By JOSEPH KELLARD
Santino began by addressing the status of various Town of Hempstead projects, including the refurbishment of Barnum Isle's streets, the transfer of Cibro Oil Terminal property from industrial to residential use, and the rebuilding of the Warwick Road bridge.
The councilman informed the crowd at the Lincoln-Orens Middle School auditorium that the Barnum Isle road project would be conducted in four phases over three years. The project will include refurbished roads, driveway aprons and curbs, and the installation of handicapped-accessible corners and improved storm drains. The first phase is slated to begin this spring; the last phase is scheduled for spring 2005.
Regarding the Cibro property on Harbor Isle, Blue Island Development, which plans to build condominiums on the site once owned by the petroleum company, recently sent the town a petition on the transfer of the property from industrial to residential use. The proposal is currently being reviewed by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation, Santino said. Additionally, Blue Island also recently gave the town a copy of the proposed remediation of the environmental contamination on the property.
"As such, the town will review both Blue Island's application and remediation plan, and once all the required, necessary reviews are complete, the Town will schedule a public hearing on the application," Santino said.
In response to residents' suggestions that the project was moving too slowly, Tom McKevitt, deputy town attorney, emphasized that when property is transferred from industrial to residential use -- particularly when, as in this case, it is contaminated by a now bankrupt company -- the process for approval is "extensively more rigorous" and time-consuming than if the situation of transfer were reversed.
"You can either have it done quickly or correctly, and we're looking to do it correctly," Kevitt concluded.
Rebuilding Warwick Road
Funding to rebuild the Warwick Road bridge is in place, Santino said, adding that the town is currently waiting on the U.S. Coast Guard to give it the necessary permits for the reconstruction. The Coast Guard is presently hearing public comments on the town's proposal for the bridge.
"We expect that permit very shortly, and when we get it in hand we are going to replace the bridge," Santino said.
In response to resident Larry Hayes, who claimed there is movement on the bridge when it's used by heavy trucks, Santino said, "Every two years the New State Department of Transportation inspects that bridge. So we keep an eye on it, and no problems have been detected."
Residents in fear of park
Debate over problems at Shell Creek Park monopolized much of the second half of the meeting. Residents' complaints centered on non-Island Park residents using the park, young people who hang out there after hours drinking and using drugs, and fights and muggings that they claim have occurred there.
"Kids in the neighborhood are afraid of going to the park and being jumped," said Pam Gaynor.
"I've had some trouble with my children playing at the handball courts," said Theresa McSpedon. "There are crowds of young boys, and there's very bad language. And I've [gone] to the people that work there on several occasions, and they are absolutely no help."
Residents suggested that people who use the park for any reason must show proof of residency. Santino indicated that Shell Creek is a general fund park, which means anyone who lives in the town and pays into that fund can use the park.
"As a practical matter, I can't have park personnel proof kids and ask where they live," Santino said. "Instead, you have to call the town and we will address the issue."
Santino said he would look into beefing up security at the park and a system requiring people to sign up and show ID to use certain facilities at Shell Creek, such as the basketball and handball courts.
Nightclub back in business?
Residents also expressed concern that South Street Beach Club on Broadway may become a nightclub, since E x t r a S p a c e S t o r a g e, the company that planned to build a facility on the property, pulled its application. Santino indicated that another storage company might be interested in building on the property.
Frank Puma, who lives near the property, talked about problems with vandalism, parking, and litter consisting of bottles and water bottles (indicating the use of ecstasy at club), that he fears will return if the club reopens.
"What is the town going to do if that becomes a club again and attracts the garbage that it does?" Puma asked Santino.
"If it becomes a club again, the town will be fully vigilant to make sure all town codes are enforced, and we will work with the Fourth Precinct to ensure the law is fully enforced," Santino said.
Nina White of Massachusetts Avenue said that the club is in terrible condition and that kids can and do get inside. Santino responded by saying he would send building inspectors out to the site the following day.
Diane Burke of Sunset Avenue, who lives near the nightclubs at the south end of Barnum Isle, said that the traffic of club-goers on weekend nights gets very congested during the summer. "If, God forbid, there's an emergency, no one is getting through," she said. "This is a realm problem for our area."
Lt. Lawrence Feffer of the Fourth Precinct, who addressed various traffic concerns throughout the night, said that in the past, police barricades had been set up by California Place, which crosses Sunset, and that the precinct will look into doing the same this summer.
