Joseph Ostapiuk
@jostapiuk.bsky.social
Newsday reporter covering the Town of Oyster Bay and the City of Glen Cove | ex Staten Island Advance/SILive.com
Wanted: A mayor for the Village of Bayville.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Bayville Village's mayoral race has no candidates
Mayor Steve Minicozzi had initially declined to run for a new term.
www.newsday.com
June 1, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Wanted: A mayor for the Village of Bayville.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Oyster Bay will hold a public hearing next month to eliminate a housing policy that prioritizes town residents, part of a deal to end state and federal claims of discrimination.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Oyster Bay moves to settle housing discrimination suits
Oyster Bay will hold a hearing next month to eliminate the law as part of a deal to end state and federal discrimination lawsuits.
www.newsday.com
May 7, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Oyster Bay will hold a public hearing next month to eliminate a housing policy that prioritizes town residents, part of a deal to end state and federal claims of discrimination.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My colleague and I spent months meeting with congregants, talking with experts and scanning town and city codes to understand the mechanisms at play when house of worship expansions are stymied. Here's what we found ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
2 LI mosques tried to expand. Here's how their towns blocked them.
Towns have used local zoning laws to block house of worship expansions, an issue that has grown more acute nationwide, experts said.
www.newsday.com
April 14, 2026 at 3:16 PM
My colleague and I spent months meeting with congregants, talking with experts and scanning town and city codes to understand the mechanisms at play when house of worship expansions are stymied. Here's what we found ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
A demolition crew took down the Commander Oil tanks in Oyster Bay. Here's what officials hope happens next, via @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Oyster Bay weighs future after Commander Oil tanks come down
After the demolition of its oil tanks, Oyster Bay sees potential for a developed waterfront.
www.newsday.com
March 25, 2026 at 6:03 PM
A demolition crew took down the Commander Oil tanks in Oyster Bay. Here's what officials hope happens next, via @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The Town of Oyster Bay spent millions defending itself against a federal lawsuit brought by a Bethpage mosque.
I dove into the invoices. Here's what they said, via @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️⤵️⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
I dove into the invoices. Here's what they said, via @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️⤵️⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Records: Oyster Bay's legal bill in mosque case ballooned to $7M
The town spent heavily on attorneys before ultimately approving the mosque's expansion as part of a settlement.
www.newsday.com
March 13, 2026 at 7:55 PM
The Town of Oyster Bay spent millions defending itself against a federal lawsuit brought by a Bethpage mosque.
I dove into the invoices. Here's what they said, via @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️⤵️⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
I dove into the invoices. Here's what they said, via @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️⤵️⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The City of Glen Cove has inked a four-year deal with its police union that raises the starting pay for new officers and contains average wage increases of roughly 3%.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social .
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social .
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Glen Cove raises cops' starting salaries in new contract
The city will pay academy recruits and first-year officers a salary of $50,000.
www.newsday.com
March 6, 2026 at 8:42 PM
The City of Glen Cove has inked a four-year deal with its police union that raises the starting pay for new officers and contains average wage increases of roughly 3%.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social .
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social .
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
A developer asked Glen Cove for tax breaks. The city's IDA said the project would only create one job and didn't feel it was worth a 15-year PILOT.
Months later, the developer went to Nassau County and got a 15-year deal. Here's how it unfolded.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Months later, the developer went to Nassau County and got a 15-year deal. Here's how it unfolded.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Nassau County OKs 15-year tax break after Glen Cove said no
Critics say the practice resembles "IDA shopping," in which developers play agencies off one another.
www.newsday.com
February 20, 2026 at 5:16 PM
A developer asked Glen Cove for tax breaks. The city's IDA said the project would only create one job and didn't feel it was worth a 15-year PILOT.
Months later, the developer went to Nassau County and got a 15-year deal. Here's how it unfolded.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Months later, the developer went to Nassau County and got a 15-year deal. Here's how it unfolded.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The Glen Cove City Council started a temporary private pickleball court moratorium. Officials said it will give the city time to make rules for the backyard courts.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Glen Cove bans the building of backyard pickleball courts for 3 months
The local law prohibits, for three months, residents from building pickleball courts on their property or converting any surface to play the sport.
www.newsday.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:49 PM
The Glen Cove City Council started a temporary private pickleball court moratorium. Officials said it will give the city time to make rules for the backyard courts.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
A nonprofit will be able to purchase 5 pristine acres of land in Oyster Bay Cove after the state awarded it $1.29 million for the acquisition, setting the stage for the expansion of the neighboring Red Cote Preserve.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Red Cote Preserve in Oyster Bay Cove to expand with funding
The North Shore Land Alliance plans to buy the property, which borders the preserve.
www.newsday.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:51 PM
A nonprofit will be able to purchase 5 pristine acres of land in Oyster Bay Cove after the state awarded it $1.29 million for the acquisition, setting the stage for the expansion of the neighboring Red Cote Preserve.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Farmingdale is eyeing a downtown parking lot for a new community theater.
