Controversy over a planned stop sign on the corner of Brookside Drive and Valley Road dominated the May 11th Plandome Board of Trustees meeting, with one resident pleading with Mayor Brian Vincent to reconsider the sign's location.

Deputy Mayor Henry V. Sikorski updated the board on the status of five new stop signs to be placed around Plandome, four of which were installed earlier that day. After his report, Jane Lightcap informed members that she had interrupted the final installation of a stop sign being placed on her property on Brookside Drive. Mrs. Lightcap complained not only of the intrusion of the sign on her land, but also of its unique placement --55 feet from the stop line running south.

"To have the stop sign that far away from the line is ridiculous," Mrs. Lightcap said. "If I hadn't been home at that time, the sign would have been placed in the ground. All we're asking is for [the board] to look at the area and then make a decision."

Another debate arose from the fact that the stop sign would actually be before the Lightcap's driveway, causing speculation as to whether or not she would be legally required to stop at the line.

Due to the unusual width of the street, as well as shrubs on each corner, the intersection has long been a trouble spot for drivers and pedestrians. Mrs. Lightcap also presented the mayor with pictures of the intersection, along with a letter from herself and her husband, Jeffrey Lightcap, asking that the sign be moved closer to the intersection and onto village property. Not all board members were convinced this would solve the problem. Since Brookside Drive is slightly curved, Mr. Sikorski and Village Clerk Tim Rice argued that a sign placed directly on the corner may be hard for drivers to see in time to stop. The debate was heated for a moment when Mr. Rice chuckled during Mrs. Lightcap's speech, causing one of her neighbors to shout, "If something happens to one of my kids, you'll be the first person I call."

The mayor attempted to keep everything under control, assuring Mrs. Lightcap that the board will look into the situation, but also making sure to explain that "no decisions will be made tonight." Mr. Sikorski noted that he would inquire into New York State laws to determine the legality of where the sign should be placed in relation to the line painted on the street. He also suggested that the construction of a small island in the middle of Brookside would be a possible location for the stop sign. The board agreed to place the issue on next month's agenda, and to also set up a time for members to examine the spot in question.

Trustee A. Scott Wilson reported on the activity of the Plandome Fire Department for the past year (April 1998 to April 1999). During that time, the local firemen responded to 38 calls, and Mr. Wilson also announced that the company has 69 active members. The board also discussed the acquisition of a breathing apparatus that would be shared with two Great Neck firehouses and the Port Washington Fire Department. The device--which would cost the village $7,000-- enables firefighters to properly fit oxygen masks on victims. The contract is currently under review.

According to Trustee Betty Craco, the police department had a quiet month in Plandome--with only one auto accident at Stonytown Road and North Drive, and one arrest for larceny at the Reconstructionist Synagogue.

The board will hold its next meeting on June 8 at 8 p.m.