Floral Park trustees have been working very closely with a committee from the Floral Park Fire Department reviewing changes to the state law on the Volunteer Fire Department Service Award program, which was established in an effort to increase membership and provide an incentive to maintain experienced members. The program was introduced, voted on and approved by residents back in 1993.

According to Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene, the changes identified in the law enable municipalities to increase the contribution for each member in the program. "The intention of service award programs is to increase membership and more importantly provide an incentive to maintain current members," he explained.

The law identifies a point system that must be adopted by the membership in order for them to participate in the program. In order for a member to obtain these points, he/she must fulfill the requirements outlined in the state law. A member must obtain at least 50 points each year in order to stay active in the program.

If a member fulfills this requirement, according to Deputy Mayor Greene, their service award account is credited with $450 a year. This account can be distributed when the member turns 65 years of age.

In September 2004, Governor George Pataki signed into law a bill that increased the maximum service award contribution by a municipality.

The fire department and Deputy Mayor Greene are meeting with Floral Park's various civic associations and will present to residents - for their vote - a revised program to increase the amount awarded to each individual.

A document identifying the program improvements and associated costs will be mailed to each Floral Park resident in September. In addition, during late August and September, information meetings will be held where residents can ask questions about the program. At the end of September, residents will have the opportunity to vote on whether they want the village board to support the program. Questions between now and the special meetings should be directed to Deputy Mayor Greene at 326-6300.