At the last meeting, New Hyde Park Village Mayor Daniel Petruccio announced that Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt and Assemblyman Thomas Alfano, who have formed a New York State Assembly Third Track Advisory Committee, will hold their first public hearing on April 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the John Lewis Childs Elementary School Auditorium, 10 Elizabeth Street, Floral Park.

The mayor said, "It will not be an opportunity to speak to the LIRR officials since they will not be present. However, it is an opportunity to get a sense of the community regarding this project."

All New Hyde Park residents are urged to attend this meeting because the focus of the meeting, according to both Alfano and McKevitt, is to hear from "the community" and to send a message to the LIRR on the folly of their third track project.

The Assembly Advisory Committee members are in the process of scheduling the remaining two hearings to listen to community input, draft a plan of action and present it to the Assembly delegation for action. The second hearing will take place in New Hyde Park and the third and final hearing will be conducted for the Mineola and Westbury communities. Dates, times and locations will follow.

The mayor also announced that the village officials are getting ready to begin negotiations with the CSEA for the renewal of their contract.

He announced that Nassau County Clerk Maureen O'Connell wants the village to inform residents of mass mailings sent to homeowners claiming that the United States Government Federal Citizen Information Recommends that everyone receive a certified copy of their deeds at a cost of up to $90. The mailings are solicitations by private companies. The county clerk's office will supply the same service at $5. Homeowners need only go to the basement of 240 Old Country Road to obtain their deed.

The mayor also reported that a third code enforcement officer has been added to the village and, as a result, fines have increased. However, the mayor said that revenue was never the goal and he said, "We are hoping this sudden surge of revenue will get residents and visitors more compliant with our laws."

The mayor also announced that on March 29 the members of the CARE (Coalition Against Rail Expansion), a group of mayors who have banned together against the LIRR Third Track Project, will be filming a program at the Floral Park TV Studio. The mayor said he would notify all residents when that program will be aired.

Prior to the start of the regular meeting of the New Hyde Park Village, the village held a hearing for the property located at 24 Jericho Turnpike.

Joseph Scarola, the applicant, explained that he wants to open a marshal arts school at the location. The school would be mainly to teach physical fitness to both children and adults.

Mayor Daniel Petruccio explained that the property had previously been occupied by a sign company.

Trustee Donald Barbieri inquired if the applicant had any experience and Scarola explained that he had been the chief instructor at a similar type school for six years. He said he would be teaching the Brazilian Jujitsu. He also established that the school would be open six days a week: weekdays starting at noon or at 1 p.m. and finishing by 8 p.m.

Mayor Petruccio commented on the diagram he was presented, saying that it looked like it would be a reception area in the front of the building.

Scarola explained it would basically be mat space and then a lavatory with a shower in the rear of the building, plus there is a rear entrance. He further explained that at the start the only instructors would be his partner and himself.

Barbieri asked if there was parking in the back and the applicant said yes there was. However, it was later established that there probably isn't any parking in the rear, but it was pointed out that the applicant would go before the zoning board to discuss that issue. Mayor Petruccio said that basically the classes would probably only have drop-offs, and so a large amount of parking would not be required and would probably be in front of the location on Jericho Turnpike.

The board approved the application and it will now go to the Nassau County Planning Commission for approval.

The Hillside library requested to use the portable stage for an Indian Dance performance on April 6. The request was approved. The New Hyde Park Kiwanis Club requested the use of the east end of the Central Boulevard parking lot on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a Farmers/Open Air Market and the request was approved.

There was a request from a resident living next to Nuzzi Field for additional fencing to be installed alongside the outfield.

The mayor said he would refer the request to Trustee Richard Coppola, who was not present at the meeting, so that he can present it to the Parks Commission to see if they can afford the expense in their budget.

The following applications from landscapers were approved: Four Seasons, Omars Landscaping, Galdino's, Junior, Fischetti IV, Paul Tramantana, Marco Queveto, Jose Figueroa, Deamorim, Victor Escobar, Figueroa, WN Landscaping and Father & Son. The following car wash applications were approved to be held at the village lot on Lakeville Road: April 5-Class of 2013 New Hyde Park Memorial; April 12-New Hyde Park Little League; May 3-Cub Scout Pack No. 489; May 10-Boy Scout Troop No. 298; July 12-NHP Wildcats Soccer Lady Jaguars; August 3-NHP Wildcats United Cats; and Sept. 6-Class of 2010-New Hyde Park Memorial.

Deputy Mayor Lofaro reported that the new dump truck for the Department of Public Works has been delivered and is in use. Further, he reported on a strong windstorm. He said, " As the result of the storm last week, a large tree went down on Lowell Avenue and took with it a couple telephone poles and ripped electrical wires on some houses. However, the New Hyde Park Fire Department responded and secured the area, followed by LIPA who did a great job getting the power back within 24 hours. Verizon put in three new telephones poles and then the village DPW picked up the remainder of the tree. The response was fantastic and I know that we were not the only area affected by the wind. The mayor was there in the morning and then I was there in the afternoon, and it was a pleasure to see all the agencies working together to get things up and running."

Lofaro also announced that yard waste disposal begins on the first Wednesday in April. He said the village would prefer that residents put their yard waste out on Wednesday night, since it costs more to dispose if it's put out with the garbage.

