Floral Park Board of Trustees Reports June 6

0
Floral Park Board of Trustees Reports June 6

Deputy Mayor Lynn Pombonyo

A Best Day in Floral Park

On Monday, May 29th, Memorial Day, our American Legion joined with the Village of Floral Park, our Police, Fire and Public Works Departments, the Floral Park Memorial High School and John Lewis Childs School Bands, many community organizations, our houses of worship, residents and businesses to honor those who have served our country and are no longer with us, and our brave Purple Heart recipients. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to all who marched with us throughout our Village, those who cheered so enthusiastically for our parade participants, and those who shared in the pride at our ceremony. Thank you all!

Police Department

Our Police Department is well known for its partnerships with the four schools in Floral Park. Perhaps one of the reasons for the great success of these partnerships is the Department’s School Resource Officer or SRO position, now held by Officer Murphy and previously held by Sergeant Viscusi and retired Officer John Groshans. This vital role, established in 2010 in collaboration with our school leaders, encompasses important instruction on topics such as internet safety, bike safety, stranger danger, Halloween safety, prom safety, and many others that protect our students. The SRO role also encompasses support for students, faculty and parents. Our SROs are trained and certified by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and work under the direction of Lieutenant Doherty, also SRO certified.

In addition, other important components of our Police Department/School partnerships include recess evacuation drills with the lunchtime monitors and students; Stop the Bleed kits located in the schools, accompanied by valuable staff training; police portable radios for school office staff use in emergencies; and reunification toolkit boxes to expedite reuniting our children and their families, saving precious time in a crisis.

Floral Park-Bellerose School District Interim Superintendent Lisa Ruiz has stated, “The partnership we have with the School Resource Officers, as well as the entire Department, is invaluable and we deeply appreciate all of the support, knowledge, time and resources you provide for us.” Thank you for your kind words, Superintendent Ruiz.

Meanwhile, another significant function of our Police Department is performed by the Motor Carrier Detail, a NYS certified group of officers including Sergeant Naughton, Officer Kratochvil and Detective Timm who, with additional officers, carry out comprehensive commercial motor vehicle inspections of the trucks that travel on our Village streets, often focusing on Plainfield Avenue. In April, eleven inspections resulted in 51 moving/equipment violations and both trucks and drivers being taken out of service. The recent May inspections of twelve vehicles on Plainfield Avenue resulted in 60 moving/equipment violations with five vehicles taken out of service and two towed.

As our Police Department staffing increased today with the graduation of three of our new officers from the Nassau County Police Academy, it is expected that our Motor Carrier Detail will have greater capacity to increase our commercial motor vehicle inspections.

Thanks to our Motor Carrier Detail for their important work, and congratulations to Floral Park Police Officers, Class of 2023, Rocco Sollecito, Thomas Monahan and James Incantalupo. Welcome and be safe out there!

Conservation Society (FPCS)

For a second year, Floral Park’s own Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary has won the honor of the BEST PUBLIC GARDEN OF NASSAU COUNTY. Nine other prominent public gardens were also in the running. Congratulations to FPCS, President Dennis McEnery, all our dedicated Gardens volunteers, Recreation Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt, our Parks, Public Works and Building Departments, Con-Kel Landscaping, and all who voted for this Floral Park treasure.

Celebrating this wonderful treasure, FPCS is inviting all to the annual Garden Party on Friday evening, June 23rd from 5-8pm. It will be BYOB which means Bring Your Own (Picnic) Basket. There’ll be music, beverages, and a beautiful evening outdoors with family and friends at the Gardens. Adults only please, and we look forward to celebrating with you on the 23rd.

Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses

Three days and counting to our Floral Park Chamber of Commerce Street Festival! Come on down to Tulip Avenue on Friday evening, June 9th from 5-10pm. There’ll be live bands, DJs, fabulous dining, outdoor seating, local merchant shopping indoors and outdoors, and the Belmont Stakes Starting Gate. Start your Belmont Stakes weekend with a fun family event for all ages!

And don’t forget to check out our local business winners in the BEST OF NASSAU COUNTY contest at theisland360.com . To be announced on July 7th.

Summertime means STOP, SHOP AND DINE LOCAL at our exciting Floral Park and Stewart Manor businesses. Enjoy every minute!

