Town of Hempstead Notebook: Holocaust Program, Road Improvement Projects

Holocaust Survivor 'Authors' Compelling Remembrance Day Program

The sheer terror and physical torture experienced by the men, women and children who were held captive in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust will be portrayed in a compelling and compassionate "Remembrance Day Program" presented by Holocaust survivor and acclaimed author Marion Blumenthal Lazan on Sunday evening, May 1 at 7 p.m. in the Clubhouse of Merrick Road Park Golf Course on Clubhouse Road in Merrick.

Lazan's memoir, entitled "Four Perfect Pebbles," is used by schools across the country as a source of living history to preserve the memory of the Holocaust for the last generation of students to hear the story first hand.

There is limited seating for this special Holocaust program. The event is presented free of charge and tickets are not required.

Seating accommodations will be handled on a first-come, first- served basis. For program information please call Barbara Badler of the Town of Hempstead Parks Department at 292-9000, ext. 255.

Earth Day Tips from the Town

Earth Day is April 22 and the town has released a few tips to help the environment.

Storm sewers often transport water directly into the nearest river, lake, stream, wetland or groundwater recharge basin. Only rain should go down the drain.  However, storm water often contains pollutants found on streets and parking lots such as oil, pet waste and fertilizer.

The contamination of local waterways and groundwater cane be limited by taking the following steps:

• Avoid accumulating soil, leaves or grass clippings in your driveway, sidewalk or street. During the next rain, these materials will wash into the nearest storm sewer.
• Don’t dump automotive fluids, paints, pesticides or other materials down the storm sewer or sink drain.
• Cleaning up after your pet keeps harmful bacteria from entering waterways.
• Fixing an oil leak on your vehicle reduces the amount of oil and petroleum products that enter our waterways. One quart of oil can contaminate up to two million gallons of drinking water.
• Participate in Hempstead Town’s S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) Program by disposing of your hazardous material in a safe way.  S.T.O.P. enables residents to safely dispose of hazardous household wastes at convenient locations throughout the town from April through December. Bring your old light bulbs to a S.T.O.P. event and get a free energy efficient bulb (up to five). For more information on dates and locations, please call the recycling section of the Department of Sanitation at 378-2200. 
• Dispose of your mercury-based items such as thermometers, thermostats, manometers and fluorescent light bulbs at one of the S.T.O.P. program dates.
• Participate in our “E-Cycling” Day if you’re looking to get rid of your unwanted computer, television, DVD players and VCRs.  You can even bring your outdated pharmaceuticals to an e-cycling program for proper disposal and old documents to be shredded while you watch.  The next E-Cycling event is Sunday, May 15, 2011 at the Department of Sanitation Transfer Facility, 3737 Long Beach Road in Oceanside.  For more information, please call the Town of Hempstead Department of Sanitation at 378-2200.

By taking part in this town program and properly disposing of your household hazardous wastes, you are protecting our precious drinking water.  Keeping our delicate ecosystem clean has benefits that will be enjoyed by future generations.

Road Improvement Projects Announced in West Hempstead

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Ed Ambrosino have announced that road improvement projects on Bishop Place, Meredith Place and Roosevelt Boulevard in West Hempstead have commenced and will be completed in May. The enhancements will provide increased safety for area residents.

The projects will include the installation of pedestrian access ramps at all intersections and new asphalt pavement.

"During the construction process, the town and its contractor take all possible measures to limit the inconvenience to residents," Ambrosino said. "I am confident that neighbors will be very pleased with how these improvements enhance the curbside appeal of their homes."

Potholes should be reported directly to the Highway Department at (516) 489-5000. Residents should provide the exact street address and the nearest cross street. During the winter months, the Highway Department will fill the potholes with temporary cold patch, until permanent repairs can be made the following spring.

Weekly Meetings

There will be no Board of Appeals or Town Board meetings this week due to the upcoming holidays.