Dear Neighbors,
We are one month into the new year. We are selling R permits, renewing business licenses and preparing to work on the 2018-2019 fiscal year that begins on June 1st. We also have one major snow storm under our belt. My deepest appreciation goes out to the Department of Public Works for working around the clock to get our streets clear and safe. I hope it is the last snow storm of the season, but chances are, we’ll see more snow.
The year began with inaugurations to local offices. Most notable were the Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead, Laura Gillen, the Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead, Judy Bosworth and the Nassau County Executive, Laura Curran. Another very important inauguration this January was New Hyde Park’s own Richard Nicolello who returned to the Nassau County legislature as that body’s Presiding Officer. I congratulate Rich on taking the helm of the county legislature. His calm demeanor, good judgement and sense of fairness will be a great asset in guiding the county. While Rich Nicolello continues to represent the north side of New Hyde Park in Legislative District 9, Vincent Muscarella also returned to Nassau County’s 8th Legislature District representing the south side of the village. I look forward to working with all of our elected officials in service to the people of New Hyde Park.
The Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce also installed new officers in January, naming Jeanette Frisina as their new President. Jeanette replaces Jerry Baldassaro who served as the Chamber’s President for the last two years.
January was also a busy month for us in the village. The highlight of which was a public hearing on the scoping document for the Harley Davidson application. The purpose of the meeting was to provide the public with an opportunity to provide comments on the degree to which the Scoping Document covered all the concerns that should be addressed in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Unfortunately, despite instructions to the contrary, most of the comments veered off course and were either voicing support or opposition to the project. Our experts are now reviewing all of the input and will work with the applicant to finalize the scope of the DEIS. Meanwhile, the Village will also review changes the applicant has proposed to the site plan.
February looks to be busy as well. We will welcome a new business on the Turnpike; Genome Pharmacy at 1105 Jericho Turnpike with a ribbon cutting at 2:00 pm on February 2nd. We welcome Genome, the only pharmacy in the Village of New Hyde Park. The Village Board will also start work on putting our budget together, we will have an opportunity for residents to file tax grievances and we will host a presentation of “Hurray for Love, A Valentines Musical” in the William Gill Theater.
The Village Board meetings in February will be February 6th and February 20th. Trustee Rich Coppola has invited our Problem Orientated Police (POP) Officers to attend our meeting on February 6th. This is a great opportunity to hear from our liaisons at the Third Precinct and for residents to alert them to hot spots or concerns around the village. We hope to see you at your village meetings.
Sincerely,
Mayor Lawrence Montreuil