2020
Meet the Candidates Online: October 8th, 7 PM
24 09, 20 Filed in: General Announcements | Events
| The October meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization will be |
Mail-In Voting In New York: Deadlines and How To Get A Ballot
01 09, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
| Rules regarding absentee voting have just recently changed in New York State. See link below to a recent article on |
Lake Ronkonkoma Survey
25 08, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
| Please see the link to this important survey below. The results of this survey are important to the future of the lake as well as to the community. Please share this widely within the community. Thank you! |
New York State Unclaimed Funds Program
25 08, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
| A reminder to periodically check for unclaimed funds in New York State. Use this link: |
Civic Board Votes to Postpone Board Elections Due to Coronavirus
17 06, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization Board has decided to postpone this year’s Board elections. Once the restrictions on social gatherings has been lifted and regular Civic general membership meetings can continue, the Board will hold elections following the process contained in the Civic’s Bylaws.
LRCO May Meeting
24 05, 20 Filed in: General Announcements | Events
Please join us for our next civic general membership meeting via conference call. We will have updates from local elected officials and community leaders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: Thursday, May 28th Time: 7:00 PM Conference call number: 1-(701)802-5420 Access code: 2428358 followed by #
Note: please keep your phone on mute during the call to ensure no background noise and that we can hear the speakers. Please submit any questions ahead of the meeting to the civic via email (information@lakeronkonkomacivic.org) or via Facebook. Questions can be about the pandemic or other civic/community issue. Questions can also be submitted during the meeting via email or Facebook. Thank you and feel free to share this info with others who may be interested in joining the meeting.
Date: Thursday, May 28th Time: 7:00 PM Conference call number: 1-(701)802-5420 Access code: 2428358 followed by #
Note: please keep your phone on mute during the call to ensure no background noise and that we can hear the speakers. Please submit any questions ahead of the meeting to the civic via email (information@lakeronkonkomacivic.org) or via Facebook. Questions can be about the pandemic or other civic/community issue. Questions can also be submitted during the meeting via email or Facebook. Thank you and feel free to share this info with others who may be interested in joining the meeting.
Memorial Day Suggestions
24 05, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
| Please see suggestions below for ways to observe Memorial Day this year. |
Suffolk County Parks Update
24 05, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
| Please see information below regarding the current status of Suffolk County Parks during this phase of the pandemic: |
| Suffolk County Parks are open for visitors |
| Park areas that do not provide social distancing opportunities are closed. (Example: Park Offices, Restrooms, Campgrounds, Playgrounds and Dog Parks). |
| Park Offices are closed to the public. Green Key and Permits can be requested by emailing |
Bergen Point is OPEN beginning Saturday April 25th Indian Island is OPEN beginning Monday, April 27th. Timber Point is OPEN beginning Wednesday, April 29th. West Sayville is OPEN beginning Monday, April 27th.
Campgrounds are closed until May 31 Due to COVID-19. (Date is subject to change) All Camping Reservations with begin date between April 1 – May 31 will be cancelled Full refunds will be issued to household account unless otherwise requested by the camper. They can email scparks@suffolkcountyny.gov to request refund to credit card All campers impacted will be emailed. Campground Dump Stations are closed. Southaven remains open for hardship (transient campers) and essential workers (i.e. traveling nurses). These reservations are approved through West Sayville. New camping reservations for the 2020 season are suspended. If you've made a reservation for the 2020 season beginning June 1, and we determine your campground is safe to open, your reservation will be honored.
Marinas are OPEN . Marina Season shifted due to COVID-19 to April 25 – November 28 th While parks and marinas are open certain facilities and areas within a park that do not allow visitors to maintain social distancing, may be closed. Because of this, all public restrooms, showers and the gas dock are closed until further notice. In addition, please no picnicking or use of park BBQ’s. Boat Ramps are OPEN Due to the high call volume and limited staffing please email us at SCParks@suffolkcountyny.gov with any questions or concerns.
Donations Needed
24 05, 20 Filed in: General Announcements | Events
To assist those less fortunate during these troubling times, the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization is requesting donations of non-perishable food, baby formula and diapers. We will be accepting these items on Tuesday May 26th from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Hiawatha Elementary School on Patchogue-Holbrook Road. Look for our table with the green LRCO banner. We will distribute the items collected to those in need in the community. Please share this message with others who may be able to assist.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Phase 1 Business Reopening Guidance
17 05, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
Please see information below from NYS Governor Cuomo's office regarding the reopening of businesses. Feel free to share.
