Deputy Mayor Lynn Pombonyo
Police Department
In the holiday spirit, our Floral Park Police Department wants us all to celebrate safely. But to keep us safe, everything from friendly reminders to summonses are sometimes necessary.
For your safety, FPPD is continuing to enforce “Block the Box” (blocking intersections) as much as they can, and education is often the preferred way to correct illegal driving. However, our officers have issued more than 40 summonses for “Blocking the Box” in November and December, to date.
“Blocking the Sidewalk” with a car that doesn’t fit in the driveway is also illegal. Summonses will be issued when pedestrians, especially children walking to school or bus stops, may be forced to walk in the streets because of blocked sidewalks.
Finally, FPPD continues to remind us that they do not want to leave their orange Floral Park Police holiday cards on windshields for Double Parking or parking in Fire Zones. Please be courteous to others and alert for emergencies even when you’re doing quick, but possibly illegal, drop-offs and pick-ups.
Please read more and enjoy our delightful FPPD poetry on the Department’s Facebook page.
Conservation Society (FPCS)
Our award-winning, BEST PARK and PUBLIC GARDENS OF NASSAU COUNTY, Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary lives up to its fame and glory every month of the year.
Ornithology expert, bird enthusiast and talented photographer Douglas Cioffe, collaborating with Floral Park Centennial Gardens Facebook page Creator, Ann Moynagh, both of whom are dedicated FPCS Volunteers, posted the following very interesting story and magnificent photos of our Gardens’ recent participation in a national event.
“On behalf of the National Audubon Society, the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is held each year around this time. Two volunteers from the Queens CBC were given supervised access to the Gardens on Sunday morning, Dec. 15, so that the bird count could be conducted there. In total, 18 different species of birds were spotted or heard at the Gardens including: the Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, House Sparrow, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Fox Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, and a small Falcon (specific species undetermined).” Please don’t miss this heartwarming story and photos on Ann’s Floral Park Centennial Gardens Facebook page.
The National Audubon Society’s CBC is taking place from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. The CBC is the longest running science bird project in the United States and one of two annual bird census events. The other is the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), taking place around the world and in our own Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary from Friday, Feb. 14, to Monday, Feb. 17. Both Bird Count events yield valuable data about bird populations, habitats and migration.
FPCS and the Village of Floral Park are honored to participate in worldwide research relating to the birds of our Gardens. Please join us at February’s GBBC and check out this Global Bird Count at birdcount.org
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
Both the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce and the Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce continue to celebrate the holidays in style. We thank both, and the Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club and the Villages of Floral Park and Stewart Manor for presenting this year’s sparkling Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Holiday Festivals. Adding to the merriment have been the Hillcrest Civic Association and their colorful Tree Lighting where Magnolia and Cisney Avenues meet, and the Recreation Center Tree Lighting, adding a bright glow to our Village Park after dark. What joy these holiday festivities and brightly shining lights bring to our families and children!
Special thanks go to all who help to make these Village events so memorable. First, our Villages’ Departments of Public Works. The large snowflakes shining in our business districts raise our holiday spirits, and DPW’s and the Parks Department’s significant preparation work and cleanup have made our celebrations festive. Thanks also to our tireless FPPD Officers who work 24/7, even on the holidays, to keep us safe. To our Fire Department who’s with us during celebrations and emergencies, we thank you. And let’s not forget to thank the staffs of our two Village Halls whose months long preparations make these events run smoothly.
So now, let’s shout out to one and all: PLEASE SHOP, DINE AND CELEBRATE LOCAL!
Holiday Greetings!
May the holidays bring God’s blessings, joy and peace to all of our Floral Park families!
Trustee Frank Chiara
Library
Here are some announcements for the upcoming holiday hours. The Floral Park Library will be closed on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, and Dec. 25, Christmas Day. The library will be open from 9 AM to 5 PM on Dec. 31, New Years Eve and will be closed on Jan. 1, New Year’s Day.
Check the Library’s website at www.floralparklibrary.org for upcoming programs for January. Please remember that they fill up fast so register if you’re interested.
Both the Library Staff and the Floral Park Volunteer Fire Department would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a healthy and safe New Year.
And for myself and the entire Chiara family, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and wishing everyone all the best for the upcoming year. May 2025 bring us all peace and happiness throughout the year.
Trustee Jennifer Stewart
End of year DPW Report
The Highway Department cleaned 125 storm basins, they put down 215 tons of hot asphalt in 60 different locations throughout the Village resolving drainage and road repair issues, and they used 44 tons of asphalt for pot hole repair. A total of 13 roads were repaved in our Village and the Holland Avenue Municipal parking lot was also reconstructed and paved.
In the Parks Department lawns were maintained, shrubs and flowers were planted and maintained in 20 assorted parks and pocket parks within our Village including Library, Village Hall, and all three firehouses. Flowers and greenery were planted and are constantly maintained at all Village buildings.
In the Sanitation Department, 6,260 tons of household waste was collected in 2024, 900 tons of bulk rubbish, 500 tons of yard waste, 750 tons of paper and cardboard, and 490 tons of commingled plastics and glass were collected.
In the Tree Department, 500 trees were trimmed, 20 tree emergency calls were responded to during the daytime and nighttime hours, and 50 diseased and dead trees had to be removed. This week, 100 trees have been scheduled for planting.
