Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Fire Department
The Floral Park Fire Department is proud to announce its Chief Staff as they move up to their new positions: Chief of Department Brian Hamerman of Reliance Company; 1st Assistant Chief Sal Arrigo of Rescue Company and a former Chief of Department; 2nd Assistant Chief Gil Luger of Active Company; 3rd Assistant Chief Eric O’Connor of the Hook & Ladder Company; and 4th Assistant Chief William Lauria of Alert Company.
We thank 2nd Assistant Chief Daniel Bennett for his service on the Chief Staff. Chief Bennett is also a former Chief of Department.
We also thank our current Chief of Department James Dodson for his strong leadership and many years of voluntary service in Alert Company and the Department.
At the upcoming April 18th Village Board meeting, the Mayor and Trustees will accept Chief Dodson’s final report, and Mayor Fitzgerald will swear in Chief Hamerman and the Assistant Chiefs.
Department of Public Works
It’s spring, and DPW continues to beautify our Village daily. Spring clean-up includes tree trimming and the removal of dead trees. Our tree list is current. Faded street signs are also being replaced.
New at the library entrance are three classic crape myrtle trees and colorful landscaping, all to be described in Trustee Longobardi’s report. And, as you walk or drive along Jericho Turnpike, please take a moment to admire the fifteen new, magnificent cherry trees adorning the businesses between Plainfield and Sycamore Avenues. The old tree pits will be cemented and bricks will be added to complete the new look.
Stay tuned for further DPW beautification highlights from Trustee Stewart, the new DPW liaison. It’s been a joy for me to collaborate with DPW for two years; see firsthand the hard work that they do; and celebrate the Department’s significant accomplishments. Thank you Superintendent Kevin Ginnane, Deputy Superintendent Joseph O’Grady, Supervisor Kevin Pearsall, and all at our awesome DPW!
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
The Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce is eagerly awaiting the next phase of the Covert Avenue fire reconstruction. The property owner, architects, engineers and Building Department are planning for the demolition and clean-up of the old basement structure on the site, to be done in conjunction with the construction of the new foundation for The Hillcrest, the business and residential building that is planned.
In the meantime, enjoy spring in our business districts by SHOPPING AND DINING LOCAL in Floral Park and Stewart Manor.
Conservation Society and Centennial Gardens
Spring is here, so the place to be is Centennial Gardens, now open daily, 12-5pm.
Even though it was rainy and cold, the Easter Bunny opened the Gardens season on Saturday, April 1st at the festively decorated pool building. Over 160 adorable children, mostly babies and toddlers, and their families came out to greet the Easter Bunny and our Trustees; pose for colorful photos in front of bright and sunny Easter displays; and enjoy special bags of Easter treats.
Thanks go to Parks Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt, Parks staff and party hosts extraordinaire Gena King and Karen Lacey, special guest Nora Cernjul, and our “full of fun” Easter Bunny. Definitely, a best day at our indoor Gardens!
Meanwhile, back at the Gardens, Master Woodcarver Gregg is transforming a massive tree trunk to a glorious Gardens treasure with his skilled carving of our Gardens birds in the tree trunk. It’s an incredible work of art in progress, not to be missed. Go to the Floral Parkway main gate where the red-tailed hawk at the top of the sculpture will greet you. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this work of art as it’s created. What a thrill!
And Greetings…
Wishing a joyous Easter, Passover and Spring to all in our Village!
Trustee Frank Chiara
This evening I have no reported updates for the Police Department and the Building Department. Both are in good standing and operating smoothly. I truly enjoyed being the Trustee liaison to these two departments for the past two years. Thank you to Police Commissioner Stephen McAllister and Building Superintendent Renee Marcus for their hard work, professionalism and dedication – it has been pleasure working with both of you and your departments.
Last week our Beautification Committee met for their annual planning session. This committee, led by Donna Sanchez, is comprised of resident volunteers who give of their time to plant flowers in our pocket parks and other visible areas within our Village. They are a sophisticated, knowledgeable group of dedicated volunteers who spend many hours and lend their talents to making Floral Park so beautiful. Not only do they recognize the many different plant and flower species, they practice the best methods to plant and care for them. They are always looking for and welcoming to new members. If anyone is interested in joining this great group, please contact Village Hall at 516-326-6300, ask for me and I will get back to you. Thank You to this energetic committee for enhancing the beauty of our Village for the upcoming seasons.
I would like to wish everyone and their families a Happy Easter and Happy Passover!
Trustee Jennifer Stewart
Good evening, thank you for joining us. I would like to extend my congratulations once again to Mayor Fitzgerald, Deputy Mayor Dr. Lynn Pombonyo, Trustee Frank Chiara, and Village Justice Doug Hayden on their re-elections. It is truly an honor to sit here with you all.
Recreation Department
There are so many wonderful things happening at the Recreation Department as Spring begins. This past Saturday saw hundreds of children brave the rain and the wind to catch a glimpse of the Floral Park Easter Bunny. All in attendance were treated to pictures with the Easter Bunny as well as a treat from the Easter Bunny Trail. A great time was had by all. Special thanks to Recreation Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt, Recreation Assistants Gena King and Karen Lacey for their efforts in making the day very special, even with the change of venue.
