 Borough President Vito Fossella visited the Michael J. Petrides School to share some exciting news: He is allocating capital funding for the purchase of new chairs for the auditorium.
“Here we are at the Petrides School -- see these things here, the 1960s called, they want their chairs back,” said Borough President Fossella as he tossed aside the original chairs with Kevin Moran, the deputy chancellor of the Division of School Operations. Deputy Chancellor Moran said that despite their best efforts, “the chairs couldn’t hold up to the test of time.” “They started to really fray up and were ripping people’s pants, so we asked the Borough President for a grant -- and he was kind enough as always to help,” said Deputy Chancellor Moran. “We’re happy to be here to do our part to rip these things out and get them replaced.” 'Enough Is Enough': Borough President Vito Fossella, Homeowners Rally Against Pied-à-Terre Tax List8/21/2026
 Borough President Vito Fossella rallied with Staten Island homeowners against the city’s bad-faith and searchable publication of the names and addresses of almost a million people who, it alleges, may be subject to a second home property surcharge, known as the pied-a-terre tax.
Despite the tax being aimed at those with secondary condos worth more than $1 million and secondary homes worth more than $5 million, the vast majority of those named should not be on the list. Many homeowners, including Borough President Fossella, have had their names and personal home addresses wrongfully published because they don’t own a luxury secondary home. “This isn’t about me, this is about you,” said Borough President Fossella at the rally on the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk in Midland Beach. “We’re here to stand united -- the people of Staten Island, the people who love this country, for all of you who earned your home -- to say enough is enough, stop the madness. The city has the power to suspend the list and to stop it and go back to square one and do it the right way. It is one of the most disgraceful things I have ever seen in my life -- and we can change it today.” 'It's Totally Unacceptable': Borough President Vito Fossella Opposes Proposed Housing Development8/21/2026
 Borough President Vito Fossella opposed the city’s proposal to build 18,000 houses on Staten Island, mostly multi-family homes on the South Shore and in the Mid-Island over the next five years.
This proposal was made possible, in part, due to the City of Yes, which recharacterized the zoning of “low density” neighborhoods in the city, including the majority of Staten Island, to make way for more development. “Unfortunately, we are here once again to question what the city is doing to the people of Staten Island,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the corner of Richmond Hill Road and Kelly Boulevard in New Springville. “It’s just a pattern that has emerged over the last couple of months from homeless shelters that nobody wants, to bus lanes that nobody wants, to bike lanes that nobody wants, to the rollout of the pied-à-terre.” To put it in perspective, Borough President Fossella said building more than 18,000 units of housing on Staten Island over the next five years will triple the number of units built here on an annual basis in the only borough with limited mass transit options and no public hospital. “It’s totally unacceptable and it really is disrespectful to the people of Staten Island,” said Borough President Fossella. “We’re here to say, we want you to listen to us once and for all, and at least, we want you to put the pause button on this conversation about 18,000 units. Most of them have never set foot on this Island and they’re going to dictate how we live our lives. There are all these policies that you have to accept, there’s no recourse, there’s no conversation.”  Borough President Vito Fossella celebrated the heroism of the medics who administered quick, life-saving measures when artist and activist Scott LoBaido suffered a heart attack at the NYPD’s National Night Out earlier this month while attempting to approach the mayor.
Emergency Service Unit Detectives Jason Muller and Michael Jezycki and Rabbi Ari Weiss of Hatzolah rendered CPR and deployed a defibrillator before transporting him to Staten Island University Hospital. “At the core of it, we’re here because good people leapt into action and did a great thing to save someone’s life,” said Borough President Fossella during a small gathering in his office. “Scott has been my friend for many, many years -- he is a true patriot, loves this country, loves Staten Island. When things like this happen, we don’t brush it off. We say, we have good people who did a great thing. Very simply, we say thanks.” An emotional Scott LoBaido said his actions are “always in the best interest” of Staten Islanders. “I was dead, I flatlined for almost two minutes,” he said. “The only reason I am standing here today is because everything aligned perfectly -- the right place, the right time, the right people. So, my special thanks go to you guys.” Detective Muller said when they saw Scott fall to one knee and was lying on his back, his partner, Detective Jezycki, began chest compressions while he ran to their truck to grab their medical equipment and an AED. “We were at the right place at the right time, we had the right equipment with us -- and we used our training,” said Detective Muller. “Scott opened his eyes and started breathing on his own and he came back. We were just happy that it was a positive outcome and we saved his life.” Borough President Vito Fossella Allocates Funding To Renovate Playground At Clove Lakes Park8/19/2026
 Borough President Vito Fossella and Borough City Parks Commissioner Joseph Homsey walked through Clove Lakes Park to announce a major capital funding allocation that will renovate the playground and update the park’s infrastructure.