Here’s more on the village’s plans, via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s more on the village’s plans, via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Farmingdale eyes parking lot for community theater plan
The village would own the theater and select a company to run it.
www.newsday.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Farmingdale is eyeing a downtown parking lot for a new community theater.
Here’s more on the village’s plans, via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s more on the village’s plans, via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Piet Oudolf, the renowned landscape architect behind Manhattan's High Line, is crafting a 1-acre four-season garden at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay.
More about the project here ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
More about the project here ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
'Four-season' garden to open at Planting Fields Arboretum
The concept is to highlight the plants' beauty in different stages during each part of the year, even when they're withering.
www.newsday.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Piet Oudolf, the renowned landscape architect behind Manhattan's High Line, is crafting a 1-acre four-season garden at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay.
More about the project here ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
More about the project here ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
A legal battle ensues.
The owners of the Cotillion, a longtime eatery and banquet hall on Jericho Turnpike, sued the Oyster Bay Town Board over its decision late last year to deny the restaurant’s permit to operate as a caterer.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The owners of the Cotillion, a longtime eatery and banquet hall on Jericho Turnpike, sued the Oyster Bay Town Board over its decision late last year to deny the restaurant’s permit to operate as a caterer.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Cotillion sues Oyster Bay over denied catering permit
Cotillion challenges Oyster Bay's decision to deny its catering permit, citing irrational and unreasonable actions in the ongoing legal dispute.
www.newsday.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:27 PM
A legal battle ensues.
The owners of the Cotillion, a longtime eatery and banquet hall on Jericho Turnpike, sued the Oyster Bay Town Board over its decision late last year to deny the restaurant’s permit to operate as a caterer.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The owners of the Cotillion, a longtime eatery and banquet hall on Jericho Turnpike, sued the Oyster Bay Town Board over its decision late last year to deny the restaurant’s permit to operate as a caterer.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
An Oyster Bay nonprofit is centering a new program around the *other* shellfish: clams.
Here's how it fits into the battle to improve dismal shellfish numbers in the town's waters, for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here's how it fits into the battle to improve dismal shellfish numbers in the town's waters, for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Friends of the Bay launches clam seeding initiative
Friends of the Bay partners with Oyster Bay to seed clams, aiming to restore shellfish populations and improve water quality in protected underwater areas.
www.newsday.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:34 PM
An Oyster Bay nonprofit is centering a new program around the *other* shellfish: clams.
Here's how it fits into the battle to improve dismal shellfish numbers in the town's waters, for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here's how it fits into the battle to improve dismal shellfish numbers in the town's waters, for @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The staff at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School didn’t hesitate when 5-year old Sebastian Melendez became unresponsive.
Here’s the story about the harrowing morning of Dec. 5, via @Newsday
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s the story about the harrowing morning of Dec. 5, via @Newsday
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
How an elementary school staff 'moved mountains' to save 5-year-old
Sebastian Melendez, 5, became unresponsive during a class lesson earlier this month.
www.newsday.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The staff at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School didn’t hesitate when 5-year old Sebastian Melendez became unresponsive.
Here’s the story about the harrowing morning of Dec. 5, via @Newsday
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s the story about the harrowing morning of Dec. 5, via @Newsday
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
A @newsday.bsky.social investigation ⬇️
We analyzed payroll data across Long Island's 13 towns and two cities, using records obtained under the state's Freedom of Information Law.
Local governments paid employees $889 million in 2024, a 5.3% increase from 2023.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
We analyzed payroll data across Long Island's 13 towns and two cities, using records obtained under the state's Freedom of Information Law.
Local governments paid employees $889 million in 2024, a 5.3% increase from 2023.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
$200G earners rise in Long Island's towns and cities
Officials cited higher overtime pay and new retirement incentives designed to reduce the workforce.
www.newsday.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
A @newsday.bsky.social investigation ⬇️
We analyzed payroll data across Long Island's 13 towns and two cities, using records obtained under the state's Freedom of Information Law.
Local governments paid employees $889 million in 2024, a 5.3% increase from 2023.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
We analyzed payroll data across Long Island's 13 towns and two cities, using records obtained under the state's Freedom of Information Law.
Local governments paid employees $889 million in 2024, a 5.3% increase from 2023.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Reposted by Joseph Ostapiuk
Good that this is back, and may I note again that Eagle Scouts have done a lot to put up historical markers all over.
The community surrounding Deer Lake on the North Babylon-West Islip border banded together when Kadyn Neale's Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his late father, was vandalized.
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Community restores Deer Lake historical sign after vandalism
Kadyn Neale's Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his father, Dave Neale, was vandalized in August.
www.newsday.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Good that this is back, and may I note again that Eagle Scouts have done a lot to put up historical markers all over.
