Thursday, May 17, 2012
Seaford school budget passed
On May 15, 2012, the voters of the Seaford, N.Y., school district approved the 2012-2013 school budget with 1,766 Yes votes to 1,262 No. The polls were crowded when I went at 9:30 a.m. The total vote is 3,028, out of perhaps 11,000 registered voters. Susan Ruona gained a three-year term in the board with 1,578 votes, and Jeannette Wink a one-year term with 1,474 votes.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Seaford Library budget passes
On April 4, 2012, the Seaford Library budget passed, with a vote of 85 to 40. Patricia Coughlin was reelected, unopposed, with 106 votes.
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Below, I list some results from previous years:
On April 6, 2011, the 2011-2012 budget for the Seaford Library passed, 110-36. Stephen Gaughran was reelected as trustee, with 129 votes.
In April, 2010, the Seaford library budget passed, 103-29. Eileen Montalbano was reelected as trustee, with 119 votes.
In April, 2009, the Seaford Library budget passed, 98-30. John Rall was reelected as trustee with 115 votes.
In April, 2008, the Seaford Library budget passed, 110-52. Peter Ruffner was reelected trustee for a five-year term.
The 2007-8 budget of the Seaford Public Library passed, with a vote of 78 "Yes" to 45 "No." Maybe the drenching rain kept the turnout low. Possessing a valid library card is different from registering to vote in a library district or school district, and I do not know the number of registered or eligible voters. About 10,400 Seafordites have Seaford Library cards in a district of approximately 16,000 residents. As library cards must be renewed every three years, the number of card holders may be a little inflated by people moving out of the district. The voting register for school district and library district (a combined list) totals about 10,000 to 12,000 names.
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Below, I list some results from previous years:
On April 6, 2011, the 2011-2012 budget for the Seaford Library passed, 110-36. Stephen Gaughran was reelected as trustee, with 129 votes.
In April, 2010, the Seaford library budget passed, 103-29. Eileen Montalbano was reelected as trustee, with 119 votes.
In April, 2009, the Seaford Library budget passed, 98-30. John Rall was reelected as trustee with 115 votes.
In April, 2008, the Seaford Library budget passed, 110-52. Peter Ruffner was reelected trustee for a five-year term.
The 2007-8 budget of the Seaford Public Library passed, with a vote of 78 "Yes" to 45 "No." Maybe the drenching rain kept the turnout low. Possessing a valid library card is different from registering to vote in a library district or school district, and I do not know the number of registered or eligible voters. About 10,400 Seafordites have Seaford Library cards in a district of approximately 16,000 residents. As library cards must be renewed every three years, the number of card holders may be a little inflated by people moving out of the district. The voting register for school district and library district (a combined list) totals about 10,000 to 12,000 names.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Fewer Merrick Road buses
The bus service cutbacks, effective 4.8.2012, on route N19 along Merrick Road show the following changes in eastbound service:
From Monday to Friday: 20 eastbound trips instead of 31.
On Saturdays: 17 eastbound trips instead of 26.
On Sundays: the same 9 eastbound trips as previously, providing hourly service.
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Westbound cutbacks are similar.
In the 1960's, I recall several trips on the Freeport-Patchogue route through Seaford, as provided by Utility Bus Corporation. I have been unable to find a bus photo from the Utility era.
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From about 1930 to about 1973, a North Merrick firm, the Jerusalem Avenue Bus Company, connected Seaford with Hempstead, via Waverly and Seaford Avenues. When Sunrise Mall opened, the routes were changed. The new schedules for the N54, which travels on Washington Avenue from Jerusalem Avenue to Sunrise Highway (serving the Seaford railroad station) show a mostly unchanged timetable from the past months: 15 hourly trips Monday to Friday, 13 hourly trips on Saturday, and no service on Sunday. The N54 connects Sunrise Mall, Seaford, North Wantagh, North Merrick, and Hempstead, much of it via Jerusalem Avenue.
