Minutes - Board Meeting

February 25, 2009

Minutes of the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Mineola

held Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at Village Hall, 155 Washington Avenue, Mineola, New York 11501.

PRESENT: Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Trustee Paul A. Pereira

ALSO PRESENT: Village Attorney John Spellman

Village Clerk Joseph R. Scalero

Sunshine Observers: 3 Observers

Mayor Martins called the Work Session to order at 6:35 pm.

Resolution No. 43-09

Resolved to approve bills and payroll

Motioned by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Seconded by Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Vote:

Yes No Absent

Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Resolution No. 44-09

Resolved to approve the annual request by the Mineola School District for the use of Wilson Park to conduct the Willis Avenue School’s annual Kindergarten class picnic, Wednesday June 17, 2009, from 10:30 am – 2:00 pm (Raindate: June 18).

Motioned by Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Seconded by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Vote:

Yes No Absent

Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Resolution No. 45-09

Resolved to approve the request by the Mineola Chamber of Commerce for the use of Mineola Memorial Park, May 16, 2009 from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm to conduct the annual Mineola Fair (Fair Hours: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm).

Motioned by Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Seconded by Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Vote:

Yes No Absent

Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Resolution No. 46-09

Resolved to approve the request by the Mineola Athletic Association for use of village streets, Wilson Park, and the Willis Avenue ballfields to conduct its annual Opening Day Parade and Ceremonies, Saturday April 18, 2009 beginning at 10:00 am (No Raindate).

Motioned by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Seconded by Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Vote:

Yes No Absent

Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Resolution No. 47-09

Resolved to approve the membership of the following candidates as recommended by the Mineola Fire Department:

Timothy Batjer Company 3

Zane Kerney Company 1

Matthew Moskowitz Company 1

John Negus Company 3

James Wrenn Company 1

Motioned by Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Seconded by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Vote:

Yes No Absent

Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Resolution No. 48-09

Resolved to accept the resignation of Public Works employee James Pinelli and approve a lump-sum separation payout of $26,035.25 for unused accumulated time in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Motioned by Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Seconded by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Vote:

Yes No Absent

Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Resolution No. 49-09

Resolved to approve a transfer of $15,000 from the unreserved fund balance to the Mineola Fire Department budget for furniture and equipment purchases.

Motioned by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Seconded by Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Vote:

Yes No Absent

Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Mayor Martins requested a motion to close the work session at 6:45 pm.

Motioned by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Seconded by Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Vote:

Yes No Absent

Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Mayor Martins called the Public Meeting to order at 7:45 pm.

PRESENT: Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

ALSO PRESENT: Village Attorney John Spellman

Village Clerk Joseph R. Scalero

Sunshine Observers: 31 Observers

Mayor Jack M. Martins reported on a recent meeting with the New York Conference of Mayors and the concern that Federal stimulus funds would be watered down once passed through the state. Mayor Martins also reported that the HUB/Lighthouse scoping was approved by the Town of Hempstead on February 24, 2009. Mayor Martins thanked the Mineola Fire Department for their response to a recent garage fire on Mineola Boulevard and congratulated John Collins on his appointment as Winthrop University Hospital’s CEO. Mayor Martins reported that Nassau County is considering eliminating sales tax sharing with villages, which would cost the Village of Mineola ~$50,000 and stated that if Nassau County begins to license plumbers and taxis it may cause a shortfall in revenue for the Village of Mineola and also remove local control within the village.

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther commented that taxi regulations also include screening

drivers, mentioned Senator Johnson sponsored the bill forcing New York State Department of Transportation to include Jericho Turnpike in project funding, and suggested that residents support small businesses in the village and shop within the village.

Trustee Paul S. Cusato once again thanked everyone for their support at the passing of his wife, Kathy, and complemented the Mineola Fire Department on a good job extinguishing the garage fire on Mineola Boulevard.

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy commented on Nassau County’s implementation of a home heating fuel tax and the negative effects it will have on residents.

Trustee Paul A. Pereira wished residents a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Trustee Pereira commented that Nassau County should observe a well-run government, for example the Village of Mineola. Trustee Pereira congratulated the Department of Public Works for cleaning the streets right after the ice thaw, and reminded residents that they should vote on March 18, 2009 even though the election is uncontested.

Mayor Martins opened the Public Comment period by posing a question to all speakers: “Should the Board of Trustees re-implement a time limit for speakers at Public Meetings so that everyone can be heard early?”

14 Speakers addressed the Board

Mayor Jack M. Martins requested a motion to close the Public Meeting at 11:30 PM

Motioned by Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Seconded by Trustee Paul A. Pereira

Vote:

Yes No Absent

Mayor Jack M. Martins

Trustee Lawrence A. Werther

Trustee Paul S. Cusato

Trustee Thomas F. Kennedy

Trustee Paul A. Pereira