The annual "state of the village" for Roslyn, released last week by the Village, declared Roslyn's financial position as described by Village auditors as healthy due mainly to the second consecutive "zero increase" in budget spending.

Other items in the state of the village report include Master Plan developments, the updated municipal code, land donations to the village, and bridge replacement plans near the Roslyn Viaduct.

Village officials continue to hail the Forest City Daly senior housing development as the first fruition of its master plan. The proposed 250-unit has been approved by the Board of Trustees, the Site Review Board, and the Planning Board. It awaits approval from both the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Historic District Board. Recently, the Roslyn Landmark Society came out against a variance request by Daly that needs approval from the BZA.

A new Municipal Code was adopted earlier this year by the Board of Trustees. The code, village officials claim, both brings local laws in compliance with state laws and presents the public with a single source for finding out the rules and regulations of the Roslyn government. Hearings on the new code were held last fall and winter.

In the grant department, the village received $20,000 for the resurfacing of Edwards Street, a project that was completed last fall. KeySpan donated $2,000 to the village for a Tree Planting Fund. In addition, the New York Department of State recently approved a $20,000 grant to the village for the "Roslyn Harbor Redevelopment Strategy" project. The village had applied for the grant under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.

Bridge replacement on the Roslyn Viaduct is expected to begin three years from now. The projected cost is estimated at between $65 and $80 million.

The New York State Department of Transportation has declared that the current design of the bridge is outmoded and does not meet state standards. Approach ramps on both the east and west lanes and the length of both the acceleration and deceleration lanes will all need construction work. "The state has committed to collaboration with the [village] Task Force on aesthetic treatments, waterfront improvement opportunities and architectural enhancements," said Mayor Janet Galante. "We will continue to bring local concerns to the DOT from the community and work towards minimizing the impact of the construction."

In other news, the Board of Trustees has selected the firm of Sidney B. Bowne & Son to provide the design services for the rehabilitation of the retaining wall at Glen Avenue above the parking facility at Jolly Fisherman Restaurant. The village has also purchased a new dump truck with snow plowing and road sanding attachments to replace an "outdated" 1991 model which has since been sold by the village. Village officials cite the steep hills and the terrain in general of Roslyn Village as limiting "the expected operating life" of such vehicles.

The village's sidewalk repair and reconstruction program continued throughout 1999. The BOT awarded a contract to E. Cook Industries of Westbury to assist in rehabilitating walkways throughout Roslyn. Village officials admit to receiving "several lawsuits directly related to sidewalk conditions." The restoration program seeks to alleviate the potentially "hazardous conditions" that may have caused such legal action.

Among the land areas donated to the village in the past year include the Van Nostrand-Starkins House, a homestead which is part of the historic district and is usually a stopping place on the Roslyn Landmark Society's annual summer tour. The house was donated to the village by Mr. Elias Kalimian, and its market value is estimated at $400,000.

Finally, village officials are urging local residents to comply with Census Bureau questionnaires, which will be mailed out next month. An inaccurate count, even for a small village like Roslyn, could result in a decrease in state and possibly, federal aid.