At the last Williston Park Village Board meeting village clerk Walter Moloughney announced that a definite meeting has been set up with the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) officials and village officials to take place on Jan. 24. It was also confirmed that a representative of the Nassau County 3rd Precinct will be included as part of the village entourage to discuss the many traffic problems on Hillside Avenue from Herricks Road to the railroad crossing.

Moloughney pointed out that one of the main problems on Hillside Avenue, to be discussed, is that traffic going eastbound has a speed limit of 30 miles per hour while the traffic going westbound is given a 40-mile per hour speed limit. He said that the village would request that all traffic be regulated at the 30 mph speed.

Further, he said that much of the signage on Hillside is not safe and the village will address those many problems including U-turns and no left-hand turns. In particular will be mentioned those who make a left turn when exiting Wendy's Restaurant on Hillside opposite CVS, which is a very dangerous left turn, but one that is made frequently because it crosses two eastbound lanes and empties into a westbound lane.

The results of the meeting will be reported at the next village board meeting.

Prior to the meeting, the board held a hearing for the CITCO gas station at 137 Hillside Avenue, on the corner of Willis Avenue and Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, to be converted from an auto repair shop to a convenience store.

Attorney James Lynch said, "This is a 'win-win' for the residents of the village and for the tenant of the gas station. By removing the auto repair shop, the tenant will remove from the premises environmentally unacceptable products such as waste oils, Freon, grease, brake dust and the fumes emitted from trucks as they idle In addition, the area is always crowded with customers' cars waiting to be serviced. My client feels that new cars are traditionally serviced by the manufacturers due to warranty agreements and computerization. Because of this, only older cars are brought to service stations and even that business is diminishing."

Lynch continued, "Therefore, my client has an opportunity to create another product and the village has an opportunity to eliminate an environmentally undesirable use.

"The proposed plans will add a new store front to the building and the building will be completely renovated giving both the exterior and interior a new fresh look. The building will not change its 'footprint.' That is, it will not expand. There will be no foods prepared on the premises and the store will only sell prepackaged items, such as beverages, the same as in other stores attached to gasoline stations. It will be consistent with the other uses on Hillside Avenue and still be available to the service of the residents of Williston Park. The granting of this special exception will improve the look of the village and will make the village more environmentally friendly by eliminating its present operation of being allowed to repair cars. It would be advantageous to both the village and the tenant."

In the open portion of the hearing Trustee Christa Mills asked if the tenant planned on selling beer. The answer was yes and she said that she felt that gas stations don't "card" the kids as often as they should. The tenant, Harshil Kaeakia, then said that he would be a "hands-on" tenant and would make sure that this did not happen. He pointed out that the fine is very stiff for selling to minors and he said, "I would then be in danger of losing both my liquor license and cigarette license. Therefore, I strickly follow the rules, because I do not want trouble. Basically, I am a businessman."

Trustee Ann Marie Smith wanted to know if breakfast was to be served and he reassured her that nothing would be cooked.

Deputy Mayor Ron Saporita established that a convenience store was already in place. However, Mayor Lud Odierna pointed out that it was being operated by the former owner, without a proper permit, and that is why this owner is doing the right thing by coming before the board to apply for a legal license to run the convience store. Saporita also asked if Chase Bank had been notified and it was explained that it was not notified by the name Chase Bank, but rather notified in the name of the owner of the property. Further, Lynch pointed out that everyone within the legal radius had been notified of the hearing.

Odierna wanted to know if the overhead doors would remain and it was explained that they would be replaced with a whole new attractive store-front. Lynch said that the building plans have already been filed with the building department and they are waiting for approval by the village board.

A resident wanted to know what sense it made to sell beer in a gas station when people are driving. Lynch said that it is no different than going into a deli. He said, "You park your car and you go into the deli, put the beer in a bag and get back into your car and go on home."

Another resident inquired about the hours of operation of the store - 6 a.m. to midnight, which is within the code restrictions.

The board voted to reserve decision on the application.

The next item on the agenda was the parking lot at Fordham Street. Odierna said, "The village sold permits so that residents could park in the lot. One of the problems is that residents are parking their cars there overnight and then leaving them there, taking precious parking spaces away from shoppers. Therefore, the parking committee has made a recommendation to limit the hours of parking in the lot. We have had some concerns that had been voiced by the public in the past, so I want to know if there is anyone here tonight who has concerns about limiting the parking in that area."

A business owner questioned as to where the folks who go to her shop would now park. Trustee Mills asked the shopowner what she thought was a good solution and she said to keep the parking as it has been; but she pointed out that many people were not happy with that. She said, "As we all know, parking in all communities is a hot button issue, so I don't know the answer."

She pointed out that the legal notice of this change was posted and she said, "So where are the business people that object to this change?"

A resident, who lives in the apartments, wanted to know where she now should park her car, especially in a snow storm to get it off the street. After a very long discussion, it was determined that nothing has been changed regarding snow days and that residents could park in the lot when there is a snowstorm in order to get the cars off the street for snow removal.

