By Karenlyn Barone
It was determined some years ago that the old DPW building, erected during the 1920s, was beyond repair. "The old building was collapsing around us," said Philip Healey, department supervisor for the last 10 years. "It was no longer safe or functional and there wasn't anything we could do to save it."
A determination was made to knock down the old structure and build a new, state-of-the-art facility. The new, bigger building would provide storage for the departments vehicles, heavy machinery and equipment. Previously, many of the vehicles had to be parked outside all year long, due to insufficient garage space.
"We would come to work in a blizzard only to find that the trucks that were outside all night wouldn't even start," said DPW employee Peter Gerbi. "We would have to waste time cleaning off the snow and getting the trucks started. It's so much better, now."
The new building has more than enough room to house the vehicles and was designed so that the Lynbrook Auxiliary Police got one of the bays for its two cars. There are six bays in total and each one is doublewide and double deep at 65 feet by 210 feet. The structure was strategically designed so that no unsightly columns were needed for support and therefore, no precious space was wasted. Adjourning the garage area is a spacious lunchroom for the workers with a tiled shower/locker room. On warm days the workers can even enjoy their lunch on the new picnic table provided directly outside the lunchroom.
"We didn't believe it until we saw it," said employee and Lynbrook Civil Service Employees Association President Thomas Lamoreaux. "The old building was built for horses and it was a depressing place to work. The changes now are incredible."
The DPW is responsible for the village parks and highways, sanitation, all village streets and the maintenance thereof. The employees number 50 full time workers and 75 seasonally. Admittedly, the new facility has made a difference in their attitude about their work.
"I really notice a difference in the workers," said Lamoreaux. "They are taking more pride in their work and in their performance."
The project was a concerted effort by village officials and the DPW, all joined and focused toward making the department more efficient and improving the quality of life for all residents. An emphasis was placed on making the facility esthetically pleasing to the neighborhood and the result can be credited, in part, to sheer luck and perfect timing.
"The village was looking for an easement to get our trucks off Merrick Road and onto the construction site," said Healey. "I approached Friendly's who was leasing village owned property on the north end of the site and learned coincidentally, that they were shutting down."
Healey discerned the asking price of the Friendly's building and approached the village administrator with his recommendation to buy it.
"Luckily, the village was in good enough condition to act on it and we purchased the Friendly's building the same day," said Healey. "The purchase price of $318,000 bought us the building, the lot and access to the site off Merrick Road with a traffic light."
The building was renovated, codes were updated and in addition to the new garage, the department now had a much needed administration building. The bonus was that the building came with a full basement in which the village could store their official files, which had previously been overcrowding village hall.
"The acquisition also made it possible for us to have a courtyard and to build everything facing north so that there isn't any activity to disturb the neighbors," said Healey. "The only reminder that this was ever a Friendly's is the cupola that we decided to leave on the roof."
All in all, Healey and his department say the project is a credit to the village and the people who worked so hard to make it a functional reality.
"We're like family here," said Lamoreaux. "And now we've got a new house. I am proud to drive by and say I work here."
An official ribbon cutting ceremony by the village will be held later this summer.
