Town Notebook: Huntington Adopts Procedure Manual, Property Taxes Due May 31 and More

The unanimously adopted a policy and procedure manual and established a review committee to continue to review and recommend policy revisions to ensure the manual remains up to date.

The committee is chaired by Deputy Supervisor Pat Del Col. The members are Town Attorney John Leo, Comptroller Tracy Yogman, Personnel Officer Lisa M. Baisley and Director of Intergovernmental Relations Philip C. Ingerman.

The manual is described as "intended to provide uniform guidance concerning standards for job performance and personal conduct for employees and those representing the Town of Huntington in an official or appointive capacity." The 233-page manual, a Pdf copy of which is attached to this article, includes policies and procedures related to use of town-owned vehicles buidlings and facilities, reporting of vandalism, freedom of information and more.

Upgrade for Town Hall HVAC System
Huntington is seeking to make Town Hall as energy efficient as possible in order to pursue its mission of sustainability, as well as to obtain certification by the United States Green Building Council.

To that end, it recently performed a LEED-based evaluation of Town Hall and found the most efficient way to reduce the carbon footprint was to upgrade the town's building management system that controls the heating, ventilation, air conditioning. The existing system was installed in 1996 and was found to be "two to three generations behind current standards," according to the Town Board resolution approved unanimously by the board at its April 12 meeting.

Manhattan-based Control Solutions Group, Inc. was found to be the low bidder and will propose, install and maintain for five years a new system for Town Hall, the John J. Flanagan Center that houses the town's and the annex.

The contractor will also provide training to town employees for basic day-o-day operation. The installation contract amount is $226,000, with a five percent allowance at the discretion of the town's Director of Engineering. The five-year  maintenance contract is not to exceed $14,200 per year and has a renewable second five-year extension option.

Landfill Monitoring
In March, the brushfire July 7, 2010. This month, the town approved a contract for engineering services and construction monitoring during the repairs and restoration. The Town Board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a $16,550 contract with the Brookhaven-based firm L.K. McLean for the services. The costs will be covered by the town's insurance carrier.

Property Taxes Due May 31
Town of Huntington notes that 2010-11 real estate taxes are due by May 31. Payments made after that date must be made to the county treasurer and must include interest and penalty. Call the tax office at (631) 351-3217 for questions or more information.