At the last Village Board meeting I reported on the water rates of Williston Park and East Williston. I was disappointed with the reporting of my statement and will use this column to help explain the water rates.
As I noted at the meeting, the reasons for discussing the issue was to clarify the issues and eliminate confusion for the residents of both East Williston and Williston Park. My intent is not to negotiate in this paper or report on the East Williston court actions but rather report the rates as they stand today. I don’t believe that the East Williston rates as reported in the Williston Times a few weeks back accurately reflected the separation of rates. Prior to April 1 2011 East Williston was being charged $2.99 per thousand gallons purchased from Williston Park. East Williston in turn charged its residents $4.11 per thousand gallons used ($1.12 above WP rate). In the absence of a long-term agreement with East Williston, the Williston Park Village Board set a rate of $3.83 per thousand gallons used. East Williston in turn raised their rate charged to their residents to $5.42 ($1.59 above WP rate) for the first 100,000 gallons and $5.72 ($1.84 above WP rate) for gallons used above that amount. The purpose of this review or my statement made last week are not intended to criticize or question East Williston’s rate structure (as they are free to set their rates wherever they so choose to do so) but rather to inform residents of both communities of the existing rate structures.
FYI: Williston Park residents pay 3.47 per one thousand gallons used.
On August 2, 2011 Williston Park will once again participate in “National Nite Out Against Crime.” This event is observed throughout the United States on the same day each year. To show our commitment and unity to a safer Williston Park, members of the WP Neighborhood Watch Committee will attempt to provide each residence with a small bag containing a candle that should be lit, placed in the bag and then placed at the curb or on the sidewalk at 8 p.m. Your block captain will distribute the bags in your neighborhood. If you do not have a block captain, please consider becoming one for your block. You can also pick up luminary bags at the Williston Park Village Hall, 494 Willis Avenue, Williston Park.. Then on next Tuesday pull up a chair and sit with your neighbors as we observe “National Nite Out Against Crime” in Williston Park.
I began attending Village meetings on a regular basis during the late Mayor Vincent Fay’s term. At that time there was a small group of “regulars” who always seemed to be present at the Village Board meetings asking a question or two. One of these “regulars” was Al Mayce. His attendance continued through the terms of Mayors Muldoon, Connolly, Ehrbar, and Odierna. He attended of few meetings this past year but he was unable to continue to do so due to health and other reasons. On August 5, 2010 his wife Marianne passed away. Al passed away this past weekend and while sitting at his funeral service at St. Aidans I learned a lot about this 53 year resident of Williston Park as his daughter spoke quite eloquently about her father.
Al was a Navy veteran who was a member of the American Legion. He was also a Williston Park fireman who marched proudly with the Department’s band. He raised his family of six children in his Williston Park home. On behalf of the Williston Park Village Board I offer condolences to the Mayce Family for their loss.
For those who haven’t heard the chimes you should stop by the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection ( formerly St. Andrews) on Campbell Ave. at either noon or 6 p.m. For a number of years, the bells were out of service but the church has put them “back on line.” The musical notes played sound fantastic and are a lovely addition to the sounds of this fine village.
Continue to enjoy the summer with family and friends.
