At the last New Hyde Park Village Board meeting the board voted to accept the plans for the alteration of the former Henry's Inn, 1218 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park to now be known as Walk Street Tavern. The hours will remain the same and the entire façade will also be renovated.

The applicant, James Tubbs, proposes to renovate a portion of the first floor and the total of the second floor of the existing mixed use building.

The building currently contains a restaurant, kitchen and a full apartment on the first floor and four boarding rooms on the second floor with some rooms complete with cooking facilities.

The apartment on the first floor extends into the second floor which contains the sleeping area for that apartment.

The first floor renovation would eliminate the apartment, and then expand the existing restaurant kitchen, the addition of a handicap accessible ramp and the addition of a handicap bathroom.

The second floor renovation would eliminate the four boarding rooms and the bedrooms for the first floor apartment and install two three-bedroom apartments. The renovation would not increase the building's parking requirements and the renovation, when completed, would be less intensive for occupancy purposes.

It was also established that there will be no development of the third floor and in fact the back staircase will be closed and only the front stairway to that area will remain.

In discussing the outside area, the owner assured the board that it would be a much quieter situation and that due to the foyer being added at the back any music would not be a disturbance to the neighbors.

The board discussed the renovations extensively with the owner and reserved decision until the entire application is sent to the Nassau County Planning Commission for approval and if approved will be returned to the village board for their final approval.

At the regular meeting of the New Hyde Park Village Board the following block party applications were approved. The applications were all on Saturday with a Sunday rain date except where noted: July 19-Belmont Avenue between Leonard Boulevard and Terrace. July 26-Lewis Avenue between Jericho Turnpike and Floral Place-dead end (rain date-Aug. 2). July 26-no rain date-North 12th Street between Park and Lowell Avenues; Aug. 2-South 11th Street from Stewart to 6th Avenue (Aug. 16-raindate). Aug. 23-North 3rd Street between Lowell and Bryant Avenue. Aug. 16-11th Avenue between Covert and dead end (rain date Aug. 23). Aug. 23-raindate Aug. 30 Millers Lane to Jericho.

Prior to opening the meeting to the public New Hyde Park Mayor Daniel Petruccio reminded residents that during the summer months the board will meet on the third Tuesday of the month. He then opened the meeting for public comment.

Marie Carney reminded all residents to make sure to recycle paper and the mayor commented that all paper, of any kind, is picked up in the village.

Another resident complained about the teenagers and that the selling of drugs on her block has gotten, "out of control." She said, "I just honestly cannot think of spending another summer on that block. The cars, the teenagers. I don't know what else to do. We call the police. They come. They don't come. The gas station around the corner is selling alcohol to underage teenagers. My husband was buying gas one day and they are stealing beer from their cooler and as soon as everyone leaves the store they pay and then come down the block. They leave their beer bottles in the street. The other night, for 45 minutes, we had from seven to eight cars pulling up to this one house. There is no reason that teenagers are going to that house, since no teens live there. The resident is an older woman. Actually, I'm afraid to say where the house is."

Mayor Petruccio jumped in and said, "No, don't. We will talk after the meeting. Just say no more."

Another resident complained about a tree in front of his home and said it's dangerous and he wants it removed.

Lofaro said that trees are usually removed in July.

The same resident also complained that when the garbage men come to empty the garbage they need to put the cans back where they found them and not throw them back on the lawn of the resident, breaking flowers, etc. He also complained about the way the village cleans the streets and plows the snow in the winter. He complained that the sweeper didn't pick up the twigs in the street. He said there was a time when the snowplow would go both ways up and down his street. He said they now just go one way and they don't plow their way out of the street so residents have to gun their cars out of the ice. He said he felt that the money was not being distributed the way it should be,

Superintendent of Public Works Jim McCloat was at the meeting and in addressing the issues said that the street cleaner goes to every street in the village once a week, it could be at 5 or 6 a.m. He added "We are having a little trouble with equipment right now, but they are still out there. The suction sweeper, which picks up the twigs, is down right now." He said he would look into the situation to make sure there isn't a new driver and he took the address of the resident.

Lofaro said that perhaps the problem with the plowing situation is that the resident's road empties into Stewart Avenue and that is a county road and if there is a snow-blocking situation it is usually caused by the county.

McCloat added, "All our snow plows go from curb to curb and we plow every single road in the village either during or after a snow storm."

The mayor then described the number of roads that have been renovated and the resident then questioned that. The mayor told him that he had a map in his office outlining every road that has been renovated and he said that as soon as the village has funds they put those funds into renovating the roads.

The board then went back to the regular meeting and called for trustee reports.

Trustee Coppola announced that registration for the summer program in Memorial Park is under way.

Further, he said that we are in the heart of summertime, when many folks go away, and to be aware when your neighbors go away and keep track of their home as well as your own. If you see anything suspicious just dial 911.