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From about 1930 to about 1973, a North Merrick firm, the Jerusalem Avenue Bus Company, connected Seaford with Hempstead, via Waverly and Seaford Avenues. When Sunrise Mall opened, the routes were changed. The new schedules for the N54, which travels on Washington Avenue from Jerusalem Avenue to Sunrise Highway (serving the Seaford railroad station) show a mostly unchanged timetable from the past months: 15 hourly trips Monday to Friday, 13 hourly trips on Saturday, and no service on Sunday. The N54 connects Sunrise Mall, Seaford, North Wantagh, North Merrick, and Hempstead, much of it via Jerusalem Avenue.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Seaford in the springtime
Five p.m., Thursday, March 29, 2012, as trains arrive from Manhattan and Brooklyn.
About thirty years ago, the Town of Hempstead planted Bradford pear trees along both sides of Merrick Road for more than a mile west of the town line at Tackapausha Park. They have not fared too well; about half have been lost. However, those remaining can be beautiful in the spring.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Seaford school board meeting 2.2.2012
(Mistakes are possible in these notes of mine.)
The Seaford, New York, school board meeting began promptly at 7:30 p.m., February 2, 2012, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Then Kevin Herbst gave a report on the district-wide fire code inspection. Except for numerous electric extension cords, the buildings were found in good compliance. He pointed to the cord used for the microphones at this meeting. Temporary use of extension cords is allowed, but leaving a ordinary cord permanently extending the reach of a fish tank cord or a computer, for example, is not allowed. The district has already given directions and has checked on compliance.
This year's efforts to raise the scores of Harbor pupils with disabilities were discussed, the goals being sought chiefly through professional training, planning, and preparation. Last year, some youngsters there did not meet the New York State goals with regard to Adequate Yearly Progress. The Board accepted the Comprehensive Education Plan for the Harbor School. It sounded as if the word "academies" is being used for after-school tutoring, and questions were asked about the availability of such academies.
At the Middle School, asbestos floor tiles were removed from one of the classrooms.
There are still some unanswered questions of about the calculation of the tax revenue cap. Thomas DiNapoli's office has promised to place a Webinar on his site.
The Seaford Avenue property was most recently appraised in 2005. The District has one offer for purchase, but it needs to know the property's current value. Therefore, a contract with Breslin Appraisal was approved, cost $3,000.
There was a discussion about concussion management policies. Beginning September, 2012, coaches, nurses and some other personnel will need to have passed the certification course yet to be determined by New York State. Parents will be required to inform the schools of concussion injuries that happen outside of school activities, so that, for example, a student does not play school sports while affected by such an injury in a community league.
Despite the loss on the 2011 ballot regarding the construction of an emergency exit road from the Harbor school, the need for such a road remains. At least one resident spoke in favor of again including the issue on this May's ballot.
The Board accepted $71,000 from Save Seaford Sports for the reinstatement of Middle School athletics for the Winter 1 and 2 seasons. At the urging of several students and parents, the Board approved the creation of a Gay/Straight alliance Club at Seaford High School and accepted a resident's gift of $683.50 to pay the costs for the remainder of this school year. An excellent article on this topic appears in patch.com, linked here.
A resident complained that Seaford is "way behind the times" because the district has not installed wi-fi throughout the schools, allowing the use of tablets instead of heavy textbooks. I did not understand whether the resident wanted wi-fi in one school or four. The superintendent pointed out that NY State considers Seaford a low-need district, and the assistance from Albany is limited. (My opinion: Nobody can spend the same dollar twice. We have to choose where to spend.)
I left at 8:55 p.m. as a resident was questioning the circumstances under which the Advisory Committee on Technology received its instructions from the board.
The Seaford, New York, school board meeting began promptly at 7:30 p.m., February 2, 2012, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Then Kevin Herbst gave a report on the district-wide fire code inspection. Except for numerous electric extension cords, the buildings were found in good compliance. He pointed to the cord used for the microphones at this meeting. Temporary use of extension cords is allowed, but leaving a ordinary cord permanently extending the reach of a fish tank cord or a computer, for example, is not allowed. The district has already given directions and has checked on compliance.
This year's efforts to raise the scores of Harbor pupils with disabilities were discussed, the goals being sought chiefly through professional training, planning, and preparation. Last year, some youngsters there did not meet the New York State goals with regard to Adequate Yearly Progress. The Board accepted the Comprehensive Education Plan for the Harbor School. It sounded as if the word "academies" is being used for after-school tutoring, and questions were asked about the availability of such academies.