To kickstart the improvements, Borough President Fossella is allocating $5.7 million to completely renovate the playground -- which has not received a makeover in decades. This investment joins a previous $5 million allocation to renovate one of the park’s ballfields, which is currently in the planning process. The playground overhaul will feature brand-new play equipment, a spray shower, fencing, and drainage. “Clove Lakes Park is an iconic gem with a little bit of everything for everyone," said Borough President Fossella. "We thank Commissioner Homsey for working with us to make this park even more special by bringing the playground forward to the modern day. Staten Island families deserve the best and here at Clove Lakes Park, they’re going to get the best.” Borough Commissioner Homsey thanked Borough President Fossella for his continued commitment to improving Staten Island's parks. “The reconstruction of Clove Lakes Park’s playground will bring all-new play equipment, a spray shower to keep kids cool on hot summer days, and other upgrades while making the site safer and more resilient than ever,” said Borough Commissioner Homsey. "We’re grateful to Borough President Fossella for funding this project that will make one of Staten Island’s greatest parks even better.” Borough President Vito Fossella Allocates Funding For Sensory Playground At The Hungerford School8/17/2026
 Borough President Vito Fossella visited The Hungerford School to announce exciting news: He has allocated $250,000 for sensory playground equipment.
He was welcomed by a musical performance by the school band. “Today, we’re fortunate to be at the Hungerford School to announce a wonderful new project -- a sensory playground that has been lacking for years,” said Borough President Fossella. “We just heard the great band. The Hungerford School has great providers and great educators." The students cheered as Borough President Fossella told them what was in the works. “Hungerford families deserve the best, Staten Island families deserve the best --and they’re going to get the best,” he said.  Borough President Vito Fossella and Borough Parks Commissioner Joseph Homsey walked through Silver Lake Park to announce a capital project to update the amenities at the scenic greenspace.
To kickstart a series of improvements, Borough President Fossella is allocating $2 million for a capital project to restore pathways, install new benches and grow a variety of new plants. During their walk, Borough President Fossella referred to Silver Lake Park as Staten Island’s “very own Central Park" -- a hidden gem with the potential and the opportunity to become a cultural beacon. “In our borough of parks, Silver Lake Park is in a league of its own for its picturesque views and its potential,” said Borough President Fossella. “Thousands come every year to enjoy the scenery and all the park already has to offer. We are pleased to make this update to the park and are committed to capturing its fullest potential.” Commissioner Homsey thanked Borough President Fossella for his commitment to the borough's parks. “Silver Lake is a scenic gem of Staten Island’s park system -- and we’re thrilled to be bringing these upgrades to make the park more welcoming and accessible for years to come,” said Commissioner Homsey. “We’re grateful to Borough President Fossella for funding this capital project and for his ongoing support of our borough’s parks.”  For the fifth consecutive year, Borough President Vito Fossella allocated $45,000 to the Lucille and Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp to fund transportation costs for the campers.
Sunrise Day Camp is the world’s first full-summer day camp for children with cancer and their siblings, provided completely free of charge. The camp is operated by the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center on the grounds of Staten Island Academy. Borough President Fossella called the camp “a little oasis that provides not only sunrise but sunshine and a home away from home.” “There’s enough cost to families who have to endure a child with cancer and the stress and the financial burden, everything that comes with it,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the camp. “So, we try to play a small part to ease the pain and the burden by providing that funding and it's one of the ber things we get to do each year.” JCC CEO Orit Lender thanked Borough President Fossella and Jay Chazanoff, vice chair of the JCC’s board of directors, for their continued support of the camp. “This is a real opportunity for young people who are facing cancer to be able to put it aside for seven weeks and to be able to be children again -- to have the joy of running around, doing arts and crafts, playing kickball and swimming,” she said. “You have allowed us to bring campers here every day, to bring magic back into their lives and it means so much to the children and it means so much to their families, as well.”  Borough President Vito Fossella returned to Tottenville High School to unveil a new hardwood gym floor, which was funded by our office.
He visited Tottenville in June to announce the funding after learning the existing floor had been in disrepair and school officials were seeking a new one. “We are back at Pirate Nation,” said Borough President Fossella as he walked through the gym with Chief of School Operations Kevin Moran. “The gym came out mint.” Chief Moran said it was great to be back at Tottenville High School. “We couldn’t be happier with the progress,” said Chief Moran |