Phase 1 business guidance is now available at https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase On the website you will find a summar y of guidelines, a link for businesses to read and affirm detailed guidelines, and a printable business safety plan template. Please note that these guidelines are applicable once a region is permitted to begin reopening based on the regional COVID19 metrics.
The regional monitoring dashboard can be found here: https://forward.ny.gov/regional-monitoring-dashboard.
Businesses that are currently operating as per the ESD essential business guidance (https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026) still need to read and affirm the guidance and utilize the safety plan template.
A helpful FAQ about reopening can be found here: https://esd.ny.gov/nyforward-faq .
Phase 1 business guidance is now available at https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase On the website you will find a summar y of guidelines, a link for businesses to read and affirm detailed guidelines, and a printable business safety plan template. Please note that these guidelines are applicable once a region is permitted to begin reopening based on the regional COVID19 metrics.
The regional monitoring dashboard can be found here: https://forward.ny.gov/regional-monitoring-dashboard.
Businesses that are currently operating as per the ESD essential business guidance (https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026) still need to read and affirm the guidance and utilize the safety plan template.
A helpful FAQ about reopening can be found here: https://esd.ny.gov/nyforward-faq .
25 03, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
| Some thoughts from the executive board of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization during these challenging times: |
| Please check in with your elderly neighbors and friends, or those who may be more vulnerable to the virus. Offer to buy groceries or pick up prescriptions from their pharmacy. [And maybe even share a few rolls of toilet paper that you may have stocked up on…] |
| Please support local businesses however possible. Order takeout from your favorite restaurant perhaps. Many of these businesses have laid off most of their staff and are getting by on a skeleton crew. |
| If you do order food or other items for delivery, make sure to add a couple of extra bucks to your usual tip. Not all service, health care and retail workers have the privilege of working from home or calling in sick. They're working because they can't afford not to. |
| During this time of “social distancing”, take the time to pick up the phone and call a friend that you haven’t spoken to in some time. Or email friends and family to check in. Or call or write a note to an elderly relative who may be shut-in. |
| Donate money if you can. Plenty of local organizations and charities, as well as those that serve globally, are looking for monetary support. Charity Navigator has compiled a list of trustworthy charities to donate to, and food banks, shelters and other charities in our area certainly need support. |
| Take a walk! The weather is warming up, it’s a great time to take your spouse, kids and/or your dog for a stroll around the neighborhood. |
And we’re especially grateful to all of the local emergency responders (police, fire and ambulance personnel) as well as to all of the doctors and nurses who are on the front line, taking care of those who may be ill.
Let’s all be good neighbors and help our community!
Thank you and be well! Drink lots of water, rest and wash your hands!
COVID-19 Testing
25 03, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
| We're sharing this information for those of you who may want to pursue testing: |
| Suffolk County’s first drive thru, free testing site for coronavirus is now open at Stony Brook University in the South Commuter Lot (P Lot). This is off of Stony Brook Road. |
| The mobile testing site features six lanes to accommodate up to 1,000 tests per day and will be open 7 days a week from 7am - 7pm. |
| If you wish to be tested, call the State of New York Coronavirus Hotline 24/7 at 1-888-364-3065 to make an appointment. If you can't make it to Stony Brook, call your doctor for additional testing options and availability. |
Some community information regarding COVI-19
25 03, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
| Some of this information may be helpful to you. Please share if you believe others will find it useful. Thank you. |
| Governor Cuomo will sign an Executive Order mandating that 100% of workforce must stay home, excluding essential services. This order excludes pharmacies, grocery stores, and others. Effective Sunday, March 22, 2020 by 8:00 pm |
Effective March 21, 2020 8:00 pm - until further notice, all barber shops, beauty salons, tattoo or piercing parlors and related personal care services will be closed to members of the public. This shall also include nail technicians, cosmetologists and estheticians; and the provision of electrolysis, and the provision of electrolysis, laser hair removal services, as these services cannot be provided while maintaining social distance
New York will implement a 90-day moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants. We will do all we can to help those financially suffering because of the #COVID19 pandemic.
For assistance in finding child care please contact the Child Care Council of Suffolk hotline # 646-926-3784. We are prioritizing child care for essential workers, including health care workers, first responders, grocery and pharmacy employees and others who are critical to keep our essential supports operational.
Dollar General 8-9 am-Daily
Stew Leonard 7:30-8:00 am-Daily
Stop and Shop 6:30-7:30 am-Daily
Uncle Giuseppe’s 7-8:00 am-Daily
Giunta Meat Farm 6:30-7:30 M/W/F
Target 8-9 am Wednesdays
Walmart 6-7 am Wednesdays
The Suffolk County Business Recovery Unit -- a key component of the County’s overall plan -- is now operational within our Labor Department.
