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Board awards 9/11 memorial contract after heated exchange over plaque names
Summary
The Town Board voted to award a bid to complete a long‑planned 9/11 memorial at Manhasset Valley Park (DPW proj. 25‑08) after several members and public commenters argued over whether elected officials’ names should appear on plaques; the resolution passed by voice vote.
The North Hempstead Town Board on May 13 voted to award a contract to complete the town’s 9/11 memorial at Manhasset Valley Park, a project listed as DPW project number 25‑08, after a lengthy and emotional debate about the memorial’s design details and whether elected officials’ names should appear on plaques.
Deputy Supervisor and other speakers described the memorial plan as an item that had been approved in concept many years ago but left partially completed. The deputy supervisor told the board the structural work and a granite semicircular wall remain to be finished and said it was "shameful that this town hasn't acted in 24 years" to fully complete the memorial. He urged prompt action so construction could finish in time for this year’s 9/11 observance.
Several board members, including Councilman Walsh and others who identified themselves as 9/11 responders or volunteers, strongly opposed including elected officials’ names on the memorial. A public commenter who said he was a volunteer firefighter and a responder at the World Trade Center called the idea of adding politicians’ names an "insult" and said only the firefighters and victims should be on the memorial.
Council members debated retaining an existing plaque listing prior board members versus adding a new wall with names of victims and room for future additions. One board member suggested any plaques listing officials should show officials at the time a phase was started and finished; others said the focus should remain on victims and first responders. Proponents said ARPA funds made it possible to finish the memorial now.
After discussion the board voted to adopt the resolution to award the bid; the board recorded unanimous support by voice vote. Several members emphasized reserving space on the new wall for future names of those who die from 9/11‑related illnesses.
Next steps: with the contract awarded, town staff expect the construction work to proceed with the aim of completing the memorial this year; details on plaque wording and placement were left to the board and staff for later resolution.
