Board adopts summer schedule of one meeting a month
Prior to the New Hyde Park Village Board meeting, the board held a public hearing in order to receive public comment on the board’s proposal to hire a secretary for the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Since there was no comment from any members of the audience, the board voted to approve the authorization to hire a secretary for the Board of Appeals.
The board then took a short break and returned to the regular meeting.
Board Honors Falconer With Moment Of Silence
Prior to the opening of the meeting Deputy Mayor Robert Lofaro, who was chairing the meeting, in place of Mayor Daniel Petruccio, said, “Today, we buried, a friend, not someone in the village, but someone nearby in Garden City Park. Nineteen-year-old Casey Falconer, who tragically died in a horrific plasne crash. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 298, and an Eagle Scout. In fact, he earned his Eagle Scout designation by actually cleaning the basement of New Hyde Park Village Hall after the Hillside Library moved to a new location. His work made the space available for the New Hyde Park Auxiliary Police and various other organizations and to be used for recreation.”
Meetings And Block Parties Approved
The first item on the agenda was the approval to hold a New Hyde Park CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) meeting on July 19 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Marcus Christ Hall, on the grounds of the New Hyde Park Village Hall, corner of New Hyde Park Road and Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park.
Also approved were the block parties set for July 28, raindate July 29 on Lowell Avenue, from New Hyde Park Road to Terrace Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Aug. 18, raindate Aug. 19, on 11th Avenue from Covert Avenue to Premier Boulevard and 10th Avenue from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. This application is pending.
Lofaro wanted to make sure the all applicants know that road improvement will be implemented and it could be on those streets on the dates they plan to hold block parties.
Lofaro added to make sure that anyone coming in for an application between July and August, that Superintendent of Public Works Thomas Gannon is notified to see if the street will be available for a block party and not be in the midst of road construction.
Secretary Janet Bevers said she would be sure to notify all applicants and to also check with Superintendent Gannon.
Deputy Mayor Robert Lofaro then called for comments from the public.
Comments From The Public
One resident wanted to know what plastic items were proper to include in recyclables that are put out to the curb.
Superintendent Gannon said just about everything is okay to be included in the recyclables. He added that newspapers and papers are the same. He did say that glossy magazines aren’t usually accepted, but the village accepts them anyway.
A resident then spoke about a parking ticket he received. He said that the meter said to put in a quarter and he did and when he came out he still had a ticket. But, a taxicab that was parked there as well did not have a ticket.
Lofaro said that he was probably in a voucher zone and that any taxicab that is parked at the station without a village voucher sticker is parked illegally.
The resident said the cab did not have a voucher but did not get a ticket, even through the enforcement officer went right by.
Lofaro answered, “Well, that’s a different matter, because there is no selective enforcement in the village. I get tickets if I leave my car on the street at night and if I park my car in a spot that requires a voucher and I have no voucher. Any vehicle parked in a voucher zone from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. needs a voucher or it will receive a ticket.”
Lofaro continued, “Sometimes are meters are running fast or they are defective in some way. Our judge and attorney’s are fair and if there is a legitimate reason that a resident feels they should not have gotten a ticket they try to work with that resident. Our goal is compliance, not revenue.”
Deputy Lofaro then called for trustee reports: Trustee Richard Coppola
Trustee Coppola announced that at the village meeting set for July 17 Third Precinct Deputy Inspector Sean McCarthy would be present to answer any questions residents may want to ask him.
Coppola also said that summer camp registration will begin on June 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. The camp will run from July 9 to August 9. To register an applicant will need a photo and proof of residency.
Deputy Mayor Lofaro
Deputy Lofaro announced that the board will go into its summer schedule of just one meeting a month, the third Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. at village hall, corner of New Hyde Park Road and Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park.
Lofaro also announced that trees are still available for anyone who might want one to be planted in front of their home. Just get in touch with Superintendent Gannon or call town hall at 354-0022.
He went on to say that Superintendent Gannon is now compiling bid specifications for a new garbage truck because the budget that goes into effect for June 1 has an allocation for equipment and that is a new garbage truck.
Lofaro also said that the village is completing fencing along the railroad using some FEMA money for this project. The fence was damaged during the hurricane.
Lofaro said, as he reported in the last meeting, that the village applied for monies due to the last hurricane. He said that the village has already received $36,000 from the federal government but is expected to get monies from the state.
Lofaro also announced that this year the village will have surplus funds in the amount of $170,000, due to compensations from retiring employees. He added, “This is great because these funds can be used for unexpected emergencies such as large snowstorms, a roof problem or a truck breakdown.”
“Additionally, the board passed a resolution in a work session. Typically we do not pass resolutions in work sessions, but since we had five trustees last Tuesday and we knew that some would not be present tonight, we passed a resolution to borrow monies for the upcoming road improvements in the amount of $1.5 million for serial bonds to be paid over a 15-year period. These monies will finance roadwork that we expect to commence on or about in June or July 1. We needed a majority of the board to pass this resolution and we had them at the work session.”
Lofaro went on to say that Trustee Donald Barbieri, who was not at the meeting, wanted him to mention that the New Hyde Park Cultural Commission will hold a singing competition that will be running for six-weeks entitled “Spotlight New Hyde Park.” It will start on Friday, July 13 and will run on every Friday until August 17.
The event will be held in William Gill Theatre, atop New Hyde Park Village Hall. There is a $5 entry fee and all entrants must register by July 1,
Lofaro added, “This is going to be an exciting contest run by Trustee Barbieri and some new cultural commission members. There will be two categories, younger children and teenage category. There are more details available on the village website and in the upcoming village newsletter.
Trustee Lawrence Montreuil
Trustee Montreuil announced that the Memorial Tribute Parade will step off at 10 a.m. from Hillside Boulevard on May 26.
It was also announced that the application for 1115 Second Avenue for a fitness center was approved by the board. Further, the storage facility on Fourth Avenue was also approved.
The board adjourned the meeting, setting the next meeting for June 19 with a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. followed by a regular meeting at 8 p.m.. at New Hyde Park Village Hall, corner of New Hyde Park Road and Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park.
