May 31, 2023
Residents should have all received their Annual Water Quality Report in the mail, and hopefully you had a chance to look through it. Water continues to be a topic of great interest and concern to residents and, as I have learned over the last two years, it is a very complex topic. Knowing the many questions residents have, our Environmental Advisory Board has scheduled a meeting for 7:30 p.m. on June 14th at Village Hall or by Zoom to provide an overview of the Annual Water Quality Report, update residents on our Water Department improvements, and field questions from residents on all water-related topics, including lead service lines and water quality. You will have an opportunity to hear from our new Water Department superintendent, Stan Carey, who joined the Village on March 21, 2023. Mr. Carey has worked in the water industry for 38 years. He is the former superintendent at Massapequa Water District and director of Distribution at Suffolk County Water Authority. Mr. Carey also sits on the NYS Drinking Water Quality Council appointed by the Governor. Additionally, Mr. Carey is a past chairman of both the Long Island Water Conference and Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection (LICAP). We will also have Public Works Superintendent John Borroni, PE, and water consultants from H2M available to answer questions.
It probably does not surprise you that I began receiving feedback on the water report as soon as it hit mailboxes. I thank residents for this feedback, and will look to see how your suggestions can help the Village with messaging on this very important topic. Please feel free to reach out to me (mcarterflanagan@gardencityny.net) or EAB co-chair Trustee Michelle Harrington (mbharrington@gardencityny.net) with any questions you have for the meeting.
With so much attention focused during the last year on lead in drinking water, it has been suggested that we more prominently highlight the lead service line issue. At the June 14th meeting, we will talk about the education efforts to date on lead service lines, the free lead testing still available through the Village, the waiver of all permit fees for lead service line replacements until 2024, and the importance of finding out if your home has a full or partial lead service line.
GAS POWERED LEAF BLOWER BAN IN EFFECT
Your landscapers should have received a letter from the Village reminding them that under Local Law 3-2022 they are not permitted to use gas leaf blowers in the Village Saturday, May 27 through Monday, September 4, 2023. The feedback I heard from residents last year about the ban during the summer months was overwhelmingly positive, and residents’ yards continued to look well maintained. If landscapers are in violation of the above they will be issued an appearance ticket by the Garden City Police Department. There will NOT be any warnings issued this year. You may remind your landscapers of this rule. It is my hope that the landscapers who should now be accustomed to the new rule will simply follow the rule without residents calling to complain about neighbors’ landscapers and minimizing time spent by our police officers with enforcement.
When the local law was passed, golf courses were exempt for a year with the intention of revisiting this issue after the year had passed. Unfortunately, with other pressing issues before the EAB the issue of an ongoing exemption for golf courses has not been discussed. A review of local laws banning gas powered leaf blowers in nearby communities with golf courses showed support for an exemption, and upon speaking with groundskeepers at local courses, I learned of landscaping needs unique to golf courses that differ from the needs in maintaining lawns and sports fields. Considering these factors, the Village will be hearing input on extending the exemption for golf courses and gathering data on noise complaints over the next 60 days without issuing any appearance tickets for gas powered leaf blowers used on the golf courses. Residents are welcome to reach out to me if they wish to further discuss this topic.
2023 BUCKLE-UP NEW YORK ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE
The Garden City Police Department is participating in the Statewide Buckle-Up New York enforcement initiative through June 4. The enforcement of seatbelt and child restraint laws saves lives. During this initiative, highly visible patrols and checkpoints are conducted throughout the Village, targeting non-compliance to occupant restraint laws, including child safety seat laws. The goal of the Garden City Police Department’s Occupant Restraint Enforcement Program is to reduce personal injuries and fatalities due to automobile crashes through education and enforcement. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 11,813 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the United States in 2021. Data shows that seat belt use is higher among females than males. In fact, nearly twice as many males were killed in crashes as compared to females in 2021. Commissioner Kenneth Jackson said the Department’s participation in this effort was made possible through funding received from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), with assistance from the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police and the Nassau County Traffic Safety Board. The following is a brief overview from the GTSC regarding seatbelt/occupant laws for driving with passengers under the age of 16:
• All vehicle occupants must wear proper safety restraints. The driver is responsible for all passengers under the age of 16.
• All children under 4 years old must be restrained in a federally approved child safety seat.
• Children ages 4, 5, 6, and 7 must be properly restrained in an appropriate child restraint system.
• Effective November 1, 2019, children under two years of age must be placed in a rear-facing child seat.
• Effective November 1, 2020, all taxi and livery vehicle passengers over the age of 8 must be restrained by a seat belt.
• Due to the efforts of law enforcement, seat belt compliance rates are at 94 percent in NY State. The national compliance rate is 91 percent.
• Drivers will be assessed three points against their driver’s license for the conviction of occupant restraint laws regarding child passengers under 16 years of age.
RESIDENT REMINDER: GARBAGE IN REAR OF HOUSE, RUBBISH AT CURB
Garbage is not to be left at the curb. It is picked up by our Sanitation crews in the rear of the house. The Village sometimes receives complaints concerning garbage being left at the curb days before its scheduled pickup. Before a summons is issued, a warning letter will be mailed to you. Police will enforce this Village code and issue summonses, if necessary. Further, curbside placement of rubbish is not permitted prior to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. For further information on garbage collection schedules, visit the Sanitation and Recycling page on the Village’s website, www.gardencityny.net.
Residents are also reminded that if you need Special Pick-up for bulky items such as furniture, concrete, bricks, wood, stumps or any large amount of material, you must call BEFORE placing material at the curb. Hours to call for a "Special Pick-up" are between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (465-4031).
SUMMERTIME GAZEBO CONCERTS
The Garden City Recreation and Parks Department is pleased to announce its schedule of summer concerts:
- July 13 Radio Flashback The best of Styx, Boston, Meatloaf, Doobie Brothers, Foreigner and ELO
- July 20 Manhattan Skyline An All Star group bring back the best of NY vocal harmonies
- July 27 Risky Business Old time Rock and Roll
- August 3 Garth Brooks Tribute They’ve got “Friends in Low Places”
- August 10 Jenna Esposito Tunes from the Great American Songbook
- August 17 Beyond Fab The best of the Beatles
All shows are performed at the Gazebo on Village Green, located at the corner of Stewart and Hilton Avenues. Shows begin promptly at 7:15 p.m. In the event of rain, shows will be moved indoors to Cluett Hall, on the grounds of St. Paul’s, 295 Stewart Avenue. Due to the limited seating at Cluett Hall, proof of residency in the Inc. Village will be required for admission to the show. For additional information about these shows, please call Garden City Recreation and Parks at 465-4075.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN GARDEN CITY