Deputy Mayor Lynn Pombonyo
Congratulations!
Jen [Stewart] and Mike [Longobardi], congratulations on your re-elections as trustees! You have made many important contributions during your first terms on the Board and, as you said on your Re-Election Day, you both look forward to working with our team for another two years. We do too, and look forward to continuing our valuable collaboration and teamwork for Floral Park!
Police Department
Always, our Floral Park Police respond to Fire Department calls. They play a valuable role in responding to the incidents quickly, often aiding patients and families or evacuating residents in emergencies and fires as our FPFD arrives on scene. The Police also control traffic and guide emergency vehicles, as they did during a recent Tulip Avenue nighttime house fire that did serious interior damage to the home. We thank our FPFD and FPPD, and wish the homeowners well.
Recently, Floral Park-Bellerose Interim Superintendent of Schools Lisa Ruiz praised our Officers for their guidance and support during the John Lewis Childs School full evacuation by buses to the Floral Park-Bellerose School following a gas leak some time ago. Superintendent Ruiz also praised our FPPD School Resource Officers, including Lieutenant Doherty and Officer Murphy, for their valuable interactions with our elementary school students and staff members.
In the area of enforcement, 219 traffic summonses were issued in the month of February. These included serious violations such as driving unregistered vehicles including motorcycles (9 summonses), driving with suspended or revoked registrations (8), and driving with no insurance (13); driving at speeds that are not reasonable or prudent (7), disobeying traffic control devices including passing red signals (6), failure to stop at stop signs (59 in February plus 57 in January, representing 116 stop sign summonses issued for the first two months of 2024), improper or illegal u-turns (12); inadequate or no mufflers (2); and a number of other types of violations.
Directed patrols and enforcement continue. Of great importance is keeping the fire zones on Tulip Avenue at Verbena, Violet, Iris and Plainfield clear, and on Verbena Avenue between Floral Boulevard and Tulip as well. Parking and standing at those locations are illegal. All are urged to keep our Village safe by ensuring that our Fire Department and Police vehicles can reach emergencies quickly and safely. Remember, fires double in size within just a few minutes. Obeying our parking laws matters and will save lives and property.
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, our Village and Chambers of Commerce are welcoming a delicious addition to Tulip Avenue, the Häagen-Dazs ice cream store. The opening day crowd and smiling faces of our children and families signal a sweet success ahead. This is a second welcome for our new ice cream shop whose famous proprietors also bring us Levine’s Toys and Gift Shop across the street.
It’s Spring, so SHOP, DINE and ENJOY YOUR ICE CREAM LOCAL right here in Floral Park and Stewart Manor.
Conservation Society (FPCS)
Spring has arrived, and that means our Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary is coming back, too. We thank Kurt Meyfohrt and our Parks Department; Kevin Ginnane, Kevin Pearsall and our Department of Public Works (DPW); and Con-Kel Landscaping for their many days of heavy duty spring clean-up which includes dead tree and large branch removal after this winter’s windstorms, and major dirt road repairs after the winter’s heavy rains. FPCS president Dennis McEnery and our passionate volunteers will then be lovingly planting and caring for the beautiful flowers, bushes and trees, and welcoming back our thousands of admiring visitors.
Here are some important events that you won’t want to miss. Monday April 1st, the Gardens opens daily,12-5 PM for the 2024 season. This coming Saturday, March 23rd, the Gardens will open for one day for Easter Bunny Photos, 10 AM to Noon. Dress in your spring finery, bring your cell phone or camera, pick up your goody bag, and enjoy a morning of Easter time fun in the Gardens. Or, in case of rain, Easter Bunny Photos will take place in our colorfully decorated Rec Center lobby, same date, same time
And now, let’s celebrate Spring right here in bright, sunny and flowery Floral Park!
Trustee Frank Chiara
Good evening, I would like to congratulate Jenn Stewart and Mike Longobardi on their re-election as Trustees to our Village. I look forward to continuing our work together. The Village is fortunate to have such dedicated, hardworking individuals on the Village Board. Congratulations!
Fire Department
Here is the run count for our Volunteer Fire Department for the month of February:
- Active Company: 26
- Alert Company: 26
- Reliance Company: 26
- Hook and Ladder Company: 26
- Total Rescue calls for our Rescue Company: 37
The department responded to:
- 58 NYU Langone Ambulance Calls
- 13 Floral Park Ambulance Calls
- 6 Mutual Aid Calls (to assist our neighboring communities)
- 99 Total Calls for the Month of February
Spring is upon us and with the recent changing of our clocks, the fire department feels it is a good time to remind everyone to check their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It is also recommended having a safety plan in place for emergencies and review it periodically with all members of your household. These two simple steps can save lives.
