Residents attending the Sept. 21 meeting at Farmingdale Village Hall to discuss issues relating to the Heuppe property found the item to be adjourned.

The attorney representing the applicants wanting to build eight homes on the property, located off Melville Road in the Lenox Hills subdivision, said the delay was caused by research being done by engineers.

"They didn't have enough time to respond and are not ready to proceed with the drainage plan," Attorney Howard Arventine said.

Residents whose backyards face the property are concerned about water run-off from the property and if proper precautions are being taken before construction of the proposed new homes. Residents will have another opportunity to voice their concerns at the Tuesday, Oct. 19 meeting at village hall.

According to Village Attorney Greg Carman, Dan Kornfeld has been retained by the village for public relations work for $1,000 per month. Kornfeld's duties will entail preparing press releases for local publications, creating and overseeing the mailing of village newsletters and other notices as required.

"His arrangement with the Village of Farmingdale affords the Village a savings of 50 percent from that charged by his predecessor," Carman said.

The day laborer topic was broached by several residents. Joan Steinle said she has been noticing workers migrating over to Route 109 and William Street.

Graf administration said they are aware of the situation and reassured residents that they are on top of it.

"It has been built up over many years and it is going to take a while to unwind it," Mayor Graf said, speaking of the day laborer situation.

Addressing the fines being issued to contractor by the village, Carman said, "Village officials are working harder now and are much more hands-on than the previous administration. They have taken a part-time job and made it into a full-time one."

The Code Enforcement Supervisor Ron Craig emphasized that most of the day laborers on the streets of Farmingdale do not live in the village.

"We have been observing the number of people getting off the buses in the morning," Craig said.

"The number of day laborers from out of town that come into the village represent about 95 percent of all the day laborers," Town Clerk John Giordano said.

The administration insisted they are not taking the situation lightly, however acknowledged that it will take some time to rectify.

"It was not taken care of years ago like it was supposed to be," Graf said. "We are being proactive about it."

On a monthly basis the village's income from traffic fines has been between $15,000-$30,000, according to Giordano. Fines assessed to contractors for picking up day laborers makes up most of that total.

Attention was shifted to the controversy surrounding the proposal of a parking lot behind the 7-Eleven on Main Street. The property is a vacant lot that directly faces the railroad.

Originally residents expressed interest in the construction of a parking lot. However, those attending the meeting voiced their opposition to the proposed parking lot, some saying it would hinder their property values.

"They said they wanted a six-bedroom, four bathroom house put in instead," Giordano said, speaking of residents living near the lot.

The mayor canceled the eminent domain of this property, stating a large residence will be erected instead.

"All I want to do is what is right for you and those that surround the area," Graf said.

"The board has always wanted to go by the wishes of the residents, Giordano explained. "We only brought the issue up because as the residents mentioned, a couple of years ago the prior board kind of let the project die out."

Giordano said the only reason this administration brought it up again is because the property went into foreclosure and they were continuing what the old village attorney was trying to do by looking into acquiring it.

For information on the Graf administration visit the village website at www.farmingdalevillage.org.