12 Labor Department employees dedicated to this unit and not only will they address questions and needs, but they will be able to track the data and information provided by our local businesses.
To be connected to the unit,
We also want to encourage our residents to fill out the Business Recovery Survey located on the top right of the Suffolk County Government homepage. While it can be accessed on a mobile device, we recommend the use of a desktop or laptop.
Waiving mortgage payments based on financial hardship; No negative reporting to credit bureaus; Grace period for loan modification; No late payment fees or online payment fees; and Postponing or suspending foreclosures.
While all of our County Parks remain open for our residents to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air, today we will be closing all dog parks and playgrounds in the interest of public health.
Residents can still visit our parks to get outdoors with their family or for walks with their dogs. Additionally, as of tomorrow all County golf courses will open EXCEPT Timber Point.
The Park’s Department will continue to post updates on the County website to keep our residents informed.
A - F : Monday
G – N : Tuesday
O – Z : Wednesday
Missed your day : Thursday and Friday
Filing later in the week will not delay payments or affect the date of an individual’s claim, since all claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed.
The New York State Department of Health is allowing people to make appointments at their Suffolk County mobile testing site now. Suffolk County residents who want to make an appointment for the test can call the NYS Coronavirus Hotline
Telephone: (631) 852-3500
Fax: (631)852-3505
Telephone: (631) 854-2300
Fax (631) 854-2123
Telephone: (631) 853-8714
Fax: (631) 853-8842
Telephone: (631) 854-6600
Fax: (631) 854-6672
All efforts to reduce public contact are being made while meeting the needs of the County’s most vulnerable residents.
Applications for assistance programs can be submitted by mail (instead of coming to a center). Please visit the SCDSS website for information or to download applications at:
Additionally, SNAP benefits can be used for online grocery purchases.
The County Executive announced today, March 17, 2020, that if someone sees an establishment not abiding by the Governor’s closure order for bars and restaurants, please call 631-852-COPS or 311.
We are encouraging residents to sign up for SMART911, which allows individuals and families to provide critical medical information to 9-1-1 and first responders.
The information provided in a Smart911 Safety Profile enables us to know who is at the greatest risk in our community. We can provide individuals with critical updates based on their location and health history.
Ultimately, Smart911 gives our community the chance to be proactive, and lets us know who requires our services. Residents can visit
As part of this effort, residents can now sign up for SMS text message updates on their mobile devices to receive updates on the latest information, health guidance and other developments relating to the coronavirus. Residents should text COVIDSUFFOLK to 67283 to enroll.
All essential functions will continue. Almost all transactions and general inquires can be addressed online via access to the website or by phone. For those wishing to drop material off at the building we greatly encourage you to mail instead.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Attorney General Letitia James-Debt Relief Announcement March 17, 2020 Effective immediately — the state will temporarily halt the collection of medical and student debt owed to the State of New York and referred to the Office of the Attorney General for collection, for at least a 30-day period, in response to growing financial impairments resulting from the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs as well as SWEP are closed to the public. Information is available by phone and email.
631 853-4600
631-853-6600
631-853-3820 Suffolk Works Employment Program (SWEP) Help Line
Early Intervention and 4410 Preschool Special Education Services, including SEIT, Evaluations, Related Services and Transportation are suspended. This will remain in effect thru April 1, 2020.
Reach out to Primary Care Physician (PCP) or call your local Urgent Care Facility to assess your conditions/symptoms. Currently, it is also flu and allergy season as well as many are experiencing signs of the common cold and cough. Your Primary Care Physician or Urgent Care Facility should be able to triage your symptoms to eliminate other possibilities before being tested for COVID 19.
