D’Esposito, Mayer vie for Hempstead Town Council

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Island Park resident Anthony D’Esposito was appointed to the Hempstead Town Councilman’s seat vacated by now Town Supervisor Anthony Santino in February 2016. After his short time on the council he is now running in his first election against East Rockaway resident Douglas Mayer for the council seat.

The Herald asked both candidates question of interest to Island Park, Oceanside, East Rockaway, Hewlett, South Hempstead, Rockville Centre and portions of Baldwin, Cedarhurst, Lynbrook, Malverne, Valley Stream and Woodmere.

Herald: The Town of Hempstead has been in moderate financial stress for the past three years. What can the town do to alleviate this condition?

D’Esposito: I have worked hard to make our government the most fiscally responsible municipality. The town has slashed its budget for 2017 by over $13 million compared to the 2016-spending plan. The budget reduces the township’s workforce, cuts discretionary spending by 20% and slashes payroll costs by $19 million. The 2017 budget is the town’s first structurally balanced budget in over 30 years, whereby revenues and expenditures are equal. The clearest indicator of a government’s fiscal health lies in what Wall Street credit rating agencies say in their reviews. Hempstead’s fiscal outlook has just been upgraded from “developing” to “stable” in a report by Standard & Poors Ratings Services.

Mayer: In an attempt to alleviate the Town’s fiscal stress, in addition to the standard approaches of minimizing or holding tax rates, building reserve funds, and borrowing less, I believe an in-depth review of the Town’s Special Taxing districts needs scrutiny. If cross training our Town employees and then cutting their numbers is a feasible approach the Town Board believes will not impact the quality of services delivered to the residents of the Town residents (which I do not believe to be true) then and addition to that, investigating Special Taxing districts should occur. It may be that all are needed to deliver services economically. However, it may very well be that there is overlap with existing services, or the Special Taxing districts are too top heavy in administration and management, thus making them less economically affordable.

Herald: It’s four years since Hurricane Sandy. Is the Town more prepared than four years ago?

D’Esposito: In the wake of Sandy, I helped lead a recovery operation as an assistant Chief of the Island Park Fire Department Chief. As a Councilman, I voted to continue Building Department permit fee waivers for homeowners who are rebuilding their homes, and I’ve sponsored legislation that makes more homeowners than ever eligible for these fee waivers. We have rebuilt bulkheads at Shell Creek Park and at Bay Park’s Grand Canal while making Hewlett Point Park more storm resilient. A massive $325 million U.S. Army Corps coastal hardening and resiliency project has commenced with town support.

Mayer: Unfortunately, for people in areas such as Bay Park and their surrounding neighbors’, the next Sandy strength storm will be a disaster for more homes, not less. The wall built around the sewage treatment will deflect millions if not billions of gallons of seawater into those neighborhoods to a greater geographic extent then before. What I do not see is clearly visible and luminescent costal evacuation signage. Yes there are some small signs, but those are inadequate. Additionally, the so-called “zombie” homes left over from Sandy are only a piece of the real problem. Those families, which were forced out due to a financial disaster caused by a natural disaster, are no longer living in the area due to lack of affordable housing. Considering building vertically in areas that are prone to catastrophe caused by Mother Nature, in order to keep our citizens safe and remaining residents of those areas is something the Town should consider exploring with developers.

Herald: What will you do to fix the Town’s infrastructure?

D’Esposito: We are working hard to rebuild our town’s infrastructure, dedicating over $15 million annually for roadway repaving and associated upgrades. At the same time, I am working with Supervisor Anthony Santino on a plan to substantially increase our investment in this area. What’s more, our Engineering Department is diligently developing a multi – year action plan that prioritizes road projects to ensure that no roadways are left without a comprehensive assessment and refurbishment (where appropriate). Finally, an “in house” Highway Department crew is performing smaller paving projects to augment the work of private contractors.

Mayer: Infrastructure repair, especially roads and sidewalks, are in desperate need of repair. Having a designated crew to go out and repair potholes as people call in to report the potholes, is a good start. I would like to see a specific plan in place that repaves roads on a rotating basis. I would like to explore working with the County or State entities when they are repaving roads within the Town’s physical boundaries, coordinating with them in order to potentially consolidate spending on supplies and share those costs for Town roads connecting to their repaving effort.

Herald: What can you do to revitalize and bring more commerce to main street ?

D’Esposito: I have worked diligently with Supervisor Anthony Santino to promote economic development in my district. One progressive project, which I supported, is the transit oriented apartment development in Barnum Island. This project will help retain young professionals who commute to the City as area residents. These residents will support new shops that have been added to Barnum Island. Further, I’ve voted to approve two respected developers who will spearhead a development plan for downtown Baldwin. Finally, Hempstead’s Planning Department is the destination for small business owners who are seeking low interest loans.

Mayer: In order to revitalize downtown main street areas in the Town, not only is there a need for esthetic lighting, planting, and consumer friendly parking, the commercial landlords need some incentive to hold down rent in order to encourage small business owners to make the investment in main street areas. As a Town official, bringing together local chambers of commerce, civic associations, commercial landlords and local residents in order to explore needs of the community and potential solutions is important. Another important component, as a Town Councilman, is to reach out to other Town or City councilmember’s or managers with redeveloped and thriving downtowns, and see what worked for them.

Herald: Some people are critical of the way the Town animal shelter is run. What will you do to change its operation?

D’Esposito: Hempstead Town’s animal shelter cares for animals in search of “forever homes”. According to Newsday, the shelter passed a surprise inspection with over 30 requirements. A host of great programs are helping the shelter’s furry guests. A “dog reading” program is bonding young students with dogs in need of interaction. A fostering program is providing nurturing for cats and dogs. A new mobile surgical suite is ensuring that animals receive the best medical care. Shelter professionals have rescued scores of animals from deplorable conditions. And, Hempstead Town boasts the largest Trap – Neuter – Return (TNR) program on Long Island.

Mayer: Town animal shelter should have an oversight board comprising of local, practicing veterinarians or at least part of the oversight board comprising of partially of local, practicing veterinarians, in order to approve who the director is and the standards and goals the shelter must abide by.