Floral Park Board of Trustees reports June 16, 2020

The Island Now

Floral Park Police Department – Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald

I would like to thank Police Commissioner McAllister, Lieutenants Doherty and McCarthy for their time and efforts leading up to the recent protests in the Village. Additionally, I would like to thank the men and women of the Floral Park Police Department along with the various agencies including NY State Troopers, MTA PD and Nassau County PD for their work and professionalism in keeping everyone safe during the events. I would be remiss if I did not thank Superintendent Ginnane and his staff for their assistance at the aforementioned events.

Department of Public Works – Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald

Our residents may have noticed this week various flower boxes in our commercial district. Superintendent Ginnane, along with Supervisors Kevin Pearsall and Larry DeCiantis not only came up with the idea but they also built them. We really appreciate the time and effort that you put into your work in order to help beautify Floral Park. Additionally, starting next month, the various drainage projects (Emerson/Lowell, Depan/W Hitchcock and Crocus/Elm) will begin.

Congratulations to all the graduates in the Village and best of luck in your future studies and endeavors.

Recreation and Pool Departments – Trustee Pombonyo

Trustee Pombonyo was happy to announce that Centennial Gardens, the Village Park, Tiny Town playground, both singles/doubles tennis, and pickleball are all open and under way, much to the delight of our children and recreation enthusiasts. It’s great to be outdoors again, even as we all wear masks to enter our recreation facilities and fields, and maintain social distancing.

The pool will be next on our opening list as we look forward to Friday, July 3rd, which is also the date of Nassau County’s pool openings, pending the Governor’s direction. Details will follow in an upcoming Mayor’s Message. Summertime at our pool is very important to our residents and families, and we want to be sure that all residents and prior members who are interested in joining will be able to do so. To accommodate everyone who is eligible for membership in a safe manner, which will include a reduced maximum occupancy and social distancing in the pool area, you will now see swimming sessions; bring your own furniture, blankets or towels (to avoid the prolonged time it would take to repeatedly clean and sanitize the pool furniture); the phasing in of some of our special
programs; and fee reductions, to name a few. We are also looking forward to the return of John Parks and D&J Refreshments at our concession stand.

Also coming in July will be our park programs on modified schedules, organized sports, teams and events including baseball, Little League and basketball.

Summertime in Floral Park, for many of us, often means sunny days and relaxing evenings spent at our pool. Watch for the Mayor’s Message later this week, and make your plans for your Summer 2020 at the Rec Center, park and pool.

Conservation Society – Trustee Pombonyo

Trustee Pombonyo reminded all that Centennial Gardens is another beautiful spot for walking, admiring nature and relaxing on a summer day. It’s open noon to 5pm daily. The Conservation Society is always looking for volunteers to plant, weed and help care for the Gardens. Those who love gardening may volunteer by: (1) completing the Volunteer Form on the fpgarden.org website, or (2) sending a private message on our Floral Park Centennial Gardens facebook page or Instagram.

Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce and Our Businesses – Trustee Pombonyo

Trustee Pombonyo encouraged all to keep the SHOP, DINE AND TAKE OUT LOCAL campaign going as our Floral Park and Stewart Manor businesses continue to reopen. It’s great to see families and friends once again enjoying themselves outdoors at our popular restaurants, shops and other local establishments.

Congratulating Our Graduates! – Trustee Pombonyo

Trustee Pombonyo invited everyone to take a moment to congratulate all of our members of the Class of 2020 who are celebrating their graduations throughout the months of May, June and maybe even July this year. This past week, our Trustees enjoyed participating in our Floral Park-Bellerose and John Lewis Childs School auto parade graduations throughout our neighborhoods. The blue and white, and purple and gold balloons and streamers celebrated our sixth graders’ success. It’s the proudest time of year, and we hope all in our local communities will join in the celebrations and applaud our graduates!

Fire Department – Trustee Cheng

I want to thank the Fire Department for their support in preparing for the recent demonstration at Memorial Park and also for standing by in different locations which enabled them to respond to calls if their assistance was required. I also want to thank them
for attending and taking part in the graduations at the Floral Park Bellerose and John Lewis Childs Elementary Schools. I am sure that the graduates enjoyed the parade and loud noises our emergency vehicles made. My congratulations to the Class of 2020. Fire calls for the month of May: Rescue – 47; Rest of the Fire Department – 15.

Third Track – Trustee Cheng

Electrical work continues to be done at the Plainfield Avenue Bridge. As you probably know, the Linden Tunnel is open from 7AM to 7PM. We will be able to keep the tunnel open later when the electrification of the tunnel is complete. Landscaping along the right of way is still planned for the fall. Elevator work at the Rail Road Station is still proceeding.

