Michael D. Filippon retiring after
36-year career with Garden City
Michael D. Filippon’s dedication to upholding the Village of Garden City’s ideals has helped it remain a beautiful place to live, work and raise a family. His extensive work developing and updating the village’s master plan shaped Garden City’s future and the existing residential and business landscape is a testament to his professional commitment during the past 36 years.
Filippon worked at various architectural and engineering firms for approximately 20 years before joining Garden City’s engineering department in 1979. He was transferred to the building department in 1982 and appointed superintendent in 1988.
During his career, Filippon oversaw the review and approval process of nearly 10,000 building permits, in addition to the many more plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits reviewed and approved.
Some notable projects completed during his tenure include the Wyndham Condominium, new office buildings such as 999 Franklin Ave. and 401 Garden City Plaza, 191 Seventh St., at the corner of Franklin Avenue, and, recently, Doubleday Court Condominium. He also oversaw the growth and expansion of Adelphi University through the years, with two new residence halls, the Sports Complex, the Performing Arts Center and, currently, the Nexus Building.
Filippon assisted village counsel in drafting new code regulations pertaining to village zoning, architectural review and planning. He currently serves as secretary and advisor to the village’s zoning board of appeals, architectural design review board and planning commission.
He has also served on the boards of the Building Inspectors Association of Nassau County, becoming president in 1991, and the Eastern States Building Officials Federation, where he received an honorary lifetime membership.
In 1994, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce awarded Filippon the Community Achievement Award.
“Throughout his long tenure as Garden City’s Superintendent of Buildings, Mike Filippon has been a great friend of the Garden City Chamber. As a valued and highly respected member of the Zoning board of appeals, Mike has continually worked to protect and preserve the high ideals of zoning requirements here in the village,” said Althea Robinson, executive director of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce.
“Way back in time (and on his time), I remember Mike addressing members of the chamber relative to sign and display regulations so important to the aesthetics of our business district. The chamber joins the legion of friends and associates who will miss Mike terribly.”
The board of trustees has appointed Ausberto Huertas, Jr. superintendent of the building department, effective July 27, for the balance of the official year, ending April 4, 2016.
Huertas brings extensive experience to the position. He served most recently as the superintendent of buildings for the Incorporated Village of Malverne. His prior experience includes serving as a senior code compliance manager, overseeing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s East Side Access project, as well as a plan examiner, New York City Buildings Ambassador and special enforcement plan examiner for the New York City Department of Buildings, where he, among other responsibilities, assisted mayoral agencies on proposed zoning changes.
Huertas, an active member of the Malverne Volunteer Fire Department, is in the process of obtaining his architectural license, having completed four of the seven required exams.
Fillipon, who retires effective Oct. 23, 2015, is serving as temporary superintendent of the building department to help aid his successor during the transition.
The longtime West Hempstead resident said this job afforded him the opportunity to know and work with leaders in the fields of architecture, engineering, law, real estate development and public administration.
“The people I’ve had the opportunity to meet is incredible,” Filippon said. “This job has really given me opportunities and experiences that I never would have had elsewhere.”
Trustee Theresa Trouvé first met Filippon in May 2014 as a newly sworn in member of the Board of Trustees, appointed Commissioner of Building and Planning. “I telephoned Mr. Filippon to introduce myself and at the end of the conversation he asked, ‘Don’t you want to come over and meet everyone?’ I did, and over the course of the next couple of hours I found myself submerged in an in-depth lecture on everything you ever wanted to know about building and planning,” she said.
“Mike will always be remembered for the depth of his knowledge, for his fine judgment and for the dignity with which he carried out his official duties. The beauty of our village is a testimonial to all of that. We wish him a very long and happy retirement.”
Trustee Robert Bolebruch added, “Mr. Filippon has been the calming voice and objective viewpoint for the last 36 years. I, as many of the trustees before me, have used his wealth of information to make too numerous important decisions to mention. I will miss his leadership and vast wealth of knowledge. He always treated everyone with the utmost respect. I wish him and his family all the best.”
Mayor Nicholas P. Episcopia thanked him for his many years of service. “Our village was very fortunate to have Mr. Filippon here all these years,” he said. “I wish you all the luck and health in your retirement.”
