By Dana Williams
In the run-up to the village election last March, there were a number of issues that concerned voters, ranging from lowering taxes to starting youth-oriented initiatives. Many of those concerns focused on improving the quality of life in Malverne. Since she won the election, Mayor Patricia Ann McDonald said, her administration has been doing just that.
"We're really happy with the way things have been going in the village so far," McDonald said. "We're really trying to focus on maintaining the character and charm of this village."
One major election issue that candidates took a stance on was establishing a cable franchise agreement with Verizon New York Inc. Controversy about whether residents would have the option of being Verizon customers escalated after company representatives walked away from negotiations with village officials in 2005.
After last year's election, Trustee Michael Bailey and members of Malverne's Cable Television Committee resumed negotiations with Verizon, holding more than 20 meetings with company representatives to establish a deal that would bring Verizon Fiber Optic Service television to the village. On Nov. 12, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a 15-year cable franchise agreement with Verizon that gives residents the option of choosing between Verizon and Cablevision.
Village officials also worked together last year to refurbish Carbone and Honor Roll Parks in Malverne. Members of the Mothers of Malverne, or MOM, spearheaded the effort to have new playground equipment installed in Carbone Park on Church Street. On Oct. 13, just before Malverne High School's Homecoming festivities began, residents gathered inside the toddler park to celebrate its re-opening with activities for children.
Malverne officials and residents have also focused on boosting attendance at community events. Many events that were part of the village's annual Holiday Lighting festivities - such as the Breakfast with Santa - had turnouts of more than 200 people.
Now, McDonald said, the village is making plans for 2008. Officials are currently preparing for the annual Groundhog Day celebration, featuring the prognosticating Malverne Mel. The village board also held its first monthly meeting of the year on Jan. 2, at which trustees announced a number of items on the board's agenda.
The board is currently preparing the village budget, which must be approved in March. "All of the departments will start having meetings concerning the budget towards the end of January," McDonald explained. "The departments will be submitting what they would like to have and then we will work from there."
The board is also making plans to reconstruct the village's Department of Public Works building on Hempstead Avenue. The new structure will also be the official home of the Malverne Volunteer Ambulance Corps. "We're also looking to improve the infrastructure of our buildings and our roads," McDonald said. "Our plan for the new year is really to continue on this positive course."
Trustee Joseph Hennessy announced at the board's Jan. 2 meeting that efforts are under way to consider a new garbage disposal contract with the Town of Hempstead. The village's current garbage contract with Covanta, a waste-to-energy company that takes Malverne's and other villages' garbage, runs through August 2009. If a deal is not worked out, Malverne would have to find another way to dispose of its trash.
Comments about this story? DWilliams@ liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
