Freeport Board funds Lombardo Ave. flood plan

Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy briefly discussed the Hudson Avenue and Guy Lombardo Drainage improvement Project plans on Monday.

Nadya Nataly/Herald

Despite the piles of snow and freezing temperatures, the Village of Freeport board of trustees held its first meeting of the year on Monday, at which members approved nearly $500,000 to improve drainage on Guy Lombardo Boulevard and Hudson Avenue in south Freeport in order to alleviate flooding on the thoroughfares whenever a storm strikes.
The board awarded the $497,894 contract to Ronkonkoma-based PSL Industries. The Herald is scheduling a meeting with Mayor Robert Kennedy to discuss the project further.
On Monday, Kennedy said the project would “prevent flooding on the streets when we have rain and high tides together.”
The project, he noted, will add pumps to the streets that will send floodwaters into Freeport Bay.

• Approval of the project was one of several contracts that the board green-lighted on Monday. Also on that day, the board: 
• Approved an agreement between the village and the Freeport Exempt Firemen’s Association not to exceed $5,000.
• Approved a contract for Fire Department uniforms and accessories with VF Solutions, not to exceed $19,500. 
• Approved an agreement with the Green Innovation Grant Program for financial assistance from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for the reconstruction of Village Hall’s north parking lot for $175,000, with a local portion of $61,655. 

The board was set to review the village’s 2018-19 budget on Monday, but postponed that hearing because of severe weather in the days leading up to the meeting.

This was the board’s first meeting without Trustee Debra Mulé, who is now a county legislator. Last month, Kennedy said that he and the board would review whether Mule’s successor could be appointed, or whether a special election was required.