At last week's meeting of the Village of Mineola Board of Trustees, a topic of conversation was the use of motorized scooters around the village, including its streets and parks.

Village Trustee Elizabeth Conlon expressed her concern about motorized scooters in Wilson Park, the location of the village's summer recreation program. Later, a resident of 1st Street complained about kids riding motorized scooters on village sidewalks and in Memorial Park, endangering the welfare of pedestrians.

According to the information found on the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles' website, the following types of motorized devices and similar devices may not be registered in New York State and may not be operated anywhere on public streets or highways in the state. These devices are motor vehicles, which are not equipped or designed for on-road operation:

* Go-Ped - a device similar to a skateboard with a motor attached and a handlebar for a standing rider;

* Minibike - small, two-wheeled motorized device designed for off-road operation. A mini-bike does not qualify as a moped, a motorcycle or an ATV.

* Dirt Bike - two wheeled motorized device similar to a motorcycle, but designed and used for off-road use. Some vehicles described as "dirt bikes" may meet the definition of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and qualify for registration and operation off-road as an ATV.

* Go-Kart - Small, four-wheeled motorized device designed and used for off-road operation. A Go-Kart is not equipped as, and may not be registered as, either a motor vehicle or ATV.

* Motor-assisted Bicycle - a bicycle to which a small motor has been attached. A motor-assisted bicycle is not equipped as, and does not qualify for registration as a motorcycle, moped or ATV.

Operating any of these devices on any street or highway or other area, such as a parking lot open to public motor vehicle traffic, may result in arrest for operating a motor vehicle without a registration, license, inspection, insurance or proper equipment.

Operating a motorized scooter in a village park, however, is up to the Village of Mineola to regulate. The board of trustees will perhaps seek to put a sign, forbidding the use of motorized scooters, at Wilson and/or Memorial Park.

* Prior to the regular monthly meeting, the village board conducted a hearing for an early retirement incentive program to begin on Sept. 15. The local law passed by a 4-0 margin. Mayor John P. Colbert was not in attendance and therefore did not vote.

* August 3 at the Mineola Pool will be uniformed volunteers day, where uniformed volunteers can visit the Mineola Pool and bring a guest.

* The Mineola Bridge Project is progressing so that the project may be completed in 18 months as opposed to the two years that was originally believed.

* In light of the controversy surrounding the decision not to have the Mineola Swim Team compete against other pools, it was announced that there will be a Mayor's Cup, in which Mineola will compete against another pool. It will be sometime in August. Patrons can check the pool bulletin board.

* The Mineola Historical Society is still seeking a president and a vice president.

* The Mineola Justice Court collected just under $90,000 for the month of June.

* Water Well One on Elm Place is back in service.

* If you would like your water tested for lead and copper, you can contact the water department at 746-0751.

* A resident of Marcellus Road spoke to the board about problems occurring in the neighborhood because of the Corner Stone Pub. The resident said she has been periodically awakened by boisterous talking and has found bottles thrown on her property. She also reported that her neighbor found someone urinating on a tree. Deputy Mayor Lou Santosus, who was filling in for Mayor John P. Colbert, who was not in attendance, told the resident that the building department would look into the matter.

* A longtime resident of Mineola urged the village board to look into matters in which she felt she is being taken advantage of by her neighbors. The building department would investigate the matter.

* A resident of Wisteria Avenue expressed concern that hedges belonging to the Birchwood Court complex sometimes grow too much without being cut and encroach on the sidewalk, interfering with pedestrians.

* A resident of Birchwood Court said he would bring up the trimming of the hedges with the complex's board and then expressed concern about there not being enough parking spaces for Birchwood Court residents. Village Attorney John Spellman said in taking down the Allied Building Products Corp. building, there is a proposal to the area utilize as a municipal parking lot.

* A resident of McKinley Parkway urged the board to have a law enforcement person check on an area at the end of McKinley Parkway where vehicles have parked past a "No Stopping Here to Corner" sign on the southwest corner of McKinley Parkway and Jericho Turnpike, making turns onto Jericho from McKinley dangerous.

* A resident of Banbury Road inquired about environmental vaults installed in the parking lot behind Carlino's restaurant. He was told one environmental vault was installed by Verizon and a secondary vault was installed in the sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot.

The resident also inquired as to when events would start being shown on the village's cable channel. The Memorial Day parade was filmed by the village but has yet to be shown. Deputy Mayor Santosus said he hopes the channel would be up and running by September.

The resident also expressed concerns about trucks going down Banbury Road to make deliveries to the backs of stores located on Jericho Turnpike. The village's garbage trucks also collect garbage from the stores in the backs of the establishment. Having trucks go down residential streets can affect the quality of life for residents. However, the trucks are allowed to make deliveries.

* American Legion Post 349 Commander Sal Cataldo urged all parents and guardians to make sure they know where their children are at all times.

Mr. Cataldo also urged the board to set up an emergency center in the village. He was told that the fire house on Washington Avenue can serve as an emergency center because it has its own power generator, equipment to prepare food and cots for sleeping. Mr. Cataldo said residents should know where to go in case there is an emergency.

* A resident of Emory Road said commercial vehicles parked on residential streets is starting to be a fungus in the village and that the village should enforce the laws that are on the books.

The resident also reported an incident that occurred around July 4, where a possible prowler or prowlers were seen in the backyard of a neighbor. The Nassau County Police Department was called. However, they did not return to the house to give the resident information on what they found. The police did return after another call was placed but no one was apprehended.

The resident also asked to examine the bill and checks that prove Koeppel Ford on Jericho Turnpike was paying for the cleanup of the abandoned site that had been the subject of negotiation with Chaminade High School for its sale.

* In light of the county's reassessment, some residents may be wondering what will happen in the case of village taxes. The Village of Mineola currently uses its own assessment of property and will wait to see how the county's works out before considering implementing it. Former Mayor Ed Smith is on the village's assessment board. He is a partner in the real estate firm of Smith & DeGroat.

* Ex-chief of the Mineola Fire Department expressed his concern for the safety of those who attend the Saturday 5 p.m. Mass as Corpus Christi Church. There is a crosswalk for residents to cross Willis Avenue. However, there is no light or crossing guard and Willis Avenue is a busy road. Willis Avenue is a Nassau County Road but the Nassau County Police Department has not responded to requests for a crossing guard for about 15 minutes after the Mass lets out. The Mineola Auxiliary Police remains a possibility.

Chief Crosby has also opposed cell phone antennas in the village as well as the tower on his block of Maple Place. The chief may have to gear up for another battle as the village is expected to hear applications for cell phone antennas during hearings on Sept. 18.