At the last New Hyde Park Village Board meeting, the board approved unanimously, except for trustee Frank Komornik, who was on vacation. The budget for 1998/1999, as proposed at the public hearing on March 12, and revised on April 7, was approved with the following adjustments: No. A-9040-800-Workmen's Compensation reduced from $100,000 to $80,000. The reason for the reduction, as explained by Mayor Warren Tackenberg, is that the board received a notice from Public Employees Risk Management Association announcing that the charge would be $20,000 less than anticipated.

The next change was on line A-8540-483-Drainage in the Central Garage to be increased from $120,000 to $140,000, which Tackenberg explained as a "wash" because it does not affect the bottom line of the budget.

The approved budget of $3, 765, 643 results in a tax rate of $12.46 per $100 of assessed value which is what the board promised to return to the residents; the tax rate 1996/1997.

The board then approved the following transfer of funds: From an unappropriated fund balance of $10,000 to A-8540-483-Drainage Central Garage to reimburse the budget line for expenses relating to the remediation work to cover bills through April 30, '98 from GC Environmental. In relation to the transfer, Mayor Tackenberg said that he has written to United States Senator Alphonse D'Amato asking for federal aid on this particular issue, but as yet has not received a reply.

The board then passed a resolution to advertise for bids for the reconstruction of sidewalks and curbs surrounding Memorial Park. The mayor explained that the bid is a result of a $100,000 grant the village received from Community Development. The mayor said that the sidewalks and curbs will probably cost about $76,000, which does not include the engineering fees. The mayor said, "So the $100,000 will be pretty much eaten up with this project."

Trustee Florence Lisanti added, "This is a project that we hoped for so many years and they finally released the funds so that we can put in new sidewalks around the park which are badly needed."

Trustee Lisanti also announced that she has written to about 30 residents to tell them that trees will be planted in a few weeks. This is due to a grant received from the Environmental Beautification Programs. They will be planted on Lakeville Road, Covert Avenue and New Hyde Park Road to be filled in with lovely trees that the county will plant. We still have funds left over and we are working with the Chamber of Commerce to hear about their ideas about a bench and entrance signs.

Trustee William Fischl reported that some input has been received regarding the banners for the turnpike. He said he had a meeting with Ronald Ferrara, president of the Businessmen's Association. They have about a half-dozen samples that they plan to distribute for feedback from turnpike merchants. Fischl also said that the Chamber of Commerce is going to be involved so that the decision will be made by all organziations.

Fischl said that a resident on First Avenue asked for an additional stop sign, currently there is only one stop sign between South 1st and South 6th street, for the safety of school children and maybe on South 5th. He said it was time to update the road and the mayor agreed and said that the village would issue a survey to the residents in the area regarding another stop sign.

Trustee Florence Lisanti said that the African Violet Show is all set to go at Marcus Christ Hall. While the group is setting up on May 1 all residents are invited to bring their own violets to be judged at that time. Then on May 2 and May 3 at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. the group will conduct clinics on how to grow African Violets and how to keep them alive and healthy.

Lisanti further reported that she attended a Western Water Authority Meeting and the refunds have been approved and released and residents should be receiving a check in the amount of approximately $100 to $105. She also mentioned that the refund doesn't have anything to do with the Western Water Authority. Lisanti said, "This refund was precipitated by the diligence of the Waterbill Watchdogs and it was this group that was able to join together for eight long years of work in order to bring this problem to fruition."

Lisanti also reported that she received a letter from Nassau County and on May 20 she will be going to a seminar at the Board of Health regarding information and a date for next year's flu immunizations for senior citizens. Lisanti said that last year the village was able to administer flu shots to about 100 people.

Further, in response to residents, Lisanti said there was a man from the water authority to check the water flow in the water closets in the village facility. She said they gave good advice and they will return with toilet devices to cut water use, because there has been greater usage at the Marcus Christ Hall facility and in the village hall building.

Trustee Seldomridge reported on the library. He said that the Spring Story Times and the Mommy and Me programs were both successful. Further, he said that arrangements were now being made for a kick-off program for both a summer reading and a summer activities program. Plus, the AARP and Hofstra tax assistance programs were very successful.

Seldomridge also announced the new scoreboard at Memorial Field donated by the New Hyde Park Lions Club, that was erected for the New Hyde Park Little League by the men from the Department of Public Works. He said, "We now have two quality fields for our sports programs and about 500 children participate in either the little league, girl's softball, plus soccer and lacrosse."

A representative of the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee then announced that they submitted two pages of revisions to its report. It was stated that the report was now final and in the hands of the village board for them to do with it as they see fit.

Mayor Tackenberg then said he just had a few items one of them being that he wanted members of the Merchants Committee and the New Hyde Park Chamber to meet with the Parking Committee to discuss parking on Jericho Turnpike.

Further, he said that tragically in the village hall office, last week, two employees suffered heart attacks, plus one of the employees at the village garage also suffered a heart attack. Tackenberg commented, "It's been a very bad week for us employee-wise. I hope they will be back to work, in good health, soon.

Mayor Tackenberg then eulogized the sudden death of Williston Park former-mayor Vincent Fay. Tackenberg said, "It was a great shock, I worked with Vinnie on a number of committees as well as his father. He was also an ex-president of the Nassau County Village Officials. The man was totally dedicated to community service."

He then mentioned negotiations with the union. He said they have sent a letter to trigger negotiations and thereforehe was appointing to a negotiating committee James McCloat, Superintendent of Highways as the chief negotiator and Village Clerk Roy Biehayn. The mayor mentioned that both men were on the previous negotiating team.

The mayor also announced that the state budget was passed by the legislature on April 14. He said that the governor has 10 days to veto any part of the budget. The mayor said, "It's a good news, bad news for us, in the past year the New York State Legislature did away with revenue sharing so there were no numbers for us. However, the legislature has put through an $11 million increase, which amounts to two percent. So, unless the governor vetoes this item the Village of New Hyde Park will receive $2, 200 a year in additional funding. We were getting $112,000 when we were supposed to get $500,000 so now we will be getting $115,000. They have also increased the CHIPS money (Consolidated Highway Improvement) fund from $56 million to $60 million which is a 7 percent increase. We have been getting $60,000 so we will probably get another $4,000. Again, we don't know what the governor is going to veto if anything."

In other matters the board approved an application for a block party on June 7 for South 10th Street.

When it was opened to the public a resident wanted to know if they tax rate was going to $12.45 or $12. 46. It was established that the rate is $12.46. Another resident wanted to know why the budget was passed before the final report was submitted by the Budget Advisory Committee. The mayor explained that by law the budget must be approved by May 1 and this is the last meeting before that date, therefore the budget must be approved. He said, "Some of the things in that report we agree with and we intend to implement them."

Tackenberg said, "The last two pages of their report did not change the budget."

Another man wanted to know if the board implemented any suggestions of the budget committee. The mayor said yes they had. For instance, the committee indicated they wanted the board to do away with Saturday overtime, which would result in considerable savings to the village and also negotiating some of the major medical money back. He said the board agrees with those suggestions since they are the two biggest items in the village, but they have to be negotiated. Tackenberg added, "The Saturday overtime in the village has gone on for the past 40 years and they are going to want something in return for that."

George Sakowich wanted to know the status of Judge Robert Morici. The mayor explained that he has notified the board that he sold his home and under village law an official must reside in the village to serve the village. Therefore, the mayor said that as soon as he does move, the board will appoint a village justice.

The next New Hyde Park Village Board meeting will be held on May 5 at village hall at 8 p.m.