At the Middle School, asbestos floor tiles were removed from one of the classrooms.
There are still some unanswered questions of about the calculation of the tax revenue cap. Thomas DiNapoli's office has promised to place a Webinar on his site.
The Seaford Avenue property was most recently appraised in 2005. The District has one offer for purchase, but it needs to know the property's current value. Therefore, a contract with Breslin Appraisal was approved, cost $3,000.
There was a discussion about concussion management policies. Beginning September, 2012, coaches, nurses and some other personnel will need to have passed the certification course yet to be determined by New York State. Parents will be required to inform the schools of concussion injuries that happen outside of school activities, so that, for example, a student does not play school sports while affected by such an injury in a community league.
Despite the loss on the 2011 ballot regarding the construction of an emergency exit road from the Harbor school, the need for such a road remains. At least one resident spoke in favor of again including the issue on this May's ballot.
The Board accepted $71,000 from Save Seaford Sports for the reinstatement of Middle School athletics for the Winter 1 and 2 seasons. At the urging of several students and parents, the Board approved the creation of a Gay/Straight alliance Club at Seaford High School and accepted a resident's gift of $683.50 to pay the costs for the remainder of this school year. An excellent article on this topic appears in patch.com, linked here.
A resident complained that Seaford is "way behind the times" because the district has not installed wi-fi throughout the schools, allowing the use of tablets instead of heavy textbooks. I did not understand whether the resident wanted wi-fi in one school or four. The superintendent pointed out that NY State considers Seaford a low-need district, and the assistance from Albany is limited. (My opinion: Nobody can spend the same dollar twice. We have to choose where to spend.)
I left at 8:55 p.m. as a resident was questioning the circumstances under which the Advisory Committee on Technology received its instructions from the board.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
LIRR Forum, 1.30.2012
LIRR FORUM at Wantagh Library, 1.30.2012. Warning! These notes may contain errors.
The meeting lasted from 8 p.m. to about 9:20 p.m.
Nassau county Legislator David Denenberg hosted Bob Brennan, Director,
Government and Community Relations, LIRR, and Patrick Gerakaris, Branch Line Manager
of some 38 south shore stations in Nassau County. The email for the Branch Line Manager is
pcgerak@lirr.org
Larry Rubinstein of the LIRR Commuters' Council was present. Please see http://www.pcac.org
I note that two Nassau seats on the LIRR Commuters' Council remain
vacant.
As people drifted in and out, the highest attendance was about 35. However, they were far more outspoken and
less polite than the smaller numbers of other meetings. Chief problem: Some attendees would repeat
their complaints several times and not yield the floor.
Claudia of the North and Central Merrick Civic Association said that the
people of Merrick and Bellmore want the Town of Hempstead to require permits
for parking at those two stations.
However, some of the lots were developed with federal or New York State
aid and cannot be reserved for town residents.
Station maintenance was a big issue, especially at Freeport. As Nassau County pays the maintenance bills,
it has some say about the level of cleaning.
Because of the pigeon problem at Merrick and Bellmore, a cleaner wipes
the stairway handrails twice each morning.
The same cleaner cleans the toilets there and in Wantagh and Seaford
twice also.
The ripples and deterioration of the platform at Wantagh requires a major
overhaul, but the third year of the MTA budget has not yet been appropriated by
the NY State Legislature. There is
question whether any funds for Wantagh will be included beyond a design study.
Bob Brennan said that Wantagh has 5,500 customers daily, and that it
ranks #7 or #8 in passenger count.
Someone inquired about closed circuit camera surveillance preventing
suicides. In the brief discussion, one
of the speakers said that the locations of working cameras could not be
revealed. Mention was also made of
parking lot and platform security cameras, but there again few answers were
forthcoming. Mention was made of more
active CCTV surveillance over the past years at Freeport, including the arrest
involving in street crime caught by the station cameras. Freeport is different village police, in
addition to MTA police, watch the station.
Someone questioned whether N.I.C.E. buses would help in LIRR service
suspensions. The answer differentiated
between planned service suspensions and emergencies. Pat Gerakaris said that the railroad has
contracts with forty bus companies across the island to supply emergency
help. No one addressed the impossibility
of keeping drivers near on full standby.
