Mayor Daniel H. Serota

Hello Neighbors and Friends --
It seems that every year Brookville gets busier than the year before. This year to date, there have been a number of important topics that I felt residents would want to know about. That’s why, in August, I sent an “update” letter to everyone. Check out the pages of the Newsletter Fall issue, for more information on many of the topics.    
   It’s officially Fall, and that means many things around Brookville. First of all, our children are back in school. So, I caution you to “drive like your kids live here!” To that end, I’m pleased to report that our Chief, Ken Lack applied for and received a Safety Grant that enabled the Department to purchase (at no cost to residents) four compact, but very easy to move, Mobility Speed Alert Signs. Lightweight, compact and easy to move, these signs can be quickly updated with messaging to reflect up-to-the-minute events in our Village. For example, if there is an accident on Rte 107, we can warn of traffic delays ahead. And because they are mobile, they can be used throughout our four-village police department.  
   As I think we all know, it is rare to have a traffic fatality in our Village. We can go years without having one. That’s why it is all the more shocking that we would have two motorcycle fatalities within a month of one another — on Rte 107 at Hemlock and the second one on Northern Blvd. by LIU Post. Initial reports on each, is that reckless driving was involved, but let it be a reminder that “safety is no accident.” 
   In the name of “Safety,” I ask all of you to continue to be diligent about your homes and property. Although our Brookville Police have done an extraordinary job of reducing “crimes of opportunity” in the Village, they need your help, too. So keep your key fobs out of the car, lock your doors, set your alarms and be sure to call 911 if you see anything out of the ordinary. (See P8 of the newsletter.) 
   October is still hurricane season (in fact it is still the height of the storm season.) As global temperatures continue to rise, more deadly weather patterns are often the result and stronger hurricanes seem to be a part of this change. Make sure you and your family are prepared as the best response for a hurricane is always a good advance plan. And if you don’t have a generator, now is the time to consider one.  Because Brookville is considered a “low density population” village, the Utilities respond to other more densely populated areas first. That can mean long and 
frustrating delays until we get our services back.
   Speaking of weather, some of the summer rain storms we’ve had were nothing short of horrific. In a few cases, the rain came down so intensely and quickly, it was impossible for storm drains all over Long Island to keep up... (Brookville included) resulting in extreme flooding on the roads, and unfortunately, on a number of homeowner properties. Tim Dougherty, our Village Building Inspector, says he now dreads the big rain storms more than hurricanes because of the damage they inflict. 
   LUHI Schools had their official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for their new Classroom Wing. 
   Stay safe. Drive safe. Be safe.