At the last New Hyde Park Village Board meeting, a resident of Albert Street, New Hyde Park, thanked the mayor and the board for heeding to her request and the request of the residents of the street, to put up signs not to block driveways. She said it is a big help.
She said, “Albert Street is one little block, but it contains an inordinate amount of cars that speed down the block, but we can’t do much about that. However, I do have a problem with the DPW (Department of Public Works) trucks speeding on this road. Plus, she said as you come up from the train station there is a sign that says, ‘no turn on red,’ but the little white NHP Code Enforcement truck does make that turn on red. But, there is a constant problem of speeding.”
New Hyde Park Village Mayor Daniel Petruccio urged the homeowner on that street to try to get a license plate number of the speeders. He said the board could then perhaps send a letter to the car owners warning them to stop speeding on that street.
Helicopter Traffic Complaint
A resident of Millers Lane said that there is a huge speeding problem on that street. He said he did call the 3rd Precinct. He also complained about the helicopter traffic.
Trustee Donald Barbieri said that Kurt Langjhar, represents the village at the meetings and they have promised to try to move that traffic further north, but he said he feels the best thing to do is to put in a call to United States Senator Charles Schumer at his Long Island number which is (631) 753-0978 because he seems to be advocating for the helicopters to stop using this route to the Hampton’s and back because they follow the route of the railroad. They also go over Tully Park in New Hyde Park.
Lights Needed Outside Marcus Christ Hall
The same resident wanted to know if the village was going to put a light in the vicinity of Marcus Christ Hall. He said that it was very dark for anyone leaving that building at night.
Department of Public Works Commissioner James McCloat explained that all the connections were very old and that he was discussing the need of new wiring in the area with the village clerk Patrick Farrell and the board. He added, “It’s going to cost a few dollars, but we are going to have to do it.”
A resident of 8th Avenue complained because his street was being renovated. He said, “I think you should have let it alone and not done anything. What they are doing absolutely looks a mess. We have parts of the street that has no curbs, parts that have broken curbs. I think the board should revisit this area.”
The mayor said, “Let me explain to you that nine or ten years ago when this board got together we have a tremendous amount of road work that needed to be repaired. If we went down each street and did all the curbs and sidewalks we would be extremely limited as to how many streets we fixed. Therefore, we made a decision, right or wrong, and we have been consistent. We take a look at the elevation. If there is a change of elevation that requires a sidewalk to be replaced, then we replace, if we do not replace it.”
McCloat said that the decision is based on the elevation the road is going to be when it is finished being repaired.
The resident said, “What you should do is do a block a year. I think what you did is you took my house, which I take pride in and the community I take pride in and you made it look a mess. I know it’s for pitch, but the problem is that it looks horrifying. A few years ago, on 8th Avenue they tried to correct it they repaved just the top half. There are two gigantic potholes in it now. I can tell you right now that in a year or two there will be big potholes at the top of that street because they already starting. I think you should really look at what is going on. I think you would be better off if you did one street a year and there are no gutters.”
Trustee Montreuil said did he see 7th Avenue after it was finished before National Grid came in and ripped it up. He said that he understands what the resident is saying, but it would take massive amounts of money to do the roads, curb to curb and he added, “Unfortunately, the sidewalks and the curbs are the responsibility of the homeowner.”
The village attorney, Ben Truncale agreed with trustee Montreuil.
The resident replied that he did see that road, but that he still feels that the streets look terrible. He said, “I have been in this village for 40 years and nothing has ever been done with my road until now. Why not give the residents a chance to put in new sidewalks and curbs?
Mayor Petruccio said that the village does not have, as some villages, a sidewalk district and to start one now would be impractical especially in this financial climate. The resident disagreed.
DPW Commissioner McCloat tried to explain that the roads were done at the recommendation of the engineer, who he said was one of the best in the area and he also added that not all roads need gutters.
However, the resident was not happy and urged the board members to please come take a look at his street and they agreed they would.
Mayor Petruccio then called for trustee reports.
Trustee Richard Coppola
Trustee Richard Coppola reported that the summer program held at New Hyde Park Village Memorial Park has been extremely successful. He said that more than 150 children registered. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 to 4 p.m. On rainy days the program is held at Marcus Christ Hall, adjacent to New Hyde Park Village Hall.
Trustee Coppola also reported on the meeting he attended to meet the new inspector of the 3rd Precinct. He said it was a very pleasant meeting of all village representatives in the 3rd Precinct and he said that the new inspector is a young man with new innovative ideas.
He also reminded residents of the warning issued by the New Hyde Park Fire Department to be careful with propane tanks when cooking outdoors.
He praised both the boys and girls New Hyde Park Little League baseball and softball teams on their successful seasons.
Since Deputy Mayor Robert Lofaro was on vacation, DPW Chief McCloat reported that the latest pocket park, opposite the library on Lakeville Road, was finished except for a few minor details.
Trustee Donald Barbieri
Trustee Barbieri announced that the Annual New Hyde Park Street Fair will be held on Sept. 12 this year.
