Public Meetings - North Hempstead, New York

The Town Board met on October 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM to conduct public hearings on the preliminary 2026 budget and water pollution control district assessment rolls, and to adopt resolutions for the 2026 budgets of the General Fund, Town Outside Village (TOV) Fund, and all special districts. The meeting included public comment, a discussion of budget amendments, and a debate over the use of the town’s substantial fund balance. All resolutions passed unanimously (6-0). Public Comments & Testimony - Pete Gaffney (Westbury resident) raised several budget questions: he criticized the tourism and business department budget (unchanged at $127,500), urged using a projected $4 million surplus to fund the next phase of North Hempstead Town Beach Park, questioned the golf course water budget ($250,000) and alcohol liability indemnity, requested transparency on a 20-year golf course contract with Brook Holdings (FOIL pending), questioned the school bus camera program revenue projection of $3.7 million, asked about a $19,000 reduction in recycling line, why emergencies/disasters line was $0, and sought explanation for a large increase in unallocated expenses (from $53,000 in 2024 to $1,125,000 in 2026). He also noted reductions in aging services and solid waste management revenue. - Town Attorney’s Office responded that the golf course contract requires indemnification and liability insurance naming the town as additional insured. - Stephen Pollock (Supervisor’s Office) answered several technical budget questions: recycling revenue lines are unchanged or slightly increased; emergencies/disasters line is unbudgeted and used only for FEMA/NYS declared emergencies; the unallocated increase is due to moving discount on property tax expense from the tax receiver’s office; and the solid waste management revenue reduction is based on a one-off project completion. Discussion Items - Public Hearings (Items 1 & 2): The Board opened and closed both hearings simultaneously after the sole public comment. No other testimony was offered. The hearings were closed by unanimous voice vote. - Budget Amendments: Supervisor DeSena introduced amendments to the 2026 budget: (1) customary changes reflecting personnel actions from prior meetings, and (2) a transfer of $25,000 from a vacant bus driver position line to the Department of Community Services events line at the Commissioner’s request. The amendments were adopted by a 6-0 vote. - Fund Balance Debate: Councilman Troiano questioned why the town maintains a fund balance projected at $34 million (end of 2025) when the town’s policy minimum is $9.27 million (10% of the general fund budget). He argued the surplus could be used to reduce taxes. Deputy Supervisor McLaro stated the fund balance was historically over 40% and has been gradually drawn down; this year the budget keeps taxes flat. Supervisor DeSena noted that Troiano had 12 days since the work session to propose amendments and did not, and that the deadline for amendments had passed. Troiano requested a delay in the vote to consider a tax cut, but the Board proceeded to vote. Councilwoman Dalimonte and others expressed that a flat tax was acceptable but wished a tax break had been possible. The exchange became heated, with accusations of grandstanding. Key Outcomes - Resolution 597-2025: Adopting the annual assessment roll of the Belgrave Water Pollution Control District for FY2026 – Adopted 6-0. - Resolution 598-2025: Adopting the annual assessment roll of the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District for FY2026 – Adopted 6-0. - Resolution 599-2025: Adopting the annual assessment roll of the Port Washington Water Pollution Control District for FY2026 – Adopted 6-0. - Resolution 600-2025: Adopting the annual budgets of all special districts for FY2026 – Adopted 6-0. - Resolution 601-2025: Adopting the annual budgets of the Town General Fund and Town Outside Village Fund for FY2026 (as amended) – Adopted 6-0 (Councilman Troiano voted aye while noting his desire for a tax cut). - The meeting adjourned following the vote.

