(Editor's Note: This column is a reprint of the article that appeared in the Farmingdale Village September Newsletter.)

Much has been written nationally the last few weeks regarding the tragic bridge collapse in Minnesota and locally on the condition of Long Island's bridges and parkland. Infrastructure maintenance goes largely unnoticed by the general public until a disaster or service malfunction occurs. Your village government faces the same fiscal balancing dilemma as the larger municipal governments of maintaining the infrastructure while respecting taxpayers wishes to keep taxes as low as possible. Neglecting the infrastructure by delaying or ignoring necessary repairs and improvements creates an artificial short-term tax relief that ultimately cost the taxpayer more when the delayed upgrades and improvements are done on an emergency basis. Many of the problems we are currently reading about are a result of decisions to forgo needed upgrades. Since assuming office in 2004, my administration has made the rehabilitation of our village's infrastructure a top priority. Many of the administration's successes are visible:

The "Greening of Farmingdale" initiatives:

Village Green:

Completing the Village Gazebo with volunteer assistance and generous donations from the Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society and area residents.

Replacing of the water fountain was funded by the Farmingdale Women's Club and the Village Fire Department.

New brick work, estate fencing and landscaping.

Grengras Park at Hudson & Staples streets:

New playground equipment and fencing.

Northside pocket park:

Acquisition of land and the building of a reflective park in the near future. Note: The costs of these projects (unless noted above) were funded by Nassau County grant money (special thanks to County Legislator Dave Mejias) and the creation of new parkland acquisition and maintenance fund collected from developers.

Phase IV of roadway resurfacing project: Funded primarily by administrative cost reductions and state grant money (special thanks to State Senator Kemp Hannon).

Roadway resurfacing project underway in the Secatogue area paid for by the new owners.

Complete renovation of Farmingdale Plaza at Merritts Road and Fulton St.

Purchase of a new Fire Department rescue ambulance.

Purchase of a new DPW street sweeper to replace the current aging/high maintenance vehicle.

Just as many Village Infrastructure Initiatives are not readily visible to the average resident:

The DPW facility at Ridge Road and the water department facility at Eastern Parkway have undergone extensive repairs and grounds clean-up.

Village Hall: Extensive renovations include upgrade of entire computer network, electrical upgrades, new carpeting, gutter and leader repairs and water damaged walls repaired.

Computerized remote meter reading for entire village water district.

Project update: The wireless automation of water meter reading is continuing at a steady pace. This infrastructure project will be a real winner for the taxpaying resident when implementation begins in November 2007. The benefits include quarterly billing, elimination of estimated bills, and reduction in man-hours for individual meter reading.

Village Water supply wells: There are three wells that currently provide water to village residents. Although at this time there is no immediate need to drill a new well, discussions by the board are focusing on future water usage needs and the need to upgrade the antiquated pumping motors and electrical systems that monitor the pumps.

You can rest assure that our infrastructure improvements will continue to be a top priority. Another important piece of the village's future is the ongoing visioning process. On Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, Eric Alexander from Vision Long Island will be with us to update our progress and discuss with the Village Board and the attendees what plans there are for the future. For the latest Vision Long Island Report, please visit www.farmingdalevillage.com and click on "visioning recommendations." I invite you all to attend and see firsthand the exciting proposals for the revitalization of our Main Street.