Do you need a new place to explore? Would you like a taste of solitude in your very own village? If you answered "yes' to these questions, then take yourself over to Flower Hill Park. The newly acquired acreage was the first item to be discussed at the monthly board of trustees meeting of the Village of Flower Hill.

Ann Frankel, the village arborist, brought detailed proposals for the future of the park. The proposals show stone planting walls, a staging area for parties and gatherings and an extended path and natural stone staircase leading into the interior of the preserve. These plantings will bloom untended throughout the year with no sprinkler system required.

Currently, the park is being groomed by village workers and the removal of poison ivy and dead trees is nearly finished. There are beautiful, scenic spots in the park where you can relax and enjoy nature. The park entrance is opposite the village hall and you are cordially invited to park your car in the lot there and walk across the street into the park.

The next major item on the agenda was a continuation of the May public hearing regarding a request from the North Hempstead Country Club for a permit to hold fireworks displays on July 3 and June 9. The president of the club, Dr. Rory Dolan, spoke at length about the tradition of the July fireworks. He assured the board that all safety measures required by the state would be in place and that the display which is scheduled to begin around 9:30 p.m. would last about 15 minutes. The board members were assured that the noise level of the fireworks would not be louder than in the past years. The trustees and Mayor Weiss received repeated assurances that all nearby homeowners would be notified about the event and that no complaints had been received in prior years. Two village residents, Charles Vachris and Dan Semmels, also spoke in favor of granting the permit.

The board also heard from Mr. and Mrs. Ken Kronstadt who requested the permit for the June 9 display. They are hosting a "B'Nai Mitzvot" at NHCC that evening to celebrate the coming of age of their twins. The sales rep from Bay Fireworks, the company that will do both displays, promised that the June 9 display would feature more light than noise but that the July 3 event would be far more in keeping with the traditions of past years.

After additional debate and fact - finding, the board agreed to issue both permits with these conditions.

All Flower Hill residents are to be notified by mail of both events.

Both events should be about 15 minutes.

Affidavits are to be presented verifying that the mailings have taken place.

The evening continued with a site plan review for the new diner to be located at 1029 Northern Boulevard. Since the first presentation was made several months ago, the owner of "The Nines" clothing boutique has agreed to relocate. This has allowed the design of the new diner to be altered and approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The site plan was approved with the condition that any restrictions imposed by the BZA are to be incorporated into the design.

The final item discussed was a resolution calling for a public hearing at the October board meeting regarding traffic calming measures for Manhasset Woods Road and Bonnie Heights Road. There will be a report on the current traffic patterns of these roads from Eschbacher Engineering. The measures under consideration might include "speed tables" which are now approved by the New York State Department of Traffic.

All residents are reminded that a public hearing will take place at the July 2 meeting to discuss a local law which would establish no parking on Ridge Drive East behind 1031 Northern Boulevard. The exact hearing time can be obtained from the village hall office at 627-2253.