Plandome Road is transitioning from cesspools to a newly installed sewer line and after six years of planning, the first business has connected to it.
“I think we’re going to be happy to not have to think about a cesspool when we open,” Town Animal Hospital of Manhasset co-owner Robert Eisbruck said.
The Plandome Road sewer line runs along the length of the street, which has 182 storefronts eligible to hook up to it. According to the town, 48 property owners representing 106 of the 182 eligible stores signed agreements for the project’s grant program.
Plans for the Plandome Road sewer line began in 2019 with a feasibility study. In 2023, the North Hempstead Town Board approved funding for the project.
The project was funded through $3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, federal funds in response to the covid-19 pandemic often referred to as ARPA. Another $5 million state grant secured by then-state Assembly Member Gina Sillitti (D–Port Washington) and then-state Sen. Anna Kaplan (D-North Hills).
The first phase of the project, installing the sewer line, was completed in October last year.
The project has been a collaborative effort between the Town of North Hempstead, the Manhasset Civic Association, the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce and the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District.
“I’m thrilled to see this work commence because it’s the fruition of so much hard work by The Manhasset Chamber of Commerce, New York State and the Town of North Hempstead,” Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. “It’s a tangible step in making Manhasset cleaner and greener and will even increase property values. It’s a win all around.”
The first business to connect to the sewer line is the soon-to-come Town Animal Hospital of Manhasset at 260 Plandome Road, owned by husband and wife Robert and Melissa Eisbruck who plan to open it in the next month.
As the incoming business was new construction, Robert Eisbruck said they were urged to connect to the sewer line.
Businesses had until the end of 2024 to file a permit to connect to the sewer line. The Eisbrucks said they filed their permit in November and received final approval at the end of May. In just a two-week period over the end of July and early August, the connection was completed.
Eisbruck said there are benefits that made them happy to seek out this option.
These benefits included environmental sustainability, as septic tanks can cause problems like groundwater and surface water contamination. Another benefit was being able to connect amid construction, preventing their business from closing in the future to connect at a later date after opening.
While there were benefits, the Eisbrucks said there were also drawbacks – citing a difficult and costly process. Robert Eisbruck called the project cost a “substantial undertaking.”
“We’re just a husband and wife doing this business,” Melissa Eisbruck said. “…And this is sort of our life savings that we’re putting into this. It had been extremely costly.”
Businesses eligible to hook up to the sewer line also have access to grant funding from the town to cover a portion of the costs.
These grants are estimated to total $29,197.48 per connection if all storefronts that applied go through with the work. If fewer stores connect, then more money will be available.
The Eisbrucks estimated the grant would reimburse them about a quarter to a third of the money they spent on the sewer line connection.
While the grants can cover some of the costs, Robert Eisbruck said they are hopeful the cost savings of not having a septic tank to pump out in the future will also counter the high price.
The town will also cover the cost of the street and sidewalk repair.
The Eisbrucks’ next steps are to tie up the final loose ends of construction before opening, including installing toilets to utilize the new sewer line.
