By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

Although the focus of the June 5th Board of Trustees meeting was predominantly centered on discussion of the deal between the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency and tentative purchaser of the Garden City Hotel, the Board did attend to other matters.

Trustee Donald Brudie administered the oath of office to five special police officers: David Carpentier, captain; Stephan Browand, lieutenant; Teresita Vafeas, sergeant; and special police officers Robert R. Anderson and John Koch. It is the 55th anniversary of the founding of the special police force. Captain Carpentier said volunteers are needed.

Trustee Brudie asked residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior in their neighborhood to the police department. He was disturbed that several trees were recently destroyed by vandals on Oxford Boulevard.

Trustee Nicholas Episcopia reported that residents on Franklin Court are not happy with the condition of their roadway, curbs and sidewalk. Robert Mangan, director of the Village's Dept. of Public Works, said the curbs are scheduled to be replaced in four to six weeks. The road will be repaved after the curbwork is completed.

Trustee Episcopia also reported that he, along with Village Administrator Robert Schoelle and former Garden City mayor Harold Hecken, attended a meeting focused on the possible environmental impact of the proposed Nassau County Hub plan. The Hub plan calls for a transportation link in the center of Nassau County connecting Long Island Rail Road train stations with activity centers. The technology being considered for the transportation link includes a Bus Rapid Transit system, Light Rail Transit system or an Automated Guideway Transit system similar to the Airtrain JFK at John F. Kennedy Airport.

Episcopia said they spoke about two elements of the plan: the Village is against a light rail system running through Garden City, and the 500,000 square feet of retail space proposed to support residential development. The environmental and traffic studies should take three to four years to complete. He said the Board may discuss in the future obtaining environmental counsel to help the Village in its fight against the project.

Trustee Robert Rothschild said the Recreation Commission is looking for a volunteer representative from the Central Property Owners' Association. Anyone interested should speak to Rothschild or Kevin Ocker, the chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs.

Second Deputy Mayor Thomas Lamberti, who serves as chairman of the Mayor's Committee on St. Paul's, said he hopes to announce a schedule at the next Board meeting on June 19th. It is expected his schedule will include dates for public input opportunities.