The Town of North Hempstead Town Board held its regular meeting at 10:00 AM on October 28, 2025. The agenda included two continuations, nine public hearings, and one resolution. All items were adopted unanimously, with a notable discrepancy in the recorded vote on one traffic ordinance. Public comments were heard on several traffic-related items and a zone-change application was presented in detail. Public Comments & Testimony - Agenda Item 4 (Grand Boulevard stop sign): Tom McDonough, a Town of North Hempstead resident, expressed support for the proposed full stop but questioned the designation as “eastbound,” noting that the intended location (from the railroad tracks toward Union Avenue) would be more accurately described as westbound. The Supervisor clarified that the traffic technician’s directional reference was consistent with the actual signage placement. - Agenda Item 5 (Denton Avenue stop signs): Anilla Thomas, a parent of children attending Denton Avenue Elementary School, spoke in favor of the stop signs to improve safety near the school, citing difficulty for crossing guards due to speeding vehicles. Tom McDonough offered a caution about using stop signs for speed control and asked whether the crossing guard would remain at the location. - Agenda Item 9 (8th Street stop signs): Tom McDonough questioned the wording “full stop on 8th Street, north of Willow Lane” since 8th Street runs east-west. The Supervisor explained the three proposed stop signs are intended to slow traffic near H Street Park, despite standard traffic control guidance against using stop signs for speed control. - Agenda Item 11 (Honorary street name): A board member noted a brief comment thanking the Gladiator Fund for fundraising for families in New Hyde Park. Discussion Items - Agenda Item 3 – Zone Change (Staples property): Kathleen Deegan Dixon, attorney for applicant FES/Northman Realty LLC (owner of 1410–1420 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset), presented a petition to rezone a portion of the property from “Parking” to “Business-A.” The existing Staples/bank building was built in 1995 under a use variance. The change would align zoning with the actual building and allow non-retail uses (e.g., daycare, medical office). The applicant committed to off-site traffic improvements (angling the northerly curb cut and extending the left-turn lane on Shelter Rock Road) to address congestion. Reports from RM Engineering and Lynch Appraisals were submitted. The board had no questions and the public hearing was closed. Key Outcomes All items were adopted by a vote of 6–0, except where noted. - Item 1 (Zoning amendment – permit fees): Continued to November 18, 2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. - Item 2 (Zoning amendment – fencing): Continued to November 18, 2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. - Item 3 (Zone change – Staples): Adopted as Resolution No. 593-2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. - Item 4 (Grand Boulevard stop sign): Adopted as Traffic Ordinance No. 37-2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. - Item 5 (Denton Avenue stop signs): Adopted as Traffic Ordinance No. 38-2025. Note: The official minutes record a vote of 0 ayes, 0 nays, but the transcript shows all six board members voting aye; this discrepancy is not explained in the provided materials. - Item 6 (Stonehinge Lane parking restrictions): Adopted as Traffic Ordinance No. 39-2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. - Item 7 (Netherwood Drive Do Not Enter): Adopted as Traffic Ordinance No. 40-2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. - Item 8 (Macgregor Avenue No Stopping): Adopted as Traffic Ordinance No. 41-2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. - Item 9 (8th Street stop signs): Adopted as Traffic Ordinance No. 42-2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. - Item 10 (Handicap parking space – 64 Chaffee Avenue): Adopted as Resolution No. 594-2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. - Item 11 (Honorary street name – Gladiators Way): Adopted as Resolution No. 595-2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. - Item 12 (Agreement with Nassau BOCES – vehicle purchase): Adopted as Resolution No. 596-2025. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays.

The Town of North Hempstead Town Board held a regular meeting on October 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The board unanimously adopted 49 resolutions, including setting public hearing dates for the 2026 budget and several local laws, awarding contracts, and approving personnel actions. Public comment covered the Dragon Boat Festival, the 2026 budget, the Propel cable project, battery storage moratorium, and a proposed cat shelter. Public Comments & Testimony - Susan (JCC representative) expressed full support for bringing the Dragon Boat Festival back next year, suggesting it be held on both Saturday and Sunday to include those observing Shabbat, and that paddlers be allowed to practice locally at Bar Beach rather than traveling to Queens. Councilmember Christine Liu was thanked for organizing the event. - Pete Gaffney (Westbury Carle Place School District resident) requested that transverse rumble strips be tested at Cherry Lane School to improve safety at a stop sign. He also criticized the 2026 tentative budget for line items that appear unchanged from the previous year, questioned the lack of budget guidelines from the Supervisor's office, and noted a $142,000 increase in printing costs, a flat $127,500 for business and tourism, and the failure to use a $4 million surplus for North Hempstead Beach Park's master plan. He indicated he would submit further comments in writing. - John Fabio (President, Greenvale Civic Association; Vice President, Glenwood-Glen Head Civic Council) expressed concern about the Propel Energy cable project, noting that two major cable routes would traverse 11 villages in North Hempstead. He stated the Town of North Hempstead is not represented in Article 7 settlement meetings, unlike the towns of Oyster Bay and Hempstead, and urged the board to convene meetings with affected village mayors, civic associations, and business chambers to coordinate a response. - George Palm Barrett (Glen Head, Glenwood Landing, and Greenvale civic associations) echoed concerns about the Propel cable project, stating the town must actively participate in settlement meetings rather than just dialing in. He urged the board to renew the moratorium on Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities at the November 