Trustee Lynn Pombonyo

Fire Department
Our Fire Department says, ‘Let’s Save Lives!” On June 24th, our firefighters, rescue company members, volunteers and community members joined together to save the lives of others at our traditional blood drive, where 92 pints of blood were generously donated. Thanks to all!

As the Department’s volunteers work to save lives and property, they responded to a total of 124 calls for assistance in May, an average of four calls per day. While some days there are less than four, on many days and overnights, there are many more. These calls are fire, smoke and carbon monoxide related, for rescue and for mutual aid to other municipalities (ten in May).

Two weeks ago, the Department responded to an attic fire and successfully contained it to the attic with no injuries or extensions to the rest of the house or other homes. Many rescue calls have related to falls. Please be careful on the stairs, especially in the dark, and be sure to leave one hand free to use the railings and be safe. Also important in this extreme heat, please hydrate and drink lots of water.

We truly appreciate the work of all our Fire Department members and their availability to be there for us 24/7, including Chief of Department Jep Dodson and Former Chief Joe O’Grady who are in the audience tonight.

Department of Public Works
DPW remains very busy with many different Village enhancements under way throughout the summer months. Fifty trees have been planted with water bags to help in this hot, dry weather. The drainage basins are being cleaned for better water flow, especially during storms. And our DPW crews are out refreshing roadway lines, crosswalks and ADA parking lines so they are clearly visible to pedestrians and drivers.

With respect to the roadway projects, reconstruction is well under way on Marshall Avenue between Covert and Orchid. New curbing, driveway aprons and drainage are completed. Repaving that section will likely begin in early August, weather permitting. Revere Drive West repaving will also take place shortly.

Tonight, the Board rescinded its contract with Stasi Industries for the Spooner, Spooner parking lot, Hinsdale and Clayton projects for the reason cited in the resolution. It is expected that the Spooner project will commence with Macedo Contracting Services in early August, with Hinsdale and Clayton following.

Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
The Floral Park Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointments of Interim President Marie Grant of Signature Premier Properties and Vice President Shane Parouse, Wealth Management Advisor. Past President Evan Peet and his family have returned to Australia. They are thanked for their service to the Village and the Floral Park Chamber. We wish the Peet family well, and look forward to working with the Floral Park Chamber, its new officers and the Board, and our businesses.

Over on Covert Avenue, that Chamber of Commerce (with President Rene Jorglewich of Body Works Day Spa and Yoga Studio; Vice President Cathy Grasman of Jo-Mar Grooming and Boarding; Social Media Coordinator Magdalena Chen of Carvel; and Treasurer Anne Musso of Sewanhaka Travel, all of whom are here tonight) is planning its Saturday, October 15th Street Fair, just approved tonight. Featured will be our amazing Floral Park and Stewart Manor businesses, family friendly live music, food trucks, mums, and a Floral Park Lions Club pumpkin patch. Lots more exciting details to follow.

It’s summertime in Floral Park and Stewart Manor. SHOP AND DINE LOCAL, and enjoy the sunshine and moonlight right here in town!

Conservation Society (FPCS)
All of us here have long boasted that our Centennial Gardens is the best. Well, now Nassau County is saying it too. We have just been voted THE BEST PUBLIC GARDEN OF NASSAU COUNTY by the public and Blank Slate Media, a consortium of online and print local newspapers including archive.theisland360.com and the New Hyde Park Herald Courier. It feels good to be the best, and we’ll continue to thank many for that, for now, Conservation Society President Dennis McEnery, the FPCS Board of Directors, hundreds of volunteers from Floral Park and elsewhere, Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt and his excellent Village parks staff, Superintendent Kevin Ginnane and his expert DPW staff, especially Larry DeCiantis, Con-Kel Landscaping, and so many, many more.

Visit the Gardens 12-5pm daily and enjoy being surrounded by the best, and take it all in on the Floral Park Centennial Gardens Facebook page, designed by our very talented FPCS Board member and volunteer, Ann Moynagh.

A huge congratulations and thanks to all! More excitement to follow.

Trustee Frank Chiara

Building Department
As a reminder from the Building Dept., all residents with pools or spas, annual registrations were due on June 30th. The annual pool renewal applications as well as a safety inspection performed by a Village Inspector is mandatory. If you have not yet submitted for a renewal, please check your email or visit the Building Dept. webpage for the forms and contact them with any questions or for any needed assistance. Also, as mentioned in the past, all air conditioning and heat pump units require a permit. These units do have zoning requirements regarding the placement of these units outdoors. A permit must be filed prior to the installation of the equipment. Again, please call the Building Dept. for assistance or information regarding the allowable placement areas for these units.