Trustee Frank Chiara

Fire Department

On Monday, May 29th, Memorial Day, the Mayor and the Village Board participated in the Fire Department’s annual inspection of its Fire Trucks and Rescue Ambulance.  The trucks were displayed in front of village hall and were inspected by the Fire Chiefs staff and the Village Board. The inspection of these well-maintained vehicles was very impressive.  Our department equipment, which is maintained by our volunteers, appeared to all be very clean, shiny and in good working order. Thank You to the Fire Department for keeping all their apparatus well-maintained and at the ready for any emergencies.

After the inspection, the Fire Department also participated in the Village’s Memorial Day parade. Their participation added to the excitement and beauty of the parade.  It was a great day to be able to honor all who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to show support to all of those who are currently serving our country. Our Village now being recognized as a Purple Heart Community is a tribute to all who have received this honored award. It was really special seeing our residents, especially the children, coming out to show their support. It was a great parade and a very special service.  Thank You to all that worked hard to put this parade and ceremony together, especially our American Legion Post 334 & Auxiliary and all of our DPW workers.

The fire service calls for the month of May are as follows:

Our Fire Companies responded to: 26 calls; Ambulance Calls:  NYU Langone 88,  FP Rescue 11. Total of calls for the Month -125. Thank You to all of our volunteers!

Library

For the THIRD YEAR in a row our Library has won the Best of Nassau County.  What a great way to celebrate the Library’s 100th year!!!

This recognition would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of Library Director Patricia Erin, Library Board Secretary Linda Sartini and all of the fantastic Library staff.  Your creativeness and devotion to the Library are responsible for this well-deserved award.  Congratulations! Number four is on its way!!

Also, Congratulations to Centennial Gardens and of all the other winners!! And THANK YOU! to Blank Slate Media for hosting this annual contest.

Some upcoming events at the Library:

Tuesday, June 13th (6:30PM -7:30PM) children from grades 3 to 5 can come to Create a Father’s Day gift with Pompom Queen .  The children will be painting a driftwood keychain for a special Dad’s gift or for another loved one for Father’s Day. Saturday, June 24th – FPPL”S 100th Birthday Celebration and Summer Reading Launch has the Circus coming to the FPPL. There will be circus performers and a really big show!!  All are welcome to attend!

Save the date: Thursday, July 13th for a concert on the library lawn with the Cold Spring Harbor Tribute Band performing a tribute to Billy Joel. There are many more events happening during the month of June, please check the Library’s website www.floralparklibrary.org for the calendar of events.

Beautification Committee

Our Beautification Committee has been busy planting flowers and other plants.  You can see their hard work in our pocket parks and other areas throughout the Village.   Donna Sanchez and all of the volunteers worked hard to get the flowers and plants in before Memorial Day and they did a fantastic job!  Their efforts make our Village look amazing during this season!!! Thank You to all the volunteers on the Beautification Committee for making our Village look so beautiful.

West End Civic Association

I would also like to THANK Marc Mullen for his dedication and time he has been as the President of the West End Civic Association.  Mark has decided to step down as the President.  He has volunteered as the President for seven years and has been involved with the Civics for many years prior to being the President. Mark is very involved with our community and assures us that he will remain involved with the West End Civic Association. Thank You Marc for all that you have done and I’m sure you will continue to do for the Village of Floral Park. It is volunteers like you that make our Village such a special place to live and raise a family.

Trustee Jennifer Stewart

This evening I would like to start by thanking all of the volunteer organizations that have held events since we last met. This includes Hance Family Fun 5K and Family Fun Day and the Mary Quinn Foundation’s annual event in the parking lot behind Trinity. These events are integral to the character of our Village, they bring residents together for celebrations and remembrances. A special thanks to American Legion Post 334 Past Commander Matt Cacciatore and current Commander Robert Murray for another wonderful Memorial Day parade and ceremony.

Congratulations to the Library and Centennial Gardens for their repeat wins as Best of Nassau County.

Thank you to Trustee Frank Chiara for his contributions and physical labor to help beautify our neighborhood.

Department of Public Works (DPW)

The following is a list of some of the things DPW has been hard at work doing to keep our Village running:

  • Crews set up for and broke down for the Memorial Day Parade, the Hance 5K, and the Mary Quinn Foundation Event
  • Line striped for Pool Opening Day including crosswalk for park – DPW is a great friend to the Recreation Center and getting fields summer ready
  • All Village roads swept
  • Maintenance crews cleaned all buildings and performed prep work for install of new PA in Courtroom
  • Sanitation crews picked up 71 Tons of household waste,21 tons of bulk rubbish, 4.5 tons of comingle plastic and glass and 9 tons of paper and cardboard

MTA/LIRR

NYS Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick’s office is in the process of coordinating a meeting with the Village, 3TC, and the MTA to help work on the outstanding items that need to be completed. We will certainly update the residents on the outcome of this meeting if and when it happens.

