An upcoming election for seats on the East Williston Village Board has put the village’s water-quality problems front and center, with all the candidates expressing agreement that sedimentation and low water pressure are of concern.
James Iannone, an attorney and volunteer firefighter, pointed out that Williston Park’s water tank is out of commission at the moment, forcing the village to get its water from Mineola. The tank is expected to be back in service late in May, and officials are hopeful that issues regarding sediment may be resolved then, and the village board will also be able to assess the difficultly more clearly.
Iannone also noted that the village is currently hoping to solve the problem by penalizing contractors if they open fire hydrants without getting prior permission from the village.
James Reichman, who is a lieutenant in the fire department, said he has a background in construction and has conducted a great deal of research on sedimentation, adding that the problem is affecting residents’ quality of life.
Civil engineer Raffaela Dunne has a background in sanitary engineering and is on the village’s planning board. She agrees with Reichman and Iannone that Williston Park is a special place, and that its aging infrastructure is beginning to pose significant problems for officials and residents alike.
The election is set for Tuesday, March 19, and each individual running has a chance to use poster printing to create a compelling message.