Friday, October 2, 2026
The Sea Cliff Board of Trustees answered recycling-related questions and updated residents on the village green project and activity by the Water Authority of North Shore at its Monday night public meeting. Here are three things to know.
1. Recycling glass revisited
During public comment, Matthew Nichols asked for clarification on the recycling announcement included in the most recent Village Bulletin. Nichols asked about the best way to recycle glass, saying he learned in conversation with Brookhaven Recycling Educator Zachary Sicardi that the Brookhaven Materials Recovery Facility does not accept glass.
Village Administrator Bruce Kennedy explained that glass is separated outside of the Brookhaven MRF building and can then be repurposed.
“As far as recycling glass, if you take blue glass, green glass and red glass and throw it all together, it can’t be reused as consumer glass,” Kennedy said. “It has to be repurposed for another reason.”
Kennedy and Mayor Elena Villafane emphasized that the most effective way to recycle glass is to bring it redemption centers in stores like Stop & Shop or drop it off at the Town of Oyster Bay “igloo” at Harry Tappen Beach.
2. Village green renovation scaled back
Villafane said Monday night that the board has decided to scale back the village green project “significantly.” The board in August rejected two proposals for the redevelopment.
The village will be trimming trees and pruning trees and shrubs already in the space.
“We will then let it sit for the fall and winter,” Villafane said, “and see what it looks like in the spring.”
She added that the holiday tree located on the Summit Avenue side of the village green will be moved to the corner of Summit and Central avenues.
Residents raised concerns in July about preserving cherry trees in the space.
The village’s Environmental Conservation Commission recommended to the board in August that native plantings be prioritized.
3. Water Authority continues work
Trustee James Versocki said in his report Monday night that the Water Authority of North Shore is continuing to explore the acquisition of the Sea Cliff Water District, currently run by Liberty Water.
Versocki is the village’s representative on the WANS board.
WANS was established after Nassau County legislators introduced a bill in 2020 and subsequently passed a law to create the entity to be the sole provider of water for local communities.
Versocki added that WANS has submitted a letter to the New York State Public Service Commission to request a rate freeze because of the acquisition process and because the Water Authority is pursuing the potential condemnation of the system.
Liberty’s rate increase was announced in July.
