Thank you again for the opportunity to serve as your mayor. Since I took office five months ago, I have led an effort to address many important issues in our village. We've made a great start, thanks to the new board of trustees and you, the people of Farmingdale. I am pleased to share with you a status report on some things that we've already accomplished.

Deputy Mayor Joseph Rachiele and a group of volunteers completed the Gazebo at the Village Green. Finishing the Gazebo by June 30, 2004, ensured that the Village received a $25,000 grant from New York State and allowed the Summer Pops Concerts to take place. The grant will allow us to purchase plantings, fencing, and other items to beautify the Village Green. I have asked Trustee Ted Dorfmeister, the fundraising chairman for the Gazebo, to coordinate the landscaping.

We completed the renovation of Parking Field #1. This added 19 additional parking spaces and located handicapped parking spaces to the middle of the lot by the rear entrances of the stores. These improvements alleviated congestion in the lot and made it easier for our handicapped citizens to shop in town.

When I took office, the position of Superintendent of Public Works was vacant. We filled that position by hiring Fred Zamparelle of Farmingdale, who brings 30 years of field experience to the position. Fred also brings a friendly face to this vital Village service unit. He has hit the ground running, starting with a long overdue overhaul of the Department of Public Works (DPW) facilities, vehicles, and work projects. As of today, we have already cleaned up the DPW facilities by removing nine 30 yard dumpsters filled with debris and garbage.. You may have also noticed all of the parking lot stripes have been repainted and the Village has been cleaned. Thanks, Fred!

Fred is now preparing a priority list of roads in the Village which need repaving or road work, but which were not included in the original road work project.

We've lowered water rates by 10 percent for the average homeowner. This means you keep more of your money where it belongs - in your pocket!

We're repairing the gutters at Village Hall. That's because water seepage has caused major damage to some interior walls of the Village Hall and the Fire Department over the last four years.

We're upgrading the Fire Department with a computer aided dispatch system, which will enable quicker and more complete response to emergencies. This will better protect the residents of the Village.

We are in the process of giving Emil Grengras Park a "face-lift." This residential park, on the corner of Staples Street and Hudson Street is being upgraded with new playground equipment. This new equipment will meet current safety requirements.

We've hired two additional code enforcement officers. We plan to hire up to four additional personnel soon. Working alongside police officers from the 8th Precinct, our code enforcers will ensure compliance with the Village Code. Violators will have to appear before the Village Court. The code enforcement officers can issue notices of violations for parking offenses, violations of "No Stopping" laws, and violations of the Village Code dealing with property maintenance. Police officers also have the ability to issue tickets for moving traffic violations and other infractions. Having these law enforcement agents working together is part of our commitment to ensure that the quality of life we enjoy in Farmingdale is the highest it can be.

We have defined an area of the Village for possible redevelopment and have authorized a committee be formed to put this plan on the "front burner." Much of the property between Secatogue Avenue and Elizabeth Street and Conklin Street and North Front Street has been designated within the "blighted" area. The committee will make recommendations to the board of trustees on how the area should be redeveloped. By replacing dilapidated housing with new businesses and residential housing we will put valuable property back on the tax rolls.

As you can see, our Centennial year signals the beginning of a period of significant progress in Village history. With your continued support, we will make even more progress. By working together, we will make the Village of Farmingdale an even finer place to live, work, shop, and play.

On behalf of the Village Board, Mayor George J. Graf