Prior to the start of the last Williston Park Village board meeting the village held its "Annual Official for a Day" event. The "officials" were the winners of the fourth grade essay contest held by the Williston Park Historical Society.

The winners assumed their position at the board table and then each one read her winning essay for those in the audience. They then left, after a brief photo-op, with their parents, as it was a school night.

The winners are: Mayor Anna Bongiorno-Cross Street, Deputy Mayor Eva Albanese-St. Aidans, Trustee Jeanmarie Egan-St. Aidans. Trustee Grace Arnold-St. Aidans and Trustee Katarina Mueller-St. Aidans.

The regular meeting was then called to order by Mayor Ludwig Odierna.

The Williston Park Village Board passed three new laws at the meeting, one of which will raise fees for parking lots and a wide array of residential and commercial permits or inspections.

But first Officer Bill Handworth called for residents to make sure to lock their doors in the wake of two neighborhood burglaries last week. Handworth said, in total, three incidents occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. this month, though he cautioned against referring to them as a "rash of burglaries."

"It's true we live in a safe community," Handworth said. "But let's face it. There is somebody going around checking unlocked doors."

Next, the board unanimously passed two laws to help recover more money for the village from permits, inspections and water meter monitoring.

Village attorney Richard Reers said a new rate structure was needed to bring Williston Park in line with what other municipalities charge for permits and inspections "We're losing money on almost every inspection that we do," Reers said.

As a result, the price of everything from plumbing inspections, peddler and tow truck licenses and swimming pool permits will now rise. The increases range from as little as $10 for a certificate of occupancy to $100 for a new variance.

The cost of a residential or commercial parking permit for the railroad station and other municipal lots comes out to $100, double what it used to be.

Still, not all of the fee changes were approved. Resident Vic Werny complained that a planned $25 increase for sidewalk repairs should be covered by local taxes. "This town used to own the sidewalks," Werny said. "Now you want to charge me a fee? We're getting money hungry here."

Keith Bunnell, a supervisor for the Department of Public Works and Deputy Mayor Ron Saporita said they believed the increase was reasonable. "Many municipalities are getting out of the sidewalk business all the time," Bunnell said.

Ultimately, the board decided to revisit the issue next month.

In addition to the fee increases, the board also approved two other laws.

The first stiffens penalties for homeowners who pay their water bill late or refuse to grant access to water inspectors to properly read meters at their home. Under the new law, residents will be charged a 10 percent late fee after 60 days without making a payment. Mayor Lud Odierna said the second provision of the law, to charge homeowners $250 who don't allow water officials access to their meters, would also save the village money.

"You and I were carrying people who had stopped meters," Odierna said.

Still, when pressed officials could not say how much money they hoped to recover.

Finally, the board passed a law to require owners of two-family homes and other multiple dwellings to hold a valid rental occupancy permit. Village attorney Reers said renters will now have to prove they have the appropriate smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and pass inspection on other code issues, before renting out their rooms. "We want to ensure that they conform to minimum safety standards," Reers said.

The lighting of the Williston Park Village Christmas tree will take place at 6 p.m. on December 1 as Santa and his elves arrive atop the fire department truck. The children will then have a chance to meet with Santa in front of the firehouse around the corner from village hall.

The next village board meeting will be held at 8 p.m. at Williston Park Village Hall 494 Willis Avenue, Williston Park.