I would like to compliment and thank our Fire Department for their quick response to a recent house fire on Tulip Avenue. Their swift actions addressing the fire, prevented it from escalating to a more tragic event. The damage to the home was contained and thankfully no injuries were reported.
Once again, this demonstrates the level of commitment the members of the FPFD have to serving our community. We are very fortunate to have these dedicated, well-trained volunteers. Thank You to all of them for service to our Village.
Yesterday’s election ballots held a proposition to increase the Service Award Benefit for our Volunteer Fire Dept members from $700 to $1,200. The proposition was passed by a large margin and the Department would like to thank all the residents who voted to support this increase. The Fire Department appreciates the support of the residents at yesterday’s election.
Library
Recently, Assembly Member Michaelle Solages honored Pat Eren, our Floral Park Library Director as a Women of Distinction for 2024. Pat along with other women, were given a Proclamation from the New York State Assembly recognizing their remarkable contributions to their communities. In true Pat Eren form, in her bio, Pat didn’t focus on her contributions and her work, but rather focused on all that our wonderful Library has to offer to our community. Pat has made our Library a vibrant community space, inviting and welcoming all of its patrons. This recognition as a Woman of Distinction is so well deserved and we are very fortunate to have Pat as Library Director. Congratulations Pat Eren!!!!
Also recently, Katie Vermilyea our youth services librarian was interviewed by NY Newsday for an article on young crowds flocking to libraries as a “Place to Be”. Katie was quoted saying that “kids are waiting at the door” when she opens the teen space on Sunday afternoons. She further stated that the space is more than reading books, it’s a third place, that’s not home, work or school where nothing is expected from them financially. Above all else, it just a place to be. Thank You Katie for highlighting the welcoming atmosphere that our Library offers to our teens and all patrons that stop in.
We are half way through March and there are lots of planned activities and events taking place in our Floral Park Library:
- On Thursday, March 21st at 10:15 AM, there will be a presentation at the library on Nutrition Essentials – 5 Basic Habits for a Healthy Lifestyle given by Legacy Strength’s Joey Olivo.
- On Friday, March 22nd from 4 PM to 5:30 PM the library will be hosting ‘Teen Graffiti Fun’ an event given by artist extraordinaire Dannille Barbaro. She will have the teens make some unusual fun graffiti.
- On Thursday, March 28th at 1:30 PM the Urban Explorers are having an exciting excursion touring the Catacombs by candlelight at the Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral.
- Also on Thursday, March 28th 7 PM to 8 PM the library will be hosting a teen college prep discussion for high school ninth and tenth graders and their parents.
Experience Guidance Counselor Paul Meyfohrt who will share information about the college applications and everything you need to know about the process.
Details on these and other scheduled events can be found on the library’s website at www.floralparklibrary.org .
Trustee Jennifer Stewart
I would like to start by thanking the residents for coming out to vote and choosing to re-elect me as well as my fellow Trustee Mike Longobardi, and for passing the service award for the fire department. Additionally, thanks to my husband Kenny for his support as I continue to serve this Village I love so much.
I was very pleased to attend, along with Deputy Mayor Pombonyo and almost the entire library board and staff, the Women of Distinction ceremony last Saturday in which our Library Director, Pat Eren, was honored.
4VS
On tap for the week of March 25th are: FPFD: Red Alert with Larry King, AEMT & Firefighter Leigh Tyrell “50 Years in the Fire Service” featuring Ex-Chiefs of Department Fairben & Ostipwko; Davidson and Company with Larry Davidson presenting Jonathan Santlofer “The Last Mona Lisa”; and Wes Houston Presents Gerry McKeveny, Singer Songwriter and Guitarist.
We are so very fortunate to have such a professional television studio run by consummate professional, Jim Greene, right here in our Village.
DPW
The Highway Department has swept all roads, they filled potholes, and installed a new Village Flowbird Meter Kiosk on Caroline Place. The Parks Department crews started Spring cleanups in all Village parks, Tunnel Street pedestrian calming walkway has been prepped for new plantings and all parking lots were cleaned. Sanitation Department has collected 70 tons of household waste, 10 tons of paper, 7 tons of commingled plastics and glass, and 15 tons of bulk rubbish. The Tree Department has trimmed trees in Centennial Gardens and throughout the Village. Please call DPW if you wish to have your tree trimmed.
