Serving New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Garden City Park, North Hills, Manhasset Hills and North New Hyde Park
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Friday, September 8, 2023
Vol. 72, No. 36
N E W H Y D E PA R K
GUIDE TO FALL
NAKED MAN CHARGED CALL TO REMOVE POLS NAMES FROM COUNTY SIGNS IN ASSAULT IN NHP
PAGES 23-38
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Town beefs up finance team for budget
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G A M E D AY O N T H E G R I D I R O N
Democrats vote to use ex-chief deputy comptroller’s services BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y North Hempstead Town Board Democrats approved a resolution along party lines to use Hilary Grossman, the former chief deputy comptroller of the town, for accounting services in the upcoming budget process. The board also unanimously appointed Finance Director Paul Wood as acting comptroller, temporarily filling a role in the comptroller’s office that has a vacancy in its top three positions. Council Member Veronica Lurvey, a Democrat, presented an amendment to the other six members of the town board that authorized any member of the town board to use Grossman’s services. Lurvey’s amendment authorized town board members access to Grossman’s services which include reviewing the tentative budget, which must be submitted by North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer Desena by the end of the month, preparing any changes or amendments to the tentative budget and reviewing the preliminary budget, among other things. DeSena, a Republican, said the “substantial” changes allowing the six other members to use Grossman’s services encroached on her role in creating
the budget. Lurvey said DeSena has the authority to submit her budget, but it then becomes the town board’s responsibility to approve the budget. “We are making it clear right off the bat that whoever is hired is not just your personal assistant,” Lurvey said. “Because once you prepare your budget, it becomes the town board’s responsibility.” During the Sept. 1 meeting last year, a resolution was unanimously approved to hire Grossman for accounting services but did not include language that specified allowing all members of the town board to use Grossman’s services. Before voting on the amendments, the four Democrats on the town board abstained from voting on the original resolution when DeSena made a motion for it. The Democrats then voted to reconsider the resolution, accept the amendments and approve the new amended resolution on a 4-3 party-line vote. Wood was appointed for the second time in as many years as acting comptroller after former Comptroller Kristen Schwaner resigned unexpectedly in August four months after she Continued on Page 50
PHOTO COURTESY OF @HERRICKS_SPORTS_PHOTOS ON INSTAGRAM
Herricks High School players run onto the field before playing Mepham High School on Saturday, Sept. 2.
Manhasset-Lakeville sets bond vote for Oct. BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y Building a dedicated firehouse for the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department’s ambulance unit at 70 Cumberland Ave. in Lake Success would have “zero impact to local traffic” according to a traffic study authorized by the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire and Water District. The study, conducted by Woodbury-based Cameron Engineering, was released at the Aug. 24 commissioners meeting.
District commissioners in May delayed the bond vote after residents expressed concerns about the impacts of a new building during a public hearing on the $11.7 million proposal. The district will hold a vote on Tuesday, Oct. 10 where residents can decide whether to approve $10 million in bonding for the proposed facility. The traffic study is also available on the department’s website at www.mlfd.com.
District Commissioner Steven Flynn said the district did its due diligence based on community feedback and that he believes the Cumberland Avenue location is perfect for the ambulance unit. Flynn also said the traffic study identified safety and signage issues with the location, which are outside the district’s jurisdiction but they have reached out to local officials on the matter. “We have contacted Town and Continued on Page 49