Borough President Vito Fossella Allocates Funding For State-Of-The-Art Biplane Imaging At RUMC9/16/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella announced a $1.52 million capital allocation to acquire state-of-the-art biplane imaging technology for the new vascular institute at Richmond University Medical Center.
The Joan and Alan Bernikow Heart and Vascular Institute, which is slated to open next year, will bring together advanced cardiology and neuroscience services in one unit. Biplane imaging is one of the most advanced interventional technologies available. It uses two rotating cameras, one on each side of the patient, to take simultaneous images. As the cameras move from side-to-side and front-to-back, they produce highly detailed images of blood vessels, soft tissue, and blood flow in real-time. Biplane imaging is also used to path the blood flow through vessels, which helps to find the precise location of disease or malformation. The project expands RUMC’s existing Catheterization Suite, which currently treats over 500 cardiac patients annually. The number of preoperative and holding bays will also be increased to better accommodate patient volume while improving patient flow and staff services. Additionally, the allocation includes refurbishing the existing waiting area and reception area. Borough President Fossella said he is “humbled and appreciative that I get to play a little part in this." He also said the new equipment will provide more reasons for Staten Islanders to stay at home to find high-quality health care. “This is an outgrowth of that premise,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference in the hospital’s Sipp Auditorium . “Not only will this provide better health care to the existing patients, but it’s going to allow other patients to come here who would have gone someplace else. My only hope and prayer is that people will live longer and better and get better care because of this."  Borough President Vito Fossella stood between the soaring wings of the Postcards Memorial, which perfectly frame the spot where the Twin Towers once stood, to remember the 267 Staten Islanders who were lost 24 years ago and the First Responders who have died since due to their work at Ground Zero. Hundreds gathered for the annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony amid a backdrop of American flags. Bells tolled, heads bowed, and tears were shed as the names were read one-by-one by their family members. “Staten Island took a heavy hit on 9/11 and it’s wonderful you all came out to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day,” said Borough President Fossella. “Innocent people should not be slaughtered or killed because of what they believe. That goes against what the United States has been all about. So, as we keep the 9/11 families in our prayers and thoughts, let’s stand together and be united like we were 24 years ago.” Mayor Eric Adams remarked on the strength of New Yorkers. “I think the most significant part is what happened on 9/12,” said Mayor Adams. “We got up. Our city responded. Builders built, teachers taught, firefighters did their job, police officers continued to secure our city. It was as though those attacks would collapse our city, but we showed our resiliency. When we got up, the whole country got up.” The processional was performed by the Staten Island Pipers and the colors were presented by the United States Coast Guard Sector New York and the United States Army. Rebecca Quilla sang the National Anthem. Bishop Peter Byrne, pastor of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, led the invocation, and Bishop Victor Brown, pastor of Mount Sinai United Christian Church, led the benediction. The ceremony concluded with the Staten Island Pipers performing Amazing Grace and the Tottenville High School Ceremonial Taps Unit playing the somber echoes of Taps as family members gently placed roses at the Postcards Memorial and the First Responders Memorial. And as an FDNY tugboat sprayed water, the Tribute In Light rose into the nighttime sky across the harbor.   Borough President Vito Fossella honored two swift-thinking police officers, including one from Staten Island, for their heroics in saving two sleeping brothers and their dog when their home caught on fire in Coney Island.
He was joined by Deputy Chief Michael Glynn, commanding officer of the NYPD Quality of Life Division, and District Attorney Michael McMahon, along with the families of the two officers during a small gathering in his office. Police Officer Christopher De Sciora, a resident of Tottenville, and Police Officer Andy Guo, members of the 60th Precinct’s Quality of Life Team, responded to reports of a house fire within the vicinity of Canal Avenue and West 36th Street in Brooklyn on the morning of Aug. 10. The front door to the home was locked, but the partners heard a dog barking inside. "I don’t know if it’s in the rule book, if it’s in the training manual, or perhaps it’s good instinct and good fortune that you were there to save lives," said Borough President Fossella. "There is a family out there that is alive, there is a dog that is alive because you guys were there and responded the way you did. It’s magic and it’s appreciated.” The officers encountered a lot of smoke and initially thought the fire was in the neighbor’s yard, but he directed them to the house next door. Bodycam footage, posted to the NYPD’s Facebook page, shows them mounting a chair to climb the fence, smashing open a glass door, and immediately calling out to the residents to alert them to the fire. They quickly escorted the brothers, and their dog, Sherlock, to safety. We thank Police Officer De Sciora and Police Officer Guo for their service to the NYPD and their commitment to keeping the residents of our city safe.  Borough President Vito Fossella stood with members of the fishing and boating community to express their strong opposition to the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Project, a natural gas pipeline which would run under the length of the Raritan Bay.
