Inc. Village of Floral Park
Board of Trustees Reports
January 5, 2021
Four Village Studio (4VS) – Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald
At the last meeting, I reported that 4VS won four awards at the Annual Alliance for Community Awards ceremony. For those of you interested in learning more about them, you can tune-in on 4VS on Thursday night and Sunday morning.
Department of Public Works (DPW) – Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald
It is the season for potholes due to the rain and the colder weather as it is. The Highway crews are out filling the potholes as quickly as possible. If residents see any potholes, please call them into DPW at 516-326-6320 and Highway will repair them promptly. Thank you. Happy New Year to all.
Recreation Department – Trustee Pombonyo
Happy New Year to all! Our Village park and Tiny Town playground remain open during daytime hours. Village of Floral Park leisure and pool pass holders are invited to visit the park to walk, jog and enjoy health and wellness activities. Masks and social distancing are required. Our Screaming Eagles Roller Hockey teams continue to compete, adhering to health and safety protocols. Go Screaming Eagles!
The Recreation Department staff is completing plans for a winter/spring recreation schedule that will have enjoyable fitness and other interesting programs offered in indoor, outdoor and virtual settings. Watch for all the details a bit later in January.
Conservation Society – Trustee Pombonyo
Trustee Pombonyo displayed the Centennial Gardens 2021 calendar, on sale now. It is filled with colorful, breathtaking photos of the unique birds and other animals that live amongst the beautiful trees and bushes there. Check out the Floral Park Centennial Gardens Facebook page for a preview and find out how you may get your own calendar at Tulip Bake Shop, Swing the Teapot, or from Christine Kozak Photography.
A reminder to all that Centennial Gardens is closed through the winter, but you can enjoy nature on the brick path outside the Gardens, the Facebook page, and our new calendar. Experience nature throughout the four seasons in Floral Park!
Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce and Our Businesses – Trustee Pombonyo
Contractors are continuing to work at the site of the September 27th fire. They continue to perform asbestos abatement and removal of loose debris, which is seeing significant progress this week. The asbestos abatement is done in two parts: non-friable which is not airborne and friable (basement piping insulation) when strict containment requirements including protective suits, covered containers and other mandated precautions are taken.
Watch for Building Superintendent Renee Marcus’s updates on the Village website and Village and Hillcrest Facebook pages. The most recent December 23rd update is posted and indicates that the asbestos abatement should be completed around mid-January and clean-up will continue. The update also indicates that the extent of removal has not been fully determined since the owner’s architect is in the process of studying the structure and code requirements for repairs and/or rebuilding. Building Department updates will continue on the Village website and Village and Hillcrest Facebook pages. You may contact the Building Department with questions, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays, 326-6319.
More than ever, we are reminding all to SHOP, EAT, SPEND & ENJOY LOCAL! The Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce Facebook page contains daily, updated photos of our businesses, their services, delicious foods and specials they offer. Trustee Pombonyo displayed the Floral Park Chamber’s SHOP, DINE, LIVE 2021 Business Directory & Shopping Guide. Before you go anywhere, please check our Covert Chamber Facebook page and comprehensive Floral Park Chamber guide to select your local favorites and give them your business. Thanks to all!
And, now, wishing you and your families a healthy, happy and safe New Year filled with hope and peace.
Fire Department – Trustee Cheng
I would like to report on the number of calls responded to by our Volunteer Fire Department in 2020. 1,188 calls for assistance to our Fire Department were received and responded to. 941 of those calls were Rescue Calls. I personally, and on behalf of the Village Board and all of our residents, thank each and every member of the Department for your professionalism, dedication and community service and wish you a Happy and Safe New Year.
Third Track & LIRR – Trustee Cheng
Elevators – All construction has now been completed. The elevators will undergo approximately 2 ½ weeks of testing before public use is allowed. North Side of the Main Line Right Of Way – Wall work is now scheduled to start in February. 3TC has about 40 workers who have tested positive for COVID which has resulted in the delay in this work. All materials have been procured and are scheduled to be on-site within 2 weeks. New Work – Last Wednesday, a Village resident advised of us work being done at the north end of the tunnel that passes below the Hempstead line. At the present time, 3TC and the MTA have started the work necessary for the installation of a new switch that was mentioned in the FEIS. The Village was not given advance notice of this new work. Gerry Bambrick and I went to the site and observed that the security fence leading to the LIRR embankment had been removed and work with heavy equipment was proceeding on the Hempstead Right Of Way. Starting at 30 Tunnel Street there will be an 8 foot retaining wall constructed (not mentioned in the FEIS) and continuing for about 500 feet towards New Hyde Park.
Finally, my best wishes to all for a Healthy and Happy New Year.
Library – Trustee Chiara
The Floral Park Library continues to offer several programs for all age groups. For children ages 3 through first grade, the Library is offering an English – Spanish bilingual Storytime so that they may enjoy becoming familiar with English and Spanish word phrases that are commonly used. For tweens and teens, they will be able to create snowflake mandalas on wood using partyArt. The teens can review their partyArt kits online by providing the Library with a valid email address. Once received, the Library will notify them when to pick up their kits and when the video will be available to assist with the project. For the adults, the Library continues to offer chair yoga and cooking classes where they can learn to prepare winter soups and plant indoor herb gardens. Registration is available on the Library’s homepage or by calling 516-326-6330, ext. 105. Thank you to the Library staff for being so creative, especially during these difficult times.
Building Department – Trustee Chiara
The Building Department has updated and added some new improved permit applications now posted on their website. These updates should assist the applicants by making the process easier and help with a quicker turnaround time. Abatement and debris removal continues at the Covert Avenue fire recovery site. The Building Department is keeping a watchful eye on it to ensure all is done in a safe manner.
Police Department – Trustee Chiara
The Floral Park Police Department wishes everyone a safe, healthy New Year!
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Longobardi
Mayor Longobardi welcomed everyone to 2021 and hoped that the holidays, while different, were happy for all and their families. Mayor Longobardi reported that the Village like the rest of the country is experiencing an uptick in COVID-19 cases. He asked everyone to continue to take precautions to protect against infection and to assist in stemming the spread of COVID-19 as we experience this new phase; and are not immune to exposure. On the positive side, vaccines are now being distributed and he is happy to see that taking place but it is early stages. Mayor Longobardi stressed that individuals should take precautions to quarantine or isolate due to a positive COVID exposure, to wash their hands, wear masks and socially distance; and follow all NYS DOH and CDC guidelines to stay healthy and protect their coworkers, fellow citizens and loved ones. Again, this is far from over and everyone must remain vigilant to protect each other.
It has been a rough haul in 2020 and he is hopeful for 2021 to be a better year. Mayor Longobardi expressed how important it is that everyone and every family needs to stay safe and healthy by looking out for each other. The Village of Floral Park is a family and he wished the best to all from the Village family for a safe and healthy Happy New Year and for it to be the best year ever. Thank you.
