FEBRUARY 25, 2008, FARMINGVILLE, NY – Brookhaven Councilwoman Connie Kepert and Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley announced that $1 million of the Caithness Host Community Benefit Agreement funds are being donated to the North Bellport Boys & Girls Club for construction of a new Community Center for youth in the North Bellport area. The funds are part of a $200 million in financial benefits -- $185 million going to local school districts in payments in lieu of taxes and a $15 million community benefit package -- that will fund a variety of important projects for the surrounding communities. These benefits accrued as part of the negotiations leading to the construction of this state-of-the-art power generating facility in Yaphank.

Attending the presentation are: Adults (L to R): Connie Kepert, Brian Foley, Eileen Green, Tracie Van Dina, Delis Montanez Remien, Patricia Maurice, Diane Zanazzi, & Herman Washington. Children (L to R): Marquis Stewart, Minaya Winn, Christopher Clark, Lakesha Houpe, Talaya Guirantes, Nyaja Guirantes, Jessica Miller, & DJ Reed

Regarding the donation and the new Community Center Ms. Kepert said, “I am very happy for the young people of North Bellport. They will finally have a place where they can learn, exercise, and be safe at the same time, something most children in this area sadly cannot do today.”

Of all of the hard fought benefits negotiated on behalf of her constituents in connection with the Caithness Host Community Benefit Agreement, Ms. Kepert believes that the $1 million, which will help to construct the new Community Center for the children of North Bellport, will have the greatest positive impact on it’s respective community.

The new Boys and Girls Club will allow the children of North Bellport to exercise their mind and body in a safe secure facility. The new structure will have an indoor basketball court, a play area for younger children, classrooms for tutoring, a computer learning center, conference rooms, an indoor and outdoor theatre, and it will all eventually be connected to the Robert Rowley town park which is located several hundred yards behind the club

Supervisor Foley, speaking about the Caithness project and the money being donated to the Boys and Girls Club said, ““The construction of the Caithness plant in South Yaphank will mean cheaper, cleaner energy for Brookhaven Town and Long Island, and the benefits package that is part of the plan will provide much needed support for local school districts, and a variety of other community benefits, such as this one in North Bellport. It’s a win, win situation.”