“The concern we have is that the project will unearth or disrupt some of those sediments that are on the floor of the Raritan Bay right now,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of the Mansion Marina in Great Kills. “If that happens, what will that do to the quality of the water?" This project would add a 17.4 mile “enhancement” to an already-existing pipeline that traverses the entire width of Staten Island. The “enhanced” pipeline will flow to Long Island, Queens, and Brooklyn with Staten Island bearing the risks and burdens while potentially paying a 3.5% increase for gas and service they will never receive. Borough President Fossella recalled spending time on South Beach as a child when the water and the beach were polluted. “Since that time, we have made a lot of progress to improve the quality of the water,” he said. “As a result, we have an ecosystem, fishing has gotten better, people are seeing seagulls and whales and dolphins that they never saw before. Again, where we have made progress, why would we turn back the clock?” In a letter written to Cheryl Sandrow at the state Department of Environmental Conservation last month, Borough President Fossella asked “if any other alternatives were studied or suggested for the proposed project before the sites of the Staten Island shoreland were selected.” “The waterway is a jewel, the Raritan Bay is a jewel -- let’s not tarnish it with an unnecessary project until and unless we get clearer answers,” said Borough President Fossella at the press conference.  Put the Brakes on This Parking Grab —- Sign the Petition
On Staten Island, cars aren’t a luxury — they’re a lifeline. As the most car-dependent borough, with limited transit options and families who rely on driving for work, school, and everyday life, Intro. 1138 would rip away thousands of parking spaces from our neighborhoods, punishing Staten Island drivers yet again. This one-size-fits-all daylighting plan ignores the reality of Staten Island streets. At the same time, the goal of safer streets is one we all share — but this bill goes too far. Taking away parking on nearly every corner won’t suddenly make us safer — it will only make it harder for seniors, parents, and small business owners to live and work here. If you own a corner property, you will automatically lose two parking spots in front of your own home. Staten Islanders deserve targeted safety fixes where they’re truly needed, NOT a citywide mandate that sacrifices our quality of life. Frankly, we're tired of it. Let the City Council know that we oppose the Universal Daylighting Bill by signing the petition. Borough President Vito Fossella announced an allocation of $45,000 to the Lucille & 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, which is operated by the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center on the grounds of Staten Island Academy, serves over 200 children every year with activities that include sports, music, arts & crafts, swimming, and much more. It is specially equipped to support the children with their treatment and medical needs. “For the tenth year now, there has been a group of people, who through nothing but the grace of God, give kids with cancer and their siblings an opportunity to just be kids,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference on the final day of camp yesterday. “We just came in from outside and they’re just having a ball. What we’ve done once again with joy in our hearts is provide funding for the siblings of the children with cancer to come and enjoy the festivities and the fun and to be supportive of their brother or sister. This brings so much joy to the children and their families. It’s just such a simple difference it makes in their lives.” Eleven of this summer’s counselors were once campers. “They’ve come back to give back and what a beautiful message that is of being here for the next generation,” said Borough President Fossella. Orit Lender, CEO of the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, extended her "heartfelt gratitude to the borough president because he has been a tremendous friend to the JCC and a tremendous friend to Sunrise." “As the borough president alluded to, we don’t know if this could be a child’s last summer, so every day counts, every minute counts," she said. "And it is our job to make sure that minute brings joy, smiles, laughter, and friendship to the children we serve and their families."  Borough President Vito Fossella announced that Staten Islander Angie Master has been designated Vice Chair of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).
Angie Master is a long-time real estate broker at Prendamano Real Estate, handling all aspects of commercial real estate. In her time with the LPC, she worked on the designations for a number of significant landmarks, including Frederick Douglass Memorial Park in Staten Island, the Old Croton Aqueduct Walk in the Bronx, and the former Whitney Museum of American Art at 945 Madison Ave. Prior to her real estate career, she worked as a management consultant and marketing executive and taught marketing as an adjunct professor at Wagner College. She has also served on the board of the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island and on the board of Staten Island Academy. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Stanford University and earned her Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School, where she was the Robert Lear Scholar. “We offer our well-earned congratulations to Angie Master as she assumes the important role of vice chair of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission,” said Borough President Fossella. “As a longtime Staten Islander with a deep appreciation of NYC’s unique cultural and architectural history, she will perform well in this capacity, and we thank her for her service to the City.” (Photo courtesy of the LPC)
Borough President Vito Fossella and NYPD Staten Island Borough Commander Melissa Eger addressed the dangerous surge of motorists making hazardous and unlawful right-handed turns from the middle lane instead of the bus lane on Hylan Boulevard.