Mayor Odierna announced that the village has signed an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of North Hempstead regarding the 311 emergency number during a snowstorm. Odierna said, "It's a reverse calling system. If there is any emergency in Williston Park, such as a snow emergency, everybody who lives in Williston Park will receive a phone call that will inform him/her that there is a snow emergency and please take your car off the street. The agreement will also be used to purchase various items such as light bulbs, signs and other things that the town has the ability to purchase at a lesser price. Odierna said, "What we did was hook up with the towns by signing the intermunicipal agreement. Those calls that will be going out to all the residents will only cost a nickel a piece, so it is well worth it for any emergency we could encounter."

Odierna also announced that a letter has been sent to United States Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy asking her for $1.120 million for the rehabilitation of the following streets: Gilmore, Marcellius, York Place, Van Wagner, Primrose, Meadow Street, Sheridan, Willis Avenue to Nassau Boulevard on Sheridan, Shields Avenue, Nassau Boulevard to Pennsylvania Avenue, Burkhardt Avenue from Van Wagner Place opposite the village line, Custor Avenue and a portion of McQuellen Avenue immediately near Nassau Boulevard.

Odierna explained, "Trustee Kevin Dunn and I ran into Congresswoman McCarthy at the Mineola parade and in the course of conversation we told her about the problems on our streets and she said to send her a letter in January. So, on Jan. 4 the village sent her a letter out- lining the streets that need fixing and the money we needed for the project."

Odierna continued, "Mineola has just passed a sex-offender law and we, too, are working on a sex-offender law. What we don't want is that the sex offenders will read that Mineola now has a sex offender law, so let's go live in Williston Park. So, in order to protect our own residents the village clerk and our counsel are working on our own law and we will announce a hearing for that law in the near future." The mayor announced that after months of looking for a website, one that is right for the village, one has been found. The site will be run by village secretary Jennifer Scordato and she said it should be up and running in the next three to four weeks. The mayor announced that on Feb. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. village residents would be able to come to village hall to "grieve" their taxes.

At the last Williston Park Village Board meeting Deputy Mayor Ron Saporita, due to miscommunication, announced that the Village of East Williston would not be joining the Water Board. However, it is and the rates to be charged will be announced in the near future. Saporita apologized for the misunderstanding.

Saporita also announced that the Long Term Planning Committee met and discussed the many needs of the village. He said that the board would probably be inviting all volunteers to the village in early February to discuss the needs of their particular organization. After that meeting the Long Term Planning Committee will meet with the Finance Committee to see how much of what has been identified is feasible. He mentioned one critical need is the fire department. He said, "Williston Park is the central part of the three fire districts comprised of the Albertson Fire District and the East Williston Fire District and we supply ambulance service to those districts. Plus, we have an Auxiliary Police Department. What we are proposing is to establish an Emergency Preparedness Center Fire Department with funding outside the village. With that expansion we will be able to move the ambulances to that center and it will open up space and that is a major thrust for the future."

Saporita added, "We also recommend that we pursue restoring the pond on Willis Avenue. It is the geographical center of the village. At one time it was a pond for watering cattle and it has historical significance. The village is signatory to a new Long Island Historical Organization for grants and funding. We are hoping to go forward with that idea to try to make the village more esthetically pleasing.

"The last item of my report is that we are going out to bid to find someone who is qualified to go forward with recommendations regarding the roadwork for the Ackerman grant. The goal is that we would like to see the work start in the spring of 2008."

Smith said, "The parking is certainly a problem. Therefore, the Parking Committee will accommodate residents who want their 'no parking' signs down as they did for Horton Highway. Now Burkhardt wants the signs down, so we will circulate a survey to see who wants them down and who doesn't."

She thanked everyone who worked on Operation Santa. She added that the idea of leaving the presents at the door worked out very well. She said she had 10 drivers and 10 Santas and everyone moved along and finished up quickly.

She further announced that North Hempstead Town Councilman Angelo Ferrara will be sponsoring an adult CPR course on Jan. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 6 to 10 p.m. Again on Jan. 31 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Town Hall in Manhasset. The fee is $50 per person. Anyone wanting to join the course should call Joanne Palumbo at town hall at 627-0590. Smith also announced that the 3rd Precinct will hold an open community forum Feb. 6 at the Mineola Middle School form 7 to 8:30 p.m. She also said that the police issued the following tickets last month: 21 for moving violations, 21 for parking violations; eight auto accidents with no injuries.

Trustee Dunn announced that Judge Alan Reardon heard 194 cases and Judge Emanuel heard 11 cases.

He also announced that the Williston Park Fire Department would be holding a rose sale on Feb. 12 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Feb. 13 and 14 in the front section of the firehouse.

Further, Dunn said that the fire department has reduced its siren policy by 40 percent.

Trustee Mills started her report by announcing that there are only 150 days left until the opening of the Williston Park Pool, which always brings a laugh from the audience, especially in light of the fact it was very cold outside.

There will be a senior citizen dance on Feb. 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on Willis Avenue.

It was also announced that more code enforcement officers are to be hired in the village especially to help the firefighters who encounter violations when they are on their way to fires - for instance anyone who is parked at a fire hydrant. The firefighters can't issue a summons, but a code enforcer can.

The board approved a request from St.Aidan's to add three handicapped spaces in the vicinity of the church on Willis Avenue.

Attorney Richard Reers said that the Verizon cable update would be given in the next few weeks.

The board also approved the request by Dana Bridal to install a dog grooming facility on its premises, but subject to restrictions.

The very long meeting finally ended and the next meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m.