Volunteers clean town waterways Town launches permit amnesty program

The Town of Oyster Bay recently approved a Building Permit Amnesty Program to provide for a six-month period for homeowners and commercial property owners to obtain the necessary permits required on building improvements previously completed, without incurring late fees and penalties. This Building Permit Amnesty Program is open now through the end of 2023.

Students from Bethpage High School visited Tappen Marina in Glenwood Landing to assist the Town of Oyster Bay in cleaning and monitoring the Collec’Thor equipment, which helps keep waterways clean throughout the season with the assistance of volunteers.

The Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Environmental Resources has returned the floating litter trap technology, known as the ‘Collec’Thor,’ to Tappen Marina. Provided to the Town by the Suffolk County Cornell Cooperative Extension last summer through a grant from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, the Collec’Thor is a silent, motorized waste collector which attracts and engulfs all solid or liquid waste floating on the water surface.

“This innovative technology helps protect our environment and strengthens the ecosystem by removing debris from the water,” said Supervisor Saladino. “I thank all of the local environmental organizations who assisted the Town in implementing this environmental technology, which collects up to 220 pounds of floating debris in just one cycle. Through partnership with Cornell Cooperative Exten - sion, Friends of the Bay, The Waterfront Center and the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee, we are continuing to work together to improve the quality of our waterways and protect our environment.”

As the Collec’Thor returned to the waterways this spring, students from Bethpage High School visited to take part in marine debris removal and data collection. The Town con-

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“This Building Permit Amnesty Program allows residents and business owners with unpermitted and previously-completed improvement projects to legalize their property and avoid costly fines and penalties,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “

The Town of Oyster Bay’s

Building Permit Amnesty Program applies to all permits, including fence, decking, plumbing and all aspects of construction. Residents can call the Town’s Department of Planning and Development for additional information.

During the amnesty period, standard fees will cover the entire building application process. To begin the process for a building permit, call the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Planning and Development’s Building Division at (516) 6246200 or visit the department at Town Hall North in Oyster Bay (74 Audrey Avenue) or at Town Hall South in Massapequa (977 Hicksville Road). For more information, visit www.oysterbaytown.com.