NB Civic Association Holds General Meeting

At the December North Bellmore Civic Association meeting, members voted to change the bylaws of the organization to reflect membership to read "North Bellmore School District" instead of 11710, which extends to South Bellmore.

Members also updated residents on the status of the old Rite Aid building on the corner or Jerusalem Avenue and Peapond Road. 

"There is a medical group interested in the property, however it will be another six to eight weeks before we receive an answer on it," one board member explained.

Members and residents then received an update from Public Information Officer John Bilello about recent criminal activity in the area.

According to Bilello, there were 14 criminal mischiefs, three daytime burglaries, one daytime robbery and three identity thefts in Bellmore recently. In effort to curb these incidents, Bilello said the area received a holiday patrol consisting of four officers in unmarked cars everyday in Bellmore.

"Desperate people are doing desperate things," Bilello added, referring to the failing economy and its effects on people. "We're having a problem here and we want to direct our resources here."

Bilello also informed residents about ongoing drug activity around the Dunkin Donuts on Newbridge Road. He said heroin activity in particular has increased in Massapequa, Bellmore and Merrick.

"The only way we're going to get the drugs out of here is by calling the police if you see something," NBCA President Reinaldo Nunez said.

Bilello advised residents suspicious of drug activity to "get times, days and vehicle plates and descriptions" and notify police.

Next the grassroots  organization RESD, Residents for Efficient Special Districts, made a presentation.

A non-partisan, not for profit civic organization, RESD's mission states they are devoted to advocating for the most efficient and effective provision of fire, sanitation, and water services.

"Long Island is unique in that it has few towns but six times as many villages and school districts and five times as many fire districts as the rest of New York," their Web site states. 

According to their figures, Nassau County is broken down into two cities, three towns, 64 villages, 56 school districts, 39 fire districts and 140 special districts.

"This fragmented systems allows for a lot of fraud, waste and abuse," Joseph Troiano, former Stewart Manor mayor and RESD member said. "You have to start looking at it and seeing what we can consolidate and what we can do to help the economic sustainability of the area. We're here to bring you the information so you can bring this information to your communities."

NBCA member Lisa Schary, a community activist responded, "I want to comment you on coming into the communities and making us aware."

The NBCA holds monthly meetings at the North Bellmore Library. Visit theirWeb site or email for more information. To become a member,  fill out anapplication and send it with a $15 check to The North Bellmore Civic Association, P.O. Box #569, North Bellmore, NY 11710.

Special Districts in Bellmore

• Sanitation
  • Bellmore's sanitation district is run by the Town of Hempstead. They offer curbside service twice a week for garbage, one a week for recycling and once a week for yard waste. Appointments are necessary for special pick up of large items.
• Fire
  • Bellmore has two fire districts - Bellmore and North Bellmore. Both offer year-round service from volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. Residents vote for a board of fire commissioners for each district. These boards determine budgetary items.
• School Districts
  • Three school districts serve Bellmore residents. Bellmore, North Bellmore and Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. Each have their own administration, budget and board of education.
• Water
  • Aqua-NY, a private water company, serves Bellmore residents. Aqua's current proposal before the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) would raise residents' average water bill in each of the next three years by 5.83 percent, 4.16 percent and 4 percent, respectively.