicipal Organization which, for the first time, has Brookhaven, Islip, Smithtown and Suffolk County unified and committed to the health of the Lake.

LRCO Update: Friedman Property aka Ackerly Lane Office Building

Mar 22, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

If you weren’t at the last civic meeting, you missed an update on the Planning Board hearing for the proposed office building on Ackerly Lane near Portion Road. Dawn Hopkins, civic vice president attended and provided the following summary:

Numerous hearings have been scheduled and held on this application to build a dental practice facility on Ackerly Lane. Local residents have turned out in opposition to the development at each hearing.

Given the grading of the land and the size (2 stories) of the building, occupants of the new building would look directly into a neighbor's kitchen. There is a concern about adequate parking with neighbors worrying about people parking on the surrounding streets of Ackerly and Conway.

The Civic is also concerned with the encroachment of commercial business into residential neighborhoods. The Land Use Plan, developed by the community and the Town of Brookhaven, specifically underscores that commercial business belongs on Portion Road not in residential areas. Towards that, 66 neighbors in the Ackerly community signed a petition against this building being placed on a residential block.

The application has been placed on the Planning Board's decision calendar for March 21st.

LRCO Update: Sachem Budget

Mar 22, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

If you weren’t at the last civic meeting, you missed an update on the Sachem School District budget. Jeff Kagan, civic treasurer, attended the last school board meeting and provided the following summary:

The Sachem School Board has tentatively agreed to a budget that will result in a 1.99% property tax rate increase. The approval is tentative because the State budget and school aid amount is not yet final. The 1.99% property tax rate increase technically pierces the State tax cap and will therefore require a 60% approval rate in the district-wide budget vote. If there is no change in state aid, the level of services will be the same as in the current school year, but for the previously approved closure of two elementary schools and one middle school. If state aid increases, the Board will have the opportunity to revisit the level of services. Note that the State budget deadline is April 1st so this should be resolved shortly, if the State acts on time.

LRCO Update: Suffolk County Alarm Management Program

Mar 22, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

If you weren’t at the last civic meeting, you missed a briefing on this program by Jeff Kagan, civic treasurer:

Suffolk County passed legislation last year requiring residents and business with central alarm systems to obtain permits from the Suffolk County Policy Department by April 1, 2016. A brief brochure was recently mailed to all Suffolk County addresses describing the program and how to obtain a permit. The stated purpose of the program is to reduce the cost of police response to false alarms. After April 1, 2016, policy response to a false alarm will result in a fine. This fine is waived for those with a current permit. The permit costs residents $50 the first year and $25 in renewal years.

A copy of the brochure is provided below.

alarm-mailing1

LRCO Update: Town of Brookhaven Info

Mar 22, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

If you weren’t at the last civic meeting, you missed an update on Town of Brookhaven issues. Jeff Kagan, civic treasurer, attended the last town board meeting and provided the following updates:

1. Councilmen LaValle and Foley, who together represent the LRCO community, have indicated that we should see more local paving in 2016 and 2017. Hawkins Avenue, which spans both council districts, will be paved in 2016 in conjunction with the downtown revitalization project. Councilman LaValle stated that additional streets will be paved in his district in 2016. These should include the South Howell and Crestwood Lane area. Councilman Foley advised that he is working off of the civic’s submitted street list and it has been submitted to the Town Highway Department.

The civic will continue to provide updates on progress towards getting adequate attention to our community’s streets.

2. Numerous people spoke at the Town Board meeting in support of Caithness II. Caithness II is a proposed 750 megawatt power plant to be located in Yaphank nearby the existing Caithness I power plant. PSE&G recently reported that projected demand on Long Island does not support Caithness II and the project was set aside. The Town stated that it is not on the Town decision calendar and that the Town had already given all requisite approvals. The speakers advised that they were requesting action by the Town Board as individuals in support of this project. There are many issues related to energy needs and the future of Long Island. While these were not discussed at the meeting, this is a high-stakes issue and is should heat up considerably in the near future.

