Legislation Signed To Connect Westhampton Beach To Gabreski Sewer

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — In a day that's been years in the making, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone signed legislation Sunday to authorize an agreement with the Village of Westhampton Beach to connect its business district and two condominium complexes to the County’s wastewater treatment plant located at Frances S. Gabreski Airport.

The bill would also allow for a plan by the village to create a sewer district to protect water quality while ensuring the economic vitality of the business district, Bellone said.

“The connection of this business district to a modern wastewater treatment plant is a win-win that will protect water quality and keep Westhampton Beach’s economy moving forward,” Bellone said. “This is perfect example of how local governments can work cooperatively to share services and save taxpayer dollars."

Westhampton Beach officials including former Mayor Conrad Teller, have, in the past, been presented with potential plans to build a brand-new sewage treatment plant in the village, but ultimately decided that it would be too expensive to do so.

At the press event, Westhampton Beach Village Mayor Maria Moore said the project would cost about $16.75 million,with the village applying for grant funding to the tune of about $7 million.

Engineers estimate it would take a year or two or less to construct the infrastructure for the hookup, Moore said.

Storm drains will be restored and replaced on Main Street, Moore said.

A village sewer consultant has estimated that the village will save about $7.4 million by contributing toward an expansion of the county’s treatment plant, known as Suffolk County Sewer District 24, which currently serves Gabreski Airport, the Air National Guard base and the companies located in the Hampton Business District, Bellone said.

In addition, the county’s treatment plant at Gabreski Airport will require modifications in order to accommodate the additional sewage from Westhampton Beach.

Moving forward, the sewage treatment plant will use a connection fee of $1.8 million from the village to offset the cost of the future modifications which will increase the plant’s capacity by 50 percent, Bellone said.

Westhampton Beach will be expected to pay $80,000 a year to continue utilizing the treatment plant.

The connection has received the approval from the Suffolk County Sewer Agency and is subject to approval from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Ground is expected to be broken on the sewer district in late 2021.

The sewer district connection will allow for the Westhampton Beach’s business district to continue to expand, attract new business, and create housing opportunities above stores on Main Street, said Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming.

The connection works to protect both the quality of water, by preventing nitrogen from entering the groundwater, and enhance the economic vibrancy of the downtown area, elected officials said

Suffolk County and Westhampton Beach anticipate the inclusion of the program in applying for matching funds from New York State for savings attained under the shared services initiative, officials said.

The Suffolk County Shared Services Plan, SuffolkShare, was unanimously approved in September and is projected to save nearly $37 million over the course of two years among local governments.

The 10-point plan provides a modern inter-municipal framework among participating municipalities to enhance service offerings and improve the ability for local governments to work together to implement and augment their programs and initiatives, officials said.

“We were delighted to hear that the legislature unanimously passed the resolution allowing for the village’s connection to the Gabreski sewer treatment facility. The installation of sewers in Westhampton Beach will not only revitalize our Main Street, but will eliminate nearly 5,000 pounds of nitrogen annually from Moniebogue Bay," or 24%, said Moore, thanking Bellone and Fleming for requesting the resolution, and the Suffolk County Legislature for its support of the project.

She added that the project would mean a boon to the local economy, the ability to create new restaurants and perhaps a small hotel, and prove a "win win" for both business and the environment.

The Town of Southampton is working very hard to restore its waterways and improve septic systems without placing undue burden on property owners and businesses, said Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman.

“The county’s generous offer to help the Westhampton Beach Business district connect to the sewage treatment plant at Gabreski Airport is a smart way to ensure we are protecting the environment and helping the Westhampton Beach business district grow," he said.

Schneiderman also said big box stores are struggling and people are "returning to downtown" but to get there, there is a need for wet uses, something that can't be done currently in downtown Westhampton Beach. Wet uses, he said, require more gallons per day.

Some have expressed concerns about development downtown but elected officials assured that zoning is in place to protect the village.

"A thriving downtown Westhampton Beach and mitigation of nitrogen pollution to Moniebogue Bay, Quantuck Bay and Moriches Bay will benefit our entire region," said Fleming.

Bellone said he introduced the Reclaim Our Water initiative to reduce nitrogen pollution of groundwater and surface waters from cesspools and septic systems through connection of communities to sewer systems and the installation of advanced on-site wastewater treatment systems.

Cesspools have been identified as a primary source of nitrogen pollution that has degraded water quality throughout Suffolk County, contributing to harmful algae blooms, beach closures and fish kills, he said.

Local business owners applauded the news. "It’s a step in the right direction. I appreciate the hard work our mayor and trustees have undertaken. It’s a long road ahead from start to finish," said Westhampton Beach business owner Elyse Richman, of the newly formed Westhampton Beach Business Alliance

Talk of sewering downtown Westhampton Beach has sparked contention for more than a decade.

Advocates have long maintained that sewering Main Street would mean the chance to revitalize a sleepy business area, from one currently dotted with real estate businesses and banks, to an area vibrant with new restaurants, potential apartments, and even a small hotel.

In addition, environmentalists including Kevin McAllister, founder of Defend H2O, have long said the plan would help to restore a polluted Moniebogue Bay.

"The existing conditions in the southern portion of the sewer district does is not conducive for conventional septic treatment. Many of the existing leaching pools come in direct contact with groundwater," McAllister said. "The establishment of a sewer district, particularly in the downtown area is a critical action given the proximity to surface waters and the growing influences of sea level rise. Congratulations to the Village of Westhampton Beach and Suffolk County for addressing this situation."

As far back as 2006, Tim Laube and former Fox news anchor John Roland ran for the Westhampton Beach Village Board with a campaign platform anchored in the idea of creating sewers. Both men lost the election, with Teller, the incumbent mayor, re-elected, and some stating that they believed the pair lost due to the controversial plan to sewer that had the village divided in heated debate.

Moore, since running for her seat as mayor, has long been a proponent of the sewering plan and the benefits she believe it will bring to both the village business district and to the environment.

At the press conference Sunday, elected officials extended their sympathy to the families of the members of the 106th Rescue Wing of the New York Air National Guard lost in a tragic helicopter crash week.

Patch photos and video courtesy Elyse Richman.