The Nassau County Legislature started off its new session with a heated debate Monday that some legislators say turned ugly.

It was the first session with new Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro (D - Glen Cove). On the table was a controversial proposal for a county takeover of three local sewer districts, one of which is in Yatauro?s hometown.

Arguments for and against the proposal escalated, prompting Yatauro to shut off the microphones of Leg. Francis Becker (R-Lynbrook) and Leg. John Ciotti (R ? North Valley Stream), who were critical of the plan.

Ciotti continued his argument and Yatauro told him to lower his voice. ?You shut my microphone off so I have to speak loudly,? he said. ?Put my microphone on and I won?t have to speak loudly.?

Becker said former Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs never shut somebody off in that manner. Yatauro maintained she turned the microphones off to catch the lawmakers? attention and was just following the legislative rules to keep the hearing moving.

Republicans voted against the county takeover of the sewer districts, but majority Democrats voted for and approved it. A state panel overseeing Nassau County?s finances and the county comptroller called for the decision to be put off until more financial details were released, but those calls were not heeded.

To watch more footage of the heated debate, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.