Recently, residents reached out to the MTA/LIRR using the contact page on their website regarding idling trains and concerns about the public address system and received responses. We encourage residents to use this line of communication when an issue arrives relating to the railroad: contact.mta.info.

Trustee Michael Longobardi

Building Department

Several updates: Demolition is nearly complete on the Covert Avenue fire property and foundation work is expected to start early summer.  Centennial Hall is with the County waiting on the site plan approval.  The developer is submitting paperwork for the demolition of the existing building which is expected to be done over the summer. The New Multi-Purpose Rink at the park was recently completed with the application of the playing surface.  Unfortunately, the playing surface is showing areas where it did not adhere properly.  We have been in contact with the manufacturer’s representative and they are investigating methods to fix it. Thank you to Building Superintendent Renee Marcus and her staff for all their hard work on the various ongoing projects.

A reminder to residents that all permanently installed air conditioning and heat pump units require a permit and have zoning requirements regarding the placement of the outdoor units.  Permits must be filed prior to installing these units.  Please call the Building Department for assistance or information regarding the allowable placement areas. For all existing residents who have pools, there are proposed changes to eliminate the requirement for the annual pool permit.  Notices from the Building Department will be sent to all existing pool owners this week.  The permit requirement has not changed for any resident considering installing a new pool.

Pool and Recreation

This past Saturday at 12pm, I along with the Mayor and my fellow board members had the pleasure of greeting residents and celebrating the official opening of the pool for the season.  A lot of work goes on to get the pool ready and open.  Thank you to Recreation Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt, Pool Director Thomas Dillon and the staff for all their hard work to open this season. Unfortunately, it is not without some repair issues.  The kiddie pool and slides are temporarily closed while repairs are being done.  They are expected to reopen shortly. We look forward to another great season of theme night parties, Family Fun Pizza Fridays, swim team tournaments and enjoying time with fellow residents.

In the Park, Field 6 was completed and opened last week.  Little League is in full swing enjoying games nightly and the summer programs are set to start Monday, June 26th.  It is a great time of year at the recreation center with baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, pickle ball and much more.  Come down and enjoy the fun; we look forward to seeing everyone this summer.

Earlier this evening I had the honor of attending the Nassau County Police Department graduation ceremony where three of our Floral Park police officers, Rocco Sollecito, Thomas Monahan and James Incantalupo are graduating from the academy.  Congratulations to them for all their hard work and I look forward to seeing them around town.  Stay safe.

Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald

On Friday, June 9, the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Belmont Street Fair on Tulip Avenue. It is the reinstitution of the “evening before” the annual Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 10. Although it is not a Triple Crown this year, a big crowd is expected and our Police and DPW Departments are busy readying the Village for this great event. The Police will have special traffic patrols and will manage quality of life matters.  The Mayfair Gate in the West End will be opened on Saturday and passes are available at the Police Station for resident parking. You may also see a tent at the dead end of Calla Avenue where the famous Clydesdales are being walked. It should be a great weekend here in Floral Park.

Thank you to all of the residents who turned out for the Memorial Day Parade and ceremony at Memorial Park.  It was a wonderful crowd that attended to honor the men and women who gave all for the freedom of our great country and to honor our brave Purple Heart Veterans. I am proud to announce that the Village of Floral Park is now officially designated a “Purple Heart Village”. Thank you to the Floral Park American Legion for organizing the event and to the many organizations who participated and to the Village staff who also contributed to its success.

Congratulations to the Floral Park Library and Centennial Gardens for being named the “Best in Nassau” in 2023.  We are very proud of you.

Village Administrator Bambrick is still very busy on MTA/LIRR matters and is coordinating efforts with Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick’s and the Governor’s offices to ensure that a number of railroad expansion project issues are concluded successfully, one of them being the Main Street restoration. I hope to have more detailed updates at the June 20 meeting.

Finally, congratulations to all of the Floral Park graduates from Pre-K through their respective graduate schools.  It is a special time of year that these students get to celebrate these achievements and I wish them great success!

No posts to display

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here