2/11/2016 - Two Named to Huntington Ethics Board
The Huntington Town Board, at its February 10 meeting, appointed two members to the Town’s Board of Ethics, bringing the board up to its full complement of five members.
Named to the Ethics Board were Huntington resident Sam Miller, a longtime official with the New York regional office of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Sheryl Randazzo, an attorney who lives in Northport and practices in Huntington.
Mr. Miller is vice chair of the Huntington Arts Council and a former member of the board of commissioners of the Huntington Housing Authority and has a career spanning 30 years in public service positions related to human rights, housing and community development.
Ms. Randazzo is a past president of the Suffolk County Bar Association who lectures frequently to attorneys, other professionals and the public regarding elder law, estate planning, practice management and professional ethics. She has served as an officer and board member of the Family Service League of Suffolk County.
Mr. Miller and Ms. Randazzo will join Louis C. England, Ralph W. Crafa and Edward William Billia on the board, bringing it up to its full complement of five members. Mr. Miller’s term runs until December 31, 2017 and Ms. Randazzo’s until December 31, 2018.
“I welcome these two distinguished Huntington residents to the Ethics Board and thank them for their willingness to serve,” Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said. “I look forward to their efforts in implementing the provisions of the Town’s new ethics code.”
Last June, the Town Board, approved sweeping revisions to the Town’s Code of Ethics, expanding who must file a disclosure statement and what must be disclosed, as well as including a comprehensive code of conduct for Town employees. The revised code also requires the Ethics Board to meet at least once each quarter; previously the requirement was only for an annual meeting. Ethics Board members serve without compensation.
In other action, the Town Board:
-- approved adoption of the Suffolk County Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Management Plan, which affects debris removal for emergency operations stemming from events such as hurricanes. The plan affects operations between Suffolk County and the 10 towns and allows for the Town to enter into individual agreements with other towns. Adoption of the plan is required for the Town to receive Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement for storm debris removal costs.
-- set a March 8 public hearing on revisions to the Town’s year-old rental registration law, clarifying certain provisions and strengthening the ability of the Town to prosecute those who violate the provisions of the law.
-- authorized applying for a $115,000 grant from the National Creative Placemaking Fund of ArtPlace America for a “Huntington Station: Moving Forward Together” creative placemaking project. The project would use the arts and the work of artists to make the community more attractive and visitor-friendly, highlight the community’s multi-cultural nature and encourage increased economic activity. The project would encompass a variety of different public art projects, as well as selected community arts events.
-- set a March 8 public hearing on a proposal to exclude bistros – a category of food service establishment created in a recent amendment to Town code – from the Town’s hamlet centers.
-- extended until June 5 the deadline for the Town to act on the application by Gurwin Senior Housing for a zone change that would allow construction of 237 senior housing units on property near the intersection of Commack and Hauppauge Toads, Commack.
-- authorized continuing the agreement with Gateway Community Garden Inc., a not-for-profit corporation comprised of gardeners at the community garden at Gateway Park, for continued assistance in the ongoing development and management of the garden.
-- scheduled a March 8 public hearing on a proposal to classify Wall Street between Main and Gerard Streets in Huntington Village as a primary zone for metered on-street parking. Also scheduled was a public hearing to change the fine structure for parking violations to set the fine at $25 for all offenses. Currently, first, second and third offenses have different fines.
-- scheduled March 8 public hearings on proposal a to acquire two properties: a seven-acre parcel on Creek Road in Huntington village, adjoining Mill Dam Park and the Town’s wastewater treatment plant, most of which is currently used as a boatyard; and 7.5 acres on Timber Point Drive in Fort Salonga adjacent to another parcel the Town is purchasing for passive parkland and trails,.
-- scheduled a March 8 public hearing to consider an application for permission to operate a two-bedroom bed and breakfast at 253 Harbor Road in Cold Spring Harbor.