The following are trustee reports from the May 15 Floral Park village board meeting.

Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene acknowledged the police department for its fine police work in arresting a man from Queens May 8 for igniting 15 fires within the village. Approximately six months ago the fire department and police department started responding to dumpster fires being set along Jericho Turnpike. It was not too long before the police and fire departments realized that the fires were suspicious in nature and called the Nassau County Fire Marshal's office.

"For several months, our police department, fire department and the fire marshal's office worked together on the investigation," Deputy Mayor Greene added. "Detectives Lauria and Monahan took the extra step by installing cameras at one of the locations that the arsonist had struck on several occasions. Since all the fires were started at night the video equipment used could not identify the suspect. Our detectives took the next step and built a birdhouse that housed an additional camera that was installed in an area closer to the scene of the crime. This allowed our detectives to gain additional information that led them to the suspect. After a couple of weeks of surveillance, they were able to bring the suspect in and question him on the fires. The suspect admitted to our detectives that he was responsible for starting at least 15 fires within the village."

Deputy Mayor Greene thanked Detectives Lauria and Monahan for an outstanding job.

He also said Police Commissioner Reid would like to remind residents to stay proactive when it comes to home security. "If you are planning to go out for the day, make sure you secure your home. An open window or door makes it easy for a burglar to enter your home. Always lock your windows and doors. If you are going away for a period of time, let your neighbors know so they can keep an eye on your home," he added.

Deputy Mayor Greene also reported that during April the department issued 16 building permits, 15 plumbing permits, 10 electrical permits, 12 fence permits and 13 miscellaneous permits. Permit activity has been heavy for spring and the high volume is affecting the turnaround process, Deputy Mayor Greene explained. Residential pool renewal permits are being sent and inspections will start in June. If residents have a pool, they are urged to call for a safety inspection.

Moreover, commercial properties have received letters asking them to clean up the outside of their buildings. The Zoning Board of Appeals has three cases scheduled for June. There are no meetings scheduled for July and August.

Trustee Tom Tweedy reported that the new generator at Reliance Fire House would be up and running by the end of the week.

There is a new crack sealer product being used in parking lots and roads and a dedicated staff has been trained on the use of this new product. Residents will soon be able to see an improvement in parking lots and roads.

Inspection for the sidewalk and curb program is continuing in the West End of the village. The village has hired Jen-El, a new concrete vendor, to make the repairs.

Further, the board is currently discussing which roads in the village will be receiving re-paving overlay and approximately $100,000 has been allocated from the 2006-07 budget for this project.

Trustee James Rhatigan reported that the summer recreation/pool booklets are being mailed to residents. This booklet contains a wealth of information regarding programs and activities at both the park and the pool. It also contains program registration dates and times. Residents are asked to give this booklet their prompt attention.

Trustee Rhatigan also reported that during April the fire department responded to 21 fire calls and 88 medical assistance calls for a total of 109 calls. "Our firefighters are currently undergoing departmental training at the Bethpage Fire School to reinforce and enhance their skills," Trustee Rhatigan said. As fire commissioner, he had the opportunity to join firefighters at their first training session May 10 and came away with an even greater respect for the work of Floral Park's volunteers. He hopes he can attend training sessions continuing through the end of the month.

On Sunday, May 20, the Rescue Company dedicated its recently purchased ambulance. The village is also recognizing the hard work and dedication of emergency medical personnel by proclaiming this week, May 20-26, "Emergency Medical Services Week."

Trustee Mary Grace Tomecki said she is pleased to have seconded the nomination of Katie Sullivan for a seat on the Citizens With Disabilities Committee. "Katie is an extremely bright and determined young lady who will bring new ideas and insight into how the Village of Floral Park can better serve all of its residents. We look forward to Katie's contributions," she said.

Trustee Tomecki noted that a visit to the Floral Park Public Library would reveal an exciting new improvement to its facilities.

