What’s ahead for Valley Stream in 2011?

It’s a new year, and Valley Stream officials have a full list of projects they would like to begin, complete or at least think about in 2011.

At the top of the list will be to explore the removal of the village’s incinerator and smokestack at the Arlington Avenue public works facility. It was built in the early 1960s but has not been used since the mid-1970s. Now the property is used as a transfer station for the village’s garbage, as well as for the Highway Department.

“It takes up a lot of space,” Deputy Mayor Joanne Antun said of the unused incinerator. “We might be able to do better things with the land.”

Antun said that an engineering study would be completed this year, which would include an analysis of soil samples and a topographical study. There is also the question of how much asbestos needs to be removed. She explained that the village board wants all questions answered before it decides whether to have the incinerator demolished.

Although the village does not burn or bury its own garbage anymore, officials do want to produce less trash. That’s why a cardboard recycling program will become permanent. The program was tested in November, when residents were able to put corrugated cardboard — such as shipping boxes — out with the recycling instead of with the garbage. Now they can do that every week.

Last year, Antun said, the Department of Public Works received funds for security cameras to prevent vandalism to vehicles at the Arlington Avenue facility. She explained that officials would look for grant money to add more security cameras at other village facilities, such as parks and commuter parking lots. “It’s an expensive project,” she said, “and we do need grant money to do it.”

Pool matters

The Valley Stream pool at Hendrickson Park opened 50 years ago, and village officials say it is time to upgrade the building between the parking lot and the three pools. While actual construction could be several years away, Antun said that it is time to start considering renovations.