Politics & Government

Huntington Notebook: Art Costs Divide Town Board; 2 Projects Approved

Two local art initiatives questioned by Town Board members Tuesday.

In an effort to cut spending in times of economic uncertainty, Town Councilman Eugene Cook voted at a recent Town Hall meeting against paying $26,000 for two separate town art initiatives.

"We had some issues last month with the funding and the budget in regards to art," said Cook. "To do these extra things and pay the extra money, I will not be able to vote yes." 

The first resolution, which passed 3-2, calls for development of a public art project in association with a new "Huntington Station Plaza" at the southwest corner of New York Avenue and Olive Street. 

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The Town Board for design and implementation of four limestone creations entitled "Generations" to be used for the station project.

According to the resolution, various grants would cover much of the estimated $65,000 total needed for project — but $22,000 would be paid by Huntington taxpayers through the town's Public Art Initiative fund.

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Also questioning overall costs involving the statues, Councilman joined Cook in opposition of the plan.

"I have concerns about their maintenance and upkeep over the long term and the cost to the Town of Huntington is $22,000," said Mayoka.

Also rejected by Cook at Tuesday's Town Board meeting was Resolution 2012-144, approved 4-1 which authorizes $1000 each to four artists for temporary installation of their works in selected parks and beach facilities.

Just one of the four approved artists is from Huntington.

Approved artists and approved works include: Charles Politakes of Huntington who proposed a "Ladder 3" work for Heckscher Park; John Scarola of Kings Park who proposed a "Two School of Thought" work at Billy Joel Park; Oona Stern of Brooklyn who proposed "Meander" at Heckscher Park project; and Isabelle Garbani of Brooklyn for a "Knit for Tree" work for Heckscher Park.  

Other Town Board actions last week:

