Deputy Mayor Lynn Pombonyo
Police Department
Our Police Department responds to numerous calls for service. 911 and other calls for a Police response and emergency medical responses (to which our Officers always report) totaled 870 in January 2024, 881 in February, and 865 in March, for a total of 2,616 calls for police and emergency medical assistance during the first quarter of this year. Our FPPD is extremely busy 24/7, 365 days a year.
Our Police continue to urge all in Floral Park to call as soon as possible whenever the need arises. When the Police are aware of problems and potential crimes as they are occurring, they can often stop them in progress, speak with those involved, and gather real-time evidence, resulting in better outcomes, at times with the perpetrators apprehended right at the scene.
If that is impossible, contact with the Police immediately after incidents, through the 911 system, will also be effective. And, of course, if you believe a problem is escalating, a crime is imminent, or someone appears to be in danger, call 911. The FPPD has very fast response times in order to protect lives and property. Calling one’s family, friends, neighbors or our Board Trustees first in emergencies will slow down the Police response and compromise their effectiveness.
We thank our FPPD for their extraordinary service in our Village. Be sure to check out the FPPD Facebook page for all their updates.
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
We hope you have all had a chance to become acquainted with some of our wonderful new businesses, including our new food go-to places in the Village. Enjoy them!
If you’re a business person, consider attending our next Floral Park Chamber of Commerce April meeting at Jameson’s of Floral Park on Tulip Avenue. Meet the new owners, learn about what all our businesses are up to, and enjoy dinner conversations from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM this Thursday, April 4th. Be sure to register first at: floralparkchamber.org
SHOPPING AND DINING LOCAL is the best in Floral Park and Stewart Manor!
Conservation Society and Centennial Gardens
When the sun comes out again (or at least the rain stops), our Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary will be open for all to experience and enjoy.
The 2024 season began with a very rainy Easter Bunny Photo Day for our children and families. But the rain didn’t stop our 150 smiling, colorfully dressed participants who also received fun-filled goody bags as they posed with our cheerful Bunny.
Thanks go to our Parks Department for hosting this popular, annual event including Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt, creators and coordinators extraordinaire Gena King and Karen Lacey, and our Bunny guest star Chloe Lavort. Our Mayor and Trustees enjoyed the festivities as well.
And we love happy endings, especially at Easter time. Last week, two beautiful white bunnies were dropped off in Centennial Gardens. Social media took notice and many very caring people sprang into action.
Animal lovers volunteered to help, as did families, a rabbit expert, animal rescue professionals, and our Police Department who took over at the Gardens gate, ensuring a caring, non-stressful rescue for both bunnies. Thank you to all the loving rescuers as well as the talented social media teams who shared all the heartwarming details, got everyone on board, and made us all smile.
And, to those who may think that Centennial Gardens is an appropriate place to drop off unwanted animals, please think again. The Gardens provides a rich ecosystem for native animals and others who visit frequently. It is not humane or safe for pets to be abandoned there. We all enjoy the native wildlife there, especially the magnificent birds.
And, coming this Saturday, April 6th at 9:00 AM is the first Gardens Weed Out of the season. Bring your family, meet our Conservation Society volunteers, and help keep our Gardens beautiful!
Trustee Frank Chiara
I would like to thank all of our volunteers who came to the Re-Organization Meeting last night and for all they do for our Village. Our Volunteers are all part of the fabric that keeps our community safe, vibrant and a great place to live. Thank You so much for volunteering!
Fire Department
The month of April is NY State Recruitment Month for volunteers to join the fire service. On Saturday, April 13th from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM, the morning of the Little League Parade, our Floral Park Fire Department recruitment committee will have a tent set up in front of the Fire Department Headquarters on Vernon Street for anyone who is interested. Please stop by to meet and talk with some of our wonderful Volunteer Firefighters. Please consider joining our Fire Department, we are in need of volunteers.
The Floral Park Volunteer Fire Department is properly prepared. Members are continuously training to respond to emergencies that may occur within our Village. Thank You to all the Firefighters for your service to our community.
Library
The month of April has begun and there are lots of planned activities and events taking place in our Floral Park Library:
- For those interested in being screened for a brief cardiac history, blood pressure and a simple test for cholesterol and diabetes, with appropriate education and referrals. The St. Francis Outreach Bus will be at the library on Tuesday, April 9th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
- On Saturday April 20th the Empire Safety Council is offering a 6-hour defensive driving program. Completion of the program enables a reduction in cost for the liability portion of your car insurance or a points reduction. Register in person and remit $35.00 check or money order (no cash) payable to Empire Safety Council. Please bring your NYS Driver’s License, a pen and a slight snack to the class. Registration is currently open and there are a few spots left.
