(SEA CLIFF, N.Y.) - Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D - Glen Cove) today announced the approval of an intermunicipal agreement (IMA) that will direct $1.725 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding toward making it more affordable for Sea Cliff property owners to connect to the Village’s newly expanded sanitary sewer system.
Under an intermunicipal agreement that was authorized on July 6, the County will use those ARPA funds to provide up to $7,500 in assistance to each of the 230 residential and commercial property owners who can now connect to the sewer system. The 8,310 linear feet of new sanitary sewer line along portions of Prospect, Maple, 12th, Sea Cliff, Summit, Central, 8th, and 7th Avenues, as well as all of Fairview Place, was completed in June of 2021.
“Expanding Sea Cliff’s sewer system will deliver tremendous environmental, economic and quality of life benefits - but we must always remain focused on making this crucial investment in our future as affordable as possible for current property owners,” Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said. “That is why I am so gratified that we will be able to tap into ARPA funds to deliver direct assistance to property owners who will be connecting to the sewer system for the first time.”
This direct assistance for impacted residents and business owners is in addition to the $4 million Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton previously advocated for and secured in the County’s capital plan to reduce the cost of the $8-million project to village taxpayers. Nassau capital funds supplemented approximately $3 million in state grants and approximately $1 million in village resources that were invested in the sewer expansion.
“Most people are unaware of the amount of time a municipal project like this can take. The Sea Cliff sewer project took five administrations to go from concept to connection,” stated Sea Cliff Village Administrator Bruce Kennedy. “Now that this phase of this project is completed, it is a huge incentive to the property owners to actually connect being that the costs associated to it are being subsidized by the County. Recognition of Nassau County - especially Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton - is due for their partnership through this sustainable capital project.”
“The Village of Sea Cliff applauds Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton for her foresight in advocating for the allocation of ARPA funds to assist residents in the cost of connecting to the sewer system,” Sea Cliff Mayor Elena Villafane said. “She has been a fierce advocate for the environment and for the residents of Nassau County who will all benefit from this investment in the future that a clean harbor provides.”
PHOTO CAPTION - From left: Sea Cliff Village Administrator Bruce Kennedy, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton, Sea Cliff Mayor Elena Villafane and Nassau County Department of Public Works Director Kenneth Arnold pictured in Glen Cove on Tuesday, July 12.
PHOTO CREDIT - Office of Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton