Against the backdrop of a heated campaign season, the Village of Massapequa Park during its most recent board of trustees meeting formally said farewell to two retiring trustees.

The trustees, Marvin Guberman and Lucy Agovino, gave notice to Mayor George Nussbaum a few weeks ago, and their retirements were effective Jan. 31 and Feb. 8, respectively.

The mayor presented plaques to the longtime public servants during the Feb. 8 board meeting, and afterwards, members of the public expressed words of appreciation for the former trustees' time and dedication.

Guberman served the village for 25 years. In addition to being trustee for two decades, he spent five years on the planning board. Nussbaum said Guberman served longer than anyone he has known, describing him as "very responsible" and one who has worked hard on "improving your village."

Guberman expressed appreciation to his wife for supporting his devotion to public service. "I'd like to thank my wife for allowing me to be involved in the Village of Massapequa Park, because it takes time and effort," he said. He thanked his political party, the Village Integrity Party, as well as residents for the "vote of confidence" they gave him by re-electing him to office for so many years.

He added that he has enjoyed working with the mayor, administration and other trustees. "I have been part of a team," he said. "This has been my second family and I thank you all very much."

Agovino served the village for 14 years. Nussbaum described her as a committed public servant. "She's gone to Albany when needed, she's gone to meetings throughout the county when needed," he said. "She's been here consistently in attendance, nit-picked our legislation, created our legislation - she's done everything."

Agovino thanked her family, the village and the Village Integrity Party for their support. She added, "It's been a pleasure to serve for 14 years. As a result of that, I've gotten to meet many, many people."

She noted that she plans to stay an active resident of the village and is looking forward to spending more time at home with her husband.

The mayor's much talked-about appointment of Harry Jacobson, a Village Integrity Party trustee candidate, to fill Guberman's seat, followed the presentations. Jacobson, who resigned from the Village Zoning Board effective Feb. 8, is up against five other candidates in a campaign race for the former seats of Guberman and Agovino. The other candidates are Joseph Pinto of the Village Integrity Party, Robert Thompson of the Your Village Party, Robert Wilcox of the Your Village Party, Bruce Farco of the Working Class Party and Daniel J. Scarisbrick of the Working Class Party. The March 16 election also features a bid for the office of mayor, as Nussbaum, too, is retiring. Scott Wiss of the Village Integrity Party, Camillo Giannattasio of the Your Village Party and Rocco L. Dionisio, Jr. of the Working Class Party are vying for that spot.

Also at the meeting, Nussbaum designated John M. Kraft, a Massapequa lawyer, as Village Attorney, at a rate of $150 per hour, and the board of trustees approved it. The position had been vacated by the recent retirement of 24-year Village Attorney Robert Leff.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, a few village residents who were present applauded Guberman's and Agovino's years of service.

For example, resident John O'Brien said, "I personally would like to thank Mr. Guberman and Mrs. Agovino for their years of service - for their splendid years of service." He also welcomed Kraft and Jacobson to their new positions.

Some other matters were also addressed during the regular part of the Feb. 8 village meeting. These included the following:

1) The board of trustees authorized the Village Administrator to advertise for a public hearing to be held during the village meeting of March 8 at 8 p.m. at Village Hall to consider the Tentative Budget;

2) The board authorized the Village Administrator to advertise for a public hearing to be held during the same meeting to consider local laws to amend Sections 174-8A and 174-18 of the municipality's Code of Ordinances regarding Frequency of Collection, to restrict dumpster pickup from business areas to the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with no pickups on Sundays;

3) The board authorized the Village Administrator to advertise for a public hearing to be held during the same meeting to consider local laws to amend Sections 154-12 and 154-24 of the Code of Ordinances, to do away with fees for building handicapped ramps.

4) The board was declared lead agency for the subdivision known as "Whitewood Landing" pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act.