RSS 2.0 FeedThursday, December 22, 2011, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
Village Board approves $1.5 million certiorari bond
Village board meeting gets heated over many topics.
At a highly contentious village board meeting on Monday, trustees authorized $1.5 million in bonds to settle nearly 50 tax certiorari judgments, awarded several contracts, including one of $1.13 million for solid waste and recyclables disposal, and set a public hearing for next year’s budget.
Lengthy discussions also took place during public comment by several residents connected with the Police Activity League strongly complaining about Mayor Andrew Hardwick’s comments at the last Village board meeting relating to the PAL’s financial situation, and relating to the North Main Street traffic safety issue that has beleaguered the community for several months in the wake of fatalities at certain intersections.
The board’s action to authorize the bond sale drew sharp criticism from several residents, including former Deputy Village Attorney Stephen Malone, who reminded trustees about the state comptroller’s recent audit that criticized the practice of issuing bonds to pay for tax judgments.
“Why are you doing it again?” he demanded.
But Village Attorney Howard Colton responded that “the state comptroller says that of every municipality. It’s still a good accounting practice and noted that the board had included about $800,000 in the current year’s budget to “wean the village off bonding.”
Mr. Malone pressed trustees about what is being done to avoid “borrowing from taxpayers” for future tax settlements.
Mr. Colton stated that next year’s proposed budget includes more funds to pay for such settlements.
The board also approved up to $175,000 in bonds for radio equipment required by the federal government for use in emergencies, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is to reimburse.
Action on North Main
The board voted to prohibit parking or stopping near four critical intersections on North Main Street: up to 20 feet north along the northerly curb line from Colonial Avenue; up to 55 feet south along the southern curb line of East Dean; and no stopping or standing from the southerly curb line on the east side of Woodside to Colonial; along the southerly curb line of the east side of East Milton south for 68 feet; and along the southerly curb line of East Dean south for 55 feet.
One resident did not think the actions go far enough to ensure pedestrian and motorist safety. Toni McCullough, whose daughter was killed on September 3 in a collision between her car and another vehicle, demanded further action.
“How many more people have to lose their lives?” she asked. “Do something about it. Don’t wait until the next person gets killed or injured.”
Mayor Hardwick had recommended several months ago that some of the above named streets be made one-way to eliminate potential fatal collisions between vehicles pulling onto North Main with fast-moving vehicles not easily seen by their drivers.
The majority of trustees, however, urged that traffic and engineering studies be done to determine the best course of action.
Trustee Robert Kennedy said the board has been involved in studying the situation on North Main and had been waiting for traffic study reports from the Department of Public Works and the Police Department.
“We needed to hear from the experts so we can determine what’s in the best interest of the entire community,” added Trustee Carmen Pineyro.
Mayor Hardwick added there is no requirement for a study to be made, but that the configuration of North Main could change as a result of the rehabilitation program planned for the thoroughfare.
Resident Douglas Mayers commented on the danger at Woodside Avenue and that “60 feet is not a lot.” He asked that further action be taken to ensure traffic safety.
The mayor replied that “the best way to ensure that no traffic is coming out [to North Main] is to make it one-way.”
Another resident, Earlene Skaites, said she was “not happy with ‘no parking’ signs” and urged that the county install traffic lights at the dangerous intersections.
The mayor replied that an official request was made to have traffic lights installed, but that no action has taken place yet.
Waste Disposal contract
Trustees awarded European American Waste Disposal Corp. of Wantagh the $1.13 million, one-year contract for the collection of municipal solid waste consisting of household garbage and recyclable materials.
Mayor Hardwick urged residents to improve their efforts to recycle. “We’ve got to do better,” he said. “Recycling is money.”
Mr. Malone questioned how the cost of the contract compares with that of last year. Superintendent of Public Works Scott Richardson responded that the village will save more than $300,000, even though the total tonnage collected has increased.
Trustee Kennedy commented that the department “did a phenomenal job getting a low bid and considerable savings.”
The village had received six bids for the contract, ranging up to $2 million. The Wantagh firm’s was the lowest.
