Deputy Mayor Lynn Pombonyo

Police Department 

The Floral Park Police Department is pleased to announce that its agency certification was granted by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Public Safety. The Law Enforcement Accreditation Council, through its Mandatory Certification Program, ensures that law enforcement agencies comply with mandatory hiring practices and reporting requirements, and our FPPD does! The Department’s certification is valid through 2026.

Commissioner Stephen McAllister and the Department are taking this certification one major step further as the Police work towards New York State LEAP accreditation. LEAP stands for Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Program and is awarded to Departments that meet 136 standards of excellence in policing. Only three Nassau County Village Departments have achieved this accreditation: Centre Island, Rockville Centre and Old Westbury. We can’t wait to be the fourth!

As always, our Floral Park Police continue to serve and protect us in many important ways. Illegal motorbikes (and, yes, motorbikes that are powered by other than pedaling or electricity are classified as motorcycles) are an area of focus and directed patrols. Approximately twelve cases in which summonses have been issued to motorbike drivers include violations for failure to have a driver’s license and/or a registration and/or insurance, and/or failure to wear the required helmet, as well as moving violations. Illegal motorbikes are impounded. This important focus will continue.

Also problematic and frustrating for our Police are the ongoing cases of unwelcome individuals entering unlocked vehicles, especially during the night. Sometimes, personal possessions and valuables are removed from these vehicles. Because the car alarms aren’t sounding, there are no warnings to homeowners, neighbors or FPPD of possible crimes taking place. If the keys are left inside the vehicles, the danger is even greater. Please do not be a resident who literally invites these unwelcome individuals back to our neighborhoods time and again by making it easy for them to enter unlocked cars and help themselves to others’ property, both in their cars and, potentially, our homes. Help our FPPD to protect us.

Last Friday, October 13^th, it was widely known that large and possibly dangerous global demonstrations could be taking place on that day and during the weekend. We commend our FPPD for proactively taking crucial steps to mitigate the dangers and safeguard our citizens. The interagency communications, personnel reassignments and other tactics were described on the FPPD Facebook page on the Thursday before, keeping our residents, business owners and all informed and reassured in advance. Please take a look at this informative Facebook post.

Community service is also a priority for FPPD. Saturday, October 28^th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 am to 2 pm in front of Police Headquarters, next to Village Hall. You are urged to use this opportunity to properly dispose of any medications (prescription or not) that have expired or are no longer needed. Simply bring them to our FPPD, in or out of their original containers, and drop them off in the Police Take Back Day boxes.

Then, you’re invited back to the same spot on Sunday, October 29^th, from 1 pm to 3 pm, for our Halloween Roll Call. Kid Police Officers ages two to twelve are invited to report in their best police costumes for light refreshments, safety tips and fun. Again, check out the Department’s Facebook page for the exciting details of both events and be sure to thank our FPPD Officers for their service.

Conservation Society (FPCS)

We are thrilled to report the reopening of Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary today, October 17. A 17-day closing of the Gardens followed two significant rainstorms. Major flooding on Friday, September 29 and an immediate, massive clean-up optimistically led us to plan a reopening day on Monday, October 9. Then a second, less severe rainstorm occurred on Saturday, October 7^th. That did cause some flooding in the right basin of the Gardens and yet another clean-up of saturated debris, which was completed just yesterday, the 16^th.

Our great gratitude goes to Recreation Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt, Parks Department staff Joe Derby, Don Haug, Joann Deeks, Kathy Burrous, Tom Gill and Walter Dreyer for their daily, difficult, hands-on work cleaning, removing debris and relocating all the displaced Gardens equipment. Throughout these two weeks, our Department of Public Works, Village Hall and Con-Kel Landscaping provided important support.

As a result of all these cooperative efforts, we were able to open the gazebo section of the Gardens for the Hance Family Foundation’s annual “Grow With Me” program. Now in its fifteenth year, GWM was presented to 250 of our fifth graders and their teachers from Floral Park’s three elementary schools. On a sunny October Thursday, our Our Lady of Victory, John Lewis Childs and Floral Park-Bellerose School students enjoyed hands-on teamwork with environmental education and appreciation experiences right here in our own Gardens. Thanks go to the Hance Family Foundation for the gift of GWM, given to our fifth graders every fall.

Now, we’re all looking ahead to the Fairie Forest Festival, magically appearing at the Gardens on Saturday, October 28, 1 pm to 4 pm. Fun for children and adults alike, you’ll be amazed at the tiny fairies in their tiny fairy villages and their fairy tale stories. Check out the Floral Park Centennial Gardens and Village of Floral Park Facebook pages for details about the Festival and the exciting Family Fairie House Challenge, now taking place.

