The Jan. 7 Farmingdale Village Trustee's meeting opened with an announcement regarding the creation of a Downtown Revitalization Committee.

Five of the seven committee members, hand-picked by Mayor George Graf, were recognized at the meeting. The goal of the group is to help shape policy recommendations to provide best practices for the implementation of the Main Street revitalization program.

"The Downtown Revitalization Committee is looking to shape policy recommendations and discuss topics such as parking, affordable housing, business sustainability and infrastructure limitations and density," Mayor Graf explained.

The group, which consists of Kevin Bagnasco of Avanti Furniture; Debbie Podolski, president of the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce and director of the Farmingdale Library; Ralph Ekstrand of Moby Drugs and the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce; Mark Smith of State Farm Insurance; Joe Diurno, an engineer; Jerry Rossi of Palmer's American Grill and Fire Commissioner Tim Dillon, will meet monthly or bimonthly and provide an information conduit between merchants, residents and Village Board. It should be noted that Ralph Ekstrand is also the mayor's running mate for trustee in the upcoming village election.

"This committee is a voice for not only merchant concerns and ideas but also the residents," Mayor Graf later told the Farmingdale Observer. "Working together they will be a vital part of what will be phase II of the visioning of Main Street. All future meetings will be open to the public and all will be welcome."

An application for the restaurant and bar, Croxley Ale House was submitted to the board for consideration. The bar, part of a chain with locations in Garden City and Rockville Centre, is seeking to renovate the old Downtown building. Their proposal includes removing the sound system, bringing the building to a new elevation, adding a brick façade, awnings and outdoor dining area with their signature overhead doors. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. on this proposal. The village elections will be held on Tuesday, March 18 from noon to 9 p.m. Absentee ballots are currently available through Village Hall. Registration day is March 8. Registrants must show proof of residency. Both mayoral and trustee positions are up this year. Six election inspectors for general election and registration days were appointed.

The owners of 625 Fulton Street went before the board to see relief from the building moratorium and get their multiple dwelling complex approved. Originally approved for senior housing in 2000, these are individually owned senior condos.

"This has been to planning before," explained Village Attorney Kevin Walsh. "This site plan has no proposed changes from the existing facility."

Board members voted in favor of granting relief from the moratorium.

The board authorized publicizing an ad and seeking bids for the Puritan and Quaker Roads Project. The work, which was put on hold this past fall, is utilizing a $300,000 grant secured by Senator Kemp Hannon. A higher bid came in and the board decided to wait until the winter when construction is slow in hopes of attracting a lower bid.

Quaker Lane resident Anthony Addeo suggested they rework the water main because "many residents have needed to install a water pumping system to get water to their second floor."

"If the roads are being dug up, we'll look into the plumbing," Mayor Graf responded.

Department of Public Works Superintendent Fred Zamparelle said the structure of the water main is not substandard.

"A quick fix would be to put in a booster pump to that area," he added.

The majority of the meeting's attention then focused on the Merritts Road subdivision located behind Farmingdale Plaza. Ten, two-story, one-family homes are proposed in a cul-de-sac with an entrance/exit opening onto Merritts Road.

The builder, DowelOne Realty, and their attorney, Anthony Addeo were in attendance. Don Sioss, a representative from the village's engineering firm, H2M, was also on hand.

All of the homes will meet all of the zoning requirements," Addeo explained. "We are not proposing any variances to be granted. The builder is willing to commit to application plans to minimize the impact on homes to the rear on Hampshire Drive."

When Trustee and mayoral candidate Butch Starkie raised questions about the rear setbacks and future construction, DowelOne Realty agreed to hold all current rear setbacks, however refused to sign a covenant and restriction preventing future homeowners from building out the back of their homes.

"Those individual homeowners should be allowed to come before the board and seek a variance," the representative from DowelOne Realty said.

"Thirty-five feet will be the most exposure any of the lots will have as the plans stand," Building Superintendent Ron Craig said. "The applicant has done a wonderful job modifying his proposal."

Still there were many concerns and questions raised from the board, Sioss and nearby residents.

A Hampshire Drive resident questions landscaping plans, which were not available at the meeting.

"I'll work with anyone on the landscaping," Trustee Starkie offered.

Marie Thomas Court resident Greg Carman commented, "I don't see how the board is entertaining a vote on this tonight."

"There are so many changes going on with the topography, walk-out basements, landscaping and retaining wall, that I would like to see a picture of what we're actually getting," he added.

The landscape plans show a very heavily landscaped buffer between neighboring streets.

As of now a retaining wall is planned for the rear of homes on the north side of the property. It is 12-13' at its highest peak, dropping off to 2-3' at the end.

There was some discussion about a 4' chain link fence over the retaining wall, but that was not mentioned later.

Another Marie Thomas Court resident said at previous meetings on this subdivision homeowners stated they wanted landscaping for above the retaining wall, not a chain link fence.

"There are a lot of loose ends and a lot of new information tonight," Mayor Graf said. "Plans have changed for the better, but that has left a lot of loose ends."

Walsh suggested the applicant produce a final set of drawings for the board to vote on.

"I think it's going to take one more meeting to get the board to a position where they can vote," he added.

The public hearing was closed with a decision to be rendered by the board at the Feb. 4 meeting.

Revised site plans will be available for residents to view on Jan. 23 at Village Hall.

A public hearing for the Croxley Ale House where The Downtown was previously located will be on Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. The Downtown Revitalization Committee's first meeting will be held on Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. The next village trustee's board meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. A public hearing will be held for Patty's Tea Room, proposed location 222 Main Street, will also be held at that board meeting. All meetings are held at Village Hall on Main Street. For more information call 249-0093 or visit www.farmingdalevillage.com.