Residents raise complaints about smoky backyard fireplace and oppose animal‑shelter privatization during public comment

Several residents used the Town Board public comment period on Jan. 7 to press the town on two separate concerns: an outdoor wood‑burning fireplace in Franklin Square that a neighboring family says is causing health problems, and opposition to bids to privatize the Town of Hempstead animal shelter.

Franklin Square residents Christopher Crane and his wife, Elena Carrillo, said a neighbor’s large outdoor wood‑burning fireplace emits dense smoke that drifts onto their property and into their home. Crane said the couple had sought enforcement and appealed to the Board of Appeals but that a plans examiner and later a deputy commissioner issued approvals and a certificate of compliance. “We were unsuccessful in getting the owner to curtail his fire,” Crane said. Carrillo said the smoke has caused repeated hospital visits and ongoing pulmonary treatment. The supervisor asked acting Commissioner Danny Leo and the town attorney to meet with the couple after the meeting and to provide a follow‑up.

On the animal shelter, several volunteers and advocates urged the board not to approve a privatization arrangement with Golden Animal Alliance. John DeLeonardo of Humane Long Island raised concerns about advisory board members and other individuals named in an application for privatization, citing state disciplinary histories and nonprofit registration issues. “As stewards of the shelter ... you have a duty to ensure that the entity chosen to run the shelter is both fiscally responsible and has a documented history of caring for animals,” DeLeonardo said.

Volunteer advocates and shelter supporters also described shelter staffing needs and operational issues. Hillary Flanagan, a volunteer from Bellmore, told the board she opposed privatization with Golden Animal Alliance and praised board members and staff who have met with volunteers about shelter conditions. Francesca Zaldivar thanked the supervisor for addressing a water‑dispenser problem at the shelter and urged the board to reject the privatization bid. Other speakers called for fully staffed, accredited animal‑care professionals and transparent engagement with volunteers.

The board did not take an immediate public vote on either the fireplace enforcement issue or the shelter privatization during the Jan. 7 meeting; staff committed to follow up with the Crane family and the town attorney and to continue considering the shelter procurement and public submissions.