Recreation Department – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
As fall sports head to the ends of their seasons and Screaming Eagles Roller Hockey competes into the winter, our players and coaches have run into some challenging weather and field conditions. The intensity of recent rainstorms often leaves our ballfields and all-purpose rink water logged and with poor playing conditions. To the rescue have come Recreation Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt and the Parks Department staff to clear off puddles, dry out surfaces, and restore all to good playing condition. Our softball, baseball, football and hockey teams have expressed their appreciation. Thanks to all on our Park staff.
Department of Public Works – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
For those of you who entered Village Hall this evening, you noticed new, bright white doors at the Court entrance on the right side of the building with the added decorative transom above the doors. This is a magnificent Village Hall enhancement. Thanks to DPW Superintendent Kevin Ginnane, Supervisor Kevin Pearsall, and Building Superintendent Renee Marcus for their collaboration in planning, selecting the doors and transom, and installation. As Superintendent Ginnane said, “Great job and great team!” We agree.
Over in the Marshall to Revere Drive sections of Hillcrest, the ADA curb ramps and repaving are being completed on portions of Marshall and Orchid, as well as Fern, Hill, Revere Drive East and Revere Court. This has been a joint project with National Grid who compensated the Village for the repaving of portions of the roadways damaged by recent gas line construction work, which is then combined with State CHIPS funding to complete the full repaving of these streets.
The LED lighting installation program is continuing in the West End and the Remsen/Adelaide area this week. Remaining will be the west end of the West End and the Floral Parkway side of Centennial Gardens, to be completed by the end of November as DPW is awaiting the delivery of the remaining lights.
And, following the warm October weather, the leaves are quickly changing color and dropping. DPW’s curbside leaf collection has begun. Please do not rake your leaves into the street as this can be dangerous when children play in the leaves and the heat of cars parked on top of them may start fires. Help us keep Floral Park safe!
Conservation Society – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Thanks go to the Conservation Society volunteers, volunteer extraordinaire Ann Moynagh, and Dominick McCartan, talented designer, creator, and builder of fairie villages including those featured in our own Fairie Forest Festival on October 23rd. In addition to all the Gardens volunteers, fifty additional volunteers, many from our local high schools, arrived in their fairie costumes and wings to greet the children and tell fairie stories, and 575 children and their families spent the afternoon enjoying the magic of the festival. Another great day to be a child in Floral Park! See the Floral Park Centennial Gardens facebook page for the fun-filled highlights.
As Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 7th, the Gardens hours will change to 11am to 4pm this Sunday. Then, on Sunday, November 28th, the Gardens will close for the winter at 4pm. Be sure to enjoy it all while you can.
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
The latest progress with the fire damaged Covert Avenue properties includes the construction of a new, secure fence around the property. The fence is anchored, surrounding the property with seven feet of separation between the damaged walls and the fencing. This seven feet of separation allows for greater safety and access to the damaged structures for the Village staff and construction workers. The sidewalk on Covert Avenue is now open for pedestrians and the parking meters are in operation. The Village Court is now involved with this demolition project and our next goal is to demolish the remaining damaged walls. Building Superintendent Renee Marcus continues to work with the property owners and contractors to move onto the next steps required for reconstruction.
On Friday, October 29th, I was delighted to join the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce at the Nassau Council of Chambers Business Person of the Year awards. This year, Floral Park honors Christos Vassiliou, owner of our extraordinary Floral Park Diner. Other honorees included Ken Marcus, husband of Floral Park’s Building Superintendent Renee Marcus, insurance company owner, and the Farmingdale Chamber’s Business Person of the Year. The theme of this year’s event was employing the disabled and featured informative, inspiring remarks by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down Syndrome who, with his father Mark, created and operate John’s Crazy Socks which are really spectacular. Congratulations to Christos, Ken and all!
Save the dates. The planning is in the works for the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce and Junior Women’s Club tree lighting and festival on Friday evening, December 3rd, and the Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce/Stewart Manor tree lighting celebration on Saturday afternoon, December 11th. Lots more exciting details to follow.
FlSH of Floral Park – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Friends In Safe Hands or FISH is a 50 year old Floral Park treasure. Today, Trustee Frank Chiara, Village Clerk Susan Walsh, and I had the pleasure of joining the volunteers of FISH to celebrate their 50 years of service to those in need in Floral Park. FISH is a large group of very dedicated volunteers who drive our residents to medical appointments, the supermarket and, often, to other important appointments and events. Those in need may google Floral Park FISH for contact information if FISH car services may be helpful, or to volunteer to drive others. FISH is a member of the Floral Park Chamber and is listed in its online directory as well as on the Village website, fpvillage.org under Cultural, Environmental and Service Organizations. You may also call Village Hall for help contacting FISH.
Happy 50th Anniversary to FISH! We thank you for your never-ending service and support.
Third Track Project – Trustee Archie Cheng
3TC for the past few months has been accessing the Right of Way from Main Street. We have reached an agreement with 3TC where they will be responsible for the repair of the damage to Main Street. Unfortunately, we still do not have a start date for the sound & retaining wall construction along Charles Street.
