Deputy Mayor Lynn Pombonyo
Police Department
In February, our Floral Park Police Department was involved in 695 incidents requiring police attention. This number encompassed 210 traffic stops, 31 traffic accidents with damage and/or injuries, 4 residential fires/smoke conditions, 90 aided cases also involving our NYU Langone or Fire Department ambulance, 26 citizens needing assistance, 28 alarms of all types, 17 domestic incidents, 9 youth-related issues, 21 suspicious persons, and 7 important welfare checks to ensure that residents living alone are safe and well.
One hundred fifty-two of the above incidents were identified as violations resulting in summonses. Thirty-five summonses were issued due to failure to stop at stop signs. Additional summonses were issued for obstructing intersections, disobeying traffic control devices, speed not reasonable and prudent, improper u-turns, inadequate lights, unlicensed operation of a vehicle, unregistered and uninspected vehicles, and other infractions that violate our Vehicle and Traffic Laws.
In February, the Motor Carrier Unit conducted truck safety inspections along Jericho Turnpike. The snow and ice presented challenges with the Unit’s normal inspection sites, so our Sergeant and Officers used the Holland parking field. The Unit completed 11 truck inspections, issued 31 moving violations, put 4 drivers out of service and 3 vehicles out of service. One vehicle was towed from the inspection site. Driver out of service violations included lack of medical certificates and a suspended license. Trucks were placed out of service for load securement violations and tire violations. The Unit’s March enforcement focus will be Plainfield Avenue and Tulip Avenue, as per the Unit’s observations.
Our FPPD Detectives perform an essential role as they conduct investigations seeking additional information and evidence when alleged crimes are committed. In February, our Detectives became engaged in cases of Petit Larceny (including a stolen bike), Grand Larceny (involving the theft of a wallet from an unlocked vehicle and unauthorized charges on an account), Identity Theft (for unauthorized withdrawals from an account and altered checks), Assaults (a domestic incident and road rage), Domestic (for order of protection violations), Vehicle and Traffic Law stops (including a suspended license and DWI), and others. Year-to-date, our FPPD Detectives and Officers have made five arrests, several relating to these alleged February crimes.
In the area of parking violations, 827 summonses were issued in February: 208 for illegal 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM parking on the street, 123 for expired meters, 62 for parking over the four hour Village limit, 32 for parking under the railroad tracks without a permit, 16 for double parking (both disruptive to traffic and dangerous), 14 for parking in designated fire/emergency lanes, 25 for parking in spaces designated for the handicapped, 22 for parking within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant, and other infractions.
The three most dangerous parking violations, that put others at risk, include parking in spaces designated for the handicapped, parking in designated fire/emergency lanes, and parking within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant. Please be respectful of those who may have disabilities and need parking close to their destinations. And make sure you’re not the driver who blocks fire/emergency vehicles and operations by obstructing our roads and fire hydrants. Those who do so will receive summonses from our FPPD.
The Library
We hope that all in Floral Park have been visiting our FPPL Facebook page to see our engaged residents (from the tiniest babies to our beloved Senior Citizens), our community-minded business people and Village staff, your Village Board, and all who frequent our Village “Reading Across Floral Park.” There are countless readers who sent over one hundred entertaining photos of their happiest reading experiences here in our Village. Check out FPPL Facebook, and enjoy the photos of all of our Library adventures.
Another new, enjoyable activity, which has gotten off to a great start, is the “Quiet Reading Book Club.” Readers are invited to bring a good book to the Library’s Quiet Room, read for an hour, then chat about their books and other topics. Come to read and share on the first Tuesday of every month, April 7th, May 5th and June 2nd, at 7:00 PM.
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
Our Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce will be greeting members and guests at a dinner meeting taking place on Tuesday, March 24th at 7:00 PM at BC Bistro on Jericho Turnpike. Featured will be our very knowledgeable Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes, Jeanine Driscoll. Learn about “Your Guide to Following Your Assessment” and discuss this important topic while networking with Receiver Driscoll and our local business persons. For meeting registration and interesting Chamber information, visit:
On Saturday, March 28th, at 10 AM, the Village and our Chambers of Commerce will welcome Enexia Pharmacy at 100 Jericho Turnpike. We’ll hold our traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, and all are invited to visit this business and meet the owners and staff.
