The Levittown Property Owners Association met briefly on Dec. 11, with the coming holidays uppermost in everyone's mind. Topics discussed included the close vote on Dec. 5 in support of the school bond issue. Any tax increase is cause for concern even though the need for additional classroom space is acknowledged.

President Morrow reported on a recent hearing he attended at the Board of Zoning Appeals regarding the house on Gardiners Avenue and Amber Lane where a barbershop is part of the residence. The zoning requires the homeowner-businessman to live on the premises. In this case, the owner would like to have the regulation removed. This would alter the ordinance of the Levittown Planned Residence District and would set an undesirable precedent. The case was adjourned or further consideration.

The secretary attended a hearing on Dec. 13 at the Nassau County Planning Commission regarding the latest Terra Homes-Josato plans to build in two sections of the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, requiring a great number of variances. This is a continuation of their plans which go back to 1984 and were repeatedly rejected by the courts because of conflicts with Levittown's unique LPRD zoning. As the cases are currently in consideration by the courts, they were adjourned by the Planning Commission for six months, until June 13, 2002

Finally, we reported that one of our members, Helmut Neundorf, passed away on Dec. 9 from cancer. Helmut had worked with the LPOA executive board, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Town Building Department, to legalize fences in Levittown. In spite of his illness, Helmut was a hard worker and made a major contribution to our efforts to make enforcement of the law more equitable and reflect the needs of changing times. His good humor and efforts are already missed, as he was a loyal LPOA member for many years. When the law is changed or updated, we will refer to it as "Helmut's Law."

The next LPOA meeting will be on Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m., in Levittown Public Library.