Hewlett Harbor Passes Budget For 2012-13

 trustees at their April meeting passed a proposed $1,148,809 plan for the 2012-13 fiscal year, only slightly higher than the $1,092,574 budget this year.

The board also kept the same tax rate for village residents, the current 2 percent cap.

“There were no increases in spending or taxes to the residents and we are maintaining all the same services,” Trustee Tom Cohen said. “There haven't been that many projects that made us go over last year's budget.”

Cohen explained part of why the village was able to keep such a similar budget was due to the mild winter, alleviating any of their concerns for raising taxes or costs to residents.

“We were very fortunate that we budgeted for the winter, and we didn't go over budget in that area,” he said. “There’s nothing to cut because we run a lean, mean machine.”

Emergency Management Proposal

Dr. Lucy Xenophon Fillas, a village resident, presented an emergency management proposal to the board, offering up possibilities for ways to protect and aid residents during a disaster.

“Most emergencies are probably natural, but they can also be things like terrorist acts,” Fillas explained.

Her plan includes establishing a chain of command amongst trustees, development of a mass communication system, identifying command centers in the village along with a communication strategy that would include distributing walkie talkies to residents.

“Communication is the most important thing,” Cohen said. “Being able to talk to each other is a key priority.”

Mayor Mark Weiss agreed that the village can improve its emergency strategy plan, and noted the as a possibility for an evacuation center.

“We are not a priority for many of the services provided by the county and if we want to maintain safety, security and quality of life during these emergencies, we have to aggregate what we have to get through the most difficult time,” Weiss said. “We have some processes that work, but boy could they be improved.”

Willow Pond 

The village believes it has found a solution to the duckweed overgrowth in Willow Pond, an issue on the Hewlett Harbor docket for the past year. 

While the state denied the village’s original proposal for duckweed removal products, it did approve an alternative product that should alleviate the problem. 

“Hopefully this will keep the pond free of duckweed,” Weiss said.

The board is currently taking bids with hopes of finding someone to treat the pond by May.

Other business discussed at the meeting:

• Nassau County police handed out six speeding tickets and made just one arrest in the village for March.

• The village reported their current total assets are $730,764.

• Trustees encouraged residents to pick up a village complaint form to report any problems in the community.

• Village elections will be held on June 19, from noon to 9 p.m. at village hall.