The Lindenhurst Village Board would like to take a moment to recognize the enormous revitalization of our Downtown Business District – before, during, and in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  When our Downtown Master Plan was developed, there was no section that covered “Global Pandemic Contingency Plan”.  However, thanks to the efforts of many – residents, business owners, and our team at Village Hall – Lindenhurst stayed strong, continued to grow and flourish, and our Downtown is now more vibrant than ever!

When the Pandemic hit our Lindenhurst community, our lives forever changed.  We lost loved ones; we had health scares; we had to “zoom” into new ways of doing business and existing socially; and local restaurants and businesses had to think outside the box so their businesses would not fail.  As usual in our greatest times of need, Lindenhurst rallied, and offered help and support to these restaurants and businesses.

Early on, the community bought gift cards and placed on-line and take-out orders, while the Village worked within County, State and Federal guidelines to help in new and innovative ways.  This included the creation of the Community Dining Area at Village Square Park, and more significantly, issuing temporary permits allowing outdoor seating on Village property, or in the Village right-of-way, and allowing outdoor structures and tents.  These temporary allowances, along with the Governor loosening up the rules and regulations on take-out alcohol, gave our local restaurants and businesses a life-line while their indoor capacity was limited, and we are so proud of the partnerships that were created between our Village government and our Lindenhurst business community.

However, now that life is coming back around, we also need to start getting back around to the proper business environment.  Restaurants and local businesses, and even we here at Village Hall, can now welcome patrons inside.  While some changes that were made can safely be maintained throughout the rest of these summer months, such as some outdoor seating areas, most of the tents and structures cannot.  Most were put up only with the allowance of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy by the Village Building Department, and have an expiration date (approximately the middle of August for most).  We recognize that we have all benefited from the addition of these structures – our businesses financially, and our residents socially – but these temporary areas and structures just don’t meet State and Village building requirements to become permanent.  We hope that is understood as the time now approaches for these temporary tents and structures to come down.

This Lindenhurst Village Board remains committed to the growth of our existing Downtown businesses, future businesses, and will continue to look for ways to mutually support them, and the direction we have planned for the Downtown.  We need to get back on track with our focus on the Downtown Master Plan, continue to work with the Chamber of Commerce and other community/business groups to bring new events to our Downtown, and continue the growth!

 

The Village of Lindenhurst has kicked off its 2021 Summer Concert Series!  Every Saturday night, and including some Fridays & Sundays this summer, beginning at 7:30 pm, great music for all will be presented at the Village Square Park Gazebo.  Bring a lawn chair, and visit one of our fine Downtown restaurants for some food and drink before the show!  The full calendar of concert dates and performers is available on the Village website: www.villageoflindenhurstny.gov.

 

Pictured here are Gerry Ferretti and The Mutant Kings with special musical guest, Mayor Michael Lavorata, sitting in on bass guitar.

Due to the inclement weather the Summer Concert Series “Comedy Show: Ed and Pat” has been cancelled tonight, but tomorrow’s concert will go on as scheduled.

Concert Information:

Gypsy Felons

July 10^th, 2021 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

The Free Summer Concert Series, sponsored by the Village of Lindenhurst and the Business Improvement District, takes place at the Village Square Park (corner of N. Wellwood and E. Hoffman Avenues). Shows are Friday and Saturday evenings, except on August 28 which is an all day event.

Bring a lawn chair and visit one of our fine downtown restaurants for dinner before the show!

 

A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for all of Long Island.

As of 5:00 AM the center of TS Elsa was located near 33.4 N and 81.3 W or about 90 miles WNW of Charleston, South Carolina.

Maximum sustained winds are about 40 MPH with gusts as high as 65 MPH.

Present movement is NE at 18 MPH and this general motion is expected to continue with an increase in forward speed over the next day or so. Elsa is and forecasted to move over South Carolina and North Carolina during the day today, and should pass over Long Island through the overnight period.

As of this forecast the NWS is predicting 2 to 4 inches of rain locally. Tomorrows High Tide is around 10 AM tomorrow morning and at the present time there is no tide data, but I anticipate some minor to moderate coastal flooding may occur as the storm interacts with our tide cycle.

I will provide further updates as deemed necessary. I would advise everyone to take a look at the tropical storm preparedness tips the Mayor provided in his message today.

Ray Fais, Emergency Manager

Village Board Meetings are now open for public in-person attendance. The option to attend via zoom is still available and will be listed in the public meetings calendar.

Next Village Board Meeting is Tuesday, July 13th, 2:30pm at Village Hall.

This is another update on our response to the incident on June 22, 2021 involving the improper removal of certain parrot nests from Village Park.  As you may know, this unapproved action resulted in the unneeded loss of bird life which could have been avoided.  The Mayor and Village Board are deeply saddened and offended by the unprofessional actions of our contractor and the subcontractor resulting in this inhumane loss.  Ironically, this cost-neutral, innovative, green-energy project was intended to protect the environment.  We have met with our Village contractor, Johnson Controls, and shortly expect a report of their findings as to what happened.  We also believe that, at least based on their website, the subcontractor they hired does not appear to be an “animal control specialist” at all.  We have also met with the SCPA and are demanding those responsible be prosecuted.  At no point, until it was too late, was the Village aware that the actions of the subcontractor would harm any bird life.  Fortunately, some of the birds were saved and are being cared for by New York State Licensed Animal Rehabber, Samantha Boyd.  We are supporting that care, and are donating $500.00 towards her work.  Any work on the lighting where the nests were removed will continue to be suspended.

