State Sen. Jack Martins said Tuesday that he has succeeded in getting restored $4.7 million of the $10 million in state grants to county, town and village governments, school districts and fire departments that had been rescinded by the Democratic leadership in December.
The Democrats withdrew the grants after Martins was declared the winner in his race against 7th Senate District incumbent Democrat Craig Johnson,
Martins said the grants were restored through a resolution adopted near the end of the recently concluded state legislative session in which Republicans held the majority in the Senate.
“They were restored as a result of our efforts to express to our colleagues that these monies were committed. And these projects were undertaken because the money had been committed,” Martins said.
The money restored included grants to the county, the Town of North Hempstead, firefighters, school districts and village across the North Shore including Great Neck, New Hyde Park, East Williston and Mineola. In many cases, the projects had started and even completed the work when they learned that the money had been rescinded.
“They had the money pulled out from under them and it’s unfair,” Martins said.
Two grants totaling $250,000 also were restored to the Herricks School District, and $200,000 in two grants for construction of a playground at the North Side School and Wheatley School Track renovation in the East Williston School District were restored as well.
In Herricks, a $150,000 grant had been approved to renovate the facade of the community center, which was completed. The school district had not yet spent $100,000 for the computer network and cable television network equipment that is to be covered by the second grant.
“It’s great news. We’re thrilled,” said Helen Costigan, assistant superintendent for business in the Herricks School District. Referring to the grant for the computer and cable TV hardware, Costigan said, “Once we get the money, we’ll spend it.”
“We are delighted and most appreciative of his efforts,” said Herricks Superintendent of Schools John Bierwirth.
The projects in Herricks and East Williston were completed after the grants were confirmed through the New York State Dormitory Authority. Projects cleared through the dormitory authority are normally completed before the money is dispersed by the state.
Martins has sought to address the issue of the unfulfilled grants since taking his seat in Albany. That process has involved meeting with officials from school districts, municipalities and fire departments to reconstruct information about the grants since Johnson had discarded the paperwork before vacating his office in Albany, Martins said.
Officials in the East Williston School District expressed cautious optimism to the news that Martins gotten the money restored for the playground and track projects.
“The district has not been informed of the grants. However, if Senator Martins and the New York State Senate restore the grant, I will be happy for the children and taxpayers of our district,” said East Williston Superintendent of Schools Lorna Lewis.
“I’m thankful to Senator Martins for his efforts. We hope that we shall see the funds soon,” said Robert Freier, vice president of the East Williston Board of Education.
Martins said he was hopeful about restoring funds for other projects in the Senate district, including a $200,000 grant to renovate the New Hyde Park Police Athletic League facility on Denton Avenue. That grant was part of a $1.3 million grant to the Town of North Hempstead that was withdrawn.
The list of grants restored include:
• $150,000 for renovations to the science labs at the Mineola High School and Middle School
• $150,000 for upgrades to four schools in the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District
• $150,000 for renovation of the Marcus Gill Theatre in New Hyde Park Village Hall
• $100,000 for renovations to the North High School and JFK School in the Great Neck School District
• $800,000 to the Town of North Hempstead for flood mitigation
• $800,000 to the Village of Mineola for flood mitigation
• $800,000 to the Town of Hempstead for flood mitigation
• $100,000 to the Village of Mineola to replace roofing of the Emergency Management Facilities complex
• $150,000 for asbestos abatement in the Carle Place School District
• $100,000 for renovation of the high school cafeteria in the Roslyn School District
• $100,000 for reconstruction of roads and sidewalks in the Village of Port Washington
• $100,000 for facility improvements at the Village of Plandome Fire Department
• $100,000 for upgrades to a studio art room in the Manhasset School District
• $150,000 for renovations to the high school biology rooms in the Westbury School District
• $150,000 for roadway reconstruction in the Vilage of Floral Park
• $150,000 for classroom renovations and floor replacements in the Floral Park-Bellerose School District
• $100,000 for gym renovations and installation of security fencing in the Franklin Square School District
• $100,000 for a math and science lab in the Elmont School District
• $100,000 in streetscape improvemednts on Jericho Turnpike in Bellerose Terrace for the Town of Hempstead
