Talking Snow, Water Rates

Written by Betsy Abraham Friday, 01 March 2013 00:00

East Williston, Williston Park still dealing with water rate issues

What do you do with a foot of snow?

That was the question the Williston Park village board was asking at its meeting Tuesday, Feb. 19 as trustees discussed the recent snowstorm Nemo. Mayor Paul Ehrbar said the streets were cleaned by 7 a.m. Saturday,  But just a few hours later, they were filled with snow again from people snowblowing or shoveling.  

“I understand people have to get to work and they have a small piece of property where they can put the snow but the purpose of the plowing is not to make it look good but it’s to make the road safe. And we need cooperation,” Ehrbar said. 

Another challenge the village faced was people parking their cars back in the street immediately after the storm, which made it hard for trucks to get through to put salt down. Williston Park issued approximately 50 tickets.

“Our compliance with our ordinance was very good and it was beneficial in getting the roads plowed curb to curb,” Ehrbar said. 

Mud In The Water?

East Williston is still suing Williston Park for the water rates Williston Park is charging. Williston Park has been sued twice by East Williston, and is in the process of appealing the first case.

Two residents inquired about the issue during the meeting, but the board declined to elaborate. 

East Williston is currently searching for new water suppliers. The Anton Newspapers reported on Oct. 26, 2012 that the village was in contact with Albertson Water District, Village of Mineola, Old Westbury and Carle Place, holding discussions on each possibly supplying the village with 25 percent of their water. Neither of the alternative municipalities have enough water to be East Williston’s only provider.

Williston Park raised water rates in April 2011 from $2.99 per thousand gallons to $3.83 per thousand gallons without a public hearing and the New York State Supreme Court ruled in East Williston’s favor in the first round of legal tussles. Williston Park appealed that decision.

As of an August 2012 hearing in Williston Park, the rate has since increased to $4.33, which East Williston has not yet passed on. East Williston and Williston Park hired Guastella Associates to establish a water rate in 2006.

Upcoming Events

March 3: St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Participants are encouraged to meet behind the Garden City Courts at 1 p.m.

March 24: Easter Egg Hunt will take place at Kelleher Field at noon

April 13: Williston Park Opening Day. The event raises money for different groups in the community and Ronald McDonald House.