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September 15, 2011, Freeport-Baldwin Leader

Freeport trustees approve $7.5 million in bonds

By Jim Golding   Sat, Sep 17, 2011

Much needed projects to get attention.

Village trustees on Monday authorized the issuance of $7.5 million in serial bonds to finance eight much-needed capital projects, with a substantial amount of that total to be reimbursed through county, state and federal grants.    

Among the projects will be substantial improvements to portions of Nassau and South Long Beach Avenues, Adams, Hamilton and Suffolk Streets.
   
The work will involve resurfacing and infrastructure replacements such as storm sewers and drains.
   
Though he welcomed the news that the streets would finally be repaired, former Deputy Village Attorney Stephen Malone criticized the lack of a plan to raise the surface of the streets in the flood-prone areas.
   
Mayor Andrew Hardwick replied that “We have to work with the money we have. We can’t wait any longer. We will never have enough money to do what we want to do. The roads need to be addressed now.”
   
The projects to be financed through the bonds and the amounts consist of:

  • $260,000 for the construction of a welcome center adjacent to the Seaport Museum, with $100,000 reimbursable. Mr. Malone suggested a location more convenient for visitors, such as along North Main Street, Sunrise Highway or Merrick Road.
  • $137,000 for the construction, reconstruction and replacement of a bulkhead at Prospect Park.
  • $1 million for bulkhead replacement at Waterfront Park.
  • $100,000 for improvements at the Recreation Center.
  • $465,000 for installation of stormwater treatment devices, with the total amount reimbursable.
  • $220,000 for a vacuum-assisted street sweeper, with $120,000 reimbursable.
  • $100,000 for the planning and construction of water trails, with the total amount reimbursable. Water trails will enable kayakers to follow certain waterways and connect to other county parks.
  • $5,355,000 for the road repair projects mentioned above, including water main and sewer line replacement. Grants will reimburse $1,377,000 of the total. Mayor Hardwick praised the work of Nora Sudars, the village grants administrator, for her efforts in obtaining them.

   
Trustees also approved a $69,500 contract with the state Division of Criminal Justice Services for Operation Impact VIII, which will be used for police overtime used in certain crime activities and for the intelligence center.
   
Three contracts with the Town of Hempstead also received approval for the South Freeport Fire District for a three-year period and two contracts were approved for the Electric Utility.

In other actions, trustees approved the following:

  • A permit application from Pay-O-Matic for a grand opening event on Saturday, September 17, at the parking lot on Sunrise Highway between Bergen Place and Ocean Avenue, from noon to 3 p.m.
  • A permit application for the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport for a crafts show on Saturday, October 1, at Seabreeze Park, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Approval for the Fire Department to host the second annual Fire Expo on October 23, 1-4 p.m. at the Seaport Museum municipal parking lot.

   
Mayor Hardwick ended the meeting by recognizing the Fire Department’s Hose Co. 1 for winning the county championship in a recent competition with other departments, and also praised those involved with the village’s 9/11 commemoration on Sunday. Trustee Jorge Martinez added that the event was a “wonderful, comforting scene.”

By Jim Golding

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