Politics & Government

North Hempstead Notebook: Conference, Taxi Rides, EcoFest

Happenings in the town.

As aims to revamp its Buildings Department, the town board will host a conference to establis best practices and publicize ongoing improvements.

The conference will take place on April 30 at the in Port Washington from 8 a.m. to 5p.m.

The town claims part of the department’s troubles stem from what Supervisor Jon Kaiman described as a “crisis” caused by a culture where codes were often interpreted differently. Now the town hopes that the department, which is under restructuring, will become a model for best practices.

Find out what's happening in Port Washingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The building department made headlines recently as an ongoing trial involving is heard in Nassau County Court.

Meanwhile, town officials have met regularly with architects, developers, and real estate attorneys to discuss how the Buildings Department can better serve residents and the building construction sector.

Find out what's happening in Port Washingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The conference is open to the public but seating is limited. Register by April 24 by calling 311 or online.

Low-cost Taxi Rides for Seniors

The town’s Project Independence Transportation Program recently served up its 25,000th taxi ride.  The program provides senior citiznes with low-cost taxi rides to go food shopping and to medical appointments.

Gloria Varano, 87, of New Hyde Park, was the 25,000th participant. Praising the program, she said, “It is reliable, dependable and drivers are fantastic.”  

For more information on Project Independence Transportation Initiative, or about town program to enable North Hempstead senior citizens age in place, call 311.

Operation Clean Sweep

From Monday, April 23, to Friday, April 27, all town streets will be cleaned in the unincorporated areas south of the Long Island Expressway. Streets north of the Long Island Expressway will be cleaned from Monday, April 30, to Friday, May 4.

To thoroughly clean the streets, the Highway Department asks residents not to park vehicles on the street between 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. In addition to sweeping, crews will clean catch basins. For more information, call 311.

EcoFest

Get ready for EcoFest, a free two-day interactive environmental festival at Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson.

EcoFest will take place Saturday and Sunday May 5th and 6th from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; gates open at 10 a.m.

Entertainment includes live music from Strummin’ and Drummin’ with Chris and Matt Marshak, a wildlife showcase from Erik’s Reptiles Adventures, and storytelling and workshops from The Red Storm Drum and Dance Troupe. Also featured: Volunteers for Wildlife, the Long Island Children’s Museum and Christopher Agostino’s Transformation Face Painting.

The Central Park Zoo Wildlife Theater will perform “Butterfly Boogie” and “Polar Opposites.” 

Stop Throwing Out Pollutants 

The town’s Stop Throwing Out Pollutants (S.T.O.P.) program on March 31 event at Tully Park 1,200-plus vehicles, more than doubling the previous attendance record.

The event allowed residents to safely and conveniently dispose of household chemicals, e-waste, unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs, sensitive personal information and gently-used clothes.  In ali, it reaped 10.36 tons of e-waste, 640 pounds of pharmaceuticals, 5,460 pounds of shredded documents, and 2,234 pounds of used clothing.

The remaining three events will be held Saturday, June 9 at the Solid Waste Management Authority, 802 West Shore Rd., Port Washington; Saturday, September 8 at Michael J. Tully Park, 1801 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park; and Sunday, November 4 at North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 West Shore Rd., Port Washington.

For more information, call 311.


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