BILL NUMBER: S7707

SPONSOR: MURRAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as the "Medford FD Commissioner Niel Marturiel-
lo Memorial Bridge"

 
PURPOSE:

To designate a portion of the state highway system as the Medford FD
Commissioner Niel Marturiello Memorial Bridge.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends highway law by adding a new section 344-p to rename the
bridge on Horseblock Road in the town of Brookhaven that crosses Inter-
state Route 495 as the "Medford FD Commissioner Niel Marturiello Memori-
al Bridge."

Section 2 directs the commissioner of transportation to install and
              

maintain adequate signage as is designated by this act. It also clari-
fies that the renaming of the bridge is ceremonial in nature and the
official name shall remain unchanged to avoid confusion and limit
disruption in commerce.

Section 3 provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Niel Marturiello who was a decorated war hero, Purple Heart Medal recip-
ient and National Medal of Honor recipient was a fixture in Medford and
beloved by his community. He served the Medford community in numerous
capacities throughout his distinguished lifetime.

Notably, through his volunteer service and eventually leadership roles
in the Medford Fire Department beginning in 1972 and lasting for over
fifty years, he demonstrated self-sacrifice and a tireless work ethic
time and again. Over the course of his service at the fire department,
he was a multi-term Fire Commissioner, Honorary Chief and President and
was given life member status.

Niel Marturiello had other leadership roles in the community outside of
the fire department. They include service as the Medford Chamber of
Commerce's President and SSG Keith Bishop VFW Post 2937. He received
over seventy-five additional distinguished awards that stemmed from his
service to his community at the Medford Fire Department and in other
volunteer organizations including the VFW, American Legion John R.
Cacioppo Post 1848, Chamber of Commerce and through his involvement in
local government.

Niel Marturiello also responded to and participated in the September
11th rescue efforts, lending his steel-cutting skills to assist with the
search and rescue operations in the subways.

It is fitting that this bridge located in the heart of Medford be memo-
rialized in Niel Marturiello's honor as it will serve as a reminder to
all who travel this bridge of the selfless dedication that he had for
his hometown. This act will honor his memory and forever celebrate the
indelible mark he made through a lifetime of volunteerism and public
service at the fire department and throughout the community over the
years.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediate.