Diving into the Lawrence village meeting

Even before the 47-minute Lawrence village meeting began on Oct. 15 there was rousing applause as the newest board member, Jeffrey Landy, was administered the oath of office. He was appointed trustee after Daniel Goldstein resigned last month. Landy will complete Goldstein’s term and then will have to run for the two-year term next year.

Turning the meeting agenda upside down,  the final item had the board voting unanimously to spend no more than $20,000 for a preliminary study and design for the construction and installation of a swimming pool at the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club.

Keeping up with current events, Mayor Alex Edelman noted the higher Covid-19 infection rate that is plaguing the village and other parts of the Five Towns. “The reality is we have to be very, very careful, we have to wear the mask, it is extremely important,” he said.

Longtime village employee Robby Daniels retired and Frank Franzese was appointed, subject to approval of the Civil Service Commission, as superintendent of the Department of Public Works and Highway. Daniels worked for the village since he was 18. “I want to thank everybody it was a great 37 years,” Daniels said. “It was fun. I had a good run.”  “Robby was always there when we have a problem,” Edelman said.

Also hired were Joseph Gallo, as a full-time employee for DPW, and Jacob Plaut, a full-time worker in the Building Department. Both hires are also subject to approval of the Civil Service Commission.

Board members received their appointments to serve as village commissioners or liaisons to five entities. Edelman is the police commissioner, Michael Fragin was reappointed deputy mayor and is the fire commissioner, Eliezer Kutner is public works commissioner, Landy is sanitation commissioner and Paris Popack will serve as finance chairwoman and commissioner to parks and recreation.

Country Club general manager Cory Menking said that membership is up to 260 and plans are in the works for a fall festival. 

The trustees acknowledged that the 2020 village court audit was conducted as required by the Uniform Justice Court Act and approved the installation of a of stop sign on Meadow Lane at the intersection of Dogwood Lane.

Early voting gets underway Oct. 24 and the country club at 101 Causeway is a polling site through Nov. 1.