18 hearing, citing fire risks and citing a recent fire in Arizona. He noted that a similar moratorium was just renewed by the Town of Oyster Bay. - Edward Chung (participant in Dragon Boat Festival) emphasized the Chinese cultural value of working together for common good and encouraged community harmony. He noted that the festival included teams from as far as Philadelphia. - Stuart Kroll (animal advocate) criticized Supervisor DeSena for lack of progress on constructing a cat shelter, stating the petition signed was for construction, not improvements. He noted that a previous shelter attempt 20 years ago failed and the town paid $130,000 to a contractor. He argued feral cats would not be housed there, only socialized domestic cats. He also alleged that Republican candidates (including the Supervisor) avoided a scheduled debate due to personal emergencies, calling it disrespectful to voters. He urged support for challenger Dave Kirpin. - Michael O'Donnell (on item 11) spoke in favor of rescinding a time-limit parking restriction on Cherry Lane, New Hyde Park, noting the bar that prompted the restriction closed years ago and residents want the restriction removed. - Christine Panzecka (on item 7) urged extension of the moratorium on battery storage facilities, arguing lithium batteries are not green due to mining and toxic waste, and citing fire risks and hydrofluoric acid contamination. She also criticized the Propel cable project for lack of community communication and health concerns from EMF radiation, stating that New York State produces only 0.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions and questioning the rush. - Alina Uzalov (civic leader) expressed gratitude for responsive town services, including quick removal of a fallen tree and sidewalk repairs. She thanked the board for approving playground equipment at Shepherd Lane Park (item 19) and noted that 23 miles of roadway were paved this year, triple the previous amount. - Thomas McDonald (President, CSEA Unit 7555) thanked the board for converting part-time employees to full-time and for positive actions in the employee resolution (item 44). Discussion Items - 2026 Budget and Public Hearing Dates: The board certified the tentative budget as the preliminary budget and set a public hearing for October 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM. (Resolution 1) - Water Pollution Control District Assessments: A public hearing on assessment rolls for Belgrave, Great Neck, and Port Washington Water Pollution Control Districts was set for October 28, 2025. (Resolution 2) - Albertson Water District Bonding: A public hearing on bonding for facility improvements was set for November 18, 2025. (Resolution 3) - Local Law Amendments: Public hearings were set for November 18, 2025, on amendments to: - Chapter 24 (Governmental Operations) – prohibiting use of town resources for political advantage (Resolution 4) - Chapter 55 (Tow Trucks) – requiring credit card acceptance and barring transaction fees (Resolution 5) - Chapter 69 (Waterways and Boats) – codifying state navigation law (Resolution 6) - Chapter 76 (Battery Energy Storage Moratorium) – extending the moratorium (Resolution 7) - Article IX of Uniform Traffic Code (Port Washington Public Parking District) – defining “Commuter” as residents using parking for LIRR access (Resolution 8) - Handicap Parking Space: A public hearing for a reserved handicap spot at 23 Herbert Drive, New Hyde Park, was set for November 18. (Resolution 9) - Parking Restrictions: Public hearings on November 18 for a no-parking restriction on Rushmore Avenue, Carle Place (Resolution 10), and rescission of a time-limit restriction on Cherry Lane, New Hyde Park (Resolution 11). - Contracts and Agreements: Numerous resolutions were adopted authorizing intermunicipal agreements, professional services, and purchases, including: - Award of bid for Bayview Ave stabilization (DPW Project 16-02) to an unnamed contractor (Resolution 14) - Award of towing services bid to Bills Towing Service Inc. (Resolution 15) - Intermunicipal agreement with Nassau County for a digital kiosk in Albertson (Resolution 16) - Agreement with Port Washington Apartment Corp. for parking spaces (Resolution 17) - Agreement with Firefly Admin Inc. for Port Washington Fire Department Length of Service Award Program (Resolution 18) - Use of Town of Islip contract with American Recreation Products for playground equipment at Shepherd Lane Park, Roslyn Heights (Resolution 19) - Agreement with Baseline Health for OSHA respirator evaluations (Resolution 20) - Bond counsel services with Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP (Resolution 21) - Emergency repair of Northside diesel fuel pump with Island Pump & Tank (Resolution 22) - Partnership with Girl Scouts of Nassau County at Yes We Can Community Center (Resolution 23) - Intermunicipal salt storage agreement with Port Washington Union Free School District (Resolution 24) - Chanukah event with Chabad of Port Washington at North Hempstead Beach Park (Resolution 25) - Various agreements for fuel system maintenance, postage equipment lease, road salt purchase, and amendments to existing agreements (Resolutions 26-35) - Property Address: A new address of 38 Mountain Cut, Manhasset, was established (Resolution 36). - Proclamations: October 2025 declared Italian American Heritage Month (Resolution 40). - Fee Waiver: Building permit fees waived for Port Washington Police District’s new headquarters (Resolution 41). - Event Co-Sponsorship: Annual KarmAcue in Port Washington co-sponsored (Resolution 42). - Employee Resolution (Item 44): The board amended the resolution by striking two positions (items 11 and 12) and changing the term “termination” to “resignation” for item 31. The amended resolution was adopted unanimously. - Fire Company Membership Changes: Actions of various fire companies adding or removing members were approved (Resolutions 45-49). Key Outcomes - All 49 resolutions were adopted unanimously (7-0) with the following details: - Resolution 1 (Budget hearing) passed 7-0. - Resolutions 2-43 and 45-49 passed 7-0. - Resolution 44 (Employee resolution) passed 7-0 after amendments were adopted 7-0. - The board did not allow additional public comment after the consent calendar, despite requests, citing time constraints and the availability of the upcoming public hearing on October 28. - The next public hearings are scheduled for October 28, 2025 (budget and water pollution control assessments) and November 18, 2025 (multiple local laws, parking ordinances, and the battery storage moratorium).

