Mayor's Message - April 2008Dear Neighbors:
Let me start by thanking the outgoing Trustees Rosaleen Shea and Jo Ellen Cortapasso for their dedication and service to our Village. Also my thanks to Guy Powers and Vic Mauro for running a fine campaign and participating in the government process. And my congratulations to the incoming Trustees Margaret (Peggy) Hagan and Peter Murphy on their recent victory. The Board of Trustees and I look forward to working with the new Trustees as we continue to move forward with well planned and fiscally sound decisions that will benefit all of the residents of our Village.
At this time, I wish to address some issues that have recently come to my attention that seem to be causing much confusion. Please rest assured that your Village is fiscally sound. The Board and I have always acted and will continue to act in a responsible fashion with regard to any decisions we make. Laws were not created for the sake of creation. There were reasons. When a decision was made to eliminate a gas station and tanks from our business district is was made with the intention of making the property more environmentally friendly while adding a point of destination (ice cream parlor, cafe`). Yes, it was my hope to spark a flurry of activity to create a business district that we all envision and hope to visit. I am pleased to say that we are already seeing the fruits of our labor. Besides the Hand Car Wash/Ice Cream Parlor/Cafe`, the property to the far east of the Bellerose Business District is moving ahead with a planned block row of brick stores. I look forward to continue working with the owners of these establishments in creating a Bellerose Village Business District that we can all be proud of. I have met several times with Councilman Ambrosino and have created a Bellerose Business District Task Force. We have recently met with Richard A. Bianculli, Commissioner, Department of Planning & Economic Development Town of Hempstead and Councilman Ambrosino. We took Commissioner Bianculli on a tour of our business district as well as showing him some plans and drawings already in place. Another meeting has been planned at the office of Commissioner Bianculli. We were advised that at this meeting there will be present the representatives on the town board that have the expertise dealing with business district revitalization. Councilman Ambrosino and Commissioner Bianculli have committed to help us in anyway possible to achieve our goals. A meeting with Kate Murray, Supervisor, of the Town of Hempstead, will also be scheduled. The Mayor and previous Board of Trustees have been working tirelessly to procure grant money and other funding. And now an opportunity for the implementation of our plan has presented itself. We will seize the moment, or it maybe forever lost.
FIREHOUSE REPAIRS
Emergency repairs to the firehouse have been completed and the other necessary repairs are underway. The Village has spent $31,000 so far. This money has come from our unappropriated fund balance. We are now looking to acquire $200,000 through a serial bond to complete the list of sorely needed repairs to the firehouse some of which include the outside stairs, windows, electric, walls, stairwell etc. The Board of Trustees and I understand the need for and have already started making the necessary repairs to our Firehouse. The safety of our residents and our Fire Department members is a priority for all.
U.S. DEPT. OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD)
Each year the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the Nassau County Office of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs makes funds available to municipalities for public services, public facility improvements, property acquisitions and planning. In the past, Bellerose Village has received grants that were used for handicapped ramps, handicapped restrooms and handicapped accessible water fountains.
Again the Village is looking for funding for a handicap accessible kitchen and dining facility in the Village Hall/Senior Center. We have acquired $30, 000 dollars to date and are requesting an additional $50,000 this year and $100,000 next year. This project will be completely funded through HUD. I know there was some concern regarding the ramifications of the Historic Landmark status of our Village Hall. You can rest assured that the historic status of the Village Hall has not in any way held up the process. It is just a matter of paperwork and pictures that needs to be presented to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. A part of this process would take place regardless of the buildings status. And we have been assured by our Historian, Alan Woodruff that the process of approval takes no more than 30 days upon receipt .I wish to remind all residents that getting the Village Hall, Police Booth, and Fire House placed on the State and National Register of Historic Landmarks, played a significant role in keeping the third track out of our backyard. This theory was reconfirmed by Mr. Bianculli, Planning Commissioner for the Town of Hempstead. He called it "Very Smart Thinking on our part".
BEAUTIFICATION/INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
This plan has already been implemented in the planting of some 100 trees throughout the Village. On March 6th Trustee Shea and I spent the day with New York State Department of Conservation (NYSDEC) Forester 1, Debra Gorka. We inspected nearly 100 trees that were planted throughout our Village over the past two years. Forester Gorka was to be the final approval from the State to determine the tree grant award. I am happy to report that a grant was awarded in the amount of $7,500 from the State on March 26, 2008. I would like to thank Trustees De Souza and Shea for their work on this grant.
