George Nussbaum, who retired in April from the position of mayor of the Village of Massapequa Park, was sworn in last week as a member of the village's planning commission.

The role is a comfortable one for Nussbaum, who was on the commission during his earliest years of service with the village, and who feels that there is much more work for him to do for the municipality. He was appointed during the May 10 village board of trustees meeting for a three-year term, and was sworn in at the May 28 trustees meeting.

"I felt that I could still contribute something at that point," said Nussbaum, noting that he remained concerned about some unresolved issues, such as traffic and safety concerns. He added, "Of course, there was the Golden Age housing, that I was working on with the developers and with the government."

The Whitewood Landing senior housing project, which is being proposed under the state's Golden Age District Law, has been in the works for two years, and the planning commission held a public hearing regarding its site plan last week. Now, Nussbaum said, the commission must set up eligibility criteria for prospective buyers of the units.

He said the Golden Age housing would benefit the community because as senior citizens, who get a discount on property taxes, move into the units, their houses will go back on the real estate market with full assessed valuation, increasing tax revenue for the village. Noting that less than 1 percent of the houses in the village are currently on the market, he said that this would increase the availability of houses for young families.

Nussbaum began his service to the village over 20 years ago, and in addition to serving as planning commissioner and mayor, had a stint as trustee. The issues the planning commission faces today, he noted, are similar in nature to those he addressed as a member of the body two decades ago.

"At that time, South Gate was going in, so that was a major project that came in and today is a rather successful venture. We worked on the elevation of the railroad, and that came out successful; I think we have one of the better stations along the line," he said, adding that much of the other key issues today, like at that time, concern traffic and safety.

The veteran of village government noted that his philosophy of public service also has not changed. "Do the best that we can for the village. That's been my philosophy on the planning commission, and as mayor and trustee," he said. "I think you're working for the benefit of the village for the most people."

The post being filled by Nussbaum is one of several planning commission vacancies created recently. The vacancies were created by the resignation of Joseph Pinto, due to his election as a Massapequa Park village trustee; the resignation of Jessica Jacobsen, due to her husband Harry's candidacy for village trustee; the death of member Walter Ushok; and Mayor Camillo Giannattasio's decision not to re-appoint member Harry Wasserstein.

In addition to Nussbaum, the members of the planning commission are John Bianco, the chairman; John Carlsen, vice-chairman; Gail Klubnick and Don Mortensen. The village is expecting recommendations to fill remaining vacancies within the next 30 days.

Mayor Giannattasio, who swore Nussbaum in as planning commissioner, said he enthusiastically supported his nomination to the position because, "He's obviously a very bright man, and he's obviously a very hardworking, dedicated person. He has a tremendous grasp of all the issues, and he has such a wealth of knowledge." He added, "He just brings so much to the table, and as a former mayor, he brings a tremendous amount of prestige to the position."