Many of you will recall that last summer we celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Farmingdale. Tonight, I would like to summarize briefly some of the activities in which the village government engaged in that first year, July 1904 to June 1905, and contrast that formative year with our 101st year, July 2004 to June 2005.

The village population in 1904 was 1047 residents; the census of 2000 recorded about eight times as many people. There were only six other incorporated villages in Nassau in 1904; today there are 63 others. Automobiles were largely a novelty then, and street lighting and telephone service were still a year or two in the future.

John Simonson, Joseph Doud and Charles Ketcham served as a provisional village board from August 1904 to March 1905, when Joseph Doud was formally elected village president (mayor). Street lighting was an early concern in those days. There was an unsuccessful trial of gas lamps for a year or so. New York and New Jersey Telephone Company was given permission in 1905 to erect utility poles in order to initiate phone service. As early as August 1904, an 8 mph speed limit was erected. President Doud began his term in April 1905 with $92.54 in the village account. Apparently, the financial situation looked favorable, as the village clerk was given a raise to $3 per month. The total budget was $1,296 for the 1905 fiscal year. Incidentally, the new village was given permission by the Town of Oyster Bay to use what was called "Town Hall" for municipal purposes. The village purchased the frame structure in the 1920s; it is now the site of our present Village Hall.

Let's fast forward 100 years to note some of many village accomplishments this past year:

* We celebrated our "centennial of incorporation" with a weekend festival, including a parade and fair.

* The Gazebo was completed here on the Village Green, representing the financial and physical contributions of many.

* The northwest parking field was renovated, adding several handicapped spaces and 19 new regular spaces. Parking: Now, there's a concern that the village leaders of a century ago didn't have to deal with!

* The enforcement of village codes and ordinances has been strengthened enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

* The Village Beautification Committee has been reorganized.

* Steps were taken to increase citizen's awareness of village activities, especially notices of upcoming public meetings. The mayor also began a weekly column in the Farmingdale Observer to report on current issues.

* The village board addressed recommendations of the Office of the State Comptroller enacting rigorous controls on financial matters and personnel policies.

* "Traffic calming" steps have been taken on various streets, including placing of school zone speed limits signs and street painting of pedestrian crosswalks. The village has also cooperated with the Nassau County Police Department in intensifying enforcement of speed limits on local streets.

* A new Department of Public Works superintendent was hired, and DPW facilities have been considerably cleaned up under his direction.

* The village has worked with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in replacing concrete on Route 109 medians with plantings at sidewalk aprons with brick.

* Senior citizens of the village have benefited with a simplified senior taxi discount program.

* Traditional celebrations of community organizations have been observed with the village as a partner such as the Rag-a-muffin Parade, the holiday lighting of the Tricentennial Tree and the annual Farmingdale Baseball League parade. Long time residents were given special recognition at a village program during this past year.

This list of recent activities is certainly not complete, but it will give you an idea of the types of matters engaged in by your village to improve and enhance the quality of life for all our residents. They represent challenges certainly more diverse than those faced by our predecessors 100 years ago. They held about two dozen meetings in that first year; we have held many more than that. But the goal for your elected village officials of serving our village residents faithfully is a constant. Whether in 1905 or 2005, Farmingdale has a special charm and character and heritage that we pledge to maintain faithfully.

Editor's Note: Minute of Farmingdale History is a series of lectures about local history being presented at he Farmingdale Village Pops concert series on the Village Green on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. This installment was featured at the June 29 concert.