by Mike Schnitzel
The mayor made few changes, saying that the people who help run the village make an excellent team. Carol Hansen was reappointed village administrator, though she will be vacating the position on June 2, after 37 years of serving the village.
John Giordano, whose hiring process stirred some controversy in the village, was appointed Lynbrook's deputy administrator, budget officer, chief technology officer and utility administrator. Scarpato has publicly praised Giordano's grant writing ability and overall competence in village government at previous meetings, calling him a "great addition to the administration."
Peter Ledwith was retained as village attorney, and Department of Public Works Superintendent Phil Healey, Building Department Superintendent Michael Ryder and Communications Commissioner Michael Shindler will remain in their positions. The Herald was again confirmed as the official paper of the village.
The two newest village trustees, Richard Clifford and David Penso, traded places as liaisons. Clifford will now serve as the board's liaison to the Department of Public Works, while Penso will serve as liaison to the police department.
"I think it's important for them to get experience as liaisons with other departments," said Scarpato. He added that he hoped the experience in different departments would broaden the scope of Clifford's and Penso's knowledge of the village.
The meeting began with a statement by the chairman of the Village Board of Ethics, Michael Pavone, responding to a revelation by resident Mitch Markides at the March 23 board meeting that Trustee William Hendrick was under investigation by the village's ethics committee. Hendrick is being investigated for a remark he made to Sterling Glen legal counsel at a board meeting, calling on Sterling Glen to release liens it had obtained against homeowners who had failed to stop construction of the assisted living facility.
In the statement, Pavone said, "Any such investigation is to be conducted in executive session and the subject of the investigation has the right to appear before the Board of Ethics to question witnesses or challenge evidence."
Pavone said that the public disclosure of complaints under investigation by the Board of Ethics was improper because it violated the privacy rights of the complainant and the subject of the complaint, adding that such revelations had a "chilling effect" on other residents who might wish to file complaints.
Laura Ryder updated the board on the progress the 9/11 Committee was making with its planned memorial. She said that the project is now in the design stage, and that the committee hoped to break ground for the irrigation system in May. Ryder said that the Lynbrook Veterans of Foreign Wars had donated a 25-foot flag pole and an American flag for the project. She announced that donor bricks are still available, and that the deadline for purchasing one is April 15.
At the end of the meeting, Trustee William Hendrick announced that the village was accepting nominations for man and woman of the year, and that a new award, for businessperson of the year, had been added.
Comments about this story? MSchnitzel@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
