Board of Trustees Meeting News
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

Immediately following the public hearing on the Verizon franchise agreement, the Garden City Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on August 16th.

The Board approved a professional service contract totaling $13,030 for a study of the Garden City Pool. Kevin Ocker, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs, explained that a study was needed to find the source of a leak in the main drain of the pool. The study will also include ways to remedy the situation.

The Board approved a solicitation request by New York Youth Club with certain restrictions. At the last Board meeting, Ronald J. Crowe, executive director of New York Youth Club, had requested permission to conduct a door-to-door fundraiser within the Village, for two days every two months, from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Trustees decided to defer the matter to the next agenda pending the receipt of more in-formation on the group and a more restricted request.

Last Thursday, trustees decided to grant the permit for six dates this year: August 25 and 26, October 20 and 21, and December 15 and 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The club is a non-profit organization based in Smithtown that helps teens develop job skills as well as provide financial assistance and recreation opportunities.

Site plan approval was granted to Jin East, a new Japanese restaurant located at 988 Franklin Avenue.

Trustee Nicholas Episcopia announced that construction will not be completed at the Garden City Public Library until December because the contractor held up some contracts.

Mayor Peter Bee said the Village will continue to monitor the possible relocation of the Family Court to the court complex on the Garden City/Mineola border. He met with the head of the Nassau County Bar Association, who wants to look into the issue. The move would be a decision made between the county executive and the state. Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi has said he would carefully consider Garden City's opposition before taking any action.

Cyril Smith, a member of the Garden City Historical Society, announced that the group expects a large turnout in 2008 for the Vanderbilt Cup Races. Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway and special guests and events are planned for the race.