SCPD March 2016 Community Meeting Invitation

Mar 22, 2016 Filed in: Events

Open invitation to March’s monthly 6th Precinct Community Meeting;

Tuesday March 22nd, 2016 at 7PM at the Middle Island Fire Department, located at 31 Arnold Dr. Middle Island (directly off Middle Country Rd.). Please spread the word.

Respectfully,
P.O. Todd Bradshaw
Suffolk County Police Department
6th Precinct COPE Unit
400 Middle Country Road
Selden, NY 11784
Phone: (631)854-8689
E-mail: todd.bradshaw@suffolkcountyny.gov

Next Civic Meeting: March 10th

Mar 10, 2016 Filed in: Events

The next general membership meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization will be on Thursday, March 10th, 7:30 PM at the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum at 328 Hawkins Avenue.

Please attend this informative meeting and invite others to come as well.

Thank you!

Sachem School District Preliminary Budget

Feb 27, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

The Sachem School Board met February 24, 2016. Among other agenda items, they discussed the upcoming Budget. The Board has recently been forced to make mid-year budget adjustments to deal with financial shortfalls. The Board also decided to close three schools for the upcoming school year to address the emerging financial stress.

The financial shortfalls are substantially the result of years of reduced NY State School funding and unfunded State mandates. The actual amount of NY State school funding for 2016/2017 will not be finalized until the State finalizes its budget on or about April 1, but unfortunately preliminary funding projections are modest. While our local legislators are making every effort to provide additional funds, the Board needed to make preliminary decisions based on the preliminary funding projection.

The Board has tentatively decided to pierce the State property tax cap in order to properly fund the current level of school services. The State tax cap is 0.76% and the Board is proposing a 1.9% tax rate increase. The Board made this decision recognizing that the NY State tax rebate program refunding school property tax increases in Districts that stayed within the tax cap has ended and been replaced with a far more modest program. Thus the impact of piercing the cap is significantly reduced.

The Board fully intends to work with our State representatives to encourage additional State aid. Once the Board knows the final amount, final decisions about the proposed Sachem School Property Tax Rates, and the level of school services provided will be made. This should occur in the first weeks of April.

February Meeting: Ronkonkoma Hub Update

Feb 17, 2016 Filed in: Events

Here’s what you missed if you weren’t able to attend last Thursday’s civic meeting:

President George Schramm updated attendees on several local land use projects: proposed office building on the corner of Portion & Ackerly, Dunkin Donuts parking lot expansion, Wendy’s redevelopment and others.
Rob Loscalzo and Jim Coughlan from Tritec Real Estate gave a presentation on the latest news on the Ronkonkoma Hub project. Residents in attendance asked many questions of the Tritec representatives:
Several key properties have been purchased for Phase 1 of the project (eastern side of Mill Road); other parcels are in contract. They expect to break ground later in 2016.
They are buying up properties from multiple owners for Phase 2 of the project (east of Hawkins Avenue).
Phase 1 is primarily residential, with six buildings, 489 dwelling units, 1,000 estimated residents. Phase 2 is mixed use buildings: offices, retail, residential.
Right now, the residences are planned to be 10% owner-occupied (condos) and 90% rentals. The rentals will include studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, with studios starting at $1,350/month. There will not be an affordable housing component to the project.
Phase 2 will have nine buildings as well as five parking structures (not for commuters). A major grocery store could be included here.
Phase 3 includes more office and retails space plus a parking garage to replace the lost parking for commuters.
Phase 4 focuses on some of the area between Hawkins Avenue and Mill Road.
They discussed some of the architectural details of the buildings, including the use of arches throughout the project as well as French quarter style details in the residential buildings.
See images below of Phase 1 and Phase 2.
There was also discussion about the sewering. Right now, there will be a pumping station at the far east end of the project to hook up to the Southwest Sewer District.
Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy was in attendance and engaged Tritec in specific questions on the project.

Hope to see you at the next civic meeting!

RONK HUB PICS 2016_2_11 1

Another Hearing for Proposed Building at Portion & Ackerley

Feb 05, 2016 Filed in: Events | Your Action Needed

On Monday January 25, community members attended this Planning Board hearing to speak about the proposed office building at the corner of Portion Road and Ackerly Lane.

Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization Vice President Dawn Hopkins along with nearby property owners addressed the Planning Board. The owners of nearby parcels spoke of their concerns about the amount of trash that currently accumulates on the property as well as the youths that congregate in the parking lot at night. Their fear is that this new building will create more of an opportunity for these behaviors. A significant concern was the placement and height of the proposed building that will allow the occupants to look directlyinto the kitchen and backyard of the house next door.

The civic pointed out that the required notice of property change to the community was incorrectly posted on public property (telephone pole) instead of the Friedman property. We also spoke to the lack of posting on Ackerly Lane where the proposed building would actually be built. As a result, the Planning Board determined there must be a correct re-posting done on Ackerly and Portion. The application will be reheard at the February 8 Planning Board meeting.

Sachem School Board votes to close Tecumseh and Gatelot Elementary Schools and Sequoya Middle School

Jan 25, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements

Members of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization attended the last Sachem School Board meeting, the main focus of which was the decision to close three schools to help address the district's financial difficulties. A summary of the meeting follows:

The Sachem School Board met Wednesday evening January 20, 2016 to make the final decision on school closings. The School Board had voted to propose closing Tecumseh and Gatelot Elementary Schools and Sequoya Middle School during their December 16, 2015 meeting. The next and final steps to finalize the proposal were a Public Hearing and then a School Board vote. The Public Hearing occurred Wednesday. Numerous people addressed the School Board members covering three basic issues.
Residents associated with Gatelot expressed their disappointment that Gatelot was selected. They cited comments in the report of the Facilities Study Committee Report from January 2014 stating that Gatelot should not be closed.
School nurses and parents expressed concern about nurse staffing after realignment.
Residents expressed concern about Administrative and Custodial staffing after realignment.
The School Board closed the Public Hearing and commenced the regular meeting. Item 9.3 was the resolution to close Tecumseh and Gatelot Elementary Schools and Sequoya Middle School. This resolution passed by a vote of 6 to 3. The school closings take effect with the school year starting September 2016.

The School Board and Administration advised meeting attendees that the vote does not decide staffing of Nurses, Administrative or Custodial personnel for the upcoming school year. Staffing will be determined during the budget process which will commence shortly.

The School Board and Administration also advised meeting attendees that they intend to make every effort to lease the closed schools and do not intend to sell them at this time. They pointed out that they leave the option open to reopen the schools at a later date if circumstances warrant.

New Hearing for Proposed Building at Portion & Ackerley

Jan 24, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements | Your Action Needed

There is a new hearing date for this proposed office building, at the corner of Portion Road and Ackerly Lane. The hearing will be on Monday January 25th at 4:00 PM. This hearing is number 4 on the agenda. The agenda reads:

Portion Properties LLC @ Ronkonkoma
Location: S/EC of Portion Road (CR 16) and Ackerley Lane
Description: To construct a 3,230 sq. ft. Office building (medical office) and associated site improvements, with parking variances.
Tax Map#: 0200 64900 0200 031001
Council District: #5
Log#: 15SP0013
Area: 2.157 acres
Zoning: J Business 4
School District: #5 Sachem CSD
Applicant Info: Scott Friedman c/o Portion Properties, LLC 500 Portion Road Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

We have previously communicated our concerns about the original proposal. In December, we met with a representative of the property owner to discuss those concerns and review a revised proposal.

The building itself is much improved; the architecture matches the current office building at that corner and appears to be compliant with the Land Use Plan (LUP) for this part of the Portion Road corridor. [See images below.]

The LUP also suggests that a new building on this property be aligned with the existing commercial frontage along Portion Road, as is the existing building, as opposed to being placed on a residential side street (Ackerly Lane). Placing the building on Portion Road would also protect the residential properties on Ackerly and Conway.

However, should the building be placed on Ackerly, we would recommend the following protective measures:
Maximize the size of the buffer along the east, south, and west property lines
Within these buffers, use as much of the natural vegetation as possible supplemented with additional evergreen landscaping, such as Leyland cypress.
The buffer should also address the grade change across the properties and try to limit the visibility of the structure at the second floor level.
Use landscaping to disguise the retaining wall that’s visible from the street.

