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TOBAY Board settles Peninsula Golf Course dispute amid concerns it could be sold to a developer and subdivided into 150 single-family homes. At its March 24 meeting, the The course consists of two parOyster Bay Town Board ap- cels separated by Cedar Drive, proved a settlement ending a with two holes on the eastern longstanding dispute over the parcel. Town officials praised the future of the Peninsula Golf outcome. Town Supervisor JoCourse in Nassau Shores, East seph Saladino said, “This is Massapequa. great news for Under the our community agreement, P.G.C. as we are permaHolding Corponently protecting ration, owner of this open space the 50-acre, 9-hole from developcourse, agreed the ment while savproperty “shall be ing the millions forever used and it would cost to maintained as and acquire it.” for golf purposes Councilman only, open to the Tom Hand added, public,” and con“Our goal was to sented to rezoning protect the recrethe site from resiational use of this dential to recreproperty in perational. In return, petuity, and I’m the Town will displeased that we continue its emiwere able to do so nent domain prowhile protecting JOE SALADINO ceedings in Nassau taxpayer dollars. County Supreme Oyster Bay Town As an avid golfer, Supervisor Court. I’m delighted this The settlement course will realso gives the main open to the Town a right of public for golf purposes only, first refusal if P.G.C. receives a bona fide offer to purchase the preserving the character of the property for continued golf use, community.” Nassau Shores Civic Assoat the same or higher price. ciation President John GuerriThe dispute dates back to ero said he and members of the summer 2021, when the Town
By MIKE POLANSKY
Senior Correspondent
Mike Polansky/Herald
St. Patrick’s Day fun Members of Girl Scout Troop 3472 march in the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce St. Patrick’s Day Parade. For more photos, see Page 10.
Massapequa School Board presents final budget; vote set for May 19 By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent Assistant Superintendent for Business Ryan Ruf presented the third and final draft of the Massapequa School District’s 2026-27 budget to the Board of Education at its March 19 meeting, outlining a proposal that would raise the tax levy while remaining under the state cap. The proposed tax levy is $191.1 million, a 3.9 percent increase, or $1.05 million below the tax levy limit. “We would love to be lower, because we understand the pressure that puts on our residents, but we worked very, very hard given the additional pressures related to the bonds to balance that out,” Ruf said. Transportation remains a major component of the budget. Ruf noted that 2026-27 is
the final year of the district’s main transportation contract, and an RFP will be issued next year for a five-year replacement. The $14.4 million allocation covers 44 buses, including those transporting students to private and parochial schools, which cost $2.78 million. Ruf said the “wet” contract — in which the district pays fuel separately — is advantageous because bus companies otherwise include “worst-case” fuel costs for later years. Recreation programs total $968,788 and cover sports camps for 1,500 children and other activities for 3,000. Ruf said the program operates on a break-even basis, with fees covering expenses. Personnel costs include $35.1 million for health insurance covering 639 active employees and 766 retirees, reflecting an 8.8 percent CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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his is great news for our community as we are permanently protecting this open space from development while saving the millions it would cost to acquire it.
sought to acquire the property
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