The Town Board of North Hempstead held its monthly meeting on Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall in Manhasset. The first order of business was a public hearing to consider the adoption of a resolution enabling the Town of North Hempstead to opt into a partial property tax exemption for qualified members of volunteer fire departments and ambulance corps. The resolution would enable those volunteer fire and ambulance workers who own real property within the Town of North Hempstead to apply for a 10 percent real property tax exemption. After the public hearing was closed, the vote for the resolution's adoption was unanimously passed.

A second public hearing was held to consider the authorization for the execution of fire service contracts within the various fire districts of the Town of North Hempstead for the 2003 calendar year. The board unanimously passed the motion.

A total of 24 resolutions were swiftly and efficiently passed due to the pending ice storm that was due to hit Manhasset later that night. A date was set for a public hearing for the board to consider a resolution granting real property tax exemptions as authorized by New York State Law. The law was recently amended, raising the maximum income for a 50 percent real property tax exemption for senior citizens and persons with disabilities from $20,500 to $21,500. Supervisor Newburger referenced the lack of options the board possessed in passing such a resolution as it was now part of New York State Law. The public hearing and the vote on the resolution will take place on Jan. 28.

The board ratified a loan in the amount of $300,000 to the Town of North Hempstead's Community Development Agency. The loan would be advanced to the Community Development Agency to comply with a vesting order referencing the condemnation of 509 Union Avenue and 276 Sohmer Place in Westbury.

A more important matter of business considered the town's relationship with its telephone service provider, Verizon. Mrs. Beckerman spoke to the town on behalf of the matter, stating that the contract expired last month, while also highlighting the recent information regarding wiring problems found within the town. The resolution authorized an agreement with Intelecom Solutions, Inc. for telephone service and was unanimously passed. The Verizon contract set the price per phone for the town at $26.25 for the town's excess of 100 phone lines. The new contract with Intelecom Solutions will operate on a month-to-month basis and the cost would be lowered to $20 per month per phone line, saving the town approximately $35,000 per year.

The town voted to approve the 2003 salaries of the board, which will remain at the current figures instituted for 2002, as well as approving the compensation for the officials and employees of the Town of North Hempstead, which sets the salaries pursuant to town law. A similar resolution was passed authorizing the employment, appointment, transfer, adjustment, correction and/or change in grade or salary of employees and officials in various town departments.

The Shelter Connection, Inc. has donated to the Town of North Hempstead a chain-link fence with gates to enclose an outdoor dog exercise area at the town's animal shelter. The town passed the resolution accepting the gift on behalf of the town unanimously.

A special resolution was passed providing for the creation of the Carle Place Public Library District along with the filing of the certificate of canvass regarding the special election. Supervisor Newburger congratulated the town clerk for organizing the referendum "efficiently and effectively," emphasizing the vital role played by the town clerk in the creation of the Carle Place Library District. Councilman Wenk also commented that the district's first meeting was to be held that night, Jan. 2.

Appointment resolutions passed were the re-appointment of Paul Aloe to the Town of North Hempstead Board of Zoning and Appeals, and the appointment of Michelle Schimel (town clerk) as the registrar of vital statistics, and as the marriage officer of the Town of North Hempstead. A parallel resolution was also passed appointing the members of the town board as the marriage officers for the town.

The resolutions passed in regard to business for the 2003 calendar year included the establishment of a petty cash fund and bank accounts for several departments, the establishment of a list of designated depositories for town funds, and a certified list of designated newspapers for publication of the town affairs by the town clerk. Also passed was a resolution authorizing the placement of town insurance policies, an increase in the fee charged for dishonored checks from $15 to $20, and the continued retaining of the services of Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, PC for auditing services in 2003. This firm has been the auditors for the town for many years, and Supervisor Newburger applauded their "good and competent job."

Three resolutions were passed allowing for an increase in the town's legal counsel. Dan Wattman will be retained for appellate issues facing the town at the request of town counsel. Mr. Wattman has been retained specifically because of his expertise in this field. Allowance was also made for the appointment of special bond counsel to the town, as well as authorization for the town's attorney to negotiate and execute agreements with various cat protection organizations and veterinarians. Councilman D'Urso explained that the program is already well under way, and that the contracts are with not-for-profit organizations; the measure was simply to organize the town's negotiations in this respect.

Also provided for was the execution of the professional services of James F. Cleary. The motion was recommended by the town attorney, and supported also by the director of operations. Mr. Cleary will assist the town with matters related to research, investigation, trial preparation, and the providing of expert testimony on behalf of the town in tort actions and proceedings arising from incidents occurring on property under the jurisdiction of the Town of North Hempstead.

Other passed resolutions included the authorization for the rental of certain heavy equipment and machinery by the superintendent of highways for the Town of North Hempstead, and the endorsement of the Department of Public Works and the superintendent of highways to participate on behalf of the Town of North Hempstead in a cooperative service agreement with other municipalities, special districts and certain school districts within the town.

The North Hempstead Solid Waste Management Authority also met after the town board meeting had adjourned on Jan. 2. The most important order of business was the appointment to the board for the Solid Waste Management Authority of Anthony D'Urso as the vice-chairperson, Constance Metz as the secretary, Gilbert Anderson, PE as the engineer, May Newburger as treasurer and Helen Chen as the assistant treasurer. No additional compensation will be received by council members serving on the Solid Waste Management Authority as officers.

Bonnie P. Chaikin was re-appointed as counsel to the Town of North Hempstead Solid Waste Management Authority, and an agreement with Waste Management was ratified, revising a disposal fee schedule based on the Pennsylvania Act 90 which imposes a $4 disposal tax for every ton of solid waste. This negotiation was a hard-fought victory for the town: thanks to the town's representatives, a reduction in the cost the disposal tax for every ton of solid waste disposed of was driven down from $4 to $1.97 per ton.

Parallel resolutions were adopted with regard to retaining the services of Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, PC for the performance of auditing services for the Solid Waste Management Authority in addition to the town, as well as an authorization of the employment, appointment, transfer or change in grade and/or salary of employees and officials in various departments of the Town of North Hempstead Solid Waste Management Authority.

State assistance will be requested for a municipal waste reduction and/or recycling project, as well as the signing of the associated state contract pursuant to New York State Law.