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Seaford School District Seeking Funds for Emergency Access Road Project

Superintendent and school board president planning to draft letter to elected officials explaining dire need for emergency egress at Seaford Harbor School property.

The Seaford School District is planning a letter-writing campaign with area lawmakers to try and obtain government funds for a long-planned emergency access road project at the Seaford Harbor School property. 

Seaford Board of Education President Brian Fagan and Superintendent Brian Conboy said during Thursday night's school board meeting that they would draft a letter to be signed by the district as well as other community groups that will be sent to elected officials on a federal and local level. The letter will explain the dire need Seaford is in for the long-stalled emergency access and the particular importance of the project in wake of Superstorm Sandy. A referendum for the estimated $596,719 access road project, which would have be paid for by leftover funds from a capital improvements proposition approved in December 2007, failed by 238 votes in May 2010. 

"What we just went through with the storm makes it all the more clear that this has to happen," said Conboy, who emphasized at Thursday's meeting that the district would not like to see residents' school taxes have to be utilized for the project if possible and is hopeful that federal and local funds will be made available for it. "It wouldn't only benefit the school district, it would benefit the whole Seaford Harbor community having another way out." 

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An access road at the Seaford Harbor School, which would connect Bayview Street with Ionia Street through approximately 320 feet of open land just north of the school, has been in the works going back more than four decades. Parents have expressed concerns that it is challenging to get near the school during pick up and drop off periods since traffic is typically backed up down the block, with both buses and cars unable to move because of the high congestion level on the tiny road.

Nassau County is paving the way for the new access road by providing a little over an acre of land surrounding the property. The board of education accepted the findings of a State Environmental Review Act in February 2011 related to the project and at Thursday's meeting approved a contract with Hauppauge-based VHB Engineering to provide updated environmental permitting for a required Army Corps. of Engineers report. 

Fagan said the timetable of when a potential new refernedum vote on the emergency access road project would take place has not been determined. 