We are also concerned that proper noticing of this hearing has not been done; the required signs on the parcel itself have not been posted properly.

We encourage nearby property owners to attend Monday’s hearing to share their concerns and comments on this proposal with the Planning Board.

0001-min

Long Island Water Quality Hearings

Jan 23, 2016 Filed in: Events

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) are embarking on a Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan, that is part of a wide-range of actions necessary to restore Long Island’s drinking and surface water.

In connection, they are hosting three meetings to discuss the scope of this plan and are looking for input from stakeholders.

SUFFOLK COUNTY
Date: February 1, 2016
Time: 1:00-3:00 PM
Location: Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center - 260 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788
—
Date: February 2, 2016
Time: 1:00-3:00 PM
Location: Suffolk County Community College, Culinary Arts Center Multipurpose Room - 20 E. Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901

NASSAU COUNTY
Date: February 3, 2016
Time: 1:00-3:00 PM
Location: Hofstra University, North Campus, Sondra & David S. Mack Student Center - Multipurpose Room - Hempstead, NY 11549

RSVP to the NYSDEC by January 28, 2016 to LIwaterquality@dec.ny.gov.

It is important for the DEC and LIRPC to hear everyone’s views on what Long Island needs to do in order to restore water quality. Whatever you have to contribute is welcome! We hope to see you there.

Public Service Commission REV Information Sessions

Jan 22, 2016 Filed in: Events

On January 26, 2016, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) will offer information and the opportunity for public comment on Long Island regarding the regulatory reforms proposed under “Reforming the Energy Vision” (REV), Governor Andrew Cuomo’s comprehensive strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.
The information sessions regarding REV will take place at the Suffolk County Legislative Building, 300 Center Drive, Riverhead from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., and at the Nassau County Legislative Building, 1550 Franklin Ave, Mineola from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The public will be invited to submit comments immediately following these hour-long sessions.
“Through regulatory overhaul, REV is remaking New York’s utilities to encourage the cleanest, most advanced, and efficient power system operation,” said PSC Chair Audrey Zibelman. “We are seeking innovative ways to redesign state programs to support clean energy, accelerate market growth, unlock private investment and ensure that by the year 2030 half of the state’s energy needs are met by renewable resources.”
To this end, the Department of Public Service – the Staff arm of the PSC – filed a "White Paper on Ratemaking and Utility Business Models" (see attached) on July 28, 2015 (http:/www3.dps.ny.gov/W/PSCWeb.nsf/All/C12C0A18F55877E785257E6F005D533E?OpenDocument). The White Paper sets forth proposed reforms for the utility business model, the ratemaking process, and rate design. Comments from parties and the public will be considered by the PSC as it moves forward with the REV initiative. These hearings and forums are the latest in a series of REV-related public events designed to maximize public education about and participation in Commission decisions. Previous events have included a symposium, a seminar series, technical conferences, Commission conferences, numerous webinars, prior public statement hearings and public information forums, and informal meetings with stakeholders and communities. Notice of future events will be posted on the Commission’s web site.
In order to make comments on the record, it is not necessary to be present at the start of a hearing or to make an appointment in advance. Written materials will be accepted but they are not required of public speakers. Persons will be called to speak after completing a request card. The public statement hearing will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made.
Disabled persons requiring special accommodations should call the DPS's Human Resources Management Office at (518) 474-2520 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Commission at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this notice.
Other Ways to Comment
Internet or Mail: In addition to speaking at the formal hearings, members of the public desiring to comment may submit written comments by sending them electronically to the Commission’s Secretary at secretary@dps.ny.gov or by mail or delivery to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350. Comments should refer to Case 14-M-0101.

Toll-free Opinion Line: Comments may also be submitted through the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is designed to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day. Callers should press “1” to leave comments for the cases referenced above.

