TIMES HERALD The Village
Stony Brook • old Field • Strong’S neck • Setauket • eaSt Setauket • South Setauket • Poquot t April 23, 2015
Volume 40, No. 8
$1.00
Task force sets out to protect waters By SuSan riSoli
‘Strike a pose’ at the Heckscher
also: ‘Violet’ opens at the SCPa, ‘The Littlest Pirate’ debuts at Theatre Three, singer/songwriter Johnny Cuomo
Page B1
Setauket Harbor has a new best friend. To speak up for this system of bays and ponds, residents have created the Setauket Harbor Task Force. Before the group met at the Neighborhood House Tuesday night, cofounders Laurie Vetere and George Hoffman said the task force can improve water quality and increase accessibility for all who love Setauket’s wetlands. Stuck between Stony Brook Harbor and Port Jefferson Harbor, Setauket Harbor is an “orphan” that could use some of the attention given to its neighbors, Hoffman said. Stony Brook’s strong harbor advisory committee and vocal boating community, and Port Jeff’s commerce and ferry navigation, ensure that those harbors stay in good shape, Hoffman said. “And in Connecticut, every harbor has an advisory group,” he
Saving the ‘orphan’ harbor Photo by Susan Risoli
george hoffman and laurie Vetere overlook Setauket harbor, which their new task force hopes to protect.
said. “We want to be out there to help our harbor.” Setauket Pond is the first order of business, said Vetere, chairwoman of the task force, and Hoffman, a trustee on its board. This area next to the Se-Port Deli on Route 25A has seen better days. A walk across the footbridge spanning the pond revealed a silt-choked catch basin below.
The basin is supposed to protect the harbor by filtering oil and trash from storm water road runoff, they said, but it’s no longer doing its job. Vetere gestured to debris and fallen trees littering the water. If the task force can clean up the pond, Vetere said, “I want to see increased boating, kayaking, paddle boarding. Maybe creat-
ing a blueway trail that could be historic,” in recognition of George Washington’s colonial spies, who snuck in and out of the harbor with secrets.The task force has formed a not-for-profit corporation so it can apply for federal and state grants, Vetere and Hoffman said. The group also wants to train HaRBOR continued on page a14
Grant gets technology haul for Setauket library By Phil corSo
Thriving in Three Village Wellness center changes ownership but keeps family’s traditions alive
Page a3
Setauket’s own Emma S. Clark Memorial Library made the most of $10,000 in state funding and is now celebrating a new state-of-the-art technology center. Three new 55-inch smart televisions were only the beginning of the new technological enhancements made at the library this month, thanks to $10,000 in state funding from state Sen. John Flanagan (REast Northport), which helped offset the cost of the refurbished center. It took a lot of work, but the library made sure to employ all the painting and wiring from in-house library employees in order to get the most out of the money. “We are grateful to Sen. Flanagan for this generous award, which will help enhance the lives of our patrons, young and old,” said Ted Gutmann, library director. “Thanks to
Photo from Robert Caroppoli
emma S. clark Memorial library shows off its new gear.
Sen. Flanagan and New York state, this new facility ensures that Emma Clark Library continues to offer its patrons the latest in technology, keeping it a modern library for today’s fast-paced world within its charming façade.” Moving forward, Gutmann
said the technology center will offer classes to the public on a wide variety of subjects, including those for beginners and others for more advanced learners. With this new software, the library will add to its existing selection of classes for teens by offering online video
creation and editing. Flanagan visited the library last week to meet with Gutmann and its employees to tour the new equipment and share in the success. “The staff and leadership of the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library has utilized this state funding to create a learning center that will enhance the lives of so many in the community. This new technology center has many different applications for young and old and is a great addition to this already impressive facility,” Flanagan said. “I am happy that we were able to work together for the benefit of the patrons.” Among the equipment purchased as a result of the grant were three Vizio 55-inch wallmounted smart televisions, which have the ability to mirror the display of the instructor’s machine, Apple TV and LIBRaRY continued on page a14