Water Authority - FOIL for Feasability Study

January 21, 2013

Water Authority of Southeastern Nassau County
P.O. Box 1098                                                              
Bellmore, New York 11710-0176

Commissioner John Reinhardt
Town of Hempstead Water Department
1995 Prospect Avenue
East Meadow, NY 11554

Re: Freedom of Information Request

Dear Water Commissioners:

The Water Authority of Southeast Nassau County (WASENC) was established in January 2010 for the purpose of conducting a feasibility study of a public acquisition of American Water’s territory formerly serviced by Aqua Water.

It took nine months to appoint the board and another nine months to hire a firm to do the study. In this three year period since WASENC's inception, Aqua Water changed hands, one commissioner dropped out and was not replaced, and we still do not have a feasibility study.

I am frustrated with the ridiculous length of time it is taking to get this feasibility study completed. I am also dismayed to see that WASENC no longer has a website. I emailed a Freedom of Information Request on January 10, 2013 and have not received a response to date.

I am very concerned about the $100,000 granted the commission to organize and conduct the study. I, therefore, called George E. Sansoucy (the firm WASENC hired to do the feasibility study) in New Hampshire and was advised that they cannot talk to me without permission from Richard Ronan, Chair of WASENC. Although having made several attempts, I have not received a response from either Richard Ronan or Water Commissioner John Reinhardt.

I, therefore, again request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act, which is being sent to Mr. Reinhardt by certified mail:

1. A copy of the initial request from WASENC to George E. Sansoucy, detailing the data that was being asked to be analyzed.
2. The Agreement between the WASENC and George E. Sansoucy;
3. Any and all documentation indicating the time frame in which WASENC expects initial and final reports.
4. Any and all receipts and/or proofs of payment to George E. Sansoucy.
5. Any and all parts of the feasibility study that has been completed to date, including any and all initial analysis.
6. Copies of WASENC’s record of expenditures from January 2010 to present.

If any part of the above requested information is available in digital format, please send it to me by return email.  Please call me at 972-6988 if there is any cost for this documentation.  Documentation and/or responses should be mailed to Claudia Borecky, North and Central Merrick Civic Association, P.O. Box 500, Merrick, NY 11566.

Further, please schedule a hearing as soon as possible. The public is losing faith in WASENC's willingness or ability to follow through with what it has been commissioned to do.

Thank you,

Claudia Borecky,
President www.northmerrickcivic.org

cc:  Supervisor Kate Murray
       Supervisor John Venditto
       Aisha Al-Muslim - Newsday
       Scott Brinton – LI Herald
       Paul Larsen – L & M Publications
       Laura Schofer – Merrick Life
       Douglas Finlay – Bellmore Life
       Michael Granci – Bellmore/Merrick Patch