Sen. Foley Announces Major Funding for Mastic Beach Dredging

$50,000 State grant secured by Foley will help Mastic Beach Property Owners Association address dredging costs

Senator Brian X. Foley (D – Blue Point) was joined by Town of Brookhaven Highway Superintendent John Rouse and members of the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association as he announced a major grant to help clean up storm drain runoff in Mastic Beach.  

Currently, the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association pays for dredging needed to combat storm water runoff coming down Town roads and into private property. The grant, secured by Foley, will not only help the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association, it will also avoid shifting the burden of dredging costs to the Town of Brookhaven.  

“I am extremely pleased to secure this grant to help the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association and the Town of Brookhaven,” said Foley, who served as the Town of Brookhaven Supervisor prior to his election to the State Senate. “This grant represents my commitment to the property owners in Mastic Beach and residents throughout Brookhaven.” 

Mastic Beach homeowners have been paying for dredging which is estimated to cost as much as $300,000. Earlier this year, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office concluded it was entirely appropriate for the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association to be d reimburse for any expenses related to the dredging since the need for dredging arose because of runoffs from Town roads.  

“This funding will be critical in our efforts to help property owners deal with the high cost of dredging,” said Brookhaven Highway Superintendent John Rouse who has worked with  the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association to expedite the dredging operations. “As an advocate for property owners in Mastic Beach, I am delighted that Senator Foley has this state grant and look forward to continuing partnering with him in helping the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association and all of our constituents.” 

The grant will be administered through the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association, a non-profit community based organization. It will target dredging in the “Section 5” are of Mastic Beach.  

Bob DeBona, president of the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association, commended Foley for securing the grant. “The Mastic Beach Property Owners Association has worked to improve our community for years and we’re grateful for elected officials like Senator Foley for providing the critical support necessary to sustain our work.”