East Williston Trustee Rafaella Dunne stepped down from her position and resident Dan Simone was sworn in to complete her term at the village board’s meeting on Monday, March 9, Mayor Bonnie Parente announced,
“Raffaela is an exceptionally talented professional engineer,” Parente said in a newsletter, “We are sad to see her go, though she continues to work on the Centennial in what little spare time she has.”
Simone, an architect and developer, was sworn in by the mayor standing next to his wife, Lorin Simone. He said they have lived in the village since 2016 and have two children in North Side Elementary School.
“I’m looking forward to working with the board to effect change,” he said, “and hopefully bring my expertise as an architect to the planning and zoning board, maybe refining some provisions in our code and making a few things clearer.”
Parente said that s a small-business owner, Simone will not accept any new work from the village during his tenure as trustee. She said the board created a liaison position to the zoning board, which Simone will hold.
The board also presented a preliminary budget draft to the public, which includes an overall tax levy increase of just over 4%, or a tax rate increase of 3.98%, Treasurer Scott Cunningham said.
The largest increase in revenues and expenses comes from major roadwork projects, totaling $400,000. The board emphasized that these funds are CHIPS eligible, meaning they will be reimbursed by New York State.
“Overall, that should be completely covered by state funds,” Cunningham said. “The CHIPS program is basically a reimbursement program. We hope to do that quickly in the fiscal year by front-loading the money that goes out and submitting everything for reimbursement.”
Ajla McDonald, chair of the village library board, said the library has reached the minimum allowable capital fund balance, meaning it can no longer withdraw funds for the library’s annual budget.
She said that in the 2027-2028 fiscal year, the village alone will be required to fund the library so that it can continue community programs.
The village board approved several resolutions addressing administrative matters, including approval of previous meeting minutes and two check registries.
Trustees voted to approve an $18,700 contract with H2M Architects and Engineers to create a digital map of surface water infrastructure, the water distribution system and trees on village property, street signs and fire hydrants.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Gallo said this will help the village accurately understand where specific infrastructure is, allowing for easier fixes and upgrades in future projects.
The board also approved awarding LOSAP points, a benefits program for volunteer firefighters, to 33 village firefighters.
Trustees also backed a resolution to create specific language regulating the rental of village facilities for private or commercial use.
Parente said the additional language will protect the village from incurring unforeseen costs from renting out space and will provide clear regulations on who can rent space and how much should be charged.
