Trustee Phil Guarnieri reported that within the next few weeks the village tree planting contractor will be planting trees in various locations throughout the village. All residents who will be getting a tree in front of their home have been notified. There is a white dot at the curb where the tree will be planted.

The species of tree being planted are as follows: Crimson King, Greenspire Linden, Marshal Seedless Ash and Liberty Elm. Wire friendly species will be Shubert Cherry, Cleveland Select Pear and Hedge Maple. The department of public works will try to fill resident requests for certain species but the type of tree planted in front of a resident's home will mainly depend on its availability on the truck when the contractor actually arrives at your location. This is a very important program so that we keep floral in Floral Park and maintain a suburban feel to our village," Guarnieri said.

The village tree removal contractor is currently removing approximately 25 trees that are either dead or dying. Wherever a tree is removed in the village that location is automatically put on the next tree planting list if it is at all possible to replant a tree in that location.

Trustee Guarnieri reminds residents that if they see a streetlight out within the village, they should report it to the department of public works at 326-6320 for a speedy repair.

Trustee Gerry Bambrick reported that the department is renewing licenses for electricians and plumbers. Last month, the department sent out 205 renewal applications for electricians and 160 renewal notices for plumbers. Current licenses expire Jan. 1, 2004. The bid packages for the first phase of Operation Downtown are available at village hall. The bids are due Dec. 18. Trustee Bambrick also reported that on Nov. 12 there was a public meeting at the Recreation/Pool Building hosted by the Citizens with Disabilities Committee. Don Dreyer, director of the Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged, guest spoke. Dreyer gave a very informative and inspirational speech about overcoming physical challenges, Bambrick said. In the second half of the meeting there was an informal discussion about concerns of residents regarding the physically challenged in Floral Park. Several concerns were cited, including the lift in village hall. The village is asking for assistance from Nassau County to remedy this problem. Trustee Bambrick thanked the committee for their hard work and also thanked Mayor Ann Corbett and Trustee Tom Tweedy for attending the meeting. Trustee Tom Tweedy reported that the fields at the recreation center are officially closed and winter hours are now in effect. The park hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Winter classes are now under way at the Recreation/Pool Building. Classes need to maintain at least a minimum enrollment in order to achieve a positive experience for participants. All but two classes have met required enrollment. If a resident would like to enroll for a winter class, they may stop by and see Recreation Director Kurt Meyfohrt.

Trustee Tweedy also reported that for the conclusion of Substance Abuse Awareness Month, the Substance Abuse Prevention Council co-hosted with the Floral Park Memorial Sports Program and the Floral Park Memorial PTSA an informative and enlightening program provided by Paul Failla. This program, attended by 80 to 90 residents, focused on the importance of decision making by young teenagers. Trustee Tweedy thanked the committee for all their hard work.

Trustee Tweedy reported that he attended a very uplifting and moving ecumenical service sponsored by the United Methodist Church on Thanksgiving. All churches from Floral Park were represented at the service.

Mayor Ann Corbett read a letter from Peter Genova, secretary of the Stewart Manor Fire Department, thanking the Floral Park Police Department for assisting them on Nov. 20 in escorting the caisson of ex-Chief William Dutcher to the county line and controlling traffic during the funeral procession.

The mayor also reported that she received a letter from US Senator Charles Schumer in which he stated that according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), over 12,000 New Yorkers are owed refunds averaging $705, with some as high as $25,000. The checks are either unclaimed income tax refunds or advance child tax credit checks, most of which were not claimed because the taxpayer did not file for a specific change of address form with the IRS.

Postal Service regulations require that government checks be returned when taxpayers move or remarry and do not have their checks addressed in their new homes, even if they have filed a change of address form with the post office. To make it easier for New Yorkers to find out if they are owed money, Senator Schumer has posted the list of unclaimed or undeliverable tax refunds on his website, www.schumer.senate.gov. Please direct New Yorkers to the first link under the yellow "Top Issues" box. The website will allow New Yorkers to see if they are on the list. It also explains how to obtain their refund. For privacy reasons, the amount of each refund is not listed, just the name of the person, city and zip code of the area in which the return was filed. For taxpayers that do not have access to the Internet, Senator Schumer urges them to contact his New York City office at 212-486-4430 for assistance. Taxpayers who are owed money may claim it by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Mayor Corbett also thanked the department of public works for putting up holiday decorations, which helps put all residents in a festive mood. Further, she thanked the department for vacuuming and picking up the leaves so efficiently.

She was pleased to announce the village has been notified it has been awarded a $10,000 grant for road parking lot improvements through Assemblyman Thomas Alfano's office.

Mayor Corbett also said that the next village board meeting would be held Jan. 6, 2004. She also took this opportunity to wish everyone - family, friends and volunteers of the village - a very happy New Year. "Soon we will welcome the joy of Christmas and Chanukah," she said. She looks forward to being with her grandson for his first Christmas. The mayor said she has also managed to do most of her shopping in Floral Park. She closed by asking residents to remember in their prayers, the nation's men and women in the military stationed stateside and abroad. "I wish everyone peace and joy this holiday season," she said.

On motion by Trustee Guarnieri, seconded by Trustee Tweedy and carried unanimously, Mayor Corbett recessed the meeting at 8:35 p.m.