Opinion-line comments are not transcribed but are summarized, with the summary reported to the Consumer Advocate and the Commission. Written comments may be accessed on the Commission’s website by searching Case 14-M-0101 in the input box labeled "Search for Case Number" and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab. Many libraries offer free Internet access.
About Reforming the Energy Vision

Under Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), New York State is spurring clean-energy innovation and attracting new investment to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV encompasses groundbreaking regulatory reform to integrate clean energy into the core of our power grid, redesigned programs and strategies to unlock private capital, and active leadership in deploying innovative energy solutions across the State’s own public facilities and operations. REV will enable a dynamic, clean-energy economy operating at a scale that will stimulate opportunities for communities across the state to create jobs and drive local economic growth, while protecting our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
Successful initiatives already launched as part of REV include NY Sun, NY Green Bank, NY Prize, K-Solar, and a commitment to improve energy affordability for low-income communities. To learn more about REV, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY

Suffolk Drone Bill Public Hearing on January 21

Jan 17, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, pursuant to Local Law 29-2015, will hold a public hearing, in order to receive input from the public regarding the establishment of an unmanned aerial vehicle permitting process and regarding which County parks are appropriate to allow such permits to be utilized.
A public hearing will be held at 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Thursday, January 21, 2016 in Media Room 182 of the H. Lee Dennison Building, located at 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788, at which time all interested persons will be heard.

Lake Advisory Board Meetings for 2016

Jan 09, 2016 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATURE
LAKE RONKONKOMA ADVISORY BOARD

MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2016

Wednesday, January 13th, 2016

Wednesday March 9th, 2016

Wednesday May 11th, 2016

Wednesday July 13th, 2016

Wednesday September 14th, 2016

Wednesday, November 16th, 2016

Time: 6:30 PM

Location
Clerk’s Conference Room at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building (Bldg. No. 20)
725 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, New York.

QUESTIONS?
Contact the 12th Legislative District Office
(Office): 631-854-3735

Hearing for Proposed Building at Portion & Ackerley

Nov 04, 2015 Filed in: Your Action Needed | General Announcements

Thanks to all of you to attended this hearing on October 5th. However, the developer did not properly notify neighboring residents as well as the community in large, about the Planning Board hearing. As such, the hearing will be re-heard on Monday November 9th, 4:00 PM at Brookhaven Town Hall. Please plan to attend to ensure your voice is heard on this proposal. You now have a second shot to address the Planning Board to ask for changes or to ask that they deny the proposed development as presented. See notes below from our prior email to you for more information and why the civic organization has serious concerns about this developer's plans.

The hearing is number 9 on the Planning Board agenda; this is how it appears on the agenda:

9. Portion Properties LLC @ Ronkonkoma
Location: S/EC of Portion Road (CR 16) and Ackerley Lane
Description: To construct a 3,230 sq. ft. Office building (medical office) and associated site improvements, with parking variances.
Tax Map#: 0200 64900 0200 031001
Council District: #5
Log#: 15SP0013
Area: 2.157 acres
Zoning: J Business 4
School District: #5 Sachem CSD
Applicant Info: Scott Friedman c/o Portion Properties, LLC 500 Portion Road Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

Thank you!

Brookhaven Town Road Paving - Your Action Needed

Oct 29, 2015 Filed in: Your Action Needed

Thanks to all of you who responded to our road paving request! The civic compiled a list of nearly 40 local streets that are in poor condition and submitted it to Councilmen LaValle and Foley; we asked them to forward the list to the Highway Department as there is no published e-mail address for Highway Superintendent Losquadro.

Now we need you to keep the pressure on. Please contact the Councilmen; their e-mail addresses are provided below. Please also contact the Highway Department, a link to an online contact form is provided. We need to make sure we get our fair share of tax dollars allocated to our poorly maintained streets and roads.

Thank you.

CouncilmanLaValle@brookhaven.org
CouncilmanFoley@brookhaven.org

http://www.brookhaven.org/Elected-Officials/Highway-Superintendent

Brookhaven Town Road Paving - Follow Up

Sep 20, 2015 Filed in: Your Action Needed

As you know, the last general membership meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization was dedicated to a discussion of ROAD CONDITIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY. This was part of an ongoing effort by the civic to explore how roads are paved, how is it decided which roads will be paved, and how paving dollars are allocated by hamlet and by council district within the Town of Brookhaven.
Read more...

