Voters on Tuesday will chose a commissioner for Garden City Park Fire and Water District in a contested race and a commissioner for the Albertson Water District in an uncontested race.
New Hyde Park resident Peter Chimenti, who has served in the Garden City Park Fire Department for 34 years, will go up against Commissioner Augustine Carnevale, a New Hyde Park resident who is serving in his 12th year as a commissioner.
Albertson Water District Commissioner Richard Ockovic, who has been a volunteer firefighter for 37 years and a resident of Albertson since 1964, is running uncontested.
Both the Albertson Water District and Garden City Park Fire and Water District commissioner terms are for three years.
Chimenti has known Carnevale for over 34 years but is now opposing Carnevale because he feels it is a time for change.
“It’s time to get new blood in there,” Chimenti said.
Chimenti, who is a former fire chief of the Garden City Park Fire Department, said it is his leadership that will make him a successful commissioner.
“My experience as a firefighter, my positions as a leader and manager, and my integrity, are the qualities needed to be an effective commissioner,” Chimenti said.
Chimenti retired from the NYPD as a sergeant in 2006 and now works for the MTA’s Department of Security as a special inspector.
“I’m not naive to how businesses operate,” Chimenti said.
Carnevale, who currently works for Ready Mix concrete in Brooklyn, said he wants to complete the work he has already begun.
As commissioner, Carnevale said he refurbished five of the six water pumps in the district with new filters, something he said is vital.
“Long Island water is particularly susceptible to contaminants,” he said. “I think we’re ahead of the curve.”
In the next three years Carnevale plans to refurbish the final water pump, he said, something he expects will cost around $2 million.
“I really care for this community,” Carnevale said. “It’s important to have clean drinking water.”
He said the district purchased two new fire trucks and two new ambulances.
Chimenti said he wants to scrutinize the way the district purchases new equipment.
“I want to keep costs down while also buying the highest quality equipment,” he said. “I have a lot of new ideas to work with the district.”
The election will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 9.
Residents who are registered voters and live within the Garden City Park Fire/Water District area, which includes parts of Manhasset Hills, parts of New Hyde Park, parts of Mineola, parts of North Hills, parts of Roslyn, parts of Williston Park, parts of Albertson and parts of Garden City can vote at either Denton Avenue School at 1050 Denton Ave. or at Garden City Park Fire Department headquarters at 2264 Jericho Turnpike.
Ockovix, who served as a police officer in the NYPD for 30 years and as a detective for 24 of those years, said he enjoys serving as commissioner of the Albertson Water District.
“I like serving people,” he said.
Ockovix he would like to remain as one of the three water commissioners and said his work is not done.
“I will continue to keep costs down on water,” he said.
Ockovix said one way to reduce costs is to replace equipment in the district which currently suffers from old age.
“The meters just go bad,” he said. “We can more accurately determine water usage with new equipment.”
Ockovix said that much of the equipment is meant to last 10-15 years and is currently about 13 years old.
Ockovix said he plans to replace water mains in the district as well, some of which have been operating since the 1960s.
“We plan to replace a water main on Mckinley Avenue,” he said. “The main on that street is original, it may be over 100 years old.
The election will be held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Registered voters of the Albertson Water District, which includes Searingtown, Albertson and parts of Roslyn Heights can vote at the Albertson Firehouse on 100 I.U. Willets Road.
Reach reporter Bryan Ahrens by e-mail at bahrens@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
