From water mains to parking meters to Revolutionary-era ghost stories, the Rockville Centre Village Board meeting on Oct. 5 covered a mix of practical changes and local history. Residents should take note of a hydrant-flushing schedule that could temporarily affect water pressure and color, while a new parking payment system is set to launch Oct. 13. Meanwhile, the Phillips House Museum is preparing to turn back the clock with a presentation on Long Island’s legends and lore from the American Revolution. Here are three things to know from the meeting.
1. Schedule set for annual hydrant flushing
The Village’s 2026 hydrant flushing program will run from Oct. 21 through Oct. 27. Residents may notice water pressure fluctuations or discoloration during flushing, although the water remains safe to drink. The Village advises residents not to schedule projects requiring clear water around flushing. Flushing is scheduled for north of DeMott Avenue on Oct. 21; between Lakeview and DeMott avenues, west of Long Beach Road, on Oct. 22; and between Sunrise Highway and DeMott Avenue, east of Long Beach Road, on Oct. 23. Overnight flushing is planned for Oct. 25-26 between Lakeview Avenue and Merrick Road, followed by south of Merrick Road on Oct. 27.
2. New parking system will change how you pay
Beginning Oct. 13, parking in Village lots will switch from pay by space to pay by plate. Drivers will need to enter their vehicle license plate number when paying, and ParkMobile will replace the Flowbird app for mobile payments. Flowbird will continue working for approximately two weeks, with users directed to ParkMobile when they open the app. Enforcement in shopper lots will be delayed for at least one week, and possibly two, as the Village works through transition issues. Resident and employee lots will continue to be enforced during the transition. The change is intended to make parking more convenient for residents and visitors alike.
3. Revolutionary legends, lore and ghost stories coming soon
Ellen Grossman, a trustee of the Rockville Centre Historical Society, announced an upcoming program at the Phillips House Museum featuring historian Janet Emily Demarest. Demarest will present “Tales from the Revolution: Long Island’s Legends, Anecdotes, Ghosts, and Lore” on Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. The presentation will explore stories from Long Island during the Revolutionary era, including unusual, ironic and humorous experiences involving local residents. The stories were researched and sourced directly from local history books. No registration is required, and the program is open to the public. Attendees can hear lesser-known stories about Long Island’s history and the people who lived through it.