- The library is currently taking reservation for the next Urban Explorer excursion to the Bronx. The visit will take place on June 27th from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It will start with a guided tour of Woodlawn Cemetery, considered to be one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. The next stop will be City Island, sometimes referred to as “Nantucket in the Bronx”, where the group will visit the Hall of Fame of Great Americans, the first Hall of Fame in America designed by Stanford White. The final stop will be to Arthur Avenue for lunch and free time to shop at the wonderful bakeries, delis, and specialty shops. This trip will include the bus fee, tour guide, entrance fees and gratuities for the bus driver in the amount of $98.00. It sounds like a lot of fun for all!
Details on these and other scheduled events can be found on the library’s website at www.floralparklibrary.org .
Trustee Jennifer Stewart
4VS
Last night, April 1st, Four Village Studio featured Healthcare Aware with George Ingram and “Nursing as A Career” with Jacqueline Wigfall, MSN, RN; Later this week you can watch Wes Houston as Wes Houston Presents: “Ken McGorry & the Achievements”, a Vocal-Driven Rock Quartet; as well as Davidson & Co. featuring Stuart Markus, Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist.
DPW
The Highway Department has hot patched sections of Fuller Avenue, Roscoe Street, Hinsdale Avenue and Lowell Avenue intersections. All roads have been swept, and the faded and aging street signs have been replaced. The Parks Department spring clean-up continues, trees and shrubs have been planted at the dead end of Tunnel Street, and flowers have been ordered for spring beautification. The Sanitation Department Crews collected 105 tons household waste, 8 tons of paper and cardboard, 4 tons of commingled plastics and glass as well as 12 tons of bulk rubbish. The Tree Department Crews are grinding stumps throughout the Village. Crews have also installed netting in park ballfields in preparation for the opening of the Little League season.
MTA
Work continues on the Tunnel Street Safety Mitigation Project. Commuters are advised to read their schedules as trains arrive and depart on all four tracks and tracks assignments are subject to change. Additionally, the dumpster on the LIRR property near the intersection of Caroline Place and Carnation Avenue is MTA property, it is not intended for use by non-MTA/LIRR employees.
Trustee Michael Longobardi
Building Department
Construction continues at the former Centennial Hall site. Contractors are currently installing drainage and foundation supports for the new apartment building. Work is expected to begin in May on the proposed Tulip Avenue Pedestrian Walkway to be constructed next to the Post Office which will connect the Tulip Avenue and Carnation Avenue intersections to the Spur parking lot. There are no major updates on the Covert Avenue fire property or 266 Jericho Tpke. The Architectural Review Board held a meeting March 27th to review the aesthetics of the two proposed houses located at 32 and 34 Orchid Street subdivision. The plans are all within code requirements and the developers were receptive to the changes the board proposed to help it blend in with the character of our Village.
One last reminder: with the weather getting warmer, please remember that all permanent air conditioning units, including the ductless split system, require permits and need to follow zoning regulations. It is important that you use licensed, registered contractors for any home improvement. It’s a significant part of a safe, properly completed capital improvement project that you can enjoy for years to come. Please call the building department if you need assistance.
Recreation and Pool
Field preparations are almost complete for the 2024 season. Ball fields will open Monday, April 8th. Park hours will be from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, weather permitting. The Floral Park Little League parade, another sign Spring is here aside from hockey playoffs, will take place Saturday morning April 13th. The parade will begin at Village Hall and go up Tulip Avenue through town to the park. Right after, there will be an opening ceremony to kick off the season and a day of festivities. Please come out, cheer for our kids along the parade route, and enjoy the day with your family. The annual Summer Booklet is being worked on and will be available soon. Registration will open this month for those programs. 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 held a moment of silence to honor slain NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller who was killed in the line of duty.
I’m pleased to announce that last week, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito was able to obtain for the Village of Floral Park a $4.05 million dollar grant for the long-awaited drainage project in the West End. That project originally started with Mayor Tweedy more then 10-15 years ago. He was able to get the land from NY State with the help of our then State Senator Jack Martins and were able to get an easement at Belmont Park. All documents are ready for submittal and will be going out to bid shortly. Once we get the bid, we will hold a meeting with the residents in the West End to explain to them exactly what the project entails and what the anticipated timeframe is. Without Congressman D’Esposito’s assistance this project would never have gotten off the ground. This is a very large and costly project that is long overdue and much needed in the West End.
Public Service Announcement: On Wednesday, April 10th at 8 PM is our Budget Hearing in Village Hall. If you attend one meeting a year, I encourage Village residents to attend this one. 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.