The North Hempstead Town Board held a special work session on October 16, 2025, to discuss the tentative 2026 budget. The meeting, a tradition started about 10 years ago, allowed board members to ask questions about the budget that was distributed on October 6. Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the board were present, with Steve Pollock providing the budget overview. Tentative Budget Overview - Steve Pollock, from the Supervisor's office, presented the 2026 tentative budget, which freezes taxes in the town's major funds (General Fund and Town-Outside-Village (TOV) Fund) after three consecutive years of reductions. - General Fund expenses are increasing by $1.4 million (1.55%) from 2025, driven by health insurance (+$652,000), retirement (+$358,000), water costs (+$335,000), and tort litigation (+$318,000). Long-term debt decreased by $294,000, while short-term debt increased by $222,000 due to the Tully Park parking lot project. - General Fund revenues (excluding taxes) are decreasing by $500,000, with increases in interest earnings (+$526,000), contractual revenue from Harbor Links Golf Group (+$200,000), and parks revenue (+$100,000), offset by decreases in transfer station revenue and franchise fees. - TOV Fund expenses are increasing by $638,000 (1.42%), mainly from health insurance (+$95,000), sand and salt (+$50,000), and property/liability insurance (+$31,000). TOV revenues are up $316,000, mostly from parking enforcement, school bus camera violations, and CHIPS funding. - Town-operated special districts: four of seven fire protection districts have no tax increase; Glenwood district sees a large increase due to LIPA assessment changes. Four of five garbage collection districts use fund balance to lower increases. Several districts (street lighting, Pawashin Public Parking, Sawath, Great Neck Water) have tax decreases; Manhasset Bay Park District has no tax change. Budget Discussion and Line Item Questions - Council members raised questions about specific line items. Key exchanges: - Community Services $25,000 increase: Commissioner requested $25,000 for special events line (4890), to be offset by cuts in other lines, including an unfilled position. No net increase to the overall budget. - Postage increase of $140,000: The 2025 budget reduced postage hoping to use more electronic communication, but that proved insufficient; the 2026 budget restores the line to allow ongoing mailings, including four town-wide newsletters per year. - Harbor Links water costs: Town contracts with Harbor Links Golf Group for a base fee of $850,000 plus $100,000 toward water expenses. Any water expense over $100,000 is the town's responsibility. The 2025 year-to-date water cost is $385,000 due to dry weather, netting $285,000 over the $100,000 credit. The town aims to implement a water reclamation project to reduce future costs. - Franchise fees decrease of $244,000: Due to declining cable subscriptions as residents switch to streaming services. - Internal audit line zeroed out: Consolidation into the Comptroller's professional services line; external audit is still completed annually. - Professional services for Human Resources increase of $71,000: Includes new ADP timekeeping system implementation and ongoing maintenance. - Water cost increases at parks (Manorhaven, North Hempstead Beach Park, Tully Park): Driven by rate increases from water districts, not town control, and addition of splash pads/pools. - Receiver of Taxes stationary/printing increase of $26,000: Due to more proactive outreach on tax exemptions and reminders. - Communications department contractual services increase of $75,000: For outside graphics and printing services to increase public outreach. - Town Board member requested budget for self-mailings: Currently no line item; Councilwoman Lou proposed an amendment to allocate funds for each council member's mailings. - Town Clerk overtime increase of $10,000: Due to new CBA allowing employees to choose overtime cash instead of comp time. - Parking enforcement revenue increase of $226,000: Based on trend of more violations being written, including at Port Washington Town Dock where overnight parking is being enforced. - School bus camera program: Projected revenue of $3.775 million for 2026, up from $3.362 million in 2025 (partial year). Revenue is net after 45% share to Bus Patrol. The town is conservative in issuing tickets, reviewing each violation before issuance. - Building department overtime reduction: Better management; overtime being reduced as daytime inspections increase. - Sidewalk district snow overtime: Costs are tracked and then reimbursed via back-charges from the highway department. Bus Camera Enforcement Program - Rich Delate from the Town Attorney's office clarified that the bus camera program operates strictly within participating school district boundaries. The town exercises prosecutorial discretion not to issue tickets for violations