______________ VALLEY STREAM _____________
HERALD
Your Next Chapter Starts Here
Take the first step toda y. Call The Toler Team. Natalie Toler
Dueling dishes at LIJ
VSLL prepares for season
Page 3
Page 10
VOL. 37 NO. 17
APRIL 23 - 29, 2026
Lic. Assoc. R. E. Broker ABR, SRS, SRES, SFR O 516.669.3700 M 516.388.0912 natalie.toler@elliman .com
Rockville Centre Offi ce 304 Merrick Road | 516 .669.3700
$1.00
elliman.com
© 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION,REAL ESTAT E. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. NEW YORK 11746. 631.5 49.74 01
110 WALT WHIT MAN
Village budget exceeds state tax levy cap By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The Village of Valley Stream board of trustees adopted its proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget of $52.36 million at its meeting on Monday. The spending plan was approved by a vote of 4-0, with Mayor Ed Fare, Deputy Mayor Dermond Thomas and Trustees John Tufarelli and Kevin Waszak supporting it and Trustee Sharon Daly abstaining. Village officials reduced the proposed tax rate to $58.23 per $100 of assessed value, from $58.55, after a public hearing on April 13 and addi- ED FARE tional discussions Mayor among the trustees. The tax levy, the total amount raised through property taxes, will increase from $35.4 million in the current fiscal year to $37 million in 2026-27. That 4.4 percent increase exceeds New York state’s tax cap on municipalities of roughly 2 percent. Local
P
Juan Alzamora/Herald
JoniRose Jankie, Rodrigo Nakouzi and John Miller from Spartan’s Grill brought local flavor to the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce’s second Taste of Valley Stream event on April 16.
Taste of Valley Stream returns Chamber of Commerce hosts second annual event By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce held its second Taste of Valley Stream event on April 16, bringing together local businesses, residents and community organizations for an evening centered on food and community recognition. The event, at the VFW post on East Merrick Road, continued the chamber’s effort to highlight the diversity of the local dining scene while strengthening connections across the community. This year’s gathering emphasized recognizing local food pantries and the individuals who lead them. Three Valley Stream-
based pantries were honored during the event: House of Hope at Bethlehem Assembly of God, the Church of the Blessed Sacrament food pantry and Holy Name of Mary Parish’s St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. “From navigating SNAP benefits to coping with job loss, these individuals and organizations continue to serve with consistency, compassion and care,” chamber committee chair Lauri LoQuercio said. “Regardless of faith or background, their work is rooted in one simple belief: that everyone deserves access to support, dignity and opportunity.” Norma Pascualini, pantry director of House of Hope, has led the organization for seven and a half years, oversees a volunteer CoNTiNued oN pAGe 8
governments can override the cap with a 60 percent majority vote of their governing board. “There are many other jurisdictions that have been forced to override it, because, unfortunately, the cost of living for yourself and the villa g e does not only stay at 2 percent,” Village Treasurer Michael Fox s a i d . “ H o w e ve r, over the last 15 years, we are at 2.4 percent.” The decision to exceed the cap was driven by rapidly rising costs. Officials cited increases in utilities, health insurance and expenses related to storm response and infrastructure maintenance. Fox also noted that keeping tax increases below the cap for several consecutive years can create financial pressure that must eventually be addressed. Residents raised concerns during the meeting about affordability and the impact of the increase on households
eople suggested that the pool be free. That would mean the tax rate would go up for everyone, even people who didn’t use the pool.
CoNTiNued oN pAGe 8