Village News 1985-09

              Proposed Jtaey Semite Sirvey
The Village has received a
proposal to run a jitney service
which would operate seven days
a week, 24 hours a day. The pro-posed
operator has asked the
Village to assist, in determining
whether such a service would be
utilized by the residents to the
degree that would make it
financially viable. Therefore, we
ask that you take a few minutes
to fill out the survey form
below and return it with your
electric payment. The form need
not be signed.
The proposed service would
be known as the Freeport Jitney
and Taxi Service and would op-erate
10 to 15 passenger vehicles.
During rush hours (5 am to 9 am
and 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm), the
buses would make round trips
between the railroad station and
10 points throughout the Village
with each vehicle making approxi-mately
three trips per hour.
The average fare per trip would
be SI.
During non-rush . hours,
five vehicles would service an
expanded route to include shop-ping
areas both in and out of
the Village. Five vehicles would
be on call for Freeporters to
utilize as taxis. The prevailing
zone rates would apply. Three
vehicles would be on call from
midnight to 5 am.
On weekends from 9:30 am to
9:30 pm, six vehicles would op-erate
on the expanded route while
four would remain on call. From
9:30 pm Saturday to 9:30 am,
seven vehicles would be on call.
As a community service, the
operator proposes a free shuttle
for senior citizens, two hours per
day, two to three days per week,
between specific points and local
food stores, banks, medical of-fices,
etc. Two vehicles would be
equipped with wheelchair lifts.
FREEPORT JITNEY SURVEY
1) In what area of Freeport do you reside? (circle one)
N.W. S.W. N.E. S.E.
2) Approximately what time do you depart Freeport
daily?
3) Approximately whattimedo you arrive in Freeport?
P.M.
4) How do you normally get to the station?
drive & park driven
bus other (please specify)
taxi
5) If a Freeport shuttle bus were available, would you
use it?
yes no
6) Would-you pay a fare of $1.00 per trip for such a
service?
yes no
7) If you are not a commuter, would you use jitney on
expanded route for shopping, etc.?
yes no
8) Are you a senior citizen?
yes no
4L.
"Yes" Vote l*$d
Oh November Ballot
A Constitutional Amendment
will appear on the November 5th
ballot which will expand the ca-pacity
of the New York Job Devel-opment
Authority (JDA) to assist
business in the State.
The Amendment will have two
provisions: (1) an increase in the
limit of JDA bonds that can be
guaranteed by the State — from
the present $300 million to $600
million; and (2) an increase in the
percentage of project cost that
JDA may lend in any one project
— from the present 40% to 60%.
The bonding increase is essen -
tial if JDA is to continue to serve
the financing needs of many small
businesses throughout the State.
As a result of our accelerated loan
approval progress over the past
two years, the $300 million ceiling
will have been reached by the end
of this year.
The loan percentage increase is
important to offset (a) the reluc-tance
of the commercial banks
and thrift institutions to. provide
long-term fixed-asset financing,
and (b) the elimination or curtail-ment
of many Federal programs
for business assistance.
In urging a "yes" vote on the
Amendment, Mayor Dorothy
Storm points out that JDA is a
valuable tool which increases the
financing and thereby establish-ment
of many small businesses in
Freeport.
CLIP & SAVE
The District Offices of the follow-ing
State legislators will provide
assistance to Freeporters on State
matters:
Senator Norman J. Levy
30 So. Ocean Ave., Rm. 305
Freeport, N.YJ 11520
546-4100
Hours: 9am-5:30pm, Mon.-Fri.
Assemblyman Armand D 'Amato
884 Merrick Road
Baldwin, N.Y.U510
Hours: 9am-5pm, Mon.-Fri.
NOTE: Represents the 19th AD
Assemblywoman Barbara Patton
' 141 Main Street
Hempstead, N.Y. 11550
489-6610
Hours: 9am-5pm, Mon.-Fri.
