Letters to the Rockville Centre Herald April 12, 2012

The air is free, but only in ToH

To the Editor:

  The letter “Not even air is free” (March 22-28) addressed a very important topic: gasoline service stations that charge for air. I read it with interest, because it is a violation of the code in the unincorporated areas of the Town of Hempstead for a service station to charge any fee to fill your vehicle's tires with air. 

 Since July 29, 1978, it has been codified in Town Code that “[a]ll gasoline service stations shall provide an air compressor capable of inflating automobile tires, at no charge to the user thereof. The air compressor and hoses necessary for the inflation of tires shall be kept in good repair and shall be available to motorists at all times the gasoline service station is open for business.” (Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinances, Article XXXIII, §346(J).)

  Unfortunately, this law does not extend to service stations located in an incorporated village.

In the future, if any of your readers happen to notice a gas station operating within the unincorporated part of Hempstead Town charging a fee for use of its air compressor — or if they do not have an air compressor for public use at all — feel free to contact me at (516) 812-3200 or via e-mail at asantino@tohmail.org so that we can send inspectors to investigate.

 Anthony J. Santino

Councilman, Town of Hempstead

Thank you to the Water Department

The following letter was sent to Mayor Francis Murray and the Rockville Centre Water Department.

We recently had a sewer emergency when an incompetent plumbing company broke our sewer trap line, causing sewage to leak into our basement. The emergency occurred at 9:15 p.m. and I thought we would never be able to reach anyone from the town sewer department. Not only was the Water Department line answered promptly, but a Rockville Centre sewer truck was at our house within 30 minutes.

Your employees, Anthony Campion and Joe Sadler, moved swiftly to determine that the street line was clogged, and they were able to unclog it and stop the sewage leaking into our basement within 15 minutes. Throughout the ordeal they also were very courteous, professional and answered all of our questions.

We recently moved to Rockville Centre from Queens — primarily for the schools and the downtown village area. We never imagined that the standards set by these very public aspects of the village were met by the departments that one does not consider until there is an emergency.

Anthony and Joe should be commended for being on duty, ready to serve — whenever called — and for doing so cheerfully, pleasantly and competently.

Christine and Larry Ferazani

Rockville Centre