From the start of 2025, this pattern has led to 32 accidents, including seven in the last month. Bus lanes lining Hylan Boulevard can be used to make a right-hand turn and can be used for all other travel outside of the posted hours, however dangerous and unlawful turning has become commonplace, stemming from a misunderstanding of these rules. The posted hours in which the bus lanes can’t be used for right-hand turns are 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. towards the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. towards Tottenville. “Just as importantly, even when it is a bus-only lane, if you want to make a right- hand turn you can get into that lane a block or so before to do so,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference outside of the 122nd Precinct in New Dorp. “We know of 32 accidents, but there are probably hundreds of other close calls.” Borough President Fossella is calling upon the city to “take a more proactive approach,” which could include more signage, signs in the roadbed, or larger signs on poles. NYPD Borough Commander Eger said unsafe turning behaviors “have become far too common across Staten Island, but especially along the corridor of Hylan Boulevard.” “These actions put drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists at serious risk -- and they are completely avoidable, as well,” said NYPD Borough Commander Eger. "Our message to our public, to our Staten Island community is clear and simple: Use the bus lanes properly, turn safely, and follow these rules. When necessary, we will and we do enforce, but our main goal is to always prevent injuries and to save lives and to keep our roadways safe for our community. So, let’s break this habit of unsafe turns and let’s work together to keep our streets safe for everyone.” (Video footage courtesy of Community Media of Staten Island)  Borough President Vito Fossella called the "City of Yes" zoning amendments “a mistake,” which have the potential of increasing development in Staten Island’s relatively low-density neighborhoods.
He is a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit filed in the spring with Staten Island and Queens-based civic associations and public figures, challenging the legality of the amendments, as well as arguing that the plan sidestepped a full environmental review. The "City of Yes" plan can potentially add 80,000 units of new housing to the five boroughs through a series of regulation changes to things like accessory dwelling units, such as backyard cottages, basement and attic apartments, and extensions on existing residences. “After hearing the arguments, we believe stronger than ever that this was a mistake, that Staten Island and other parts of the city will suffer, that the city didn’t do enough, not only did it not review, but it also ignored a lot of our concerns,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of Richmond County Surrogate Court. Attorney Jack Lester said the "City of Yes" plan was separated into three parts, encompassing carbon neutrality, housing opportunity, and economic opportunity to circumvent the environmental review requirements. “What the city attempted to do with this rezoning, which we hope we can halt through this court proceeding, is to make the environment the enemy of housing,” he said. “The environment is not the enemy of housing, and, in fact, if the policy’s objective was to increase housing, then there should have been steps made to protect the environment. What the city did was rush to create density for profiteering for the exclusion of the environment.” Borough President Fossella said this is only the third rezoning effort in the city’s history. “Most of it has been to respect and ensure that the environment is protected, that there’s more open space, there’s more air, there’s more circulation, more yard space -- and because this only happens every 50, 60 years or so, it is why we have to stand strong now,” he said.  Borough President Vito Fossella presented the 2024 Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award to Joseph Delaney, a community leader who is most well-known for directing the Notre Dame Club of Staten Island’s annual Bread of Life Food Drive.
The Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award, established in 1986, honors the ninth Borough President. His tenure from 1955 to 1965 saw the creation of the Greenbelt and the construction of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The Maniscalco Award celebrates civic-minded Staten Islanders who have dedicated their lives in service for the betterment of their community. “One of the common denominators for the people who receive this award is selflessness,” said Borough President Fossella during a small gathering in his office. “It is achieving, it is doing, it is accomplishing things, making things better, taking the initiative, always being there, never saying ‘no’ but ‘what can I do to help.’” A crowning achievement of Mr. Delaney’s legacy of service is the Notre Dame Club of Staten Island’s annual Bread of Life Food Drive, which he has directed since 1992. In its 34 years of operation, the Bread of Life Food Drive collected and donated over 2.5 million food items to people experiencing food insecurity in Staten Island and Brooklyn. His Bread of Life Food Drive has been replicated to Notre Dame Clubs in more than 300 cities across the United States. A native of Pleasant Plains, Mr. Delaney currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Catholic Charities of Staten Island and serves on the boards of the Jewish Community Center, Virtual Enterprises International, and the University of Notre Dame Alumni Club of Staten Island, always with his wife, Nancy, at his side. For 41 years, until his retirement in 2010, he served in several executive capacities within the professional services firm, Deloitte LLP. Following the ceremony, Mr. Delaney joined Borough President Fossella in unveiling an engraving of his name on a plaque at the entrance of Borough Hall. He joins more than 30 individuals and organizations who were previously honored with the Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award. “You know, it starts with the village, but it really starts with the family, and everybody who’s here in this room for me today, you’re not just my friends, you’re my family,” said Mr. Delaney when awarded the honor. “So I thank you for that recognition and our family getting together today. Thank you and may God bless you.”  Borough President Vito Fossella and District Attorney Michael McMahon honored 11 crewmembers of the Samuel I. Newhouse ferryboat for their heroic and quick-thinking actions to rescue a 26-year-old passenger who went overboard on June 8.
