Four former mayors of Mineola are among the members of the newly appointed Community Planning Committee charged with developing a master plan for the village. The committee met for the first time Jan. 22 to set up shop and discuss its goals.

"The time has come for Mineola to chart its course for the future," Mayor John P. Colbert said. "We have put together the team that will prepare that map."

Former Mayor Robert Hinck was named chairman of the committee, and he is joined by former Mayors Stanley Krauss, Edward S. Smith and Ann M. Galante on a committee which includes a diverse group of residents and officials.

"We had a very enthusiastic and energetic group with varied backgrounds at the meeting, and it brought to the table many interesting points which will enable us, along with our professional planner, a solid vision for our community," Hinck said. "We have an excellent cross section of people to work on the committee."

Planning Board Chairwoman Jacqueline Carway was named vice chair of the committee, which will be composed of about 30 or so residents, business owners and other village staff and officials. An executive committee of 12 people, including the former mayors and Carway, will direct and oversee the work of the general membership.

Also serving on the executive committee are Trustees Warren Brinker and Elizabeth Conlon, Chamber of Commerce President Teri Ranfone, Village Attorney John Spellman, Village Clerk Brian Ridgeway, and John Broder, vice president of external affairs at Winthrop-University Hospital. Members of the committee at large include Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell, Village Public Works Superintendent Louis DiDomenico, and representatives from the fire department, police department and the village historical society.

"Certainly it is a very proactive and positive thing the village is doing to plan for the future," said Broder.

The committee will be served by a professional planner, John Shapiro, a principal of the firm Abeles, Phillips, Preiss and Shapiro, Inc., who has advised other communities, including Southhampton, on their master plans.

The committee has already broken up into sub groups, which will tackle each of the major issues facing the village. Brinker will head up the group looking at downtown revitalization. Hinck will chair the traffic, circulation and parking issues subcommittee. Conlon will oversee the committee concerned with historic preservation. Carway will head up the corridors and neighborhoods committee.

Hinck said the group has already set a timetable for certain projects, including closure of the grade crossing elimination project, which should be ready by June 30. "We're going to discuss that with the community at large," Hinck said. "I also think that downtown, particularly Second Street and the Main Street area, need some immediate attention."

The committee is hoping to have a master plan developed by June, 2001, Hinck said. The committee will meet next in early February.