He also announced that both he and village clerk Patrick Farrell attended a block grant meeting and found out that the village will be getting about $168,000 which he said is comparable to what they have been getting in other years.
He said that this amount will enable the village to go ahead with a project that was started a few years back. He said they have been working with the Department of Transportation (DOT) on this sometime next summer. It will include the completion of the corners and turning up the blocks on streets we now have the new street lights and planters and benches.
He added, “If the state comes through, we will have some planted medians on the Turnpike and on Hillside Boulevard, which is a continuation of the project to improve the aesthetics of the Turnpike in the Village of New Hyde Park.
Trustee Lawrence Montreuil
Trustee Montreuil announced the building department permits were 50 in June. He said there was a slight increase. The Zoning Board met on July 8 and heard two cases, both were special exception permits.
One was adjourned and will be back in August and the other was approved.
Mayor Daniel Petruccio
Called for a resolution to pay all the bills. He then turned the meeting over to attorney Ben Truncale who presented local laws for vote.
He then read a list of laws:
1. Amendment of code entitled Building Construction entitled permits and certificates to further define when permits are required.
2. Amending Code No. 195 entitled zoning section 195-49 entitled parking provisions for specific zones increasing the number of additional spaces.
3. Amending the code zoning code 195-4 to clarify permitted uses.
4. A law to amend Chapter 195-Zoning-195-32 entitled Permissable Building establishing the permissible building codes for sheds.
5. Amend Chapter No. 57 entitled Building Construction and 57-5 entitled Permits and Certificates for the installation and construction and alteration of roofs and stoops.
6. Amend 195-Zoning 195-24 establishing front yard permissible encroachments.
7. A chapter to amend Chapter 185-3 entitled to increase fines for unauthorized tree removal.
8. Amend Chapter 165 to amend Street and Sidewalks, Section 165-36 entitled streets and driveway.
9. In order to establish the number of curb cuts permitted per property.
10. Amend Chapter 101 entitled fences, section 101-2 entitled applications for a permit in order to establish the Zoning Board Appeals juristiction concerning fences.
11. Seeking to Amend Chapter A-198 entitled fees and charges, section 198-1 schedule of fees and charges in order to increase street opening permit fees.
12. The next law is seeking to amend Chapter A-198 entitled fees and charges in order to establish a fee for digitizing plans and submissions.
13. Seeking to amend A-198-Fees and charges, section A-198 schedule of fees and charges to set fees for roof permit.
14. Seeking to amend A-198 entitled fees and charges in order to define and sset a fee for a stoop permit.
15. The final law is the law seeking to amend Chapter No. 156 of the Code entitled Signage and Advertising.
It was then pointed out, by attorney Truncale that the first 13 laws mentioned have been presented to the Nassau County Board of Zoning who has advised that the board take whatever action they see fit.
The signage law does not have to go through through Nassau County since it is a local law and the board can voteas they see fit.
Trustee Montreuil made a motion to pass all the laws and it was approved by all members of the board.
A series of certuouri’s were approved by the board.
The next resolution was to authorize the village clerk Patrick Farrell to request RFP for consultant services for Operation Main Street and the consultant will be paid by Nassau GED Funds to advertise for bids.
Resolution authorizing the village board to hire part time summer employees for the month of August for Nuzzi Park.
Resolution to authorize the mayor and the Justice of the New Hyde Park Village Court Christopher Devane to file a petition for funds from the New York State Justice Court Grant program, which is an opportunity to receive money to upgrade the court program.
Attorney Truncale also mentioned a cell tower application from Metro PCS which was the subject of a hearing in the village on May 12, 2009 for a special permit application to affix a cell tower on the water tower of Western Nassau water tank located on 2nd Avenue and South Fifth Street.
Truncale said he spoke to the attorney for Metro PCS and he presented the following conditions to be voted on by the board:
1. To conceal the ground facility equipment with ground concealment shrubs at a height of not less than 6 feet. They are to be planted on the western, northern and eastern boundaries of the facility. He further said that he would require that the board require a landscaping plan to be approved by the building department.
2. Lower proposed antennas so that the top of each antenna would not extend beyond the top of the existing hand rails. Antennas are to be painted the same color as the water tower and hand rails. They are to maintain the shrubbery,
The board then closed the public hearing and the meeting and reopened it for public comments.
One resident said he had written a letter a few weeks ago but received no answer regarding a tax exemption he requested but the board said they have not decided what to do about the request as yet. The resident said that the governor has approved it, but the mayor pointed out that just gives the village the right to vote on it if they so choose and as yet that hasn’t been the case. The resident said he would check into it further.
Another resident said that the potholes she complained about had not been touched, it seems they had, but she was mentioning another set of potholes, which DPW McCloat said he would look into the street mentioned by the resident.
There was a brief discussion about legal two family houses and Mayor Petruccio pointed out that sometimes there is a confusion regarding mother/daughter homes and when that dynamic no longer exists in a home, the second kitchen must be removed.
The board ended the meeting and the next meeting will be held on Aug. 18 at 8 p.m.at village hall, corner of New Hyde Park Road and Jericho Turnpike.