“We’re here today to say thank you for saving a life,” said Borough President Fossella during a gathering in his office. “These things can happen at any time. The ferry is a lifeline for thousands of Staten Islanders and it’s a renowned tourist attraction. I always knew that the ferry crews were the best, and you revealed it once again, and you demonstrate that the world knows the Staten Island Ferry crew is the very best. You do it every day of the year and we’re grateful and we appreciate it. So, we thank you.” Captain Ryan Burtchell was piloting the Newhouse with a mostly junior crew -- who had performed practice drills that morning -- when he was informed that a passenger jumped overboard. The ferry crew had already thrown a life ring into the water to mark the passenger’s location. The captain radioed the other vessels in the area and coordinated with the Coast Guard and NYPD who pulled the passenger out of the water. “We stopped the boat and started looking for the passenger in the water and he was actually lying flat on his back,” said Captain Burtchell. “Thank God, they threw the life ring over right away, so we were able to get to the location quickly. The crew was excellent. In these situations, their communication is key. They train hard for moments like this.” The crew members honored were Captain Ryan Burtchell; Assistant Captain Vinny Pedulla; Mate Joe Esposito; Mate Tim McCann; Mate Perry Iyampilla; Deckhand Yogi Selvarajah; Deckhand Carlos Davis; Deckhand Bill Dunn; Deckhand Sheehan Hettiarachchige; Deckhand Mark Cyparski, and Deckhand Andrew Ehrenfeld.  Borough President Vito Fossella and District Attorney Michael McMahon honored the Monsignor Farrell High School Varsity Lacrosse team following their unprecedented season in which they won three titles, including their second straight Catholic High School Athletic Association city crown.
“It’s wonderful to have all of you here,” said Borough President Fossella, a 1983 graduate of Farrell, during a press conference on the steps of Borough Hall. “If you can think about that semi-final when you were down by 6 at half-time and you came back to win. In a way, that’s a metaphor for life. You broke new ground -- the first team ever to win all three titles -- and you did it with dignity, you did it with respect. If you come together as a team and you believe in yourself and have faith not just in yourself, but in your teammates, anything is possible. Remember what you did on the field but in life, it is more important what you do off the field. To all of you, I say congratulations.” Lou Tobacco, president and CEO of Farrell, said the team gave “new meaning to the word grit, new meaning to the word tenacity, and new meaning to the words, ‘never say never.’” “You never let anyone intimidate you,” said President Tobacco, a 1990 Farrell graduate. “Some of the games were very exciting and you never quit, you always came back like a Lion. So, we love you and we’re very proud of you. You deserve this celebration -- and you deserve to be celebrated for the rest of your lives.” At the end of the ceremony, Borough President Fossella presented the players and coaches with Certificates of Appreciation, as well as a proclamation declaring June 18, 2025, as “Monsignor Farrrell High School Varsity Lacrosse Team Day” in the Borough Of Staten Island. Congratulations to the Lions -- you make Staten Island proud.  Borough President Vito Fossella was joined by Staten Island veterans’ groups to rededicate the three plaques adorning Borough Hall.
