Smyth Asks Residents To ‘Pick Six’

Councilman Ed Smyth is spearheading a town wide effort to reduce litter by picking up six pieces of trash each day.

A town board member is leading the charge in an effort to keep Huntington clean.

Huntington Councilman Ed Smyth hosted a press conference Jan. 24 unveiling his anti-litter initiative, “Pick Six.”

Smyth is asking Huntington residents and visitors alike to “pick six” and help to clean up litter strewn around town. The idea is for every person in Huntington to pick up six pieces of litter each day.

“Protecting the environment is critically important.  We cannot lose sight of big picture concerns like global warming and clean drinking water,” Smyth said. “These issues require global attention, but everyone can act on a local level on a daily basis.  It starts with cleaning up the litter right in front of you.”

Smyth said by solving the “small picture,” like the litter found on sidewalks and in parks, residents can make Huntington a cleaner and more environmentally friendly place to live, work and visit. In small ways an individual can help address a global concern.

“Do it every day. Make it habitual,” Smyth said. “We can all make a difference.”

ZBA Adjourns Packed Hearing On Apartments

Hundreds packed into the town board meeting room Thursday night for a ZBA hearing on plans to construct a four-story, 84-unit luxury apartment building in Huntington village. So many people attended the meeting that the ZBA members voted to adjourn the hearing and move it to a bigger location. Long Islander News photo/Connor Beach

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

 The Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals was forced to adjourn a public hearing Thursday night on developers’ plans to construct a four-story, 84-unit luxury apartment building in Huntington village because there were too many people.

Hundreds of Huntington residents converged on town hall for the hearing on a proposed 271,000-square-foot building that would require the demolition and re-construction of five lots fronting Main Street, Gerard Street and Stewart Avenue.

A capacity crowd packed into the town board meeting room, and ZBA chairman John Posillico estimated some 300 more overflowed into the hallways.

Huntington-based attorney Jim Margolin, who is representing the project’s developer John Kean and property owner Alan Fromkin, began the hearing with an in-depth presentation on the proposed development. After about 45 minutes Posillico told the audience the hearing would have to be postponed because the lone speaker for those listening in the hallway had stopped working.

Posillico said the people in the hallways outside of the town board room would not be able to participate in the public hearing if they could not hear what was being said. He added that if the meeting continued its legality could be questioned, and a court could order a “do over.”

“I know you’re all here; I know the presenter is hear ready to present,” Posillico said. “But if it is irregular in the way that it is now we can’t have full participation because people can’t hear what’s going on.”

Many in the audience had signed up to speak against the proposed development, which would require seven variances from the ZBA, including for building height and parking relief.

The Main Street view of the Classic Galleries property as it is today. Long Islander News photo/Connor Fante

In an interview Monday, Kean said the proposed mix-used building would include retail and restaurant space in addition to the apartments. Plans also call for a 127-space, below-grade parking garage on the Gerard Street side of the development.

Members of Save Huntington Village, a group of residents opposed to what they say is the overdevelopment of Huntington village, sent out a mailing earlier this month encouraging people to attend the ZBA hearing and oppose the development.

Bob Suter, a member of the group, said members of Save Huntington Village also handed out around 170 signs at an event on Jan. 19.

“A lot of people where quite angry,” Suter said. “This latest development turns the whole concept of small town on its head.”

The building’s height and a parking deficiency of 135 spaces are chief among the issues cited by opponents of the project.

Kean said the properties currently carry a 392-space parking variance from the ZBA, and the decreased retail and restaurant space in the proposed building would actually improve the parking situation.

A rendering of the Main Street facade as proposed replicates the look and feel of its original use as a firehouse.

In addition, Kean said the proposed building would not exceed the 45-foot height limit mandated under town code. The project is considered four stories because town code counts a parking garage as a floor, even though parking garage will function like a walkout basement along Gerard Street, according to Kean.

“On Main Street you’re not going to see much of a change at all,” Kean said. “You are going to see a change on Stewart and Gerard, but we’re going to do it in a motif that’s in keeping with what Huntington looks like.”

Kean said, if constructed, the building would “enhance” Huntington village by increasing the number of people within walking distance of shops and restaurants in the downtown area without increasing traffic.

“I don’t want to do anything that’s going to ruin our town, but retail is dying and main streets are hurting,” Kean said.

The ZBA voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting. Posillico said the meeting would be rescheduled at “an appropriate venue” as soon as possible.

Food Banks Step Up to Aid Federal Workers

An Island Harvest mobile pantry distributes food to those in need. The non-profit has stepped up its outreach to help workers who are missing paychecks as a result of the government shutdown. Photo/Island Harvest

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Island Harvest came together with corporate partners to outline steps being taken to ease the burdens of federal employees.

As the 21st shutdown to hit the U.S. government began, workers may not have expected it to break a record as the longest in history. As of Thursday – one month and two days in – over 800,000 federal employees have not received salaries. The sudden loss of pay has disrupted employees’ financial situations, leaving many unable to meet the bills and buy food. Local food banks, like Island Harvest, have stepped up, providing food and additional resources.

“Long Island’s high cost of living presents numerous challenges to hardworking families struggling to make ends meet,” president and CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank, Randi Shubin Dresner said. “Trying to keep up with mortgages, loan payments, paying for medicine, and putting food on the table creates an additional burden for federal employees who are working without a paycheck. Collaborating with our corporate and local government partners, we’re helping to ease those burdens.”

The mission of Island Harvest is to help Long Islanders struggling with food insecurity and poverty, while responding to disasters and emergencies. The organization has classified the shutdown as an emergency, encouraging employees to reach out if they need assistance with food or bills. Dresner finds it “unfortunate” that workers must face hardships, while the government battles over the budget. Many have expressed they love their job and are eager to go back.

“What we recognize is that, most of these federal employees, have never asked for help before,” Dresner said. “They are people who are living somewhat comfortably and we’re finding that these people were volunteers and contributors to organizations like ours. They’re accustomed to being on the other side.”

Island Harvest President and CEO, Randi Shubin Dresner speaks during a press conference at the food bank to discuss ways the organization can help federal workers who may need assistance during the partial government shutdown.

Island Harvest has food banks in Bethpage, Uniondale, and Hauppauge, along with mobile food pantry units that go where there is need. Dresner recommends those with food insecurity call 516-294-8528 to be directed to the nearest site.

Additionally, Island Harvest makes signing up for SNAP simple; federal workers can apply over the phone. SNAP would give workers an allowance for groceries to help them get through the shutdown.

“It’s important for those impacted by the shutdown to know that there’s no shame in asking for help… We want our neighbors who are struggling, to know that Island Harvest treats people with dignity and respect,” Dresner said. “We recognize that this is a very difficult time for them and we want to help and do what we can to get them the resources they need, even if it’s for a short period of time.”

Corporate partner PSEG is allowing a 60-day grace period, with no late fees, for federal employees. Call 800-490-0025. Teachers Federal Credit Union is offering loan payment extensions and other assistance to affected members. And impacted families can apply for free or reduced-price school meals for their children. Resources can be found at islandharvest.org.

“This disaster is horrible, it causes people to become very stressed,” Dresner said. “They need to respond for themselves quickly to find resources. When you’re dealing with a stressful situation, like a loss of salary, all of sudden you’re dealing with a lot of things at the same time. The resources we have can help people struggling in this way.”

In addition to Island Harvest, Long Island Cares’ Harry Chapin Food Bank at 220 Broadway, Huntington Station, is offering help. The pantry is open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.. Call 631-824-6384.