The May 17 Farmingdale Village Board of Trustees meeting began with the approval of several licenses and permits.

The board approved a parade permit for September for Farmingdale Football. A block party on Doud Street scheduled for Aug. 20, with a rain date of Aug. 21 was approved, however the application for a block party on Thomas Powell Boulevard on Aug. 6 was tabled again. The board said it was still waiting to hear from residents about closing several intersecting streets for a period of 14 hours. Taxi licenses for John G. Brandt, Jr. and Victor E. Critelli were both approved.

The board continued to approve a building permit for 228 Staples Street to construct a roof over a front porch addition and rear addition. Hearing dates were also set for two commercial properties seeking conversions and additions and a 10-parcel subdivision at 936, 944 and 948 Fulton St. Ben & Jerry's (313 Main St.) and Java Room (314 Main St.) will have their hearings on Tuesday, June 7.

"The Java Room wants to convert from a coffee shop to a full fledged restaurant," said Buildings Department Superintendent Ron Craig. "Ben & Jerry's is currently undergoing interior alterations for the ice cream parlor and is hoping to open on Fourth of July weekend."

A June 9 date was then scheduled for a meeting with Main Street merchants and the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce to discuss parking issues.

"This meeting is to get some feedback from the merchants to see what they want," Village Attorney Greg Carman explained.

A public hearing on the special use permit to expand a convenience store at 150 Fulton St. was held next. The applicant is requesting the expansion of the current store and the removal of the auto parts store and automotive engine repair shop. The new store will serve as a "quick stop and shop facility carrying pre-packaged goods and foods" according to the architect and applicant. They will also be renovating both the interior and exterior of the site.

"These upgrades will help to create a better look and attitude to the village," the applicant said. "What we are willing to add shows our dedication to the village."

It will encompass 4,785 square feet, a magnitude which Craig said "changes the intensity of use."

"I would recommend the board reserve their decision until the Nassau County Planning Commission has made their decision," Craig added.

Craig cited a long list of issues that need to be addressed, some of which the applicant immediately responded to. Parking restrictions, a fire lane, drainage and lighting plans were included in Craig's concerns, as well as dumpster size and location.

"We are showing a size equivalent to two parking spaces," the applicant explained. "There is an area for refuse containers with new fencing around it."

After the applicant completed his presentation, an Ivy Street resident voiced his support of the project.

"Once everything is settled here, from a financial standpoint, this would be beneficial to the community," he said.

Deputy Mayor Joe Rachiele asked the applicant to "keep an open dialogue with the building department."

"We have a ways to go on it," Rachiele added. "We need a lot more details."

The board then moved away from the agenda for a brief period for Mayor George Graf to officially swear in Acting Village Clerk Barbara Canonico. Canonico will procure John Giordano's duties until a replacement is found.

"I would like to thank John Giordano for all of his efforts and wish him well," Mayor Graf said.

The floor was then opened to questions and comments from attendees. Village resident Terry Vitale was first to speak. Vitale questioned the status of the apartment complex located at 150 Secatogue Ave. It was recently reported that village officials are constructing a major re-development plan for the six-acre lot. However, the displacement of over 150 mostly Hispanic tenants has stirred controversy among residents.

"We are moving forward on a number of fronts," Mayor Graf said before turning over the microphone to Carman.

"There is a lot of opportunity for regrowth within the village," Carman said. "We thought it would be good to bring in a third party to help us analyze the situation."

That third party is Vision Long Island, a Northport-based organization whose mission is "to join with others to promote livability and economically sustainable and environmentally responsible growth on Long Island," according to their website www.visionlongisland.org. Director Eric Alexander will be working with the village, by first making a presentation at a June 21 board meeting.

The next Farmingdale Village Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. For more information contact Village Hall at 249-0093.