MARCH 14, 2006, FARMINGVILLE, NY – A meeting Tuesday between FAA and Brookhaven Town officials has resulted in the immediate release of $450,000 for work at Brookhaven Calabro Airport, and with the long severed relationship between the town and the FAA repaired, much more federal money will be made available to the town for airport projects.

The FAA has not given Brookhaven Town a penny for more than three years because of the failure of previous administrations to do the groundwork necessary to get FAA grant funding.  Supervisor Brian X. Foley hailed the new relationship with the FAA and said it will save Brookhaven Town taxpayers millions of dollars.

“The fractured relationship between the town and the FAA has cost Brookhaven Town taxpayers millions in federal funding for airport projects, and it has endangered pilots and passengers using the town’s airport facilities,” said Supervisor Foley. “That is entirely inexcusable. This administration is committed to creating the finest general aviation facilities possible while saving taxpayers unnecessary expense, and that’s exactly what this new commitment to the FAA has accomplished.”

Jim LaCarrubba, commissioner of the town’s Department of Aviation and Transportation, met Tuesday with three FAA officials in an attempt to revive the long dormant relationship between the town and FAA. Mr. LaCarrubba said the FAA officials needed to understand that the Foley administration is committed to developing the finest general aviation facilities possible while coming into full compliance with all FAA regulations.

“They wanted to know that we were committed to excellence, not making shallow promises,” said Mr. LaCarrubba. “We told them we are going to rebuild the relationship and they told us they would be there for us. They are looking forward to working with us.”

Mr. LaCarrubba said that the FAA officials at the meeting—New York Manager Otto Suriani, airport engineer Dan Vornea and airport planner Jose Moreno— agreed to release $450,000 for a project to clear obstructions bordering runways. Airport officials had received a grant for such a project from the FAA in 2000, according to Mr. LaCarrubba, but never followed through. That led to the complete breakdown of the relationship between the town and the FAA, he said.

The FAA grant money now available to the town will be substantial. Mr. LaCarrubba said the town received $12 million in FAA funding from 1982 and 2003, an average of more than a half million dollars a year. In the last three years, no money has been received from the FAA.

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Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6955 • Fax (631) 451-6677
www.Brookhaven.org