The following is an update from the Garden City Mayor Theresa A. Trouvé.
As the Village continues doing its part to help slow the spread of COVID-19, officials wait for the next relaxation of the rules during this pandemic. We did not qualify for a beginning of easement of restrictions because our county did not accomplish two of the seven benchmarks. We have accomplished one more since that notification, and I am confident that we can eliminate the last benchmark. Again, continue to keep your hands very clean, wear a mask or scarf over your face at appropriate times and maintain the social distance. Follow the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), the Governor and your President.
If you don’t feel well, contact your doctor immediately. If you need immediate medical assistance, call 911. We have a Village email: mayor@gardencityny.net and a telephone number: 516-465-4000. Let us know if we can help you. Should you wish to share your thoughts with me, you can reach me directly at 516-650-8847. Please be well and be safe.
I am happy to announce that on Thursday, May 21, we will begin the process of preparing Village Hall for opening. This will take some time, and I will announce the opening in this column when we feel that things are ready within the law. The people of Garden City are strong, and we will come through all of this stronger than we ever were before. All of you are in my thoughts.
MEMORIAL DAY 2020
Mayor Theresa Trouvé and the Trustees of Garden City honor our Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our Country. Please take a moment this Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, to honor the service and sacrifice of those who died. The 2020 Memorial Day parade has been canceled due to the Governor’s order.
COVID-19 TESTING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, ESSENTIAL WORKERS
As New York State continues expanding COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing capacity, Garden City Village employees are taking advantage of local testing opportunities. The New York State Department of Health has set up testing at one of the drive-through or walk-in testing sites for essential workers. Testing is by appointment only. Employees can call the COVID-19 hotline at 888-364-3065 for assessment. Further, the Office of Emergency Management is working in conjunction with Northwell Health to provide antibody testing to police and fire personnel, as well as essential employees who directly interact with the public, at the Bethpage site.
Trustee Colleen Foley thanked Village Auditor Courtney Rosenblatt, Village Administrator Ralph Suozzi and Police Commissioner Kenneth Jackson for working with her in getting the Village’s first responders access to such testing.
2019 ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT
The Village is pleased to present the 2019 Water Quality Report, which is designed to inform residents about the quality water and services delivered. We are pleased to report that our drinking water is safe and meets all federal, state and local requirements.
The Village provides treatment at all wells to improve the quality of the water pumped prior to distribution. The pH of the pumped water is adjusted upward when necessary to reduce corrosive action between the water and the water mains and in-house plumbing by the addition of sodium hydroxide. Air stripping treatment units are utilized at Well Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 for the removal of volatile organic compounds. A granular activated carbon filter system is also utilized at Well Nos. 7, 15 and 16 for the removal of volatile organic compounds. An iron removal treatment system is also utilized for Well Nos. 15 and 16. The Village also adds small amounts of calcium hypochlorite (chlorine) as a disinfecting agent and to prevent the growth of bacteria in the distribution system as is required by local regulations.
In accordance with state regulations, the Village routinely monitors your drinking water for numerous parameters. We test your drinking water for coliform bacteria, turbidity, inorganic contaminants, lead and copper, nitrate, volatile organic contaminants, synthetic organic contaminants and total trihalomethane and synthetic organic contaminants. Over 130 separate parameters are tested for in each of our wells numerous times per year.
Through projects approved as part of the Village’s 5-Year Capital Plan we continue to make strategic investments in the maintenance of and upgrades to the water distribution and supply infrastructure. These projects cover a wide range of activities including the replacement of water mains, electrical controls, and enhanced water treatment and security systems at our well sites. The Village has also begun construction of a new water tank. In addition, the Village has started construction on emerging contaminant treatment at several well sites.
The population served by the Village during 2019 was 22,371. The total amount of water withdrawn from the aquifer in 2019 was 1.7 billion gallons, of which approximately 80 percent was billed directly to consumers. To read the entire report, click here.
