Government Briefs: Fall in CPF Revenue, NARCAN Training, County Gets Grant

Significant Fall Off in CPF Revenue for 2016

Don’t look now, but the Peconic Bay Community Preservation Fund saw its revenue drop by 6.6 percent last year.

The fund, which collects a 2-percent tax on most real estate sales, is used to preserve open space, farmland, and recreational areas. In November, voters approved a measure allowing up to 20 percent of its revenue to be used for water quality projects. Since its inception in 1999, the CPF has raised $1.18 billion.

According to figures released by the office of Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., the CPF took in $93.7 million in the five East End Towns in 2016, down from $100.3 million in 2015.

“Real estate sales on the East End have plateaued since reaching a record high in 2014. CPF revenues are 13 percent lower than the program's highest year in 2014,” Mr. Thiele said in a release. “Nevertheless, 2016 still represents the fifth highest revenue year in the 18-year program.”

Mr. Thiele said the outlook for CPF revenues for the coming year remains good, given the current economy. Last year, revenues were generally lower on the South Fork and higher on the North Folk and Shelter Island.

In Southampton, revenues fell by 8.7 percent, from $60 million to $54.8 million, while in East Hampton, they dropped by 6.9 percent, from 28.9 million to $26.9 million. Revenues rose by 6.7 percent in Southold, from $6.25 million to $6.67 million, by 6.9 percent in Riverhead, from $3.2 million to $3.4 million, and by 2 percent on Shelter Island, from 1.9 million to just over $2 million.

NARCAN Training in Westhampton Beach

Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, pointing out that the epidemic of opioid abuse continues, has announced on Friday, February 6, at 6:30 p.m. there will be a training session in use of NARCAN, an easy-to-use antidote for overdoses, at the Westhampton Beach Firehouse at 92 Sunset Beach.

The event will begin with a presentation by Linda Ventura, the founder of Thomas’ Hope Foundation, which she established after her son died of an overdose. She will be followed by Alana Urbont-Marino of Human Understanding Growth Seminar. Inc. (HUGS), a not-for-profit community organization that provides educational recreational program for teens with an emphasis on preventing drug and alcohol abuse.

Suffolk County Deputy Sheriff Brian Grazidei will then discuss the signs of drug abuse and give parents tips to determine whether their children are using drugs. He will then go through the steps of how to administer NARCAN. All participants 16 and over will be given a NARCAN kit.

Space is limited to 50 participants, so sign up is required and can be done by calling Legislator Fleming’s office at (631) 852-8400 or sending an email to Paul.Brady@suffolkcountyny.gov.

County Gets Conservation Grant

Suffolk County has received a $1.2 million grant from he U.S. Department of Agriculture to help farmers practice better water protection and conservation techniques.

“Improving Suffolk County’s water quality is a top priority of my administration, and we remain committed to working on initiatives geared toward the restoration and preservation of our most precious natural resources,” said Suffolk County Steve Bellone in a release.

The grant will allow the county to hire an agricultural specialist who is trained and certified in nutrient management planning and integrated pest management planning. The specialist will be responsible for developing, administering, and implementing a certified nutrient and pest management planning program tailored to the county’s agricultural commodities and resource concerns for the protection and improvement of surface and ground water resources.