Bethpage-Tribune_2002-11-01

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NOVEMBER 1-7, 2002
VOL. 40 NO. 43 SERVING BETHPAGE, ISLAND TREES, OLD BETHPAGE, PLAINVEW, SEAFORDAND PLAINEDGE FORTY CENTS
COMMUNITY UPDATE:
NA VY/GR VMM AN PR OPER TY
TRANSFER ST A TUS ADDRESSED
AS WELL AS PROPOSED EMPIRE
ZONE IN BETHPAGE
Recently, a number of issues
regarding the United States Navy
property commonly referred to as
the "105 acres " have surfaced in
the community. The US Navy
property., pursuant to
congressional legislation, is to be
transferred to Nassau County for
one dollar. The transfer is intended
to replace the negative effects
created by the defense industry
downsizing. In order for the
property to transfer it must comply
with a complex set of
environmental requirements.
Presently most of the property is
not in compliance at this time due
to the fact that contamination
exists at the site.
On October 14, 2002 Nassau
County Administrators introduced
an ordinance that would have
permitted the transfer of 105 acres,
building 20, and building 5. The
ordinance also proposed to take
Cherry Ave Extension from
Northrop/Grumman, while leaving
Northrop/Grumman the right to
determine whether the road should
be open or closed, permitted
Northrop to name the road "Tom
Cat Ave " and placed all repairs
and maintenance responsibilities
on the County. This ordinance
also stated that if repairs were to
be made to the roadway resulting
in the need to widen the road that
land would be taken from the south
side of the roadway, which in fact
is where the community park is
located. In addition, it provided
Northrop/Grumman with access to
certain recharge basins, without
addressing the transfer of McKay
Field, which is located behind the
Community Park, to the
community. It also proposed to
purchase approximately 29 acres
form Northrop/Grumman.
Legislator Edward Mangano,
upon learning of the
administrations plans, called
together a meeting of the
community members, who joined
with him and Councilwoman Mary
McCaffery in objecting to the
administrations plans as proposed.
After, many discussions, the
administration agreed to amend
the original proposal. On October
28, the ordinance as amended
provided for allowing the County
Executive to accept building 20
and building 5 only. Issues
involving, McKay field, Cherry Ave
Extension and land accompanying
building 5 remain subject to
negotiation.
At a recent community meeting,
Supervisor John Venditto asked the
Nassau County Office of Economic
Development to explain to
residents their proposal regarding
establishing an empire zone, which
would include the 105 acres of US
Navy property. Deputy County
Executive Peter Sylver and IDA
Chairman Lewis Yevoli explained
that they are proposing empire
zones for several economically
depressed communities including
Bethpage, City of Glen Cove,
Elmont, Franklin Square, Inwood,
New Cass el, Roosevelt, Uniondale,
Village ofFreeport and Village of
Hempstead. Basically, Bethpage's
designation is due to the closing of
US Navy defense plant. The
the zone, New York State must
approve Nassau County's
application, as there are five zones
available and nine applicants.
The meeting often drifted from the
primary subject, into areas of
community concern. Several points
were brought up by community
members and included concerns
about traffic problems in
....U.S. Navy property is not yet ready
to be transferred and
no agreement has been made
regarding McKay Field....
objectives of the zone are to assist
business, stimulate job creation
and encourage companies to
relocate in Nassau County. This is
accomplished through establishing
an empire zone board, which
review applications of those
wishing to take advantage of the
zone. The appointed board may
provide companies with wage tax
credits, investment tax credits,
employment incentive tax credits,
real property tax credits, tax
reduction tax credit, sales tax
refund and sales tax exemptions,
zone capital credits and utility rate
reductions. In order to establish
relationship to Cherry Avenue as
well as its close proximity to
Bethpage High School. Other
points of concern regarded the
contamination, which exists on the
105-acre site.
Issues were also raised about the
opening of the Cherry Avenue
Extension, however,
Lou Yevoli, IDA Chairman, stated
that they did not plan to open that
roadway. County Executive Suozzi
made a brief appearance at the end
of the meeting and stated that
public hearings will be held prior
to determining the use of the
property.