BOARD OF TRUSTEES NOVEMBER 2019 UPDATE
Thanksgiving is tomorrow and it provides us the opportunity to reflect on what we are thankful for. We have so much to be thankful for, but we are especially thankful for you, our residents, for your trust and support, as well as our hard working Village staff. We are also extremely thankful for everyone in our community who volunteers their time. Thank you for sharing your love with our Village and community and for being an inspiration to us all. It truly make this Village a great place to live and raise our families. May the good things of life be yours in abundance, not only at Thanksgiving but throughout the year. We hope you and your family and friends have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season!
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING AND LIGHT THE NIGHT: The Village is excited to announce that on Sunday, December 8th at 5:30pm the Village of Munsey Park and the Munsey Park Women's Club will hold the Second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Copley Pond. This great tradition was started last year and will coincide with Light the Night again. Join in on the excitement of kicking-off the holiday season at Copley Pond as we wait for Santa to arrive and lighting of the Christmas Tree. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served and the Boy Scouts will be singing Christmas carols. Please join us in this new Village tradition and don't forget to bring an ornament to hang on the Copley Christmas tree.
Schedule of Activities:
• 5pm. Place Light the Night Kits in front of your home.
• 5:30pm. Gather in Copley Pond to decorate the tree, sing carols, cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
• 6pm. Christmas Tree lighting begins.
• 6:15pm. Santa arrives with his helpers in the fire truck.
Light the Night celebrates unity and pride in our Village. The front yards and parks of the Village and neighboring Villages are lit up by candlelight starting promptly at 5pm. Light the night kits are $20 each, with additional kits for larger properties for an extra $10. The contributions go towards the beautification of Munsey Park. Light kits are available at Village Hall or you may contact Becky Tountas at becky.rubin@gmail.com.
ROADS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS: As residents have probably noticed, the Village recently completed the curb-to-curb repaving of Eakins Road (south of Park Ave.), Bellows Lane (west of Manhasset Woods Road), Stuart Place (end to end). This work entailed placement of Belgian-block curbs, repair of the original concrete road bed and an overlay of asphalt. The Village also resurfaced Burnham Place and repaired large sections of Nassau Avenue. The Village also rebuilt the decorative brick entrance walls at the eastern end of Park Avenue at Port Blvd. The simultaneous occurrence of these improvement projects was a huge undertaking by the Village and illustrates the commitment of the Board of Trustees to repair, replace and restore the Village infrastructure. The cost of the work was funded entirely by cash on hand. The Board of Trustees is currently planning road improvements projects for 2020 and we expect to provide further information in future newsletters.
VILLAGE BEAUTIFICATION: This Autumn, the Village is continuing its efforts to beautify the parks, entrances and roads of the Village. Readers will recall that in late 2018, the Village planted a total of 2500 daffodil bulbs in Waldmann Memorial Park and on the north-side hill of Park Avenue. In April and May of this year, the resulting bloom was truly spectacular. This Autumn, through the generosity of the Munsey Park Women’s Club, the Village is continuing that effort. We expect to plant almost 5000 additional daffodils around the Village. We would also like to acknowledge, with gratitude, the generosity of Jimmy Schimmenti of Grounds Guys who has donated the labor (and some material) to plant many of these daffodils and other flowering plants around the Village.
TREES: The Village is continuing its program of planting trees in the right-of-way around the Village. If you would like a tree planted along the street adjacent to your home, let Maureen McLean in Village Hall know and you will be added to a list.
WALDMANN BRICK PROGRAM REOPENS: Due to popular demand, the Village will be reopening the "Name a Beautification Brick" program. When the renovation of Waldmann Memorial Park occurred few years ago, implemented by the Munsey Park Women's Club, residents 'donated a brick' which was engraved as requested and placed in the sitting area and walkway in the park. Fortunately, there is more room in the park for engraved bricks. The cost of an engraved brick is $100. You may find the beatification brick form on the Village website, please submit one form per donated brick to Village Hall. These bricks will be placed in the park in the spring of 2020. Donating a brick makes a great holiday gift and provides a fun and memorable way for you to participate in the beautification of the Village.
