By Tom Jordan
The trustees of the Rockville Centre said goodbye to one of their own at the September 11 public hearing of the village officials, as Chris Amato officially passed the baton to Jack Matthews, who was chosen by Mayor Eugene Murray to complete Ms. Amato's term on the Board of Trustees after her resignation last month.
Ms. Amato, who decided to resign her position because she and her husband are moving from Rockville Centre, thanked the members of the board and the community for "a spectacular opportunity" in her farewell address, during which she fought back tears. "I've cried twice in three years; this is very hard."
Mr. Matthews thanked Mayor Murray for "his confidence and faith" and said he looked forward to the challenges that lie ahead. "I hope to make a positive contribution," he said. Having worked closely with each member of the board on other projects, Mr. Matthews said, has made his orientation to the Board of Trustees easier.
The meeting was also Trustee Wayne Lipton's first as deputy mayor. Mr. Lipton was assigned the post upon Ms. Amato's departure.
Though the board suddenly has a new look, it was business as usual, as the board approved designs which will give the Golden Reef Diner, an establishment located at 329 Sunrise Highway, a new look as well. The diner's owner, Jimmy Trahanas, won a special permit to make an 886-square foot addition to the existing structure in order to accommodate a smoking section by the Zoning Board of Appeals in February, but the design had to be approved by the Village Architectural Board, and then the Board of Trustees, before construction could begin.
Robert Roble of RJW Architects, located at 45 N. Village Avenue, presented a plan that would allow Mr. Trahanas' diner to build a separate room which will seat approximately 30 additional patrons. The reconfiguration of the building will reportedly have no damaging affect on the parking situation in the area. Mr. Trahanas' had claimed that the lack of space available for a smoking section in the diner had adversely affected business.
The case first went before the zoning board in April, 1999, and the application was rejected due to concerns regarding an already troublesome parking situation in the area surrounding the diner. But Mr. Trahanas hired Schneider Engineering to complete a parking study for the February hearing, and the results indicated that the diner's peak hours occurred after 5 p.m., when parking in the vicinity is more plentiful.
Mr. Roble estimated that the renovation project will take three months to complete.
The board accepted the bid of William Strattoff to construct the well pumps for the iron removal facility being built on Well Field No. 1. Construction for an iron facility plant -- located adjacent to Fireman's Field at South Side High School. The new facility will clear up the cloudy, rusty water about which many residents served by the well have complained, and will reduce the level of iron in the water. Phillip Ross, Inc. contracted to do the majority of the $2.38 million project, which is expected to be completed by late spring.
Preliminary plans to renovate Clinton Avenue have begun, with Twin City Construction's $67,000 bid to resurface the street from College to Grand being accepted. The project also calls for the installation of flashing caution lights to aid pedestrians in crossing the street.
Fall hydrant flushing
Village water mains will be given their fall cleaning beginning Monday, September 18 and scheduled to end Friday, September 22.
The flushing of the hydrants may cause some fluctuation of water pressure and/or discolored water to flow into homes and businesses, and although the water is safe to drink, it may stain laundry. Consumers are advised not to schedule projects which require clear water during the flushing period.
Hydrant flushing will occur between midnight and 7:30 a.m. beginning Sunday night.
The schedule:
Monday, Sept 18 -- The entire area of the village lying between Lakeview Avenue and Merrick Road.
Tuesday, Sept 19 -- All area south or Merrick road.
Wednesday, Sept 20 -- Area lying between Lakeview Avenue and McDermott Road east of Brower Avenue, east of Long Beach Road.
Thursday, Sept 21 -- Area lying between Lakeview Avenue and DeMott Avenue, west of Brower Avenue.
Friday, Sept 22 -- Area north of DeMott Avenue and lying between Long Beach Road and N. Village Avenue.
From Monday, September 25 to Friday, September 28, spot flushing will be done in areas that may require it.
All questions regarding the annual hydrant flushing program should be directed to Richard Tobin, Superintendent of Water Facilities, at 678-9252.
-The Village has hired Greenman-Pederson, Inc. to conduct an environmental, planning and traffic review regarding the affects of the proposed Home Depot store in Rockville Centre.
-Among the announcements was the Rockville Centre Fire Department's 90th anniversary home tournament, scheduled for Friday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m., at Fireman's Field on Shepherd Street. There will be pony rides, a DJ, food and beverages. Admission is free.
-The board announced its sponsorship of the South Side High School Awarness Walk 2000, scheduled to step off at the Recreation Center at 11:30 on September 24. The two-mile walk was organized collaboratively by the RVC Drug and Alcohol Task Force, SADD and the Rockville Centre UFSD, and is intended to raise awareness of alcohol and drug use.
At the conclusion of the walk, South Side High School students will present a donation check to Tempo, Inc., a treatment program for adolescents.
-The replacement of fencing around Well Field No.1 will cost $57,000.
-Bathroom renovations at Village Hall cost approximately $80,000.
-The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees is September 25 at 8:15 p.m.
