LaLota Delivers $1 Million for Huntington Projects

US Rep. Nick LaLota speaks; behind him are County Executive Ed Romaine and State Assemblyman Keith Brown. HuntingtonNow photos

Officials welcomed the delivery of $1 million in federal funding on Tuesday that will go toward cleaning Huntington’s water and improve flood mitigation.

US Rep. Nick LaLota said that $500,000 in funding for the Huntington Sewer District will go toward the installation of methane-powered microturbines at the Huntington Sewer District Wastewater Treatment Plant; the other half of the funds will protect and maintain the operation of the treatment plant should flooding occur.

The funding was part of an appropriations bill passed and signed into law earlier this year.

“This million dollars represents a greater investment, it represents a solidarity amongst officials from both parties to ensure that our constituents know that all levels of government,  be it village, state, county or federal, that we are working together to ensure life is safer and more affordable.”

He credited Smyth and Councilman Sal Ferro for advocating for funding for the projects.

Smyth said, “We’re always looking for infrastructure dollars. We’re in maintenance mode,” he said. The projects will “promote sustainable initiatives, promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. “It will also address the reduction of methane gas into the atmosphere, and it will utilize this energy source to defray the electricity and the heating costs of the plant.”

Smyth also joked with LaLota, “it’s a pleasure having you here and even better when you bring a check for a million bucks but you’re welcome any time.”

The town said that the $500,000 for the pipe to improve flood mitigation would cover about half the cost and the town will consider other ways to pay for the ret of the project.

Environmental Waste Management director John Clark, Huntington Bay mayor Mark Dara, Town Clerk Andrew Raia and Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino were also present at the press conference at Mill Dam Park.