Kaminetsky runs for commissioner unopposed

Valley Stream resident Irving Kaminetsky is running unopposed for another five-year term as commissioner of Sanitary District 1. He has been a commissioner for 40 years and is running for his ninth term.

He assists with budgeting and oversees general operations. The district’s Board of Commissioners also includes, Frank Argento Harry Beltrani, James Vilardi, and Lino Viola. George Pappas is the district superintendent.

“As commissioner, I want to do my best to keep taxes low and maximize the service we provide to residents,” Kaminetsky said. “I enjoy what I do and I enjoy taking care of people’s needs.”

The district is responsible for providing solid waste collection, recycling, transfer and disposal services to more than 50,000 residents and businesses in Cedarhurst, Hewlett, Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck, Inwood, Lawrence, Woodmere, Woodsburgh and portions of the unincorporated areas of Lynbrook and Green Acres. The district collects roughly 39,000 tons of waste per year. There are two garbage pickups per week and recyclables are collected on alternating Wednesdays.

Established in January of 1929, District No. 1 initially burned trash in an open-pit incinerator. The contemporary Materials Recovery Facility uses both manual and mechanical methods. The district’s facility was built in 1995, to meet the state’s requirement that recyclable materials be separated from municipal waste. 

The facility operates 10 hours per day, five days a week. There are more than 100 employees.

District residents can vote for commissioner on Monday, July 8 from 6 to 10 p.m., at 1 Bay Blvd. in Lawrence.