The following are trustee reports from the Tuesday, Oct. 3, village board meeting.

Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene reported that October is Fire Safety Month and the chief's office requested he mention a few safety tips that will help residents to better protect their families from a potential emergency:

Have boilers inspected and chimneys cleaned; Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are inspected and working properly; review home fire evacuation plan with family making sure everyone knows how to evacuate and that there is a meeting place outside the home where everyone should meet.

In an effort to help educate residents on home/business fire safety, the department will host its annual fire safety program Sunday, Oct. 22, from noon to 3 p.m. at Fire Headquarters on Vernon Street. The fire department will also be visiting local schools to discuss fire safety with students.

On Thursday, Oct. 19, several members of the Floral Park Fire Department will be receiving citations from New York State Fire Administration for their efforts in responding to the construction workers who were electrocuted when the scaffold system came in contact with an overhead electric facility. This will take place at village hall during the regular departmental meeting at 8 p.m. "We recognize these members and applaud their efforts and thank them for a job well done. Residents are invited to attend and show their support of our fire department," Deputy Mayor Greene said.

On Wednesday, Oct. 18, the Town of Hempstead will host the 2006 Firematic Award Ceremony. This prestigious recognition is afforded to firefighters who have demonstrated the highest devotion to duty and services to the community, Deputy Mayor Greene explained. He was happy to announce that Chief Joseph O'Grady will be honored this year. "Joe has done an outstanding job as chief of the fire department and he has brought strong values to the chief's office in the four years he has been there as assistant chief and now in his fifth year as chief. Joe was instrumental in introducing many new technologies and training programs to the department," Deputy Mayor Greene said.

Trustee Tom Tweedy reported that this year's sidewalk program is coming to an end. The village contractor recently repaired Walnut Avenue. The goal was to complete the West End this year but time is running out as fall is rapidly approaching. The current sidewalk repair contract ends in December and the village will be bidding out a new contract within the next few months. Next spring, the sidewalk program will resume in the West End on Chestnut Avenue, Spruce Avenue, Pine Avenue, Larch Avenue, Poppy Street, Hazel Place, West Elder Avenue and Elder Avenue. If residents have a question about the sidewalk program or have unresolved issues about repairs made this year, contact the Department of Public Works at 326-6320.

In late fall, Public Works will be planting over 100 trees throughout the village. Property owners will be notified in writing within the new few weeks with the proposed locations. The variety of trees will be determined after a formal bid process is completed and Public Works sees what trees are available.

Trustee James Rhatigan said he was honored to march, along with Mayor Phil Guarnieri, in Floral Park Memorial High School's homecoming parade Sept. 30. The administration, led by Principal Kathy Sottile, school staff and, most appropriately, the students themselves, gave a "wonderful statement of pride and enthusiasm that is part of our local educational environment," Trustee Rhatigan said. He was particularly pleased to see the members of the varsity football team near the head of the parade taking part in the social fabric of the school and that the team did not suffer from their morning walk as they went on to best Glen Cove in the homecoming game. "We thank members of our fire department's Explorer Post who carried the colors in the parade, as well as our police and fire personnel who oversaw the parade route," he said.

Trustee Rhatigan also personally thanked everyone who so "graciously and unselfishly" gave his/her time to volunteer at Liz's Day. "While the volunteers were raising funds for this worthy cause, they also raised the bar toward civic pride and community involvement," he added, thanking the recreation staff, who assisted throughout the day.

On the subject of civic pride, Mayor Guarnieri said that during September and early October he attended civic association meetings with the North End, Hillcrest and South Side civic associations. The mayor visited the West End Civic Association Oct. 5, giving his State of the Village address and assuring everyone that the village is fiscally sound, aesthetically beautiful and culturally alive. The mayor said civic associations are the "eyes and ears of the community" and that each of his meetings was very productive, reaffirming his belief that civic associations are the touchstone of our community. Mayor Guarnieri urged residents to join and support their civic association.

Mayor Guarnieri held an open house Sept. 30, in which he invited residents to village hall to discuss any concerns or problems they may have. From teens to senior citizens, many residents took advantage of the opportunity to express their concerns regarding the village. This was an interesting and interactive experience and a cooperative arrangement between the residents and the village, he said.

He also said he joined Trustee Rhatigan at Floral Park Memorial High School's homecoming parade Sept. 30 and that the school spirit was quite extraordinary. "In their red jerseys, it was wonderful to see the football team leading the parade. Floral Park Memorial will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. It is a great educational institution, teaching members of our community for a half century. More than any system of government, a democracy recognizes the importance of an educated constituency that will rise to lead the community and lead the country," Mayor Guarnieri said.

From a sea of red jerseys at the homecoming parade, Mayor Guarnieri went to the Recreation Center where the color softened to pink, representing the Elizabeth McFarland Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Mayor Guarnieri said he has never seen such wonderful community involvement and spirit and thanked the business merchants, the volunteers and everyone who participated in some way for their cooperative efforts in making this event such a huge success. It reaffirmed his belief that when "we bind together as one, it brings out the best of our nature" and that this "represented the very best of Floral Park."

On motion by Trustee Tweedy, seconded by Trustee Rhatigan and carried unanimously, the mayor recessed the meeting at 8:50 p.m.