NOTE: Represents the.lSth AD
)NLY
SEPTEMBER 1985
A Public Information Bulletin
of The Village Of Freeport
46 North Ocean Avenue
Telephone FReeport 8-4000
Dorothy Storm, Mayor
Meetings on tne 1st. and 3rd. Mondays of the Month, at 8:00 P.M.
Message From The Mayor
FREEPORT FEVER: CATCH IT! That's the new slogan for the Village that came out of our Busi-ness
Development Committee. As befitting the "Boating and Fishing Capital of the East," we envis-ion
this slogan on bumper stickers, tee shirts, etc. along with artwork depicting a netted fish.
There is no doubt that there is a Freeport Fever and it is climbing steadily. The many who heeded
my pleas to do additional planting this year certainly have it. Their efforts were noticed and ap-preciated.
I am pleased to report that'the Village government is-'receiving not only cooperation but
enthusiasm on the part of all parties who make our community work. The examples include the ef-forts
of the Long Island Rail Road in cleaning up the station area, the long needed "Guide £o Free-port"
to be published by the Chamber of Commerce this fall, the agreement by our charter boat fleet
opeators to cease their "hawking" practices, and the commitment by the County to survey their
roads within the Village with an eye towards the planting of trees beyond that which the Village will be
doing.
Our residents have Freeport Fever in that over 200 of them took the time to enter our Name The
Mall Contest. The volunteer Business Development Committee not only came up with a slogan for
the Village, but have some exciting ideas.about enhancing the entrances to the Village, the re-signing
of our major arteries and the partial reopening of the Mall.
As you read this issue of "Village News," you'll find ample opportunity to catch that Freeport
Fever. This month marks the 15th anniversary of our successful "40,000 Pairs of Eyes" program and
I have proclaimed September as "Crime Prevention Month." Please become part of the program that
encourages residents and business people to keep a watchful eye and to report any suspicious activity
to the Freeport Police by calling 378-0700. You'll also find news of a unique program which will allow
you to improve the appearance of your property by the installation of new sidewalks with the cost to
be spread over five years rather than the normal one year. Also, please take the time to fill out the
survey form a proposed jitney service for Freeport. We must have feedback before this proposal can
be explored further.
Lastly, the Property Improvement Committee, in conjunction with the separate Freeport Tree
Restoration Committee, is soliciting names' of property owners who would be interested in (1) having
a dead tree, trunk or stump removed from their curb and/or (2) having a tree planted at curbside.
It is thought that through group purchasing, costs could be reduced for homeowners. If you are in-terested,
please include a note to that effect, with your name, address and telephone number, and re-turn
it with your electric p'ayment.
esljorotnu
Don't Pass School Buses
Motorists are reminded that
State law prohibits the passing of
a school bus once the driver has:
stopped and activated the red
flashing lights. This law was
enacted to protect the lives and
safety of students boarding and
leaving a school bus.
Violators will be ticketed. When
the problem of violations became
alarming last school year, Free-port
Police officers were assigned
to bus stops for the purpose of
catching the law breakers. The
Freeport PTA has asked the
Village to remind drivers of the
law in the hopes that this action
will not be necessary again.
NOTICE
Please watch the local media
for news of the Annual It's Ok
NOT to Drink Party to be held at
the Recreation Center in October
on a Sunday afternoon. Co-spon-sored
by the Village and Free-port
Hospital, it will -feature
entertainment and refreshments.
Trustees: C. James Clark, Vincent DiCostanzo, Ralph Smith, Victor Cohen
Village Clerk: Thomas DeVincenzo; Counsel: Harrison J. Edwards; Acting Treasurer: Michael Haran
Ice Skating To Start
The skating season at the Rec-reation
.Center's enclosed ice
rink will begin on Saturday,
October 12.
Public skating sessions are:
Tuesdays,- 3:30-5 pm; Thurs-
.days, 3:30-5 pm and 7-9 pm;
•Fridays, 7-9 pm; Saturdays,
12:30-2:30 pm and 3-5 pm; Sun-days,
1-3 pm and 3:30-5:30 pm.
