New Hyde Park Village Board Notebook: Dec. 21

If you missed Tuesday's meeting, here are some things that were discussed.

• The New Hyde Park Little League will be holding its annual parade on Saturday, April 9, 2011. The parade will start at 10 a.m.
• The Sewanhaka Power Squadron asked to use Marcus Christ Hall on Jan. 11, Feb. 6, March 8, June 14, Sept. 13, Oct. 11 and Nov. 8, the last of which is Election Day. Deputy Mayor Robert Lofaro noted that the hall will be used on Election Day, but perhaps the group could use the theater upstairs in the Village hall.
• In the contract renewals, came up for renewal, but Trustee Lawrence Montreuil mentioned that because the restaurant has some summonses, so Building Department Senior Official and Montreuil noted that this renewal should be deferred.
• Lofaro thanked Richard Pallisco and his volunteer, Chaminade student John Kaeck, who hosted flag football for two hours every Sunday for 12 weeks for 11-year-old and 12-year-old children. Eighteen kids signed up, Pallisco said.
• Lofaro mentioned that won the recent fire district election, noting that, "so for the most part, the board remains the same as it has been." 
• The first snow recently fell, which was Gannon's christening as the new Department of Public Works superintendent, Lofaro said. "It seems like when the beautification committee puts up 'Let It Snow' signs around the Village, it does," he joked. For that snowfall, one DPW crew came in and salted and sanded some of the roads, Lofaro noted.
• Interviewing has begun for an , Lofaro noted. 
• The chairs have been placed in the theater upstairs in the Village hall. Attendees of the meeting were given a tour of the new theater and some of the other changes made to the building. Lofaro said that maybe there would be a Village Board meeting held in the theater to christen it. "The transformation is incredible," Lofaro said of the work done on the theater. He thanked Village Clerk Pat Farrell for his work on this project. Former State Senator was also among the people thanked for his efforts in securing the grant that made the theater renovation possible. Trustee Donald Barbieri thanked Village resident Jerry Limoncelli for his work on the theater.
• Barbieri also thanked Legislator Richard Nicolello for his efforts in getting the construction for the near the . "I know we've all been worried about crossing from the parking lot to the library and this light will eliminate that worry from the community," he said.
• The 's art department will be providing a panel for the new kiosk on Lakeville Road and Jericho Turnpike. One panel will be a seasonal panel, Barbieri explained, and the children at the school will be providing a winter panel soon.
• "I'm excited finally to say that the plans have been translated such that the [Department of Transportation] will now review them," Barbieri said of the plans to widen the sidewalks along Jericho Turnpike. Two or three weeks into the New Year, the final plans will be in the DOT's hands, Barbieri said, "and I think we're finally approaching the finish line on the project."
• On behalf of Mayor Daniel Petruccio, who was not at the meeting, and the trustees, Lofaro thanked the volunteers and employees who work for the Village. He also wished everyone a Merry Christmas and "happy and healthy New Year."
• "Two thousand eleven will again be challenging year for us from a budgetary perspective," Lofaro said. "Probably the first meeting will be appointing a new budget director who will begin putting the budget together. But we already know that pension costs are going up again as well as healthcare and those are two of the larger budgeted items that we have... We'll work very hard to try to keep taxes in check for the residents of the Village."
• Barbieri noted that the courts declared former Mineola Mayor to be the new State Senator. Of Johnson, Barbieri said, "He did a great job on our behalf. We will miss him." He then added that he anticipates that Martins will represent the Village well in Albany.
• Lofaro noted that he got a thank you letter from Johnson and replied to it. The trustees will be meeting with Senator Martins and his staff soon, Lofaro said.