(Editor's Note: The following letter was submitted by the NorthWest Civic Association of Hicksville in response to the article "Environmental Research and Testing Program for Hicksville Asphalt Plants Announced," which appeared in the July 11 issue of the Hicksville Illustrated News.)

Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto is initiating an investigation of the impacts of asphalt plants and has recently sent a mailing to the residents of Hicksville. The NorthWest Civic Association is opposed to this initiative.

On Jan. 24, 2001, Town of Oyster Bay Deputy Supervisor Leonard Genova called Greg Yatzyshyn and asked if the civic association wanted to pursue the asphalt plants with an attorney. Why should we trust the motive of the town now, after years of empty promises? Mr. Genova said he understood our skepticism. All we want are the zoning laws and the special use permit with its covenants and restrictions enforced. Any legal action by the town now that Twin County and company has an application for senior housing (with the Engel Street Asphalt plant to remain) will only contaminate the process by facilitating the application.

On July 8, 2003, the NorthWest Civic Association of Hicksville submitted information to Supervisor Venditto and the town board regarding the asphalt plants. It clearly describes the negative impacts that the asphalt plants have had on the community for decades. Memorandums, letters and resolutions undoubtedly proving the adverse conditions surrounding these asphalt plants have been well documented. Although the town was unsuccessful in defending their position in two different lawsuits, they were also included in our submittal because it still does not change the impact that the asphalt plants have on the community and the fact that the town has recognized the impacts.

The assembly of a team of attorneys and/or engineers would be moot because the normal daily production and activities at the asphalt plants can be curtailed or stopped [due to the advanced notice of the team of investigators] or while the applicant has a change of zone pending, thus skewing the results.

We support responsible senior housing, but our position has and always will be " No Senior Housing Near Any Asphalt Plant," and no study will provide a reason to justify locating senior housing near the Engel Street Asphalt Plant, which appears to be the motive behind the timing of this initiative.

If 20 years of documenting the adverse conditions of asphalt plants is not enough to deny the application to build Cantiague Commons senior housing near the Engel Street Asphalt Plant or any other asphalt plant and one summer will allow the town to base their decision to permit this senior housing, the intention of the town has become clear. It would be naive for us to accept this "gesture" as genuine after years of non-enforcement and now looking to validate locating senior housing near the Engel Street Asphalt Plant. This initiative would only be a condition to confirm rumors of a "done deal."

In a letter dated March 6, 2002 from the Nassau County Department of Health to Kevin Galloway, executive secretary of the Town Environmental Quality Review Commission, stated, "It has been our experience that there are inherent odors with the operation of an asphalt plant, and it is not advisable to locate a senior housing complex in such close proximity to the Engel Street Asphalt Plant. The air quality in the area of the senior housing complex could be impacted by the asphalt odors."

If the situation was reversed and an application to build an asphalt plant near senior housing was received for consideration, what would be the reaction of the town board?

We oppose any initiative at this time to organize a team of attorneys or engineers to study the impact of the asphalt plants on the residents of Hicksville. It is our opinion that the results will not be accurate and be no substitute for the years of documentation that has been provided. It will only continue to raise suspicion as to the motive of the town. We ask, as we have for years, for the town to enforce zoning laws and special use permits.

The NorthWest Civic Association

John Russo, President

Anthony S. Sorvillo, 1st Vice President

Len Ober, 2nd Vice President

Irene Carlomusto, Treasurer

Jo-Ann Broska, Sergeant at Arms

Millie Jones, Corresponding Secretary

Terri Carson, Recording Secretary

John Ptacek, Trustee

Emily J. Sorvillo, Trustee

Greg Yatzyshyn, Trustee