LIC will perform Grab and Go breakfast to children and adults in need (Gus Truck) ;
Saturday, March 21: Wyandanch Community Resource Center, 1585 Straight Path (from 9:30 to approximately 10:30 a.m.) Saturday, March 21: Mercy Inn, 17 S. 20th Street, Wyandanch (from approximately 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.) Sunday, March 22: HELP Suffolk, 685 Brookhaven Avenue, Bellport
3/18/20 - Moriches Bay Recreation Center-12:00-1:00pm- 313 Frowein Rd. Center Moriches, NY 11934
3/18/20 – Hampton Bays 10-11:00am -31 E Montauk Highway Hampton Bays, NY 11946
3/18/20- Avery Village – 2:30 pm -3:30 pm -1100 Village Drive East Patchogue, NY 11772
3/20/20 - Mitchel Houses 1pm-2pm -1485 Front Street, East Meadow, 11554
3/20/20 –- Sienna Village10:00 am – 11:00am – 2000 Bishops Rd , Smithtown, NY 11787-
3/23/20 - Plainview Housing- 10:00 am -11:00 am - 115 Central Park Rd, Plainview, NY 11803
3/27/20 – Village of Brentwood 10:00am-11:00am- 95 2
3/20/20 - Rogers Memorial Library - 11am-12pm - 91 Coopers Farm Rd, Southampton, NY 11968
3/20/20 – Westbury FQHC Family Health Center – 10:30am - 11:30am 682 Union Ave, Westbury, NY 11590
3/25/20 - Middle Country Public Library – 11am-12pm - 101 Eastwood Blvd, Centereach, NY 11720
3/25/20 - Comsewogue Public Library - 12:30m-1:30pm - 170 Terryville Rd, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Tuesday-Thursday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Our staff will also be available to assist people at other times including, weekends by appointment only by calling
Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank
10 Davids Drive – Harry Chapin Way, Hauppauge
(631) 582-FOOD
Nassau Center for Collaborative Assistance
21 East Sunrise Highway, Freeport
(516) 442-5221
South Shore Service Center
163-1 North Wellwood Avenue, Lindenhurst
(631) 991-8106
Harry Chapin Food Bank and Humanitarian Center
220 Broadway, Huntington Station
(631) 824-6384
Baxter’s Pet Pantry & Retail Food Rescue Center
161 North Wellwood Avenue, Lindenhurst
(631) 991-8106
Hunger Assistance & Humanitarian Center of the Hamptons
286 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays
(631) 613-3344
If you test positive for COVID-2019, you should isolate yourself from other household and/or family members (those who live with you). In addition, your household and/or family members should also remain at home under quarantine.
Quarantine or isolation means you must stay separate from others in the community to prevent the possible spread of COVID-2019.
·
· You will need to take your temperature with a thermometer twice a day: in the morning and later in the day, and record your temperature on a sheet of paper or electronically.
· You can live with other family members in your home, but you must sleep in a separate bedroom and use a separate bathroom until the quarantine or isolation period is over.
· During this period, you should avoid close contact for social or dining activities. Food should be delivered to your individual quarters.
· You may walk outside your house on your own property, but should not come within six feet of neighbors or other members of the public. You should refrain from walking in your neighborhood.
· Symptoms of novel coronavirus include: fever, cough, shortness of breath. If you develop any of these symptoms, you should put on a face mask immediately to prevent other people in your household from becoming sick.
· If you have a true emergency, call 911, and let the person that answers know that you are under quarantine or isolation for novel coronavirus.
· If you feel you need to be relocated to another jurisdiction (city, town, or state), you must first speak to the SCDHS Public Health Staff at 631-854-0333 who will handle your request.
· If you have any questions or if you need assistance with daily living (e.g. food, laundry, etc.), please call 311.
· If you have concerns about your employment status, SCDHS can provide you with a letter asking your employer to excuse you from work.
· You will be advised by the SCDHS in consultation with the New York State Department of Health when your quarantine or isolation period will end.
March Civic Meeting: Cancelled
11 03, 20 Filed in: Events
Out of an abundance of caution, we are canceling our March general membership meeting. This is consistent with the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to minimize the spread of the novel coronavirus by limiting things like gatherings of people. The disease risk is greatest for those age 50 and older and those with pre-existing conditions or risk factors.
Thank you.
The March meeting of the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization will be held on Thursday March 12th at 7:00 PM
at the Ronkonkoma Hub - Station Square
1000 Mill Rd, Ronkonkoma
There will be updates on the Phase 1 & 2 Hub construction and a tour of the completed buildings.
Directions
From Union Avenue, turn south on Mill Road, and look for the Alston Leasing Office sign on the left.
Meetings are open to all residents of Lake Ronkonkoma, Farmingville and Holbrook.
Follow us on Twitter: @LRCO2003
and Facebook: @lakeronkonkomacivic
Animal Shelter Celebrates “St. Pet-rick’s Day” with “Irish I Had A Home” $65 Dog and Cat Adoptions
10 03, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
The Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with its “Irish I Had A Home” promotion, offering $65 adoptions on March 16 and 17. The normal adoption fees are $137 for a dog and $140 for a cat. Adoptions will also include free neuter or spay, vaccinations, microchip, license, heartworm, flea and fecal tests. Pictured are two of the Animal Shelter’s adoptable pets, “Jocyln” (left) and “Helga” (right).