The Village is aware of an incident at Village Park involving the removal of certain parrot nests by a subcontractor of the Village.  The nests were removed as part of an upgrade to the facility’s ballfield lighting.  The Village received complaints that the nests were not removed in a professional manner resulting in the loss of a number of parrots.  We have reported the matter to the proper authorities for a full investigation.  We have also demanded a complete report from the responsible contractor.

This action regrettably resulted in the unnecessary loss of bird life which could have been avoided.  First, be aware the Mayor and Village Board are appalled at the callous and unprofessional actions of our contractor and the subcontractor resulting in this inhumane loss.  As you may know by way of history, the Village hired a contractor, Johnson Controls, a nationally respected leader in the field of energy conservation as part of an innovative Village wide cost neutral green energy initiative.  Part of this contract included the upgrade of lighting at Villages Park.  Johnson Controls in turn hired an animal control specialist to responsibly remove certain parrot’s nests from the lighting so the work could be performed and supervised the activity as the general contractor.  At no point, until it was too late, was the Village aware that the actions of the animal control specialist and subcontractor would harm any bird life.  The Village immediately self-reported the matter to the police, ASPCA and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.  We requested a thorough and complete investigation and demanded that those responsible are held accountable as we deal with this terrible loss.

The Village is aware of an incident yesterday at Village Park involving the removal of certain parrot nests by a subcontractor of the Village.  The nests were removed as part of an upgrade to the facility’s ball field lighting.  The Village received complaints that the nests were not removed in a professional manner resulting in the loss of a number of parrots.  We have reported the matter to the proper authorities for a full investigation.  We have also demanded a complete report from the responsible contractor.

We are deeply troubled by this incident and will advise you as this matter progresses.

 

Douglas Madlon

Village Administrator

Village tax exemption applications are now available! Applications can be picked up at Lindenhurst Village Hall, 430 S. Wellwood Ave., Monday – Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The following exemption types are available: firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers, senior citizens, veterans, non-profit organizations and clergy.

Exemption applications can be downloaded below:

• Firefighters and Volunteer Ambulance Workers Exemption – In order to qualify, one must have a minimum of five years of service with the Lindenhurst Fire Department as of October 1 (for the year in which the application is being made), be the owner of residential property in the Village of Lindenhurst and reside at the property. This exemption must be renewed each year. Exemption forms become available in June and are due by October 1.
  • Renewal Application – 2021 Firefighter Exemption Renewal Application
  • New Application – 2021 Firefighter Exemption New Application

 

• Senior Citizens’ Partial Tax Exemption – The senior citizen exemption is based off of a sliding scale for income. In order to qualify for this exemption, a senior must not have an annual income of more than $37,400.00; proof of income is required. This exemption must be renewed each year. Renewal applications are mailed out in June. If a renewal application is not received, then please call the Assessment Department at (631) 957-7506. Exemption forms become available in June and are due by October 1.
  • Renewal Application – 2021 Senior Citizen Exemption Renewal Application
  • New Application – 2021 Senior Citizen Exemption New Application
    • New applications will not be accepted without the wage and income transcript from the IRS. This is generated by the 4506-T form on the second to last page of the application. The box has already been checked and date filled in. The applicant just needs to fill out their information, sign and submit to the IRS.

• Veterans’ Exemption – This exemption is a one-time filing exemption and stays on the parcel until the veteran’s death or sale of property. Exemption forms become available in June and are due by October 1.
  • New Application – 2021 Veteran Exemption New Applicant

If you have questions about an exemption, please contact the Assessment Department at (631) 957-7506.

Please read the information below regarding the Summer Recreation Program lottery process.

Lottery forms can be downloaded below and must be returned no later than May 31, 2021.

2021 Summer Recreation Lottery Application

The Village of Lindenhurst is pleased to announce that, with modifications for COVID-19, it will again be sponsoring the annual Summer Recreation Camp at the Village Park. Camp begins July 5, 2021 and ends August 13, 2021. Camp hours are from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday.

The camp is open to Lindenhurst children who are eligible to attend the Lindenhurst School District. To be considered, campers must complete kindergarten by June 2021. Campers are grouped by age: 6-7 boys, 6-7 girls, 8-9 boys, 8-9 girls, 10-14 boys, and 10-14 girls. We are determined, just as last summer, to follow all recommendations and protocols established by the CDC and Suffolk County Board of Health, as related to the coronavirus. This includes, but is not limited to: temperature checks, social distancing, masks, hand sanitizing stations and equipment and facility sanitizing.

WE ARE CAPPING ENROLLMENT AT 40 CAMPERS PER AGE GROUP AND WILL CONDUCT A LOTTERY FOR THOSE SPOTS. If your child is chosen, you will receive an application and accompanying COVID-19 waiver form via email (be sure to check your spam folder, especially if you have a Gmail account). The application and all pertinent information (including time and place for in person registration, required forms and fees) will be included in the email.

Applicants who are not chosen in the lottery will be placed on a waiting list.

Be sure to include ALL requested information on the lottery applications, especially email contact.

A lottery application must be submitted for each child. If you cannot print the application, or submit it via email, please call Village Hall at (631) 957-7500 between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

Lottery applications must be returned by email info@villageoflindenhurstny.gov, fax (631) 957-4605, Village Hall between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, or to the drop box located at the back door of Village Hall no later than May 31, 2021. Lottery applications will not be accepted after that date. Good luck!

Mayor Lavorata, his administration, and the Summer Camp Staff look forward to providing a summer of fun to the children of Lindenhurst.