"In the first nine months of 2005 there were 144 homes sold in Rockville Centre, for a total of more than $102 million," said Murray. Based on "the flurry of recent construction," and permits generating over $1.3 million in fees on projects estimated to cost approximately $45.5 million, concluded that "Our community is one of the most desirable places anywhere to live and raise a family."
There are various aspects of the community that make it a charming place to live, among them the many successful village services. "Village government continues to maintain our low-cost utilities, continues to approve prudent budgets, and continues to foster a stable and dedicated work force," Murraysaid.
In 2005, more than two and a third miles on eight streets were paved and, beneath each of those streets, old 4-inch water mains were replaced with new 6 or 8 - inch mains in order to improve water flow and hydrant pressure. "During my 18 years as mayor, we have improved and upgraded every aspect of our water system," said Murray.
Among the plethora of accomplishments in 2005, Murray highlighted the success of the Rockville Centre police and fire departments.
"(The police department) is one of only 90 accredited departments out of the more than 1,000 departments in New York state," Murray said. It is one of only four accredited departments in the New York state metropolitan area and the only one in Nassau County to earn accreditation, and then reaccreditation from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, each time for the maximum of five years. The police department's success is evidenced by the overall reduction in crime of 40 percent over the past 15 years.
The fire department and its 325 volunteers were named the largest all-volunteer department on Long Island while being one of the three most cost-efficient, according to a recent Newsday study of fire service on Long Island.
Low electric rates serve as a large source of pride for Rockville Centre. "Our residents consistently pay 30 to 40 percent less for electricity than customers serviced by the Long Island Power Authority," said Murray.
Also, the department of public works has received a new four-ton Hot Box that provides hot asphalt for pothole patching and allows emergency repairs to be made without help from outside contractors.
Beyond the technical achievements of 2005, there were the accomplishments of the Recreation Center, which continues to promote community values year after year, with annual events including the Halloween Ragamuffin Parade, the 10K race, and the Breakfast with Santa's Helpers.
"Our Senior Services Department also provides very popular programs for residents," said Murray. "The Sandel Center is a thriving community of approximately 700 members."
Murray also mentioned the village budget saying, "We closed out the last fiscal year with a $2.3 million unreserved fund balance, $1.1 million of which is undesignated, a cushion for any unanticipated financial reversals and a key reason for our very high credit rating."
Despite the village's excellent reputation, "Recently we have heard that Rockville Centre is suffering from over-development," said Murray. "I believe the evidence shows that we are not suffering at all."
Murray spoke about the heated topic of the 230 condominiums proposed for the old Darby Drug property on the village's West End. Despite varying opinions, he said "Our departments have concluded that its impact will be negligible." The mayor went on to say that the village is in not danger of overcrowding and the population is actually 10 percent smaller today than it was 35 years ago. "We should, in fact, feel glad that developers want to build here," said Murray. "One of the best things we have done in this period is to adopt legislation allowing multi-family dwellings in commercial districts. The upscale condominiums proposed for the Darby property would enhance that area. They make an excellent neighbor for the housing projects further to the north."
For 2006, engineering work is under way for another two and one-third miles of paving and drainage projects on a dozen streets, and the Electric Department is currently completing plans for a new substation on Maple Avenue that will increase the village's import capacity by 50 percent.
Murray hopes to reconvene a tri-board meeting of the Planning Board, Zoning Board and Board of Trustees, study density issues and establish set procedures in the new year.
"The Board of Trustees and I are seeing to it that Rockville Centre continues to be the best place to live and raise our families," he said.
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