Lofaro reported that Village Clerk Patrick Farrell, along with the Mayor of Floral Park Phil Guarnieri and trustee Thomas Tweedy went to meet with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) at their offices in lower Manhattan to discuss the Draft Environmental Impact Statement submitted by the LIRR. He said it was an enlightening dialogue in understanding and learning the process. They reported that there are some concerns that the FTA has regarding the application and document that was presented to them by the LIRR. Lofaro said, "I guess one of the things they learned from the meeting is that the FTA will make sure that the public hearing will be held not only in the summer months but in the early fall so that residents will have an opportunity to make comments regarding the project. I guess they felt in the June, July time period with vacations that families have planned, they are going to try to make sure that the hearings are held in a longer period of time.

"Farrell, Guarnieri and Tweedy wanted to let the FTA know that there is some extreme concern about the project and wanted them to give it their ultimate attention and to make sure it is done properly. As more things develop we will let you know. Thank you to Pat Farrell for attending. Unfortunately, all of the board members had a conflict with their work schedules and were unable to attend."

On April 26, a Saturday at 10 a.m. the village will hold its Clean-Up Day. All residents who are interested in village cleanup are asked to meet at the village parking lot. This is in conjunction with Earth Day, April 22 and Arbor Day, April 25. Some Scout troops and others will be participating. Anyone who is available that day is welcome to join in the cleanup of the village.

Lofaro said, "Just a point of clarification. At the last meeting I reported that in the LIRR capital budget for 2008 to 2013 that in 2012 there was a budget for $150 million for the third track for the main line. In subsequent documents we found out that the $150 million is for main line improvements, but does not include the main line corridor improvement project. We are trying to find out what the $150 million is for. We assume that if they are doing some eliminations of grade crossing or, for example, the Ellison Avenue Bridge in Westbury may be that is what the money will be used for. However, it is not earmarked for the project that is currently under review. That being said the money we thought was allocated for the project is not. As we get more information, we will provide that to you."

Lofaro went on to say, "I just have a few more things I want to touch on. Today on News 12 there was a story regarding burglaries in New Hyde Park, primarily north of Hillside Avenue. A couple of New Hyde Park residents were interviewed on how they are creating a civilian watch group to combat a rash of burglaries north of Hillside Avenue. We know south of Hillside Avenue what it was like. We had the commander of the Third Precinct and we had many police officers speak to us. We have been getting the reports from January and February and the crime has been minimized, but that does not mean we don't have to remain vigilant.

"Further, I want to make residents aware of letters that have gone out to them. Three letters went out to residents from workers who had done sidewalks and sidewalk aprons and concrete work without filing permits first. Those residents were issued a $150 fine and also [are] required to get permits for the work they do. It's sort of a tough thing because we want residents to repair their sidewalks, but the fact is the building department must look at the job to make sure the right depth of concrete is being poured. In regards to a driveway apron it is supposed to be six inches deep and there is some metal that goes into the apron as well. We just want to recommend that residents take out the proper permits before they do the work. If they are not sure, call the building department or send them an email and they will let you know."

Mayor Petruccio added, "Further, we have a green space law especially for driveways that abut one another; there must be a two foot green space between them."

Trustee Barbieri reported on an event he attended by New Hyde Park Village Clerk/Treasurer Patrick Farrell. He said, "We attended a commission appointed by then governor Spitzer and headed by County Executive Suozzi looking into ways we can reduce the property tax burden. I think the major focus of the presenters was what to do with the school tax portion of the property tax bill. Probably the most interesting idea that was spoken about, and which I have a sense they are going to work on, would be the thought that while we are not going to consolidate school districts, there are business office dealings done in each district. They are proposing that the business activities of the various districts be combined which could save the taxpayer a pretty good sum of money. We will watch this to see how it evolves. School tax makes up between 65 and 75 percent of our property tax bill and it is the area where we can make a dent in our property taxes.

"Another interesting idea presented by Senator Dean Skelos: creating a fifth tier and employing all teachers hired as state employees and their benefit packages would be adjusted."

Trustee Barbieri also announced that the mayor of North Hempstead signed an agreement with the Hillside Library Board and he said that the village would not go out to bid in order to complete the pocket park across from the library. "We have a couple proposals," he said. "Things take forever and a day, but it looks like we are finally getting there."

Although trustee Montreuil was not present at the meeting, he sent in a report that mentioned a house that had a permit as a two-family, but the permit had lapsed. The homeowner filed again for the permit.

A variance was granted to allow a second curb cut at 35 North 11th Street at the two-family dwelling. Another case was granted at 1800 Jericho Turnpike; a variance was granted to Suzuki for a change of name in a special use permit. The next Zoning Board meeting will be held on April 9.

William Barrett, of Rynkar, Vail & Barrett, LLP reported on the financial condition of the village. According to Barrett, the village is in compliance with all government standards and overall his report was good. He thanked Village Clerk/Treasurer Patrick Farrell and his staff for all their cooperation in helping to prepare the report. The next regular New Hyde Park meeting will be held on April 1 at 8 p.m. at village hall. New Hyde Park Village will hold its Annual Reorganizational Meeting on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. at which time the village will hold its budget presentation.