RSS 2.0 FeedJune 10, 2011, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
Freeport trustees approve electric exclusion
Meeting includes praise for successful, peaceful Nautical Fest.
Freeport trustees acted on a brief agenda Monday, approving an application of the Electric Utility seeking approval from the state comptroller for exclusion of $67.2 million of its outstanding indebtedness from the village’s debt ceiling. The request is filed annually.
A request from the mayor’s office to appoint Daihana Torres Lopez as a research assistant to the mayor and board for a term to expire April 2, 2012 did not receive approval as a result of a 2-2 vote. (Trustee William White was absent).
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Andrew Hardwick expressed disappointment that her appointment was not approved, citing her work in the Human Resources Department that saved the village about $300,000 in unnecessary spending and improving the insurance program for village employees.
In other actions, trustees:
• Approved a parade and public assembly permit from Word of Life Ministries for public assemblies at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15 and November 19. Mayor Hardwick praised the efforts to improve the park for public use. “This is one of those examples of how people can get it done,” he said. “Now it’s a very beautiful location. It has stood the test of time because of the security elements in place. We gave the park back to the kids.”
• Gave retroactive approval for $15,000 in repairs of the Public Works Building on Albany Avenue, which recently was struck by lightning.
• Awarded a $30,000 annual maintenance and landscaping contract for village properties to Pascarella’s Landscaping in Old Bethpage.
• Authorized advertising for proposals for the South Shore Blueway Trail, a proposed marked waterway for kayakers that village officials hope will be extended along Freeport and Nassau County waterways. The village will fund the project with grants from the state Environmental Protection Fund, and from Nassau County.
• Approved extending a requirements contract for $19,200 with Air Tox Environmental Company of Willington, Connecticut, for an emissions monitoring system required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Approved a block party permit from Our Holy Redeemer Church for June 19.
• Approved participation in a quarterly newsletter of the American Public Power Authority for $32,000. Audience member Peggy Lester commented that she thought the price was excessive, but Electric Department head Anthony Fiore explained that the cost would cover printing and mailing of an 8-12 page publication dealing with energy efficiency and what residents can do to cut their utility costs and save electricity.
Mayor Hardwick held a brief ceremony at the start of the meeting honoring Boy Scout Robert Joseph Bruin of Freeport for his recent attainment of Eagle Scout and urged him to serve as a model for other young people.
The meeting concluded with Trustee Jorge Martinez and Mayor Hardwick praising the work of the Police Department and other village employees involved with the recent Nautical Mile weekend event.
