Campground Residents Triumph! Town will Finish Paving the Campgrounds and Demolish House on Abbot

Campground residents, who were angry that the Town of Hempstead paved half the Campgrounds in 2011 and had promised to pave the other half this spring, came down to the Hempstead Town Board meeting last week, armed with petitions with almost 70 signatures and reports of dozens of letters that were sent to Councilwoman Cullin requesting that the Town finish the job they started.

This was the second time in as many months that residents visited Town Hall with this request.   Concerned residents had left last month's meeting with worries as to whether the Town would allocate funds in the 2013 budget to finish paving the Campgrounds. Yet, last week we left elated with the good news!  Supervisor Murray announced at the onset of the Town meeting that the Town of Hempstead WILL finish the job in 2013. We are very grateful to Supervisor Murray and Councilwoman Cullin for committing to Phase II of the Camp Ground Rehabilitation Project.

I would like to thank the many Campground residents, especially John Golden and Maureen Pallodino, who went out of their way to garner support for this project and all the residents who took the time to come down to the meeting this month and last. There is strength in numbers and Campground residents sent in letters, signed petitions and came down to two Town Board meetings demanding the Town finish the job. Because the community pulled together and stood united in their demands, an area of Merrick that had been neglected for decades, will soon be restored to its historic glory.

However, we must keep on top of this. It is imperative that ALL roads that need to be repaved in the eastern section of the Campgrounds and the outerroadways of the Campgrounds are included in this project. Once a firm is hired to design the project, we will seek hearings so that residents may have input.

Coincidentally on the agenda, was another item that concerns Campground residents. The Town approved a resolution to demolish and remove the two-story house at 2119 Abbot Avenue in North Merrick. It is expected that the demolition will occur within a short period of time. The bank will remain owner of the property.