TRAFFIC CONSULTANT: The Village has begun the process of studying traffic patterns and issues in the Village with a particular emphasis on non-resident cut-through traffic (especially during rush hour), speed and safety. The Board of Trustees is in the process of interviewing a well-known traffic engineer to advise the Village on methods to address some these issues. While it is too early to provide additional details on this effort, expect to hear more about these efforts in future newsletters.
GARBAGE: Reminder to all Residents: it is illegal to place any garbage or trash at the curb. We know that in doing so, the homeowners are trying to ensure pick-up (and perhaps helping the crew from Meadow Carting) but putting anything at the curb is illegal, unsightly and dangerous. The Board will enforce the Village Code and repeat offenders will receive summons. If you are disposing of a large item, please call Meadow Carting at 516 - 338-0121 to inform them of the item and arrange pickup. Please remember that there is no garbage or recycling pickup on holidays.
WATER DISTRICT UPDATE: At our last Board of Trustees meeting, Manhasset Lakeville Water Commissioner Steve Flynn appeared before the Board to discuss the Water District plans for replacing water mains along Park Avenue (from Manhasset Woods Road to Ridge Crescent) and to suggest ways for the Village and the Water District to work together to accomplish a repaving of Park Avenue. The Board was particularly impressed with Steve’s familiarity of the issues and concerns of Village residents over the water tower and related issues and appreciated his concern for the interests of Village residents. On a related note, Mr. Flynn, a lifetime Manhasset resident, is running for re-election as a water commissioner. Polling will take place on December 10th, 2019 at the Manhasset Fire Station on Bayview Avenue; polls are open from 12pm-9pm.
MACY'S REZONING: The Manhasset Times plans to hold an event to discuss the rezoning of Macy's from commercial property to residential property by Brookfield Development and the impact on Manhasset infrastructure, schools and residents. The initial event was postponed and we will notify you immediately when we hear when and where this meeting will take place.
BOY SCOUT OF AMERICA EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT: Boy Scout Alexander Katsoulis attended our Village meeting to inform us of his Eagle Scout project. Alex is a life scout going for his eagle. To complete this, Alex needs to fundraise for, plan and execute a project that will add value to the community. Alex has chosen to donate his time and efforts towards a project for the betterment of Munsey Park. Alex is working on a compost mulching system for the Village; Village debris from leaves, grass and wood will compost to mulch in a developed area near Village Hall. If you would like to know more about this project or would like to help Alex achieve his goal, please email him at alexanderkatsoulis04@gmail.com.
WINTER REMINDERS: As Winter approaches, please remember:
• Residents are responsible for removing snow from the sidewalks in front of their homes.
• Parked vehicles must be moved from Village streets to enable snow plows to safely do their job.
• Make sure your house number is visible from the street and in the dark. This is imperative in an emergency to find your house at night.
• Inspect your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.
• Keep hydrants close to your home clear of debris and snow.
• Keep emergency phone numbers near your phone.
• Lock your homes and cars. Do not leave any valuable in your car and if you have a burglar alarm for your home, use it.
• Remember to drive safely through the Village, especially now that darkenss arrives early and the weather can be hazardous for all travelers.
TOYS FOR TOTS: With the holidays right around the corner, the Village is now accepting donations for Toys for Tots. New, unwrapped toys for children of all ages can be dropped off at the Village Hall through December 13. Thank you for your generosity this holiday season.
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING DATES:
• Board of Trustees. Meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm in Village Hall.
• Architectural Review Board. Meets the second Wednesday and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm in Village Hall. All applications must be complete and submitted by 2:30pm the Wednesday before each meeting.
• Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board. Meets as needed, as requested.
VILLAGE EMAIL: As always, we encourage you to tell your friends and neighbors about the Board of Trustees Update. To sign-up for our Village email list, please contact Village Hall at 516.365.7790 or email Deputy Clerk Maureen McLean at mpmclean@munseypark.org. Those on our list will receive timely communications from the Village.
The Village office will be closed November 28-29.
For additional information please visit our website at www.Munseypark.org.
The Village of Munsey Park
Lawrence A. Ceriello, Mayor (lceriello@munseypark.org)
Jennifer Noone, Deputy Mayor (jnoone@munseypark.org)
Antonio D'Angelo, Trustee (adangelo@munseypark.org)
Anthony M. Sabino, Trustee (amsabino@munseypark.org)
Joseph P. Williams, Trustee (jwilliams@munsey park.org)