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MEDIA RELEASE JULY 3, 2009 |
CONTACT:
JOSHUA SLAUGHTER |
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Suffolk County and Brookhaven Town Agree to an Inter-Municipal Agreement
From Left to Right in Front - (Terry Maccarone, Suffolk Parks Coordinator of Community Based Programs, Commissioner John Pavacic, Suffolk County Parks Department, Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley), Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko, and Commissioner Anthony Gallino, Brookhaven Town Public Safety Department standing with several Brookhaven Town Bay Constables with a one of the buoys that was installed.) Smith Point, NY- Legislator Kate Browning and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko were joined today with Suffolk County Parks Commissioner John Pavacic and Brookhaven Town Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Gallino to announce an agreement between the two levels of government that remedied a year long boater safety issue that left Legislator Browning and residents utilizing the Smith Point Marina frustrated with bureaucratic red tape last summer. In the summer of 2008 Legislator Browning was notified by the Smith Point Peninsula Homeowners Association that buoys directing boaters safely from the Smith Point Marina to the Great South Bay were missing. This caused a dangerous situation where boats could not navigate the channel safely, and damage to props was occurring. Legislator Browning immediately contacted the Suffolk County Parks Department and Brookhaven Town to request new buoys to be installed before Memorial Day and the start of the busy boating season. Confusion over whose jurisdiction the maintenance of buoys fell under, and whether the county or town had purchased and installed the original buoys resulted in the no buoys, leaving boats and boaters at risk the entire summer. Legislator Browning vowed to remedy the situation and directed the Suffolk County Parks Department to find a solution before the 2009 boating season. Commissioner Pavacic determined the county was and still is responsible for the channel, and the department would take accountability for purchasing new buoys; however the town would be needed to aid in the installation and removal on an annual basis. Through Supervisor Lesko and Legislator Browning’s leadership, the municipalities have brokered an agreement where Suffolk County will purchase and maintain the buoys, and Brookhaven Town Bay Constables will install and remove the buoys with resources not available through the Suffolk County Parks Department. The new buoys are being installed today, and Browning’s resolution solidifying the agreement was passed at the June 23, 2009 legislative meeting. “This situation should have never occurred,” stated Browning. “Poor oversight from past administrations left no one in charge of maintaining the safety of this vital marina. The buoys rusted and drifted away, and no policy was in place to quickly solve the problem or hold anyone accountable.” "This is a great example of two layers of government working together to help our residents" said Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko. "Thanks to the combined efforts of the town of Brookhaven and Suffolk County, our boaters will be safer this summer season." “Today new buoys are in place, as well as a collaborative agreement for the future maintenance of Smith Point Marina,” concluded Browning. “I want to thank Supervisor Lesko for immediately working with me upon taking office in April. This is a true of example of how all levels of government need to work together for the benefit of the communities they represent.” |
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