Bethpage-Tribune_2007-04-20

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Vol. 4 5 I N O . 1 5 Proudly serving (he communities of Bethpage, Island Tie««, Pfeltttdge, Pbtovtew, Old Bethpage, Hfckavifl* and Seaford April 2 0 - 2 6 2 0 0 7 329 Broadway, Bethpage, New York 11714 5 0 Cents
Mangano Updates Community on Grumman Property
Board ofEducationmember Thomas Frost, Legislator Ed Mangano and Bethpage
School District Superintendent Dr. Richard Marsh.
Legislator Edward P. Mangano hosted a community meeting
on Thursday, March 29, 2007 to update local residents on the status
of the acquisition of the U.S. Navy owned 105 acres formerly operat­ed
by Grumman. Over 500 interested residents gathered in the
Bethpage High School Auditorium to obtain the status on the coun­ty's
plan for the property from representatives from Cameron
Engineering, the Nassau County Department of Economic
Development, the Nassau County Real Estate Department and the
Nassau County Planning Department.
The objective of the meeting was to respond to input from the
community gathered at previous informational meetings, provide an
update on the environmental status of the property, discuss the U.S.
Navy's position on the transfer of the property, and share the next
steps for the remainder of the visioning process.
Cameron Engineering reported that the remediation of
the contaminated soil has been successful for the great
majority of the property. In fact, ninety-six acres has
been declared "Safe For Use" by the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation. The remain­ing
nine acres require extensive remediation, and the
county is continuing to monitor the U.S. Navy plan to
clean this property.
Additionally, Legislator Mangano reported the property
has been determined to be in a New York State Empire
/one. This designation provides tax incentives to encour­age
qualifying businesses to relocate to the property, but
does not reduce the tax revenues for the community. This
benefit will create jobs and raise funds to help reduce the
homeowner's tax burden.
To cheers of applause, residents were notified that the
96 acres will not be used for housing of any kind. Rather,
the preferred uses for the land will be for the creation of
high-tech jobs, research and development, homeland
defense, indoor recreation, sports and entertainment space
and other office, light industrial uses. Approximately three
acres will be given to the Bethpage Fire Department so
they can establish a training facility for our volunteer
firefighters.
Representatives of the County Executive reported the
US Navy has notified the County that they wish to sell
the property and retain the proceeds. Deputy County
Executive Bill Cunningham, with the support of
Legislator Ed Mangano informed the US Navy that
Nassau County intends to complete the planning
process, accept the property pursuant to the
Congressional Legislation, select a developer and return
the property to the tax role. Legislator Ed Mangano
reported he has contacted Congressman Peter King and
Senator Hillary Clinton, who are working with the US
Navy to continue the transfer process to the County and
develop the property pursuant to the community plan­ning
process.
During the question-answer session, residents asked
pertinent questions and expressed their remaining con­cerns
about such issues as security, continued remedia­tion
efforts, transportation, zoning enforcement, preser­vation
of open space, and continued communication
between the county and the community. The next steps
include soliciting a Request for Proposals (RFP) to potential develop­ers,
selection of the most appropriate purchaser, and approval by the
Legislature and County Executive.
"I have worked hard to make sure that the county addresses commu­nity
concerns and report their findings in a forum held in our commu­nity.
I am pleased the process is moving forward. I will continue to
monitor and participate in the planning process and do my best keep
my neighbors informed of the progress. In addition, I am seeking to
have the county acquire McKay Field , a six acre former Grumman
picnic area and ball field, for public use and preservation of open
space. I have nominated the property under the 2006 Environmental
Bond Act, and I will continue to advocate for its preservation," said
Legislator Mangano.
Legislator Ed Mangano addressed many question and concerns from Bethpage res­idents.