Lorraine DeVita January 5, 2013 at 02:11 am
Kevin B- I challenge you to go down to the harbor school during drop off and dismissal and try to get thru to make a turn onto island channel or navigate from neptune to the school . It is IMPOSSIBLE the road is blocked both ways - That is the issue those kids have NO emergency or secondary way OUT of school grounds during and emergency nor during the times mentioned.
This IS needed NOW. before something happens whether it be storm related Cedar creek related, any emergency of ANY kind or some loon related. It is physically impossible to navigate anything to get on or out of that school save for a helicopter. GO see for yourself. It is NOT safe ... and is it getting worse. Voting no on kid safety issues is not something i would brag about. It is head hanging down hide your face in shame embarrassing.
Lorraine DeVita January 5, 2013 at 02:14 am
There are many others ways to cut costs, and I agree we DO need to cut costs
but NOT at the expense of kids health safety and well being. Thats just so wrong on so many levels.
Kevin B January 5, 2013 at 02:47 am
Been there, done that, Lorraine. So, belt tightening for the last 40 years could have moved this project forward long ago, especially when times were good with no vote needed. Funny, the school district managed to add a parking area out front for employees. I must have missed that one, and that took priority over the access road. And if you go to other schools, you will find similar and even more dangerous issues where parents are not let on to school grounds with vehicles, thus forcing kids to walk to the car crossing streets in chaos. What happened to the days of parents walking to kids, or better yet, kids taking the bus, eliminating traffic? That is the way I remember it.
VL January 5, 2013 at 02:59 am
Kevin,
This is not a simple “lets put in a parking lot” project. This is going over wetlands and protected grounds. Surveys as well as a few different permits are required. There are also legal culpabilities as well. As to parents walking their kids…times have changed immensely...are you serious? Both parents work now...one or two jobs each. When we were growing up, most every mother was home. The way you remember it was LONG ago. Time to upgrade the thinking.
VL January 5, 2013 at 03:03 am
This is Kevin B's earlier post that the Patch digested whole:
"I went to Seaford schools VL, did you, been living in the district for over 50 years. Yes, I think I am aware of this roadway, I voted NO. I exercise my freedom to vote, even though many don't, and the district is sure to hold open school nights the night of the vote. And no one enforces the 10 minute voting parking making it difficult for many to vote. If you reread the article you will see a line referring to parents find it challenging to get near the school to pick up and drop off their children. That would lead one to believe that this will be a public roadway, not an emergency one. If you are going to open it and close it so parents can pick up/drop off their kids, I don't see this as an emergency. Sandy would be, a sewer plant problem would be, probably a handful of times a year. Bottom line is local governments have tightened their belts and it is long overdue for the school district to do the same. I guess I'm not aware of previous postings because I don't post that often."
VL January 5, 2013 at 03:04 am
Wah-la..my reply:
Whoopee. I have lived in this district for over 50 years as well. My family has been here over 60 years. So what? This issue has nothing to do with how long one has been a resident here. It is a matter of fixing an error of layout. Fixing the road would ease both problems (traffic and emergency). I am more concerned with the safety issues than for the time taken to drop off. But that is my opinion. Last night the board spoke of the possibility of approaching the “state/federal-powers-that-be” to fund the project (disaster prevention in such areas). Let us see what happens.
Hilarity Jones January 5, 2013 at 07:13 am
Lorraine, here is the timeline of statements:
You "as to Ionia, it turns into South Cedar street which turns into cedar " Me "I was not aware that Ionia is a one way street, because as to your logic and FACTUAL information, it must be. Otherwise, if I am coming south on S Cedar, which turns into Cedar in the easterly direction, Cedar turns into Ionia." I never stated it was a one way, just gave you a lesson in direction, and geographical interpretation. Funny, only you didn't understand that. You ".Ionia terminates @ Island Channel" Me "According to my superior map reading skills, Island Channel ends at Bayview, and is not a through street to Cedar/Ionia/S Cedar" Your response........nothing, as usual, because as per your normal m/o, when proved wrong by fact, you ignore. You "you just made my point the ACCESS being proposed is NOT on IONIA it is on S CEDAR. It can turn into what ever it does but it is still not ionia street now is it " Me. Really? Your only retort is an extreme example of hair splitting? You "i was calling conboy out on stating the name of the street correctly " Me...Exactly. You "you just substanciated my remarks" Me....you still don't know how to spell. You have nothing other than that to offer, which is blatantly apparent to everyone who can read, or at least attempt to interpret what you write. I'll deal with the rest later, for sure, and you can count on that as being fact.
Lorraine DeVita January 5, 2013 at 02:31 pm
Kevin B- Hey you are preaching to the wrong choir here when it comes to the Sd having their financial priorites screwed up over the course of the past few decades. However. this is NOW and we DO need to address this issue to insure kids are safe. Yes there are probably temporary or even permanant measures that could be intitated to help relieve drop off and Pick up however that does not address the emergency factor - which is growing in concern for many parents. God forbid something happens at that school or around it. those kids and the staff have absolutely ZERO chance of getting out in an expeditious safe controled manner. There needs to be a get the hell out of dodge alternative if something happens. what that alternative is, a driveway or a road or something else is up to the Board Admin and professionals to decide, But something clearly defined, well thought out and planned needs to be done now. The time for dithering and procrastination is over.
Lorraine DeVita January 5, 2013 at 02:47 pm