One plaque is dedicated to 150 Staten Islanders killed in action during World War I, one to Giovanni da Verrazzano, and one to Commodore John Barry. Over time, each of them experienced weather-related discoloration. At the request of Borough President Fossella, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, along with Altus Metal, Marble & Wood, worked to restore the plaques to their former glory. The area in front of the plaques, located on the Stuyvesant Place-side of Borough Hall, is affectionally known as “Commodore Barry Plaza.” As the Navy’s first commissioned officer and the first captain of a ship bearing our nation’s flag, Commodore John Barry is widely regarded as the “Father Of The American Navy. “There are three plaques on this building, they were put up at different times for different reasons, but they were commemorating individuals who made a difference to this country, and in a way, indirectly, to Staten Island,” said Borough President Fossella. “So, one day we said, why don’t we clean them up? And we did -- and what a difference. It’s part of just having pride. Little things do make a difference. Like a lot of things over time, you sort of get used to it and you ignore the meaning and the true purpose of what it was all about. That’s why we’re here today -- to say that we’re proud of our community.” The Curtis High School JROTC presented the colors, Miss Staten Island Madison Gattullo sang the National Anthem, and Borough Hall intern Matthew Mistretta sang God Bless America. As the ceremony concluded, red, white, and blue wreaths were hung under the plaques.  Borough President Vito Fossella funded repairs to the Midland Beach Veterans Memorial after it was damaged by a vehicle collision at the intersection of Midland Avenue and Father Capodanno Boulevard last month.
After seeing the damage first-hand and meeting with members of the Midland Beach Civic Association, the pavers, walkway, and platform at the memorial were replaced through a contract with our office by Moreland Construction. “A few weeks ago, there was an unfortunate accident here and this area was damaged,” said Borough President Fossella during a recent visit to the memorial. “We made a commitment to fix it and here we are today with the completion. So, the community has its memorial back. First erected in 1942, this is the fourth of-its-kind and this is the way we honor our veterans in Midland Beach with the dignity they deserve.”  Borough President Vito Fossella, District Attorney Michael McMahon, NYPD Inspector Matthew Harrington, and multi-faith leaders stood together to condemn the rising acts of antisemitism on Staten Island and across the country.
“What we’re seeing now are anti-Semitic acts that are not just verbal and rooted in hate, but result in the murder and the killing of innocent people exclusively and solely because they’re Jewish,” said Borough President Vito Fossella at a press conference at the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island. “They do so, these animals, because of their warped concept or view of their own little world. What we want to say today is that anti-Semitic attacks, including assault and murder of Jews, are being cloaked as forms of activism or social justice, falsely legitimizing hate under the guise of progressive causes.” The press conference was held in response to the fatal shooting of a young Jewish couple, who were staff members of the Israeli Embassy, outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last month, as well to injuries suffered by multiple people on June 1 after a suspect allegedly threw Molotov cocktails into the crowd during a peaceful march in Colorado in support of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. Additionally, a man who was hanging up posters of Israeli hostages in Manhattan was attacked. “Here on Staten Island, we are saying if you provoke somebody for just being Jewish and if you attack somebody for just being Jewish, you will be prosecuted and you will go to jail,” said Borough President Fossella. “We are here standing united with one voice, the people of Staten Island of all religions, of all faiths, wherever we come from, when we come to Staten Island, we are united in peace and we treat people with respect.”  Borough President Vito Fossella honored this year’s “Super Readers” at the annual Readers Are Leaders ceremony at the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island. Readers Are Leaders, now in its 29th year, challenged fourth-grade students in Staten Island's public, parochial and private schools to read a minimum of five books at grade level or above in five weeks. Students then submitted a report or project on their favorite book they read during the period. Each school picked one super reader, who was honored as an “Exceptional Reader” by Borough President Fossella. “You all deserve a wonderful round of applause,” said Borough President Fossella. “I’d also like to thank the teachers -- we can’t do it without the teachers.” Each honoree received a gift card to Barnes & Noble and tickets to a special Readers Are Leaders Staten Island FerryHawks game. The program was started by then-Councilman Vito Fossella in 1996 and was later picked up by Borough Hall. Since its inception, our fourth-grade students have read nearly 800,000 books for the annual challenge -- or more than 29 billion words! Borough President Fossella noted there were no iPhones and few people knew about the Internet when Readers Are Leaders began. “The one thing that has not changed in 29 years, the one thing that will never change, is the importance of reading as a foundation for our success,” said Borough President Fossella. “Even if you only read a few pages a day, that’s progress. So, congratulations to all of you for being ‘exceptional readers.’” Our thanks to the Staten Island FerryHawks and Community Media of Staten Island for sponsoring this year’s Readers Are Leaders Challenge.  Borough President Vito Fossella honored Farrah Garcia and posthumously honored Dr. Nora De Rosa as the recipients of the 2025 Patrick F. Daly Award during a ceremony in Borough Hall.
