Rockville Centre recently received some very good news. Gov. Kathy Hochul has awarded the village $9.5 million in state funding for two important projects: $7 million for a third iron-filtration plant and $2.5 million to help transform Hickey Park into a modern, inclusive athletic complex.
Both projects address important needs in our community. One will strengthen our drinking water infrastructure, and the other will provide improved recreational opportunities for our children and families. Just as important, this funding represents a chance to make meaningful improvements while helping limit the financial burden on our taxpayers.
Providing safe, reliable drinking water is a responsibility we take seriously. The Rockville Centre Water Department regularly tests village wells, using independent, state-certified laboratories to monitor water quality and help ensure compliance with applicable standards and health advisory levels established by the Nassau County Department of Health.
Although our drinking water meets the requisite requirements, we can’t afford to take our water infrastructure for granted. Maintaining reliable service requires ongoing investment and planning. The state funding will help support the construction of another iron-filtration plant, adding to the village’s treatment capabilities and strengthening our ability to provide residents with safe, dependable drinking water for years to come.
Projects like this require significant financial resources, and state funding can make a substantial difference in moving them forward. By securing outside assistance, we can address important infrastructure needs while being mindful of the costs borne by our taxpayers.
The second project focuses on a different but equally important part of village life: our children and our parks. The $2.5 million awarded for Hickey Park will help advance the transformation of the athletic complex into a modern facility with improved amenities for athletes, families and spectators, along with recreational opportunities for children of all abilities.
This latest award brings the total grant funding secured for the Hickey Park project to over $7 million. In addition to the $2.5 million from Governor Hochul, the village previously secured $2 million in federal funding through U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, $2 million in state funding through Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, $500,000 through former State Sen. Kevin Thomas, and $50,000 through former Assemblyman Brian Curran.
We are grateful to these elected officials for helping obtain funding for this important community project. Their support will help us move forward with improvements that benefit not only our young athletes, but also the families and residents who gather at Hickey Park throughout the year.
These projects also reflect the importance of working with our partners at every level of government. While the village is responsible for maintaining essential services and facilities, grant funding allows us to take on improvements that might be more difficult to accomplish with local resources alone.
My administration will continue to be aggressive in pursuing grants and outside funding opportunities that benefit our taxpayers. We’ll continue to work with our state, county and federal representatives to identify available funding, advance important projects and bring as many resources as possible back to our community. Being responsible with taxpayer dollars means looking for every opportunity to fund necessary improvements without passing the entire cost on to our residents.
As we celebrate Halloween, I also want to remind everyone that keeping our community safe is a shared responsibility. Children and families will be out trick-or-treating this weekend, and we ask parents to remind their children to use crosswalks, remain visible and stay alert when crossing streets.
We urge motorists to slow down, put away distractions and watch carefully for children, particularly in residential neighborhoods. With more pedestrians out in the early evening, taking a little extra care behind the wheel can help prevent an accident and ensure that everyone enjoys a safe Halloween.
From investing in our drinking water to improving Hickey Park and looking out for one another on our streets, our focus remains on the needs of Rockville Centre residents. We will continue working to strengthen our village, to make responsible use of taxpayer dollars and to preserve the community we are proud to call home.
Francis X. Murray is the mayor of Rockville Centre.
