Mejias and Local Government Agencies make Progress on Massapequa Preserve Issues

Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias (D-North Massapequa) continues to push for increased vigilance and accountability within the Massapequa Preserve and the surrounding woods. For years there have been problems with overgrowth, poor maintenance, and limited law enforcement. On June 20, 2007, Mejias hosted a Town Hall meeting at the Farmingdale Public Library to discuss these issues, and a great deal of progress has been made since then.

“I am proud to report to my constituents that their concerns are being addressed,” Mejias said. “Since the Town Hall meeting, local agencies have stepped up to the plate. Within the past four weeks, a great deal of progress has been made, both in terms of maintenance and law enforcement.”

The area of concern is split up into three sections. The Massapequa Preserve runs south of the Southern State Parkway and is under the County’s jurisdiction. The Bethpage Corridor is the wooded area surrounding the Bethpage State Parkway, running north of the Southern State Parkway and west of Viceroy and is under the state’s jurisdiction. Finally, the Viceroy Section is a strip of woods that lie north of the Southern State Parkway and on the east side of Viceroy, and is under the County’s jurisdiction. The problems facing residents surrounding these areas fall under two broad categories; maintenance and law enforcement.

“We’ve done a lot of work since the Town Hall meeting,” said Frank Monteforte, Nassau County Parks Department District Manager. “We’ve painted over the graffiti and removed garbage at the start of the Preserve on the north end; we’ve removed garbage and also cut and removed dead trees at party spots.”

The Nassau County Parks Department has sent out cleanup crews about twice a week, and will continue to clean any areas that have garbage or debris, and residents are encouraged to report areas that need maintenance. The Parks Department will also clear any overgrowth from the woods onto residential property. Although the Parks Department is responsible for maintenance and overgrowth, the Nassau County Department of Public Works is responsible for stormwater drains.

“We’ve been working on an improvement project for the Massapequa Preserve and we are very aware of the problems regarding the Preserve,” said DPW Commissioner Ray Ribeiro. “We will ensure that our stormwater drains in the area are regularly inspected for any problems that may arise.”

“These woods are a local gem and I am proud of the efforts that have been made by various local government agencies to ensure that they are maintained and remain a beautiful feature of the community,” Mejias said.

“Since the Farmingdale Community meeting on June 20, the New York State Police have been engaging in bicycle patrols of the Bethpage State Parkway, concentrating on the area surrounding the Farmingdale High School,” said Sergeant Timothy Heins of the New York State Police. “On July 7, members of the State Police conducted an underage drinking operation and targeted retail locations in Farmingdale and North Massapequa. A covert underage operative was successfully able to purchase alcoholic beverages at the Getty Mart on Route 110 and the Metro Gas Station on S. Main Street; the clerks at both stations have been issued summonses and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

In conjunction with the work by the State Police, the Nassau County Police Department has prioritized the Massapequa Preserve and the surrounding areas.

“As promised, there has been a precinct-wide youth patrol in place since the summer recess,” said Inspector Michael Cronin, Commanding Officer of the Eighth Precinct. “The wooded area in question has been one of their priorities, and I sincerely hope the residents have seen an improvement.”

“I’m proud of the work done by the State and County Police Departments,” Mejias said. “I’ve heard the concerns of my constituents, and I want to assure all local residents that we have firm commitments from the State and County Police to provide help and support in any situation. The key is to call 911 in the event of a disturbance.”

For more information please call Legislator Mejias’s office at (516) 571-6214.