LR Historical Society Annex Opening

Sep 06, 2015 Filed in: Events | General Announcements

Next Civic Meeting: September 10th

Aug 30, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

The next general membership meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization will be on Thursday, September 10th, 7:30 PM at the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum located at 328 Hawkins Avenue.

ROAD CONDITIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY
Please attend and share your road condition frustrations
Also: Ronkonkoma Hub Project Update

Update on Patchogue-Holbrook Road Bridge Project

Aug 30, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements

The Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization reached out to Assemblyman Al Graf to get an update on the Patchogue-Holbrook Road bridge over the Long Island Expressway. Many of our members have asked the civic for news on this reconstruction as it seems to be moving at a slow pace with no end in sight.

According to the Assemblyman:

The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016. It has been delayed by a truck accident and inclement weather. The work is done from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am. This is a much more involved project than the Ronkonkoma Avenue bridge: there will be a new structural bridge deck, new roadway approaches, wider shoulder lanes, a new sidewalk, improved traffic signals, and new landscaping. The New York State Department of Transportation appreciates the patience and cooperation of motorists during this important project.

We'll continue to pass along any additional information we receive on the status of this bridge work.

Health Officials Warn of Cyanobacteria Bloom on Lake Ronkonkoma (Brookhaven side)

Aug 30, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements

Researchers from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services have confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) at Lake Ronkonkoma* off Pond Road, in the Town of Brookhaven.
Additionally, blue-green algae persist at the following locations:

Sagaponack Pond in South Hampton

Georgica Pond in East Hampton

Roth Pond, Stony Brook University

McKay Lake in Calverton

Fort Pond in Montauk

Kellis Pond in Bridgehampton

Wainscott Pond in Wainscott

Agawam Lake and Mill Pond in Southampton

Maratooka Lake in Mattituck.

Health officials ask residents not to use, swim or wade in these waters and to keep pets and children away from the area.

Cyanobacteria are naturally present in lakes and streams in low numbers; however, they can become abundant, forming blooms in shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red. They may produce floating scums on the surface of the water, or may cause the water to take on paint-like appearance. Some species of cyanobacteria produce toxins that can cause health problems in humans and animals if exposed to large enough quantities.

Contact with waters that appear scummy or discolored should be avoided. If contact does occur, rinse off with clean water immediately. Seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur after contact: nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; skin, eye or throat irritation; or allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.

To report a suspected cyanobacteria bloom at a body of water that contains a Suffolk County-permitted bathing beach, contact Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Ecology at 852-5760.

To report a suspected cyanobacteria bloom that is in a body of water that lies within Suffolk County but does not contain a permitted bathing beach, contact the Division of Water at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: (518) 402-8179.

For more information about cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), visit the Suffolk County website:http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices/EnvironmentalQuality/Ecology/MarineWaterQualityMonitoring/HarmfulAlgalBlooms/Cyanobacteria.aspx

*Lake Ronkonkoma Beach in the Town of Islip is open for bathing. Cyanobacteria have not been detected at levels warranting beach closure at Lake Ronkonkoma Beach this summer.

Town of Brookhaven Planning Board Meeting - Ronkonkoma Hub Project

Aug 22, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements

On Monday, August 17th, the Brookhaven Town Planning Board held a hearing related to the Ronkonkoma Hub project. The hearing was regarding Phase 1 of the project: “Demolition of all existing structures and construction of 489 rental units consisting of 9 studios, 238 one-bedroom, 227 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom units consistent with the Town Board adopted Form Based code, and SEQRA Findings of June 24, 2014. Applicant is Master Developer of Ronkonkoma Hub. Plans also show proposed infrastructure and proposed County sewage pump station. Application also includes request for Planning Board covenant relief.”