Fire Department – Trustee Archie Cheng
This Sunday, the Floral Park Fire Department Rescue Company will be honoring Ex-Chiefs Rick Maickel and Michael Ostipwko for their fifty years of service. During their tenure, they were instrumental in the planning, design, and acquisition of the Village’s first box type ambulance and a heavy Rescue truck which is still used by our Fire Department. We congratulate them for attaining this milestone and are forever grateful for their dedication, commitment and service to the Department and our Village.
Calls for the month of October: Rescue – 75; Rest of Department – 32.
Police Department – Trustee Frank Chiara
On Saturday, October 23, 2021, our Floral Park Police Department with the assistance of Elaine Licari of CREW and Lynn Smith and Terry Whalen from the Floral Park Lions Club, participated in the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day. Nationwide, nearly 745,000 pounds of unneeded medications were received. At our Floral Park Police Station, Floral Park residents turned in nearly 90 pounds of unneeded medications. During the event, our residents expressed appreciation for the ability to rid themselves of these medications. Thank you to our Police Department, the Crew Committee and the Lions Club for their service to our community.
The National Drug Take Back Day occurs twice a year. As a reminder, there are receptacles in the lobby of the Floral Park Police Department where, at any time, a resident can drop off any unneeded medications or needles.
Last Saturday, our Floral Park Police Department had a Halloween event for all our children. Over 50 kids showed up, many of them dressed in police officer costumes and they received Halloween treats from the Police Officers. This year, there were two special guests at the event; Nassau County Mounted Police Officers with their horses, “Tank” being ridden by PO Patrick Shields and “JQ” being ridden by PO Steve Tornetta, who were “on duty” outside the Floral Park Police Station. All who stopped by were able to pet and take pictures with the horses. POs Shields and Tornetta mounted on their horses talked with all, answering questions and telling them about their experiences of being Mounted Police Officers. “Tank” and “JQ” seemed to enjoy the children as much as the children enjoyed them. It was a lot of fun!
Thanks to Lieutenant Doherty and Police Officer Viscusi for putting this event together. A special THANKS goes to the Nassau County Police Department, Mounted Unit, especially PO Shields and PO Tornetta for spending the day in our Village.
Trustee Jennifer Stewart
The end of October proved to be a very busy and fun filled time here in the Village. The ‘Drug Take Back’ event was once again very successful, the Knights of Columbus held their annual Rhatigan’s Run on 10/30, sporting a field of runners of varying abilities, congratulations to 15 year old VFP resident Kevin Cannon, who came in first place, nearly two full minutes ahead of the second place finisher. It was a great event hosted by the nearly one hundred-year-old council of Knights here in the Village. Later in the day, the FPPD hosted their annual Halloween event featuring JQ and Tank, two of the NCPD mounted police. Children of all ages delighted in meeting the horses and receiving goody bags from our own officers. Thanks to the FPPD and NCPD for a great afternoon.
At the pool, we have put out a bid request for a maintenance contract. This contract will allow us to have one place to go to for all our pool maintenance and repair needs. I think this is really going to benefit the village and the pool members greatly. Please begin thinking about summer employment at the pool and recreation center for your teens. Lifeguard classes are being given locally at the Freeport Recreation Center, for details visit their website. Additionally, each summer we hire office and maintenance staff.
Floral Park Library – Trustee Jennifer Stewart
The Floral Park Library continues to be very busy. November is Food for Fines month at our library. Food donations are gratefully accepted in lieu of fines up to $5.00. All items will be donated to the OLV Food Pantry. All are welcome to donate. Learn how to play the ukulele in only one class! Ukuleles provided; no experience is necessary. Sign up soon, while we still have openings. You’ll be glad you did! Join Sidewalk Astronomer, Tom Lynch, for a night with the stars! Registration required; weather permitting for Tuesday, November 16 at 7 PM. Registration is open for an afternoon with Chef Rob at the Floral Park Library. If you still have Thanksgiving leftovers, Chef Rob will show you how to turn them into Turkey Bolognese with Orecchiette – this is an in-person event.
One noticeable upgrade at the library is the new phone system. This system should eliminate busy signals and some out of service problems we have been having. Thanks to Darlene Lanza for helping to oversee this project.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
Good evening. I have two things to report.
The first is an update on the Belmont Project. It is only two weeks away until the opening of the new Belmont UBS Arena. Village Administrator Gerry Bambrick and I are very busy working on ensuring that the buffer area abutting Crocus and Mayfair Avenues and Hazel Place is preserved. I would like to thank Gerry Bambrick for all of his work on this these past few weeks coordinating with the various agencies involved to ensure that they hear the voices of the residents on this important issue. Hopefully, it will be a good outcome. More to follow.
Second, the Tree Committee met earlier this week. The DPW Tree Department will be planting 150 trees starting early next week. If anyone would like a tree, there is still time to contact DPW and make a request. Letters will be going out to the residents who will be having trees planted on the property in front of their houses on how to assist in caring for them.
Thank you to Felix Procaccia of ‘Just the Facts Media’ for being here this evening.
