Mark Weiss, mayor of Hewlett Harbor, said his village has begun working with consultants on how best to deal with living in a low-lying flood zone. “We’re in part a coastal community, and we’re looking at infrastructure and communications,” Weiss said. “Storm drains were also a major problem during the storm and promise to continue to be, so we’re committed to doing whatever we can to secure the community.”

Across the bridge
Atlantic Beach Mayor Stephen Mahler said he was just learning of Cuomo’s plans to designate $3 million for his village, along with more than $6 million for East Atlantic Beach. “That would be wonderful, and I hope it’s true,” Mahler said. “We have the beach and boardwalk in pretty good order. Residents were amazed that we were ready for summer, and it looks like nothing happened.”

Ocean Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue are in need of repair, Mahler said. “They take a terrible beating, especially in the summertime because those roads endure traffic that they were not intended to, along with flooding and erosion,” he said. “Repairing roads is an enormous cost. Everyone wants their roads to be perfect, but as small villages we do the best we can.”

Committee’s next move
As members of the Five Towns committee wait for the state to inform them of the next step, Block said that a civil engineer and a member of the Department of Transportation have been assigned to help the committee draft a plan and provide any resources it may need throughout the process. “We’ll be given plenty of guidance from the state,” he said. “And we’re looking to have equal representation on the committee from every segment of the Five Towns.”