A man from Oceanside and others complained about the relatively-new
weekend schedule that has dropped half-hourly service at Rockville Centre,
Baldwin, Merrick, Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa Park, Copiague, and Lindenhurst
on four eastbound trains and five westbound trains.
Someone said that many LIRR stations are not ADA compliant. Bob Breenan reminded him that the ADA
requirements are for new stations and stations that have major
renovations. Although many stations lack
elevators, the railroad is fully compliant with the law
Someone complained that his $600 bicycle was stolen from the rack at
Seaford, and he requested more security.
That led to a discussion of the bike lockers that are provided at some
stations through a private firm. They
had to be moved further from the trestles because of possible terrorist use.
A woman complained about the short canopies at Seaford. Bellmore, Merrick, and Massapequa have
canopies protecting the entire platform.
Wantagh and Seaford do not. She
also complained that track workers leave their work debris around.
A man from Massapequa explained that his father was a LIRR
yardmaster. He complained about problems
with defecation and urination in the upstairs waiting room. He also related how there was once a fire in
that room and burned wooden bench was left on the platform. However, the waiting room now has two metal
benches bolted to the floor, and on the morning of 2.1.2012 there was no
offensive odor.
Someone said that the emergency number at elevators was no longer in service. One of the representatives explained that
many numbers were gathered into 511, but the railroad is going to reinstitute
the old 8228 number.
An attorney from Wantagh explained that the rebidding for the coffee
truck has endangered the familiar coffee man.
All agreed that it was a question of dealing with MTA Real Estate. The process includes a Request for Proposal,
then bidding.
A man from Seaford complained about graffiti on the bridge over NY state
135. He said it was an invitation to join
a gang. One of the LIRR representatives
explained that it took coordination with the NYS Department of Transportation,
police, and the railroad to get the graffiti covered. The same man complained about the presence of
homeless people at the train stations.
Fortunately, the funding for the East Side Access is still in the
pipeline and work continues. The Wantagh
station renovation depends on MTA funding from the New York State
Legislature. The chairman of the New
York State Senate Transportation Committee is Charles Fuschillo.
There is renewed interest in double-tracking from Farmingdale to
Ronkonkoma. I suspect that the project
may draw fewer NIMBY objections than the elevation of three tracks through New
Hyde Park.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Veterans' Day, 2011
Scenes from Veterans' Day in Seaford, New York, November 11, 2011.
The Seaford Fire Department adds a wreath.
After the volley, the young man (third from left) skillfully sounded taps.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Election Results, November 2011
Yesterday, the residents of Seaford were asked to vote for ten State Supreme Court judges, a county judge, a district court judge, one county legislator, and several Town of Hempstead officials.
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However, I should mention the numbering of Election Districts. When one visits the Results section of the Nassau County Board of Elections, the Election District is specified with a six-digit number. The first number, 2, may represent the Town. The second and third digits represent the Assembly District. The fourth, fifth, and sixth digits represent the Election District. For example, Election District 26 (north of the Seaford Avenue school) is within the 19th Assembly District (Assemblyman McDonough), and the Town of Hempstead. Hence, it is numbered 219026.
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Incumbants (except for judges) won reelection: County Legislator Dennis Dunne, Town Councilwoman Angie Cullin, Town Receiver of Taxes Donald Xavier Clavin, Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla.
As for the judges on the ballot, it seems that the ten candidates who won the most votes for the ten State Supreme Court judgeships (with 14-year terms) were all the Republican candidates. The ten-year seat on the Nassau County Court went to Angelo Delligatti, Republican. For the Second District Court (vote for 3 judges, each for a six-year term), the three incumbents won (Bjorneby, Knobel, Paradiso).
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However, I should mention the numbering of Election Districts. When one visits the Results section of the Nassau County Board of Elections, the Election District is specified with a six-digit number. The first number, 2, may represent the Town. The second and third digits represent the Assembly District. The fourth, fifth, and sixth digits represent the Election District. For example, Election District 26 (north of the Seaford Avenue school) is within the 19th Assembly District (Assemblyman McDonough), and the Town of Hempstead. Hence, it is numbered 219026.
