Conservation Society – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Fascinated bird watchers, including Conservation Society volunteers and Village Trustees, enjoyed this year’s global celebration of the Great Backyard Bird Count with two surprise stars of the show. A huge red-tailed hawk occupied center stage high in a nearby tree and atop a bird feeder as a second one glided and swooped above Centennial Gardens throughout our visit. The day before, these two magnificent birds were spotted by many surprised onlookers as they circled above Tulip and Violet Avenues.

In all, 1255 birds, including 26 different species, were counted and recorded for our 2022 event. Photographers Emily Olvet won the Birds of Centennial Gardens photo contest for ages five to eight year olds, and Alexa Olvet won for the nine to thirteen year olds. They will receive awards and gift certificates to the Tulip Bake Shop, generously donated by shop owner and Conservation Society volunteer Ann Moynagh.

Thanks go to Parks Department Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt, Parks staff member Will Wichart, Conservation Society president Dennis McEnery and Society volunteers for an invigorating winter visit to the Gardens. Special thanks go to one of Floral Park’s very own ornithology enthusiasts, Harry Taylor, for his lively discussions with our enthusiastic bird watchers.

Department of Public Works – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Our Village street sweepers are out in full force sweeping all sections of the Village. DPW crews are focused on their daily Pothole Patrol activities, repairing the large number of potholes we now have due to the cold weather, as is the case everywhere.

Last Friday, we experienced a challenging rain and ice storm as the temperature continually fluctuated around the freezing point. DPW effectively pretreated Floral Park’s roadways the day and night before, enabling safe travel once we were able to reach our cars on our own icy walkways. Thanks go to Highway Supervisor Kevin Roe and his crew for helping to make us safe.

Four Village Studio – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
As our Four Village Studio continues to commemorate its first 23 years as a community organization, we continue to recognize the significant accomplishments of its volunteer staff members. Local businessman Rex Whicker, proprietor of Le Chat Noir Wines and Spirits, was honored as the 4VS “Host-Producer of the Year” for his many creative episodes of the “Uncorked” series, everything you’ll want to know about fine wines. Congratulations go to Rex Whicker and thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion with your 4VS audiences.

With the mentoring of Jim Green, 4VS Director, our volunteers gain valuable knowledge and experience with television production. Current and former staff members are now engaged in media production, far and wide, including positions in: corporate television, ESPN, game design, AMC Networks, Molloy College, independent editing, photography studios, Town of North Hempstead television, and other exciting media jobs. Thanks to Director Jim Green and 4VS for launching prestigious media careers, all starting right here in Floral Park.

Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
The Covert Avenue property, destroyed in the 2020 fire, has been sold and purchased by Hillcrest of Floral Park, LLC (this is all except the single property at the north end, formerly the Park Place restaurant). The new owner has submitted plans to construct businesses with apartments above in that location. A Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing is scheduled for March 9th at 8pm, here in Village Hall. At that hearing, the Zoning Board will consider an application for two variances related to parking and apartment square footage. Members of the public may attend to hear the presentation, offer comments and pose questions to the applicant owner and/or his representatives. The Legal Notice is posted on the fpvillage.org website and indicates that the public may examine the application materials at the Building Department, Monday to Friday during business hours, 8:30am-4:30pm.

Recreation Department – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Tonight, this Board approved a proposal for design services for a hockey rink renovation at the Rec Center. This will be the first step in transforming our rink into one where our Screaming Eagles Roller Hockey team can continue to play their championship roller hockey while others will enjoy a newly renovated facility.

FPM Sports Headlines! – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Speaking of sports, our varsity girls basketball team (19-3) is headed to the Nassau County Championship game this Saturday, March 5th, noon at Hofstra University. After defeating the Lynbrook High School team in a 51-47 overtime nail-biter, our Floral Park Memorial team will face Plainedge High School for the Nassau County championship. GO LADY KNIGHTS!

Third Track Project – Trustee Archie Cheng
We are still hopeful that the sound wall segments for the Charles Street area will start to be installed this month.

We are also aware that trains on the Hempstead Branch are still making noise in the area by Tunnel Street. We are working with the LIRR to correct this issue.

Fire Department – Trustee Archie Cheng
The Fire Department has asked me to advise our residents that an organization known as “Volunteer Firefighters Alliance” may be sending donation request letters. While this is a valid organization and not a scam, please don’t confuse this organization with the donation request letters our Floral Park Fire Department sends out in the Spring.

Calls for the month of February: Rescue – 77; Rest of Department – 24.

Police Department & Building Department – Trustee Frank Chiara
No updates were reported from each of these departments.

Trustee Jennifer Stewart
I’d like to congratulate the Floral Park Memorial Lady Knights on their exciting overtime win against Lynbrook on Sunday evening and wish them luck as they face Plainedge in the Nassau County Class A Finals Saturday afternoon at noon at Hofstra. ROLLKNIGHTS!!

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our two new Police Officers, Christopher Lauria and Ryan Oswald, they bring with them their own impressive records of service as well as family histories. We wish you safety as you serve the residents of the village.

Floral Park Pool – Trustee Jennifer Stewart
Work continues for the 2022 season, soon our maintenance company will be in, assessing what needs to be done to ready the facilities for the summer

Library – Trustee Jennifer Stewart
Sunday 2/27 began “Read Across Floral Park” program. Residents are encouraged to read at various locations in the village, take a picture and send to the library. This is part of a bigger program, “Read Across America”, encouraging Americans of all ages to read anywhere and everywhere, most importantly, often.

There are still a few spots left in Saturday’s Irish Heritage Program, which is a cooking program. Wednesday, March 23 continues Irish Heritage fun with Irish Trivia Night at 7 pm in the Library. Space is limited. Tickets should be purchased in advance with a team maximum of 6 at $20 per person through Jessica Alfonsi at alfonsimom@aol.com. Please check the Library’s website floralparklibrary.org for more information on all their ongoing programming.

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
I’d like to announce that for I’m sure north of 25 consecutive years the Village of Floral Park has achieved the designation as a Tree City USA. In order to achieve that designation there are some thresholds that you have to meet. You have to have a Tree Department and Board which we do and we also have a Tree Committee. You have to spend at least $2 per capita on trees each year and we have exceeded that every year and the last thing is to celebrate Arbor Day which this year will be on April 29th.

I’d like to thank a couple of people. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Village residents for caring for the trees. It is a multi-year, decades long commitment and if there were no trees the Village would look very different. The Village plants over 100 trees a year in the Spring and Fall. Lastly, I would like to thank Rosaleen Shea, Steven Arnone and Kevin Ginnane for filling out what I understand is a significant amount of paperwork to accomplish this. It is not simply checking off some boxes but a big deal to achieve. Thank you to all involved with that.