Freeport trustees postpone action on Lena Avenue Home

After a 50-minute public hearing to consider landmark status for a house at 92 West Lena Avenue, Village trustees postponed taking action for up to 30 days after a motion by board member William White Jr., to reserve a decision on the issue.

Several residents, led by Landmarks Preservation Commission Chairman Pietrina J. Reda, urged the board to grant the status, but the house is currently under foreclosure and trustees said they want more information

The property would remain on the tax rolls if landmark status is granted, Ms. Reda explained.

The house, of French design, built of fieldstone with a slate roof and copper gutters, was constructed around 1929-30 on property owned by John J. Randall, considered the father of modern Freeport, according to Village historian Cynthia Krieg.

“That house is a great source of pride in our community,” said Cal Venzen, president of the Northwest Civic Association, whose home borders the site. “We want to preserve the house to prevent it from further damage.

In the regular agenda, trustees acted on several items.

Their decision to reject bids received on Oct. 4 for uniformed guard services for the power plant and to extend the current contract with Wisdom Protective Services of Kew Gardens, brought a protest from a representative of Arrow Security who called the decision “unfair” and lacking in transparency.

Wisdom had matched the lowest bid to continue the contract and Village Attorney Howard Colton responded “there is nothing in the process that is in violation of municipal laws on issues of bidding. It is not in violation of the law.”

Mayor Robert Kennedy added that the village has the option for a one-year extension.

In other actions, trustees:

• Extended the contract for 500,000 gallons of aviation kerosene for the power plant with Sprague Operating Resources LLC of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

• Approved an $81,000 Operation IMPACT grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

• Approved an agreement with the Hosting Trust Fund Corporation for more disaster recovery assistance for Freeport because of superstorm Sandy.

• Approved an agreement with Trans First of Hauppauge for card payment processing at the municipal meters.

• Set Nov. 18 for a public hearing to amend the Village ordinance on maintaining sidewalks and curbs. The amendment relates to keeping curbs free of debris.

• Authorized the opening of the tax assessment rolls for public inspection from Nov. 1-19 at the Village Clerk’s and Assessor’s offices.

During public comment, Kevin McKay asked that a display of a steel artifact from the Twin Towers at ground zero on 9/11 be given more visibility in a well-traveled area. The artifact is currently near a police firing range.

Mayor Kennedy responded favorably and asked Mr. McKay to work on a committee with volunteer fire department members to decide on a location.

At the end of the meeting, the mayor commented on the success of the recent Hispanic celebration at the Recreation Center and a recent visit by parents of the Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy, who expressed gratitude for the hospitality shown to the cadets.

He also noted the successful awards ceremony for the Fire Department held for the first time in six years.