Schneiderman: Community Will Have a Voice at Gabreski

With a 433,000 square foot in the works and at the Suffolk County-owned  becoming a heavily debated topic, residents have are concerned that they don't have enough of a voice when it comes to happenings at the airport.

But Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman said Tuesday that's about to change with the approval of legislation that reforms the eight-member Gabreski Airport Conservation and Assessment Committee to allow for more community participation.

The legislation specifically reworks who can sit on the committee for a three-year term.

Under the new legislation, the Town of Southampton and the Villages of Westhampton Beach and Quogue now have the authority to each appoint one member.

Also, the business, environmental and the aviation community will be represented with the county executive having the power to appoint a member from each with legislature approval.

The final members of the committee will be comprised of a member appointed by the county executive and one by the president officer of the legislature.

Aside from revamping the membership of the committee, the legislation also provides review power.

Going forward all new leases, renewals, extensions, modifications, and license agreements must be reviewed by the committee prior to going before the full legislature for a vote.

The committee must, according to the legislation, provide findings to the legislature 45 days after an application is received.

“Now with the passage of this legislation, the community can have a voice that can truly be heard on how the airport develops,” stated Legislator Schneiderman.

The legislation is attached to this article in a PDF format.

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