The following are trustee reports from the June 5 Floral Park village board meeting.

Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene reported that along with the board he had the pleasure of attending the department's annual installation dinner. He stated that he would once again like to thank ex-Chief Joe O'Grady for an outstanding job as chief of department this past year. He also congratulated the department officers, especially, newly elected Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher and his staff.

Further, the department responded to 28 fire and 81 medical assistance calls, totaling 109 calls, in May. "Our firefighters completed four weeks of departmental training at Bethpage Fire School. They will next participate in the First Battalion training exercise to be held at the school June 22," Deputy Mayor Greene noted.

Deputy Mayor Greene also reported that this last month he attended two Nassau County Emergency Management meetings at which the main topic of discussion was hazard mitigation planning. A hazard mitigation plan is a document that identifies hazards to which a jurisdiction is susceptible and the extent to which these events will occur. Hazard mitigation plans identify an area's vulnerability to the effects of natural hazards typically present in certain areas, as well as goals, objectives and actions required to minimize future loss of life and property damage resulting from hazard events.

"As you know, Nassau County is susceptible to a number of different natural hazards with the potential to cause property loss, loss of life, economic hardship, threats to public health and safety. While an important aspect of emergency management deals with disaster recovery, actions a community must take to repair damages and make itself whole again are equally important, as is hazard mitigation," Deputy Mayor Greene said.

"Hazard mitigation measures efforts to take before a disaster occurs in order to lessen the impact future disasters would have on people, property and community. There are steps that you can take today to ensure more protection in the future. Actions taken in advance of a hazard event are essential to breaking the typical disaster cycle of damage, reconstruction and repeated damage. With careful selection, hazard mitigation actions can be long-term, cost-effective measures to reduce the risk of loss and help create a more disaster-resistant and sustainable community. During these meetings, the final draft of the interagency hazard mitigation plan was reviewed."

Deputy Mayor Greene also noted that the Architectural Review Board has approved exterior changes to the 15 Verbena Avenue property and the 21 Adams Street subdivision.

Demolition and reconstruction of 141 Charles Street have begun with foundation work completed and framing under way. Application for a new residence on Depan has been filed and will be reviewed. Further, annual pool inspection notices have been mailed with inspections being scheduled for applications received. Commercial property maintenance inspections have also begun after letters were sent to property owners requesting they clean the exterior of their buildings.

Trustee Tom Tweedy reported that the village contractor has begun sidewalk and curb repairs on Chestnut Avenue, with Spruce, Pine and Larch Avenues presently being inspected and marked for repair. All West End inspections and repairs should be completed by fall. Please call the Department of Public Works at 326-6320 with any questions about the sidewalk program.

Asphalt overlay work has started on Emerson Avenue between Bryant Avenue and 85th Avenue, and South Tyson Avenue along the railroad from Tulip to South Tyson Avenue. Concrete work has been completed with the next step being the milling of curb lines and raising manhole covers and utility boxes. Residents and business owners in the area will be notified by letter when the next phase will take place.

The Highway Department is currently re-striping roadways with a combination of paint and thermoplastic materials. This work will continue throughout the summer.

Trustee Jim Rhatigan reported that recreation staff is preparing for summer programs that will begin June 25. Programs will include boys basketball, soccer, football and volleyball, girls basketball, cheerleading, volleyball, softball and soccer, afternoon intra murals, arts and crafts, pre-school, primary grades recreation, youth tennis, men's volleyball and basketball, women's volleyball and all-day camp.

The village pool officially opened Saturday, June 9. There is still time to join the pool to beat the heat and better enjoy the summer. Applications are available at the pool building.

Trustee Rhatigan also reported that on Sunday, June 3, he and the mayor had the pleasure of attending a liturgy celebrating both the 95th anniversary of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Floral Park and the 30th anniversary of the ordination of the Reverend Albert Martin as a minister in the Lutheran Church. Pastor Martin serves as chaplain to the Reliance Company and a large contingent of the Floral Park Fire Department attended the celebration.

Further, he encourages residents who wish to dispose of a worn or tattered American flag to do so in a respectful manner by bringing it to the American Legion's flag retirement ceremony to be held on Flag Day, June 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the recreation center parking field. "If you are unable to attend the ceremony you may drop your flag off at the American Legion Hall on Elizabeth Street," Trustee Rhatigan said, thanking the American Legion for conducting this solemn ceremony each year.

Trustee Mary Grace Tomecki reported that there would be a delay in the Federal Aviation Administration's implementation of the proposed Airspace Redesign Plan.

"United States representatives from New Jersey have successfully lobbied the General Accounting Office (GAO) to conduct an independent investigation on the financial cost of the Airspace Redesign Plan, as well as its impact on noise pollution and the environment in communities affected by air traffic," she said. "Consequently, implementation of the plan cannot occur until the GAO completes its investigation, which could take several months. Moreover, depending on the results of the investigation, Congress might be persuaded to deny the necessary appropriations to make the Airspace Redesign Plan a reality." Trustee Tomecki said she'd keep residents informed on any new developments.

On this front, Floral Park's Aircraft Safety and Noise Abatement Committee met recently to discuss the next steps to be taken.

Trustee Tomecki also reported that the Citizens With Disabilities Committee held its regular monthly meeting and residents should look forward to some fantastic new undertakings. During the summer, the committee will develop a page on www.fpvillage.org, the village website, that will seek to educate and inform. Trustee Tomecki said there are always many exciting happenings occurring at the Floral Park Public Library. For example, the highly successful Teen Summer Reading Club will begin its registration Monday, June 25. Teens entering Grades 7-12 are encouraged to register. Throughout the summer, the library will be hosting many events for teens, such as Teen Yoga and an Iron Chef Competition.