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Hempstead board approves multiple parking, bus-stop and sidewalk measures; tables Lido Point item
Summary
The Hempstead Town Board approved several local laws on parking, bus stops and handicap parking, adopted administrative calendar items 7–33 (except item 20, tabled), and heard extensive public comment on sidewalks, tree preservation, water projects and town mailers.
The Hempstead Town Board on March 10 approved several local laws that impose parking and standing regulations across multiple hamlets and villages and adopted administrative calendar items 7 through 33, with one parks resolution tabled for lack of paperwork.
Supervisor Ferretti opened the meeting and introduced Christopher Peterkin, a retired Marine and longtime VFW member, who led the Pledge of Allegiance. The board then moved through a slate of public hearings, unanimously approving proposed local laws addressing parking limits in Baldwin, Wantagh and Woodmere; standing and parking prohibitions in Levittown, Merrick, South Hempstead, Uniondale and Wantagh; bus-stop regulations in Levittown; and handicap parking designations in Uniondale.
Town Attorney asked the board to table item 20, a Department of Parks resolution related to Lido Point Lookout Fire District, until paperwork is completed; the motion to table passed unanimously. The board subsequently approved the remainder of the administrative calendar by roll-call vote.
The meeting included extended public comment on issues ranging from sidewalk repair procedures and contractor vetting to water-project grant requests and town mailer costs. Several residents pressed the town on sidewalk enforcement and contractor qualifications; Commissioner of Highways Finizzi replied that homeowners are responsible for sidewalk replacement, that permits are obtained from the highway office, and that the town contracts replacement work and may place the cost on the homeowner’s tax bill if not completed.
Town Attorney also described grant requests the town has submitted for infrastructure projects, including funding for an East Meadow water storage tank and Levittown well remediation, and the board heard volunteers and shelter advocates ask for expanded adoption events and clearer shelter vetting practices.
The public-comment portion featured repeated calls for stronger tree preservation measures and for careful use of reserve funds to balance the 2026 budget. The board noted that the town maintains a AAA bond rating while pursing tax relief.
Votes at a glance: - Item 1 (local law: Baldwin/Wantagh/Woodmere parking): Adopted (unanimous). - Item 2 (parking/standing prohibitions across multiple communities): Adopted (unanimous). - Item 3 (bus-stop regulations in Levittown): Adopted (unanimous). - Item 4 (handicap parking in Uniondale): Adopted (unanimous). - Item 5 (sidewalk benefit assessment public hearing): Adopted (unanimous). - Item 6 (local law chapter 10f: tax exemption for surviving spouses of fallen police officers): Adopted (unanimous). - Administrative calendar items 7–33: Adopted except item 20 (tabled).
The board closed the formal session but remained to hear a series of resident comments and said follow-ups would be handled by the relevant departments.
