Massapequa Herald 04_29_2026

Also serving Farmingdale, Massapequa, Massapequa Park and Plainedge

School Board members (L to R) Board President Joseph Beyrouty, Vice President

and Board member Joseph Garcia.

Plainedge BOE appoints district’s next Superintendent: Christopher R. Zublionis

By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent

The Plainedge Board of Education unanimously appointed Christopher R. Zublionis as the district’s next superintendent at its April 21 meeting, selecting a veteran educator with nearly three decades of experience in public schools.

Zublionis, who currently serves as superintendent of the North Shore Central School District — which includes Glen Head, Sea Cliff and Glenwood Landing — will assume his new role on July 1. His contract runs through June 30, 2031.

Over a 27-year career, Zublionis has held a range of positions in education. He began as a social studies teacher, baseball coach and union building representative in the West Babylon and Syosset school

districts. He later moved into administrative roles, serving as director of social studies, principal of Sea Cliff Elementary School, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and ultimately superintendent of North Shore schools.

Zublionis holds multiple advanced degrees, including a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, as well as certifications in school and district leadership. He earned a master’s degree in social studies education from Teachers College at Columbia University and has taught graduate-level courses while presenting at conferences on curriculum development, research and professional learning.

The appointment follows the resignation of former superintendent Edward Salina on Sept. 9.

Massapequa School Board adopts $254.7M budget for 2026-27

By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent

The Massapequa Board of Education unanimously adopted a $254,669,633 budget for the 2026-27 school year at its April 16 meeting, setting the stage for a public vote next month.

The spending plan includes a tax levy increase of $7,173,563, or 3.9 percent, which remains below the state-imposed cap of 4.5 percent. The tax levy represents the portion of the budget funded by local property taxes.

If approved by voters on May 19, the owner of an average home in the district is projected to see an annual school tax increase of about $385.

District officials also anticipate receiving $49,978,978 in foundation aid from New York State, a 5.47 percent increase over the current year. While the state budget has not yet been finalized, Assistant Superintendent for Business Ryan Ruf said projections are based on the most current information available.

“Based on current discussions coming out of Albany regarding school aid, I do not anticipate any major changes,” Ruf said, noting that districts typically see increases between the governor’s proposed and final budgets.

In presenting the budget, Ruf emphasized the district’s outreach efforts, noting that he and Superintendent Dr. William

Brennan have scheduled 19 presentations to PTA groups, faculty and community organizations ahead of the vote. A public hearing on the budget is set for May 7 at 8 p.m. in the Massapequa High School auditorium.

Polls for the May 19 vote will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In addition to the budget, voters will be asked to consider a proposition authorizing the use of $4 million from the district’s capital reserve fund for a series of upgrades, including security improvements, science room enhancements, stadium renovations, audiovisual upgrades, improvements to the high school broadcast studio and replacement of the main gym floor. Because the funds are already in reserve, the projects would have no impact on the tax levy.

Residents will also vote to elect two members of the Board of Education, and one member of the Massapequa Public Library board.

Running for two seats on the school board are: Lynn Russo, Robert Bonett, Danielle Ocuto, and Cher Lepe.

Running unopposed on the library board is Catherine Reilly. In other business, the board heard a presentation from Dr. Michelle Walsh, assistant superintendent for instructional services, who outlined the district’s elementary school programs and CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Mike Polansky/Herald photos

Michael Morrissey

New Plainedge Superintendent Christopher R. Zublionis.

Amityville SD adopts $123.96 million budget for 2026–27 school year

The Amityville School District Board of Education has approved a $123.963 million budget for the 2026–27 school year, reflecting a 2.64 percent increase in spending and a 1.56 percent increase in the tax levy.

Information on the current tax rate was not immediately provided. The tax levy represents the portion of the budget funded directly through real property taxes.

The budget was adopted in a split vote during a recent Board of Education meeting. Trustees Lisa Johnson, Carol Seehof, Chris Nehring, and Leslie Kretz voted in favor of the plan, while Trustees Juan Leon and Megan Messman opposed it, citing concerns over the level of taxation and the use of reserve funds.

Budget options and reserve use

The approved spending plan was one of two proposals presented by Joseph Dragone, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. A second option included a 1.45 percent tax levy increase. While both proposThe Amityville School District Board of Education has approved a $123.963 million budget for the 2026–27 school year, reflecting a 2.64 percent increase in spending and a 1.56 percent increase in the tax levy.

Information on the current tax rate was not immediately provided. The tax levy represents the portion of the budget funded directly through real property taxes.

The budget was adopted in a split vote during a recent Board of Education meeting. Trustees Lisa Johnson, Carol Seehof, Chris Nehring, and Leslie Kretz voted in favor of the plan, while Trustees Juan Leon

and Megan Messman opposed it, citing concerns over the level of taxation and the use of reserve funds.

