RSS 2.0 FeedDecember 23, 2010, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
Freeport trustees set FD, budget hearings
Former tax assessor raises issues resulting in discussion.
Freeport trustees on Monday set two public hearings for their January 10 board meeting – the 2011-12 village budget hearing and the proposed $126,000 contract with the volunteer fire department.
Their lengthy agenda included discussions on several issues and a lengthy public comment segment.
A lengthy discussion followed on several issues raised by former tax assessor Bernadine Quinton about various discrepancies relating to tax certiorari cases.
When board members voted to settle 33 tax certiorari proceedings, Ms. Quinton questioned how many total cases had been filed, and whether any had been rejected.
She was told to “come to the office” of current Assessor Paul Nehrich during regular business hours for specific information.
“How do you know what you’re approving and which ones you’re denying?” she asked, and noted that the total value of assessed property in the village has dropped below $100 million for the first time. She also noted a major error in two columns of the assessment roll had been transposed, presenting incorrect numbers for the revised assessments that were higher than the previous figures.
Mayor Andrew Hardwick instructed Mr. Nehrich to make a quick review of the numbers. A few minutes later, the assessor said the columns should be reversed to accurately reflect the lower assessments.
Apparently, not all the board members have seen the entire list of the cases filed, and could not take a vote on which requests would be denied.
Village Attorney Howard Colton said the board “can see the entire list if requested.”
Trustee William White noted that, during the Glacken administration, trustees would receive the entire list, “even those denied.”
The board approved a $1.5 million bond resolution to pay the tax certiorari judgments, and also voted to open the assessment roll for inspection for 15 days from January 6, when the public notice on the final assessment roll is published, to make exemption changes to the tentative assessment roll.
In other actions, trustees:
• approved sidewalk repairs totaling $5,181.
• Authorized the Town of Hempstead to process all dog licensing applications for the village. To a question by Steve Malone about why Hempstead would be licensing the dogs, Trustee William White replied that the state decided not to license dogs through the Village of Freeport, and that the town would take over the program.
• Awarded a contract for rehabilitation at Well no. 7 to Sidney B. Bowne & Son of Mineola for $4,900, and an hourly rate of $130 up to $2,500.
• Approved a $22,459 brush generator maintenance contract for the Electric Department.
• Approved the purchase of a pickup truck with a snow plow for $30,379 from Van Bortel Ford of Rochester; approved the annual tree removal contract for an additional year with Looks Great Services of Huntington.
• Transferred $50,000 from a Public Works administration account to the storm water account.
• Approved an enhanced amnesty program for all outstanding parking tickets with Fundamental Business Services Inc.
• Gave retroactive approval for police department participation in the Nassau County Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.
Public comment
Annette Dennis, who last week announced her candidacy for the Village Board election in March, discussed at length what she termed a “double standard” by trustees White and Jorge Martinez regarding the mayor’s trips to China and Germany, and the Glacken administration’s visit to Freeport’s sister city of Walldorf, Germany, and the subsequent visit by officials of that city to Freeport, at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars.
“This is clearly a double standard,” Ms. Dennis said, and questioned whether the village received any economic benefits as a result of those visits.
Mr. White countered by saying there was no opposition by the board to Mr. Hardwick’s trips, but the issue was an indication by Gov. David Paterson and Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper that the state would reimburse the expenses for those oversees trips in the amounts of $25,000 and $65,000.
Another point of contention, Mr. White explained, was the mayor’s decision to invite a special counsel on the trip to Germany and for the village to pay his expenses, “which I didn’t think was a good idea.”
Mr. Martinez replied that “My question was ‘who’s paying for the trip?’ Where’s the money coming from? I have yet to receive information about who’s paying for the trip.” He also said the mayor brought a camera crew to Germany and that “I haven’t seen any pictures yet.”
Mayor Hardwick defended his trips, stating that “If I hadn’t gone we wouldn’t be able to establish rapport with state officials and wouldn’t have gotten $5 million for the roads.”
He chided former village officials who attended the meeting to criticize his actions. “It’s a game being played. New people are doing the job now,” he said.
“We’re going nowhere if we think small. You cannot run this village from those seats and this political rhetoric is doing more damage than good. There has been a double standard and we all know that. While I’m mayor I’m going to do what’s right. I made my promise to the Big Guy.”
Pat Rowen complained about the proliferation of and health hazard posed by the increasing number of cell towers in Freeport, particularly near the high school. She cited a recent increase of cancer cases in Bayville that some have attributed to the presence of a large number of towers there.
Mr. Colton said studies by an engineering firm have indicated the towers are safe. “We’ve never had a radiation problem as an issue,” he said.
Mayor Hardwick assured Ms. Rowen “We keep an eye on it with the experts.”
Later in the meeting, the mayor ordered Ms. Rowen expelled for making an outburst from her seat in the audience during Ms. Dennis’ presentation. Officer Mike Pomerico, one of the two police stationed at the door to remove disruptors, escorted her to the door.
Former Deputy Village Attorney Stephen Malone questioned why Villa Construction Co. of Freeport, who was awarded a $52,503 contract in June for clearance of lot degree, did not fulfill its obligation and canceled the contract.
Mr. Malone said it was a breach of contract, but Mr. Colton disagreed. Mr. Colton said the village could complete the debris clearance at a lower cost.
Mr. Malone also asked about repairs to the bulkhead at Waterfront Park, and whether permits had been issued for the work.
Public Works Director Scott Richardson said a grant had been applied for to replace the entire bulkhead, and that some restoration work had been completed “to allow some fishing,” which did not require obtaining permits.
Mr. Richardson added that the grant for the bulkhead replacement is in the capital budget.
The Nautical Mile was the subject of two speakers’ comments.
Jane Dugan discussed having the Nautical Mile Festival in June restored to a three-day event, and Long Island Arts Council Executive Director Marnie Katzman revealed plans for a health walk with signage designed by artist Marc Josloff with painted decorations by Freeport school students.
Alan Jay again railed against “extortion by the teachers unions” bringing about higher taxes.
In response, Deputy Mayor Carmen Pineyro said “I’m grateful for the teachers and their hard work. I received a great education. Please stop badgering teachers who are preparing students for the future of this nation.”
Mr. Jay replied, “They’ve got to stop demanding more and more money. Otherwise, I love teachers.”
Three speakers, Anthony Miller, James Caracciolo, Gordon Rodelict and Anna Muhammad, praised the work of the mayor and trustees, and appealed for a greater spirit of harmony and cooperation for the new year.
Mr. Caracciolo stated that “in March 2009, the registered voters spoke and made a change. This administration is doing a great job.” He criticized trustees White and Martinez, and also lashed out at Mr. Malone in the audience.
Mr. Rodelict said he was “saddened being a Freeporter” at having watched the conduct at the meetings.
He also urged the mayor to be more positive regarding the schools and children of the community, referring to recent comments the mayor was said to have made.
Mayor Hardwick responded that he had been referring to recent test scores, which placed Freeport students at or near the bottom in relation to other school districts.
He said he had met with the school district superintendent and with clergy and other community leaders to develop after-school programs. “It’s about us working together,” he said. “Let’s have a new start. The future of Freeport is our young people.”
Retired police officer Julius Pearse made a plea that Officer Zena Leftenant be considered for promotion in the department. He said she was deserving of promotion because of her “total record of service that she’s given to the village. Her record is above reproach and she has proven she can reach out to the community.”
Comments(1):
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I was thrown out?
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 Pat
