The June 19th General Meeting, Legislator Fleming accomplished a great deal for residents of the South Fork and residents of all of Suffolk County. She introduced and cosponsored key legislation, including the authorization of the sale of surplus paratransit buses to local community organizations, a unanimously approved Home Rule Message on the transfer of Shinnecock Commercial Fishing Dock to the Town of Southampton, a SEQRA determination in connection with the proposed road improvements to CR 41, Springs Fireplace Road, and appropriating funds for the restoration and preservation of Suffolk County Parks and historic buildings.
Introductory Resolutions 1536-2018 and 1537-2018, both sponsored by Legislator Fleming, authorize the sale of surplus paratransit buses by the County Public Works Department to programs which benefit the residents of the South Fork, including the sale of four surplus paratransit buses to the LGBT Network and the sale of one surplus paratransit bus to the Shinnecock Senior Citizen Nutrition Program.
“The approval of these resolutions is a victory for both the programs and the County. These buses are no longer useful to the Department of Public Works and can now be repurposed and continue to benefit the residents of the South Fork. This also allows the county to get a fair market value for the surplus vehicles while simultaneously strengthening two of our important local community organizations. This is just another example of good government in action.” said Legislator Fleming.
“We are so thankful and grateful for Legislator Fleming’s leadership and advocacy to secure the sale of four paratransit buses. We will now for the first time ever have full accessible transportation year-round, so that all East End LGBT and ally youth and families can access services and programs at the LGBT Network’s Hampton’s Center in Sag Harbor. The sale of these surplus buses is more though than just having transportation; its impact is enormous and will save lives” said David Kilmnick, President and Chief Executive of the LGBT Network.
The Legislature also passed an amended Home Rule Message #4-2018, a bill sponsored by Legislator Fleming to support State Legislation introduced by Senator LaValle and Assemblyman Thiele to authorize the County to discontinue County use of the Shinnecock Commercial Fishing Dock, and to transfer it to the Town of Southampton. The amendment simply accomplished a technical fix to a bill previously passed that authorized the transfer of the dock. The amended bill passed both houses of the New York State Legislature early this morning
Introductory Resolution 1498-2018, co-sponsored by Legislator Fleming, which focused on improvements to CR 41, Springs Fireplace Road, directed the Suffolk County CEQ (Council on Environmental Quality) to prepare and circulate a SEQRA notice of determination of non-significance. Improvements will result in continuous sidewalks along the south side of CR 41, new drainage catch basins, leaching pools and drainage swales (where space allows) and a resurfaced roadway with proper sloping. The drainage system will be repaired and upgraded as required to correct areas of localized flooding throughout the project corridor. The rehabilitation will include areas ranging from the vicinity of CR 40, Three Mile Harbor Road, to the vicinity of CR 45, Amagansett-Springs Road.
“Ensuring our residents, visitors, motorists, and pedestrians are safe when traveling in our community is of the upmost importance for local municipalities. I am proud that my colleagues, and the County, recognized that need and that we are now able to deliver for the residents of East Hampton. County Road 41 is a thoroughfare to access the Springs community and is heavily traveled by residents and visitors alike, this legislation will make sure that those travelers are able to do so safely.” said Legislator Fleming.
“The county’s plan for improvements to Springs-Fireplace Road, also known as County Road 41, including drainage improvements to alleviate potential flooding, will help to improve safety along a key access road to the heavily populated hamlet of Springs. We appreciate Legislator Fleming’s efforts on behalf of our town residents,” said East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc.
Introductory Resolution 1555-2018, also co-sponsored by Legislator Fleming, appropriates funds in the amount of $500,000 to the Historic Restoration and Preservation Fund. The Suffolk County Parks Commissioner, Philip Berdolt, has requested funds for stabilization, preservation, and restoration of historic buildings and structures in Suffolk County Parks. The historic buildings, which total over 200 throughout the county, are culturally and economically important to the Parks Department, which receives revenue from these locations as they are often main tourist attractions for Park patrons.
“These structures are important cultural mainstays of our community and help connect us with the Suffolk County’s rich history. Suffolk County Parks are some of the best in the world; we need to treat them with the care and respect they deserve. We are the stewards of these historic buildings and we are committed to protecting and preserving them so future generations can enjoy them.” said Legislator Fleming.