PatrickII aka Hilarity aka Patrick -YET ANOTHER NAME CHANGE? - do you have an identity issue? seems you change you name as often as you move around. You should talk to someone about that. keep obsessing patrick II aka hilarity aka Patrick - its amusing to say the least. irrevelant babblings usualy are. anything topic specific to add or are you stuck once again in the" i am obsessed with lorraine devita mode". lmao.. ahh patrick didnt know you cared so much. it seems you 're bordering on obsessively fixated ..
Hilarity Jones January 5, 2013 at 02:57 pm
Lorraine, what is off topic? Just making sure everyone knows how your mind operates. You make statements about a topic and I counter using fact to impeach credibility. Then you ignore and attack. Same old Lorraine. When faced with facts that are contrary to what you have stated, rather than attempt to further back those statements you try to defame the messenger, won't work. Because like everyone else, I really don't cae what you have to say because most every time it is either self serving of wrong.
That being said,is the only problem you have with this article and proposal is that Mr Conboy misstated the name of the road that the new road will intersect? Because that seems yo be your biggest issue, because that rest is irrelevant.
Andrew Coen (Editor) January 5, 2013 at 03:04 pm
Please keep comments civil. Thank you.
Lorraine DeVita January 5, 2013 at 03:08 pm
@Partrick II
. I am sure people have enough smarts to come to their own conclusions.
Hilarity Jones January 5, 2013 at 03:21 pm
Lorraine, I am asking you a direct question. Is the only problem you have a misstatement by Mr Conboy as to the intersection? If not, pleaase tell everyone why this proposal is without merit. It is the most cost effective, easiest, and feasable that is on the table at this point. It has already been through the planning discussion, and as you have ignored, professionally vetted very recently.and is ready to go. Please telkl everyone what is wrong with this solution.
Hilarity Jones January 5, 2013 at 03:22 pm
Andrew, At whom are you directing this statement? I need to know this, as nothing I have said is other than civil. Normally you make a direct statement to the person you feel is being uncivil, please do the same at this point.
Lorraine DeVita January 5, 2013 at 03:57 pm
dont have a problem if you READ what i was stating only This should have been addressed SOONER .. and yes if conboy is going to CITE access points he should as the Admin leader of this SD state the correct street. IONIA is NOt the access point S Cedar is ..yes Hair splitting, (as are you) but never the less a technicality that needs to be correct when positioning this not only with the gov officials but with the community.
Andrew Coen (Editor) January 5, 2013 at 04:34 pm
@Patrick II- I was referring to everyone.
Hilarity Jones January 5, 2013 at 04:43 pm
On the contrary, you have done nothing other than nit pick this proposal, question the integrity of the people proposing this situation, attempt to bring into the mix anything other than factual information that has already been proposed. This proposal has been on the taable for years, as is. It is an access road, but you say driveway. No one has ever used the word driveway except you. You say it should be investigated by professionals before a decision is made. It already has, as the article indicates. You say this should have been addressed sooner. What should have been addressed sooner? The access road proposal? Federal/local funding? What? You talk in circles, and really don't make much sense. It is apparent all you are trying to do is muddy the waters of what is a pretty straight forward proposal. It seems that have a problem with the members of the BOE, and continually grind that axe, rather than make a offer solutions or reasonalbe alternatives. And yes most people have the common sense to make their own decisions, and do. But most do not have the obvious unterior motives that you show time and time again.
VL January 5, 2013 at 05:01 pm
Considering this issue has been going on since the 1970's...I would believe the map the professionals/government/district have utilized reflects the appropriate name for every 100' or so that the road changes name. To take issue with this, and demand clarity for this “concern” is foolish at best.
Lorraine, I find your rude manner/easy ability to speak uncivilly about "Mr." Conboy," (relative to the upper postings), unsettling and inappropriate. Relative to the condescending nonsense you type about Mr. Conboy and the board (on the Patch), and then stand in front of them [at a BOE meeting] acting all respectful and kind…really? What or who do you think you are…and what do you think you are accomplishing? In this day and age, you must strive act and speak civilly. To “stir the pot” for the sake of gaining unwarranted attention, merely draws out the unstable (we do not need another Newtown situation). You should endeavor to utilize your manner of approach and wording far more carefully. Side issue: I also find your intense personal and unwarranted bashing of “Patrick,” pretty low, even for your standards. The moment you mentioned his child, you WELL crossed the line. An apology is called for. Andrew, Why would you allow such disrespect [in print] for a man that you not only know, but also realize how hard he strives to do his job for this district? The “rules of engagement” should be rewritten and adhered to by all posters.
Lorraine DeVita January 5, 2013 at 07:01 pm
@ Valerie - SIGH********* do you feel better now. got it out of your system? .And you accomplished what exactly? lmao.
Hilarity Jones January 5, 2013 at 07:18 pm
Lorraine, once again, you prove everyones point, you have nothing to offer only personal issues. You never back anything you say with reliable facts. You have been asked direct questions, you ignore. You have been called out about your tactics, you spin. everything you have said has been questioned, and has gone unanswered. Lorraine, you are fake. All you want is attention, and you go to any lengths to achieve it. You attack everybody and anybody who asks you for some type of factual basis to corroborate your musings, but never answer. Is it because you can't or won't for the sole reason that you just don't have the answers?
Let's try once again. You say "the money CAN be spent all at once - it simply MUST be used UP within a ten year period." What source have you used to make this difinitive statement? If the money from the sale can be used all at once, why would there be a 10 year stipulation? Why can't the District just put the money in the reserve with no restriction? I await your response to these simple questions, because, as usual, you are the expert.