Patrick F. Daly, who lived on Rose Avenue in New Dorp and was the principal of P.S. 15, was fatally shot on Dec. 17, 1992, outside the Red Hook Houses in Brooklyn while searching for a student who left the school building. The namesake award celebrates Staten Island educators and educational administrators who have dedicated their lives to providing the best for their students Dr. Nora De Rosa held a long career in education, defined by enduring compassion for students and inspiring leadership. The cornerstone of this career was her tenure at Bernstein (I.S. 7) Intermediate School, where she served as the principal from 2003 until her retirement in 2024. She is remembered as a heartfelt leader whose work made a lasting impact on the school community. Dr. De Rosa passed away in December. For her dedication to educational excellence, Dr. De Rosa is the second educator posthumously honored with the Patrick F. Daly Award. Farrah Garcia has worked for more than 10 years in education and is currently an Individualized Education Program teacher at P.S. 19R. She is known for her deep patience and understanding of each student’s individual needs. She leads a student chapter of the Staten Island Giving Circle, helping to teach the value of community service to her students. Borough President Fossella called it an honor to remember the legacy of Patrick F. Daly and all the educators “who truly make a difference -- not just in one kid’s life, but sometimes in the lives of hundreds of kids. “We’re proud to honor and acknowledge educators who really set the stage and set the bar high for teaching and education,” said Borough President Fossella. “It doesn’t matter what the salary is, it doesn’t matter what the hours are, it doesn’t matter how many tests you have to correct, it doesn’t matter because at your core, you want to help the kids. That’s a calling -- and that is why we are here tonight.”  Borough President Vito Fossella unveiled two new science exhibits funded by our office -- an interactive hot air balloon and a rocket launcher -- in the Borough President's Hall of Science at the Michael J. Petrides School yesterday.
When students pull a rope in the hot air balloon, it rises mimicking how hot air enters a real hot air balloon. The energy equation is featured on a structure at the base of the balloon, teaching students the physics behind how a hot air balloon works. The rocket launcher consists of a launch pad designed to teach students the principles of lift, drag, and thrust. It features an interactable simulation of a model rocket launching into the air within the enclosed model. “This is about an exploration of your mind and seeing what the future looks like by understanding the past,” said Borough President Fossella to the crowd of excited students. “There are certain principles in science, in physics, and elsewhere that allow a hot air balloon to rise and to fall -- and that is the wonder of science for you to explore in your own way.” We hope the students of the Petrides School enjoy the new exhibits and they help chart a new course of curiosity and deeper appreciation of science. Borough President Vito Fossella Honors Outstanding Farrell Senior With Michael J. Petrides Award5/13/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella honored Vincenzo Rapacciuolo, a senior at Monsignor Farrell High School, for his academic accomplishments by presenting him with the Michael J. Petrides Student Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science at a ceremony at the Petrides School.
Named in memory of Michael J. Petrides, a beloved Staten Island educator and engineer who passed away in 1994, the award recognizes students who exemplify academic excellence, curiosity, and innovation. It is the only borough-wide academic award with one nomination from each high school. Vincenzo is regarded as a student with passionate curiosity and expansive creativity, especially in robotics and engineering. A member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar, Vincenzo has received Merit Awards in chemistry and physics and earned a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Outside the classroom, Vincenzo developed a Teleoperated Robotic Hand, which integrates virtual technology into a fully programmed robotic hand, and a functional Doctor Octopus Halloween Costume. He is in the process of inaugurating the Farrell STEM Club’s first 3D printer and developing enhanced Heads-Up Display (HUD) glasses using computer vision technology to outline specific objects within a field of view. “Congratulations to all the finalists,” said Borough President Fossella. “It is a pleasure to celebrate and recognize your individual achievements and accomplishments, excelling in some things that will really transform the world. You are the leaders of tomorrow and that is the beauty of this award.” Vincenzo said dedication is the key to success. “Dedication is something I believe every single person in this room has, and it’s the dedication of the parents and people who organized this event that got us to where we are now,” he said. “It is an honor to carry on the legacy of Michael J. Petrides and I hope all of you here continue to do so as well.”  Borough President Vito Fossella was joined by Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, the Port Richmond North Shore Alliance, and community residents to oppose the construction of a lithium-ion battery storage facility in the heart of Mariners Harbor.
