Hempstead Town Notebook: Solar Project, More Road Improvement Projects

Town Participates in Kellenberg Solar Project

On Monday, officials from Kellenberg Memorial High School (KMHS) in Uniondale announced the launch of a major solar thermal energy project that will help address the heating, cooling and hot water needs of the academic institution in an environmentally responsible and sensitive manner. Participating in the "green energy" kick-off event with KMHS were project partners, Hempstead Town and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

The solar thermal collection project will consist of 115 solar panels mounted on the roof of the catholic school's structure, which will transfer fully renewable energy into school heating, cooling and hot water systems, supplying approximately 10 percent of Kellenberg's energy requirements.

The system, to be installed by New York Solar Systems, LLC, is funded through NYSERDA by $945,000 in federal stimulus funds under guidelines from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) State Energy Program, which provides grants to states and directs funding to State Energy Offices from technology programs in DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Hempstead Town reduced the cost of construction permits by capping the town-issued authorizations at $300. The permit costs would have been approximately $11,500 without the town's fee reduction.

The project will help conserve precious natural resources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and reduce Kellenberg's carbon footprint on the planet while lowering KMHS's energy costs.

More Road Improvement Projects Announced

The town announced more road improvement projects this week in several communities including Merrick, East Meadow and Lakeview.

• Merrick: Includes Shaw Drive, a portion of Earl Drive and a portion of Winifred Drive. The project will include the construction of new curbs, driveway aprons, installation of pedestrian access ramps at all intersections, new asphalt pavement and the restoration of disturbed grass areas. The project will begin in July and should be completed by October.
• East Meadow: Includes Mark Drive, Reed Drive and Patti Drive. The project will include the construction of new curbs, driveway aprons, installation of pedestrian access ramps at all intersections, new asphalt pavement and the restoration of some disturbed grass areas.
• Lakeview: Includes Ossipee Road, Seneca Road and a portion of Pinelake Drive. The project will include the construction of new curbs and driveway aprons, installation of pedestrian access ramps at all intersections, new asphalt pavement and the restoration of some disturbed grass areas. No completion date was announced.

Town Awards Eagle Scouts, Gold Award Winners

On Saturday, June 11, Hempstead Town recognized the Boy and Girl Scouts who reached the highest plateaus of their proud organizations: the rank of Eagle Scout and the Gold Award.

Each honoree was presented with a Hempstead Town Citation and a special patch to commemorate the celebration.

"Scouting build character and molds young men and women into society's key contributors and leaders," Town Supervisor Kate Murray said.