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Incumbants (except for judges) won reelection: County Legislator Dennis Dunne, Town Councilwoman Angie Cullin, Town Receiver of Taxes Donald Xavier Clavin, Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla.
As for the judges on the ballot, it seems that the ten candidates who won the most votes for the ten State Supreme Court judgeships (with 14-year terms) were all the Republican candidates. The ten-year seat on the Nassau County Court went to Angelo Delligatti, Republican. For the Second District Court (vote for 3 judges, each for a six-year term), the three incumbents won (Bjorneby, Knobel, Paradiso).
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Election Day, 2011
Having just voted, this is my recollection of the ballot in Seaford, New York, 11.8.2011:
Fourteen columns of judges to be elected. "Vote for any ten." One county legislator. Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead. Town clerk. Member of the Town Council. Receiver of Taxes. Total:19 columns, but 15 votes maximum.
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Apparently, if one casts too many or too few votes, the scanner gives further instructions. In the case of too few votes (as, for example, not voting for ten judges), after the warning, you may still cast the ballot. The machine will swallow the paper ballot and declare your vote counted.
Fourteen columns of judges to be elected. "Vote for any ten." One county legislator. Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead. Town clerk. Member of the Town Council. Receiver of Taxes. Total:19 columns, but 15 votes maximum.
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Apparently, if one casts too many or too few votes, the scanner gives further instructions. In the case of too few votes (as, for example, not voting for ten judges), after the warning, you may still cast the ballot. The machine will swallow the paper ballot and declare your vote counted.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Seaford School Board meeting 11.3.2011
The November 3, 2011, meeting of the Seaford School Board opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. in the Harbor School. About sixty residents attended. All five trustees were present.
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A potential buyer has toured the Seaford Avenue school, with consideration to use the building for the firm's office space. The broker and district continue to market the school, which for decades has not been used as a district school, but has been leased at various times.
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In 1961, fifty years ago, ground was broken for the Seaford Harbor school, which welcomed the first students in 1963.
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The board received donations to assist the schools in this year of a contingency budget. Save Seaford Sports presented a check for $43,000, to be used to restore winter sports and middle school sports.
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The superintendent outlined the much-changed procedure and calendar for determining the 2012-2013 budget. One deadline is Mach 1, 2012, when the district must present to the state the Tax Levy figure. Note that the 2% cap is on the Tax Levy, not directly on the budget. It is said that New York State will provide in January or early February the amount it intends to provide to each district, so that the Tax Levy could be computed. The entire procedure is quite different from other years, and it offers uncharted challenges. Again it has happened that some new State mandates provide no funds to accomplish what is newly required.
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The Board discussed the membership and necessary work of the Audit Committee and the Budget Committee. This writer has noticed that the meetings and preparatory work done by volunteers of the Board or for the Board has increased in recent years. Instead of meeting just monthly, they and their helpers have invested much more time in preparation for decision-making. Notice of these additional committee meetings are posted at the Seaford Public Library and on the district website.
----
A potential buyer has toured the Seaford Avenue school, with consideration to use the building for the firm's office space. The broker and district continue to market the school, which for decades has not been used as a district school, but has been leased at various times.
----
In 1961, fifty years ago, ground was broken for the Seaford Harbor school, which welcomed the first students in 1963.
----
The board received donations to assist the schools in this year of a contingency budget. Save Seaford Sports presented a check for $43,000, to be used to restore winter sports and middle school sports.
----
The superintendent outlined the much-changed procedure and calendar for determining the 2012-2013 budget. One deadline is Mach 1, 2012, when the district must present to the state the Tax Levy figure. Note that the 2% cap is on the Tax Levy, not directly on the budget. It is said that New York State will provide in January or early February the amount it intends to provide to each district, so that the Tax Levy could be computed. The entire procedure is quite different from other years, and it offers uncharted challenges. Again it has happened that some new State mandates provide no funds to accomplish what is newly required.
----
The Board discussed the membership and necessary work of the Audit Committee and the Budget Committee. This writer has noticed that the meetings and preparatory work done by volunteers of the Board or for the Board has increased in recent years. Instead of meeting just monthly, they and their helpers have invested much more time in preparation for decision-making. Notice of these additional committee meetings are posted at the Seaford Public Library and on the district website.
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