  • Authorized a $9,750 inter-municipal agreement and appropriate funding to support Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor Protection committee.
  • Authorized the execution of an inter-municipal agreement with Suffolk County procurement of natural gas.
  • Authorized a modification and extension of the memorandum of understanding with Federation Employment and Guidance, Inc. Health and Human Service System for the elderly through Dec. 31, 2012. According to the resolution, documented town costs shall be $30,000 of which $4,606 shall be payable by F.E.G.S., to be recorded in the town operating budget. The town's cash match of $26,000 will be provided through in-kind services, according to the town.
  • Authorized and extension to the requirements contract for the processing, disposal and marketing of discrete glass, plastic, ferrous and non-ferrous household containers with Omni Recycling of Westbury, Inc.
  • Authorized a requirements a one-year contract for consultant services for pavement and construction management with VHB Engineering, Surveying and Landscape Architecture, O.C.
  • Authorized the execution of a two-year contract for sewer collection system treatment process improvements with In-Pipe technology Company, Inc. at a cost not to exceed $12,300 monthly.
  • Authorized the execution of an extension to the requirements contract for repairs of wastewater treatment plant equipment at treatment plant and pump stations stations with Bensin Contracting, Inc.
  • Authorized the execution of a one-year requirements contract for application of foaming root control in sanitary sewer systems with Municipal Sales, Inc.
  • Authorized an extension of a requirements contract for two years for the chemical waste hauling and disposal for the Town of Huntington permanent household hazardous waste storage facility with MXI Environmental Services, LLC.
  • Authorized a one-year extension to the townwide requirements contract for to perform drainage mitigation of contaminants from road runoff and concrete construction with Laser Industries, Inc.
  • Authorized a one-year contract for tree planting with Louis Barbato Landscaping, Inc. of Holbrook to furnish, plant and provide trees including necessary labor, equipment and materials. Costs terms and conditions must be approved by the town attorney.
  • Authorized a one-year extension to the contract with David R. Maltz & Co., Inc. for public auction and surplus items. Costs terms and conditions must be approved by the town attorney.
  • Authorized an amendment to the contract with Johnson Electrical Corp. for traffic signal improvements on Wolf Hill Road. The original contract did not $34,800 for contingency money needed for "unforseen work," according to the town.
  • Authorized an agreement for L.K. McLean Associates, P.C. to receive $29,956 for grant-funded Wolf Hill Safety Road improvements
  • Authorized an agreement with Infinity Consulting Inc. regarding the issuance of a building permit affecting property at 945 Whitman Road in Melville to limit potential litigation and unreasonable delays regarding a ne curb cut on the property.
  • Authorized an agreement with Long Island Growers Markets to operate a Farmers Market on in the municipal parking lot on Elm Street in Huntington on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. from May 27 through Nov. 18, pursuant to a permit fee of $1000 made payable to the town.
  • Authorized receipt of $25,500 in funds from Suffolk County for the provision of expanded in-home services for the elderly from April 1 to March 13, 2013.
  • Authorized the supervisor to execute a three-year extension to the requirements contract for a summer food service program for project P.L.A.Y. and St. John's Camp with Whitsons Food Service Corp. of Islandia with no increase to the original bid price. The extension period commences June 29, 2012. 
  • Authorized the a $19,200 contract through Dec. 31 with R&C Formation, Ltd. of Bedford, for groundwater and surface monitoring in compliance with the record of decision for the East Northport Landfill. 
  • Authorized the execution of an agreement with Holzmacher, McLendon & Murrell P.C. to provide professional engineering services for the design, bidding, administration and construction observation for the continuance of a sewer line along New York Avenue on Creek Road. According to the resolution, seventy five percent of construction and engineering costs are reimbursable under an agreement by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation.
  • Authorized a three-year agreement with Optimum Lightpath for fiber-optic services at an annual cost of $131,160. The costs will be offset by the expiration of a $126,000 Verizon datalines and Mindshift agreement, according to the resolution.
  • Authorized a $34,900 contract with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities for funding the summer 2012 Recreation Program for the Developmentally Disabled.
  • Authorized $13,600 in state funding for a Young Teen program for the developmentally disabled through Dec. of 2012.
  • Authorized the appropriation of $70,000 in funds from the Parks and Recreation Capital Projects reserve for the purpose of funding various capital projects including $50,000 for Hobart and West Neck beach nourishment, navigational aids and landscape trailer for beach maintenance.
  • Authorized the comptroller to appropriate up to $1,000 in funds from the Environmental Open Space and Park Improvement Fund for recommended park improvement and authorizing related actions for the Hobart Beach Osprey Pole and platform.
  • Authorized a $32,500 personal injury settlement tin the case of Gelish vs. Town of Huntington regarding a July 14, 2007 accident.
  • Authorized a $70,000 payment to Marjorie Gurbuz seeking to recover damages sustained in a 42 U.S.C. sec. 1983 claim. The summons and complaint order was filed against the town Nov. 18, 2010. 
  • Accepted a donation of two team benches, valued at $332.99 each, for the synthetic turf fields at Veterans Memorial Park from the Northport Cow Harbor United Soccer Club.
  • Accepted a $2,000 donation from Covanta Energy Corporation for the promotion, marketing and operating expenses associated with the 2012 family Earth Day Expo on April 21.
  • Appointed Robert Conte to the Affordable Housing Advisory Board through the year 2014.
  • Declared the month of April to be "Adopt A Cat" month.
  • Established a $30 fee for a night fishing beach parking permit.
  • Granted permission for the Huntington YMCA to unitize the Town Hall parking lot for the purpose of parking for its annual Memorial Day Carnival from May 23 to May 28.
  • Granted a permit for an aquatic event to Metropolitan Swimming, Inc. for their open water swimming championships July 15.
  • Scheduled a public hearing April 17 to consider awarding a license agreement for bus shelter advertising to Sunrise Advertising.
  • Scheduled a public hearing April 17 to consider adopting a baseball/softball summer camp for the Town of Huntington Department of Parks and Recreation involving Spring Training Camps Recreation, Inc.
  • Scheduled a public hearing to consider amending the Uniform Traffic Code regarding Lawrence Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor parking restrictions. 
  • Scheduled a public hearing to consider amending the Uniform Traffic Code regarding parking restrictions along Anderson Place and Scudder Place in Huntington.


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