The Morton Civic Association is welcoming new members to their nonprofit organization, which serves the Franklin Square community. The civic association, which was founded in 1951, set out on a mission to improve quality of life in the neighborhood through community initiatives. Joseph Romeo, who is co-president of the civic association alongside Domenico Ciaccio, has been a member since 2010, and president since 2012. Romeo and Ciaccio have been sponsoring annual events to support the community for over 10 years. With a new set of events to look forward to this year, Romeo says now is the time to join!
1. Reasons to join the civic
Joining the Morton Civic Association allows members to take advantage of their contract with Petro Home Services for oil, heating and air conditioning. Romeo and the other board members negotiate group rates with the company, along with a special service contract for their members —something Romeo says saves members from paying “an arm and a leg” for expensive services. The contract includes tank replacement, discounted parts, and service calls, he noted. The civic welcomes members from Franklin Square, and some parts of West Hempstead. Romeo said they are looking for members willing to volunteer for initiatives like community cleanups, beautification events, tree lightings, and any other event held for local residents. For questions and details about how to join the civic association, email their leadership at MortonCivic@yahoo.com.
2. Dominic Natoli Scholarship
Every year, the Morton Civic Association awards over $2,500 in scholarships as part of the Dominic Natoli Educational Awards. The awards are given to students in Franklin Square elementary schools—Willow Road, John Street, Washington Street and Polk Street—and H. Frank Carey High School. In order for students to qualify for the award, Romeo said, their parents must be part of the civic association’s membership, demonstrate a commitment to community involvement, show consistent effort to achieve academic goals, and show respect for authority and peers. Natoli, who died in 2011, was president and an active member of the civic association since the 1970s, as well as a teacher and community leader. Romeo said the scholarship is meant to honor his memory and maintain the spirit of the Franklin Square community for future generations of residents.
3. Two dates to keep in mind
Mark your calendars! On April 27, the Morton Civic Association will be joining the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce for the Community Clean Up Project. Members of the civic association and chamber will be meeting at 9 a.m. on the corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square to pick up trash near businesses along the neighboring streets. On May 8, the civic association will be hosting their general meeting at Willow Road School at 6 p.m. They will have two guest speakers—the assistant superintendent for business and human resources from Valley Stream School District 13, Gerard Antoine, and superintendent of Franklin Square School District 17, Jared Bloom. They will be presenting their respective district’s 2025-26 school budgets. For more updates, follow the civic association on their Instagram account, @MortonCivic.
