Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira said during Wednesday’s meeting that Nassau County needs to do a better job at clearing county roads in the village during snow storms.
Pereira, who lives on Mineola Boulevard which is a county road, said that it’s like “night and day” between the county roads and the village roads.
“The condition of Mineola Boulevard during the storm and for a good 24 hours after the storm is really unacceptable,'” Pereira said.
Pereira said this has been an issue for years, adding that it’s not a political problem as it has been consistent under both Republican and Democratic leadership in the county.
He said often the village is left to clear out county roads, especially around NYU Winthrop Hospital and the underpass on Roslyn Road, to ensure the safety of the residents.
“But that really should stop because the residents of Mineola pay taxes to the county for these services and we deserve better services,” Pereira said.
Trustee Paul Cusato said he brought the issue to to the attention of the village’s county legislator, Rich Nicollelo, at a recent Mineola Chamber of Commerce meeting that Nicolello, newly instated County Legislature presiding officer, guest spoke at.
Cusato said that he was not blaming Nicolello, but reiterated the village’s concerns and said Nicolello needs to “send the word out to the new county executive,” because “she needs to be informed about what’s not taking place here in our village.”
“We’re doing the best to communicate with the county that this has to stop,” Cusato said. “Nassau County has to realize that Mineola is part of the community.”
Mayor Scott Strauss added that Nicollelo is a “great friend” to the village community.
Strauss said Nicollelo is “always doing great things by us,” and the village is reaching out to him again as a resource to help combat this issue.
Strauss and other members of the board also took time to thank and commend the village’s Department of Public Works on their efforts during the storm.
The board also voted unanimously to approve a day off for all the essential employees that worked during the storm when village offices were closed.
The day off must be used as a full day, and can only be used within one calendar year of the January storm.