If you want to adopt a forever friend, visit the Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 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, visit www.brookhavenny.gov/animalshelter or call 631-451-6950.
Thank you!
If you want to adopt a forever friend, visit the Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 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, visit www.brookhavenny.gov/animalshelter or call 631-451-6950.
Thank you!
Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board Meetings
19 02, 20 Filed in: Events
LAKE RONKONKOMA ADVISORY BOARD
MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2020
Wednesday, March 18th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: William H. Rogers Legislature Building (Bldg. No. 20), 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY
Information: if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to our office at 631-854-3735 or ali.nazir@suffolkcountyny.gov
February Civic Meeting
19 02, 20 Filed in: General Announcements
Thanks to everyone who attended February’s civic meeting.
For those of you who weren’t able to attend, you missed an informative meeting.
Hope to see you at our March meeting. Some highlights from the meeting:
1. The COPE officers from Suffolk County Police Department’s 4th and 6th precincts were in attendance and spoke about reckless youth biking. See flyer below. They also answered questions on a number of other local issues.
2. Membership drive: we plan on 2020 being a growth year for civic membership. Stay tuned for more info and expect to hear us speak to the benefits of a large membership base at upcoming meetings.
3. We discussed the Town of Brookhaven’s proposed re-design for the Five Corners intersection. See rendering below. Please come to the Community Meeting on February 24th, 6:00 PM, at Lake Grove Village Hall on Hawkins Avenue. Representatives from the town and the town’s consultants will present their proposal, answer questions and take feedback from the community.
4. The civic provided updates on a variety of land use projects and properties in the community. We discussed:
- The proposed 7/11 on the site of the former Shell gas station (corner of Hawkins & Portion) and how the civic worked to make sure it complied with the land use plan.
- The proposed 7/11 & gas station for the site of the former miniature golf business on Portion Road. The civic is opposed to this as it is not in compliance with the land use plan. Town elected officials seem to be in favor of this though and we will continue to push for appropriate compliant use of this parcel.
- The Agnew & Taylor building.
- The parcel on the southeast corner of Holbrook and Portion Roads.
- The Cenacle property
- Newton’s Garage site
- Ronkonkoma Hub current and future development.
5. For reference, here is a link to the adopted land use plan on the town’s website. This is our guiding document for development and re-development on Hawkins Avenue and Portion Road. It took many years to compile this plan – please take some time to review it.
https://www.brookhavenny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/730/2009-Portion-Road-Corridor-Study-and-Land-Use-Plan-for-Lake-Ronkonkoma-and-Farmingville-PDF
For those of you who weren’t able to attend, you missed an informative meeting.
Hope to see you at our March meeting. Some highlights from the meeting:
1. The COPE officers from Suffolk County Police Department’s 4th and 6th precincts were in attendance and spoke about reckless youth biking. See flyer below. They also answered questions on a number of other local issues.
2. Membership drive: we plan on 2020 being a growth year for civic membership. Stay tuned for more info and expect to hear us speak to the benefits of a large membership base at upcoming meetings.
3. We discussed the Town of Brookhaven’s proposed re-design for the Five Corners intersection. See rendering below. Please come to the Community Meeting on February 24th, 6:00 PM, at Lake Grove Village Hall on Hawkins Avenue. Representatives from the town and the town’s consultants will present their proposal, answer questions and take feedback from the community.
4. The civic provided updates on a variety of land use projects and properties in the community. We discussed:
- The proposed 7/11 on the site of the former Shell gas station (corner of Hawkins & Portion) and how the civic worked to make sure it complied with the land use plan.
- The proposed 7/11 & gas station for the site of the former miniature golf business on Portion Road. The civic is opposed to this as it is not in compliance with the land use plan. Town elected officials seem to be in favor of this though and we will continue to push for appropriate compliant use of this parcel.
- The Agnew & Taylor building.
- The parcel on the southeast corner of Holbrook and Portion Roads.
- The Cenacle property
- Newton’s Garage site
- Ronkonkoma Hub current and future development.
5. For reference, here is a link to the adopted land use plan on the town’s website. This is our guiding document for development and re-development on Hawkins Avenue and Portion Road. It took many years to compile this plan – please take some time to review it.
https://www.brookhavenny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/730/2009-Portion-Road-Corridor-Study-and-Land-Use-Plan-for-Lake-Ronkonkoma-and-Farmingville-PDF