As a means to further implement the Beautification/Infrastructure plan we are planning to float two serial bonds. One bond in the amount of $267,000 will be used toward the construction of improvements to various curbs, malls, catch basins and related work on Commonwealth Blvd. Another bond for $33,000 will be for streetscape improvements along Commonwealth Blvd. Commonwealth Blvd.is the gateway to our community and is probably the best place to start. The sprinkler system is ineffective and in need of repair. Planting of flowers is almost impossible due to the conditions of the malls. The first mall closest to Jericho Turnpike receives a lot of pedestrian traffic. Adding some pavers to this area would probably be a benefit. After heavy rains there is severe pooling on sections of Commonwealth Blvd. The curbing surrounding many of the malls is nonexistent, therefore, causing much runoff of water and dirt. The efficiency of the catch basins adjacent to the malls will be investigated.
Money has been set aside in our budget to resurface our tennis courts. The resurfacing of the courts will take place shortly.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
There are many provisions in the Village Code that we receive many inquiries on. Many of these are in violation and subject to penalties. This is a reminder that it is the homeowner's responsibility to ensure that all licensed contractors required to have permits are compliant with all village codes. You are responsible for the conduct of contractors working on your premises '� do not allow dumpsters in driveways '� do not allow mixing of concrete on un-protected streets. Your landscapers are required to receive a permit from our Village Clerk and give the names and addresses of all the resident's they serve. Dog owners are to have their dogs leashed at all times or fenced in and must pick-up and dispose of properly all dog waste. Do not use catch basins to dispense waste of any kind. There is no parking on the streets from 10 a.m. '� 12 noon, from 2 p.m. '� 4 p.m., or overnight from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. There are exceptions, of course, when a resident is having work performed on their home. The Village has been diligent in enforcing existing laws by issuing monetary violations and summons in accordance with our Village Code to unruly properties on the commercial district and contractors who fail to comply with the rules. Please advise the Village Clerk if you notice something or someone that is in violation of the law. Your cooperation and consideration provides for a better quality of life and the safety and welfare of all of our village residents.
VERIZON FiOS
The NYS Public Service Commission approved the contract between the Village and Verizon FiOS in February. Verizon subcontractors are available to provide new service to residents interested in applying for the Verizon FiOS plan. If any concerns arise regarding FiOS, contact Village Hall immediately. Cablevision is still available.
LIRR THIRD TRACK
I have attended many meetings with the Citizens Against Rail Expansion (CARE) committee over the past several months. I would like to thank Trustee Jo Ellen Cortapasso for her attendance at these meetings and help in procuring signatures. On March 3, 2008, I along with Mayor Phil Guarnieri (Floral Park), Mayor Jack Martins (Mineola), former Mayor Gerard Lundquist (Garden City) and other representatives from the Villages along the Main Line attended a press conference and presented some 100,000 signatures to Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy. We had a meeting with Congresswoman McCarthy immediately following the press conference. She is still on the fence and awaiting the final draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) report before jumping the fence. A special Third Track Project hearing is scheduled for April 17th at the John Lewis Childs School, Floral Park, to address the impact the third track will have on our schools and community. I urge ALL residents, especially parents with children in Our Lady of Victory and Floral Park Bellerose schools and those who live on Superior Road to attend the hearing and speak out about their concerns for the safety of our children and the negative impact and cost such a project will have not only have on our children in the schools but to our homes and in the community.
MORATORIUM
The Board of Trustees recently extended the moratorium on home demolitions and on new expansions, which exceed 50% of the existing home size. This moratorium will expire in August. The purpose of the moratorium is to protect our existing homes from demolition until a thorough review of our zoning laws and the recommendations of the Special Zoning Committee is conducted.
The Mayor and the Board of Trustees established a Special Zoning Committee last year to make recommendations on how the village, if so desired, could discourage the demolition of the village's existing homes. The Committee's majority report offered a remedy, the creation of a historic district for our residential district as the most effective way to discourage home demolitions. Other supplementary recommendations were offered as well. The Board is reviewing the Committee's majority and minority recommendations and further researching the historic district concept. An evaluation of actions taken by other villages to protect and preserve their aging traditional homes is also being prepared. The Board of Trustees has made no decisions on the Committee's recommendations at this time and will discuss the issues of existing home demolitions and "McMansioning" with the residents as soon as they gather the necessary information to present to the residents.
In closing, I would like to ensure all residents that any decisions or actions that were taken by the Mayor and Board of Trustees were well thought out and had the interests of ALL residents in mind. The present Board will continue to work closely with our new Trustees to meet the needs of our residents and community. Being a part of an Incorporated Village affords you the advantage of service and information through our local government office and administration. All your Village needs can be met by contacting the Mayor and/or Trustees via e-mail addresses or Village Hall.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is April 7, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. At this meeting, I will swear in the new trustees and the budget will be available for discussion. I look forward to seeing you.
Attached PDFs10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Stormwaste Runoff
