Village of Atlantic Beach Notebook: Bus Line in Danger, Road Conditions and Subdivision

The mayor of Atlantic Beach urged residents at last Monday’s board of trustees meeting to show support for the village's only , which is currently under consideration for termination by the MTA.

In response to Nassau County’s $24 million shortfall this year, according to the MTA, 27 of 48 bus routes could be cut, affecting 15 percent of local riders. The N33, which runs from Far Rockaway to Atlantic Beach, is one of the lines on the chopping block.

“We are probably the most isolated community, and you would think our community would be the last,” Mayor Stephen Mahler said. “They probably do it by volume and that shouldn’t really be the criteria.”

He added, “It should be who needs it the most.”

The MTA public hearing on this issue is scheduled for March 23 at Hofstra University’s Adams Playhouse in Hempstead.

Village Roads

Discussion of road conditions on the island left the board with nothing more to do than pat themselves on the back for keeping up with many of the negative effects left behind from this past winter season.

“Our roadways are really up there,” Mahler said. “We just do spot repairs now.”

There was also debate of possible parking pass restrictions for seasonal residents whom the board and several audience members felt had taken advantage of the system by requesting guest passes every week, versus sparingly throughout the season.

“These were not intended for two cars every weekend,” Mahler said. “They were supposed to be for an event where you’ve got 15 cars.”

Since this was the first time a solution to this problem was seriously considered by the board, the issue is expected to be brought back, closer to a resolution, at next month’s meeting on April 11.

Police Activity Report

Other than the 81 moving violations in the month of February, there was just one stolen car on the records, according to the report from Officer Anthony Sanacore of the .

“I’m not 100 percent sure, but I think the keys were in the car,” Sanacore said, creating a humorous banter from the audience of roughly 20 community members and officials. “A lot of people leave their cars unlocked, and people walking, whether they’re from a different neighborhood or a different area, they’re going through the car looking for a GPS, briefcase and stuff like that.”

“Lock your cars,” Sanacore said.

Treasurer’s Report

The balance for the Village of Atlantic Beach at the end of February was $1,283,000, and according to reports from village treasurer, Herbert Kilbanoff, $649,000 remains available from bonds currently used for village road work.

“At the end of February this year, without the bond money, there is an excess of $300,000 more than last year at the same time,” Kilbanoff explained.

While this amount is a significant surplus for the village, the board felt these funds will still be important.

“We’re going to need it,” Mahler said. “Our budget reports will show that our income is going to be down because of the tenor of the times.”

Resolutions

The board voted to grant two Putnam Boulevard property owners’ request to purchase an adjoining property, and subdivide their existing dwellings into two larger plots.

While residents were curious about possible tax implications this might raise if the owners built another home on the property in the future, there were no objections from the trustees or villagers.

“It’s a smart idea if you can get someone to agree on that,” Mahler said. “I don’t see how you can prevent somebody from doing that.”

Announcements

A recording of the tentative budget meeting for April 11 will be posted for the public on the Village of Atlantic Beach's website at www.vofab.com.