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AMITYvIlle _____________
HERALD ReCORD
Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa
Amityville resident serving in the Navy Page 2 VOL. 129 NO. 36
Chapter 2
Pages
A Little Wit, Whimsy and Wisdom—With A Few Wrinkles
10 and 11
SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2024
Welcome back teachers & staff Pages 3 & 4
ASD seeking volunteers
$1.00
School Board establishing ad hoc budget committee
Photo Credit/Herald
Copiague Chamber of Commerce members recently gathered for an informational meeting to hear the latest news from S.C. Police and Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer.
Copiague Chamber members meet Supervisor Richard Schaffer guest speaker By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com The Copiague Chamber of Commerce held a dinner meeting last week at Angelo’s Little Italy in Amityville. The event, held on Tuesday, August 27, provided members an opportunity to discuss local business matters, hear from town officials, and receive updates from the Suffolk County Police Department. Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer and Town Clerk Geri Compitello addressed the group, providing insights into ongoing town initiatives. Also in attendance were members of the Copiague Fire Department and Suffolk County Police Department representatives Dara Caramanico-Broyles and Nicholas Schieda. A significant portion of the meeting focused
on the county’s response to the drug epidemic. Officer Schieda provided a sobering update on recent incidents, including a robbery at Tanner Park and a burglary related to a landscaping business on Ralph Avenue in Babylon. However, the most alarming statistic discussed was the number of overdoses reported this year. “We have approximately 600 overdoses in the county so far this year,” Schieda reported, prompting gasps from attendees. While the figure is high, it represents a significant decrease from last year’s 1,100 cases. Additionally, overdose deaths have decreased from 128 last year to 119 this year. Schieda emphasized that addressing the epidemic remains a priority for CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com The Amityville School District is forming a citizens advisory budget committee to assist the board in monitoring, revising and formulating the school’s budget. The decision to establish the committee came as a result of input from residents over the past year as the district wrestled with a $3.6 million deficit, and from newly elected board members Wendy Canestro, Caroline Fanning and Megan Messmann who urged the board to act on it this year. Amityville School Board President Lisa Johnson agreed that forming the committee is the right move for the district. “This will help us regain the trust of the community as well as help us through the process of formulating a new budget next year,” she said. “The more people we have sharing important information about the budget with the community, the better, because the goal is to have everyone participate in the process.” The vote to establish the committee was unanimous. I think forming a citizens budget committee is a step in the right direction,” said Canestro. “Having additional input from the stakeholders is important and I am hopeful this will yield
results. “ The guidelines for the committee were formulated by Carl Fraser, the district’s financial consultant after the board outlined them at a recent meeting. Fraser returned them to the board, which made corrections and adjustments to them. They are expected to be posted on the district’s website along with applications forms which can be filled out online or downloaded. The board approved modifications to the guidelines at its August 28 meeting, emphasizing that applicants do not have to have a financial degree or background but must be residents of the district. “We are looking for residents from all walks of life who are willing to volunteer their time,” said Johnson.” “It’s a good start but I would like to see the committee expanded to include all community members who express interest to optimize community engagement,” said Canestro. “I believe voters should be able to ask budget questions in real time.” “I am hoping that creating a budget advisory committee… will work. To increase community engagement and pride in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
This week we recognize our subscriber Charles Haverty of Amityville as our Reader of the Week