The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility is under construction in a vacant lot at 2166 Forest Ave. on the edge of a dense residential neighborhood, between a strip mall and a deli and across the street from Lowe’s Home Improvement and Kohl’s department store. There are also two gas stations across the street. Staten Island accounts for 6% of New York City’s population, yet 50% of the BESS sites are planned for Staten Island.“ A few years ago, the city in its lack of wisdom, decided to change the rules of the game and allow for BESS units to be developed in some types of residential and commercial areas that for most of the city’s history was not allowed,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference. “Sure enough, once they allowed the floodgates to open, people started looking around the city to find the cheapest place to put these units and what do we have -- they decided that Staten Island was the best place for these units to be built because of the relative price of land and the opportunity that existed.” Borough President Fossella noted that BESS sites have caused fires throughout the country, often forcing the evacuation of neighborhoods and the closures of highways. Once the fires are deemed under control, residents return home only to be evacuated again as the fires re-ignite. “In short, the city's been playing with fire with these things," he said. Mario Buonviaggio, vice president of the Port Richmond North Shore Alliance, said battery energy storage developers are “state shopping.” “When issues like this arise, you have to follow the money,” he said. “So, now we have this concern that these companies are state shopping and they’re going to the lowest bidder. This reeks of incompetence, corruption and quid pro quo.” Borough President Vito Fossella Honors Farrell Wrestling Team For Winning City, State Championships5/2/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella congratulated the wrestling team from Monsignor Farrell High School for capturing both the CHSSA city and state crowns in February.
The Lions won the CHSAA City Championship on Feb. 8 with a score of 489 points at Iona Prep High School They followed that performance by racking up 268.5 points to beat two-runners up and 12 additional teams that placed in the state tournament. The victory was made sweeter as they capped off the win at home. Each player and coach received a Certificate of Appreciation from Borough President Fossella during a gathering on the Borough Hall steps on Friday. “We couldn’t be more proud of these young men," said Borough President Fossella. "Thanks to the love of the parents and the grandparents and the siblings, because without that beginning, you can’t shape these men into the good young men they’ve become." Farrell President Lou Tobacco presented them with their championship rings. “These young men—our Faithful Men—are the embodiment of grit, discipline, and brotherhood,” said President Tobacco. “Their dedication on and off the mat inspires our entire school community and reflects the strength of the Farrell Family.” Head Coach Pete Hamm said the team "trained with purpose, competed with heart, and supported one another every step of the way. “This championship is a reflection of their commitment to each other and to the proud tradition of Farrell wrestling," said Head Coach Hamm. Congratulations to the Lions -- you have made Staten Island proud.  Borough President Vito Fossella was joined by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726 President Daniel Cassella and local business owners to issue a call for the MTA to remedy the recent surge in congestion surrounding their bus depots.
The call comes amid reports that traffic surrounding the Castleton Bus Depot has increased significantly over the last several months because of the closure of the Meredith Avenue Depot in Chelsea in January. Once the Meredith Avenue Depot closed, it offloaded its 54 buses which served nine routes to the Castleton, Yukon, and Charleston depots. At the time, Borough President Fossella warned that closing the Meredith Avenue Depot would result in increased congestion at the remaining three depots, leading to poorer overall service for commuters. He said the solution is for the MTA to find a new location to re-open a fourth depot. “There are at any point in time, more than 30 buses lined up here,” said Borough Fossella at a press conference on Tuesday at Castleton Avenue and Rector Street. “To give you an idea of what that means in distance, it’s almost a third-of-a mile of buses lined up back to back to back. As you can see in real time, cars are trying to circumvent buses, they’re going around buses -- these are accidents waiting to happen. We’re here to say this is a problem and we’re urging the MTA to help us address this problem.” The increased congestion has also reduced the ability of Richmond County Ambulance to respond to emergencies, forcing them to forward high-risk calls to 911. Daniel Casella, the union president, said the buses are blocking street parking for customers who need the spots to enter businesses in the area. “The autobody shops that are here can’t even get a customer through their door because the buses have it blocked all the way down to Richmond Terrace,” he said. “This is something that I said would happen, that it would take a little while, and it is happening -- and it’s not just happening here at the Castleton Depot, it’s happening in the other depots also. I really implore the MTA to open another location because this is not going to go away and its only going to get worse.”  Borough President Vito Fossella, City Buildings Department Commissioner James Oddo, and Freshkills Park Administrator Mark Murphy joined together to honor Joe Lhota, who spearheaded the efforts to shutter the Fresh Kills Landfill.