Lofaro reported on the Department of Public Works. He said that the tree-planting project was completed with the planting of approximately 75 to 89 trees throughout the village. He said they are about two inches in diameter and hopefully they will thrive and grow and create a canopy effect on all the village streets. He added, "If any resident wants a tree, please call the Department of Public Works and your name will be placed on the list for next year."

Lofaro reported that the board met with the village engineers Dvirka and Bartilucci to discuss the 2009 Road Improvement Project. He said, "This is the fourth major road project, the fourth major project, in excess of a million dollars, we have done since 2001. What we have asked them to do, as we have in the past, they start by doing an evaluation of every single road in the Village of New Hyde Park. Obviously, they are not going to look at the roads that were just resurfaced. They will come back to us on July 8 and based on their evaluation we will pick the worst roads up to a certain point to be done and we will designate those roads to be done in the spring of 2009. We will also look at streets that will not be included in that project and if there are elements of a road that is needing a repair then in 2008 we will be fixing sections of roads that are desperately in need of repair. We may cut an area out and even cut a corner.

"The DPW has most of its summer help employed which will help us do some special projects that we can't do in the winter."

Lofaro continued, "Under Beautification our chairman is here with us, Rich Pollisco, and we were going to give an award to a family who are residents of 6th Avenue. The Beautification Committee has implemented an award. What they did was on Memorial Day they went around the village and they found a residence that was decorated in the spirit of the holiday with American flags, it was very patriotic. We were going to recognize the Dunne family for displaying patriotism on Memorial Day. The committee will do the same thing on July 4th and on Halloween. Further, families that have properties that are meticulously cared for will also be given awards. We want to publicly thank Artie Johnson for suggesting that we recognized these homeowners in some way. Hopefully, the Dunne family will be here at the next meeting."

Lofaro concluded by saying, "Finally, the never ending saga of the Long Island Rail Road. There is nothing new to report except that they are saying they do not have enough money to do all the projects and buy all the equipment they need and do all the improvements they want. According to the chairman of the MTA they are going over a cliff. So, to find $1.5 billion dollars to add a third line to a two-line track, I just don't see where the money will come from. I ask residents to remain vigilant about this project and be steadfast with the village board and we will support you in challenging the railroad on this plan. We don't believe the Impact Statement will be released until the end of the year when residents will be able to lend their opinion. According to the funding they don't have and according to a recent article about the projects in place now, they believe the costs are up about 40 percent to what was anticipated. Another issue that is critical with the MTA, they do not have senior managers in place for these projects. For example, for the Main Line Corridor Project, they don't have a project manager that is qualified to manage this project. The MTA is selling us a real bag of goods and the residents need to be steadfast in their opposition to the third track.

"Finally, the LIRR has started to replace all its switches and so anyone who is commuting from New Hyde Hyde Park will experience periodic delays throughout the summer."

Kurt Langjahr gave a report to the village on his efforts on behalf of TVASNAC (Town and Village Aircraft Safety and Noise Abatement Committee) that meets to address the extreme amount of aircraft that flies in and out of Kennedy Airport using the lanes that seem to go right over New Hyde Park every few minutes. He said he suggested to the officials that using just two lanes for the flights has intensified the noise when they could use five lanes. However, he said they are not listening to the complaints of the residents, but that he will continue to go to the meetings to represent the New Hyde Park residents.

Trustee Montreuil reported that in the month of May the Building Department issued 61 permits closing out the year with 608 permits which amounted to a 3 percent drop over last year. The Building Department issued 25 Certificates of Occupancy in May ending the year with 412 certificates, which represents an 8 percent decrease over last year.

Montreuil continued, "The Zoning Board met and heard three cases; one was deferred, 319 South 9th Street. That applicant was seeking the continuation of a variance that was granted in 1948 for two-family status in a single-family home. The1948 decision caused for expiration in 1965. The 636 Ingraham Lane applicant sought a variance to add a second story addition legalizing a wooden deck and that variance was granted on the grounds that there were limitations to the side yards, 512 Central Boulevard and that applicant sought a rear dormer to be added and to remodel the existing bathroom. There was insufficient side yard, but was granted by the Zoning Board. The next meeting of the Zoning Board will be on July 9 at 7:30 p.m."

The Architectural Review Board heard four cases. One was 810 Jericho Turnpike for sign approval; 512 Central Boulevard accepted plans for the dormer; 1012 First Avenue plans were approved to construct the second floor and use the basement for storage and suggested some enhancements. The next Architectural Review Board meeting will be held on July 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Montreuil also reported that he attended the retirement dinner for New Hyde Park Memorial Principal Loretta Nugent. Montreuil said, "It was such a nice honor to her having spent so much time in the district."

