Wyandanch, NY – Seeking to promote economic development in Wyandanch, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy this morning signed legislation he sponsored that will waive sewer connection fees for new residential, commercial or industrial development within that downtown corridor.

Levy’s proposal is part of a coordinated, multi-level effort with the town of Babylon and the federal government to promote transit-oriented development in this economically distressed community. He was joined by community leaders and local elected officials Wednesday outside the Wyandanch LIRR station to sign his legislation into law.

“Economic growth can not occur without adequate sewer capacity, but one of the largest obstacles to development where there is capacity is the connection fee upfront,” said Levy. “Suffolk County is making an important contribution to the economic recovery of this community by waiving our connection fees for qualified developments.”

According to Levy’s legislation, Suffolk would be able to waive the typical $30 per gallon per day fee for developments for five years where all of the following criteria are met:

1. The local municipality (town or village) is constructing sewer infrastructure, including a collection system, to connect to an existing sewer district where capacity exists or will exist;
2. the development is in an urban renewal area (as defined in Article 15 of General Municipal Law);
3. the development is within an Empire Zone;
4. the development is part of a transit-oriented development in a downtown area.

Development in the Wyandanch corridor will meet all four criteria.

Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone called the new legislation “tremendous public policy” and said the program will be “a key component for the revitalization of Wyandanch. We sincerely thank County Executive Levy for his leadership on this issue.”

County Legislator DuWayne Gregory also acknowledged Levy’s commitment to the Wyandanch community. “The County Executive has had Wyandanch in his thoughts and on his agenda for many years, and this type of project – with county and town working together – is what government is all about.”

Denise Gibbs, assistant superintendent for Wyandanch Schools, echoed Legislator Gregory’s sentiments, adding “This has been a real example for our students on how government works together on behalf of the people of a community.”

Phyllis Henry, a member of the Town of Babylon’s Implementation committee for Wyandanch, said “As a 37-year resident of Wyandanch, I have been saying this community is going to change for the last 20 years. That change is now happening.”

While the county executive said Suffolk would not be able to waive connection fees for every development in every district, he noted that other communities and developments meeting all four criteria would be covered by his resolution if approved.

“I firmly believe that 20 years from now, when we look back at the renaissance of Wyandanch, we will point to this county investment as the place where it all started,” Levy added.

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