Lake Advisory Board Meets in November

Without much fanfare, the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board held session at the William H. Rogers Legislative Building in Hauppauge this week. 

Though there was only five local residents in attendance, the crowd made their voice heard in opposition to the notion of a lake walk, the recently proposed project that would include construction of a boardwalk encompassing much of the lake's shoreline.

Two residents took the opportunity of the meeting to addressed Suffolk Legislators John Kennedy, Tom Cilmi, and Tom Muratore regarding the lake walk which can be viewed in detail here. Both of the residents that spoke expressed strong opposition  centered around the possible problems the lake walk project could bring.

Speaking as a waterfront property owner, Kathy Easterson expressed her concern about the cost of such a project, not only in construction but in maintenance. She also brought up the issues of wildlife and the adverse affect increase traffic at the lake would bring.

"People don't stay on nice paths," Easterson said.

Easterson also noted that her property line extends into the water, thus the proposed project would be on her land. At the center of Easterson's objections to the project was that she felt it was hastily being pursued, but Leg. Kennedy assured her that isn't the case.

"None of us yet are committed to or wedded to the plan," Kennedy said.

Prior to the issue of the lake walk, Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Organization President George Schramm briefed the legislators about the progress of the Lake Ronkonkoma Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (LRWIO) and the progress of the Ronkonkoma Lake Association (RLA), both of which were created in May to maintain and improve the ecological health of the lake while also coordinating activities of the surrounding municipalities.

Schramm informed the legislators that the bylaws of the LRWIO have been drafted and brought up the issue of whether or not the incorporated village of Lake Grove should be included amongst the already joined municipalities of Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown and Suffolk County. In response, Kennedy said Lake Grove should be given the opportunity to join.

The issue of more resident participation at the Advisory board meetings was also touched upon. The general consensus was to create a mailer or perhaps flyers to increase the awareness, but that idea was postponed until the Advisory Board meets in the new year.

Addressing the LRWIO and the RLA after the meeting, Schramm said the creation of the two entities together, with the latter being a 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit organization, is more attractive to the state when it comes to receiving funds.

Schramm estimated that the RLA will be functional by the end of the year, but that the LRWIO will take more time because of the difficulties of dealing with several municipalities. Once it is a fully function entity, the LRWIO will succeed the Lake Advisory Board regarding issues of the lake.

"The [LRWIO] will create a forum to get things done," Schramm said. "This version, the Advisory Board, is a bridge to that."

Now in its ninth month since being revived by Kennedy, the Lake Advisory Board will hold its final meeting of the year Tuesday, Dec. 28.