Recent tree trimming done by a LIPA contractor on Sheridan Boulevard on the south side of Jericho Turnpike has left some trees badly damaged. Mineola Mayor Jack M. Martins called the treatment unacceptable as some trees were trimmed to clear LIPA lines, however, were not reshaped.

LIPA is entitled to clear up to six feet in either direction in front of the power lines. However, in some cases, the trimming appears to be excessive. Also, in some cases, in doesn't appear the trees were reshaped. Village Superintendent of Public Works Tom Rini said some of the trees look like Bozo the Clown's hair.

Among the trees that were trimmed is one on Sheridan Boulevard that now is shaped like a donut. "We have trees where the foliage was essentially cut in half and other trees that are decimated. We believe there are a number of trees that will have to be taken down. There are other trees that are well on their way," said Mayor Martins. "The damage that they did was extensive. We are aware of it. We will address it."

When the village found out about the tree trimming, Rini went to the site and told the contractor to leave. Mayor Martins said the village will be meeting with LIPA and the contractor about giving the village some sort of compensation for the trees.

Mayor Martins also said he would like a policy in place that would require LIPA to notify the village when it plans to trim trees in the village so that the village could have an employee supervise the work.

It was reported at the June 18 Village of Mineola Board of Trustees meeting that a person impersonated a water department employee and gained entrance to two homes in Mineola, one on Roslyn Road and one on Herricks Road.

To the resident of Roslyn Road, the imposter said there was a leak in the street and he needed to go into the basement. The imposter told a resident of Herricks Road that the resident was going to be receiving a $300 water bill so he wanted to reread the water meter.

Although nothing was reported missing and there were no incidents of assault, the incidents were reported to the police. The man is described as being in his late 40s or early 50s. He was wearing a blue shirt and had some form of identification with photo.

"It's a little troubling that someone can get into a home that easily. It's a problem because our water people do have get into your homes once in a while and we want you to be able to let them in. They do wear an ID. You have to ask for someone's ID. They have to be specific as to why they are coming into your home. They will be wearing a blue uniform that says Village of Mineola on it," said trustee Lou Santosus.

Mayor Jack M. Martins said that village employees have a Village of Mineola identification. Also, if there is any question, residents can call village hall at 746-0750 or the water department to verify an employee has been sent to the area at 746-0751.

Resident Sal Cataldo suggested the man may have been casing the homes for possible robberies.

The Village of Mineola Board of Trustees will be holding a special meeting on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. in village hall. At that meeting, the mayor and the board will discuss whether it will sign off on a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the proposed intermodal center parking garage, which will be built south of the railroad tracks in the parking lot of the KeySpan Building on Old Country Road.

Whether the mayor and board sign off on the Memorandum of Understanding will determine whether or not the village plans to cooperate with the MTA and KeySpan on the project.

Village Attorney John Spellman said he has been negotiating with the MTA and the LIRR to try to get some benefit from the intermodal center since the village stands to lose $220,000 annually in tax revenue from the KeySpan building when the building is sold to the MTA since the village cannot tax the MTA.

Mr. Spellman said that although no definitive agreement has been reached on how the village will replace the tax revenue, Senator Michael Balboni has advised that he has cleared the way for $1 million to flow into the village over a five year period to help offset the tax revenue loss.

"I would feel significantly better if we had that as part of our agreement and our understanding that the money would be flowing. I have all the confidence in the world in the senator when he tells me the money is forthcoming over the next five years," Mayor Martins said.

However, the mayor also said he would like the $1 million to be a part of the Memorandum of Understanding. "I want a commitment from the MTA that that money is coming," he said.

The project is expected to be completed in 2007. The village's three street sweepers have recently been down. The board will need to consider how it might replace the sweepers. The problem is that breakdowns are becoming more frequent and parts are difficult to find. The costs of maintaining them are high. The mayor asked the superintendent of public works to formulate a plan to phase in new sweepers and phase out the old ones. There were two arrests made regarding the theft of village parking meters. The two arrested were both minors and residents of the village. No evidence of burglary tools was found to break into the meters.

Mayor Martins has appointed a committee to the cost feasibility of having an in-house village attorney. Favoring an in-house village attorney are trustees Lou Santosus and Linda Fairgrieve, who voted against appointed longtime village attorney John Spellman.

Those who will serve on the committee include chairman Richard O'Callaghan, Scott Strauss, Ann Hurley, John Curry and Deputy Mayor Larry Werther.

Mayor Martins said he hopes to have information back within 60-90 days regarding the recommendation of the committee as to whether it is financially feasible to have an in-house attorney.

Mayor Martins also plans on appointing a committee to study the feasibility of having a village police department as opposed to being patrolled by the Nassau County Police Department's 3rd Precinct.

Making a case for looking into a village police department, a resident said he did a survey on the corner of Emory Road and Jericho Turnpike on the north side of Jericho from 2:05 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. one afternoon. The resident said he counted 27 violations in the 25 minutes. "This isn't good at all," the resident said.

Resident Sal Cataldo said the use of the soccer field by non-village residents on Sundays continues to be a problem as people from outside of the village come to use the field, tear it up and then leave. Mr. Cataldo suggested that permits issued to use the field should be posted on the fence outside of the field and if there is no permit posted, then those who are using the field should be asked to leave.