With the stroke of a pen, Governor George Pataki signed legislation Assemblyman Tom Alfano authored that will deliver more than $50,000 of tax relief to the Village of Floral Park.

Earlier this year, village officials approached Assemblyman Alfano, along with Senator Michael Balboni, to sponsor legislation that issues a tax abatement on the newly acquired Masonic Temple (now Centennial Hall). The village acquired the temple, which had outstanding tax bills associated with the property.

"This bill essentially delivers over $50,000 of tax relief to the village by removing the back taxes that were owed on the property," Alfano said, adding, "The village has great plans for the building and it will become a recreational, cultural and educational resource for generations of residents to come. I'm real happy to have been of help and working together with the village board and Mayor Phil Guarnieri we made it a reality."

The legislation, according to Senator Balboni, will authorize the village to file an application for a real property tax exemption for 26 Tulip Avenue. "This law has created a financial remedy for the taxpayer while looking toward the future of Floral Park," he said. "Centennial Hall will be a brilliant centerpiece for a community approaching its 100th birthday and I am happy to help support it."

The entire village board moved to acquire the property and then asked state legislative representatives to enact a bill that would hold the village harmless for back taxes owed on the property. "After the village bought the property, officials, led by Mayor Guarnieri and the trustees, worked to help me draft the legislation, which resulted in this new law. This was a great team effort," Assemblyman Alfano added.

Mayor Guarnieri is delighted to hear that Floral Park taxpayers have saved over $50,000. "This is fantastic news. The building is now called Centennial Hall in anticipation of our 100th anniversary in 2008. The building needs work and these funds will help offset the cost of refurbishment ... This is a great relief for the village and will allow us to move forward in providing more quality services to village residents," Mayor Guarnieri said.

The legislation overwhelmingly passed the legislature.