Trustee Jennifer Stewart:
4VS:
4 Village Studio Director James Green reported that all painting, as well as wall and ceiling repairs have been completed. All previously removed equipment had been reinstalled and tested. The control room and set have been super-cleaned from floor to ceiling and the new air-conditioning system is up and working.
Some programming highlights for this week are The Author Corner, Inspiring Stories and The Antique Road Test.
DPW:
The Highway Department Crews performed road repairs on West Hitchcock, Depan, Granger and Charles Streets. All roads have been swept. The DPW yards have been cleaned out for the Fire Department Training Facility Dedication taking place at Mayflower Yard.
In the Parks Department, bushes have been replaced on Floral Parkway Islands, and all parking lots have been cleaned. Fall cleanups are underway in the Village.
The Sanitation Department removed 64 tons household waste, 7 tons of paper, 4.5 tons of plastic and 12 tons bulk rubbish.
A friendly reminder to all residents to check their Sanitation Schedule as there are several Holidays in the next two months for changes to regular pick-ups, and remember that there is no bulk pick up on weeks where there is a holiday.
MTA:
There has been some ongoing work at the intersection of Atlantic and Carnation Avenues. The MTA has been removing the large canvas bags filled with concrete. The Village notifies residents as soon as we are notified by the MTA that work is or will be occurring. Unfortunately, we don’t always get notified timely. As always, contact the MTA with questions and concerns at MTA.info
Cultural Arts Committee:
With the first cold snap of the year on our doorstep, it is a perfect time to start thinking about next summer. Planning for the Summer Concert Series has begun. We are in the discussion stage of a possible ‘Under 25’ concert night for resident individuals and bands under the age of 25 who might be interesting in performing for our community. Stay tuned for details. If you are interested, send an email to jstewart@fpvillage.org.
“As this is our last meeting until Wednesday, Nov. 6, I encourage all of you to exercise the privilege of voting on Nov. 5.”
Trustee Michael Longobardi:
Building Department:
The construction for the proposed restaurant at 99 Covert Ave. is continuing and is expected to take several months. Construction began last Friday at the Covert Avenue fire property. The first phase will be shoring and foundation work, which will take about a month. Overall construction is expected to take up to a year.
There will be a Tulip Avenue Road Closure next week near the construction of the new apartment building at One Carnation Avenue. This closure it due to the PSEG power line work in that area. Notices will go out regarding the specific dates and times.
As a reminder, all ductless air conditioning systems require a permit prior to start to ensure compliance with the zoning and building codes. Check the Building Department website for a full list of requirements and permit applications. AC units and associated service lines are not permitted to be mounted on the front wall of a home. Call the Building Department to ask questions or obtain assistance for permitting.
Recreation and Pool:
We are entering the final phase for Little League Fall Ball and Titans Football. Youth Council Fall Football is set to start this week. Registration is ongoing for Screaming Eagles Hockey. Early Election voting will start at the pool building on Oct. 26. And plan ahead, beginning Nov. 11, the winter park hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee:
The next meeting will be held on Oct. 28 at Town of Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington Street in Hempstead. If you want to make a noise complaint regarding air traffic, you can call 1-800-225-1071. You can also go to our Village website which has the links under the TVASNAC noise complaint contact information page on our home page.
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald:
“Back at the December 6, 2022 Board Meeting I mentioned that during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Floral Park PBA commenced an arbitration proceeding against the Village seeking double time pay during COVID pursuant to the ‘holiday’ pay provision of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Village and the PBA. It was the Village’s position that the CBA’s ‘Holiday’ pay provisions were inapplicable, were never triggered in this instance, and that the PBA’s claims were without merit. The New York State Supreme Court, Nassau County, agreed with the Village and enjoined the PBA’s arbitration from proceeding back in 2022. However, the New York State Appellate Division later ruled that the merits or lack of merit of the PBA’s claim should be determined by an arbitrator and not the courts.”
Over the past 6 months, the Village and PBA went before an arbitrator to state their claims. Last week, the arbitrator decision was received. The ruling was in the village’s favor stating that there was no “holiday” declared and that the members of the PBA are not entitled to any additional compensation for the extended period they were claiming. This is an important decision as it removes what was a significant potential financial liability which we disclosed in various documents over the past few years.
“I would like to thank our Village Attorney John Ryan, Marylou Conrow from Coughlin & Gerhart and Village Administrator Gerry Bambrick for their time and efforts they put in to ensure the Village presented our case in the best manner possible.”
The village has been alerted by NYRA and the Floral Park Police Department that teens are trespassing on Belmont property and causing destruction both personal and physical.
“I would like to remind our residents, especially our younger ones, that even though one may think it’s a rite of passage to go over into Belmont Park property, both Floral Park and NYRA will prosecute to the full extent of the law for any criminal activity that may occur. I know NYRA is taking this very seriously due to some recent incidents that have occurred.”
“Trustee Chiara and I had the privilege of working with NYRA and the Community Advisory Committee. Last Wednesday we had a tour of the ongoing construction that is occurring at Belmont Park. It is a massive facility and only when you are on the property do you realize how big it actually is. They are moving along at a good pace and are either on or ahead of schedule. We are looking forward to continued cooperation with them. The new facility should be completed by the end of 2026.”
Lastly, late this afternoon Fitzgerald received a request from the fellow neighboring Village of New Hyde Park. They have adopted the towns of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure of North Carolina and are having an emergency relief drive tomorrow and Thursday at New Hyde Park Village Hall, to provide assistance to those towns. They are looking for various nonperishable items, cases of water, flashlights, and other items listed on their website. If you would like to donate, check their website for a full list.