An update on the Centennial Hall project: the BZA recently rendered their decision on the application for variances. Their decision, which made some changes to the developer’s original request is posted on our village website. The project’s next step will be to go before the ARB for site plan and building review, which is on the ARB agenda for Wednesday, July 27th @ 8pm at the Recreation Center. All are welcome to attend.

Police Department
The Police Dept. would like to remind our residents that homeowners have the ability to notify the Police Dept. when they will be on vacation and their homes will be unoccupied for a period of time. Once a notification is made, our Police Officers will then occasionally pass by and check on the location. The homeowner will receive notification that the location was checked and all is well, giving the homeowner peace of mind while on vacation. For information on this service and others, please check the Village website under quick links for “Vacation Watch”.

On Friday evening 7/15/2022, my fellow board members and I attended a US Flag retirement service at our local American Legion Post, 334. Post Commander Bob Murray and fellow Legion members perform a respectful ceremony retiring many flags that have become worn. Taps was played with words of respect being spoken about the symbolism of our country’s Flag. It was a very patriotic and heartfelt ceremony. I would like to thank Commander Bob Murray and all the members of the American legion for having this annual ceremony and THANK them all for their service to our country. It was an honor to be there to witness this ceremony.

I would also like to recognize and THANK our Beautification Committee, spearheaded by Donna Sanchez, for planting so many beautiful flowers throughout our community. At this time of the season, the flowers have all been blooming and really beautify the Village. Purchasing, planning and putting teams together to plant these flowers is no easy task, but Donna and her team of volunteers do a fantastic job!! Once again THANK YOU to all of our volunteers!! I’d be remiss if I didn’t also THANK our DPW workers for their work, especially Larry DeCiantis and his team for all their landscaping efforts throughout the Village. Our Village’s warm and beautiful appearance is largely in part due to all their work. And I must add, our residents, do a great job maintaining their properties!!! Summer in our Village of is a great time to enjoy the beauty of our community.

The kick-off ‘Concert under the Stars’ by Andy Cooney couldn’t have gone any better. The weather was perfect, the entertainment was fantastic and everyone that attended had a great time. This was the first of the season’s concerts and the return of the concerts series. We couldn’t have asked for a better start. I’m looking forward to the upcoming concerts. Check the Village website for information on future concerts. A special THANKS goes out to Alexa Ventimiglia for arranging these concerts. And of course, THANKS to all our DPW workers for providing their services before, during and after the concert.

Stay safe and enjoy the summer!

Trustee Jennifer Stewart
Due to the efforts of Village Administrator Gerry Bambrick and staff at Village Hall, we now have the E-Village Items. Sign up on our website to receive this informative newsletter outlining happenings in our beautiful Village. Recent E-Items included a link for the LIRR Scorecard, road reconstruction information and a calendar of events, as well as other important information. Visit www.fpvillage.org to find out how you can subscribe to E-Items.

I’d like to thank the Floral Park Fire Department for their response to a residential fire on Hinsdale Avenue. This was the first time in a long while that I have had the opportunity to watch our volunteer fire department hard at work, responding to a call when one of our neighbors was in need. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and I wish our residents a quick return to normal.

Recreation Center
Even if you do not participate in group sports, I urge you to head to our Recreation Center Monday through Thursday nights to cheer on your friends and neighbors as they compete in volleyball and/or basketball. You might be motivated to join a team next summer! Although tennis is a quieter sport, there is certainly US Open level of play happening on our courts! Summer baseball is about to start along with District 29 tournament play. This season, Floral Park has secured district championship banners in the 11u baseball division and 12u softball divisions, and runner ups in the 10u softball and the Senior baseball divisions.

Additionally, we have a job opportunity for a Weekend Night Supervisor at the Recreation Center; details are available on the Village website.

I participated in a field trip of sorts last week with Recreation Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt, Building Superintendent Renee Marcus as well as members of our Recreation Committee to have a look at another municipality’s Multi-Purpose Rink to better inform our decision making moving forward with our renovation. Many thanks to members of the Screaming Eagles hockey program for their input and support for this renovation. If your child plays roller hockey, please be on the lookout for emails and updates regarding the upcoming season. Information will be coming to you soon.

