Former County Legislator who Co-Authored Reform Initiatives
At Water Authority Named to Second Term
The Suffolk County Legislature on Tuesday voted unanimously to reappoint Jane Devine to a second term on the Suffolk County Water Authority Board.
Devine was reappointed by an 18-0 vote at the Legislature’s regular meeting in Hauppauge. According to Board Chairman James F. Gaughran, Devine has been a key board member in implementing a series of reform measures that have made the Authority more efficient, transparent and environmentally-conscious than ever before.
“Jane has proven to be a tremendous asset to us, and the Suffolk County Water Authority is fortunate to have her back for a second term,” said Gaughran.
“Jane is an engaged and effective board member who helps us to achieve our goal of being as efficient and environmentally-friendly an operation as possible,” said Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo.
“We are very fortunate to have someone like Jane Devine serving on the Suffolk County Water Authority Board,” said Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer, who sponsored the bill to reappoint Devine. “Jane brings her years of experience as a former legislator and community leader to the position and the consumers will continue to be well served by her reappointment to the Board. It was my honor to sponsor the resolution to appoint her for another term.”
Devine, a county legislator from 1978 through 1987, has a long and distinguished career in public service. She has served on the Huntington Town Planning Board and as commissioner of the Consumer Affairs department of Suffolk County. Additionally, she has served as a member of Huntington Town’s Consumer Protection Board and as consultant to the New York State Consumer Protection Board.
Shortly after her initial appointment to the SCWA Board in 2007, Devine co-sponsored a series of resolutions aimed at creating a culture of thrift, openness and accountability at the Authority. Resolutions were approved that eliminated free medical, dental and optical benefits for board members; eliminated the use of Authority vehicles by members of the board; eliminated the use of Authority credit cards by members of the board and certain personnel; ordered a review of the usage and costs associated with providing Authority vehicles to certain employees for commuting and other purposes; ordered the installation of GPS technology in all Authority vehicles; and required that the SCWA seal be permanently affixed to all Authority vehicles.
Additional resolutions required the prominent posting of board meeting agendas and meetings on the Authority’s website; required the submittal of monthly financial reports to board members and the subsequent posting of such reports on the website; required the development of annual organizational goals and objectives and regular updates to be submitted to board members; and required the posting of job openings at the Authority to be prominently posted on the website.
“The work is important and challenging, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue serving the public,” said Devine.
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.