The LPOA met on Sept. 9 with Treasurer Joe Towell presiding in the absence of President Jim Morrow.

Uppermost in the minds of those present was the situation at the North Village Green where the St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church proposes to build a church. Deputy Town Attorney Tom McKevitt, who accompanied Supervisor Kate Murray to the May meeting and is familiar with the situation, immediately responded to many questions from the audience.

"As you know," he stated, "the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) denied the church's application based on insufficient off-street parking and traffic problems. The church has sued the BZA and entered an Article 78 proceeding against its decision."

McKevitt added that "due to the complexity of the case, the town has retained outside council to defend its decision." Both attorneys, for the church and town, have asked to have an oral argument before a court on Sept. 29. McKevitt informed residents that they could attend this open hearing. He stated that "defending the board's decision is the number one priority in the town. The outside council is experienced in these cases even though courts tend to favor church/education/religious construction."

McKevitt responded to many complaints about the blighted, rundown property. He said that two summonses from the sanitation department had recently been issued. He noted that the church acquired a partial demolition permit from the building department, leaving the walls standing. For a complete demolition, they must acquire a permit from the State Department of Labor which monitors asbestos removal. "This is a costly procedure and asbestos removal certification has not yet been secured," he said.

Members pointed out that the church is intended for the use of outsiders, non-Levittown residents, against the purposes for which the village greens were created. The parking spaces they require in town fields serve residents who use the pools, bowling alley and recreation areas - and pay taxes. Someone asked, "Who's paying the taxes on the property now" - as it is not tax-exempt before it actually operates as a church. McKevitt promised to check on this with the assessment department.

McKevitt advised the members that the Town of Hempstead is fighting vigorously to defend the BZA's decision, but that the case could be sent back to the BZA for further consideration, or go to higher courts (the Appellate in Brooklyn the Appeals in Albany) - or the applicant could give up its attempts as too costly. "Litigation in the courts could go on for years," he added.

The adjacent homeowners hope that something can be done about the fragmented walls, deep holes and piles of litter they look at daily. McKevitt promised to keep the LPOA informed on the situation. Town Councilman Gary Hudes also promised to keep LPOA up on developments.

At the Oct. 14 meeting of the LPOA, the guest speaker will be Inspector George Gudmundsen, commanding officer of the 8th Precinct, who will discuss issues involving Levittown. This is an opportunity for members and residents to discuss any problems they know about. The results have been positive when 8th Precinct inspectors visited in the past. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Levittown Library Community Room.