The Syosset Chamber of Commerce convened its monthly evening meeting at La Viola restaurant in downtown Syosset last week. The 80 attendees included local Town of Oyster Bay and Nassau County representatives.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto was the guest speaker. The main topic of Venditto's talk centered on the recent decision from the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, reversing a prior court decision from Judge J. Catterson, permitting the building of an 860,000 square-foot mall at the old Cerro Wire site on Robbins Lane in Syosset. Venditto had led the charge by the Town of Oyster Bay against such a mall, both administratively and in the courts, along with a number of civic associations.

In addition to the speaker, Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs was asked to say a few words regarding county projects in our area. Jacobs stated that the county will, in the near future, begin construction on Woodbury Road at the intersection of Syosset-Woodbury Road. The intersection has had a number of accidents over the years due to the poor visibility of merging traffic. Jacobs also said that Jackson Avenue, which is a county road, will be cleaned before and after the Syosset Chamber Street Fair, which was held on Sept. 18.

Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Chris Coschignano discussed the Hamlet Plan for the revitalization of downtown Syosset, a committee chaired by the councilman. Councilwoman Mary McCaffery also spoke briefly, praising the chamber for its work.

The Syosset Chamber recently changed to evening meetings, which are held at the chamber office, located at the Syosset Community Church, at 36 Church Street, Syosset. A grand opening ceremony at the office will be held on October 27.