__________________ Merrick _________________
HERALD
Real Estate Consultant Top Producer
Part of the Louise Pitlake
Controversial hotel discussed
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Vol. 27 No. 35
$1.00 $1.00
AUGUST 22 - 28, 2024
Cell: 631-241-7117 Offic e 516-623-4500 Lisa.pellegrino@ellim an.com
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Teen musicians make their mark
Team
Rate hike approved for Liberty Utilities Three-year increase to be implemented starting Sept. 1 for 120,000 customers ford and Wantagh. The Sea Cliff service area encompasses Glen Head, Glenwood Landing, The New York State Public Sea Cliff and parts of Glen S e r v i c e C o m m i s s i o n h a s Cove, Old Brookville and Rosapproved a rate increase for lyn. In those areas, the commisLiberty Utilities, which provides water service to some sion approved a rate increase 120,000 customers in Nassau of 9.2 percent in the first year, and 4.5 percent in both the secCounty. ond and third years. In May 2023, LibThe new rates go erty filed a notice into effect on Sept. with the commis1, and the rate plan sion, seeking rate will be ef fective increases of 42 perthrough March 31, cent and 39 percent 2027. Depending on in its Merrick and the service area, a Lynbrook service typical residential areas, respectively. customer using The company also 8,000 gallons of requested a 13 perwater per month cent rate hike in will pay between the Sea Cliff ser$54.51 and $87.32 in vice area on the the first year. North Shore. Last year’s proIn the Lynbrook posal came after a service area, which RoRy ChRiSTiAN rate freeze, which includes numerous Chair, Public Service Liberty had agreed villages and ham- Commission t o a f t e r i t p u rlets in the Town of Hempstead, the commission chased New York American approved a 17 percent rate hike Water, the previous water serin the first year, 15 percent in vice company, in January 2022. the second year and 13 percent The proposal stated that the company sought the rate hikes in the third year. Communities in the Merrick to offset the cost of “necessary service area include Baldwin, plant investments, high tax Bellmore, East Massapequa, burdens, the installation of Levittown, Massapequa, Mer- advanced metering infrastrucrick, North Bellmore, North ture, proposed low-income and Seaford, North Wantagh, SeaContinued on page 15
By JoRDAN VAlloNE
jvallone@liherald.com
A
Joseph D’Alessandro /Herald
Students JJ Santiago, andrew donohue, Luca Martone, Benjamin poplardo and Rocco Marino volunteered to help plant trees outside of Merrick avenue Middle School. the plantings mark Wild ones,’ an environmental organization, first partnership with the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School district.
Wild Ones, community, plant trees for a bright, green future By JoSEPh D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
Students, educators and environmentalists gathered on Aug. 14 to plant 22 trees at the Merrick Avenue Middle School before classes are back in session, in just a few weeks. “It’ll bring the kids outside so they can learn about the species of plants,” BellmoreMerrick Central High School District’s director of school facilities and Operations Jon Simpkins said. “We’re definitely looking to get them involved when they come back to school, to come on out here and talk about the importance of trees.” The planting will not only help the children during the coming school year, but for
generations to come. “These trees will be here for hundreds of years,” Simpkins said. “It’s great to be part of something that we’ll be seeing for decades.” The planting was made possible by a partnership between Merrick Avenue Middle School, plant nurseries, the environmental organization Wild Ones and the ecological landscaping business Wild by Design. Wild Ones is a national organization that replants trees in areas affected by plant removal. Fred Nass, president of the Wild Ones New York Metro Region Chapter, described the project as having educational value that goes beyond the classroom. “It can become an educational experience, not only for students, but for the parents to Continued on page 2
doption of this rate plan ensures critical investments that are good for the rates customers will pay.