The Planning and Community Development - at the last work session the board authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with the landscape architect for the further improvement of Jericho Turnpike in coordination with Phase II of Our Operation Main Street. So more corners will be done. He added, "I am very happy with the meeting we had with the New York State DOT which the mayor will expand on in his report."

First of all he thanked Dan Wesler, of High Voltage Entertainment, who is a New Hyde Park Village resident, for helping to put together kids shows including, under the direction of village clerk Patrick Farrell, Pirate Night and bowling night. Further, he announced that Farrell has arranged for a 12-foot screen to be erected in the park for movie nights for the kids. There will be "Christmas in July" and on July 25 the movie Elf will be shown in the park.

The mayor said it will be great to have these events for the kids since there is so little available for them.

Because the state is planning a major Jericho Turnpike renovation, both trustees Lawrence Montreuil and Donald Barbieri have been working very hard to work in conjunction with the DOT on this project.

The mayor said that the DOT has very elaborate plans and the project is set to run from the county line to Herricks Road. The mayor added, "A fairly decent portion of this project runs right through our village. The DOT has indicated that they are willing to turn over some of the money to the village to be handled for the project, for some of the resurfacing work and for some of the median work designed in our original plans so that we can be in control, aesthetically, of the plans. Their plan is to have a summer public hearing to bring these proposals out. We asked them to hold off, but they are up against a time constraint in order to start construction in this time frame. Starting time would be in the winter of 2010 into 2011 and the completion would be in the winter of 2012-2013. So with that time frame in mind that is accelerating some of the other phases of this project."

Petruccio continued, "To be clear, in the plan, in which the village has taken exception to and that we wish that the residents will come forward and voice their opinion, specifically focusing on the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and New Hyde Park Road. State money in this project is from curb to curb. So anything to do with sidewalks, curbs, bricks, trees, benches, all of that comes out of our other project monies from Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy that trustee Montreuil has been working with. At the end of the day, Jericho Turnpike will be a brand new thoroughfare.

"However, they have proposed some potential front yard and curb takings. When those hearings are announced we will make sure that the entire population is aware of them and we do hope that residents come out and look at the plans, especially those who live near the intersection and to express opinions about their plan. One of the areas we have to be vigilant about is to minimize the impact of the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and New Hyde Park Road."

Deputy Mayor Lofaro added, "What the state wants to do is have a raised median in the middle of Jericho Turnpike, much like Hillside Avenue. However, that would prevent the traffic from going across Jericho Turnpike to turn left. For example, coming out of North Sixth Street you would only be able to turn right. So, I think residents should carefully go over the plans and view them for an eye toward safety, not just convenience. Jericho Turnpike is extremely dangerous and perhaps it would be better not to be able to cross it and turn left. But, we hope that the residents will study the plans before they make a decision.

"Further, the state wants to install a right turn lane in front of village hall, which would mean that they would have to move the sidewalk back in front of village hall. That would mean there would be four lanes at that intersection. One left hand lane, two east bound lanes and one right hand lane. Do we really need four lanes in front of village hall? They want to keep the lights on Jericho Turnpike green longer and I can understand that, but I don't want this turned into a super highway. Consider that Hillside Avenue as it goes east into East Williston it turns into a single lane highway. In that community the state is not expanding the highway, but in the Village of New Hyde Park they want to put four lanes and is that really what we want?

"So, I would ask the residents to please look over these plans and then when they hold the public hearing to come and express your thoughts on this."

The mayor then adjourned the meeting and opened it again for additional public comments.

Edward Powers suggested anyone with complaints about helicopters should call 311-869-6311 and report the date and time of the complaint.

A resident of Miller's Lane complained about the parking on Miller's Lane. The resident said she has called the Department of Public Works many times. It was established, by Mayor Petruccio, that most of the parking on that street is by the commuters. The resident said that it has become so impossible because she can't have anyone visit her on her block. She said that voucher parking is across the street. Petruccio said, "So, if people parking on your block are not in a voucher spot or not at a meter they are in one-hour spots."

The resident said, "Yes, and it's becoming so ridiculous. We did get unified with a petition and nothing has been done. The other problem on our block is that Mario Ices has now divided into several businesses. It's a tire company, a fence company and American Standard which is a testing company. We have 22 children on that block and all that traffic is dangerous."

Lofaro said, "It is not a permitted use, but we will take care of it. There is no question about it, Miller's Lane has intensified use."

Petruccio said, "Let's try to enforce what we have. If we start writing tickets for two weeks in a row that will make a difference."

The dialogue regarding the parking on Miller's Lane ended with the village officials promising they would look into the various problems.

The meeting then ended and the next village meeting will be held on July 15 at 8 p.m. at New Hyde Park Village Hall, corner of New Hyde Park Road and Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park.