RSS 2.0 FeedThursday, October 27, 2011, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
Appointment, video issues discussed by Freeport trustees
Disagreements over taping of the meetings and committee members occupied the Freeport Board of Trustees at its October 24 meeting.
For the second time in recent meetings, a motion to appoint Joysetta Pearse to the Zoning Board of Appeals did not receive a second and was not acted on. Trustee Bill White explained the lack of a second by saying that multiple vacancies on various committees should be cleaned up at the same time.
More than one audience member endorsed Mrs. Pearse’s fitness for the job – Rev. Raymond Williams asserted, “I can’t imagine any reason for you to say no,” and urged the board to “do the right thing.” Another resident urged the board to appoint her “so that we can move business along.”
Trustee Carmen Pineyro brought up another contentious issue when she asserted that comments she made on issues were edited out of the version of the board meetings shown on public access TV.
Mayor Andrew Hardwick attributed this to limited time available to the village, as well as technological issues.
Other speakers raised issues concerning public access. Anthony Miller said while he had “learned a lot” from the broadcasts, he questioned whether TV time should be used on other village events – “nothing should take precedence over board meetings.” Other residents asked the same question, and argued in favor of more public comment in the broadcasts, as well as coverage of other relevant committees (zoning and planning boards). Mayor Hardwick assured the audience that the village was working to increase the amount of coverage, but that “We need to do it in the right fashion.”
In other public comments, former Deputy Village Attorney Stephen Malone asked about the status of replacement of certain old police cars and once again reminded the mayor of the vacant deputy mayor’s position.
Mayor Hardwick replied that financial issues might delay replacement of the police cars (“You make it sound as if we have money sitting around”) and promised that he would appoint a deputy mayor “when I’m ready.”
Resident Pamela Robinson spoke on behalf of a group of residents of an apartment building on South Bergen Place engaged in a dispute with their landlord over repair and financial issues. The mayor offered to meet with the group with a view toward mediating these issues. Also looking forward to a meeting was resident Eloy Yndigoyen, who wanted police action in the wake of shots being fired in the vicinity of his residence.
Douglas Mayers asked about traffic problems at South Main Street and Woodside Avenues. The mayor replied that the village is examining various solutions to this traffic problem, such as one-way streets.
Loretta Marshall expressed her opposition to the proposed Water Works project, citing pedestrian traffic from both Baldwin and Freeport High Schools which could be effected by it. Earlier, Mike Pomerico asked on the status of the project. Village Attorney Howard Colton explained that other agencies must be offered the opportunity to be lead agency, and that after the 30-day period provided for this process, hearings and environmental studies are called for.
In other business, the board:
- Awarded a contract to supply LM 6000 expansion joint replacement for Power Plant 2 to Braden Manufacturing of Tulsa, Oklahoma. When questioned about incidental expenses, Electric Superintendent Anthony Fiore explained that the contract included shipping and assistance in installation.
- Approved retroactively a memorandum of understanding between the Freeport Police Department and the Nassau County Coalition against Domestic Violence.
- Authorized the village assessor to file and open for inspection the 2012-13 tentative assessment roll, which will be available for inspection in the village clerk’s and assessor’s office from November 1-15 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) Assessor Paul Nehrich also announced the roll would be available until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15.
Mayor Hardwick offered congratulations to Police Officer Ed Martin, who was recognized by the Town of Hempstead, and Police Chief Miguel Bermudez, honored by the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The next meeting of the board will be November 7.