Resident Dewey Smalls questioned how many bids were received from firms owned by women or minorities. Village officials did not have the information available.
Mr. Smalls urged them to “make sure women and minorities are bidding on these contracts. Bidding only by white males is unacceptable. Awarding a million-dollar contract without including women and minorities is not fair.”
PAL discussion
A lengthy discussion also took place about the Police Activity League, with Michael Pomerico, who has been serving as executive director, disputing the mayor’s claims there are financial irregularities in the organization.
“You make statements that are not true,” he said. Mr. Pomerico noted that the mayor “insinuated at the December 5 meeting I was stepping down” and getting burned out. But he said the new board asked him to stay on. He added that “No other [police] officer wants to take over.”
He also noted that the organization’s funding has been cut in half and not as many students have registered.
Sue Lyons, who serves as PAL treasurer, disputed Mayor Hardwick’s characterization of the organization’s financial situation as ”dirty” and that funds were “misappropriated.”
PAL board member Gordon Radelich commented, “There’s no misappropriation of funds,” and that “PAL is a vital and important organization” for children who participate in the program. “We take them off the street and give them productive things to do.”
He continued, “We’re all volunteers and I am offended by the [comments made at] the December 5 meeting.”
Mr. Malone demanded “a resounding apology” from the mayor. “You owe every volunteer an apology for saying it’s ‘dirty.’ ”
The mayor replied he “never said the volunteers were dirty. It’s something that needs to be handled and it’s the organization’s responsibility to do that. He said he had received complaints from residents whose children were program participants. “Many members said they felt intimidated and threatened.”
Mr. Malone apologized on behalf of the village to the PAL officials present.
Public hearings set
The board set January 9 as the date for the public hearing on the proposed 2012-13 budget, and also to consider a proposed $126,000 contract with the Freeport Fire Department.
Trustees also set a hearing on February 6 to amend the village code article regulating the dimensions and weights of vehicles by adopting the use of scales.
New appointments
Mayor Hardwick administered oaths of office to new zoning board member Joysetta Pearce and alternate member John Remasen; and the promotion to detective of Freeport Police Officer Timothy Seaman.
Other comments
• Paul Martin accused trustees of not following proper Board of Elections rules and that five residents are filing a lawsuit. He at first said the filings were to have been with the City of New York Board of Elections, but changed his statement to the state of New York Board of Elections. Trustee William White said the filings were done with the Village Clerk’s office and are available through a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request.
• Annette Dennis accused Mr. White, as part of the previous administration, of “malfeasance” because of operating deficits, according to the state audit report.
• Jerry Lamonica raised issues relating to boat clearances in the canals and complained that his boat was rammed by another boat.
• Alan Jay commented on the favorable placement of the solar panels on the roof of the Freeport Fire Department.
Other actions
In other business, trustees:
• Authorized changes to the 2012 Assessment Roll and that the final tax assessment roll be filed with the village clerk on January 12 and be open for public inspection during regular business hours.
• Approved the emergency repair of a transformer by Virginia Transformer Corp. of Roanoke, Virginia, for $87,785.
• Renewed a software maintenance and support agreement with Systems & Software Inc., of Williston, Vermont, at a cost of $85,276.
• Approved the purchase of a $500 presentation fire helmet that was given to the mayor of the sister city of Walldorf, Germany.
• Extended a contract with Cintas Corp of Central Islip for one year beginning December 21.
• Authorized Long Island Electrical Inspectors Inc., of Bay Shore to conduct electrical inspections within the village.
• Authorized a $250 administrative fee to cover the maintenance of records and transferring balances to taxes of unpaid lot clearances. Mayor Hardwick added that about $220,000 has been saved in lot clearances because of procedural changes and that more than 70 home loans of residents have been remodified because of pressure put on banks. He added that Chase will operate a satellite office at Village Hall in January to help with remodifications.
• Extended the contract with Real Tyme Media of Freeport until February 14 at a cost of $8,000.
• Approved an addendum to the service agreement with Lightower Fiber Networks of Islandia for a $400 monthly lease payment.
