North Hempstead Approves Bid For Stepping Stone Lighthouse

The Hempstead Town Board passed a resolution to accept the bid from Atlantic Coast Dock Construction Corp. to construct a fixed pier and floating dock at the Town-owned Stepping Stone Lighthouse. The cost of the construction is $606,770, with a $100,000 state grant to offset the cost.

The work on the lighthouse will begin sometime in the summer and once completed, will allow easier access to the lighthouse so that stabilization and renovation work can begin.The board also approved a memorandum of understanding between the Town, the MTA and the LIRR to access a Community Benefit Fund created by the MTA and the LIRR to help mitigate the effects of the Third Trach Project now underway.

The LIRR Expansion Project’s Community Benefits Fund is designed to provide the communities adjacent to the LIRR Main Line with funds that they may use, subject to certain condition, to help offset impacts to such localities caused by construction of the Project. The Community Benefits Fund will support local initiatives intended to ensure community safety and quality-of-life throughout the Project’s construction phase.

“The Third track project has made a huge impact on our residents,” said Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “The Town Board and I wanted to ensure that we have the ability to have input throughout this project. To this end, we have been negotiating an agreement with the LIRR to have this input, as well as have access to a Community Benefit Fund in the amount of over $4 million to undertake projects meant to mitigate the effects of the Third Track Project.”

In other business the Town Board also approved the creation of a Town Diversity Advisory Board. The Board will create and implement a plan that will further the Town’s goal of promoting tolerance and inclusion in all North Hempstead communities.