The first hearing of the NYS Assembly Third Track Advisory Committee took place April 17 at John Lewis Childs School. Led by Assemblyman Tom Alfano, the committee provided community members with a forum to protest the Long Island Rail Road's (LIRR) efforts to construct a third track - really a fourth in Floral Park - along the Main Line corridor.

The Assembly is made up of the following appointed officials and sponsors: Mineola Mayor Jack Martins (chair), Assemblyman Tom McKevitt, longtime Floral Park businessman Tim Dalton (vice chair), Assemblyman Alfano, New Hyde Park Mayor Daniel Petruccio, Westbury Village Trustee Bill Wise and Assemblyman Rob Walker. The committee also invited LIRR President Helena Williams. LIRR Vice President of Market Development and Public Affairs, Joe Calderone was also in attendance.

Assemblyman Alfano commenced the meeting with a reminder that generations of families have and continue to grow up in the intimate community of Floral Park. The crowded room nodded as he explained that if the MTA goes through with construction, it will not only abate the standard of living that many have worked hard to establish, but dramatically alter the character and caliber of Floral Park for future families. Assemblyman Alfano introduced respected businessman and community builder, Tim Dalton, who conjured a memory of a day when the LIRR constructed a track alongside one of his businesses. He stressed the significance of taking this issue to Albany.

Mayor Phil Guarnieri soon took the stage to commend his town inhabitants not only for their poignant remarks, but for their longtime community devotion. Floral Park was the first to launch this grassroots movement in 2005. Today, the task force proudly boasts over 1,200 members. Further, Floral Park Trustee Tom Tweedy recently founded a non-profit coalition of 500 organizations working to carry concerned community members' voices to Albany. President of Flowerview Gardens, Tom VanBuskirk put it best when he stated, " If nothing else, the third track project has banded many Long Island communities together."

Most significantly, the mayor crystallized a few key concerns that were later addressed by different community speakers. Among these concerns was first and foremost, the issue of construction near public school property. Floral Park-Bellerose School Board President Dave Fowler spoke on behalf of Floral Park-Bellerose and John Lewis Childs schools, both of which are within feet of tracks. In addition to the obvious safety hazards posed by construction next to playgrounds and fields, local property taxes used to fund the school will drop as the value of houses around the construction site decreases, he said. Floral Park Memorial High School Principal Kathleen Sottile shared in the concerns of both schools.

Floral Park Memorial students Joseph Sawicki, Melissa Cesserano and Mike Soudmand spoke on behalf of the future of the Floral Park community. "I'm sure there are other ways to address the problems...they don't even have the money to fix the gaps between the platform and the train," Sawicki said.

The second concern addressed was the detriment construction will have on local businesses. Floral Park Chamber of Commerce President Terry Whelan added, "Businesses will close because of a depressed local business economy as property value declines." VanBuskirk said he recently spent $1 million refacing his buildings due to damaging vibrations caused by the passing of LIRR trains.

In addition, all task force members, the mayor, as well as all of the invited speakers expressed the dire need to see the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), what many have been calling the DNA of this third track project. The pathways of communication between the LIRR and local communities affected by the third track will remain unclear until this document becomes available to the public, task force members believe.

Further, speakers stressed the desire for a 180-day period in which community members and local officials can examine the document to ensure that the safety and prosperity of their respective towns remains intact. Other speakers even questioned the relative need of another track. Some felt that by building another track (instead of simply and cheaply upgrading computer systems) the railroad is providing a "nineteenth-century solution to a twentieth-century problem."

Senator Craig Johnson appeared before a distressed audience with a hopeful proposal. He said his Main Line Community Empowerment Act would allow the construction of the third track only with the approval of two-thirds of the towns and village governments directly affected along the Main Line corridor. He is urging Republicans in this current Senate Majority to take action.

Calderone, LIRR vice president of Public Affairs and a Floral Park resident himself, assured that there will be no permanent property impacts in Floral Park. There will be construction, but ultimately, in the town of Floral Park, no homes will be evicted, no businesses forced to close, and no property taken away, Calderone said.

LIRR President Williams also shared her sentiments and sensitivity toward Floral Park's concerns. The mayor, as well as most committee members, was thankful for her presence and open-mindedness despite a partial crowd. She stated from the onset of her presentation that the railroad has heard residents "loud and clear." She, as well as Calderone, understand that the community would like to see a draft of the DEIS. At this point in time, the procedures of the federal government prohibit the LIRR from releasing any draft of the document, they noted. However, according to Calderone, the document is currently being reviewed by the FTA and will be released as soon as possible. He also assured the public they would have ample time to review the document in the form of public hearings.

As Williams's presentation illustrated, the railroad has also significantly scaled back the number of properties affected by the third track all along the Main Line corridor. In addition, by the year 2015, the railroad would like to be able to offer East Side Access, that is, direct access to Grand Central Station from Floral Park. "We need to remain competitive," Calderone said. He reminded Floral Park citizens that the railroad is "a force for good."

"We take cars off the LIE. We're reducing carbon emissions. We recently hit record ridership," Calderone continued. "With gas prices increasing every day, more people are seeking mass transit solutions."

Overall, despite growing concerns and increased efforts made by the LIRR to ease distress levels, it seems the proverbial ball is in the federal government's literal court at the moment. The citizens (LIRR employees included) must wait until the DEIS is released.