Budget options and reserve use

The approved spending plan was one of two proposals presented by Joseph Dragone, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. A second option included a 1.45 percent tax levy increase. While both proposals carried the same overall expenditure level, the lower levy option would have required the district to draw an additional $76,000 from its reserves to balance the budget. He did not recommend that.

Dragone noted that the district reported a $10 million surplus last year, $2.3 million of which was allocated to replenish reserves that have been drawn down in recent years.

“At one point the district only had $600,000 in unassigned fund balance, which is not a lot of money for emergencies,” Dragone said.

Proposal for zero-percent tax increase rejected

Before the final vote, Trustee Juan Leon requested consideration of a third option featuring a 0 percent tax levy increase. Leon and Trustee Megan Messman argued that surplus funds from the previous year should be used to offset taxpayer costs.

“Essentially we took more money than the school needed last year from the taxpayers, and I believe we have a responsibility to give some of it back to them,” Leon said.

The Board agreed to consider the pro-

posal, but it was ultimately rejected in a 4–2 vote, with Johnson, Kretz, Seehof, and Nehring opposed, and Leon and Messman in favor.

Under the zero-percent scenario, the district would have retained approximately $5 million less in revenue. Under the adopted budget, reserves are projected to remain at approximately $15 million.

Financial outlook and concerns

Dragone cautioned that reducing the tax levy to zero would significantly impact the district’s long-term financial position.

“If you set the tax levy at zero this year, you are going to eliminate $5 million and I cannot recommend that and think it would be a big mistake,” Dragone said. “You will drain $5 million in revenue in reserves over the next five years and instead of $15 million, you will have $10 million in reserves.”

Capital projects and long-term planning

Part of the approved budget includes funding for capital repairs to both the interior and exterior of district school buildings.

Leon and Messman argued that current reserve levels could support infrastructure work while also reducing the tax burden on residents.

“We have so much money in reserves right now that we don’t have to tax taxpayers and we can still have money to do some projects,” Messman said.

Trustee Chris Nehring supported the adopted budget, pointing to long-term infrastructure and educational needs.

“We also have the opportunity to give our students what they need and contin-

ue to work to improve our buildings and grounds, completing infrastructure projects and giving back to our students,” Nehring said.

Board President Lisa Johnson also supported the plan, describing it as providing financial stability while addressing needed repairs and upgrades.

Public comment

Residents expressed differing views during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Wendy Canestro supported the zero-percent tax levy proposal and praised Trustee Messman’s position on taxpayer relief.

“Trustee Messmann once again demonstrates how a trustee can successfully advocate for students and taxpayers simultaneously,” Canestro said. “It was another master class.”

Debra Lee, speaking as a resident while noting her employment with the district, urged support for the budget as presented.

“Give them everything they need to be successful,” Lee said. “I am very much in support of the tax increase and people should sit back and think what is best for our students.”

NEXT STEPS

The adopted budget will go before voters on May 19, alongside the annual school board election.

Pension debate intensifies as labor leaders seek rollback of Tiers 5 and 6

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherld.com

The debate over New York’s public pension system is intensifying as labor leaders and policymakers clash over the impact of Tier 5 and Tier 6 on public employees across Long Island, with unions arguing the reforms are undermining recruitment while fiscal advocates warn of long-term budget pressures.

Public officials and labor leaders held a rally in Albany March 8 to lobby for change.

The pension tiers determine retirement benefits, employee contribution levels and eligibility requirements for public workers statewide, including teachers, police officers, firefighters and other municipal employees. Compared with earlier tiers, Tier 5 (enacted in 2010) and Tier 6 (enacted in 2012) require higher employee contributions and, in some cases, longer service periods or later retirement ages.

Supporters of the changes say they were enacted during periods of fiscal strain to help rein in long-term pension costs and stabilize obligations for state and local governments.

However, public employee unions say the newer structure has made government careers less attractive and is contributing to staffing shortages in key public safety and service roles.

“What we are seeing is a dangerous decline of applicants and it has become harder to hire qualified candidates as a result of the introduction of Tiers 5 and 6,” said Lou Civello, president of the Suffolk County Patrolmen’s Association. “They have made the job less desirable, taking up to six percent of salaries and offering a major reduction in retirement benefits.”

In Nassau County, union officials report similar trends, pointing to a sharp drop in candidates taking civil service exams for law enforcement positions.

“The number of applicants signing up for the Nassau County Police exam ten years ago was 30,000,” said Tom Schevlin, president of the Nassau PBA. “We are now seeing 8,000 to 10,000; this is a big drop off and it is getting worse.”

Schevlin said the required salary contri-

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butions under Tier 5 and Tier 6 are a key factor.