As I have reported previously, the Little League Parade will be Saturday, April 22 at 9 AM, with the opening ceremony immediately following at the Recreation Center. For the Multi- Purpose Rink, irrigation is currently being installed and we are waiting for the painting. I am really looking forward to being able to say, “It is done!” Very soon we will hear those words.
The Pool will open for the summer of 2023 on Saturday June 3rd at noon. Please join us for the celebratory First Jump, this Floral Park tradition to usher in the summer season is fun for all. The Pool will follow an abbreviated schedule of varying times until school ends and all programs begin on Saturday June 24th. We are looking forward to a safe, fun-filled summer season! The Pool Booklet is nearing completion, please keep an eye out for the Recreation Center Postcard which will have a link to the Membership Booklet. Memberships can be purchased right now at the Pool building, please call 516-326-6336 for hours.
MTA/LIRR/3TC
Regretfully, the MTA/LIRR has ignored all of the Village’s requests to not make permanent the vehicular gate at Tunnel Street and this past Monday morning, the permanent gate was installed. Last week, the Village sent a letter to LIRR President Catherine Rinaldi asking her to stop the installation and visit the site for herself and see how potentially dangerous the site is. So far, Ms. Rinaldi has not made an appointment to see for herself, instead she sent a letter to the Village Board demanding our vehicles be moved and threatening legal action if we leave them there. To be clear, those vehicles were placed there, not to impede LIRR employees from getting to their worksite, but to protect the safety of our residents, especially our children, as they traverse the tunnel. Please be assured that although construction of a permanent gate was done without the LIRR putting in place any safety measures, the Village will continue to advocate for more safety measures. This issue is not closed.
As always, we encourage residents to reach out directly to the MTA with questions and concerns, as we have found this the most effective way of residents communicating with them. The MTA can be reached at contact.mta.info/customer-feedback or by phone at 516-203-4955 – this is an automated response, but you can ask for “more options” and then ask for “Comments and concerns” to speak to a person.
Trustee Michael Longobardi
Floral Park Library
Our ‘Best in Nassau Library’ has once again been nominated for that title. Please visit the Library’s website and scroll down the page to vote for our Library again this year.
I am happy to say that our new front stairway and ADA ramp are open. This is a great much needed improvement to access the Library for all. Thank you to Superintendent Renee Marcus and her team for all their hard work to finish this project. And now our DPW team is in the process of finishing the landscaping and beautification of the front just in time to begin the celebration of the Library’s 100th anniversary. Thank you to Superintendent Ginnane for this work.
Please take a moment to visit our library in honor of its 100 years and see all it has to offer. AARP tax assistance is available every Tuesday 10AM to 3PM. Please contact the library for details to schedule a time. Tuesday April 11th from 10AM to 2PM the St Francis Hospital Outreach Bus will be at the library offering free health screenings. Please check the Library website, WWW.FloralParkLibrary.org for a complete list of events and dates.
Thank you to Library Director Pat Eren, Administrative Assistant Linda Sartini and the entire Library Board of Trustees and staff for a great year. It was a pleasure working with you and I leave you in the very capable hands of Trustee Chiara.
Four Village Studio – 4VS
Next in the 4VS Flashback 25! is FPPD Behind the Badge: Car Stops and Village Historian Walter Gosden discussing his book Floral Park, NY are both airing next week on Thursday, April 10th at 9:30PM and 9PM. The Floral Park Mayor’s Report will air with Deputy Mayor Pombonyo and Superintendent of Buildings Renee Marcus discussing the downtown revitalization program. To see a current list of the flashbacks plus all our shows, please visit www.4vs.org or watch your local provider station.
Happy Easter and Happy Passover!!
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
I am delighted to report that on this upcoming Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, the Village of Floral Park is inviting recipients who received the distinct honor of the Purple Heart to its Memorial Day ceremony where the Village is celebrating its new designation as a ‘Purple Heart Village’. I know that I, along with the Board of Trustees, are looking forward to this special day as we honor those who were wounded or sacrificed all to protect our Nation’s freedoms. Everyone is invited to attend. It will be a wonderful event.
Following up on Trustee Jennifer Stewart’s comments regarding the Tunnel Street Gate issue, I was very disappointed to receive the recent letter from LIRR President Catherine Rinaldi. The Board is busy preparing a response. I have personally spoken to Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick to get their much-needed help on this significant and serious issue. There will be more to follow.
Trustee Chiara and I are attending the NYS Belmont Local Advisory Board meeting tomorrow. NYRA has reported that there will be an upgrade and overhaul of the Belmont Racetrack and Grandstand. I would like to commend NYRA for being very transparent with the Village of Floral Park in engaging the Board of Trustees, the West End Civic Association and the local residents every step of the way on its development plans to date.
The next meeting is Wednesday, April 12 and it is the annual Village Budget Hearing. As I have mentioned, I encourage residents to attend this most important meeting of the year in my opinion, as it is informative on how your taxpayer dollars are allocated and spent, provides a great overview of how the Village operates, and is the time that citizens can participate and ask questions and offer feedback to the Board.
Thank you to all who attended tonight and I wish everyone a very Happy Easter and Happy Passover. Thank you.
