Deputy Mayor Lynn Pombonyo
Police Department
The New Year’s Day deadly truck attack in New Orleans leaves our Village and Police Department outraged and expressing our sympathy to the victims, their families and the City of New Orleans.
In the aftermath, as investigations at all levels of government are under way, our Floral Park Police Department pays close attention to the findings of those official investigations, shares them across the Department, and incorporates them into Department training.
FPPD members who have completed Instructor level training include Sergeant Mayo and Officers Sawicki and Tangredi. Working with Commissioner McAllister and Lieutenant Doherty, this Instructor team closely examines the investigative reports and literature published by agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Federal and State Attorneys General, and the local jurisdictions. Relevant information is shared with the Department in a variety of ways including training classes taught by our FPPD Instructors. Our Department acquires the expertise that is developed after such horrific events. See the related post on our FPPD Facebook page.
With the New Year comes ongoing reminders about illegal standing and parking in the marked emergency zones on Tulip Avenue at the corners in the business district and on Verbena Avenue near the corner of Tulip Avenue. Motorists who violate the law are endangering our safety by blocking the corners for fire department vehicles and ambulances, and will be ticketed.
One-way streets in Floral Park are exactly that. Iris Avenue, between Tulip and Carnation Avenues, is a one-way street. FPPD reminds us that motorists may not exit either parking lot on Iris Avenue and proceed in the direction of Tulip Avenue or the other parking lot, even if it’s only a short distance. It’s against the law. Driving in the correct direction on one-way streets is required at all times.
The attention of our motorists to avoid “Blocking the Boxes” at our intersections has been noted by our FPPD Officers who have been assigned directed patrols to reduce and prevent violations. Although sixty-five summonses were issued for this violation during the last two months, we appreciate the cooperation of those motorists who keep our intersections safe.
Let’s all work together with our FPPD for a safe New Year in our Village!
Conservation Society (FPCS)
It might be bitter cold outside but, in the December issue of our Floral Park Village Items, you’ll see that registration for our Recreation Winter/Spring programs is taking place now. One of those programs takes place in our very own Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary. Gardening For Kids, taught by FPCS Volunteer extraordinaire “Miss Laura” Trentacoste, begins Saturday, March 15th at 9 AM, running ten sessions through the end of May. Children, ages three to ten, will be fascinated by the gardening, walks and crafts adventures in our unique, vast Gardens. Our 2024 highlights included planting seeds in the Gardens, planting seeds to take home, and watching them grow – bulbs, flowers, corn, herbs and others; exploring the wonders of nature on all the hilly paths throughout the Gardens; and artistic crafts activities using natural and recycled materials to create caring projects such as birdhouses and bird feeders for our feathered friends who call the Gardens home.
At Gardening For Kids 2025, our children will have fun with friends and help nature, the Earth and Floral Park. Thank you, “Miss Laura” for creating this valuable and memorable Gardens program for our children!
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
Our Covert Avenue and Floral Park Chambers of Commerce are welcoming the New Year with new members, new businesses and exciting plans.
On Covert Avenue, construction activities are under way to add new businesses and apartments to our busy street. A restaurant is coming to the former bank building at 99 Covert Avenue. Twelve apartments above approximately five to six businesses will occupy the block between Marshall and Beverly Avenues. We all look forward to continuing progress and the openings of these welcome additions to Floral Park. Details to follow in Trustee Longobardi’s Building Department report. See the website for 2025 Chamber membership information at
The Floral Park Chamber of Commerce will welcome 2025 with a networking dinner meeting this Thursday, 6-8 PM at Crabtree Restaurant on Jericho Turnpike. The 2025 Board of Directors will be introduced and sworn in, and new and interesting business updates will be shared. See the website for meeting registration and 2025 membership information at
Make it your New Year’s resolution to SHOP AND DINE LOCAL IN FLORAL PARK AND STEWART MANOR!
New Year’s Thanks and Best Wishes
We all enjoyed a bright and beautiful 2024 holiday season in Floral Park. Appreciation goes to all of our residents and businesses whose sparkling lights and unique decorations made our Village so festive. Floral Park’s Department of Public Works added to the joy and holiday spirit, brightening our Village buildings, parks and streets. What a glorious place to be at Christmas time and the holiday season!
And now, as we welcome 2025, may the New Year bring good health, peace and joy to all.
Trustee Frank Chiara
Fire Department
Our Fire Department would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a safe and healthy 2025. I would like to thank our Volunteer Fire Department who were Santa’s Elves this holiday season, when Santa made his way down the streets of Floral Park to visit the children before Christmas Day. They drove down the block and made many stops to say hello to the many kids outlining the streets. It was a festive event enjoyed by many in our Village. Thank you once again to our Volunteers for being such vital members of our community.
For the month of December, the Fire Company responded to 48 calls, the Rescue Company responded to 14 ambulance calls and 6 fire calls, NYU Langone responded to 95 calls, for a total number of 143 calls for December.
Library
The Floral Park Library is starting out the year with a month packed with programs. Here are a few to keep on your calendar:
- On Friday, January 10th, from 4-5 PM, grades 6 to 12 can participate in “Not Your Ordinary Dessert Wars”. In this exciting competition, teens will put their culinary skills to the test by creating a unique candy masterpiece. A special judge will crown the top two creations, and all participants get to take home their delicious desserts to enjoy!
- On Saturday, January 11th, from 1-2 PM Chef Barbara will be at the library to teach her favorite bread and soup recipe pairings, from crusty French bread to French onion soup.
