Project Clean Sweep: Downtown Oyster Bay

Quick Glimpse of Downtown Oyster Bay:

We have all noticed the state of the downtown: the overflowing garbage cans, the loose garbage, and the dirty sidewalks and streets.  Numerous editorials have been written about the state of our downtown, some calling it a "sorry site" and still others comparing parts of it to a third world country.  Letters from concerned citizens have pointed out that "the filth, trash/garbage on the ground [and] under the trash receptacles is prolific"  and that spotted attempts to clean the downtown have not had an impact - as one resident put it, "doing it once is like spit in the ocean."

In response to this, the Oyster Bay Main Street Association is looking to fill a recently created part-time position within the organization through our Clean Sweep Initiative.  We are looking to hire an individual to work twice a week, or as needed, to get the garbage in this downtown under control.  The job description is as follows:

If you, or anybody you know, are looking for a summer job and are interested in learning more please contact Executive Director, Meredith Maus, by phone: 516.922.6982 or by email: mamaus@oysterbaymainstreet.org.

Energy Efficiency Programs & Financing Info Session

Attention all Homeowners, 

Small Business Owners, & Non-profits!

Are your monthly energy bills getting out of hand? 

Here are the facts:

Now learn how you can take advantage of these programs and receive similar results!

Free of Charge, Please RSVP to:

Meredith Maus, Executive Director of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association

516.922.6982 or Mamaus@oysterbaymainstreet.org

Earth Day in Oyster Bay: Plus things You can do Everyday

How Can You Help and Get Involved?

Image courtesy of www.sustainablefurnishings.org

On the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day it is important we take a moment to consider how we might get involved in taking care of our planet.  The concept of taking care of a whole planet can be overwhelming, but you can make a difference by getting involved on a local level, right here in Oyster Bay.  Stealing a sentiment here from Theodore Roosevelt's 1906 Fourth of July speech, "The way to be good citizens of this nation, you friends here, is to be good citizens of Oyster Bay."

ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

There are many organizations you can get involved with that are working to clean up our harbor, beaches and our streets for the benefit of all.  Below are some different activities, volunteer opportunities and programs you may want to involve yourself in sponsored by the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Environmental Resources, Friends of the Bay, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), and PSEG-LI:


-  Coming up this Saturday, April 25th there will be a Harbor & Beach Clean Up Co-sponsored by the Town of Oyster Bay, Friends of the Bay, and the North Oyster Bay Baymen Association.  To learn more about volunteering Call: 516-677-5943

-  The Town of Oyster Bay's Department of Environmental Resources installed a rain garden near the waterfront to help mitigate the negative effects of storm water runoff.  To learn more about the garden click here.  The Department will assist students with volunteer and scouting projects in creating and building rain gardens.  For more information call (516) 677-5853. 

- TOB also has several other programs you can be involved in including Water Quality Monitoring, GeesePeace program, and multiple outreach programs.  To learn more about programs offered through the Town click here.

- Friends of the Bay also has many volunteer opportunities year round for those interested.  To get involved visit their website: www.friendsofthebay.org.

- The Oyster Bay Main Street Association will also be hiring an individual twice a week to clean up around the downtown - sweeping up loose debris on our streets and in our parking lots.  If you know anybody who is interested please have them contact Executive Director, Meredith Maus, 516-922-6982 or by email, mamaus@oysterbaymainstreet.org.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY - OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE YOU MONEY

Outside of volunteering and helping to clean up our ecosystem there is something we can each do to ensure that our homes and our businesses are efficiently using energy or in some cases, producing energy.

- NYSERDA is offering free energy audits to non-profits and businesses with 10 employees or less through their Small Commercial Energy Efficiency Program.  Energy assessments can help small businesses and not-for-profit organizations make informed electrical energy decisions and implement energy-efficiency strategies. Assessments help identify economically viable improvements that yield substantial annual energy savings.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact Elisabeth Fiteni, NYSERDA Regional Outreach Coordinator at 631-471-1215 x166 or by email: efiteni@cdcli.org.

- NYSERDA is also offering through their Small Commercial Energy Efficiency Program two low-interest loan options to finance energy efficiency projects.  These financing opportunities help small businesses and not-for-profits access upfront capital to make upgrades in their buildings to improve energy efficiency and lower their energy bills.  For more information visit: http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Small-Business-Financing or Contact Elisabeth Fiteni at the contact info above.

- PSEG-LI is also cooperating with NYSERDA in a solar program, The NY-Sun Incentive Program.  This program is open to residents and small businesses and provides funding to help reduce the cost of installing solar electric systems across New York State.  Click here to learn more about how to participate in this program.

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The Oyster Bay Main Street Association and the Chamber of Commerce would be happy to arrange a public information session regarding these programs if individuals are interested in learning more.  If you are interested, please send a quick email stating as much to mamaus@oysterbaymainstreet.org.

Happy Earth Day!