The following are trustee reports from the Tuesday, Jan. 17, village board meeting. Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene thanked all the employees of the Department of Public Works who came into work at 1:30 a.m. during the recent ice and snowstorm. Deputy Mayor Greene also reported that the department responded to over 100 alarms for the month of December. He asked if anyone is interested in joining the Floral Park Fire Department, they should contact either village hall or the fire chief's office. The department is always looking for new members, he said.

Trustee Gerry Bambrick reported that during December, the department issued 10 building permits, 14 plumbing permits, 22 electrical permits and three miscellaneous permits. The Board of Architectural and Preliminary Site Review heard four new cases Jan. 25. The Board of Zoning Appeals heard three cases Jan. 11.

Data shows that there was an increase in permits issued last year from the previous year. In fact, Trustee Bambrick said the department showed an increase in permit issuance of 7 percent over 2004. However, there has been a drop in applications for the Board of Architectural and Preliminary Site Review for the last two months. This could be seasonal or it could represent a downward trend for permit application, he said.

Trustee Tom Tweedy reported that renovations on Field 6 have been completed. This included new grading, clay infield renovation and new sod on the infield. The lip at the outfield was also regraded and sodded and the lip at the infield of Field 3 was also included in this work.

The Recreation Committee continues to explore new uses for the fields, fees for use of the facilities as well as additional uses for the Recreation/Pool Building, Trustee Tweedy noted.

He also mentioned that he had the pleasure of visiting with the mayor and board two new businesses on Jericho Turnpike, Torigo Teriyaki House restaurant and the Wedding Plaza. Trustee Tweedy wished the new businesses the best of luck.

Trustee Jim Rhatigan reported that the library programs would soon be conducted in the library's meeting room rather than the village auditorium. The programs were moved to the village auditorium while the HVAC upgrade and meeting room refurbishment was underway. Residents may stop by the library for a schedule of events or check the library's website for further information.

Trustee Rhatigan said that along with the mayor, board and Floral Park Chamber of Commerce President Terry Whalen, he had the pleasure of visiting two new businesses in town. The new businesses on Jericho Turnpike were the Wedding Plaza and Torigo Teriyaki House restaurant. Trustee Rhatigan was most impressed by the enthusiasm of these new neighbors and the hard work that they have put into the opening of their new establishments. Trustee Rhatigan wished them both great success and encouraged residents to stop by.

Mayor Phil Guarnieri reported that on Dec. 22 Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy spoke to a near-capacity crowd at the North End Civic Association in which residents expressed their concerns regarding the impact the proposed MTA/LIRR track expansion would have on the community. At that time, an invitation was extended to the congresswoman to tour the community by bus. On Jan. 9, Congresswoman McCarthy toured the Floral Park/Bellerose area and saw first hand the relationship between the railroad tracks and the village's important natural resources. Congresswoman McCarthy saw how the elementary schools would be impacted should this project proceed, which appeared to resonate strongly with her, Mayor Guarnieri said. Participating in this bus tour were Mayor Guarnieri, members of the board, village staff, school officials, business leaders and community leaders from Floral Park, Bellerose, Mineola, New Hyde Park and Stewart Manor.

"We are trying to reach every level of government, from our sister villages, to the Town of Hempstead, to Nassau County, to the state and federal level. A photograph taken during the bus tour now appears on Congresswoman McCarthy's website. We hope she will side with her constituents," Mayor Guarnieri said.

Moreover, along with Trustee Tweedy, the mayor met with members of the Substance Abuse Committee. Also in attendance were Chairperson Terry Whalen, Sewanhaka Central High School District Superintendent Dr. John Williams, Floral Park Memorial High School Principal Kathleen Sottile, Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lynn Pombonyo, Floral Park Police Commissioner Michael Reid, Laura Ferone, representing John Lewis Childs School, Our Lady of Victory School Assistant Principal Mary Earzolino and Teresa Brady-Kurtzie, representing Floral Park Memorial High School. The meeting focused on how to educate people on substance abuse and how to recognize the signs of substance abuse.

In other news, Mayor Guarnieri said that he, Trustee Tweedy, Trustee Rhatigan and Chamber of Commerce President Terry Whalen visited two new businesses on Jericho Turnpike, the Wedding Plaza and Torigo Teriyaki House restaurant. Mayor Guarnieri said it was refreshing to visit the new businesses and that the owners were encouraged by the interest that the village showed. "We would like to enhance the commercial culture of this community and will assist new businesses in any way we can," Mayor Guarnieri said.

On motion by Trustee Rhatigan, seconded by Trustee Bambrick and carried unanimously, Mayor Guarnieri recessed the meeting at 8:30 p.m.