Floral Park Pool
Our pool season is well underway, we are currently in the third week of our all-day recreation program for children and the response has been tremendous. Our youngsters are having a wonderful time in a well-supervised, fun environment. Friday 7/15 was the Senior Citizen Brunch for our senior members which was very well received. Unfortunately, our Pirates Swim Team’s first meet was meant to be last night and was cancelled due to weather. Tomorrow is National Hot Dog Day, and we are celebrating with $2 hot dogs all day at the pool. Other dates to mark your calendars for are Residents’ Day Sunday 7/24, Top Your Own Sundae 7/29 (while supplies last), and Grandparent’s Day Sunday 8/14. A full listing of all events can be found on the village’s website.

LIRR/3TC
As you may know, the Village has an MOU with the LIRR/3TC regarding road repairs once they are finished construction. We have begun discussions with 3TC on this topic.

Weekend work will be happening on the Hempstead Line this weekend, 7/23 – 7/24 as well as 8/13 – 8/14. This work will be around the clock, and we are working with and meeting with representatives from the project to get as much information and detail as we can to pass along to residents. Administrator Bambrick, Commissioner McAllister, DPW Superintendent Ginnane and I met with a representative from 3TC on Tunnel Street Monday to discuss ongoing concerns as well as the work happening there this weekend. We were told that the exact specifications for the work are finalized 24-36 hours before work begins. When we receive that information, we will share with residents. Tomorrow, we have another meeting with the 3TC representatives and other village leaders as they near significant completion of this massive project.

Trustee Michael Longobardi

Floral Park Library
While summer may be here and it is a time to relax and enjoy the great weather, the Library is still hard at work with the summer programs. Highlighting some current summer kids’ programs include learn about music and technology, teen jumbo speed stacking, Chef of Future, tween time Nintendo tournament, Baby start for kids 9-17 months, family preschool hour and much more. As always please check the website for details and dates and times.

This past Saturday there was a presentation on the Library’s front lawn of various Native American Dances by the Thunderbird Native American Dancers. It was very interesting to learn about the origins of these dances as well as what they mean and symbolize. Thank you to the Thunderbird Dancers for being here to entertain and educate.

Summer concerts are back as well with 4 Ways from Sunday performing Thursday, July 28th at the Library 7 pm. Tuesday July 26th, Assemblywoman Solages Mobile office will be at the Library from 12:00-2:00pm. These and many other events are listed on the library website: www.floralparklibrary.org.

Just an update, the bidding process is now open for the new ADA compliant entrance on the front of the Library building. The bidding process will close August 10th. Construction is targeted to start by the beginning of October.

Four Village Studio (4VS)
Four Village Studio (4VS) is happy to say that production is up this summer and they are getting close to pre-pandemic levels. We will be announcing these programs when completed and an airdate is set. As always, please visit www.4vs.org for dates and times as well as the complete list of shows.

Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
Good evening. As you can tell by the lengthy board reports tonight, there is a lot going on in Floral Park. It is exciting to be improving the hockey rink and as was mentioned before, notices will go out early in the season. I encourage any resident interested to join the Hockey League. They have great leadership and over the years many of the participants learned to roller skate and ice skate as part of the Screaming Eagles Hockey League.

Along with Deputy Mayor Pombonyo and Trustee Chiara, I had the good fortune to recently congratulate and recognize Pastor Evan Peet of the Floral Park Bridge Community Church as he and his wife, Moira, have now returned home to continue their mission in Australia. Pastor Peet was the President of the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce, and he did an outstanding job organizing and hosting the Floral Park Christmas Fair bringing the community together. Pastor Peet and his enthusiasm, service and care for the Floral Park community will be missed.

There is an update on the Belmont Racetrack. The pony track that was previously a dirt track, is being replaced with a synthetic one, which will help control the noise and the temperature of the track for the horses. It will help avoid freezing temperature conditions and provide better conditions overall. Also, there is new fencing being installed on the Plainfield Avenue border.

On June 30, Governor Hochul signed legislation to provide the necessary New York State authorization for the Village of Floral Park to be able to designate a residential parking permit district for certain streets to address on-street parking by UBS Arena patrons. In January, we heard from residents regarding their suggestions and concerns on this important issue. This new legislation gives Floral Park the ability to address and protect residents’ parking needs, especially in the West End (and beyond) as it relates to potential traffic and parking overflow issues related to the LIRR access to Belmont. Right now, the Village will take a “wait and see” approach to evaluate the impact and be assured we will take the necessary steps to ensure our residents’ parking needs and quality of life are protected. I would like to thank Senator Kaplan and Assemblywoman Solages for their assistance and Administrator Bambrick for the daily back and forth follow-up to help get this done. It is much appreciated.

Thank you to everyone who attended this evening.