Last, but not least, is our final FPCS Weed-Out of the 2023 season, Saturday, November 4^th at 9 am, rain or shine. Come and join FPCS, your neighbors and friends to keep our Gardens looking green, beautiful and bright through a magnificent fall.

Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses 

And, back to the Fairie Forest Festival, be sure to stop at the Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce annual Treat Trail, also on Saturday, October 28^th from 11 am to 1 pm. Follow the blue pumpkins on the Covert Avenue store windows, and get your allergy free treats. Then, when you complete your Treat Trail, it’s on to Centennial Gardens for some fun with the Fairies!

And, during these crisp and colorful fall weekends, be sure to SHOP AND DINE LOCAL in Floral Park and Stewart Manor, and support Floral Park Memorial High School at this Saturday’s October 21^st Homecoming. The parade kicks off at 11 am at FPM, football vs. Roosevelt High School to follow at 2 pm. GO KNIGHTS!

Trustee Frank Chiara

Library

As part of the Long Island initiative The Great Giveback, Libraries in Nassau and Suffolk are asked to give to the community.  The Village of Floral Park’s Library continually contributes in so many ways to our community by offering various programs and events for patrons to enjoy.  On Sunday, October 15^th, at the Library’s Family Fall Festival, costumes were collected for Halloween to be donated to children at Anna’s House located in Belmont Park.  Anna House is a childcare facility for backstretch families from Belmont and Aqueduct racetrack.  The costumes collected will be donated to the children who attend this childcare program.

Also at the Family Fall Festival, along with games and delicious hot dogs, cheerleaders from Carey High School were on hand to demonstrate their cheerleading talents. They performed for the youngsters in the audience, showing them how dance like a cheerleader.  The children were given pom poms to try some cheers and appeared to really enjoy the experience.  Thank You to the Carey HS Cheerleaders and to Chef Rob who cooked the hot dogs and was enjoyed by all who attended.

There are two upcoming health related events at the library. On October 18^th at 11 am Northwell Health will have a representative at the library to share educational information and resources in support of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Attendees will learn about breast cancer awareness and cancer prevention.

On October 19^th at 1 pm, Joyce Poupko a Medicare advisor will share fundamental information on Medicare parts A B C and D. What are the different coverages are, options, costs and how to select a plan.

These are just few of the planned events for the month of October.  Check out the library’s website at www.floralparklibrary.org for all the upcoming events available to library’s patrons.

The rescheduled Friends of the Library Lawn Sale will take place on Saturday, October 21^st from 10 am to 4 pm, with a rain date of Sunday, October 22^nd, from 12 pm to 4 pm. A large number of vendors will set up on the library lawn offering items for sale.  Stop by to see what these vendors will be selling.

Fire Dept

On Sunday, October 15^th, our Fire Department hosted Fire Prevention Sunday in the Carlton parking lot.  The Fire Department shared important tips on fire prevention and performed live demonstrations on how to extinguish a fire in a car, a clothes dyer, a stove and a barbeque.  Fires were actually ignited in these items and the fire dept showed the audience how they extinguish them.  Prevention tips were offered on how to avoid appliance fires and also on how to use a fire extinguisher.

There was also a recruitment table on site to answer any questions on how to become a volunteer with the Fire Department. Anyone interested in volunteering should reach out to our Fire Department at info@fpfd.org.  All are welcome to apply.  Thank you to our volunteers for taking the time out to share this valuable information with our community.

The Fire Department will also be having two events, one sponsored by the Reliance Engine Company and the other by the Alert Engine Company.  Reliance Company is having a paint night on October 28^th from 7 pm to 10 pm at Fire Department Headquarters.  The event will include a bottle to be painted, beer, wine, soda, and hors d’oeuvres, presented by Happy Little Brush Strokes. Tickets are $60 in advance.  Call Fred at (516) 662-6801 or Felix at (347) 234-2982 to make reservations. The Alert Company is having their always fun, Annual Comedy Night at the Firehouse on November 4^th.  Doors will open at 7 pm, with the show starting at 8 pm.  Beer, wine, soda and snacks will be included. Contact Kevin Shanahan at (516) 987-5732 for tickets, which are $50.00 per person.

Come out to have some fun at these events in support of our Volunteers who dedicate so much of their time as members in our Volunteer Fire Department.

