Trustee Peter Bee, re-appointed by me to continue to study "senior" needs in Garden City, and I attended the formal presentation of the findings "The Village of Garden City Senior Needs Assessment Project" at Adelphi University on July 2. The idea of addressing senior needs was spearheaded by Trustee Bee and was supported by the village board of trustees. Partnering with Adelphi University to conduct a descriptive study was fostered by Village Administrator Robert Schoelle.

When approached, President Robert Scott enthusiastically embraced our request and indicated that it was a perfect partnering opportunity. Dr. Regina Tracy and Lois Stein of the School of Social Work volunteered to conduct the study. Many thanks to them for an excellent presentation and report. Trustee Bee indicated to the audience attending the presentation that he will be bringing the topic to the board in the fall for a discussion of the findings. Many thanks to President Scott as well as Dr. Tracy for helping the village board to take the initial steps needed to address this enormous and very important issue. A special thanks to Trustee Bee for bringing this issue to the board of trustees. The study is on file in the library and I encourage residents to read it.

Despite the lack of air-conditioning in the board room, Thursday, July 17, the board of trustees met at 7 p.m. for a work session, a meeting in public, prior to the 8 p.m. meeting. Trustee Peter Negri, commissioner of finance, explained that reviewing the end of the fiscal year (June 1, 2002 to May 31, 2003) in mid July was a new initiative. He indicated that by examining the details of last year's budget and continuing the quarterly fiscal meetings initiated last year, it will enhance the ability of the board to have more fruitful and earlier discussion during the more formal budget process later in the fiscal year.

Trustee Negri also reported that he was asking the village's auditor, Jim Olivo, to prepare a five year plan for the operations budget as is done with the Capital Plan. Mr. Olivo presented an overview of the differences between municipal and private sector accounting in order to assist the trustees in their understanding of the village's budget process and reviewed the state of the past closing fiscal budget. On behalf of the board of trustees, I would like to thank Mr. Olivo for an excellent presentation and Trustee Negri for instituting a new reporting format. Residents will be pleased to know that the fiscal year ended with a surplus, largely due to all departments coming in under budget in an attempt to meet the board's request for "tightening the belt" and doing more with less without detracting from services.

It is wonderful to see so many Garden City residents as well as visitors to our village enjoying alfresco dining on New Hyde Park Road, Franklin Avenue and Seventh Street. The village piloted alfresco dining in the summer of 1996. The Chamber of Commerce supported outdoor dining as a strategy to encourage shopping in Garden City. They asked the village to change its code to allow outdoor dining by permit which the village did on May 15, 1997.

For the past seven seasons the number of businesses providing this feature continues to grow. This year there is a total of 18 businesses that have permits. With Starbucks and Leo's joining the following businesses: Riesterers, Upper Crust Café, Gallery Pizza, Garden City Coffee Shop, Hoffman's Deli, Seventh Street Café, TCBY, Victory Oyster Bar, Waterzooi, Garden City Pizza, Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts/Togo's , Kings Supermarket, The Garden City Bistro, Walk Street, Napa and Sonoma Steakhouse and Culinary Heights, welcome. There is no doubt that alfresco dining is an overwhelming success. I encourage residents to come early and combine shopping with dining outside at their favorite place.

As a reminder, July 31 and Aug. 1 result in two consecutive odd days. All residents with automatic sprinklers should remember to reset their clocks at this time to comply with the village lawn watering regulations. The hours of permitted lawn watering are 5 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.

Compliments are due to the Recreation Department for arranging this season's outstanding Concert Series at the Village Gazebo, located on the Village Green at the corner of Stewart and Hilton Avenues. This week's program is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, and will feature Six Gun - contemporary country music.

The program will begin at 7:15 p.m. and admission is free. Please bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a very pleasant evening. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Cultural and Performing Arts Center at Cluett Hall at the St. Paul's School. Please contact the Recreation Department (465-4075) with questions pertaining to the concert.