Hempstead town officials begin new terms

Hempstead town officials touted past successes and looked to the future during the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday at Town Hall. After being re-elected in November, Supervisor Kate Murray, council members Edward Ambrosino, Angie Cullin and Jim Darcy, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla and Receiver of Taxes Donald Clavin began new terms.

Murray talked proudly about the town’s strong financial standing, despite tough economic times and the struggles at other levels of government. She cited the high Wall Street bond ratings, tax-freeze 2012 budget and avoiding the use of one-shot revenue sources. “Our budgetary policies have blazed a trail of best financial practices for other governments to follow,” she said.

Town officials are committed to growth, Murray said, saying they have reached out to developers to improve several areas in the town. The supervisor said that communities including Elmont, Baldwin and Uniondale are on the town board’s radar for redevelopment.

Appointed in 2003, and re-elected five times, Murray said the proudest accomplishment of her tenure is actually the beginning of construction on a new, permanent home for Camp ANCHOR’s recreation programs in Lido. The program, which serves children and teens with special needs, is the “heart and soul” of the town, Murray said. Ground was broken on the $6 million facility last year.

Ambrosino, representing the 2nd Council District, said the town has much work to do beyond paving the roads and trimming the trees. There are a lot of challenges ahead, he said, including redevelopment of the Coliseum property, Belmont racetrack and several downtown communities. Affordable housing must also be a priority, he added.

“We have done much,” Ambrosino said, citing the demolition of the crime-ridden Courtesy Hotel in West Hempstead and the creation of a vision plan for Elmont. “We have much more to do.” The councilman from North Valley Stream was first elected in 2003.