At the last Williston Park Village Board meeting the board gave citations to two winning St. Aidan CYO Soccer Teams.
First the boys winning team was honored, followed by the girls team. Williston Park Village Hall was packed with family and friends as the teams, along with their coaches were honored.
Village Wins AAA Awards
After the teams were honored, Williston Park Village Mayor Paul Ehrbar announced that the village received two AAA awards. One for Pedestrian Safety and the other the Bronze Award for Traffic Safety, which means there has not been a pedestrian fatality in the village in a year and also that the village has implemented enhanced safety measures.
The mayor announced that the village plans to hold an extra meeting in January. The regular meeting is set for Tuesday, January 18 at 8 p.m. at village hall. This is because the Martin Luther King Holiday is on Monday and the next meeting will be a work session on January 24 at 7 p.m. at village hall.
Ackerman Grant Road Project to Resume in Spring
Mayor Ehrbar also reported that the Ackerman Grant money for the road project has been suspended until the spring due to the cold weather. Ehrbar commented, “The problem with this project was that the state held it up so long that we are now in a situation that could have been avoided if we had received the okay earlier.”
The mayor also announced that 80 trees have been removed and some were in conjunction with the road project. Many of them will be replaced with new trees.
Parking Enforcement
The mayor said that the village receives complaints about people who are parking illegally and when tickets are issued they receive complaints that tickets have been received.
He said, “I am asking everyone to look at the signs and pay attention. In certain areas there seems to be an abuse of the regulations. We want to work with the business community. They complain that we are not moving cars out quick enough and yet some of them end up parking their own cars in front of their business all day long. We are working to try to make the roads safer.”
Ehrbar added, “I am asking residents to please drive safely through the village. We have a lot of young people; we have a lot of elderly people and many people in between. It’s a tough time of year. It gets dark early, the roads are wet, slippery and icy. We just need to drive safely.”
He concluded, “I want to thank our staff both inside and outside have done a tremendous job for us and I want to thank them for what they do to keep the village safe. I also want to thank our volunteer groups, our committees. Our fire department and rescue squad, thank you for what you do for us. They make the village work. They give the village a village atmosphere. Further, I thank my board for the past eight months. It’s not a one-person show and I think we have accomplished a lot. We may not always agree on every issue, but we all work with the same understanding that we are here to work with the village for the residents. I also want to thank the residents for their support throughout the year and their input. On a personal note I want to thank the residents who offered their condolences and kind words when my sister Betsy passed away.”
Deputy Mayor Theresa Thomann
“It is a pleasure being the liaison to the fire department. It has been easy to work with them.” Further, she said the members of the Auxiliary Police Department are a very fast growing nucleus group of people that work very hard.
Thomann also said that planning for the pool is already underway and registration may be obtained in the newsletter. Further, she said they will be interviewing candidates at an earlier date for management positions at the pool.
She added, “Hillside Avenue has become ‘restaurant row’ and with that comes drinking and driving so please, please be more vigilant when on Hillside Avenue because whatever reason patrons feel since they are at a restaurant and eating then are able to drink more and then it’s okay to get in a car to drive home which is only a mile or so away and it’s not okay.”
May Obtain Passports at Village of Williston Park
Williston Park Village Clerk Julie Kane announced that it is possible to apply for and obtain a passport at Williston Park Village Hall, 49l4 Willis Avenue, Williston Park on Wednesdays between 9 and 11 a.m. and all the applications are available at village hall. The fee is $75 for an adult passport.
Trustee Kevin Rynne
Trustee Rynne thanked all the committees he was involved with during the year; namely, the Beautification Committee who he met with every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Recreation Committee is making available magnets for the back of residents’ cars that say WP. He said, “Now, instead of Montauk, it will say Williston Park.” The Caseys and Tara Bridges came up with the idea and our goal is to see 60 or 70 percent of cars with them on it. They are being sold at village hall and at the library.”
The library committee has purchased new furniture. Rynne said, “In the front they have nice bar stool-type tables with chairs and the teenage kids love to sit on them to do their reading and assignments and in the back they have nice new lounge chairs with fold-up arms for their laptop computers and everyone is happy, especially Library Director Donna McKenna. So go down and take a look.”
Trustee Barbara Alagna
Trustee Alagna gave the court report and reported on the fines of Justice Kevin Kiley as well as the surcharge.
She also reported on the progress of Operation Santa and volunteers were solicited.
She also reported that the first meeting of the Welcoming Committee will be held in January.
Superintendent of Department of Public Works Keith Burnell
He reminded all residents that when there is a prediction of snow to please not leave their cars in the street when you leave for work. Try to put cars in the driveway.
Building Inspector Kerry Collins
Just remember to get the cars off the street or you will be given very stiff fines. He then reported on residential building permits-2, commercial permits -2, residential plumbing permits-7, oil tank installation-2, sign permits-2, sidewalk apron and curb permits-1 and one application for the Board of Appeals for a variance. There were four applications for Central Air Conditioning permits. Total fee collection of $5, 970. CEO-6, Certificates of Plumbing-12. Notice of violation-3 and two summons were issued.
Village History
Rita Hesse reported that the Historian Committee is working closely with Cub Scout troops on the history of the village. Further, she said that Willy Parker’s has installed wonderful historical photos of Williston Park that have been supplied by various residents which are very interesting.
Open to the Public for Comments
A resident said that the noise level is at 70 decibels. He said that there is no place in the United States, at the residential level that has that level of decibels. He said, “My request to you is that you use the Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines or look at Floral Park which has an even stricter guideline. All I am asking is that when you review the code it is not appropriate to have that level of noise.”
Another resident wanted to know if the Summer of 2010 for the pool have been finalized and Mayor Ehrbar said it has not been finalized.
He also said that he plans to meet with the Village of East Williston mayor to discuss the water rates and numbers have not been finalized.
The board adjourned its meeting and set the next meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. at village hall because Martin Luther King Day is Monday, Jan. 17 which would have been the next Monday meeting for the village.
