The Farmingdale Board of Trustees began the March 22 meeting by approving several building department permits. After a committee reviewed plans, the board voted to allow a Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream store to open at 273 Main St. and an Internet café at 294 Main St.

Building department issues raised included the existence of apartments located above Blimpies on Main Street. Allegedly, only two units were approved by the previous administration, however, there are reportedly more. Superintendent of Buildings Andrew Koukos informed the board he wanted to "pull the certificates of occupancy on the space and see what's going on up there."

They then moved on to approve an increase of $5 per hour for the seasonal labor wage rate. The new rate, which is $12 per hour, is "on par with what we are paying parking attendants," Village Clerk John Giordano explained.

The village's small claims tax consultant is entering semiretirement, therefore, the board approved, on Giordano's recommendation, to retain the services of a firm currently used by Nassau County.

"They charge a fee of $50 per claim, whereas the previous person charged a fee of $100 per hour," Giordano explained.

The board also voted to hire an outside CPA to assist the village's accountant. According to Giordano, the usual hourly fee ranges from $70-$200 per hour. The village was able to retain someone at a rate of $50 per hour. The individual is retired and already familiar with the software currently used by the village.

"It will give us more flexibility," Mayor George Graf said.

The board reviewed an itemized report on interbudgetary transfers of funds. According to Giordano, the village operates on 150 budgetary accounts.

"Throughout the year some end up with a surplus and others, due to unforeseen circumstances, run short," Giorfano said.

"This not only tells what interbudgetary transfers of funds were made, but also a specific explanation as to why they were done," Graf added.

Upon recommendation, the village then continued on to review two parking fine penalties. They agreed to increase the fine from $100 to $125 for no stopping on Conklin Street and increase the fine from $25 to $100 for parking behind the Farmingdale firehouse.

"Which is equivalent to the fine for parking in a fire lane," Giordano said.

In an effort to keep residents abreast of old issues and inquiries from previous trustees' meetings, Mayor Graf announced that the village's new website, www.farmingdalevillage.org, is up and running. According to village officials, the site has already received over 1,000 hits. Another old issue addressed was truck usage on Conklin Street, Secatogue Avenue, Franklin Place and Staples Street. Giordano said that a letter was sent to the 8th Precinct and they were still awaiting a response. In December 2004 a petition was passed among village residents regarding the siren above the Farmingdale Fire Department that alerts firefighters to a call. The fire commissioners agreed to decrease the hours of use of the siren to 8 a.m.-8p.m. It will also only sound once instead of twice on the alert of an alarm.

"I want to thank the fire commissioners for responding to the petition," resident Chuck Goslin said.

One resident inquired about the quality and schedule of development on the Hueppe Property construction behind Fairview Road. Throughout this proposal, residents living in homes in front of the construction site questioned the water runoff onto their properties. Village Attorney Greg Carman attempted to put these concerns at ease.

"Andy [superintendent of buildings] is going to work with H2M to make sure everything is going to be done right," Carman said. "I have to give credit to the community and the village for addressing drainage issues."

When asked about sand and dirt slides, Giordano went on to explain that the construction company will be responsible for any site problems.

"They are subject to a $37,000 fine for every day that problem exists," Giordano said. "It is their job to make sure nothing escapes the property."

A budget workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. The April 7 budget workshop has been canceled. A public hearing on the Dale Drive extension and 2005-2006 budget hearing was set for April 12 at 7:30 p.m. Fore more information contact Village Hall at 249-0093.