- On Monday, January 13th, from 6:30-7:30 PM, for grades 2 to 5, the library is hosting chess instructions with the Long Island Chess Nuts. The program is for beginners and experienced players. It is a three-week program.
Check the Library’s website at www.floralparklibrary.org for upcoming programs. Please remember that they fill up fast so register if you’re interested.
The library will be closed on Monday, January 20th, for Martin Luther King Day.
Trustee Jennifer Stewart
DPW
Our DPW crews have been filling pot holes and making street light repairs. Plows are in place and ready in the event of accumulating snow. Crews have salted roads on Monday morning and Monday night as temperatures plummeted and roads became icy. Sanitation Crews have collected 65 tons of household waste, 9 tons of paper and cardboard, and 6 tons of commingled plastics and glass. Bulk pickup will resume tomorrow, after two holiday weeks.
In case of snow accumulations, I would like to remind residents that sidewalks are to be cleared of snow and ice 12 hours after the storm. If you live on a corner, please shovel out the corner to make crossing the streets safe for all. If you have a fire hydrant in front of your house, in the event of significant snow, please make sure to clear the hydrant so fire fighters have access to it, saving valuable time.
Many roads as well as the Holland Avenue parking lot have been repaved and/or repaired. The full list of roads repaired/repaved will be included as part of our bimonthly newsletter.
Verizon is looking to install a tower in the Village, there is a possibility the Village will lease property to Verizon on the DPW Garage property.
4VS
Next week’s show lineup includes Inspiring Stories with Bill Corbett Jr.; Rob Weisberg – 911 Responder and Advocate for those with PTSD, FPFD; Red Alert with Larry King AEMT; and “Maritime Firefighter Training” with James P. Spear, SUNY Maritime College.
MTA
While congestion pricing has begun south of 60th street in Manhattan, the truly good news is that the final Queens Bus Network Redesign Project does not have the Q110 coming into the Village of Floral Park. I would like to thank all the residents who submitted comments, my fellow Board Members and Village Administrator Gerry Bambrick for attending the hearing with me and speaking out against this plan, as well as former mayor Dominick Longobardi and Nassau County Legislator Scott Strauss for their support. We would also like to acknowledge the support of New York State Senator Patricia Canzonari-Fitzpatrick, State Assemblyman Ed Ra, and Assemblywoman Michelle Solages for their significant support on this matter. I would also like to thank the MTA for listening to our concerns and doing the right thing.
We are excited to announce that for the past several months, our Village website has been undergoing an upgrade. We anticipate the new page to go live in early February, I expect to announce the exact date at our next meeting. I would like to thank Superintendent Renee Marcus, Deputy Village Administrator Darlene Lanza and Ashley Siragusa for their hard work and attention to detail on this very important project.
Finally, my family and I would like to also extend our wishes to all residents for a healthy and safe 2025.
Trustee Michael Longobardi
Building Department
There has been no change to the ongoing projects status since our last Board Meeting; all projects are still progressing well. Construction is ongoing at the 1 Carnation Avenue apartment building, the proposed restaurant at 99 Covert Avenue, the re-construction of 266 Jericho Turnpike and the Covert Avenue Fire property. Repairs and renovations continue at 212 Jericho Turnpike, the old Firestone building. There are no further updates or meetings scheduled for the large-scale mixed-use development project located at 144-162 Jericho Turnpike. We will announce any future meetings regarding this matter.
Letters were sent recently to our businesses reminding them of the annual fire inspections which will be starting soon. Your cooperation with the building department to complete these in a timely manner is greatly appreciated.
Recreation and Pool
Recreation Session II registration will start tomorrow, Wednesday, January 8th. Senior registration for senior classes only will be from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Registration for all classes will be from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Registration is open and ongoing after that. Youth programs will include Zumba, gymnastics, tennis, and gardening. Adult and Senior programs will include aerobics, yoga, Zumba, Pilates, tennis, and more. A current resident leisure pass or 2024 pool pass is required to register. Applications are available at the pool building, shelter house and online at the Village web site. Registration is ongoing for the 2025 Floral Park Little League Spring Baseball and Softball leagues. For information and to register, please visit www.FloralParkLittleLeague.com. While it may only be 25 degrees outside, preparations begin for Spring 2025; orders are being placed for materials and plans to prepare the fields are being scheduled. A reminder that our current winter hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC)
The next meeting will be on Monday, January 27, 2025 at the Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington Street, Hempstead. If you want to make a noise complaint regarding air traffic, you can call 1-800-225-1071. You can also go to our Village website which has the links under the TVASNAC noise complaint contact information page on our home page.
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
Just to follow up on Trustee Stewart’s commentary regarding the proposed Q110 bus. We are very glad on the decision that was made by the MTA and I’d like to thank Trustee Stewart for leading the charge with dedication and passion for the project. In the years I have been on this Board, Floral Park has had a strong history of offering reasonable arguments when challenges arise. The MTA heard our reasonable argument on why the bus route will not work in Floral Park, including logistics. There was no benefit to their customers for the bus to come into the train station, a route that runs parallel to the LIRR. Thank you, trustee Stewart and former Mayor Longobardi, for attending the public hearings with us.
Lastly, I’d like to remind everyone that the Friday after our meeting we have a biweekly newsletter we send out which outlines what happened at the Board meeting along with any other pertinent information we’d like to announce, including links to our public hearings, zoning, and ARB hearings. If you haven’t signed up for it, I encourage you to do so. We have over 4,000 people who have signed up, so go to our website to sign up.
Be on the look-out for a total refresh of our new website sometime soon.