 

Trustee Jennifer Stewart

Department of Public Works

As always, our Department of Public Works crews are out and about the Village every day keeping our beautiful Village safe and clean.

In recent weeks our Highway Department swept all roads, filled pot holes, sealed road cracks on Whittier Avenue, cleaned storm drains and installed new signage in the Creedmoor Spur Parking Lot for new parking Kiosks.

Our DPW Parks Department maintained and weeded all Village lots, all Village Parks have been cut and maintained, and new tree plantings along Hinsdale Avenue have been watered. Additionally, the DPW Parks Department cleaned the murals in Centennial Gardens due to the storm.

Sanitation Department collected 70 tons of household waste last week, 10 tons of paper and 7 tons of commingled plastics and glass, as well as 15 tons of bulk rubbish.

The Maintenance Department cleaned and maintained all Village buildings, Veterans brackets and banner installation continues. The Military Banners are truly beautiful. Finally, new bollards were installed and painted to protect the new Flow Bird parking kiosks.

DPW is always being prepared and proactive. Leaf vac machines are being prepped for the leaf season as well as providing general maintenance and repairs to DPW and PD vehicles.

4VS

A special treat for all viewers is coming Monday, October 23^rd, The Floral Park Mayor’s Report featuring the Honorable Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald, featuring “The Energy Performance Contract: An Overview”. Also being featured the week of October 23^rd, is Larry King AEMT FPFD Red Alert, “Terrorist Event Preparedness with Assistant Chief Thomas J. Currao, FDNY.

MTA

The tunnel on Tunnel Street will be closed to pedestrian access due to construction between Magnolia Avenue and Tunnel Street beginning Friday, October 20^th. Construction is expected to finish in one week. Additionally, as always, I encourage residents who use the railroad to contact the MTA with their questions and concerns.

 

Trustee Michael Longobardi

Building Department

Currently, there is no update for the Covert Avenue Fire property or the Old Centennial Hall property.  Both are still pending Nassau County approval.  Once received, they can start foundation work.  The fire building at 266 Jericho Turnpike is currently being assessed by engineers and a plan will be developed to move forward.  The new multi-purpose rink is now open for use.  The new establishments on Tulip Avenue: Pizza Bar, Gyro Village and Haagen-Dazs are all moving forward at various stages. The Building Department is seeing an increased flow of solar power applications. There are several companies who offer these services which include purchase and lease options. The Village has building code rules as well as safety concerns that our Building Department and Architectural Review Board recommend and approve. While there are some generous income tax credits for solar power, it is very important that it is done correctly and safely.  Our Building Department and Architectural Review Board are here to assist.  If you have any questions or would like to discuss before you sign on the dotted line, please reach out to our Building Department to review your plans.

Pool and Recreation

It seems like we just announced the opening of the fall sports and the first round of league play is coming to an end.  Women’s kickball, Titans football and Little League fall ball are all ending this week. Youth Council touch football season is starting up this week.  The Screaming Eagles hockey season has started and is going well on the new multi-purpose rink.  The weather is getting cool but the park is still going strong with leagues and activities.

Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC)

The next meeting for TVASNAC, the Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee in the Town of Hempstead will be Monday, October 23, 2023 at the Cedarhurst Village Hall, 200 Cedarhurst Avenue in Cedarhurst. 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 which has the links under the TVASNAC noise complaint contact information page on our home page.

Miscellaneous Items

Lastly, I have talked with residents who have asked about notifications and ways to keep residents up to date.  We do communicate information through various avenues including social media and village organizations such as our civic groups.  We encourage everyone to attend the civic meetings at the recreation center each month to hear updates as well as discuss various topics with neighbors. I would like to remind residents about our direct email notification system from the Village.  We send email notifications regarding important items as well as an electronic newsletter which is sent the Friday after each board meeting.  If you are not on that list, please go to the Village website home page and click the important notifications link to submit your name and email to receive these communications.

Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald

Military Banners

The Military Tribute Banner support we have received has been wonderful and so far, we have 183 tribute banners purchased. That is amazing. When the project began, the Village hoped to receive at least 50 banner displays and the numbers today, far exceed the numbers originally expected. The banners look wonderful and I have received a number of comments and emails from residents praising the banners. The most important thing to remember is that every photo tells a story and every banner has a tremendous amount of history behind it.

A big thanks goes out to the Department of Public Works for all the work they are doing, the American Legion for the work they did, and certainly our Village Clerk Susan Walsh for all her hard work. This is a project we are all very proud of.