Library – Trustee Chiara

As with most of our departments the Library is preparing to open its doors to the public, waiting approval from the State and the County for the next phase of openings. They will be prepared to welcome back our residents. Not slowing down, here are a couple of upcoming events: this week a Family Scavenger Hunt will be held, the winning family is treated with a gift card from a local merchant; registration is underway for a cooking and virtual craft event for the 4th of July and many have already signed up; this Thursday the virtual summer reading program begins with Jester Jim. The theme is “Imagine Your Story” and includes ages from birth to teens.

This past week the Library distributed a Fairy Garden Kit for children to pick up in the lobby, to make at home, just like the fairy garden in Centennial Gardens. Continue to check the Library’s website www.floralparklibrary.org for details on upcoming activities. They are doing a great job!

Building Department – Trustee Chiara

The Floral Park Building Department has been very active the last few weeks, assisting our staff to prepare for the openings of our facilities. There has been a lot of preparation going into the opening of our facilities to ensure that guidelines are met and that our residents are welcomed to a safe environment. The Department has also worked with our local restaurants to assist them with outdoor dining areas, again providing a safe outdoor space for their patrons to enjoy.

Recently, with the restrictions lifted on construction, there have been a large amount of requests for building permits. They are doing their best to turn around these permits as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience while waiting for these permits to be approved. Thanks Renee and staff for working so diligently during these very different times.

And THANK You to all our Village staff for working noticeably well together, getting so much accomplished with sometimes so little notice. Together we will get through this, our staff models and lives this united approach!! Nice work to all. Congratulations to all of our GRADUATES!!

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Longobardi

Mayor Longobardi reported that Floral Park has been a very active place and is reporting on a variety of different important topics tonight from demonstrations to reopening the Village’s parks, pool and facilities. Please note that Village Hall is open for regular hours Monday through Friday via phone and mail; and the doors will reopen as facilities are phased in over the next few weeks. The Board and staff have been very busy partnering with local restaurants and the business district(s) to create temporary outdoor dining and safe experiences as New York moves forward with re-opening. It is a priority of this Board to help ensure that there are no empty stores and to help make accommodations to keep our businesses strong. Thank you to all of the merchants/owners for serving the community and our residents throughout the pandemic and to our residents for being such loyal patrons. Please come out and support the businesses when Phase 3 begins soon.

I am happy to report that the two demonstrations that took place in Floral Park recently; one in Memorial Park and one that marched to both Sewanhaka and Floral Park Memorial High Schools were peaceful. I would like to thank everyone involved, including the Floral Park Police and Fire Departments, the MTA Police, Nassau County PD and NYS Troopers for coordinating logistics with our DPW to keep the protestors and the public safe.

Trustee Pombonyo, the Board and the Pool staff have been very busy developing plans for safe options to re-open the Floral Park Pool this summer. Trustee Pombonyo has also been working very closely with the Floral Park and Covert Avenue Chambers of Commerce to support the businesses in our community with their plans to re-open. I am happy to report that Shin’s Tae-Kwon-Do is moving to a new location down the block on Covert Avenue and will be back. There is other good news and that is that the Building Department was busy throughout the pandemic reviewing building permits and the new restaurant opening of Tony’s Taco & Tequila on Jericho Turnpike. As part of the efforts of the Village to support its local restaurants during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Village is granting temporary licenses for certain restaurants, where possible, to use adjoining public property to establish table service, subject to all rules and requirements of the New York State Liquor Authority (“SLA”) and subject to all requirements of the Nassau County Department of Health (“NCDOH”). Village Administrator Gerry Bambrick, Building Department Supt. Renee Marcus and DPW Supt. Kevin Ginnane have been working with the local restaurants to finalize plans for outdoor seating venues.

Thank you to the DPW, Building Department, Police Department and all of the staff who have been very dedicated to running the Village during the pandemic adjusting to ever-changing Executive Orders and serving the needs of the residents every day. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Again, thank you to the FP Police Department for the phenomenal job they did to protect us and keep us safe, protestors and public alike.

Congratulations to all of the 2020 graduates who are experiencing a different type of graduation ceremony this year and may have missed out on some traditions like FPM senior week. We hope that you created new traditions and remember this graduation experience at home with your families in Floral Park for the rest of your lives. Best of luck in your bright futures.

Finally, Happy Father’s Day to all of the fathers this coming weekend. I hope you enjoy the time at home with your families and a fresh pot of coffee. I look forward to New York and, especially, Floral Park re-opening and to when we can all be together again. Please remember to stay healthy and safe by following the CDC and NCDOH guidelines for gatherings, social distancing and wearing personal protective equipment. Floral Park is truly a great place to live so let’s take good care of each other. Thank you.

Share this Article