The following are trustee reports from the Jan 4 village board meeting.

Trustee Tom Tweedy reported that the annual Christmas tree lighting at the Recreation Center was a wonderful family night. The open roller skating on the hockey rink with the Screaming Eagles were a delight to watch, he added. Trustee Tweedy thanked the Recreation staff for helping to organize the evening.

Moreover, the Tiny Tots program is already fully enrolled at the Recreation Center. Trustee Tweedy asked residents to check the village website (www.fpvillage.org) or the latest Village Items for course offerings and schedules. "You may also find on the website an application for a new leisure pass which is required for registering for programs at the center. Last year's pool passes are honored as leisure passes through June of this year," he said.

Trustee James Rhatigan reported that there will be an AARP Driver Safety Program Tuesday, Jan. 17, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the village hall auditorium. This course is for drivers aged 50 and over. Registration is required and is currently ongoing at the library. Please bring proof of age as well as a check in the amount of $10 made payable to AARP. Questions may be directed to the library staff by calling 326-6330.

Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene reported that the fire department responded to over 110 alarms this past month.

He thanked the 50 members who responded to a neighbor's call for help on New Year's Eve at approximately 11:22 p.m. The department responded to an electrical fire involving a live wire that burned loose from the home and continued to arc outside the bushes. The fire department secured the site until LIPA was able to de-energize the cable. The department had secured the area by approximately 12:40 a.m.

Deputy Mayor Greene also reported that the Village of Floral Park will host the Nassau County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program beginning Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the village hall auditorium. The program is offered through the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management. The CERT program educates residents about local hazards and trains them in skills that are useful during an every day emergency or an uncommon disaster. While people will respond to an emergency or disaster without training, the goal of the CERT program is to help people do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

CERT training teaches basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, basic first aid and disaster medical operations. No prior training or experience is required. People who attend CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace and community and can take preventative steps to lessen the effects of these hazards, he said.

In the event of an emergency or disaster, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhoods or workplace following an event when local emergency responders (police, firefighters and EMS) are not immediately available to help. When help does arrive, CERT members provide useful information to first responders and support their efforts as directed at the disaster site. CERT members can also assist the local Office of Emergency Management with administrative duties during and after an incident as well as assist with non-emergency projects that involve the safety of the community.

The program will run for five nights on Feb. 15, March 2, March 8, March 15 and March 22 from 6-10 p.m. at village hall. If interested in getting more information or if you would like to register for this program, call village hall at 326-6300.

Mayor Phil Guarnieri wished his fellow board members, the village staff and all the residents a very happy and blessed New Year.

He reported that on Wednesday, Dec. 14, there was a public meeting at village hall regarding the proposed third track by the MTA/LIRR. This meeting was held as a result of the commenting period, which was re-opened Oct. 16 by the MTA/LIRR and was closed Dec. 31. Many people spoke and the comments were recorded for public record by a court reporter. These comments were then forwarded to the MTA/LIRR by the close of the commenting period on Dec. 31. Mayor Guarnieri thanked residents for coming to the meeting and speaking about the project and the effect it would have on the village.

Mayor Guarnieri said that he and the board of trustees attended the North End Civic Association meeting Dec. 22 at the Recreation Center in which Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy was the guest speaker. She gave a short statement and then responded to questions from members and village officials. Even though it was only three days before Christmas, the room was crowded and numerous questions were asked. Congresswoman McCarthy expressed some sympathy regarding the proposed third track and has agreed to visit with Floral Park again at a mutually agreeable date. Much of the third track expansion would have to be funded by the federal government and so it is important to speak to Congresswoman McCarthy, Mayor Guarnieri explained.

Congresswoman McCarthy did not attend the public meetings over the summer nor the meeting Dec. 14. Mayor Guarnieri said he was very gratified that she met with them Dec. 22 and that he looked forward to meeting with her again and speaking at length about the proposed third track project and the negative impact it will have on his community, Floral Park.

He also reported that a $35,000 grant has been received from Senator Michael Balboni's office that may be used to purchase equipment. On behalf of the village, Mayor Guarnieri thanked Senator Balboni and said the money would be put to good use.

On motion by Trustee Tweedy, seconded by Trustee Rhatigan and carried unanimously, Mayor Guarnieri recessed the meeting at 8:35 p.m.