A.T. STEWART BUST
After years of sitting untouched on its pedestal, which came from the original Penn Station in New York City, the Village had the A.T. Stewart bust and the pedestal professionally cleaned and restored last fall. Evergreene Architectural Arts, Inc. removed decades of dirt and grime and the bust itself was polished to a state not seen since its unveiling. This project was undertaken in honor of the Village’s Centennial celebration. Parks Department employees Steve Barnych and Tom Armato, who planted approximately 42,000 tulip bulbs throughout the Village, also completed the plantings around the monument. “The result is a wonderful piece of Garden City history accompanied by a multi colored display of tulips,” Paul Blake, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs, said.
LARCENIES FROM VEHICLES
There has been a reported increase in larcenies, thefts from vehicles in the Village. According to Commissioner Kenneth Jackson, Nassau County is also seeing an uptick in these petty crimes. Please keep your doors locked and make sure all your valuables, including your keys, are removed from the vehicle. “We made three recent arrests for these crimes and all were aided by alert citizens calling in suspicious activity, so I thank them for that,” Commissioner Jackson said.
555 STEWART AVENUE
The Board adopted a resolution extending the time in which 555 Stewart Garden City, LLC, the owners of 555 Stewart Avenue, can obtain site plan approval for an additional 90 days. In July 2018 the Board granted a use permit for development of a 150-unit residence at the site, subject to various conditions, including that the owner obtains site plan approval by April 10, 2019. By subsequent resolutions that time was extended to October 10, 2019 and April 10, 2020.
The applicant received a Planning Commission recommendation for this project, as well as final Architectural Design Review Board approval. The applicant was in the process of seeking variances but the March and April meetings were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The applicant must still meet with the Zoning Board of Appeals before coming before the Board of Trustees for final site plan approval.
“The client, Southern Land, is looking to get this development built as soon as possible,” attorney for the applicant, Kevin Walsh said. “We realize we still need two approvals, we need your final approval and we’re doing everything we can now to complete the project.”
WESTERN NASSAU TRANSMISSION PROJECT
The Western Nassau Transmission Project consists of the construction, operation and maintenance of a proposed new 138-kilovolt underground transmission line primarily within the public roadway rights-of-way for a total distance of approximately seven miles between the East Garden City substation (located in Uniondale) and the Valley Stream substation (located in Lynbrook).
The project is expected to reinforce LIPA’s electric transmission system in the southwest Nassau area and ensure continued reliable service. The underground transmission line will be located wholly within the Town of Hempstead and will traverse the Villages of Garden City, Malverne and Lynbrook, and will be constructed primarily underground. The project is on schedule for a December 2020 completion. The two-week construction schedule in Garden City entails:
Monday, May 18, 2020:
- Trenching continued within the Village on Cherry Valley Avenue from the area of the Long Island Rail Road Bridge south toward Sixth Street in the northbound lane.
Thursday, May 21, 2020:
- Trenching was anticipated to begin on Cherry Valley Avenue and Ninth Street between Splice Vault No. 18, which is located just south of the intersection with Ninth Street and Cherry Valley Avenue, and Splice Vault No. 19, which is located in the northbound lane of Hilton Avenue just north of the intersection with Stewart Avenue. On Ninth Street, the trenching will be in the eastbound lanes.
Questions? Call the hotline at 780-0665, email info@westernnassautransmission.com or
visit www.westernnassautransmission.com.
SANITATION COLLECTION – MEMORIAL DAY
Residents are reminded that there will be no garbage or recycling pickup on Monday, May 25, 2020. The Holiday Week Collection Schedule will be as follows:
GARBAGE RUBBISH
Western Half of Village Tuesday and Friday Thursday, May 28th
(West of Rockaway Avenue)
Eastern Half of Village Wednesday and Saturday Thursday, May 28th
(East of Rockaway Avenue)
Residents scheduled for recycling on Monday, May 25 are asked to put their recyclables out on Monday, June 1.