A Youth Hockey Clinic is sched-.
uled for Mondays, 3:45-5:45 pm,
and puck shooting sessions on
^Wednesdays, 3:45-5:45 and on
.Fridays, 3:30-5 pm. On public
'school recess days or other
holidays, the Saturday after-noon
schedule is in effect, except
on Mondays when the Center is
closed. All other hours are
reserved for charter groups.
Cost per skating session is
$1 for children and senior citi-zens
and $1.50 for adults. Cost
for a guest is $3. Discount tickets,
good for 15 sessions and trans-ferable
within the family, are
..available at $10 for children
and seniors and $15 for adults.
Figure and hockey skates may
be rented at $1 per session.
Lockers are available at 10<t.
Information on fees and sched-ule
of skating lessons will be
. available through flyers at the.
Center prior to the rink's open-ing.
The skating season will end
on March 16,1986.
Police Auction
The Freeport Police Depart-ment
will hold their annual
auction of found and unclaimed
bikes and other items 'on Satur-day,
October 12, beginning at
10am.
The auction will be held at
the Police garage adjacent to
Headquarters at 40 North Ocean
Avenue. All items must be paid
for in cash at the time of the
auction.
Shopstead ng Grant Program
SCHOOLS
OPEN
The Board of Trustees has al-located
$50,000 in federal Com-munity
Development funds for
a Shopsteading Grant Program.
The purpose of the program is
to encourage , retaij.. businesses.,
to occupy vacant stores on the
Freeport Mall and to financially
assist in the renovation, re-furbishment
and improvement of
the buildings.
The program is administered
by the Freeport Community De-velopment
Agency headed by
Eric Hemphill and located on
the second floor of Village Hall.
Eligible buildings are located
on the Mall between Sunrise
Highway and Merrick Road only.
Applicants can be the owner or
leaseholder of commercial prop-erty.
A leaseholder must have
at least two years remaining on
the lease. An owner must show
evidence of a lease with a com-mercial
retail tenant running for
at least two years. Funds may not
be used for residential units
over retail operations.
The Shopsteading grant will
be based on 50% of the job
amount for each individual store
but may not exceed $5,000 for an
individual store. For instance, if
the work costs $6,000, the grant
would be for $3,000; $10,000,
it would be $5,000; $18,000, it.
would still be $5,000.
The improvements eligible
for assistance under the Shop-steading
Grant Program includes
any interior work related to re-habilitating
and physically un-grading
the property and making
it suitable for,occupancy for_ com-mercial
retail use. Such work,
includes carpentry, masonry,
electrical, plumbing, heating, air
conditioning, painting, decorat-
•i.ng, ..signage .-and other work
typically related to store'reiiova-"'
•tion. ' "• :
The Community Development
Agency has the right to approve
signs for work proposed under
the program, particularly with re-spect
to work proposed for the
front and rear of building and for
conformity to an overall thematic
style for the Mall as may be
approved by.the Village.
Successful applicants may still
apply for additional" assistance
such as ' the Facade Improve-"'
ment Grant Program. Property'"
owners throughout the Village
have used that program to up-grade
the exterior of their struc-tures.
That matching grant pro-gram
has a maximum of $2,500.
Water Dept. Can Help
Residents and business people
are reminded that the Village's
Water Department can be of
assistance in new construction.
This assistance is required in
such projects as placing a liner
in a new in-ground swimming
pool and placing underground
tanks at gas stations.
A permit must be obtained
from the Water Departmetn
by the contractor who must have
proper hoses and backflow de-vices.
The property owner is
billed per gallon of water con-sumed.
MUST HAVE
DRIVER'S LICENSE,
DEPENDABLE
TRANSPORTATION.
DRIVE CAREFULLY
$6.00 per hour
12 - 20 hours per week
Uniform supplied.
Must be a resident
of Freeport.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER .
Apply: Village Hall
Office of the Village Clerk
46 No. Ocean Ave. 9AM - 4PM
no telephone inquiries. j_
Special Sidewalk
Repair Offer
Immediate Response Required
The 'Village recognizes that
many property owners would -like
to replace sidewalks and/or curbs'
to improve appearance and
enhance their property values. It
is also recognized that many are
not able to afford the cost of such
a project all at once.