Hilarity Jones January 5, 2013 at 07:33 pm
Also, you address VL as Valerie. I have never seen anyone, other than you address VL as anything other than VL, is there a reason for this? Do you know this person? And if so, why do you feel it appropriate to use a formal name and not the screen name? Does it make you feel superior? Just because you are foolish enough to tell everyone who you are, we all know you can't help that, does not give you the right to use anything other than the name given on screen. I ask again, why do you feel the need to make a statement such as this? I once again will expect the usual response, either silence, spin or attack, because as we all know, there will be no substance.
Lorraine DeVita January 5, 2013 at 10:07 pm
patrick heres one for you - go prove me WRONG
HINT - try the nysed website
Lorraine DeVita January 5, 2013 at 10:31 pm
Patrick- pls cite exactly where i picked apart this proposal. pls copy and paste?
What should have been addressed sooner?- Duh the ROAD/access / driveway What plan did they impart in this article- urging people to write letters for funding? Thats the PLAN? then proceed with an engineering firm to work with the army corp of engineers. THEN what. Whats the REST of the plan? I stated very clearly i wasnt at the meeting and that i was going by the article. They have no funding, they have no costs estimates, So explain to me and everyone else WHATS THE PLAN? FOOLISH is assuming there is a definitive PLAN- this is in the STAGES to develop a plan but it is NOT a definitive PLAN. I would hope you would know the difference. And YES it makes a difference whether it is designated a ROAD or a driveway i would strongly suggest you look up the both in the dictionary they are TWO entirely different things. WHICH could reflect on whether or not funding is available or forthcoming and from whom. So go do your homework and then come back and once again try to prove me wrong by citing a complete logical step by step plan that includes costs, time frames, funding . and then cite how i ripped it apart.
Andrew Coen (Editor) January 5, 2013 at 10:35 pm
@Patrick II- Please refrain from personal attacks.
Lorraine DeVita January 5, 2013 at 10:37 pm
oh but it was ok for you and acceptable for you to post comments using MY name. what was the reason there < do you envy me? want to be me that you stole my name ? did it make you feel supirior, So i ask you again why did you feel the need to post using my name.. i will once again expect the typical responce from you , no substance just ranting ..... her name is val. i havent given her last name nor would i nor have i said anything negative about her. nor will i.
Hilarity Jones January 5, 2013 at 10:42 pm
Just as expected, you have no answers, just a deflection. I asked you for an answer, and your answer is, as usual, nothing. Typical of you Lorraine, you are bereft of meaningful information, and when confronted, run for cover. I will ask once again, where did YOU get your information. Please give everyone YOUR information sources and how they prove YOUR statement to be true. I did not ask you where I could find this information, I asked YOU to provide it for everyone. But as usual you defer, deflect, do anything but answer directly. By the way, does the name Cynthia DeMicelli ring a bell? What about the rest of it Lorraine, nothing to say, or are you under the thumb again, because lord knows there has to be a reason you disappear for hours at a time during some days, make very short responses those days, but have all the time in the world on others, and can not be quieted. All the time, mostly during the week, not much time, evenings and weekends, there must be some reasonable conclusion to be drawn from that, don't you agree?
Hilarity Jones January 5, 2013 at 11:21 pm
I neither confirm nor deny that I am the person who posted using your name, but here is my theory as to why someone would do something such as that. To see what kind of wacked out response they would get, and you apparently lived up to expectations. "I have called the FCC, FBI and NCPD to report identity theft" if my recollection is correct. Completely over the top. Lorraine, why is it so difficult for you to give a straight answer? I also would like to know why a comment can be on a string for hours on end, with no response from anyone, but all of a sudden, I am chastized by Andrew, followed by comments by you. Interesting timing, Lorraine, and Andrew as well. Just pointing out an interesting aside.
VL January 5, 2013 at 11:34 pm
Lorraine DeVita
1:51 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013 @ Valerie - I think you need a reality check- or a man- either one would serve you well. lmao. Andrew, I do not want this removed. I want the other people posting on the Patch to note the inherent lack of character and the obvious bullying nature of this “woman.”
Hilarity Jones January 6, 2013 at 12:36 am
Ok Lorraine, here we go:
You said "What should have been addressed sooner?- Duh the ROAD/access / driveway" Article says:"An access road at the Seaford Harbor School, which would connect Bayview Street with Ionia Street through approximately 320 feet of open land just north of the school" You say "What plan did they impart in this article- urging people to write letters for funding?" Article "Nassau County is paving the way for the new access road by providing a little over an acre of land surrounding the property" Also the article makes no reference urging people to write letters it says "Seaford Board of Education President Brian Fagan and Superintendent Brian Conboy said during Thursday night's school board meeting that they would draft a letter to be signed by the district as well as other community groups that will be sent to elected officials on a federal and local level" You "They have no funding, they have no costs estimates" Article "A referendum for the estimated $596,719 access road project, which would have be paid for by leftover funds from a capital improvements proposition approved in December 2007, failed by 238 votes in May 2010" You "this is in the STAGES to develop a plan but it is NOT a definitive PLAN" Me Not from what I read in the article. It looks as though the BOE has a plan in hand, just not implemented yet. This was all mixed in with your condecending remarks about me and my lack of knowledge, and stupidity, as usual. Shall I continue?
A. Shaw January 6, 2013 at 12:37 am
Andrew - can't you end this nonsense?

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