Politics in Play as Village Postpones Nov. 17 LIPA Town Hall Meeting

The  LIPA Task Force agreed on Friday morning to put off an informational town hall meeting set for Nov. 17 until further information can be obtained from LIPA and the political situation in Albany is cemented.

"It was agreed this morning that the meeting should be postponed until after the New Year," Mayor Margot Garant said. "The Village task force meets with LIPA on Monday and we will navigate through the information that we collect as we continue to meet with the major stakeholders."

Mayor Garant said that the task force is also waiting to see how the new administration in Albany and a possible change of the guard in the New York State Senate affects the issue before they make any major moves.

"More time will help determine the outcome of the still-shaping new administration in Albany and any policies that will be established," she said.

School board member Dennis Kahn said at Monday's board meeting that it might be in the best interest of the Village to wait until new politicians are sworn in to make any decisions on the LIPA issue.

"Things have changed a little bit," said Kahn who is head of the board's LIPA committee. "It's a nicer situation. Probably not as bad as we have thought."

Republican State Senator Kenneth LaValle has committed to stand with the residents of Port Jefferson and if his party takes control of the New York State Senate that may bode well for the Village, according to Kahn. Senator LaValle has already met with the LIPA task force to discuss the situation.

"Senator LaValle and the two other Republican State Senators including Senator Dean Skelos-who likely would be the Senate Majority leader-have similar power plants in their districts," said Mark Doyle, vice president of the school board.

According to Doyle, if the political balance shifted toward their party then the Republican state senators would then have more power to help Port Jefferson concerning the LIPA issue.

"They would be naturally more effective if they are part of the majority," said Doyle. "We also have the support of Assemblyman Steve Englebright who is part of the Democratic majority in the Assembly."

With three races still undecided, there's also the possibility that power will be split.

"I am still not sure that the three outstanding races will be decided in a way that gives the Republicans the majority," said Doyle. "There is a chance there will be a 31-31 tie."

No matter who is in power, Doyle was clear on what he thought was the best political solution.

"A long-term plan for the repowering of the power plant and stable revenue to Port Jefferson would be the best possible outcome for the community," he said.

Mayor Garant said that Democrat Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo is also a welcome presence in Albany.

"We now have a Governor who has an energy plan and is ready to get to work," she said. "I've read his energy plan as a platform piece and he's supportive of repowering and also of streamlining the administration-thus the potential merger of NYPA and LIPA."

The Village LIPA Task Force seems confident that both sides of the political aisle are poised to help Port Jefferson navigate the issue.

"We have met with Englebright, LaValle and representatives from Gillibrand's office," said Mayor Garant. "All agreed the election was a critical component of solving this problem and that the new administration will play a critical role in the outcome of this matter."

During the school board meeting Kahn said that the town may still feel a little bit of pain but was reassured by the fact that the town has come together over the issue.

"It's very rare that we see all of Port Jefferson get together," Kahn said. "The Board of Education. The Village. We've seen tremendous support from both sides of the aisle."

Even though the task force postponed the Nov. 17 meeting, it's continuing to work with LIPA and all elected officials and they're keeping the public informed along the way.

"We plan to make information available to the community next week and on an ongoing basis," said Doyle. "As always, we encourage community members to attend village and school board meetings to ask questions, voice concerns, and share ideas."