Coming up next month will be the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce April Dinner Meeting. All are invited to the Post & Union Restaurant on Tulip Avenue, Thursday, April 2nd at 6:00 PM to hear the latest Chamber and Village news. For meeting registration and information, contact: floralparkchamber.org
And, as Winter turns to Spring, take a daytime or evening stroll through our business districts, and SHOP AND DINE LOCAL on Tulip, Verbena and Covert Avenues and Jericho Turnpike. Enjoy the coming Spring with family and friends!
Floral Park Memorial High School Champions!
Congratulations to our FPM Boys Varsity Basketball team, Coach Sean Boyle and his staff! After playing in exciting regular season games and a highly competitive series of five playoff games at the State University at Farmingdale, our Knights completed their season with an impressive 22-3 record, the best overall record in Nassau County this year. Our FPM team is now the Nassau County Boys Varsity Basketball Champions for the second year in a row, and exceeded that honor by winning the 2026 Long Island Championship as well.
Throughout this year’s basketball season, our team has played with tremendous passion, skill, perseverance, teamwork, pride and sportsmanship. FPM is the best, and our proud community filled the bleachers at every game!
Trustee Frank Chiara
Department of Public Works
The Highway Department crews have been actively filling potholes throughout the Village. In the last week, they have filled a total of 125 potholes. If residents encounter any potholes that need attention, please call the Department of Public Works at (516) 326-6320 to report them. Additionally, the Highway Department has cleaned out the basins in the Hillcrest and Southside areas and made repairs at various Village locations to address snow damage. This has included repositioning manhole covers, repairing damaged fencing, and laying down asphalt. ADA parking spots at the Violet Avenue Lot and under the Long Island Rail Road trestle have been refreshed with new paint.
The Park Department crews have begun spring cleanup and have cleaned all Village parking lots. The Maintenance Department has cleaned all Village buildings and some minor carpentry work has been performed at the Recreation Center.
The Sanitation Department has collected 45 tons of household waste, 5 tons of paper, 3.5 tons of plastic, and 12 tons of bulk rubbish.
The West End Drainage Project is underway and progressing ahead of schedule. So far, new drainage basins have been installed in the following locations: Larch Avenue and Elder Place, Pine Avenue and Elder Place, the dead end of Spruce Avenue, the dead end of Chestnut Avenue, and West Elder Avenue. Additionally, the new recharge basin is being excavated at the Belmont property directly behind Calla Avenue. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the drainage project. To keep the public informed and address any concerns, we are holding bi-weekly construction meetings.
Please be aware that there is significant construction activity taking place in the West End, particularly along Mayfair Avenue and West Elder Avenue. Construction trucks will be entering and exiting Calla Avenue during the project, so please exercise caution when traveling in the area. We will notify residents of any upcoming construction issues. Please check the Village website for any new updates.
I’d also like to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and Happy St. Joseph’s Day.
Centennial Gardens and Conservation Society
I wanted to remind everyone that Centennial Gardens opening day is scheduled for April 1, 2026 and the first weed-out of the season will be on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM. Volunteers are always welcome!
Trustee Jennifer Stewart
Fire Department
As Spring approaches, I would like to highlight the remarkable sacrifices many of our firefighters made this winter. During both major snow storms, volunteer members staffed all four firehouses to be available in the event of an emergency. During the storms, members assisted residents in need, time and time again. Similarly, their families sacrificed having their firefighters at home during the storms. The Village and our residents are grateful for their service.
Earlier this evening, the Village Board passed a resolution approving a new program in the fire department. The Explorer Program will now become the Junior Firefighters program. This change increases the types of fire service work that can be done by young members in the fire department. The Fire Department is looking forward to growing this program, having the Juniors involved in the community, and eventually joining the FPFD.
This past Sunday, the Village Board joined the FPFD for their annual Communion Breakfast. The day started with a blessing of the trucks at Headquarters by Father Dan, followed by a Mass at Our Lady of Victory, also celebrated by Father Dan. This year, the department honored ex-captain John Bennent and ex-Chief of Department Ray Newfeld. We were joined by several other local elected officials as we honored their service along with that of their families.
MTA
Earlier this evening, the Village Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding relating to the reconstruction of the train stations at Bellerose and Floral Park. These resolutions will help ensure a strong working relationship between the Village and the MTA, as well as the contractors who will eventually work on the project.