LRCO Vice President Dawn Hopkins attended the hearing and spoke in favor of the proposal. She discussed the civic’s involvement in the project since 2007 as well as the community’s involvement in the planning phases. She also discussed the reasons that Tritec was selected as the master developer of the Ronkonkoma Hub project. There were four speakers in attendance that supported the application and one opposed. A decision from the Planning Board is expected at the September 21st Planning Board meeting.

These renderings of Phase 1 were provided by the master developer, Tritec.

Brookhaven Town Road Paving

Jul 26, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements

Members of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization have expressed concern about the condition of our local roadways for some time. As such, the LRCO Board has been attempting to increase Town of Brookhaven Highway Department attention to the woeful state of our communities’ streets. While the Highway Department has not agreed to a meeting with the civic organization, we were able to obtain certain highway paving records through the Freedom of Information rules. Read more...

Lake Ronkonkoma Beach Reopens

Jul 05, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements

Northport, Eatons Neck and West Sayville Beaches Close to Bathing
Lake Ronkonkoma Beach Reopens

Steers Beach in Northport, Prices Bend Beach in Eatons Neck and West Oaks Recreation Club Beach in West Sayville are closed to bathing due to the finding of bacteria at levels in excess of acceptable criteria. The beach closure for Lake Ronkonkoma Beach in the Town of Islip has been lifted, as recent water samples meet New York State standards.

According to Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Dr. James Tomarken, bathing in bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 852-5822, contact the Department's Office of Ecology at 852-5760 during normal business hours, or visit the Beach Monitoring page on the Suffolk County website.

suffolkcountyny.gov
Facebook.com/SuffolkCountyHealthServices
Twitter.com/SuffolkCoHealth

Contact: Grace Kelly-McGovern
631-854-0095
healthPIO@suffolkcountyny.gov

No Civic Meeting in July and August

Jun 30, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

There will be no General Membership Meeting in July or August.
Next meeting: September 10th. Enjoy the summer!

Sachem’s “Meet the Candidate” Night

Apr 27, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements

Sachem’s “Meet the Candidate” night, sponsored by the Sachem PTA Council, will be on Tuesday, April 28 in the auditorium at Samoset starting at 7:30 p.m. You’ll have a chance to hear from the individuals running for seats on Sachem’s Board of Education.

Want to Help Your Community? Serve on Your Civic Board.

Apr 27, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements

There is a vacant Director position on the civic’s executive board. This position has been earmarked for someone who will manage our social media efforts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and also to work on increasing the profile of the civic in the community. If you have the needed skills or know of someone who does, please contact the civic: information@lakeronkonkomacivic.org We will be interviewing interested individuals over the next few months in order to find a community member who has these skills.

Street Sign Clean Up

Apr 27, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements | Your Action Needed

The civic is once again compiling a list of street name signs and traffic control signs that are missing, vandalized or in generally poor condition. Send your list of signs to the civic; we will verify and forward on to the appropriate town departments for review and possible replacement.

Members can share this information with the civic three ways:
➢ Bring the list to the next civic meeting
➢ Mail the list to the civic at P.O. Box 2916, Lake Ronkonkoma, 11779
➢ E-mail the list to information@lakeronkonkomacivic.org

We are also compiling a list of streets in the community that are in need of paving or resurfacing. Please include that information in your correspondence to the civic. Provide us with the full street name. Note, this list is not for pothole repair, we are looking for entire streets that need serious attention. For pothole repair, please call 451-TOWN.

Next Civic Meeting: May 14th

Apr 27, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

The next general membership meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization will be on Thursday, May 14th, 7:30 PM at the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum at 328 Hawkins Avenue.

Guest speaker:
Town of Brookhaven

The meeting begins at 7:30 PM at the
Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum, 328 Hawkins Avenue.

Apr 04, 2015

Next Civic Meeting: April 9th

Mar 23, 2015 Filed in: General Announcements | Events

The next general membership meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization will be on Thursday, April 9th, 7:30 PM at the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum at 328 Hawkins Avenue.

Guest speakers:
Town of Brookhaven Council Members

Kevin LaValle EO Neil Foley EO

The meeting begins at 7:30 PM at the
Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum, 328 Hawkins Avenue.