Floral Park’s village board voted to establish a junior firefighters program under the village fire department at its Tuesday, March 17, meeting.
“I would like to extend my thanks to the chief staff and the junior firefighter committee for all of their work to get to this point,” Trustee Jennifer Stewart said. “As the mayor said, there’s more work to be done.”
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald said the program could attract more young people to volunteer to fight fires. He said the New Hyde Park junior firefighter program has had success, and the village wanted to try something similar.
“As a junior firefighter, they can do more and get into it,” he said. “And we need more firefighters.”
The village is holding elections on March 18, with incumbent Trustees Stewart and Michael Longobardi seeking reelection unopposed.
The board voted to defer a decision on a hearing for a special use permit for a new business.
Fitzgerald said this is standard practice because trustees look over the transcript, and the village attorney will examine any stipulations before bringing the decision back to a board vote.
The business’s applicant said the proposal is for a combination martial arts school and gym. He said the proposed business at 410 Tulip Ave. is his second and will offer free gym access to parents of children in martial arts classes.
One resident raised concerns about the parking near the location. The applicant said that parking in the location will be manageable, with about 15 spots available near the site and a municipal lot nearby.
Trustees also voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the MTA Construction and Development Company and the LIRR. The agreement authorizes the mayor to execute it on behalf of the companies to improve and enhance the Floral Park and Bellerose LIRR stations.
The board also voted on several personnel issues.
Trustees approved a memorandum of agreement with the Police Benevolent Association, which represents officers in the Floral Park Police Department. The collective bargaining agreement is retroactive starting on June 1, 2024, and will expire on May 31, 2029.
It accepted two letters of resignation from Margaret Fowler, secretary to the Floral Park Architectural Review Board, and from Alexander Hickey, a motor equipment operator in public works.
Trustees authorized a payout of over $21,000 to Fowler for her accrued vacation, sick and leave days, as well as a bonus for perfect attendance.
Trustees voted to authorize Christian Aguilar as a member of the volunteer fire department, pending clearance from the sheriff’s office, a background check and medical clearance.
The village board approved about $266,500 for retroactive salary and overtime payment for several village departments.
In public comment, several residents asked the board not to remove the clay tennis court facility at the village recreation center.
Fitzgerald said a decision has not been made, but the board would communicate further with the concerned residents.
