Recreation Department – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Check out our fpvillage.org website, Recreation Department link for this month’s rec news. Look for the Brilliant Idea light bulb and submit YOUR brilliant ideas for new rec and park programs and activities to fprecreation@fpvillage.org . Please do it soon, so staff can plan for it.
On our rec site, you’ll also see an invitation to this Friday’s December 10th Christmas tree lighting. The festivities begin at 6pm at the rink. Bring your roller skates and enjoy holiday music, hot chocolate, cookies, crafts, Santa and elf hats, and a visit from Santa. See you there!
Department of Public Works – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
As fall has continued into winter (which begins two weeks from today), DPW is working hard on leaf collection, even as our crews hang holiday lights and decorations throughout the Village, prepare snowplows and salt spreaders, and complete the new salt structure in the rec center/DPW parking lot. So, let it snow!
Conservation Society – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
Although Centennial Gardens closed for the season after Thanksgiving weekend (with a visitor count of almost 200 total for the four days), it continues to be colorful and bright. Take an evening walk on the brick path around the Gardens, and enjoy the festive holiday lights glowing on the fence on the Floral Parkway side. Once again, thanks to our Conservation Society volunteers for bringing us holiday beauty and cheer.
It was another spectacular season at the Gardens, even with the September flooding. Great appreciation goes to Dennis McEnery, Conservation Society president; Joe Serra, treasurer; Ann Moynagh, volunteer extraordinaire, and Gardens facebook page and Fairie Forest Festival creator; Ed Geraghty and Patrick Sexton, volunteers and collaborators for numerous scouting projects including the prestigious Eagle and Bronze, Silver and Gold Award projects; Laura Trentacoste, whose love of children and gardening has inspired ongoing children’s classes, birdhouse projects giving migratory birds spots to rest at the Gardens and rec center, herb harvests for holiday recipes, peace plants in recycled water bottles, planting activities with tulip bulbs for next spring, and so much more in our beloved Children’s Garden; lavender expert Marina Horan and our talented artist Dilianny Espinoza for their collaboration on our new, magnificent, fifty foot mural titled “Colorful Bird Town;” Joann Deeks and Kathy Burrous, staff member and volunteer, who care for the Chris Deeks and Andrew’s gardens as well as support all Gardens activities; Richard Burgess, Beth Kramer and Tom Reilly, volunteer Rotarians, who gave us our new Butterfly Garden; volunteer Debbie Rissetto and her fascinating labyrinth; and so many more who have given their gardening skills, hard work, time and love. And the Parks Department with Superintendent Kurt Meyfohrt and Department of Public Works with Superintendent Kevin Ginnane supporting it all, thank you!
And now, greet 2022 with our spectacular Floral Park Conservation Society colorful calendar, filled with magnificent photos of the trees, plants, flowers, birds and other unique Gardens wildlife. A perfect holiday gift, get yours at Swing the Teapot or at Christine Kozak Photography online. Christine is the amazingly talented, local photographer who created the calendar. Proceeds go to the Conservation Society for Centennial Gardens maintenance and enhancements.
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses – Trustee Lynn Pombonyo
First, a brief update. With the involvement of the Village Court and ongoing persistence of Building Superintendent Renee Marcus, total demolition of the walls at the site of the Covert Avenue fire began today and will continue.
We thank our two Chambers of Commerce and our businesses for making the holidays sparkle and shine on our main streets. The Village of Floral Park Christmas Tree Lighting and Festival in Memorial Park was a joyful success, and the colorful Christmas trees brighten the sky as you approach the park on Plainfield and Tulip Avenues. Appreciation goes to our Village staff, including the Department of Public Works, and Police and Fire Departments, who bring it all together and make it safe and fun. And to our tree lighting and festival planners, the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce, Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club, and Our Lady of Victory Church, you spread Christmas spirit everywhere. Thank you!
On the other side of town, please save the date for the Covert Avenue Tree Lighting, this Saturday, December 11th – Santa and horse and buggy rides starting around 4pm, with the tree lighting between 5 and 5:30pm. Enjoy yummy refreshments featuring soup from Capo Ristorante, hot chocolate from Carvel, cookies from Salone Di Capelli and candy canes from Body Works Day Spa. This heartwarming tradition is sponsored by the Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce (let’s all support them, please) and the Village of Stewart Manor. Please join us and BROWSE, SHOP AND DINE LOCAL at the holidays in Floral Park and Stewart Manor!
