One of the things that make our village so festive each year is the decorations on Main Street and the surrounding roads. A year ago, Deputy Mayor Joe Rachiele brought to the board's attention the sad condition of our ornamental lights that hung across Main Street. The garland light strings were originally purchased by the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce in the 1980s and was in need of replacement. The chamber, over the last two years, has donated over 40 new candy cane lights (over $16,000) to the village. While these new lights spruced up the surrounding areas, our Main Street definitely needed some help. After extensive research, including a drive down Stewart Avenue in Bethpage (they had just hung their newly purchased lights), a recommendation was made that we buy new lights. The board, after review and discussion, decided to allocate funds to purchase the new lights. The board then circulated catalog pages to the attendees at a few trustee meetings to receive input from interested residents. Department of Public Works Superintendent Fred Zamparelle reviewed the options and styles and made a recommendation on which type of lights we should buy (keeping in mind installation and removal costs, durability and the unique dimensions that exist on Main Street). Deputy Mayor Rachiele had also found out that the manufacturers of these lights substantially discount their inventory in January (right after the holiday season). A decision was made to wait until the beginning of 2006 to purchase the lights. By doing so the village saved approximately one-third off the original cost. The results of his hard work are now evident on Main Street. The beautiful light strings of snowflakes, candy canes and poinsettias offer a festive glow to our town. Like everything else these days, the technology and styles have dramatically changed. The new lights are better made and easier to install. They will provide years of enjoyment to our residents and visitors to our town. As you drive through town I hope you will also notice the efforts of our revitalized Beautification Committee. Under the leadership of Trustee Patricia Christiansen, they have decorated the lamp poles, the gazebo, hung hanging baskets and have placed 48 trees throughout Main Street. I also want to thank Deputy Mayor Joe Rachiele and Trustee Butch Starkie for spending countless hours over the past two weekends decorating in the village. Their efforts and the hard work of the beautification committee have added to the unique warmth that our town has (especially during the holidays!). Please include the village in your holiday shopping, dining and celebration plans this year.