D'Esposito calls for disclosure of LIPA-Island Park deal (Updated)

Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony D'Esposito

Hempstead Town councilman Anthony D'Esposito today called on County Executive Laura Curran to give the Island Park community "a seat at the table" before agreeing to cut payments by the Long Island Power authority on its E.F. Barrett power plant.

D'Esposito, a Republican from the South Shore village, said the county executive has kept Island Park "in the dark" since last January about her proposed deal to settle long standing tax challenges on the power plant  in Island Park and another power station on the North Shore in Glenwood Landing.

"I am writing as a Hempstead Town Councilman and an Island Park resident to demand that your administration provide a 'seat at the table' for members of the Island Park School District, the business community and local neighbors before proposing the ratification of any settlement agreement. They don't deserve to be blindsided with an agreement that could have devastating property tax consequences," D'Esposito wrote in a letter to Curran, a Democrat.

Newsday reported last week that Curran and LIPA were close to striking a deal to lower the $43 million in annual payments the authority makes in lieu of taxes on the Island Park plant.

Terms of Nassau's new agreement include a 47% tax reduction starting this year through 2027, compared with a 50% reduction announced in 2019, Newsday said. 

Last year, Curran proposed a deal that included a reduction in LIPA's share of taxes to the school district from $21.8 million this year to $13.9 million in 2027, Newsday said. The seven year cost for the average homeowner in the district would be $9,382, while the $24 monthly impact would jump to $203 a month by the 2026-27 school year.

The Republican-controlled Nassau Legislature has held up approval of the initial deal. 

"Island Park neighbors deserve the very same consideration that you afford all Nassau residents,"
D'Esposito wrote. "Specifically they expect, deserve and demand transparency, openness and accountability from your administration."

Update: Asked for comment, Curran spokesman Michael Fricchione said, "It must be an election year because the circus came early to the town."

Both D'Esposito and Curran are up for re-election this year.