"A few weeks ago, under the keen supervision of Ken Tymecki, our superintendent of Public Works, 824 square yards of new carpet was installed on the first floor of the library, including the adult and children's sections as well as the foyer, front desk and back computer room areas. The hard working staff of Public Works, under the combined direction of supervisors Richard Albertson, Neil Feldman, Al Trassolini, Russell Mazzola and Michael Naylor, installed the carpet and moved all the furniture back to its original places. The process was performed efficiently over a little more than four days and it is no surprise that the results are commendable thanks to the Department of Public Works," Trustee Tomecki said.

This year's annual book sale benefiting the Friends of the Floral Park Library will take place at Centennial Hall Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, June 10, from 1 to 4 p.m.; and Monday, June 11, from 6-9 p.m. Trustee Tomecki encourages all residents to attend and support the Friends of the Library in their tireless efforts to support the programs of the Floral Park Public Library.

Trustee Tomecki also reported that she had the opportunity to meet with Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy May 7. In attendance were several concerned residents and civic leaders, including Richard Pfeiffer, president of the South Side Civic Association, and Terry Whalen, president of the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce. During the meeting, Trustee Tomecki and the residents discussed concern for the increasing use of air paths over Floral Park. Also raised was the issue of the well-publicized failure of the FAA to develop a noise mitigation strategy for JFK in the context of the Airspace Redesign Plan.

On Thursday, May 10, Trustee Tomecki said she and Mayor Guarnieri met with Matt Cohen, Senator Charles Schumer's Long Island representative, to discuss Floral Park's ongoing problem with air traffic and the growing concern regarding the impact that the Airspace Redesign Plan could have on the village. Senator Schumer has a long history of being involved with efforts to help residential communities affected by air traffic. In recent years, Senator Schumer has been particularly vocal about the impact of helicopter traffic on residential communities. Trustee Tomecki will be in touch with Cohen to follow up on the meeting.

Mayor Phil Guarnieri joined Deputy Mayor Greene in congratulating the police department, Commissioner Reid, and most especially, Detectives Joe Monahan and Bill Lauria for their diligent efforts that culminated in the arrest of a serial arsonist who set at least 15 fires in the village.

"This was a difficult case to crack but due to the hard work and resourcefulness of Detectives Monahan and Lauria, the case was solved," Mayor Guarnieri said, adding that it has been noted by residents how visible the police department is and that it is through the cooperative enterprise of the police department and residents that Floral Park remains a safe and secure place to live.

He also noted that he attended the Nassau County Village Officials meeting along with Trustees Tweedy, Rhatigan and Tomecki. The guest speaker was New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who spoke about the retirement fund and the impact the cost of this fund has had on local villages. Mayor Guarnieri said Tom DiNapoli brings integrity to the office of comptroller.

Further, he attended the Little League parade held at the end of April and watched the enthusiasm of children proudly marching. "The Little League organization has been in existence for 54 years and under the competent leadership of Little League President Greg Wood, and the Little League board, this organization will continue to have a successful future," he added.

Moreover, he commented on meetings with representatives from the offices of Senator Schumer and Senator Hillary Clinton and meeting with Congresswoman McCarthy regarding air traffic over Floral Park. The mayor said that though jet engines have become quieter, air traffic has greatly increased and with the absence of an airspace redesign plan, is concerned there will be a lot more.

"It is deeply troubling that the FAA has neglected to connect the air traffic redesign plan with an operational strategy to reduce noise over Floral Park and neighboring communities. The northeast corridor of the United States is the most congested airspace in the United States, perhaps the entire world with Floral Park only seven miles from JFK," he noted. "It is inevitable there will be air traffic, but there must be equitable distribution. Therefore, we are calling upon our federal representatives, Senator Schumer, Senator Clinton and Congresswoman McCarthy, to insist that the FAA develop a noise mitigation strategy for areas impacted by JFK air traffic and follow the example of Senator Lautenberg of New Jersey and demand individual noise mitigation hearings in each of the five respective states in the northeast corridor, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware, rather than just one hearing for this vast area. Also, conduct a Part I-50 study, which would provide data on noise levels generated by air traffic. Trustee Tomecki has been on top of this issue and will keep residents abreast of the latest developments.

On motion by Trustee Tweedy, seconded by Trustee Rhatigan and carried unanimously, Mayor Guarnieri recessed the meeting at 8:40 p.m.