The LPOA met on May 14 with President Jim Morrow presiding. The minutes of the April 9 meeting submitted by Barbara Fisch were read and approved. It was decided that the June meeting, the final one of the year before the July-August break, would take place at a dinner on Wednesday, June 12, 7 p.m., at the Porto Fino Ristorante in the Waldbaum's Shopping Center. On Tuesday, June 11, only the LPOA executive board will meet. Regular monthly meetings will resume in September.

President Morrow read a letter from Hempstead's Board of Zoning Appeals about the latest Terra Homes/Josato development plans in the Old Motor Parkway. The Supreme Court, State of New York, remanded the case to the Board of Zoning for a revision of its denial of variances.

Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes asked members of the LPOA to attend a hearing at the Board of Zoning Appeals scheduled for the next day, May 15, concerning plans to expand Progress House, located on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown. This facility provides medication, rehabilitation, and vocational training services for former mental patients and drug/alcohol abusers. Proposed plans call for adding a second story and ground level expansion for office space, with a need for additional parking, all of which require variances.

For many years, numerous complaints about problems caused by the clientele of the facility have been voiced by nearby homeowners, St. Bernard's parishioners and school parents, next door Astoria Federal Bank, Rite Aid, Chamber of Commerce members, the Levittown School District, motorists, and community residents. Patients are unsupervised outside the building where they wait for transportation. Complaints about harassment from patients have been directed to our Town Council members and to Nassau County Legislator Dennis Dunne. Traffic problems caused by buses entering and leaving the site are hazardous for motorists, shoppers, and residents.

Since it was felt that increasing the size of the facility would exacerbate an already troublesome situation, member Joe Towell made a motion, seconded by Doris Beriotto, that the LPOA vote to oppose the expansion. Forty (40) of those present voted to oppose, with two abstentions. Several members planned to attend the next day's hearing to support the LPOA's position.

Councilman Hudes also informed us that the town board was finally acting in response to the LPOA's request, dating back almost three years, to legalize fences in Levittown. The case will be brought for public hearing on May 21 at the regular meeting of the town board. Hudes stated that "There is so much disregard for private property now," and the times are less safe than when Levitt's original covenants forbade fences (adopted into Levittown's zoning in 1975). The town agreed to recommendations from the LPOA Executive Board, approved by membership, on the specifications/locations of the permitted fences. This change in the "LPRD" (Levittown Planned Residence District), Art. XV, Sec. 191 must be voted on by the town board.

Councilman Hudes also advised that Levittown's water tower at Azalea Road is being repainted inside and outside, with "Levittown" painted on it: the Wantagh Avenue tank will also be painted but without the name. Also, the newly constructed Veterans' Memorial on Hempstead Turnpike in front of the library will be rededicated.

John Garvey, candidate for the school board in the May 21 vote, spoke on his ideas as a trustee of the Levittown School District. He has served as a board member twice before, he informed us, and so has proven experience. He feels that presently there is too "little communication" with the community. He wants to "see education improve, but economically." His aim is to "raise the bar for all kids in Levittown, to push the bar up, and not with barely passing standards." He recommends that a school board member should be a liaison with each school to ensure that all schools are treated equally. He is also a proponent of full day kindergarten, believing "early intervention of problems will prevent future needs for remediation." He added that there are classrooms at Seaman Neck School, now rented by BOCES, at Laurel Lane, and 3-4 rooms could be added to other schools. He was questioned on this by members concerned with costs for additional faculty, clerical and cafeteria staff. "Where is the money coming from?" Also, someone pointed out that reports show "the longer kids are in institutionalized situations, the more disruptive they become." Others felt the longer day is a hardship for many very young children, but Garvey maintained "lots of districts have gone to this; we're back of the pack on this now." His experience, energy and knowledge made him an appealing candidate especially as he was the only one who responded to our invitations to speak. (The incumbent candidates were unable to attend as their budget meeting conflicted with ours.)

Several members expressed concern about the recent purchase of a vacant building at North Village Green by a church group called St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church. They are concerned about noise and available parking space. The Green is the site of a pool and playground, businesses, a bowling alley, two schools. Residents hope there will be a public hearing if variances for parking are needed.

The LPOA will enjoy dinner on June 12 at 7 p.m. at Porto Fino Ristorante in Levittown before we break for summer vacation.