“These employees can’t afford to live in and buy homes on Long Island when they give 6 percent of their salary to the state,” he said.

Efforts to address pension concerns were expected to be part of the state’s 2026–27 budget discussions, but Assemblyman Michael Durso said that while some minor changes could be enacted a resolutio on the larger issues is unlikely in the near term.

“There have been discussions underway and they continue, but this is a complicated issue,” Durso said. “And the fact is that it is the state that will likely have to come up with the money needed to resolve some of these inequities because the local municipalities simply will not be able to afford it, which makes it even more complicated.”

The New York State and Local Retirement System, established in 1921, provides retirement benefits for public employees. Membership in the system is constitutionally protected, meaning benefits cannot be reduced once earned. Employees contribute a portion of their salary, alongside employer contributions, which are invested to fund future obligations.

As of March 1, 2025, the system included

1,264,732 members, including 735,943 active employees, 481,747 retirees and 47,042 beneficiaries (spouses and dependents of deceased employees).

Workers are assigned to pension tiers based on their date of entry into the system, with each new tier historically created in response to economic downturns and budget constraints.

Tier 6 was enacted under then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature during what officials described at the time as a fiscal crisis. The changes increased employee contributions and adjusted benefit formulas for new hires.

Labor organizations are now calling for significant reforms or elimination of Tier 5 and Tier 6, advocating a return to earlier systems such as Tier 4, which required lower employee contributions.

“Let’s be clear: Tier 6 is not just flawed policy, it’s actively breaking New York’s public workforce,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “Schools can’t hire, hospitals are short-staffed, and communities are paying the price.”

Fiscal watchdogs and government officials, however, caution that reversing pension reforms could significantly increase long-term costs and place additional pressure on already strained municipal budgets.

retirement age to benefit calculations: How New York’s pension tiers differ across generations

•Higher retirement age requirements remain one of the most significant changes. While earlier tiers — particularly Tier 1 and Tier 2 — allowed many employees to retire in their 50s with full benefits, newer tiers generally require workers to remain in service until age 63 to receive full retirement benefits, with fewer early retirement options available.

•Pension benefit calculations have also shifted. Earlier tiers often based benefits on final average salary over a shorter period, sometimes the last one or three years of employment. Under newer tiers, benefits are typically calculated using a five-year salary average, which can result in lower overall pension payouts.

•Employee contributions have increased as well. In earlier tiers, some employees were no longer required to contribute after a set number of years. By contrast, Tier 5 and Tier 6 require members to contribute a fixed percentage of their salary for their entire career, with Tier 6 contribution rates varying based on income level and, in some cases, exceeding earlier requirements.

•Overtime restrictions have also been tightened. Newer tiers

place stricter limits on how much overtime can be included in pension calculations, reducing retirement benefits for employees in roles where overtime is common, including police, fire and transit workers.

•Vesting and benefit accrual timelines have changed as well. Tier 6 members generally must complete 10 years of service before becoming vested, compared with five years under earlier tiers. In addition, benefit accrual rates are lower, meaning pensions grow more gradually over time.

•Social Security integration is another key difference. Some earlier tiers allowed more flexibility for employees retiring before Social Security eligibility, often with more favorable offsets or supplemental provisions. Newer tiers are more closely aligned with Social Security retirement ages, limiting that flexibility.

Taken together, these structural changes reflect a broader effort to control long-term pension liabilities, while continuing to fuel debate over workforce recruitment, retention and the competitiveness of public sector employment across New York.

and

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Lou Civello, president of the Suffolk County PBA, speaks at rally on behalf of his members and all union workers.

Photos Courtesy of Nassau County and Suffolk County PBAs

Union workers and labor leaders at the rally held in Albany March 8.

Nassau County PBA president Tom Shevlin speaks at the rally held to raise awareness about what he

other labor leaders described

inequities in the New York State retirement systyem.

State orders Massapequa schools to allow facility use by gender identity

By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent

Massapequa school district officials are reviewing a state ruling that would require students to use bathroom and locker room facilities that most closely align with their gender identity.

On Monday, April 20, State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa issued the decision in response to an appeal filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a transgender Massapequa student.

The ruling challenges a policy adopted by the Massapequa Board of Education at its Sept. 9, 2025 meeting, when the board unanimously passed a resolution requiring students to use facilities — including restrooms and locker rooms — that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity.

In adopting the resolution, the board cited President Trump’s Executive Order 14168, titled “Defending Women from Gender Identity Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” The order states that it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female, and defines sex as an individual’s immutable biological classification.

A similar resolution was adopted by the Locust Valley school board in October.

Following the board’s Sept. 9, 2025 decision, residents opposing the move attended the next board meeting on Nov. 13, with many carrying signs opposing the policy. Several spoke during the public comment period.

