The Village of Port Washington North is partnering with the Town of North Hempstead in a $270,000 Joint Municipal GIS Mapping Project that will digitalize the village roadways and sidewalks to help the village better manage its assets and assist in emergency situations. At the February Village Board of Trustees meeting, it was announced that the
$270,000 grant is part of the New York State Regional Economic Development Initiative, which was awarded to the town in December. The village also acknowledged Senator Jack Martins (R-7th Senate District) for providing a speed monitoring device to the village as part of a local grant.
In addition, Phase II of Bay Walk Park will be moving forward this spring. The village was notified by the NYS Department of Parks that funds for the second phase have been approved. Phase II is estimated to cost approximately $1.5 million; however, the village has secured approximately $1.3 million from the Department of Parks, Department of State, Nassau County and the Town of North Hempstead, leaving about $200,000 of the cost to the village. The Phase II project will focus on shoreline infrastructure and amenities, including kayak facilities, a children’s play area, water refreshment stations and other improvements. The village clerk is expecting bids by March 28 and is hopeful they will be available to the board in April.
For the winter season, the village prepared for the inevitable, instituting new parking restrictions, which would come into play in the event of a snow emergency. The restrictions were tested when the village was faced with the recent blizzard and the post-storm report given at the meeting was positive.
Mayor Robert Weitzner said the program was “definitely a success” and thanked the entire Public Works Department for its efforts. Superintendent Ronald Novinski was complimentary of all the residents, noting “everybody really stepped up” and kept their cars off the streets during the storm. Clearing the catch basins and salting further helped the clean-up efforts. Village officials are cautiously optimistic that the new program will continue to be successful.
Finally, the Mayor announced the retirement of Henry Cosenza from the Board of Appeals, acknowledging his 40 years of service to the village. Paul Joseph was voted on and unanimously approved to replace Cosenza. A resident of the village for 18 years, Joseph has been an active participant in the village, offering his services and advice on the Bay Walk Park project. After the vote, Joseph was sworn in as a new member of the Board of Appeals.
