The following are trustee reports from the June 21 Floral Park board meeting. Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene reported that the department responded to 100 alarms in June. Members of the department also attended a seven-week out-of-house training program at the Nassau County Fire Academy in Bethpage. Deputy Mayor Greene also thanked residents for their support in the battle against the MTA's proposal to construct an additional track on the Main Line, which would run through Floral Park. Over 1,200 Floral Park residents attended the public information meeting the MTA conducted at Floral Terrace June 16. He said this is a continuing fight.

Trustee Gerry Bambrick noted that during May the department issued 18 plumbing permits, 28 electrical permits, six fence permits and 11 miscellaneous permits. Further, the Architectural Review Board heard eight new cases April 22. The board approved the three subdivision cases.

The Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled a meeting this month in which they will hear five cases. In June, the Zoning Board of Appeals heard the subdivision application for 107 Orchid Street. No decision was made and the meeting was left open for the receipt of additional documentation.

The department has begun its inspection of residential swimming pools. Further, a demolition permit was filed for 50 Tulip Avenue. The previous owner of the property, Trustee Bambrick noted, had intended to subdivide the property but the new owner intends to construct a single house on the property.

Trustee Tom Tweedy reported that the center continues to be a center of activity for residents. The 2005 pool season opened June 18. Mayor Phil Guarnieri cut the ribbon with Deputy Mayor Greene and Trustee Tweedy in attendance. As of June 25, summer hours are in effect and the pool will be open from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Residents may still register for pool membership if they wish. All programs for both the pool and the park began June 27.

Centennial Gardens is open for unescorted walks every Sunday between 1-5 p.m. A recreation staff member will be at the Floral Parkway gate to let residents in and residents may stroll through the gardens and admire the work of village volunteers.

Trustee Tweedy echoed the sentiments of Deputy Mayor Greene as he thanked residents for their "excellent" turnout at the MTA public information meetings. Trustee Tweedy said, "We must remain focused, aware and informed."

Trustee James Rhatigan was happy to report that the Floral Park Library Book Sale at Centennial Hall June 18-19 had a tremendous turnout and as a result of the hard work of the Friends volunteers, a record amount of sales were generated. He thanked all the "Good Friends of the Library."

He also noted that since the last board meeting, he had the pleasure of attending a number of activities and ceremonies that highlighted the accomplishments of many fine young people in the village. Trustee Rhatigan attended the Silver Award and Bridging Up Ceremony for Girl Scout Troop 1177, the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for two Scouts from Troop 482 and the Nassau Challenger Basement Tournament, which was held at the recreation center June 11. "The youngsters involved in these programs should be commended for their efforts and fine works," he said. "Aside from the youth involved, these programs also highlighted the dedication of the adult leadership of these organizations. These men and women who take time out of their busy lives to guide and assist our young people are quietly shaping our future."

He further reported that he recently had the opportunity to attend the annual meeting and training school of the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM). Trustee Rhatigan attended many training sessions and had the opportunity to meet and interact with other village attendees. He also had the chance to meet Governor George Pataki, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and State Comptroller Alan Hevesi.

Trustee Rhatigan also noted that he attended the final scoping hearing on the MTA/LIRR Third Track Project and spoke toward the village's opposition to this project. Trustee Rhatigan said it was heartening to see the Floral Park community and its neighboring communities speaking in one clear voice in opposition to the project and that the village will continue to fight. "We need the continued assistance of our residents," he added.

Mayor Phil Guarnieri said he recently had the pleasure of attending several events in the village: Girl Scout Silver Award ceremony; Eagle Scout Court of Honor; the Nassau Challenger Baseball Tournament; and the Louis V. DiGregorio 5K Run to Remember. He said that all the "wonderful" efforts of residents to help others gives him such a positive feeling. "We live in a community filled with richness," he added.

The mayor also mentioned it was a pleasure to open the pool June 18 and wonderful to see the excitement on the children's faces and that the recreation center is a "great resource" for the Village of Floral Park.

He was pleased that the book sale at Centennial Hall, conducted by the Friends of the Library, was so successful. He encouraged children to continue to read over the summer.

He noted the biggest news was the three LIRR scoping meetings regarding the construction of an additional track. "The effect this project would have on our village would be of Olympian proportion," he said. "This project would disrupt business, would cause noise and pollution and has the potential to take properties from our residents. It will be contiguous to much of our infra-structure; the recreation center, the library, our commercial business district and our residents' homes." The mayor spoke a total of five times between the afternoon and evening sessions of these three public meetings. Over 3,000 signatures have already been obtained on the petition. "Floral Park communicated very effectively their opposition to this project and were noticed by the MTA," he said, adding that the village board is ready for the fight and Floral Park is a unified community that is ready for the upcoming struggle. He urged everyone to get involved in this issue.

On motion by Trustee Rhatigan, seconded by Trustee Tweedy and carried unanimously, Mayor Guarnieri recessed the meeting at 10:30 p.m.