For that reason, the Village has
made arrangements for a plan
whereby residents can make pay-ments
over a five year period.
Financing would be at the lowest
current interest rates available to
the Village- government. at the
time of the bond or.note sale. The
work could also be accomplished
by a one-year assessment, pay-ment
due with payment of taxes
(or added to the year's mortgage
payments), with no interest
charges. The work could also be
paid 30 days after the receipt of
the bill, again with no interest.
The present cost of the work,
which is for a minimum quantity
of 20 feet in each category, is:
curb, $8 per linear foot; 4" depth
sidewalk, $2.50 ; 6" depth side-walk
apron, and sidewalk behind
the apron, $3.25 per square foot.
Note that these are 1985 prices
and will most likely go up next
year.
Work will be done by a licensed
Village contractor and inspected
by the Village's Engineering De-partment
to assure properquality.
IMPORTANT: Sidewalk repairs
cannot be accomplished after
December due to cold weather.
Therefore, residents and business
people interested in taking advan-tage
of this five-year option, and
1985 prices, are urged to call the
Engineering Department at
378-4000, immediately.
Please note that if your side-walk
and/or curb has a hazarous
condition, under the law you must
have it repaired or replaced to the
extent necessary to eliminate the
hazard. There is no option.
Selling Power To LILCO
SHOPPING
IS GREAT
IN FREEPORT
Mayor DorotrTy Storm (seated right) and LILCO Vice President' of
Corporate Planning Adam Madsen (seated left) sign contract which en-titles
LILCO to purchase up to 23,000 Kilowatts of electricity from
Freeport until October 31. A similar option is open for the period May
1 to October 31, 1986. Under the agreement, Freeport plants will
generate power to be sold at cost to LILCO. The benefit to the Village
is that LILCO must allow the use of its transmission lines to bring low-cost
hydropower to Freeport consumers. Forecasts of supply and de-mand
for electricity on Long Island project shortages this summer and
more severe shortages next summer. For that reason LILCO had
warned that the transmission usage might be cut. Meetings begun in
the spring brought about the purchase plan. Looking on are LILCO
Economic Research Department Manager Robert Ashburn (left) and
Freeport Acting Superintendent of Electric Utilities William Cominos
(right).
Randall Part Pools
It is regretted that the Randall
Park Pool complex, for the first
time since it opened in the early
1970's, was not. open this sum-mer.
Some $315,000 of repairs
and replacements involving the
filtering system had been mad-dated
before the Nassau County
^Board of Health would«allow its
opening for the 1985 summer
season.
While the Village kept to
schedule in soliciting and award-ing
bids for the work in March,
the beginning of the 1985-86 bud-get,
year, a breakdown occurred
between the Village's consulting
engineers on the project and the
County Board of Health as to the
specifics of the new filtering
system. Also, the contractor was
late in starting work and caused
unnecessary delays.
Various repairs to the pools
proper were accomplished by
Village employees during the
shutdown period and, with the
new filtering system in place,
the pools will be open for the
1986 swimming season. Users
will find new restrooms, ex-clusively
for their use as also
mandated by the Board of Health,
and a first aid room.
Youngsters normally, swim-ming
at Randall Park were given
several opportunities to take a
bus ride to the Recreation
Center for swimming, all at no
cost. In addition, sprinklers were
run at the park on hoi days and a
variety of (able games were made
available to the children during
the summer.
Holiday Schedule
All Village offices, and the
Recreation Center, will be closed
on Monday, October 14 in ob-servance
of Columbus Day. There
will be no garbage collection* in
the northern section (both north-east
and northwest) on that
Monday and no trash collection
on Thursday, October 17.
Upcoming 1985 holidays which
will close Village offices are
Veterans Day (November 11),
Thanksgiving and the day after
(November 28 and 29) and
Christmas (December 25).