Mineola officials express concerns about Governor Cuomo’s LIRR plan
In the wake of recent meetings with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration on the Long Island Rail Road third track project, Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss and Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira both expressed misgivings about the proposed rail line at last Wednesday night’s village board meeting.
“There are still no plans for the third track, only thoughts and ideas. In my opinion, the governor’s office needs to do a lot more work before this even is close to becoming a reality,” said Strauss, who met with representatives from Cuomo’s office and head of engineering from the state Department of Transportation last week.
Strauss said one encouraging sign is the governor’s “outright commitment” to eliminate railroad grade crossings on Willis Avenue and Main Street as part of the project.
“However, in the absence of an actual plan, that remains to be seen,” Strauss said. “In my personal opinion, if [Cuomo’s] got $1.5 billion to spend on jamming a third rail down our throats, I could find a lot of better uses for it.”
He cited “basic infrastructure” issues that money could be used to address, including burying electrical power lines to help prevent power outages.
Pereira and village clerk Joseph Scalero joined mayors from Floral Park, New Hyde Park and Westbury at a meeting with Cuomo himself on Feb. 19. Pereira said the meeting left him with doubts about the project to construct a 9.8-mile train line between Floral Park and Hicksville, ostensibly to increase LIRR efficiency.
“There is nothing concrete, a lot of promises and a lot of reassurances,” Pereira said, adding, “Even after nearly a two-hour meeting with the governor, there are more questions than answers and as it stands now, as we’ve said all along, if we’re going to bear all the burden and none of the benefit, why would we be for this?”
He said there were few specific details discussed about the plan, adding Cuomo said he expected the seven grade crossings—including three grade crossings in New Hyde Park—could be eliminated in three to five years.
“There were no drawings or pictures or anything else. It was essentially a sales pitch if you ask me. But at least he took the time to meet with us,” Pereira said.
Pereira said Cuomo was undaunted about his projection when the deputy mayor said he recounted that the Herricks Road grade crossing elimination project began when he was in grade school and was completed when he started teaching in Mineola High School.
“That was different,” he said Cuomo said, saying that the Herricks grade crossing change was an MTA project.
Pereira said Cuomo indicated the state plans to use private contractors for the third rail line work and he touted the current Tappan Zee Bridge project as an example.
“I think we all can agree that we would love to eliminate those grade crossings. It would help us in terms of traffic flow and safety,” Pereira said. “But those things take a lot of money and take a lot of time. But the governor seems to think these things can be done at the drop of a finger. I think experience tells us otherwise.”
But he said is encouraged by Cuomo’s commitment to keep local officials involved with future meetings on the project is encouraging.
After the meeting, Pereira said he’s convinced the intended purpose of the LIRR third track is to move more freight on the proposed rail line.
He said that Cuomo stated the current plan is different than the plan for a third track that was ultimately discredited and discarded after being proposed in 2007. But he said thus far there is no plan in place to compare with the 2007 proposal.
“They don’t know the needs of each community,” Pereira said.
Trustee Dennis Walsh, who joined Strauss at the meeting with Cuomo’s representatives, said the DOT engineer will conduct a traffic study to indicate the impact of construction on the Mineola LIRR station plaza.
“I want to see them come up with a plan,” Walsh said.
Strauss, who has had several meetings with Cuomo officials, said as soon as there is an actual plan presented on the LIRR project, he will make it public.
“If we ever get a plan, it’s coming to you,” said Strauss, adding that he wants feedback from residents on the project.
Other News
Daniel Whelan, village superintendent of buildings, reported that the CVS store at the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road had been cited again for improper maintenance of its property. Whalen said the primary issue on the store’s site is garbage removal. Village officials said the CVS store has been cited several times for property maintenance over the past five years.
“Quite frankly, I’m tired of CVS,” Strauss said. “This isn’t the first time they’ve been in court. And I’m glad we have them back here.”
CVS could not be reached for comment on the situation.
