by Cris Italia
"My intent was never to have a plan ready for these meetings," said County Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside). "This was just to see if there was any interest and to get people involved." Toback said his only plan in these preliminary stages was to develop a committee with a "broad range of people," to come up with plans and do some research.
"This is a long process," Toback said without discussing plans for future meetings. "From here we will reach out to the people who signed up for the committee and meet privately with them."
Some of the issues brought up at the Feb. 4 meeting was the need for an "additional layer of government," and "neighboring towns with bond debt."
Toback explained that incorporating Oceanside would take away layers of government. "I tried to explain that having a village government would take away the fire commissioners and the sanitation commissioners and would reduce the role of the Town of Hempstead," he said. The Town of Hempstead role would be equivalent to the services given to other villages. "The town taxes villages eighty dollars a year, I'm still trying to figure out what services they provide for that money."
One resident, formerly of Lynbrook, informed the audience that the village is currently in debt, because of the bonds they issue. "Lynbrook has had a 50 percent debt increase in the last four years," the resident said. Toback explained that most municipalities are in debt, but Lynbrook is not as populated, and it is a different town. "The fact is that municipal finance is hard to explain, but when the time comes all the information needed will be discussed."
Oceanside resident Nolan Rawling was still on the fence on where he would lean, but he was disappointed with Toback's presentation. "I wrote down a list of four things I need before making a decision. 1) We need a five year budget plan, one that will show a recurring budget, and what will we have to pay for. 2) What services are we gaining and what are we losing. 3) What will a new political point of view do for the village. 4) I want to talk to recent incorporated towns and what people think the differences are."
The meeting was also heated at times, residents did not shy away from taking shots at Toback and fellow legislator Michael Zapson (D- Long Beach). "I feel like I'm in a restaurant and being shown a menu without prices," John Roberts said.
Zapson snapped back, "this is not a restaurant, this is your home we are talking about and you cook in your home." Zapson indicated the idea was simply preliminary and it was worth exploring. "There is no vote anytime soon, this is just to see if there is interest."
With a committee forming as we speak, a vote to incorporate Oceanside can quickly become a reality.
Asked to respond, the Town of Hempstead offices have not expressed an opinion on the matter.
