Minutes – Board
Meeting 1/19/05
Minutes of the meeting
of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Mineola held Wednesday,
January 19, 2005 at the Village Hall, 155 Washington Avenue, Mineola, New York.
PRESENT: Mayor
Jack M. Martins
Deputy
Mayor Lawrence A. Werther
Trustee
Louis Santosus, Jr.
Trustee
Linda Fairgrieve (arrived during executive session)
Trustee
Paul S. Cusato
ALSO PRESENT: Village Attorney John Spellman
Village
Clerk Michael E. Arens
Village
Treasurer Richard Dwyer
Superintendent
of Public Works Thomas Rini
Building
Superintendent Daniel B. Whalen
Water
Department Superintendent Frederick Booher
Deputy
Village Clerk Janet H. Zalkin
Sunshine Observers: 2 people in attendance
Mayor Martins opened the work session at 6:30 PM.
Resolution
No. 18-05
Resolved to approve bills and payroll.
Motioned by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Seconded by Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Vote:
Yes No Abstain
Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Mayor Jack M. Martins
Resolution
No. 19-05
Resolved to approve the appointments of the following new members to
the Mineola Fire Department:
Christopher Williams Company
No. 2
Joseph Monez Company
No. 1
Michael Stack Company
No. 3
Motioned by Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Seconded by Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Vote:
Yes No Abstain
Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Mayor Jack M. Martins
Resolution
No. 20-05
Resolved to approve Change Order No. 2 for $1,774.31 for the Clearwell
repairs at Well No. 4.
Motioned by Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Seconded by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Vote:
Yes No Abstain
Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Mayor Jack M. Martins
Department of Public Works Superintendent, Thomas Rini reported on the
large number of bicycles tied to poles as well as portable basketball hoops
left in the streets and in the right of way. The bicycles and hoops can cause
damage to the DPW vehicles that are trying to clear the roads and walk ways as
well as damage to property. The department plans to send notices out advising
owners to remove the portable basketball hoops. Bicycles will be tagged
allowing 24 to 48 hours for owners to remove them. Thereafter, the bicycles
will be removed.
Mayor Martins suggested making this a quarterly activity.
Superintendent Daniel B. Whalen gave the Building Department’s monthly report.
Mayor Martins reports on a Newsday article regarding District Attorney Denis Dillon’s actions against illegal housing. Mayor Martins said that he is sending Mr. Dillon a letter to offer his assistance since the Village of Mineola has been aggressive on this issue.
Mayor Martins requested a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters at 6:55 PM.
Motioned by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Seconded by Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Vote:
Yes No Abstain
Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Mayor Jack M. Martins
Motion to come out of Executive Session at 7:35 PM.
Motioned by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Seconded by Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Vote:
Yes No Abstain
Trustee Linda Fairgrieve
Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Mayor Jack M. Martins
Mayor Martins stated that there was no resolution to the personnel issues discussed in Executive Session and the board members agreed to table their discussion.
Mayor Martins gave a presentation on the potential devastating impacts to the Village as a result of Nassau County’s planned sale of the Social Services Building and surrounding parking lots. The County’s plan would eliminate approximately 1,300 parking spaces. Given the parking restrictions in the adjoining Garden City community, the vehicles would, in all likelihood seek parking in our Village and the potential impact to Mineola’s residential and business communities from having to absorb these vehicles would be severe. The County did not respond to Mayor’s letter requesting clarification and written assurances that the parking lots would not be closed until such time as there was adequate, alternative, on-site parking. In the hope of maintaining the status quo until such time as the County had adequate, alternative on-site parking in place, the Mayor requested that the Board authorize seeking judicial intervention to protect the quality of life of Village residents and protect the already parking starved business district.
Resolved to seek judicial intervention against the County of Nassau regarding the sale of the parking lots in the vicinity of the Social Services building pursuant to the County’s Real Estate Consolidation Plan until such time as the County provides adequate, alternative, on-site parking to offset the approximately 1,300 displaced parking spadces and prevent irreparable harm to our residential and business communities.
Motioned by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Seconded by Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Vote:
Yes No Abstain
Trustee Linda Fairgrieve
Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Mayor Jack M. Martins
Mayor Martins requested to close the Work Session at 7:45 PM.
Motioned by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Seconded by Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Vote:
Yes No Abstain
Trustee Linda Fairgrieve
Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Mayor Jack M. Martins
Mayor Martins opened the Public Meeting at 7:45 PM.
Mayor Martins invited residents to familiarize themselves with the school board issues as two thirds of their tax bill goes towards school taxes. Mayor Martins reported that the Village’s Master Plan Committee would be meeting on January 25, 2005 for a discussion on Master Plan proposals to be considered.
Trustee Lawrence A. Werther reported that Mayor Martins and the Chamber of Commerce would be hosting a forum for community business owners of January 24, 2005. He gave an update on upcoming library events and gave a report on Justice Court.
Trustee Louis Santosus reminded residents of the importance of getting cars out of the street when it snows.
Trustee Linda Fairgrieve had no report.
Trustee Paul Cusato reminded residents that the P.A.L. is hosting the annual football awards ceremony on Friday, January 21, 2005.
Motion to adjourn at 8:40 PM.
Motioned by Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Seconded by Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Vote:
Yes No Abstain
Trustee Linda Fairgrieve
Trustee Louis Santosus, Jr.
Trustee Lawrence A. Werther
Trustee Paul S. Cusato
Mayor Jack M. Martins
Respectfully submitted,
___________________
Michael E. Arens
Village Clerk