The community surrounding Deer Lake on the North Babylon-West Islip border banded together when Kadyn Neale's Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his late father, was vandalized.
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Community restores Deer Lake historical sign after vandalism
Kadyn Neale's Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his father, Dave Neale, was vandalized in August.
www.newsday.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The community surrounding Deer Lake on the North Babylon-West Islip border banded together when Kadyn Neale's Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his late father, was vandalized.
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
On the effort and the return of the historical marker, via @newsday.bsky.social ⏬
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Neighbors of the Cotillion, a longtime restaurant and catering hall, have complained for years about excessive noise coming from the property.
Now, the Town of Oyster Bay has denied a permit for the business.
Here’s the latest on the saga, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Now, the Town of Oyster Bay has denied a permit for the business.
Here’s the latest on the saga, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Town denies permit for Cotillion in Jericho over noise issue
The company can operate as a restaurant, but not as a banquet hall, according to a town spokeswoman.
www.newsday.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Neighbors of the Cotillion, a longtime restaurant and catering hall, have complained for years about excessive noise coming from the property.
Now, the Town of Oyster Bay has denied a permit for the business.
Here’s the latest on the saga, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Now, the Town of Oyster Bay has denied a permit for the business.
Here’s the latest on the saga, for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The Tam O'Shanter Club has fallen into disrepair.
"The geese have taken it over," Brookville Mayor Dan Serota told me.
Here's a story on the village's move to give prospective owners a shot at taking over the defunct greens.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
"The geese have taken it over," Brookville Mayor Dan Serota told me.
Here's a story on the village's move to give prospective owners a shot at taking over the defunct greens.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Village law could incentivize new golf course in Brookville
The Tam O'Shanter Club sold in 2019, but a developer's plan for luxury housing there hit a snag over environmental issues.
www.newsday.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The Tam O'Shanter Club has fallen into disrepair.
"The geese have taken it over," Brookville Mayor Dan Serota told me.
Here's a story on the village's move to give prospective owners a shot at taking over the defunct greens.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
"The geese have taken it over," Brookville Mayor Dan Serota told me.
Here's a story on the village's move to give prospective owners a shot at taking over the defunct greens.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
I was in the crowd at last night's @newsday.bsky.social forum on the exclusive @sienaresearch.bsky.social poll analyzing perceptions of quality of life on Long Island.
Here's what readers are concerned about, from housing to school taxes ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here's what readers are concerned about, from housing to school taxes ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
LI affordability, safety and traffic focus of Newsday forum on poll results
The forum discussed the results of an exclusive Newsday-Siena survey analyzing the region's quality of life.
www.newsday.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I was in the crowd at last night's @newsday.bsky.social forum on the exclusive @sienaresearch.bsky.social poll analyzing perceptions of quality of life on Long Island.
Here's what readers are concerned about, from housing to school taxes ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here's what readers are concerned about, from housing to school taxes ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
How did things shake out for Long Island’s town supervisor races?
Here’s what we have after last night ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s what we have after last night ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
John Ferretti defeats Joseph Scianablo in Hempstead supervisor race
Ten supervisor seats were up for grabs across LI, along with a slew of council positions and a mayoral post.
www.newsday.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
How did things shake out for Long Island’s town supervisor races?
Here’s what we have after last night ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Here’s what we have after last night ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
For a non-election read: I spent a morning at @ACLD1's Bethpage campus to learn more about their business initiatives -- RewearAble and Candleworks -- that employ individuals with disabilities.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Candleworks in Bethpage empowers workers with disabilities
The Bethpage nonprofit runs Candleworks and RewearAble, providing jobs for people with disabilities.
www.newsday.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:53 PM
For a non-election read: I spent a morning at @ACLD1's Bethpage campus to learn more about their business initiatives -- RewearAble and Candleworks -- that employ individuals with disabilities.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⤵️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The second phase of thermal remediation at Bethpage Community Park extracted 460 pounds of contamination from the ground deep beneath the former Grumman Aerospace dumping ground, state officials announced today.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Park cleanup extracts 460 pounds of toxins in Bethpage
An earlier cleanup phase used the technology to remove 1,500 pounds of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
www.newsday.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:07 AM
The second phase of thermal remediation at Bethpage Community Park extracted 460 pounds of contamination from the ground deep beneath the former Grumman Aerospace dumping ground, state officials announced today.
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
My latest for @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Oyster Bay Town clears hurdle for demolition of Budget Inn Motel site, seeks to buy it.
Via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Demolition of Budget Inn Motel site in Massapequa moves a step closer as Oyster Bay Town seeks to buy it
Last year, a judge ordered the site demolished after Oyster Bay sued the property owners over town code violations. More recently, the owners sought to delay that process.
www.newsday.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Oyster Bay Town clears hurdle for demolition of Budget Inn Motel site, seeks to buy it.
Via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Via @newsday.bsky.social ⬇️
www.newsday.com/long-island/...