where a median separates opposite lanes on multi-lane roads, conservatively issuing tickets only for clear violations. The county (Nassau County TIFFA) adjudicates the tickets; adjudication resumed in September 2025. Fund Balance and Financial Projections - Steve Pollock provided fund balance projections: - General Fund 2025 ending balance: $34.22 million (after projected use of $4.1 million from a $8.2 million appropriation). Unaudited. - General Fund 2026 ending balance: Projected $24 million if the entire $10 million appropriation is used, though historically less is actually used. - TOV Fund 2025 ending balance: Approximately $16 million (after use of $1.296 million). - TOV Fund 2026 ending balance: Approximately $10.22 million if full $5.8 million appropriation is used. - Councilman Triano requested a breakdown of how the $4 million operating surplus was achieved (savings from better management, not one specific item). - Councilwoman Lou requested clarification on inter-fund transfer capital project interest ($1.786 million projected for 2026) and asked for a list of bonded projects that may be sitting idle while accruing interest. - Councilman Walsh requested a hard copy of the 2024 CAFR. Budget Amendment Process - Supervisor DeSena stated that any budget amendments must be submitted in writing to the entire board and the town attorney’s office. Amendments need to specify the line items from which funds are moved. The law requires substantial changes to be posted at least 24 hours before the public hearing. The board agreed to provide clearer guidance on the amendment process. Key Outcomes - The tentative budget will be voted on by November 20, 2025. - A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for October 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM. - Board members may submit budget amendments before the hearing; Councilwoman Lou indicated she will propose an amendment for a town board mailing line item and to remove the $11,000 OEM line (Manhasset/Port Washington OEM). - The meeting adjourned with a motion by Councilman Triano, seconded and passed (all present voting yes).

The Town of North Hempstead Town Board held a regular meeting on October 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM. The primary agenda item was a resolution to accept the receipt of the tentative 2026 budget. The board also heard extensive public comments urging the extension of a moratorium on lithium battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the town. Public Comments & Testimony - Christine Panzion urged the board to extend the BESS moratorium, citing risks from greenhouse gas emissions, high-voltage EMF transmission lines, and recent battery failures. She argued that fire codes fail to address unstable battery chemistries, that developers have conflicts of interest in peer reviews, and that the town needs local zoning control. She also opposed the Propel transmission project, stating it would expose residents to high EMF levels (up to 175 milligauss) and cause construction disruptions. She thanked the board for a prior recognition. - A speaker (identified as a financial advisor) opposed BESS, stating that lithium fires are impossible to extinguish, fire departments lack manpower to monitor long-duration fires, and experts have vested interests. He recommended Bloom Energy fuel cell technology as a safer alternative and urged the board to delay BESS adoption. - Tammy Palmeri requested extension of the moratorium, citing inherent dangers of lithium chemistry, failure rates of suppression systems (25%) and thermal management (18%) per CEA audits, and the lack of liability insurance mandates for developers. She called for wind modeling, independent air/soil testing, decontamination plans for firefighters, and criticized New York State's Rapid Act for potentially overriding home rule. - Rob Mazella (Glenhead) opposed BESS, noting toxic off-gassing during normal operations, high cancer rates on Long Island, and safer alternatives like sodium-ion and solid-state batteries. He criticized the hypocrisy of NYSERDA's head living in a town with a ban on lithium batteries and ended with a quote from former Governor Ann Richards. Discussion Items - Resolution (Item 1): A resolution accepting the receipt of the tentative 2026 budget of the Town of North Hempstead, along with budgets for all special improvement districts and assessment rolls for three water pollution control districts. Supervisor DeSena noted that a public hearing on the budget would be held on October 16, 2025, at 10:00 AM, with a vote on October 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM. She also noted that Councilwoman Lou and Councilman Adami had conflicts but would receive copies. Key Outcomes - Resolution No. 542-2025 was adopted by a vote of 5 Ayes (Robert Troiano, Dennis Walsh, Jennifer DeSena, Ed Scott, Mariann Dalimonte) and 0 Nays. The motion was made by Jennifer DeSena.