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A Few Clouds Listening to what residents have to say
Government officials seek to resolve problems
Recovering from Hurricane Sandy, floodwater mitigation and roadway conditions were the issues that about 30 people asked questions of Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony Santino during a meeting of residents and officials at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library on Jan. 22.
Santino said that the town’s outlook is positive. “The town is in solid financial shape,” he said. “We are cutting and doing more with less, and we’re doing well. We are investing in things in the Five Towns.”
He said the town is considering installation of a platform overpass at the Woodmere Long Island Rail Road station and a $1 million parking lot rehabilitation in Hewlett, as well as additional road projects to come in the spring of 2015.
Ben Eilbott, the current president of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, believes that the traffic pattern on Broadway in Hewlett needs to be addressed. “Broadway continues to be impossible,” he said. “It affects the library with the traffic. I’ve approached Nassau County about this issue, and haven’t received much cooperation.”
County Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) also attended the meeting. He suggested to Eilbott some ideas for fixing the problem. “One suggestion I have would be to install a traffic circle,” he said. “It could be put in near the old Hewlett Burger King site, which will become the TD Bank. I would also like to see something done with 878 (Nassau Expressway), as that too is in terrible condition.”
Robert Douglas, a lifelong Woodmere resident, suggested fixing the drains along the streets. “We can’t see the curbs, especially during a major rainfall,” he said. “Whose responsibility is this? Town roads, county roads, why is there no consistency?”
Steve Adler, another Woodmere resident, agreed that the street drains need attention. “I’ve lived in Woodmere 45 years, and seen so many flooding situations,” he said. “East Broadway and many of the side streets are not cleaned. It’s a disaster. During Hurricane Sandy, I saw 22 inches of floodwater in many of the garages along my street.”
