Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), of which Massapequa Water District Commissioner Thomas P. Hand serves a
s president, recently held a special training session hosted by Westbury Water District Commissioners Vincent Abbatiello, Kenneth O. Jones and William C. Olson, that was led by Municipal Law Expert Michael F. Ingham, Esq. of Farmingdale-based Carman, Callahan & Ingham LLP, who addressed the topic of “Water Commissioner Management Powers and Responsibilities.”
Focusing on the legal duties and powers of elected commissioners, Ingham began with a historical perspective that included a discussion of the Kirkland Act. He then discussed the powers of water commissioners set forth in Town Law 215 and a special state statute empowering local water districts set forth in the Nassau County Civil Divisions Act. The training also included subjects to be conducted in executive sessions and the requirement that work sessions be open to the public. The subsequent question and answer session brought discussion of several interrelated topics, including Long Island’s sole source aquifer.
“This is the latest installment of our Continuing Education and Training Series,” said Hand. “The hands on training sessions delve into important governance issues that concern all commissioners and professional personnel from commissioner-elected water districts. Mr. Ingham’s extensive field knowledge and ability to interpret complex laws and regulations in a simplified way that could be easily absorbed was greatly appreciated by all attendance.”
