The Suffolk County Water Authority honored Board Member Dr. Errol Toulon, Jr., following his final Board Meeting last week. Dr. Toulon, who has been a member of the Board since 2010, will be resigning his post to serve in his new position as Suffolk County Sheriff beginning in January.
During his time on the Board, Dr. Toulon supported such noteworthy initiatives as the New York State legislation that allows unpaid SCWA customer balances to be placed as liens on property tax bills, which is expected to save SCWA hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in previously uncollectable payments; SCWA’s Advanced Oxidation Process system to remove 1,4-dioxane from groundwater; and maintaining the Authority’s strong record of fiscal responsibility, helping the organization earn two AAA bond ratings in 2016.
"I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish for our ratepayers during my time on this Board," Dr. Toulon said. "It has been an incredible seven years and I would like to thank my colleagues on the Board as well as the entire SCWA staff for their hard work. My experience here has truly been one of the highlights of my career."
SCWA Board Member and Suffolk County Sheriff-Elect Dr. Errol Toulon, Jr. after his final Board meeting Thursday, December 21 with (from left) Board Member Mario Mattera, SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey W. Szabo, Board Chairman James F. Gaughran, Board Member Jane Devine and Board Secretary Patrick G. Halpin.
Before being sworn in as a member of the Board in 2010, Dr. Toulon spent more than 30 years working in the criminal justice system, and was named Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the New York City Correction Department in 2014. A two-time cancer survivor, Dr. Toulon has cited those battles as having inspired him to further dedicate his life to helping others.
"Our loss is the people of Suffolk County’s gain," SCWA Board Chairman James F. Gaughran said. "We know Errol will do a terrific job as Sheriff and we wish him well."
The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.