Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Fire Department
Chief of Department James Dodson was welcomed to the meeting.
The Fire Department and Village Board have notified our community that recruitment efforts continue for firefighters and EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians). On a positive note, several promising candidates have begun the process of joining the Department. Those interested in this important volunteer opportunity in our village may contact FPFD representatives at info@fpfd.org. Please consider joining this extraordinary group of men and women who put out fires, save lives and handle all emergencies.
On Feb. 27, News 12 Long Island invited FPFD’s chiefs and members to participate in a news presentation on the current recruitment challenges in our volunteer departments across the nation. Assistant Chief Gil Luger and Hook & Ladder firefighter Rick Ma presented informative and interesting accounts of the benefits and challenges of working in the fire service. They proudly represented Floral Park and fire departments everywhere.
On FPFD’s ongoing training front, trench awareness was a recent theme of programs attended by our members. This all important training deals with complex rescues when individuals are trapped in excavations and similar situations. We thank all our volunteers for the significant time they spend on training and the increasing expertise that then benefits us.
Department of Public Works
As winter comes to an end in two weeks, our DPW continues its roadway/pothole maintenance work throughout the village. A week ago Monday, with our first taste of snow, our DPW crews were out at 10 p.m. and throughout the night to salt the slick roadways. This insured safe traveling for the morning rush hour.
And now, I’ll ask everyone to take a look around you and note our bright and beautifully painted courtroom, compliments of our skillful DPW painters. We’re in this room a lot, so we really appreciate it.
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
We have very happy news from the Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce. The K. Hunter Boutique, owned by Kelsey Clark, a Covert Avenue favorite business person, will have its Grand Reopening this Saturday, March 11 at 2 p.m. This beautiful boutique was badly damaged in the September 2020 fire, and we are delighted to announce that Kelsey and the K. Hunter Boutique are the first to return to Covert Avenue. Their new location is at 62 Covert Ave in Stewart Manor. Welcome back Kelsey! We are thrilled that you are back, and wish you great success! And to all, be sure to shop local at K. Hunter Boutique and all our Floral Park and Stewart Manor stores.
For the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce, tonight this Board approved the return of the very popular “Friday night before the Belmont Stakes” street fair. It will be held 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tulip Avenue on June 9. Save the date!
Trustee Frank Chiara
Police Department
Our Police Department reported issuing 371 moving violations, year to date. This is an increase of 27.5% compared to the previous year. It should be noted that there has been a significant increase of violations for the offense of disobeying stop signs. The department issued 145 summonses for this offense, more than doubling the amount issued during the same period last year. For the safety of all our residents, please obey all the traffic regulations and drive safely!
Building Department
There has been some movement with the two major construction projects within our village.
The Centennial Hall project came before the ARB recently with some cosmetic changes which were approved. The developer is now preparing to submit their site plans to Nassau County for approval. The Covert Ave project has resubmitted their update plans to Nassau County for approval. As soon as Nassau County approves these submitted plans, together with the necessary approvals from our building department, these projects will be ready to move forward. We are hopeful to see some progress on both during this spring season.
Trustee Jennifer Stewart
Recreation Center
As we turn the clocks ahead this weekend, we are preparing for all of our incredibly fun and exciting spring programs and activities at our beautiful Recreation Center. The Summer Recreation booklet is nearing completion, please be on the lookout. Paper booklets will not be mailed, copies will be available in Village Hall, the Recreation Center and the Library.
MTA/LIRR
The Village continues to try to arrange a meeting with the MTA/3TC/LIRR and Nassau County to discuss the Tunnel Street Gate and our options. I will, of course, keep you updated.
This week is the second week of the new LIRR schedule. Floral Park has several new timetables. Some new trains have already been added from Jamaica to Atlantic Avenue due to customer demand. Reach out to the MTA and let them know your thoughts.
As always, we encourage residents to reach out directly to the MTA with questions and concerns, as we have found this the most effective way of residents communicating with them. The MTA can be reached at contact.mta.info/customer-feedback or by phone at 516-203-4955 – this is an automated response, but you can ask for “more options” and then ask for “Comments and concerns” to speak to a person.
Trustee Michael Longobardi
Floral Park Library
Progress continues on the new front entrance. The ramp and stairs are moving along with the final top layers going on now along with the walkway from the street to the entrance. New LED lighting is also being installed inside the library at this time.
AARP tax assistance is available every Tuesday in February and March from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please contact the library for details to schedule a time. Floral Park Tech Help is free one on one tech support for your digital devices available Thursday after 5 p.m., by appointment only. Contact Joe at floraparktechhelp@gmail.com or call the library at 516-326-6330.
The Friends of the Library meeting is Wednesday, March 8 at 1 p.m. The library has a full list of events for kids and adults as well as some special St. Patrick’s Day themed events. Please visit the Library website: WWW.FloralParkLibrary.org for the full list. You can also register on the website to receive regular emails on Library updates and events.
Four Village Studio – 4VS
Four Village Studio (4VS) has student opportunities. 4VS is currently recruiting four-village area high school student volunteers 15 years of age and older as well as college student volunteers who are interested in learning television production. For details or to schedule an informational meeting, call 516-326-1150 or email 4VS@4VS.org.
The 4VS Flashback 25! is running all year. The last program of the night will be a flashback show looking back over the first 25 years. To see a current list of the flashbacks plus all 4VS shows, please visit www.4vs.org or watch your local provider station.
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
This is an update on the actions taken by the Village Board on Governor Hochul’s ill-conceived Housing Compact plan to increase the housing stock by 3% near MTA transit hubs in New York state which includes the Floral Park and Bellerose train stations. The Village Board has been active in a number of areas. Deputy Mayor Pombonyo attended a press conference on Thursday at the Port Washington LIRR station along with dozens of elected officials from Nassau and Suffolk that joined together to stand up for Long Island communities and against Governor Hochul’s Housing plan. Last Friday, I, along with Deputy Mayor Pombonyo and Trustee Stewart attended a special meeting of elected officials at the Town of Hempstead where, among others, Town Supervisor Clavin and NYS Assemblyman Ed Ra spoke passionately in opposing this plan that will have a negative impact not only on the Village of Floral Park’s infrastructure, roads, schools and sewers, but on Long Island as a whole.
At this time, I ask and urge all residents to contact the governor and all elected officials to oppose this plan by phone, online or by writing letters. More plan details and contact information for your state and local elected officials can be found on the Village website (www.fpvillage.org) homepage under “Governor Hochul’s Housing Compact Plan.” It is important to have your voices heard. I assure you that I, along with the Board of Trustees, will work closely with our elected officials and local villages to protect the interests and quality of life of the Incorporated Village of Floral Park and its residents.
Lastly, thank you to Brandon Duffy of Blank Slate Media for attending tonight’s meeting.