Third Track Project – Trustee Archie Cheng
As you probably have heard, a Judge has finally issued a decision in the litigation between the Village of Garden City and the MTA regarding construction of the new bridge at Tanners Pond Road/ Denton Avenue. The old single lane bridge needs to be widened to accommodate the third track. Garden City denied the MTA the necessary permits to perform the work. A Judge has now ordered Garden City to issue the permit. As of today, Tanners Pond Road/Denton Avenue will be closed between Main & Railroad Avenues. 3TC has previously informed us that all hands will be on beck to complete this bridge work.
In Floral Park, 3TC, EJ Electric and the LIRR are still doing “punch list work” on the Hempstead Branch. Due to the increased work in Garden City, I do not believe we will see much other action for the time being.
Fire Department – Trustee Archie Cheng
I am happy to report that our Fire Department still has a great relationship with Santa. Our Fire trucks have been to every tree lighting and are roaming the Village and Santa is always with our Fire Department members. I want to say thank you to the Department for being so close to Santa and for escorting him around the Village. All of us are excited to see him and the children are enthralled.
Fire calls for November: Rescue – 89; Rest of Department – 32.
Floral Park Police Department – Trustee Frank Chiara
During the last week of November our Village had three incidents of graffiti being written on two of our local businesses and some on Village property. I would like to thank our Police Department, especially Detective King and Lieutenant Doherty for the quick response, hard work and thorough investigation, which led to the arrest of an individual for writing this graffiti. This type of activity will not be tolerated in our community, especially any graffiti with a derogatory message toward any specific ethnic group. Thank You to our Police Department for resolving this so quickly.
With the opening of the UBS Arena the Floral Park Police Department and the Village Board have been busy monitoring the activity in our community during arena events. The most notable activity is the continual attempts of patrons attempting to climb over the fences in the West End of the Village to exit from the Emerald Parking Lot. A number of these patrons have identified themselves as Village residents. Our Police have been tolerant of the verbal abuse from these patrons while continuing to educate and give verbal warnings. Unfortunately, if this behavior continues, our Officers together with the Nassau County Police Department will be taking enforcement actions, issuing summonses and/or arresting individuals for infractions of the law. Climbing over fences by patrons, many of whom have enjoyed a few alcoholic beverages, is extremely dangerous. It also shows a disregard for the peace and serenity of our neighbors who own homes in the West End. It is taking up a lot of our Officers’ time when they should be patrolling other areas of our community. The Mayfair Avenue gate will remain closed and residents/patrons should use the other available methods to exit the arena. We are asking all of our residents to please be especially considerate of your West End neighbors, especially those neighbors whose homes border the arena and race track. Thank You.
CREW Committee – Trustee Frank Chiara
The Floral Park Coalition Resources for Education and Wellness (CREW) is sponsoring a Holiday Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, December 18th from 10 am to 3 pm at the Recreation Center in the Pool Building. All residents are welcome to come, browse and do some last-minute shopping for the holidays. Funds raised by CREW will be used for a great cause.
Trustee Jennifer Stewart
Good evening everyone, thank you all for being here. It was a pleasure to attend the Hillcrest Civic Association and the North End Civic Association meetings at the end of November. These meetings provide an opportunity for residents to not only see and ask questions of village board members, but an opportunity to meet and spend time with other residents. All civic meeting dates and times are published on the village’s calendar and are available on the village’s website.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club, the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce and our Department of Public Works for an amazing Village Tree Lighting. The choirs from OLV, Bridge Church, and Floral Park Memorial High School (FPM) were incredible, and the FPM Florettes performance was amazing. It was so great to be among so many happy residents, especially as a special visitor, assisted by the FP Fire Department made an appearance.
Floral Park Library – Trustee Jennifer Stewart
The Floral Park Library is closing out 2021 with a full slate of programs. Here is a sample; local author Mark Torres will be at the library on December 15 at 4 pm to discuss his latest book, Long Island Migrant Labor Camps registration is online or at the Adult Reference Desk. Don’t miss Tots Night Out with A Time For Kids on December 16 at 7 pm. These sessions are a lot of fun, with focuses on early literacy and fine and gross motor skills as well as development through music, movement, and other activities including a craft. Registration is ongoing at floralparklibrary.org. This event is for families with children between 18 months and pre-school ages. For those aged 6 months through preschool ages, Molly Mouse will be at the library on Friday, December 10 at 11 am in the Children’s Room.
