Representatives from the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps (MVAC) met with the mayor and village board last week to discuss a possible renovation project to the headquarters, which is located on Elm Place.

However, Mayor Jack M. Martins said that the village cannot afford the major construction project MVAC proposed.

According to MVAC president and longtime Mineola resident Patrick Tobin, the MVAC is contemplating the purchase of a new ambulance to eventually replace one that has been in operation since 1985. MVAC may have to purchase the ambulance with its own funds. However, MVAC was hoping the village would fund a renovation or possible expansion to the headquarters to be able to fit the new ambulance more easily.

MVAC representatives met with members of the village board and presented a project, which would cost $650,000. However, considering the village's financial condition, the village board may not find such a project to be feasible right now.

"We're inclined to provide amenities, but we are not in a position financially to do extensive and long-term renovation to that facility," said Mayor Martins.

Tobin said he understands the village's financial position and called the meeting with the mayor and the trustees "fact-finding."

Tobin also said meetings with the village should be positive and ongoing. "We have an amiable relationship with the village and we're not going to see that sour," he said.

The village may not rule out doing some improvements to the Ambulance Corps headquarters such as providing a shower for members.

Tobin said the cost of the new ambulance will be about $139,000 to $140,000, which the Ambulance Corps may fund through donations and grants.

Unlike the fire department, MVAC is not a department of the village. It is an organization that is contracted by the village.

The MVAC responded to 1,300 calls in 2002.

The village board voted unanimously to table discussions involving the Ambulance Corps.

The taxi issue in Mineola took another turn last Wednesday when the village board voted to increase the number of licenses for taxicabs it distributes from 37 to 45, thereby adding eight cabs to service the village.

The distribution of the licenses had been 35 for All Island Taxi, one for Young's Taxi and one for Long Island Checker Cab.

Some residents had been outspoken at a recent village hearing on taxi service that residents had only one choice when it came to calling a cab in Mineola, referring to All Island Taxi, and asked that more licenses be given to Long Island Checker Cab.

Long Island Checker Cab had applied for additional licenses in the past but was denied. A series of lawsuits were filed against the village, which ending up costing the village thousands of dollars to fight.

According to village attorney John Spellman, any company can apply for the additional eight licenses. However, the village will consider applications that are already on file meaning the one that Long Island Checker Cab had already submitted.

Mayor Martins and trustees Linda Fairgrieve, Larry Werther and Steve Franzini all voted for adding the additional taxicabs. Trustee Lou Santosus abstained from the vote.

Long Island Checker Cab owner Phil Fortuna launched an advertising campaign during this past village election in an attempt to get former mayor John Colbert and Santosus out of office.

The 45 licenses will all expire at the end of the year, at which point the board will determine how many licenses it will issue.

Larry Blessinger Jr., owner of All-Island Taxi, said All-Island plans on applying for all eight licenses.