One might not think that a debate over a proposed elevator construction in Roslyn's Village Hall would spark public acrimony. But that is what happened at a recent board of trustees meeting that took up the matter.

In order to comply with the federal regulations of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), an elevator apparently is needed to transport disabled people from the lobby of the village hall to the second floor. Mayor Janet Galante wants funds for such an elevator approved. Board of trustee members claim they also want to build such an elevator, but citing budget restraints, they refused to second a motion entered by Mayor Galante, one that would support a $220,000 contract for elevator engineering services.

The meeting was attended by several Long Island-area activists for disabled people. Robert Schoenfeld of East Meadow, a member of an organization called Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York, said that it is now "physically impossible" for disabled people to get up the hill and into the village hall building. He said the current lack of an elevator is, in fact, a violation of the ADA, plus some state laws, too. Mr. Schoenfeld said such an elevator would have multiple purposes. In addition to aiding disabled people, it would "help people with chores" and those parents who come to the village hall with small children. Mr. Schoenfeld said his organization doesn't "suggest a lawsuit" for the situation; it only wants the village to see what good things can come from an elevator. He also rejected the idea that the village make an electric wheelchair available to disabled people.

Another activist, June Roberts, also lent her support to elevator funding. When asked by BOT member, John Durkin if she was aware of any sources of funding, Ms. Roberts said she wouldn't discuss such matters in public, while adding that she could help the BOT "make a connection" for any necessary funding. Citing the existence of certain agencies designed to help with such funding, Ms. Roberts claimed the village hasn't exhausted all its funding possibilities. She also noted that the "word is out" about the lack of an elevator in the village hall. If budget restraints are a problem, Mr. Schoenfeld added that the funding could be done over a number of years, rather than right away.

BOT members disagreed not over the desirability of an elevator, but whether the funding for such an operation was now available. Noting that she had long filled out grants for elevator funding, Mayor Galante claimed the "money is here" for the elevator. Citing the ADA, the mayor also said she was determined to have the elevator funded by the time she leaves office this spring.

Trustee Marshall Bernstein said that what the village had in excess surplus had been earmarked for a generator in the village hall. Such a generator, he said, was not necessary. As a result, Trustee Bernstein said he "was not convinced" the village had additional surplus funds for an elevator.

Once the motion to support some elevator funding was rejected, things got a little heated as Trustee Durkin accused the mayor of "demonizing the board at the expense of certain people." Back to economic issues, Trustee Bernstein further stated that village residents are currently highly taxed; he added that the village faces "high indebtedness" and that the BOT has other infrastructure issues to worry about, including repaving village streets. Trustee Nolan Myerson acknowledged that the village needs an elevator, but for now, budget problems prevent any funding for it, a sentiment seconded by other BOT members.

For his part, Mr. Schoenfeld reminded the BOT that a lawsuit against the village would not only force them to pay for the elevator, but also make them pay certain legal penalties.