This was particularly significant since this was the last meeting with current Board members. At the next meeting on April 4, trustee Gerard Lundquist will be sworn in as Mayor and residents Nicholas Episcopia and Thomas Lamberti will take the oath as trustees. Another Board change is expected to occur soon when Trustee Negri officially resigns.

Trustees were voting on whether or not the Board should enter into a contract with Beatty, Harvey & Associates LLP (BHA) for design plans for the stabilization of the St. Paul's building. Trustees had been given copies of the contract prepared by Village Counsel Gerard Fishberg on March 15. Trustees were also supposed to vote on a SEQR declaration for stabilization.

Opponents, who included Trustees Bee, Lundquist, Mauk and Rothschild, argued that the building should not be stabilized until there is a plan for how it will be utilized. Trustees Bee and Mauk argued that the issue should be left for the new Board.

Those against the contract also said that even though BHA is highly qualified and has worked with the Village several times, other firms should be considered. Trustee Negri responded that a Request for Proposal was sent to two firms, BHA and Einhorn Yaffee Prescott, based on their expertise and experience.

Todd Harvey of BHA presented the Board with a brief overview of his firm's background. They are the oldest architectural firm on Long Island and specialize in historic and general renovation work. Projects have included Molloy College, Friends Academy, churches, libraries and seminaries. "I think this is a project we're ideally suited for," Harvey concluded.

Trustee Lundquist, who claims to be very familiar with construction, is against the contract because several business issues are still unresolved. Fishberg responded that he met with BHA and several Board members and drafted a contract he believed to be protective of the Village. He said he did not get involved in making business decisions. Lundquist said he will work with Fishberg to develop a contract suitable for Board review.

Trustee Rothschild said he was unsure where he stands on the issue and suggested the possibility of tearing St. Paul's down and constructing a new building that can be fully utilized. He added that the current building would require substantial maintenance even after it is stabilized. Rothschild claims that taxpayers would bear the cost since a private use was eliminated after the Board voted to designate the area as parkland.

The trustees who wanted to vote in favor of stabilization argued that major work needs to be done now to save the building from demolition. Trustee Watras said that the Board needs to move forward so it can concentrate on other pressing issues including the Hub proposal and "P-zone" plans. Mayor Miller has said that she believes it is her fiduciary responsibility to stabilize the building and ensure the building is used for the public.

Trustee Negri said he was embarrassed and disappointed by Bee's "very political move." Negri added he will not miss that aspect of public service after he resigns.

Eileen Collins, chairperson of the Committee on St. Paul's Space Needs Assessment, presented her committee's findings. They met with more than 20 local groups and organizations to discuss their possible needs for space in the St. Paul's Main Building.

She reported that a large number of rooms can be utilized on the first floor, chaapel area on the second floor and basement. Referring to the basement as the "lower level," Collins said there are large windows providing natural light and plenty of spaces for public use, including meeting rooms, a large kitchen, and shops for ceramics and woodworking.

The committee found that the overwhelming majority of organizations need more space, especially the Girl Scouts, senior citizens and American Legion. School buildings and public library are not always available. St. Paul's would provide the space needed for people of all ages. Collins added that the Recreation Department should be housed in the building's west wing.

Thomas O'Rourke, president of the Estates Property Owners' Association, said the Board should look at the community center in Roslyn. He stressed that Garden City needs to be competitive in the services it provides to encourage young people to move into the area.

Robert Bolebruch said residents are fed up with the lack of choice. He asked the Board to tear down Ellis Hall, which has already been condemned. According to Bolebruch, the large voter turnout in the recent trustee election should be a reminder to the Board that people want change.

Since this was his last meeting on the Board, Trustee Segerdahl presented a list of his accomplishments and commented on St. Paul's. "I trust the future board will continue to move forward and not stall and put up road blocks," he said. "We need to see constructive ideas and solutions, not destructive ones. It is always easy to find fault or take shots at a recommendation, a plan or a resolution. It is not as easy to provide an alternative acceptable plan or resolution."

In her farewell address, Mayor Miller acknowledged that St. Paul's was a "sticky thorn." "I do believe in my heart that everyone stood their ground because they were doing what they believed was the best thing for the Village," she said. "I certainly gave it my all. I do think there were many accomplishments, and so I am very proud to have served and I thank you. It was my pleasure and my honor."

Other News

A public hearing to amend the zoning code in regard to accessory structures or buildings, gate posts, piers, stanchions and retaining walls was continued from the last meeting. An off-street parking law is also being amended. Jon Schwieger said he has researched pergolas and wanted to know size restrictions in the code. A pergola is an arbor with a latticework roof. The hearing will remain open at the next meeting to maximize the opportunity for public input.

Former mayor Harold Hecken said there is a problem with overflowing dumpsters and garbage behind the stores on Seventh Street. The Village recently received a petition from 16 establishments on the street seeking assistance. Althea Robinson, executive director of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, said she will work with Village Administrator Robert Schoelle and the Department of Public Works to resolve the problem.

The Board voted unanimously to waive the antiquated cable franchise procedure for Verizon so the company can begin negotiating a franchise with the Village. Verizon recently announced that they have started building a fiber-optic network in the area. The technology will deliver faster data speeds and clearer voice--as well as provide the capability to offer a full suite of video services--to residential and business customers.