CP BOE Proposes 1.91 Percent Budget Increase

Superintendent Flatley aims for ‘no cuts in programs or services’

The Carle Place Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools David Flatley presented the community with the district’s 2012-2013 proposed budget, which calls for an estimated 1.91 percent increase from last year’s budget, on Saturday morning, Feb. 11 in the high school auditorium.

Flatley said the $46,395,620 budget is an increase of $868,795 from the $45,526,824 budget in 2011-2012. The tax levy increase is approximately 1.84 percent, Flatley noted.

Many staff members from the district were in attendance to support the budget, as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Personnel Christine Finn was applauded when she announced that no teaching positions were eliminated in the 2012-2013 proposed budget.

“The budget that we are proposing has no cuts in programs and services.

Town and Villages Briefed on County Police Merger

Supervisor Kaiman invited local officials to learn about county plan to close four police precincts

“I get the sense that dollars being cut, this savings, is the driving issue behind the police precinct closings,” stated North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman. In an interview with Anton Community Newspapers following a town-hosted meeting last week, where Supervisor Kaiman invited local officials to hear the county present its plan, the supervisor emphasized his concern that “we are sacrificing public safety for the wrong reasons.”

Supervisor Kaiman invited Nassau County officials to North Hempstead Town Hall to present the county plan to close four police precincts. The meeting, held last Wednesday morning, Feb. 8, at North Hempstead Town Hall, was an opportunity for the county to speak to its plan before a group of town and village officials. The supervisor said that local officials “had many questions and concerns about the controversial plan.” Over 20 villages were represented through their mayors and trustees, while state and federal legislators also sent representatives to the meeting.

Village Board Updates Community On Crime Prevention Efforts

New law tightens regulations on peddling, soliciting

The Village of Westbury Board of Trustees addressed the public on Feb. 2 on several items of community interest, including its most recent efforts to deter crime and suspicious activity in the village.

The board discussed and enacted a new local law to better monitor and enforce restrictions on peddling and soliciting activity within village boundaries.

“This is a result of the heightened concern in the community about some of the activities that were taking place in late summer and early fall,” said Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro.

The mayor added that several residents were specifically concerned with what seemed to be a proliferation of door-to-door peddling in the village.

Nassau Police, Ambulance Technicians Save Newborn in Westbury

Baby was motionless, breathless when officers arrived

Early morning on Jan. 31, a family experienced a life-changing – and life-saving – event as Nassau County police officers and ambulance medical technicians brought a newborn baby back to life in Westbury.

The county’s Third Precinct said that Officers Cooper and Atkin responded to a call regarding a newborn baby at a Westbury home on Roman Avenue.

When officers arrived on the scene, a 40-year-old woman was holding her newborn boy, who lay motionless and breathless at the time. 

CPCA Discusses Roosevelt Field Mall, ‘Hub’ Plans

TNH Clerk Leslie Gross also addresses residents at meeting

Members of the Carle Place Civic Association offered updates on local happenings, including the Roosevelt Field Mall renovations, Homewood Suites and senior housing construction and possible plans for the Nassau County Hub.

CPCA President Peter McDonnell said that a representative from Simon Malls, which owns the Roosevelt Field property, discussed renovation plans with Civic members, and possible plans would include moving the food court and adding several new restaurants and retail stores in the near future.

Regarding the Hub development, McDonnell said a representative from the Nassau County Hub Study organization will speak at the Feb. 15 CPCA meeting to discuss how possible plans may affect the Carle Place area, and specifically, its Long Island Rail Road station.

Mayor, Trustee, NCPD Attend Sherwood Civic Association Meeting

Tax cap, code enforcement, Westbury Theater among topics of note

Westbury Village Mayor Peter Cavallaro and Trustee Beaumont Jefferson attended the Jan. 25 Sherwood Civic Association meeting, held at the Westbury Public Library.

Interim Vice President of the Association, David Braham, introduced the mayor as “the most accessible mayor on Long Island.” Mayor Cavallaro proceeded to speak about a number of issues and concerns of the community, including police protection, property taxes (including an explanation of the new 2 percent tax levy cap adopted by New York State last year), code enforcement, as well as an update on the redevelopment of the Westbury Movie Theatre. The mayor indicated that he was hopeful that the theatre would be open by late spring or early summer, and that a significant amount of progress has been made by the developer, despite a slow start.

Westbury’s Dr. Clark-Snead Retiring June 30

Superintendent: ‘wonderful’ experience but with some ‘turbulent times’

Following a presentation of the district’s 2012-2013 preliminary budget, Westbury Superintendent Dr. Constance Clark-Snead announced her retirement, effective June 30, at last week’s Jan. 19 board of education meeting.

In a letter to Dr. Clark-Snead dated June 30, 2011 from Westbury Board of Education President Dr. Pless Dickerson, the superintendent was advised that the board didn’t intend to renew her contract beyond June 30 of this year.

“I had to really go through some emotional deliberation as it relates to this. You know how I feel about the children and families in this community, but with what has taken place with what the governor is doing, I think it’s drastic, and I cannot in good conscience, be a part of that,” said Dr. Clark-Snead, who had served as superintendent of the district since September 1999.

Westbury BOE: $115 Million Preliminary Budget

Current contingent budget is approximately $109 million

On Jan. 19, Westbury School District Superintendent Dr. Constance Clark-Snead and Assistant Superintendent Mary Lagnado presented updated preliminary budget options for the 2012-2013 school year, which included $850,000 in newly received State aid.

Lagnado presented three options to the public, with options one representing a 2.66 percent increase, option two reflecting the 2 percent tax cap levy and option three a zero percent increase as a result of a failed budget.

The New York State Governor property tax cap legislation limits the increase in property taxes each year for a school district to 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. If a community chooses to increase taxes more than the tax cap allows, a 60 percent vote in a school budget vote can override it.

Kidney & Urology Foundation Honoring CP’s Peter Meade

Community activist overcame prostate, bladder cancer

Chief Peter W. Meade of Carle Place, retired Assistant Chief Fire Marshal for Fire and Rescue Services for the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office, will be honored by the Kidney & Urology Foundation of America (KUFA) at its inaugural “Top 25 Champions for a Cure” Reception Benefit on Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. The awards reception, hosted by The Woodlands Country Club, Woodbury, will honor 25 worthy advocates who have been afflicted by, committed to education, or dedicated to finding a cure for prostate cancer and/or kidney disease.

“We are pleased to honor Chief Meade as one of the top 25 individuals who has done so much for prostate cancer and kidney disease,” noted Tracey Gittere, 2012 event chairperson and president of Legendary Events, Inc. of Carle Place.

Police: Three Elderly Women Held at Gunpoint in Westbury

Man followed woman into home, demanded jewelry, cops say

Following a string of residential burglaries and an increased police presence in the Westbury/Carle Place area, the Third Squad is investigating a burglary on Jan. 10 where three elderly women were held at gunpoint for their jewelry, police said.

Nassau County detectives said the burglary occurred around 2 p.m. when a white male, approximately 50 years old, entered an unlocked side door at a residence on 5th Avenue. Police said the suspect followed an 83-year-old female visitor into the home and confronted her, along with a 90-year-old woman and an 86-year-old female, who were already inside the home. The suspect displayed a handgun, took jewelry from a jewelry box and fled the scene in a gray, four-door Honda, said police.