PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Alan Gershuny (516) 869-7794
(Manhasset, N.Y., May 17, 2006) – North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman announced today that the Town was sponsoring an Intermunicipal Partnership Workshop on Thursday, May 25, 2006, at the Harbor Links Golf Course clubhouse facility (West Shore Road in Port Washington). In the Town of North Hempstead, there are over 100 different municipal corporations (e.g.: villages, special districts, school boards, libraries), and all have been invited to attend this Workshop.
According to Supervisor Kaiman, “The Town can save municipalities money by filling their potholes, repairing their parking lots, sweeping their curbs, and plowing their streets after a snowfall.” “Additionally,” Kaiman added, “due to economies of scale, we can reduce costs in purchasing and the provision of services.”
Supervisor Kaiman said: “This is an entirely voluntary program. What we hope to do is inform our municipalities as to how they can save money by entering into general municipal agreements with the Town.” “Once they enter into such agreements,” Kaiman said, “they can then request—if they wish—the Town to perform particular services without the Town having to bring every request before the Town Board for approval.”
The Workshop begins at 8:00 a.m. with an introductory breakfast, and then convenes into a general session where Town commissioners and department directors will provide attendees with information about what type of services each department can provide. Municipality representatives will have an opportunity to ask questions in order to further clarify their understanding of what type of services the Town can offer them.
The Town anticipates that more than 50 municipal corporations within North Hempstead will be in attendance.
State Senator Michael Balboni, a strong supporter of the concept of municipalities having the option to utilize the Town’s workforce and buying power to provide services to their residents, will be a featured speaker at the Workshop. Senator Balboni said: “Local governments across New York State are looking into cooperative ventures to maximize the value of local tax dollars. This workshop will be a great opportunity to put our heads together to come up with cost effective ways to eliminate duplication while maintaining the high quality of service residents of the Town of North Hempstead have come to expect.”
Although partnering agreements between Towns and municipalities are not new, the Town is making an unprecedented effort to bring all of the levels of government together in North Hempstead to benefit all of the Town’s residents. Kaiman said: “This is one of the most important initiatives of my administration. The Town has considerable resources at its disposal, and all of these municipalities can save their residents money if they voluntarily choose to avail themselves of our services and resources.”