Department of Public Works – Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald
Deputy Mayor Fitzgerald reported that the Floral Boulevard Road Project is moving along as scheduled. Curbing on the north side has been completed and south side curbing is underway. Thank you to DPW for their hard work.
Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce and Our Businesses – Trustee Pombonyo
The holiday season is soon upon us, and we are encouraging all to do your shopping on Covert Avenue. This Saturday, November 7th, the Covert Chamber is inviting all to a celebration of LIGHTS ON COVERT AVENUE. Friends and families are invited to stroll along Covert, beneath the twinkling white lights, and take in all that our wonderful businesses have to offer. Whether it be merchandise, services or dining, Covert Avenue has something for everyone including gift cards for those on your holiday lists. Your support of our local businesses is crucial, now more than ever, so SHOP, EAT, SPEND AND ENJOY LOCAL in Floral Park and Stewart Manor.
Regarding fire updates, the Fire Marshal’s report has not been released yet. Our Floral Park Trustees and Village staff, especially the Building Department and Department of Public Works, continue to work with the business and property owners to facilitate their future plans, assist with clean-up, and provide whatever support is needed.
Let’s all get together this Saturday, November 7th, for LIGHTS ON COVERT AVENUE and our holiday season coming attractions and preparations, as we support COVERT AVENUE STRONG!
Conservation Society – Trustee Pombonyo
As you continue to enjoy the colorful fall foliage at Centennial Gardens, take a walk down to the lower level behind the green welcome booth, taking the stairs down on the ride side of the main path. There, you will be surprised by a bright and beautiful new mural on the side wall. It depicts the Garden’s wonderful features including a bright blue sky, unique plants and birds of all types and colors, and a variety of interesting birdhouses. Designed and painted by artist Dilianny Espinoza, ideas for the mural were presented to the Conservation Society members who then provided feedback, met with the artist, and shared their own creative interpretations of the Gardens. The artist then incorporated all for a perfectly beautiful final design. The painting is now almost completed. It will be covered with a coating to prevent staining and discoloration, and ready for an unveiling in the near future.
On Saturday, November 14th, Floral Park’s Boy Scout Troop 4 will be hosting a Gardens weeding and clean-up day for several hundred fellow scouts from around Nassau County. The scouts will work in the Gardens in rotating groups of fifty with masks, gloves and social distancing.
Our Boy Scouts will also be accepting donations for the Our Lady of Victory Food Pantry. From 9am to 3pm, all are invited to drop off your food or monetary donations for the pantry at the Gardens main gate on Floral Parkway.
Until Thanksgiving weekend, when the Gardens will close for the winter on Sunday, the hours are 11am to 4pm.
Recreation Department – Trustee Pombonyo
As fall sets in and winter approaches, our Fall Recreation programs for youth, adults and seniors will continue until early/mid December. Watch for the winter/spring program schedule to come out in January. Outdoors, Screaming Eagles Roller Hockey skates into this year’s season in a big way, with about 200 players, 40 of whom are high school aged athletes.
Starting November 16th, the park hours will be 8am to 4:30pm as our outdoor evening park activities, with the exception of hockey, come to an end for this year.
Remember that you can continue to enjoy Floral Park’s outdoor life including Centennial Gardens on the outside, the Rec Center park, and all our other Village and pocket parks throughout the fall and winter seasons.
Fire Department – Trustee Cheng
On Sunday morning, November 8th, The Floral Park Fire Department will be conducting a training exercise in the parking lot on Stewart Avenue opposite the Recreation Center. There will be numerous fire and ambulance vehicles in the area. Please do not be alarmed. This is only a drill. Roadways in the area will not be affected. The drill will begin at 9:30 am and is expected to last approximately two hours. Thank you for your understanding.
Calls for the month of October-Rescue-64 Rest of Department-19
3rd Track & LIRR – Trustee Cheng
I am happy to report that I have seen the elevators at the RR station go up and down. It is our understanding that the concrete barriers on Atlantic Avenue will be removed within the next 10 days. Milling and repaving of Atlantic Avenue between Vernon and Carlton as well as Caroline Place and the metered areas adjacent to Caroline Place will be done on Nov. 12 and 13.
Library – Trustee Chiara
The Library continues to offer its most popular virtual programs for all ages including chair yoga, story hours and cooking crafts. A new virtual program for adults is being be offered – the “ABC of Medicare and Maximizing Retirement Funds”. It will be very informative.
For teens, the Library is offering a community service program, where a participant can earn two (2) hours of community service by attending a virtual program to make Pet Emergency Kits to assist pet owners when pets are in need. It is open to all teens who are in need of community service hours.
This month, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, the “Food for Fines” program will take place. Patrons who owe fines for past due items can bring non-perishable food items to the Library in lieu of paying the fines. The collected food will be donated to the OLV Food Pantry.
The Library staff would like to send out a BIG THANK YOU to all of their patrons who donated socks for the Ronald McDonald House. The staff noted that the Floral Park patrons are extremely generous, always supporting worthy causes. It was a very successful project.
Building Department – Trustee Chiara:
The Building Department is working on new electronic forms for all ARB and ZBA applications. They have also implemented a scanning procedure to allow for a digital backup of all new records presented. These additional improvements will make our residents’ experience with the Building Department easier and much more efficient. Permit applications have leveled off, so currently turnaround times for approvals will be much quicker.
Police Department – Trustee Chiara
The Floral Park Police Department had a Halloween Celebration for all our “Children Police Officers”. It was enjoyable to see our children proudly dress up in police uniforms, from uniform patrol officers to mini swat officers. Even a canine stopped by. All were treated to a gift bag full of police items and an opportunity to meet some of our fine Officers. The children had a great time and our Officers, who organized the event, seemed to enjoy it just as much.
Thank you to Lt. Doherty, Police Officers Viscusi, Murphy and Tangredi for organizing this event for the children.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Longobardi
Mayor Longobardi invited all residents to attend the “Lights On Covert” all-day event on Saturday, November 7, 2020. Please come out and support the local businesses in our community as you plan your holiday season purchases. Think of buying gift cards to local restaurants or gifts from the local shops for your family and friends. The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Covert Avenue fire have challenged Floral Park businesses this year and they have always supported the community. It’s our turn to be there for them so please mark your calendars and join us to show our support.
The Mayor thanked Felix Proccacia of ‘Just the Facts’ media.
