Brookhaven Notebook: Town Clears Way for Paving Projects

The Brookhaven town board on Thursday approved a measure at a special town board meeting that will allow a number of town-wide paving projects to be completed.

The board voted 5-0, with two members absent, to award a multimillion dollar paving contract to Suffolk Asphalt.

Previously, the process was stalled as highway superintendent John Rouse declined to recommend Suffolk Asphalt for the project, as a sister company had been accused by workers of failing to pay wages in a federal lawsuit. However, supervisor Mark Lesko said in a statement that a July 21 memo from Rouse constituted a recommendation to proceed, which was needed for the town board to act on the measure.

"This action was consistent with the best interest of our residents and now we can start to pave the roads which is what the people of Brookhaven want us to do," Lesko said.

Rouse could not be reached for comment.

Online Tax Information System Launched

Receiver of Taxes Lou Marcoccia on Thursday announced the availability of an online system through which residents can view their tax statements and receipts.

He described the system as a secure way for residents to access their information outside the scope of the tax office's regular hours of operation.

"By using the technology of the internet in a secure manner, we will enable the public unprecedented access to residents’ their tax information whenever they desire,” Marcoccia said.

Residents can access the online tax information system by going to the tax receiver's website.