Less than one year old and with 108 members, the Oyster Bay Civic Associatin is showing itself to be tuned into the needs of the community. At their Feb. 17 meeting they covered several nuts and bolts items on their agenda.

Matt Morgan and John Walsh of the Oyster Bay Civic Association will present the report on membership eligibility at their March meeting. "The by-laws are written and ready for a vote," said Mr. Walsh. The group meets the third Thursday of the month. "The Italian-American Club continues to allow us to use their building," said President Tim Archdeacon. The meetings now start at 7:30 p.m.

At the suggestion of Bob Bagan, the group will have the by-laws proposed in March and voted on in April.

The group is hosting a forum on the development of the Hallock property on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. Mr. Archdeacon said the group will continue to accommodate developers to present their plans to the community before their members.

OBCA Director Jerritt Gluck, chair of the Cleanup Committee said they were alerted of graffiti on the Mill River Road Bridge, off Glen Cove Road and they had worked at having it cleaned up. It was done twice: the first a fast swipe and the second to make a finished job of the work when the weather was warmer, said Vice President Marie Knight.

She said Townsend Square is once again being cleaned up by town workers on a regular basis. "Someone complained of noise and the cleanup was stopped for a time. It is again being done between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m." she said.

Mr. Archdeacon said there is a request to put a light at the intersection of Summit Street and Route 106. It is a heavily trafficked corner.

Island Properties Committee Chair Eve Bernstein said IP representative Abraham Poznanski has requested town residents to inform him as to what businesses they would like to see in town. "Mr. Poznanski is anxious to hear your ideas," she said.

She will ask for members' suggestions at the March meeting.

Eileen McFetridge, local Stand for Children representative asked if the OBCA has a youth committee. Mr. Archdeacon said no one under 18 is a voting member but said Jerritt Gluck has talked to the school to see if young people can become involved. The group will be a year old in June, has 108 members and is still in the formative stages, he said.

"Are you saying youth aren't ready to be citizens?" quipped Ms. McFetridge, smiling.

"If you think it's a good idea maybe you can get them involved," said Mr. Archdeacon.

"Yes - let's engage the young people to be a part - a junior civic association," said Mr. Gluck.

Mr. Archdeacon asked the membership what they would like to see on the March agenda:

Pierre Brandt suggested that Island Properties explain what they are doing with their new properties.

Bob Bagan suggested planning for a Spring Cleanup of the village. "Do something positive," he said. "Get T-shirts and brooms."

He also suggested they throw their name in the hopper to help students earn their Community Service requirements for graduation from the high school.

Tim Archdeacon mentioned that John Niellands is interested in having any interested volunteers help clean up a cemetery on Piping Rock Road. It was used for many years by Mt. Olive Church in Oyster Bay and Calvary Baptist Church in Glen Cove. Mr. Niellands said in a telephone interview that he is also interested in hearing from any people with knowledge of who was buried there. If you would like to volunteer for the cleanup, or have information about the interments, please call him at 676-2895.

Tim Archdeacon, president of the Oyster Bay Civic Association gave a "mission statement" of the group. "We should be proud of ourselves. Proud - and careful that we make wise decisions and become positive and not nay-sayers.

"We should be a 'yes' civic association. A positive civic association." That was in response to a concern expressed by Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto who said there are proposals before the town board, and ones to come, that need citizen input to keep the hamlet going in the direction residents want.

Less than a year old, and with 108 members, the Oyster Bay Civic Association has proven it was a needed group to channel the concerns of local residents of the hamlet. At their first induction of officers, Feb. 17, both Mr. Venditto and Legislator Brian Muellers congratulated the members as they spoke.

"This is an amazing turnout. Give yourself a hand. This is Democracy at its best - where a group of citizens meet, who want to preserve the community and the downtown welfare. This is where democracy happens. That you have the attention of your elected officials shows that," he said.

Besides Mr. Muellers and Mr. Venditto - Oyster Bay Town Clerk Martha Offerman, Councilwoman Bonnie Eisler and Receiver of Taxes James Stefanich attended the event.

Mr. Muellers said, "Oyster Bay is a place where the people know the local business people. Congratulations to all of you for making Oyster Bay what it is today and can be in the future.

"Call me if I can support what you are doing in any way," he said.

Mr. Muellers inducted into office board of directors: Anthony LaMarca, Esq.; John Walsh and Jerritt Gluck.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto inducted Secretary Ellen VonNovak; Treasurer Nicole Dupre; Vice President Marie Knight - all together ending with "to make our town and our hamlet a better place to live - so help me God!"

Mr. Venditto's message was one of concern for the hamlet.

"What a wonderful place the Town of Oyster Bay is. The hamlet - to many - is the spirit and soul of the Township. Frequently - as goes the hamlet - so goes the town.

"Whether you know it or not - the hamlet is at a crossroads - that is an understatement. The development of the Western Waterfront and the number of significant zoning issues pending and some under way, including the episode of the Island Properties Caper - there's a lot going on," he said.

Mr. Venditto said the town will be reaching out to members of the community to meet regularly at town hall. His staff have been doing a lot of homework, researching and educating themselves about the village and want to bring in a cross section of residents to guide them in decisions on what the hamlet should become in the future.

"We can start some very constructive dialogs," he said.

Looking at the audience, Mr. Venditto said, "This is the most impressive turnout I've seen in a long time."

Mr. Venditto couldn't stay for the rest of the meeting because of an appointment at the Bethpage High School involving his son.

As the inductions and speeches concluded, NYS Senator Carl Marcellino arrived and the Western Waterfront panel stepped up to the front of the room, as the next part of the meeting continued. That report begins on page 1 of this newspaper.