The first item on the agenda of the Glen Cove City Council meeting of Sept. 25 was a public hearing on a six-month extension of the current moratorium on residential subdivisions, to apply to lots of more than 13 acres only. The item was also the first resolution passed. When asked for comments or questions, Brandon Palanker took the microphone to state that on behalf of Glen Isle Partners, the contracted developers of the waterfront, he was submitting an objection to the MW3 zone being included in the moratorium extension.

Residents from the area surrounding Lee Gray Court questioned Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi as to the current status of the long-empty buildings. Mrs. Sawyer, an area homeowner, acknowledged that she was "lucky to own a home," however, she added, "Some are not so lucky" and she expressed concern for the welfare of her neighbors and her neighborhood. The mayor explained that the property is owned by HUD, not the city, and said that the Housing Authority is the agency required to care for the property. He said that plans are in the works to redevelop the site to encompass 60 residential units, 33 percent of which will be offered to residents who qualify for Section 8 housing, with the money being put toward a mortgage payment and not rent, 33 percent will be offered to second generation owners and 33 percent to be sold at market price.

Concern was also voiced over safety in the neighborhood. Resident Kate Willett requested that code enforcers be assigned to visit the neighborhood more often. Mayor Suozzi stated that, should there be an issue for code enforcement, any resident could contact the city, and code enforcers will be sent, adding that the enforcers do not just work a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. Ms. Willett commented that "We [residents] are becoming more active in town and are seeing things we do not like. We expect the same treatment as every resident of Glen Cove. We have things to give; we want people to listen."

Paul Meli, candidate for city council, questioned the mayor as to the status of the upcoming 2008 budget. According to the Glen Cove City Charter, a proposed budget must be presented to the city council by Oct. 1. Mr. Meli asked if, considering this is an election year, the city would post the proposed budget on its website. Speaking with this reporter on Oct. 3, Mayor Suozzi said he had hand delivered the proposed budget to all city council members on Oct. 1. The budget will be presented at a public hearing at the city council meeting of Oct. 9. The public hearing will remain open and continued at the Oct. 23 meeting, at which time the council will vote on it. Prior to the final meeting, said Mayor Suozzi, there will be an additional meeting for a Q and A session; the date will be announced when decided. As to the budget being posted on the city's website, Mayor Suozzi said it will be posted following the initial public presentation on Oct. 9.

The question of the consolidation of the Glen Cove sewage treatment operations with the county's Sewer and Storm Water Authority was raised by Joan Hawkins. Mayor Suozzi stated that Nassau County had embarked on a study concerning the consolidation, and that while Glen Cove would "lose revenue" through the consolidation, it would allow the city to "shave expenses."

Mayoral candidate Reggie Spinello took to the podium to ask the mayor if the county would negotiate a deal with the city. Mayor Suozzi stated that, at that time, there was an "agreement in principle" among four municipalities, one of which is Glen Cove, and the county. Asked by Mr. Spinello when the talks began and if a price was discussed, the mayor said talks began two weeks ago and no price had as yet been determined. The mayor added that before any arrangement is complete, it must be approved by the County Legislature and the Glen Cove City Council.

Mr. Spinello stated he was not in favor of selling the resource, as that would cause the city to lose what could be an untapped asset. He suggested the city review the contract with the county before making a decision. The consolidation, he stated, would result in the city "getting a sewer bill from the county down the line." He recommended residents be aware that the sewage operation could be an asset for the city to keep, and left the podium after asking rhetorically, "Do we have a choice?"

Taking the microphone, mayoral candidate Bob Benazzi said he echoed the questions raised by Mr. Spinello, adding that most of the current city council members have been seated for "at least six years" and that the advantages of the city retaining its sewer operation have been discussed before. "You are in talks with Nassau County," he said to the mayor. "I hope the financial aspect is being considered. We've invested money in the operation and if it is sold, we should get our money's worth."

Residents who turned to News 12 later that evening, or read Newsday on Wednesday, Sept. 26 or the Glen Cove Record Pilot on Thursday, were greeted with the news that County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi had held a press conference the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 25, to announce that indeed, "the City of Glen Cove is among four municipalities to agree to consolidate their sewage treatment operations with the county's Sewer and Storm Water Authority."

Coming on the heels of the city council meeting, the news reports brought remarks from some residents who spoke with this reporter as to the lack of acknowledgement by the mayor that the agreement had been made the very afternoon of the meeting, prior to any questions posed Tuesday night. Most vocal were the candidates running against Mayor Suozzi in November's election.

Mr. Spinello said he was not in a position to comment on whether or not he was in agreement with the deal, until "contract details are made available." However, he added, "What troubled me most is not the fact that the county is looking at our sewer service but the secrecy and lack of transparency now being displayed by our mayor. The fact that there was an article in the paper the next day stating there was a contract already in place should be troubling to our residents. According to the newspaper, all that remained was approval by the county legislature and the city council." He concluded, "Since the election season began, it appears that many things are now going on behind closed doors. The veil of transparency has been replaced by a cloud of secrecy."

Mr. Benazzi also stated that he could not know if the arrangement was "good or bad without knowing the purchase price and other details of the sale. I would only hope that the city would realize a substantial return on its investment," he said. He remarked that he was "disappointed that the mayor could not be more forthcoming at Tuesday's meeting, when he initially denied knowledge of the ceding of control to the county, but after questioning, admitted there 'might be an agreement in principle' with the county but could not or would not give the public any information." Mr. Benazzi referenced the article in Newsday which appeared the following day, as well as the Glen Cove Record Pilot article the day after that. Mr. Benazzi said that with the latter article, there was "a picture of Ralph Suozzi standing behind County Executive Tom Suozzi, [who was] announcing that the letter of agreement had been signed. Is this a good decision for Glen Cove?" Mr. Benazzi queried. "Apparently, the county executive hasn't told our mayor yet and hence he cannot comment on it. I would ask the citizens of our city which Suozzi is running Glen Cove: our current mayor Suozzi or our ex-mayor and County Executive Suozzi? Sounds like one and the same," he said.

Mayor Suozzi, in speaking with this reporter, stated that he did not give the public more information on Tuesday, because, he said, he had no information to give. He remarked that he has discussed the issue with city controller Sal Lombardi, as well as with the city council, for more than a year, and that the county has been talking to the city's sewer facility operators for months and knows "all about our plant."

"Then all of a sudden," said the mayor, "I was told about the press conference, but given no details."

He reiterated his comments that the sale would benefit the city because the sewer fund has always been a drain on city expenses. The mayor said that that the sewer facility is a nice asset to have, but said the city cannot afford it. "Part of the city deficit is due to the sewer plant," he said, adding that the city has in the past contemplated having its own sewer authority, but didn't feel it could turn a profit. "The county can run it better than we can," he said.

In December, the city raised the cost of out-of-town hookup fees to Glen Cove's sewer system, in part because of a residential development planned in Glenwood Landing. However, said the mayor, even with the increase, the revenue would have been no more than a one-time revenue and the anticipated Glenwood Landing development, as well as any others, could take many years to come to fruition. Hookup fees would be "inconsistent and few and far between," and the yearly sewage revenue would not be a great amount, he said.

Consolidation with the county, said Mayor Suozzi, means better leverage, better buying power and grants and a greater capital investment.

Details as to the city's pumping station and the position of employees, among other aspects are yet to be worked out.

The next meeting of the Glen Cove City Council is on Tuesday, Oct. 9 in City Hall. The meeting will begin with a public hearing on the proposed budget for 2008.