The Levittown Property Owners Association (LPOA) met on Jan. 8, in the LMEC (Levittown Memorial Education Center) auditorium for the first meeting of the year with President Jim Morrow presiding. This will be our general membership meeting place through June 2008.

There were several important topics discussed, including: the unsettled future of the plans concerning the Israel Community Center on Hempstead Turnpike, new safety legislation and current regulations on swimming pool alarm systems and fences, complaints about kids dealing drugs at sump locations and continuing to spread graffiti, and another alarming report from member Brian Kelty on hazardous lead contamination in the Island Trees High School buildings, pipe tunnels and ventilating ducts.

The residents whose homes on Squirrel Lane are adjacent to the 2.5 acres of the Israel Community Center are in discussions with the potential commercial developer, members of the congregation and the LPOA on plans for the area, which fronts on Hempstead Turnpike, but is zoned LPRD (Levittown Planned Residence District), not commercial or business. The congregation has dwindled to very few families (less than 40) in recent years and a decision must be made on the future of the Center and property. Meetings are still ongoing.

The LPOA Executive Board met with Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes on the subject of swimming pool regulations. Councilman Hudes was unable to attend the general meeting as he was at a town board meeting, but he informed us earlier that at this time he is writing new legislation to implement state and town-mandated regulations for homeowners with pools on their property. He is anxious to "close the permit process for alarms and fences at pool sites for reasons of safety."

Councilman Hudes informed us that state regulations require an alarm to be installed at the pool site and on a door inside the house of the pool owner. Hudes added, "This is a necessity as a matter of safety." He noted that the first pool safety law dates from 1976, with amendments enacted twice since. He plans to present a plan to the supervisor and town board for a vote that would require companies or businesses which install fences at pools to be responsible for getting required permits even though this may add to the cost. Other regulations prohibit a pool in a side yard or under electric wires. He will inform the LPOA of the date on which the town board will vote on the updated legislation.

As for complaints about graffiti, beer cans, drug dealing, etc., at sump locations, the LPOA occasionally requests visits from 8th Precinct officers to discuss such problems. However, it is imperative that photographs, addresses or locations be furnished to support these complaints.

We heard again from a concerned Brian Kelty who presented a disturbing report about lead contamination at the Island Trees High School. His concern is so great he has removed his two sons from the school. He has been in contact with NY State DEC agencies and personnel, the Nassau County Department of Health, several state legislators, school administrators and board of education members whose responses and actions have been "inadequate." Some tests have indicated that soil or sand contaminated by lead from bullets from a former indoor firing range was dumped or stored in the school basement. The contaminated areas include athletic lockers and storage facilities of athletic equipment, wrestling activities, kitchen, pipe tunnels and air ducts. He is concerned because he claims the problem is unsolved and most officials he has contacted "ran for cover." He supplied us with a hefty package of correspondence, test reports, expense accounts and invoices from cleaning companies, etc., dating from 2004-2007. (One letter stated "the remediation in the HVAC system was inadequate.") Kelty said that lead-contaminated hazardous materials cause "stunted growth syndrome" as well as other negative consequences. It is curious that there has been no public discourse (or investigation) on the matter if the situation is as grave as Mr. Kelty suggests. He has spoken on the issue several times at LPOA general meetings.

Member Gary Fisch announced that the Levittown Community Council (LCC) is sponsoring a meeting with the community and Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi on the "Levittown Green" project on Jan. 28 at the LMEC. He also announced that LCC's Winter Festival will be held at the LMEC Panther Room on Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Th next meeting of the LPOA will be in the LMEC audtorium on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.