By Karenlyn Barone
Hendrickson Avenue, from Stuart Street to Horton Avenue, and Horton Avenue, south to Merrick Road, or a total of seven-tenths of a mile, would become the property of the village. In exchange for the roads, and all subsequent maintenance, the village will receive from Nassau County:
~ 10 crosswalks at the Five Corners - estimated cost of $20,000
~ three center islands - estimated cost $6,000
~six shrubs to be planted in the center islands - estimated cost $240
~ 4800 feet of asphalt on the north and south sides of Peninsula Boulevard - estimated cost $80,000
~ repair of the parking lot at the West Wood Long Island Rail Road station - estimated cost $45.000
~500 trees to be planted on both county and village streets - estimated cost $100,000
~ County agrees CHIPS (Consolidated Highway Improvement Program) money will be allocated to the village - about $4,000 per year.
~ Nassau County has also agreed to repave the roads, including curbs, before ownership exchanges hands.
"I feel this is a good deal, but it's not a done deal," said Scarpato. "Even if it passes the board, it still must be approved by the county legislature."
Voting tally: Deputy Mayor Thomas Miccio, yes; Trustee Bill Hendrick, yes, Trustee Dave Penso, no, and Trustee Richie Clifford, yes.
Penso called the plan "the most ridiculous thing I've seen so far," since coming onto the board.
Miccio said with his yes vote, "We are getting tremendous value." Hendrick saw the deal as a hopeful win/win situation, and Clifford with his swing vote vowed to hold the mayor to each stipulation of the deal.
Unimpressed, resident Marie Conneally said, "you are selling out the taxpayers to the county. I don't see any benefit to the taxpayers at all."
The board denied the variance for a homeowner to operate a dog grooming business in her garage on Peninsula Boulevard, citing it as unwarranted in a residential neighborhood.
Regarding the approval of a permit for an adult home in the village to be considered enriched housing, the majority of board members voted to approve, while Penso voted against.
Building fees were increased by a majority vote, with Penso abstaining, in answer to a request from Building Superintendent Mike Ryder. A list of the approved fees is available through the building department.
After the business of the board was complete, Clifford made an announcement that he was taking it upon himself to host a memorial service on Sept. 11 at 7: 30 p.m. on the lawn of the village hall to remember our "fallen American heroes." Clifford called the event 'Long over-due" and invited all village residents to join him. "There will be no political speeches," he said, "just a memorial. Clifford is a retired New York Police Department Detective Lieutenant.
Marion Street resident Marilyn Scordato admonished the Department of Public Works for doing an abominable job cutting back the trees on her street, accusing the worker of "going wild," and doing the job unsupervised. She and another neighbor provided the board with photographs and a promise was made to follow-up on the incident.
The mayor acknowledged the Lynbrook swim team for their championship season, resident wrestler Richie Renz for his silver medal at the New York State Empire Games and firefighter Michael Kenny was recognized for 25 years of service to the Lynbrook Fire Department.
Lynbrook Police Officer Ronald Fleure was promoted to sergeant.
The next Lynbrook Village board meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m.
