Manhasset-Lakeville Fire and Water District Commissioner Brian Morris won his re-election bid over Ahmed Shakir, 438 votes to 41.
Write-in candidates received 15 votes.
Morris will begin his fifth term on Jan. 1 alongside Commissioners Steven Flynn and Mark Sauvigne.
The Manhasset-Lakeville Water District serves approximately 45,000 customers who use 7.4 million gallons of water a day within the service area of 10.2 square miles, according to the water district’s website. Eighteen wells at 13 locations provide water to Manhasset and portions of Great Neck and North New Hyde Park.
He had said he was running on similar priorities and positions as in years past, which include updating district infrastructure to meet new state regulations and maintaining excellent service for district residents.
“Both the water and fire districts have aggressive capital improvement programs,” Morris said. “I think it’s an achievement and a testament to our commitment to maintain such a high level of service in both districts while staying under the New York state tax cap.”
Regarding the water district, Morris said emerging contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane, perfluorooctanoic acid, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid are a focus and removing them remains a prominent issue. He also referred to new construction on the way.
“In the coming years, the district will be investing over $30 million on new purification plants. When I am re-elected I will continue to strive for excellence in both the water and fire districts while keeping rates and taxes as low as possible,” Morris said earlier.
Great Neck Water Pollution Control District Commissioner Steve Reiter was re-elected in an uncontested race, receiving 198 votes.
“I want to thank everyone who helped, supported, and took the time to vote for me,” Reiter said in a statement to Blank Slate Media. “I promised to continue working hard alongside my co-commissioners and staff to keep the District a model of economic and environmental sustainability. Thank you all for placing your faith in me once again.”
Reiter, a Great Neck resident for more than four decades, said helping secure $12 million in grant funding for various upgrades to district facilities is one of the things he is most proud of during his eight years as commissioner. The funding, he said, allowed the district to create the county’s first grease-receiving station, conduct upgrades to its sewage treatment facilities and add a third microturbine.
“You do these additions and they go a long way in ensuring that the facility will remain in the forefront of wastewater treatment technology for years to come,” Reiter said in an earlier interview with Blank Slate Media. “We’re protecting the environment through sustainable practices, so it confirms our commitment to supplying, I think, the best possible service at the lowest possible cost to our taxpayers.”
Earlier this year, the district was awarded a $150,000 grant to conduct a sewer feasibility study that could incorporate homes in the Village of Great Neck Estates and Harbor Hills into its collection system. Reiter said the results from the study have not come back yet but if they are positive, the district will apply for more grants to conduct that incorporation process. Reiter said people with failing septic systems have reached out to the district, asking if they can be incorporated into its system.
“As opposed to replacing a septic system, which we know is not the optimal way of getting rid of nitrogen, I think it would be in everybody’s interest to see whether or not we could accomplish doing that,” he said.
Reiter touted the work of other commissioners and the district’s staff over the years, emphasizing all of its achievements are a result of the entire team. Reiter said he wants the public to know he is committed to ensuring all of the ongoing and future projects undertaken by the district will be accomplished.