Prior to the start of construction, there will be an informational meeting with residents to provide updates and answer questions.
Cultural Arts Committee
Fireworks and a Village Picnic celebrating America’s 250th Birthday will be held at the Recreation Center on Saturday, June 20th. The Summer Concert Series will begin on Friday, June 26th with a local band featuring young performers; details to follow. Dust off your summer lawn chairs and come out and join your friends and neighbors for musical fun this summer.
Trustee Michael Longobardi
Building Department
I would like to begin with congratulations to our Building Superintendent, Renee Marcus, on her recent election as the fourth woman to serve as President of the American Institute of Architects Long Island Chapter. The organization has a 90-year history, and its mission is to support its members through training, access to information on technology and building materials, as well as to advance the profession of architecture and its value to society. Given her highly successful career to date, as well as all the advancements she has made in our building department, it is no surprise that she has achieved this position within her profession. She is a huge asset to our building department, and we are very fortunate to have her as our Superintendent of Buildings. Congratulations, and we wish her much success during her term as President.
Here are some updates on the various construction projects in our Village:
- Work on the West End Drainage project is ongoing and is currently tracking slightly ahead of schedule. There are regularly scheduled update meetings with all parties involved. Check out our Village website for any updates that may occur.
- Any additional meetings for the Stella’s mixed-use development project will be announced once scheduled. Please continue to visit the Village website for updates.
- Construction work for the proposed restaurant at 99 Covert Avenue will continue for the next several months and is expected to be completed in Spring 2026.
- The construction at the Covert Avenue Fire property is well underway and is estimated to be completed in Summer 2026.
- The Storage Post at 50 Carnation Avenue, has submitted a zoning application to expand its storage buildings. This case was approved with conditions by the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board of Trustees, and the Architectural Review Board. The buildings will be reviewed by the Building Department next for permitting. Construction start dates will be announced once they are known.
- The construction of two new homes at the 32 Orchid subdivision and one at 116 Miller Avenue is expected to begin in the next few weeks.
- The renovation of 212 Jericho Turnpike, formerly Firestone, is ongoing. The owner will operate an auto repair shop in the rear portion of the first floor and retail or business space in the rest of the building.
- The King Arms Building at 60 Plainfield Ave is still undergoing fire restoration; a date for pre-occupancy is not currently available.
- Two new businesses are proposed for 170 Tulip Avenue: Metro Physical Therapy, which has filed permits and is in process, and a proposed Club Pilates studio. There has been no business application received to date for that business.
As we are getting closer to the warmer weather, please be reminded that all homes and businesses are required to remove weeds and cut grass along the curbs and sidewalks adjacent to the property. Please ensure the work is done in a timely manner and help the Village maintain its beauty and prevent unwanted pests.
Recreation and Pool
Thankfully, the weather and snow have cleared, and we can begin preparing the recreation fields for Spring. Weather permitting, this work will continue over the next few weeks, and the fields will hopefully be open and playable for the start of the season. The recreation and pool booklet will be going out next month; keep an eye out for new and exciting programs. There are many ideas and improvements under consideration for the recreation center. If you have any questions regarding this or any activities, please stop by Superintendent Lanza’s office who is happy to discuss any ideas or concerns.
Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC)
The next TVASNAC meeting will be held on Monday, March 23rd, 2026, at Town Hall, One Washington Street, Hempstead. If you wish to make a noise complaint regarding air traffic, you can call 1-800-225-1071. You may also visit the Village website, where links to TVASNAC noise complaint resources can be found on the homepage under the TVASNAC contact information section.
I would like to wish a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day to all.
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
I have two brief public service announcements. I would like to remind everyone that tomorrow is the Village Election Day. All polling this year will be held at pool building so I encourage everyone to please go out and vote. Voting will take place from 12 PM to 9 PM.
I would also like to remind everyone that our Annual Budget Meeting is coming up, and as I’ve mentioned before, this is the meeting that everyone should attend. This year our Budget Meeting will be on April 14, 2026. During the meeting, we will break down and review the new budget. It’s a great opportunity to learn about how the Village operates, how funds are spent, and the value we provide our residents to keep our village a great place to live.
Lastly, I’d like to thank J. Cav Scott from the Long Island Press and the Floral Park Villager for again being with us tonight. Thank you for your continued coverage.
