At the last meeting of the New Hyde Park Village Deputy Mayor Robert Lofaro reported that the board met recently with the village auditors. The auditors reported that the audit was good and that village finances are sound and the management of the finances is well done. Auditors also explained to the board members the new accounting principles for municipalities that will be put into effect in the near future.

Lofaro also reported that the board met with Dvirka and Bartilucci to discuss the 2006 Road Improvement Project and to also identify the grouping of roads that are in the worse condition. The board will review the roads on the preliminary list again and make a decision. Cost of the project is estimated to be between $500,000 and a $1 million. The board will decide how much debt to carry in order to complete the project.

Weather permitting, roads can be surveyed in May, bids can go out by June, the bid will be awarded in early July and by August or September, the road crews can begin construction.

Trustee Donald Barbieri reported that he spoke to Kurt Langjar recently regarding the noise abatement at the airports. Langjar, on behalf of the village, attends the TVASNAC meetings and they are the group that monitors noise emanating from the airplane traffic over the village.

Helicopters using the railroad tracks as a guide when traveling east and construction at Kennedy airport has led to an increase in air traffic over the New Hyde Park area. This is expected to continue for another year. TVASNAC is discussing the possible alternatives to ease noise levels such as the possibility of running some of the helicopters down the LIE in lieu of using the railroad tracks and utilizing new quieter aircraft engines which are due soon.

Barbieri also reported that he attended a bus trip along with New Hyde Park Village Clerk/Treasurer Patrick Farrell, hosted by Floral Park, to show United States Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy areas in Floral Park that will be impacted if the third line is added. At that time Barbieri said that the high priority for the Village of New Hyde Park was the elimination of the three at-grade crossings that impact the quality of life in the village.

New Hyde Park Village Mayor Daniel Petruccio reported on a meeting he attended at Williston Park Village Hall to meet the new 3rd Precinct Inspector Robert Turk. He said that Inspector Turk would contact the MTA police on behalf of the village regarding the graffiti problem at the railroad station.

Inspector Turk urged all residents to call 911 directly to report problems or issues. Calling the village just adds another layer on the response time and the village has no authority to act on police matters, he said.

Trustee Lawrence Montreuil reported that he met last week with the building inspector and the village attorney to be briefed on the open investigation of illegal dwellings. Further, he said he discussed providing the board with drafts of new signage codes.

On Jan. 11 the Zoning Board heard five cases and all five were granted.

Trustee Richard Coppolla, on behalf of the fire department, reminded all residents, in case of snow, to be sure to keep the fire hydrants in front of their homes free of snow.

Coppolla also announced that New Hyde Park Little League registration is now under way and dates and times will be posted on the electronic sign at town hall.

In the open portions of the meeting one resident raised the subject of garbage on the streets and at the railroad station. He wanted to know why the sanitation crew doesn't pick up that trash and why code enforcers don't issue tickets. Deputy Mayor Lofaro said he would discuss the issue with Superintendent of Public Works James McCloat. Mayor Petruccio explained that even though the code enforcers are over-taxed issuing parking tickets he will discuss issuing littering tickets as well. However, the offenders must be caught in the act of littering to issue that kind of ticket.

Another resident wanted to know what would be the possibility of New Hyde Park forming its own police force as the Village of Mineola has proposed to its board. The mayor explained that he and the board are watching the situation closely. He pointed out that the cost could be prohibitive even through there are benefits, such as greater control.

There was another complaint from a resident regarding the dumpster at Domino's Pizza. The mayor said that he will meet with the owners of Domino's and the board in the very near future to discuss the various complaints that have been made regarding their dumpster and their delivery cars.

Since there were no other items discussed the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. at New Hyde Park Village Hall, corner of New Hyde Park Road and Jericho Turnpike.