Town of Hempstead Notebook: Hydrogen Fuel Station and Tax Payments

A Look at Hydrogen Fuel

Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray joined with energy partners to fuel the first zero-emission, hydrogen-powered cars at Long Island's first hydrogen fueling station in Point Lookout.

A vital component of Hempstead's Clean Energy Project, the town's pure hydrogen, blended hydrogen/compressed natural gas (HCNG) and compressed natural gas fueling station is the first of its kind on Long Island. With the addition of two "whisper quiet" Toyota FCHV-adv vehicles and a HCNG bus, the town will now to able to assess the viability of hydrogen and HCNG as alternative fuels to move our vehicles.

Hempstead Town received two Toyota fuel cell hybrid vehicles (FCHV-adv), valued at approximately $100,000, that convert hydrogen and oxygen to electricity through a zero emissions process. Additionally, blended hydrogen/compressed natural gas fuels a new shuttle bus that will be used for the town's Senior Enrichment program. The Ford E450 shuttle bus, supplied by Clean Vehicle Solutions, has been upfitted to run on natural gas and calibrated to run on the HCNG fuel.

Town Participates in National Passport Day

Murray and Town Clerk Mark Bonilla have announced that Hempstead Town will join the State Department in celebrating "Passport Day in the USA," providing passport application services to U.S. citizens and sharing important information about travel requirements. This special passport event will be held at Hempstead Town Hall on Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

In addition to hosting the Passport Day, Hempstead Town has also taken steps to make the process of obtaining a passport easier. The Town Clerk's One-Stop Passport Shop provides applications and passport photo services to town residents without an appointment, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. To make it easier for groups of travelers to obtain necessary travel documents, the Town Clerk's Office offers a "Speedy Pass" mobile passport service that brings a mobile passport facility to organizations, teams and clubs who plan to travel abroad.

For information on how to apply for a passport book and/or a passport card, visit the town's web site at www.TOH.LI or call the town's One-Stop Passport Shop at 812-3100 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Variety of Payment Options for School Taxes

Receiver of Taxes Donald Clavin reminds residents to take advantage of the different payment options offered by his office as the deadline for paying the second half 2010-2011 school tax approaches. Taxpayers who prefer to make payments in person can avail themselves of satellite offices, the mobile tax office and the EZ-Pay drive thru payment window located behind the Town Receiver's office in Hempstead. In addition, tax bills can be paid by credit card or e-check, online or via telephone. Tax payments received or postmarked by May 10 will be penalty-free.

Office hours at the main tax office located at 200 North Franklin St. in Hempstead will be extended during peak collection times. Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 2-6, 9 and 10. The fully staffed main office accepts all forms of payment and can provide taxpayers with assistance regarding account inquiries.

Satellite offices established at Rock Hall Museum (located at 199 Broadway in Lawrence) and Levittown Hall (located at 201 Levittown Pkwy. in Hicksville) will be open to receive tax payments (checks and money orders only) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 4-6, 9 and 10.

"Our mobile town hall brings town government to local neighborhoods," Clavin said. "This is especially convenient for residents who have limited time or ability to travel to the main tax office and desire to make their tax payments in person by check or money order."

The mobile tax office will visit the following locations from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as follows:

Monday, May 2 - Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick

Tuesday, May 3 - Town Parking Lot O-3, Davison Ave., Oceanside (directly across from Oceanside Library)

Thursday, May 5 - Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

Friday, May 6 - Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Pl., Franklin Square

The E-Z Pay drive thru payment window will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 2-6, 9 and 10. Only checks and money order payments are accepted at this facility.

Residents who would like to pay via credit card or e-check may log onto the town's website at www.TOH.LI and follow the Receiver of Taxes link to "Online Tax Payments," or call Official Payments Corporation toll-free at 1-877-306-6056. A convenience fee of 2.5 percent of the total tax payment will be incurred for credit card payments. A flat fee of $2 will be charged for electronic check payments. Hempstead Town receives no portion of these fees.

Taxpayers should bring their entire tax bill when making payments in person. Tax stubs should not be detached from the bill. For further information visit the town's website at www.TOH.LI or contact the Office of Receiver of Taxes at 538-1500.

Town Board to Meet Tuesday

The Hempstead Town Board has a meeting scheduled for April 5 at 10:30 a.m. On the agenda are issues such as parking and other regulations, which pertain to several towns including Merrick, Franklin Square, Garden City and Wantagh.