TREE CITY USA DESIGNATION
In 2023 the Tree Department removed 150 Village trees due to disease and safety concerns, however 300 new trees were also planted. If you would like to have a tree planted, please contact DPW. A 6-inch caliper October Glory Tree (Red Maple) will be planted in Memorial Park the week of March 25th to celebrate Arbor Day which will replace the diseased oak that was removed in 2023. Floral Park is proud to be designated a Tree City USA for more than 20 years.
I would like to personally thank Deputy Village Clerk Lara Verbanac for all her work gathering data for our Tree City Designation.
PSEG has advised the Village they will be tree trimming trees along transmission lines on Atlantic Avenue beginning Monday, March 25th. The work is expected to take 2 to 3 days. DPW Supervisors will be spot checking throughout this project to make sure PSEG is following specifications.
Additionally, the Village has been notified that the NYSDOT will be placing a traffic camera at Raff Avenue and Webster Avenue starting Sunday, March 24th and it will be removed before Saturday, March 30th. The purpose of the camera is to assist the DOT with developing a reasonably accurate estimate of the traffic and vehicle miles of travel that occurs on Village roads. NYSDOT does not need to ask our permission, they have the authority to place cameras on any public roadway.
MTA
The Village was informed last week that a new switch will be installed west of Floral Park on the Hempstead line to facilitate movement of trains from the Main Line and Hempstead Line. This work is scheduled to begin in early to mid-June with a timeline of several weeks. Please reach out to the MTA at MTA.info with any concerns or questions regarding the railroad.
Trustee Michael Longobardi
Good Evening! I would like to begin with thanking our residents who came out yesterday and voted to support Trustee Stewart and myself for another term, and keeping this great team working together. It is an honor to sit here and serve this great Village and I look forward to the next two years. I also want to thank my fellow board members for all their support. It is a pleasure working with you. Thank you to my family and my wonderful wife for all their support.
Building Department
Work is expected to begin in May on the proposed walkway to be constructed next to the Post Office connecting the Tulip and Carnation Avenue intersections to the Spur parking lot. This project is partially funded by Nassau County and will add a convenient access to additional parking for post office patrons and residents in the area. There are no major updates on the former Centennial Hall construction, Covert Avenue fire property or 266 Jericho Tpke. All three are currently ongoing. The Architectural Review Board recently held a meeting on February 21st for a proposed subdivision of 32 Orchid Street which will remove the existing house and replace it with two new homes. The follow-up meeting for the Architectural Review Board for the aesthetics is tentatively scheduled for March 27th at 8 PM at Village Hall (please remember that there was a change in location for this month). Work is ongoing at 100 Jericho Turnpike and 282 Jericho Turnpike, two proposed pharmacies which are both expected to open soon. Happy Spring. Haagen Daz is now open! And lastly a reminder, since the warmer weather is coming, all permanent air conditioning units, including the ductless split systems, require permits and have to follow zoning regulations. Please call the building department if you need assistance.
Recreation and Pool
As we transition to Spring, preparation is well underway for the opening of spring activities. The fields are being cleaned up, leveled, and prepped for baseball, grass areas are fully seeded, and nets are being installed. We are close to hearing these great spring words, ‘Play Ball’. This Saturday is meet the Easter Bunny at Centennial Gardens. If the weather is bad, it will be relocated to the pool building from 10 AM to 12 Noon. The annual summer booklet is being worked on and is almost ready for publishing. Registration will open next month as well. More coming soon on these items.
Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC)
The next meeting will be at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 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 the village website at fpvillage.org which has the links under the TVASNAC Noise Complaint Contact Information Page on our home page.
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
Prior to the start of the meeting, Mayor Fitzgerald welcomed Boy Scout Troop 482 and asked them to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
I would like to congratulate Trustee Stewart and Trustee Longobardi on their re-election last night. It’s been a pleasure and it will be a pleasure to continue working with you both. Thank you for your hard work, time and effort over the last couple of years. The Village is certainly well served by your commitment.
A public service announcement for residents: on Wednesday, April 10th at 8 PM is our Budget Hearing in Village Hall. I encourage Village residents to attend the meeting where we walk through the entire 2024-2025 Budget, department by department. It’s a good way not only to learn how the money is spent but how the Village operates on a day-to-day basis and everything that goes into running a full-service Village for 365 days a year.