Visit the library’s website and Facebook page for a daily Countdown to Christmas time stories read by our wonderful library staff. Some creative Friends of the Library (Friends) have framed vintage postcards from Floral Park’s history. They are 3 for $25 or $10 each, they make beautiful gifts.
While you’re at the library, take a chance on the beautiful holiday basket being raffled off by the Friends of the Library. This gigantic gift basket includes a gift certificate to one of the village’s newest restaurants, the wonderful BC Bistro, as well as holiday baking items and decorations. Please consider buying a raffle and supporting the Friends, the monies raised by the Friends supports some of our most popular programs.
For those of us who cannot get enough of the pool, there is a great way to keep those thoughts alive, pool swag is available for the pool enthusiasts; FP towels and drawstring bags are available – towels are $20, bags are $10, purchase both for $25.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
Good evening. I would like to echo what Trustee Chiara said about the Belmont UBS Arena with regard to Village residents climbing the Emerald Lot fence to exit Belmont into the West End of Floral Park. The Mayfair Avenue gate will remain closed and it is extremely important that residents be considerate of the peace and serenity of their neighbors who live in the West End. We recognize that living so close to the arena and adjusting to the length of time it takes to travel to and from events is a real factor. I recognize that it takes more time than jumping a fence but I would truly appreciate it if alternative means of transportation that are available such as the LIRR and Rideshare be considered as they are relatively convenient and inexpensive. I personally have travelled to the UBS Arena via the LIRR and by Rideshare and have found both to be very reasonable. It is critical that we preserve the quality of life that we so value living here in Floral Park.
It is understandable that as the UBS Arena has only recently opened there will be issues that will arise, and will need to be addressed and resolved. The Village has anticipated this and I would like to thank my fellow Trustees, the Floral Park Police Department and Village Administrator Gerry Bambrick for being out personally with me at every event since the arena opened to observe arena, parking, fencing and traffic activity. Thank you to Empire State Development (ESD) and our elected officials for being responsive as we learn what impact the new establishment may have upon the residents of Floral Park related to these issues. We have identified some already; an example of one issue that is being addressed is buses idling against residential properties along the parking lot fence line. ESD has already taken steps to improve that issue.
The Village Board and Police Department will continue to work with ESD on the UBS Arena issues as we move forward. I would like to thank ESD for their willingness to work with the Village and for their responsiveness to our requests so far. If any resident has a concern about Belmont and the UBS Arena you are encouraged to call Village Hall and inform me, the Board of Trustees and the Police Department so it can be addressed immediately. It is extremely important that we hear from you. We will be diligently following-up on all of the Belmont/UBS Arena matters.
On Friday night, the Annual Tree Lighting at Memorial Park was another Hallmark card moment. It was a great night. Thanks to the Floral Park Police Department and Department of Public Works, the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce, the Floral Park Jr. Woman’s Club and OLV for their coordination and hard work in making this happen. A lot of work is involved in putting an event like this together. Again, thank you to all of the volunteers and staff who made it such a special night here in Floral Park.
Last Monday, Dr. Pombonyo and I had the opportunity to serve on a Floral Park Eagle Scout Review Board and hear a presentation made by Eagle Scout candidate, Jack Catalbo. I was amazed by the details of his presentation and witnessed again tonight with the Girl Scouts’ Solar Energy presentation as to how terrific these young people are. The amount of time they spend on their projects, the learning, leadership and historic lessons that are part of the project’s journey are all quite substantial. The future is very bright here in Floral Park with the quality and efforts of these young scouts. I work full-time in the city and do not spend much time with students in my job and I really enjoyed these experiences very much. Trustee Pombonyo commented that it is significant that so many Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts choose to do projects here in Floral Park to the betterment of the community. We benefit tremendously from all of these wonderful projects throughout the Village. Mayor Fitzgerald also stated that the presentation skills they develop is a great leadership skill to possess and congratulated them all.
Thank you to Felix Procaccia of ‘Just the Facts Media’ for being here this evening and to Brandon Duffy from Blank Slate Media for attending on Zoom.