They presented him with a proclamation, which declared April 25, 2025, as “Joe Lhota Day” on Staten Island, during a press conference at Freshkills Park on Friday. “Very often it’s the people up top who get the accolades and the sunshine, but it’s guys like Joe Lhota who actually got it done,” said Borough President Fossella. “I think the people behind the scenes who got it done need to be acknowledged.” As the Deputy Mayor of Operations in the administration of Mayor Rudolph Guliani, Mr. Lhota became the point person when it was announced that the city would finally close the landfill after 48 years. He crafted the solid waste management plan that made the closure possible and negotiated deals to facilitate the transportation of the city’s garbage to landfills in upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia. Following the press conference, Borough President Fossella, Mr. Lhota, and the city officials in attendance traveled through North Park, which opened in 2023 and offers breathtaking views of the area’s hills and waterways, access to the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge, and opportunities for birdwatching. Freshkills Park will open in stages and will be three times the size of Central Park and the largest park built in New York City in more than a century when fully complete in 2036. “To see the transformation, it’s just amazing,” said Mr. Lhota. “What’s really amazing is to see the natural life come back.” Borough President Vito Fossella announced plans to file a lawsuit to stop the proliferation of lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) on Staten Island, alleging they are “inherently unsafe.”
Ten Staten Islanders will join the lawsuit as plaintiffs seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to prevent a BESS site from operating at 283 Nelson Ave. in Great Kills. The lawsuit will seek a stay at a BESS site under construction at Tillman Street and Manor Road. It will also argue that the proliferation of BESS sites on Staten Island violates “fair share” provisions of the New York City Charter and other regulatory processes designed to protect the public. “Staten Island is slated to get about 50% of these storage facilities even though we have 6% of the population,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of Richmond County Supreme Court. "Public safety is not the driving force in siting these facilities, it’s about convenience and cost. We’re taking this to the courts to fight for what is right." Borough President Fossella called attention to legislation in California that says a battery storage site must be sited 3,250-feet from a home -- or more than a mile -- after widespread fires led to large-scale evacuations. “That’s what they’re pursuing in other parts of the country, where they’ve had to shut down highways, evacuate areas, then let people come back in, only to evacuate them once again,” said Borough President Fossella, noting that some facilities on Staten Island have been constructed within 20-feet of residential neighborhoods. “If these facilities catch fire, are they going to evacuate Great Kills, are they going to shut down Hylan Boulevard? We don’t think it’s right, which is why we’re standing here today.”  Borough President Vito Fossella announced allocations for three Staten Island intermediate schools which will completely overhaul and enhance their schoolyards and fields as our students “deserve the very best.” He learned from the principals and students at Totten (I.S. 34) Intermediate School, Barnes (I.S. 24) Intermediate School, and Paulo (I.S. 75) Intermediate School that their schoolyards had not undergone any major renovations in decades. Borough President Fossella visited the schools to outline the projects. At Totten Intermediate School, a full-sized, 100-yard turf football field with dedicated areas for softball, baseball, and soccer will be installed. It will stand as a year-round facility which will serve the students at Totten Intermediate School, as well as student-athletes from schools across Staten Island. As Borough President Fossella placed the ceremonial shovel into the ground and turned over the soil at Totten Intermediate School, the students cheered. “This dustbowl that has been here for 90 years will be transformed into a field of dreams -- it will be epic,” said Borough President Fossella. John Boyle, the principal of Totten Intermediate School, thanked Borough President Fossella in a heartfelt Facebook post. “Thanks to the incredible vision and unwavering commitment of Borough President Vito Fossella, I.S. 34 is turning a longtime dream into a game-changing reality,” he wrote in the post. “This project honors our proud tradition of athletics, champions, and school spirit while building something current and future Eagles will enjoy for generations. Whether you’re defending the nest, performing under the stars, or cheering from the sidelines -- this is your field.” Both Paulo and Barnes Intermediate Schools will receive updated schoolyards with areas for recreation, sports, and outdoor learning, including a full baseball field and a mixed-use soccer pitch and football field. At Paulo Intermediate School, Borough President Fossella was greeted by the cheerleaders and the Paulo Panther, the school’s mascot, as he walked through the hallway on his way to the auditorium. The students had asked him to make their Panther dream of a new field “a reality.” “When I saw the development outside and I learned it was just going to be replaced with another asphalt schoolyard, what I told Principal Zapata and what I am telling you today, is that we’re going to blow it up and have a whole new turf field for all of you,” said Borough President Fossella at an assembly as confetti was released into the auditorium. During his visit to Barnes Intermediate School, Borough President Fossella was welcomed by the cheerleaders and the band playing the trumpets to the tune of New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz. “A few weeks ago, I toured the schoolyard and frankly, it needs work,” Borough President Fossella told the students. “The good news is that at this time next year, we will start construction on a brand-new turf field for you. You deserve it, Staten Island families deserve the very best, and you’re going to get the very best.” His announcement was met with rounds of applause and shouts of "Vito, Vito, Vito." Our office remains committed to ensuring our Staten Island students have the best possible academic and recreational experiences. 
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