At Village Hall our Building Maintenance Department has painted the Village Hall bathrooms, installed new carpeting in the Village Hall Offices, and renovated 4 Village Studio. In the Library, new french doors have been installed in the reading room, as was new lighting, a new ceiling and the meeting room has been painted. Additionally, all buildings and offices have been cleaned daily.
Our incredibly talented Village Shop Mechanics performed maintenance and repairs on 100 Village vehicles including Sanitation Trucks, heavy equipment and Police vehicles.
4VS
Four Village Studio gathered three “Nor’easters” at the 2024 “Alliance for Community Media, Northeast Regional Conference and Trade Show”. 4VS representatives were present to accept the acknowledgements at the ACM-NE awards ceremony held this year in Mystic, Connecticut. Eligible programs were mandated to have been produced and first-time cablecast during 2023, and are judged for recognition in a wide variety of categories at this highly competitive annual event. “The Antique Road Test”, from host/producer Walter Gosden, picked up a 2nd Place award for an episode entitled “Cars in Song: Motor Car Sheet Music”. The program, which entered in the Historical Documentary category, explores the representation of automobiles in popular music from the early 20th century. Walter’s program has been a studio staple since 2011. Another 2nd Place accolade, in the Music & Performance category, was given to host/producer Wes Houston for his program “Wes Houston Presents…” In the episode, singer-songwriter-guitarist James O’Malley performs a solo set of his original compositions. For nearly a quarter of a century, Wes has showcased hundreds of local and regional musicians at Four Village Studio. The final 2nd Place prize went to producers James Green & Francis Brandt for their contributions to an episode of “Community Spotlight” in the category Profile Talk Show. Entitled “A Great, Grand, Mother’s Day: Celebrating the Mothers of the Greatest Generation”, the program combines the efforts of two different generations of 4VS staff members. Uniquely bridging the studio’s 25-year history, the show combines interviews from the year 2000 with post-production work completed in 2023 to tell a heartwarming display about motherhood.
My family and I wish all residents a Merry Christmas and all wonderful things in 2025.
Trustee Michael Longobardi
Building Department
The major projects in town continue to progress very well with no issues. Construction is ongoing at the apartment building at 1 Carnation Avenue, at the proposed restaurant at 99 Covert Avenue, the re-construction of 266 Jericho Turnpike, and at the Covert Avenue Fire property. Repairs and renovations continue at 212 Jericho Turnpike, the old Firestone building. There was a special use public hearing earlier this evening to discuss the application for a proposed auto body shop at the rear of the building. There are no further updates or meetings scheduled regarding the proposal for a large-scale mixed-use development project located at 144-162 Jericho Turnpike. Information will be shared and dates will be announced when the meetings are scheduled. The Building Department will be closed on Christmas and New Years Day, and will close at noon on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.
Recreation and Pool
The Recreation Center joined in the holiday celebrations this past Friday with the annual recreation center tree lighting. It was a great night with music, entertainment, refreshments, snacks, and a visit from Santa. Thank you to Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt and the entire recreation center staff for all their hard work decorating the center and preparing for a festive evening. Thank you to JJ Dance Studio and The Dance Place Singers for entertaining us and to all our residents who came out to help make it a fun evening.
There are seven days left to our great Holiday Season pool membership sale. Purchase a pool membership for 2025 at 2024 pricing. They make great stocking stuffers and gifts for family and friends in town. They are available at the pool building until December 23rd, Monday through Thursday 9 AM to 6:30 PM, and Fridays 9 AM to 4 PM.
Recreation Session II registration will start Wednesday, January 8th. Senior registration, for senior classes only, will be 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Registration for all classes will be 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Registration is open and ongoing after that. A current resident leisure pass or 2024 pool pass is required to register. Applications available at the pool building, shelter house, and online at village web site. Registration is now open for the 2025 Floral Park Little League Spring Baseball and Softball leagues. There is an early bird discount until December 25th, plus 4- and 5-year-olds are free. For information and to register, please visit www.FloralParkLittleLeague.com.
Recreation Center holidays hours are 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC)
There is no scheduled meeting in December. The next meeting will be on Monday, January 27, 2025 at the Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington Street, 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.
My Family and I would like to wish all our residents and friends, as well as my fellow Board Members, and our amazing Village departments and administrative offices, a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a happy, healthy, and safe New Year.
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
Just to follow up on what Trustee Stewart said about the awards for Four Village Studio. I’ve had the opportunity to view the award show and some of the competitions are pretty amazing. Most amazing is the quality of work that comes out of 4VS, and that is a testament to Jim Green’s dedication to his work. It’s first class. You can tell the difference when compared to other shows nominated. Congratulations to Jim and his entire staff.
Today I was notified by the New York State Bar Association that they will honor Village Justice Doug Hayden with the Outstanding Jurist Award. The award is given in recognition to outstanding service as a Village Justice for the Village of Floral Park for more than 25 Years. Its also an award for his dedication to the legal profession by his service to the NYS Bar Association as well as other bar associations he is a part of. Congratulations, Doug. We are very proud of you and your way of rendering fair decisions every Monday night.
Lastly, I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year. The next board meeting will not be for another three weeks on Jan. 7.
