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DP Fire officials call for assurances on traffic mitigation plans near Tanger Mall project
"We are not taking the position that we oppose the project," said Anthony Macaluso, a member of the Deer Park Board of Fire Commissioners. "We just want everyone to realize that there is a big issue here and that the answers have to be in place before we move forward. Without assurances that roads will be widened and other projects will be completed, we could very well be left with impassable roadways from a shopping center that will draw hundreds of thousands of cars a year." At this point, proposals include improvement to roads in both Babylon and Huntington, and along state roadways including the Sagtikos Parkway and Long Island Expressway. None of those projects are finalized, however, and at best are years away from completion, if approved. Town of Babylon has also raised the possibility of opening trolley line service to the mall, all in an effort to reduce traffic congestion. In addition, Macaluso said the fire department has not even been included in many of the meetings being held to discuss these issues. Case in point: The Suffolk County DPW scheduled a meeting for this week to review traffic mitigation measures for the area. Deer Park Fire officials were not on the list of those invited, and it was only after a call from a reporter to a county official that the fire district was notified. According to S.C. Leg. Steve Stern, however, his office has and will continue to ensure that Deer Park Fire officials are kept abreast of all issues relating to the numerous projects under review. "Initially we had a meeting scheduled right at the firehouse," he said. "So I am surprised that fire officials are saying that they were not included." "These are legitimate concerns that we can't ignore and I share them with fire officials and others," said S. C. Leg. Lou D'Amaro in addressing Macaluso's points. "The reality is, however, that we have to complete the studies and get past them before we can move toward making any kind of a commitment, and that takes time." Stern, agreed too, that communication and persistence is the order of the day. "There is no doubt that we need a comprehensive traffic plan in place not just for Deer Park but for the entire area," said Stern. "And our first responders have to be made part of the process for the entire area." He added that millions of dollars have been allocated to infrastructure improvement studies. That, said Stern, is indicative of the political commitment already made to the projects. Macaluso said that the only way to reach the point where everyone is on the same page is to hold a meeting "where the powers that be from the town, state, county and federal government sit around one table, review all of the proposals and come up with a master plan to get things done" said Macaluso. "We don't want to be sitting here in a few years with nothing but traffic problems and broken promises." "Certainly traffic is an issue in Deer Park, as it is across Long Island," said Babylon Town Fire Mar- shal Gil Hanse. "But one of the things we have going with the Tanger project is that it is in the midst of an industrial area. The hours people will be coming and going to work is different from the hours people generally shop." The Tanger Mall project was approved by the Town of Babylon after numerous, lengthy and controversial meetings that resulted in major changes, scaling down its size and upgrading its design. At that time, the Deer Park Fire District made numerous suggestions to improve the project and ensure it is safe, said Vanessa Baird-Streeter, a spokesperson for the Town of Babylon. "Except for the changes they suggested to the roads, all of their concerns were addressed by the developer," she said. The center will be a 92,000 square foot retail outlet on 81 acres on Grand Boulevard, off of Commack road. The site is adjacent to another retail center which includes a supermarket, Home Depot and a restaurant. The Deer Park Fire District, like all other taxing entities in Deer Park will receive a significant tax benefit from the center, money that can be used to purchase new and additional equipment needed to address the increased demands on service it will generate. Macaluso said all of that is fine, but that money is not the only issue. "If we can't get the volunteers from their homes to the firehouse in a timely manner because of traffic and it takes longer for an ambulance or fire truck to get to a call, then the best equipment in the world really doesn't matter," he said. "Minutes lost could mean the difference between life and death," said Jack Coughlin, a Deer Park resident and civic leader who has raised numerous questions about the Tanger project since it was first introduced three years ago. The department currently handles 2,300 rescue calls a year and has moved to enhancing its rescue squad with a paid crew to keep up with the demand for service. Deer Park fire officials will be at the meeting this week, and hope to get more information about what will be done to ensure that Deer Park's roadways are passable once Tanger opens.
"Everyone (state, county and town), is going to benefit from this project, so everyone should be working to solve the problems it will raise," said Macaluso.
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