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Overcast Town of Hempstead caps building permit fees
Saves three entities more than $20,000
The Town of Hempstead board approved capping the building department fees for three Five Towns entities at $500 each that will translate in saving the Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett, the Far Rockaway-based Hatzalah of the Rockaways and Nassau County and Congregation Bais Ephraim Yitzchok of Woodmere a total of $23,225 for their respective projects.
Such action must be requested and is accompanied by associated documentation, but town officials said that it is common to extend the fee cap as a courtesy to all nonprofit organizations that apply for building permits.
“The Town of Hempstead is proud of the close relationships we’ve formed with these and other organizations; we are always pleased to have the opportunity to help,” Supervisor Anthony Santino said.
A relatively new congregation in the Five Towns, Congregation Bais Ephraim Yitzchok, which is commonly known as CBEY or the Island Avenue shul, outgrew its Peninsula Boulevard home and filed to expand the house. Application costs would have totaled $13,585 without the fee cap.
“The expansion is an expensive undertaking, and every dollar we save brings us closer to our goal,” said congregation President Mayer Maltz, who expressed his appreciation for the town board’s action.
Yeshiva of South Shore submitted a construction permit to maintain a one-story elementary school on William Street in Hewlett, along with other projects. Uncapped fees would have totaled $2,800. Rabbi Dovid Kramer, the yeshiva’s executive director thanked the town board. “They are always here for the community,” he said. With nearly 1,000 students, Yeshiva of South Shore is one of the largest yeshivas in the Five Towns.
“These organizations are essential to the quality of life in local communities and, in the case of Hatzalah, the health and safety of residents,” Councilman Bruce Blakeman said.
