By Nicole Falco
The $3.15 million bond, which is payable over a 20-year period, approved by the board accounts for the repaving of some major streets in the village, as well as sections of others that are in dire need. Roads on the list include Locust, Oak, Pilgrim, Elm, Green, E. Maujer and Beech streets, Buscher, E. Oxford, E. Mineola, W. Jamaica, Benedict and Hamilton avenues, Valley Lane East, and Sloan Drive South. A complete list of streets scheduled for reconstruction can be obtained through Village Hall.
While some residents may be anxious for the road outside their front door to be fixed, Village Clerk Vinny Ang explained that the village maintains a list of roads that require repair, and roads at the top of the list make it there based on need. In the past six years, the village has bonded more than $7.5 million to improve its roads. Ang said residents can expect to work begin in July and continue through the fall. Before reconstruction efforts can get underway, the village must first make requests for engineers¹ proposals, select an engineer, put together construction specifications, advertise the project for bids, and receive and review bids before awarding the project to a contractor who will then begin work.
Tax certiorari settlements
Besides road reconstruction, the board approved a $1.88 million bond to finance the payment of tax certiorari settlements brought against the village during the past year. Tax certioraris are court ordered reimbursements. Due to the county¹s recent reassessment, a number of commercial properties in the village, as well as throughout the county, have been assessed at lower values. Due to the decreased assessed values, many property owners overpaid their taxes, according to the Nassau County Supreme Court, which handles such proceedings. As a result, the village must reimburse those property owners. Last year, the board bonded approximately $3 million to pay tax certiorari settlements.
³The whole idea of tax certiorari settlements isn¹t just hurting the village,² Ang said. ³It¹s bleeding the county, as well. It¹s reached a point where the system is flawedŠ[and] needs to be addressed.²
A new fire truck
Finally, the board approved a $703,862 bond to cover costs associated with purchasing a 100-foot aerial ladder for the Valley Stream Fire Department Hook & Ladder Company 2, which is housed Clear Stream Avenue Firehouse. The apparatus was delivered last August and put into service in October. It replaces a 1983 Mack aerial ladder.
Comments about this story? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
