Sanitary Sewer Backups
I have been asked by Director of Public Works Robert J. Mangan to call residents attention to the fact that the village is experiencing a number of sewer backups, resulting from a build-up of household grease. Please cooperate with the village by disposing of your cooking oil and grease by pouring them into a can and once solidified, placing them into the trash to be picked up by the sanitation department. Apparently, a number of residents have been pouring this material directly into their household drain lines, causing the problem.
Hot liquid grease and oil drain well out of the house line, however, once it reaches the street line, it cools and solidifies on the pipe walls, eventually causing a blockage. Once this blockage occurs, the sewer backs up into the lowest house line, forcing sewage material to flow up into the basement waste fixtures, (i.e., sink, showers, etc.). The results are extremely unpleasant and the restoration costs are high.
Restaurants are also asked to continue to have your grease traps regularly serviced and the grease removed by licensed haulers.
If you experience a sewer blockage, please call the department of public works at 516-465-4020 before calling for a plumber, as the blockage may not be in your houseline. The end result could be a substantial savings to you, the homeowner.
Fire Department News
As the winter chill has hit us, and sometimes our heating systems break down at the most in opportune times; which can cause incomplete combustion of fuels and increased levels of carbon monoxide in your home or business. We remind everyone that is the law to have working carbon monoxide detectors in all homes and businesses. Amanda’s Law was named in honor of Buffalo, NY resident Amanda Hansen, a teenage girl who lost her life to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from a defective boiler when sleeping over at a friend’s house in January 2009.
CO alarms must be installed in all new and existing one and two-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings and rentals having any fuel-burning appliance, system or attached garage. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends CO alarms be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. In addition, effective Jan. 1, CO alarms are now required in commercial establishments.
Where a fire alarm system is maintained within an existing occupancy, the carbon monoxide alarm / detection devices shall be installed and interconnected to the existing fire alarm systems. These devices shall be installed by a New York State-licensed alarm company and shall have a letter sent to the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office on the installer’s letterhead verifying their installation and meeting the requirements of the Nassau County Fire Prevention Ordinance
Where an existing occupancy does not maintain a fire alarm system, the carbon monoxide alarm/detection devices shall be installed and shall be permitted to be UL listed (or equivalent listing agency) plug in type devices or solely battery operated devices. CO alarms should be replaced every five years in order to benefit from the latest technology and upgrades. Also the carbon monoxide sensors inside the alarm unit can wear out over time.
Remember, carbon monoxide is an odor-less, color-less gas. If your detector activates, immediately leave the area, and contact the fire department for a response by dialing 516-746-2800.
Board Of Trustees Meeting Schedule
The next regularly scheduled board of trustees meetings will be on Thursday, Feb. 5 and on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. I encourage all residents to attend board of trustees meetings so as to be thoroughly informed of village issues from a first-hand perspective. Although the budget process is on-going, the first budget presentation and tour of the village facilities will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7.
