New Hyde Park Village Mayor Daniel Petruccio and the village trustees, as well as members of the 75th Anniversary Committee chaired by former trustee Florence Lisanti, announced at the last village meeting they are working very hard to complete the plans for the 75th Anniversary of the Village of New Hyde Park which will be held on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15.

The village will kick off its celebration by holding formal opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 14 in front of New Hyde Park Village Hall, corner of New Hyde Park Road and Jericho Turnpike. Directly following the program there will be a reception at Marcus Christ Hall, on the grounds of village hall. Included will be an archival display depicting the many milestones of the village for the last 75 years. The public is invited to attend the informative and fascinating display.

Also at that time the community will be able to see the results of the personalized bricks that will be placed around the rock in front of village hall. Much hard work and planning has gone into the "brick" wall and this will be a chance to view the results of the efforts of many. Plus, at that time a time-capsule will also be buried.

The celebration will continue later on Sept. 14 with a "musical experience" to be held in Memorial Park, off New Hyde Park Road, on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Wilton Street, between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. The event will feature the talents of Patrick Farrell, Steve Mitchell and a "look-back-in-time musical."

On Sunday, Sept. 15 between 2 and 5 p.m. the village will hold a Family Day at Memorial Park featuring children's entertainment including Squeaky Clean and The School Bus Driver. Just remember to bring a chair or blanket to the events in Memorial Park and as stressed by village Mayor Daniel Petruccio: "Hope for good weather."

This anniversary celebration will be followed on Sept. 21 by the Village of New Hyde Park Annual Street Fair. The road will be closed from New Hyde Park Road to Lakeville Road from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fair will include food stations, many, many vendors, ongoing exhibits by the New Hyde Park Fire Department. Plus, many groups of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and athletic groups will also have booths as will many of the banks and businesses throughout the entire greater New Hyde Park area. Rides for the children will be sponsored by the Kismet Temple on Lakeville Road. There will be parking at both the railroad station and the side streets surrounding the streets of the fair. As in the past, it promises to be a great event. The raindate will be Sept. 28, but once again, "hope for good weather."

During the first open portion of the meeting an inquiry was made regarding the lilac trees that were moved at village hall. Mayor Petruccio said he didn't know anything about them, but if anyone wants a tree removed or wants one replaced they should call the Department of Public Works and speak to James McCloat. It was also mentioned that anyone with pear trees should call the village to prune them because in that way they can then be spared.

Another resident suggested that a left turn lane be installed on the east side of Jericho Turnpike at Dunkin Donuts, heading north to Lakeville Road. The mayor said he would look into it and contact the Department of Transportation prior to the construction on Jericho Turnpike.

There was also a suggestion to air-condition Marcus Christ Hall and the mayor said that estimates are already being collected for air-conditioning and, if possible, that project will be included in the capital improvement plan.

Trustee Richard Coppola announced that Nuzzi Park playground is completed and open with just a few odds and ends still to be done. It is anticipated that an opening ceremony will be held on Sept. 7. He said he was pleased with the outcome of the park.

Trustee Coppola also announced that the summer program in the park is over, but that it was very successful. He also said that the Chamber of Commerce will hold its next meeting on Sept. 12 at Harper's. He praised the New Hyde Park Fire Department for their quick action in containing the fire at a pallet factory that required the help of other fire companies.

He also reminded residents that the New Hyde Park Little League will hold its annual awards breakfast at the New Hyde Park Inn on Sept.15 at 10 a.m.

Trustee Donald Barbieri said that the summer concerts in the park were over and he personally thanked former trustee Florence Lisanti for all her help. He praised the New Hyde Park Players for their outstanding production of Annie to wind up the series.

The library will hold its first art show on the village lawn on Sept. 28 and he asked any artist in the village to please enter the show to support the first open air art show in the village. Just give a call to the New Hyde Park Library for further details.

Barbieri also said that he and Trustee Lawrence Montreuil will make a presentation at the chamber meeting on Sept. 12 to discuss the proposed plans for the reconstruction of Jericho Turnpike and the proposed rehabilitation of the New Hyde Park shopping area. He thanked Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell, Senator Michael Balboni and Legislator Richard Nicolello for all their help regarding this ongoing endeavor. It was also felt, Barbieri said that after speaking with the Nassau County Deputy Executive, that monies will be available for this project through the Community Development Fund and hopefully the plans will be completed by the end of the year so that they can be delivered to the DOT before the road project begins. The village is also looking forward to sharing the plans with the public in the very near future.

Because the building department has so much additional work due to the crackdown on illegal two-family dwellings, the village has hired two part-time clerks to help facilitate the work load in that department

Mayor Daniel Petruccio announced that the board met with the village engineer to discuss road improvements and by the next meeting the streets to be tackled will be announced.

After a few more questions from the audience, the board adjourned to executive session. The next village board meeting will be held after the 75th Anniversary celebration on Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. at New Hyde Park Village Hall.