As seen in the Bethpage Newsgram March 24, 2023
Month: March 2023
Dina Scott, CPA, Joins the NYGFOA Long Island Regional Council and LIWC Business Practices Committee
Plainview, New York—The Plainview Water District is proud to announce that its Business Manager, Dina Scott, CPA, has recently been appointed to the New York State Government Finance Officers Association’s (NYGFOA) Long Island Regional Council as well as Co-Chair of the Long Island Water Conference (LIWC) Business Practice Committee. Dina was asked to play a role in both of these well-respected organizations due to her depth of governmental financial and accounting experience.
“The Plainview Water District team is extremely proud of Dina’s great achievements and know these organizations will both benefit immensely by tapping into her years of experience,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “This recognition is very well deserved and speaks volumes to what she has been able to accomplish here on behalf of the Plainview-Old Bethpage community. Her vast knowledge will be a great asset to both the Long Island Water Conference and the New York State Government Finance Officers Association.”
The LIWC’s Business Practices Committee aims to serve as a resource to Long Island’s water providers as they navigate through new waves of state and federal grant funding. Mrs. Scott will serve as Co-Chair of the committee, providing guidance and expertise to local water providers with regards to grant management as well as compliance with many of the complex requirements included as part of grant administration. Her extensive expertise in this area and success in securing more than $34 million in grants for the Plainview Water District makes her an invaluable asset to the organization—especially as new government funding streams continue to become available.
The New York Government Finance Officers’ Association is a not-for-profit professional membership organization and is composed of more than 1,110 public and private sector government finance professionals throughout New York State. The Long Island Regional Council is elected by the membership of the NYGFOA to serve their respective region and is made up of regional industry leaders in the sector. The goal of the Council is to ensure best practices are being used throughout Long Island, while providing support and assistance to local government financial professionals.
Ms. Scott has been a member of the NYGFOA for over 18 years. In 2022, she was part of the Advisory Board to the Long Island Regional Council. This year, she will serve on the Long Island Regional Council alongside the other leading financial governmental professionals across Long Island.
Dina Scott, CPA, joined the Plainview Water District in 2017 to assume the role as Business Manager. Ms. Scott uses her more than 18 years of experience in governmental accounting and auditing to oversee all budgetary and financial operations of the District and provides guidance on all related matters. Prior to joining the District, Dina was a supervisor for a well-respected accounting firm where she specialized in governmental audit and accounting services for local municipalities, including local water providers. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from St. Joseph’s College.
Customers of the Plainview Water District are also encouraged to sign up to receive District updates by visiting www.plainviewwater.org and also follow the Plainview Water District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainviewwater.
Testing must be facilitated annually by a certified backflow tester
Plainview, New York—With spring quickly approaching and residents getting started on projects in their yards and gardens, the Plainview Water District would like to remind homeowners to have their backflow prevention devices tested. Backflow prevention devices protect the public water supply from external contaminants such as lawn fertilizers. Testing these devices to ensure they are functioning properly before the high-demand irrigation season begins is vitally important to protect our water quality.
“Annual testing and maintenance of backflow devices when home sprinkler systems come back online plays a huge role in ensuring high-quality water continues to flow to the homes and businesses we serve,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind “Additionally, for your protection, the Plainview Water District encourages customers to inquire if a tester is both licensed and insured.”
Backflow prevention devices keep potentially contaminated water out of the public water supply in the event that pressure drops due to fire emergencies, water-main breaks or other unexpected instances of differential pressure. Testing is particularly important before irrigation systems are turned back on and is often the most economical time to have the test performed.
“The PWD has always stressed the importance of taking preventative measures within your home, as it is impossible to predict an emergency,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “We ask that everyone take part in backflow testing as it is best to be prepared for any possible situation that may arise and can cause an adverse effect on our community’s water supply.”
To avoid potential fines, the District encourages residents to arrange for a New York State (NYS) Department of Health certified backflow tester to test your backflow prevention device to make sure it meets all mandated guidelines. The Plainview Water District has a list of New York State certified testers available on the Districts website for those residents who are unsure of who to contact. Any homeowner who has questions about having their device tested is encouraged to contact the District to learn more about the process.
“All residents and businesses throughout the POB community should always do what they can to ensure that our water supply remains safe for future generations and routine backflow device testing is one way to do just that,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “We ask our community to take part in this simple action that provides a factor of safety to the health and well-being of our community.”
If you have general inquiries about your water service, please call 516-931-6469 or send an email to info@plainviewwater.org. Customers of the Plainview Water District are also encouraged to sign up to receive District updates by visiting www.plainviewwater.org and also follow the Plainview Water District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainviewwater.
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District Has Been Awarded More Than $34 Million Over the Past Six Years
Plainview, New York—The Plainview Water District was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from Nassau County as part of the American Rescue Plan Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. The funding will help with costs associated with the design of the state-of-the-art Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) treatment facility at the District’s Plant 2 located on Donna Drive. With this latest award, the Plainview Water District has now secured 10 grants, totaling more than $34 million, over the past six years.
“The Plainview Water District has always been determined in its efforts to secure additional grant funding in order to minimize the cost impact for these infrastructure investments on our residents,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “That dedication has resulted and amassed to more than $34-million in additional funding over the past six years. The Board of Commissioners is extremely proud of this great accomplishment by the entire PWD team and is grateful to our elected officials that are making these funding streams available.”
The Plainview Water District continues to execute best practices in relation to financing these projects to ensure funds are being acquired and allocated in the most efficient ways. To date, the District went to bond to finance AOP infrastructure related investments totaling $25.8 million, but has saved taxpayers $7.1 million in future debt service costs by using dedicated reserve funds to finance portions of these projects. Furthermore, the District’s efforts to secure grant funding has saved taxpayers an additional $7.8 million, for a total of $14.9 million.
“Through the committed efforts of the District, the significant amount of funding that we have been able to receive through various grant opportunities has provided a substantial positive impact on the fiscal assets of the PWD,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “The team at the Plainview Water District has remained focused over the years on ensuring our District is making significant strides in acquiring funding from grant opportunities.”
PWD currently has six AOP treatment systems in use across its service territory and has been delivering water treated for emerging contaminants ahead of the new strict water quality standards established by New York State, taking effect in 2020. These systems, when coupled with granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration tanks, are the only approved method of removing 1,4-dioxane from the public drinking water supply. Securing more than $34 million in grant funding has been crucial to absorb the substantial investment associated with constructing the required treatment facilities at impacted plant sites throughout the District.
“It has been a remarkable experience to witness the dedication of our team as they continue to seek out this additional funding for the betterment of our community,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “Our resident’s water quality remains our top priority and the District continues to execute in any efforts that will assist that mission.”
If you have general inquiries about your water service, please call 516-931-6469 or send an email to info@plainviewwater.org. Customers of the Plainview Water District are also encouraged to sign up to receive District updates by visiting www.plainviewwater.org and also follow the Plainview Water District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainviewwater.
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