The following are trustee reports from the Tuesday, May 16, village board meeting.

Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene acknowledged the Floral Park Fire Department and Rescue Company for all their hard work. Forty-five members of the department have emergency medical service (EMS) status and they respond to an average of 1,200 calls per year. Each call averages 1.5-2 hours in duration. In addition to answering calls, members are required to attend practice drills and meetings. "The cumulative amount of time a member of the department spends on these activities is equivalent to a full-time job," Deputy Mayor Greene, who has had experience with the department as a member and as its chief and also on a personal basis, said, adding that the amount of care and professionalism each member exhibits is truly remarkable. Deputy Mayor Greene applauds them and is honored to be a part of this "wonderful" department.

He also said there are two fire department events coming up. The first one is members of the department will be going door-to-door throughout the village asking for donations to the department. Make sure that the solicitor has proper identification. The second event is the Nassau County Fire Academy in Bethpage, which members are required to attend. Each member will attend 10 evening sessions at the academy during the summer from 6:30-11:30 p.m.

Deputy Mayor Greene said he had the opportunity to attend the Council of Cultural Affairs "poetry slam" May 6. He thanked Alexa Ventimiglia and Mary Pedley for organizing the event. Twelve readers from the local high schools read their poetry and they all did a "fantastic job." Each winner received a cash prize ranging from $25 to $100.

Trustee Gerry Bambrick asked residents to write to either Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, Senator Hillary Clinton or Senator Charles Schumer requesting the FAA and other relevant authorities move helicopter traffic away from residential areas.

"Helicopters are currently following a route that goes along the Long Island Rail Road but it would be beneficial to our community, both in terms of noise and safety, if the route could be moved north to follow the Long Island Expressway," Trustee Bambrick said. "This helicopter route should be moved before a tragedy occurs as it did happen May 4 in Kings Park." If residents need more information on this topic, they should call either Floral Park Village Hall at 326-6300 or visit www.fpvillage.org under noise abatement.

Trustee Tom Tweedy noted that starting this month the road overlay contractor will begin work on resurfacing Emerson Avenue from Lowell Avenue to Bryant Avenue and King Street from Plainfield Avenue to Flower Avenue. The overlay process involves replacement of a limited amount of damaged curbing and any low driveway aprons that will be affected by adding an overlay of asphalt to the existing road surface. The gutters along the curb line will be milled down about two inches deep and six feet wide to maintain the proper grade for water run-off. Manhole covers and utility shut-off covers will also be raised to meet the new level of asphalt. The overlay process being used is a much less expensive alternative to total road reconstruction and will provide many years of smooth driving. Proper notification will be given to residents on these streets as to when this project will actually take place. Any work on King Street will not start until after school is let out for the summer.

Many of the village trees had a quick and healthy growth spurt this spring causing many low hanging branches. The Village Shade Tree Department along with the Highway Department has begun inspecting and trimming trees that are blocking Stop signs, traffic lights, streetlights and traffic signs. If residents know of any locations that are in immediate need of attention, call the Department of Public Works at 326-6320 and they will gladly respond.

Trustee Tweedy also congratulated the Substance Abuse Prevention Education Council for its well-received first community awareness event held May 15 to an overflow crowd at Floral Park Memorial High School. From its inception, the ultimate goal of the committee was to reach as many families as possible to educate them about substance abuse. Trustee Tweedy thanked the entire Substance Abuse Prevention Education Council, especially Chair Terry Whalen and Laura Ferone, who worked so hard in putting together the event. Trustee Tweedy also thanked Floral Park Memorial High School Principal Kathleen Sottile; John Kenny, head of the Floral Park Memorial High School Guidance Department; Robert McVey of the SADD Club; Floral Park-Bellerose School District Superintendent Dr. Lynn Pombonyo; Dr. Thomas Piro, principal of Floral Park-Bellerose School; Pamela Orleman-Fine, principal of John Lewis Childs School; Margaret Augello, principal of Our Lady of Victory School; Mary Earvolino, assistant principal of Our Lady of Victory School; Sewanhaka Central High School District Superintendent Dr. John Williams; Regina Agrusa, director of Pupil Personnel; Etta Schneiderman of Operation Respect; the Floral Park Police Department and the Floral Park Fire Department for all their help and assistance. He also thanked the Sewanhaka High School Peer Helpers and Jim Terranova who put on "wonderful" skits that "both entertained and challenged the audience." Trustee Tweedy said he hopes this program continues for many years to come.

Trustee Tweedy said he too had the pleasure of attending the "poetry slam" sponsored by the Council of Cultural Affairs at the Recreation Center.

Trustee Jim Rhatigan reminded residents to register for summer recreation programs this Saturday, June 3, Sunday, June 4, Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Recreation/Pool Building.

Mayor Phil Guarnieri echoed the sentiments of Deputy Mayor Greene about the Floral Park Fire Department. The mayor said every member of the department is "truly professional, dedicated and gifted at what they do and we are deeply grateful to them."

Mayor Guarnieri also said he attended the end of the "poetry slam" sponsored by the Council of Cultural Affairs and that it is one of the highest art forms. "It shows that culture is alive and well in Floral Park," he said.

He also attended, along with Trustee Tweedy and Trustee Rhatigan, the first community awareness event sponsored by the Substance Abuse Prevention Education Council held at Floral Park Memorial High School.

"Every year throughout the United States, teenagers are becoming addicted to drugs. Some of them will die. This is not just in cities and in underprivileged neighborhoods but it is in towns and villages and Floral Park is not immune," Mayor Guarnieri said. "This very successful program, held May 15, targeted the young people of our community because that is the time when they are most vulnerable to experiment with drugs. The best way to combat this program is through education. In Floral Park, there are school administrators and experts in this area who truly care about our youth and are working to discourage the scourge of drug and alcohol abuse. The three leading causes of death for teenagers are accidents, homicides and suicides, and drug and alcohol abuse are major contributing factors in all three," he continued. Mayor Guarnieri thanked and congratulated everyone who participated in the event. "It was a night to remember," he added.

On motion by Trustee Rhatigan, seconded by Trustee Tweedy and carried unanimously, Mayor Guarnieri recessed the meeting at 8:45 p.m.