David Ebert argued that the new rule violates the law and questioned the district’s spending on legal fees tied to the policy. “These lawsuits are expensive and they are pointless,” he told the board. “Why does the board engage in lawsuits they know they will lose, and how does this benefit our students?”

A resident who identified herself only as Mary described herself as “the proud mother of a transgender daughter” and urged the board to reverse course and foster “a world in Massapequa where every child learns that all people deserve to feel safe, seen and respected.”

Erin Curley, a 2015 Massapequa graduate, accused the board of stigmatizing students with gender identity differences. “Nothing you are doing is kind, nothing you are doing is thoughtful,” she said. “This is not what Massapequa should be.”

On Friday, April 24, the district put out a statement saying it is “looking forward to having a neutral federal judge adjudicate these issues and will continue to stand up for our students and our community.

“The Commissioner of the State of New York continues to sacrifice the safety and privacy of our girls in favor of a radical ideology, disregarding the concerns of our community and undermining protections guaranteed under. Title IX. These rights were fought for to ensure women have equal opportunity, safety and access. New York cannot continue to ignore federal law,” the statement read.

Three longtime ASD trustees not seeking reelection

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

In Amityville, a majority bloc on the school board will not seek reelection, opening the door to a competitive race for four at-large seats.

Board President Lisa Johnson, along with trustees Leslie Kretz and Carol Seehof, did not file petitions for reelection. In addition, the seat previously held by Carol Fanning, who stepped down last year, is also open.

Candidates who have filed petitions include Stephanie Andrews, a former board member and board president; Christopher Papile; Wendy Canestro; and Donelle Cronin, who are running as a slate, as well as Michael McDonald, Angel Davenport, Equasia Yard-Jean and Cheryl Quintyne-Best.

In a Facebook post announcing their candidacy, Andrews, Papile, Canestro

and Cronin said they are “laser-focused on academics” and committed to “meaningful, purposeful change with measurable outcomes.”

The group also supports a zero percent tax rate increase proposed by Trustee Juan Leon at the board’s April 21 meeting. The proposal would have used part of what officials said was a $10 million surplus from the previous year to offset taxes.

The plan was rejected by Johnson, Kretz, Seehof and Trustee Chris Nehring, following a recommendation from the district’s assistant superintendent for business, who said it would deplete reserves.

The Andrews/Canestro/Cronin/Papile slate said it is committed “to ensuring that $42,512 per student per year delivers the real academic results Amityville children and taxpayers deserve.”

The school board election and budget vote is scheduled for May 19.

Read the Massapequa Herald Post

CRIME WATCH

The following incidents have been reported by the Nassau County Police Department and other law enforcement and emergency service units: LARCENY

Massapequa: Someone broke into a vehicle that was parked in front of 375 Grand Boulevard and stole $40 in cash.

The vehicle was parked at that location between 7 p.m., April 16 and 7 a.m., April 17.

ARRESTS

Petit Larceny: Michael Vanwert, 40, of Massapequa; Jaclyn Habekost, 38, of 161 Garfield St., Massapequa Park.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

Amityville Man Indicted in Alleged

$1.7M Treasury Check Scheme

An Amityville man has been indicted on grand larceny and forgery charges for allegedly stealing and depositing a nearly $1.7 million U.S. Treasury check into his business account, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.

Marc Lindor, 46, was arraigned April 16 before Judge Helene F. Gugerty on charges of first-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. He pleaded not guilty, was released under pretrial supervision, and ordered to surrender his passport. He is due back in court May 18. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors allege Lindor obtained a Treasury check issued to a Brooklyn home care agency for a COVID-19 employee retention credit and altered it to name his company, Nicolaoca Enterprises, Inc., as the payee. Surveillance video allegedly shows him depositing

the check at a Valley Stream bank on May 21, 2024.

Authorities said the account, opened months earlier with a negative balance, received the funds, and Lindor withdrew more than $470,000 in cash, checks, and transfers over the following weeks. He also allegedly spent thousands on retail purchases and travel.

The bank later closed the account and issued a check for about $1.23 million, but halted payment after the U.S. Treasury flagged the original check as fraudulent. Lindor allegedly attempted to deposit the funds at other institutions but was unsuccessful.

He was arrested Aug. 12, 2025, by Nassau County police. The case is being prosecuted by the DA’s Major Financial Frauds Bureau.

Authorities emphasized that the charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Self Help/Crisis Hotlines

Domestic Violence

N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Crisis services for victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault; group/ individual counseling for adults and children; bilingual court advocacy; legal consultation and representation; safe emergency housing; elder abuse services; referrals and systems advocacy; community education. Eligibility criteria: Nassau County residents or non-residents seeking safe housing in Nassau. Will serve undocumented immigrants. Payments accepted free or on sliding scale. Address is 250 Fulton Avenue, Mezzanine West, Hempstead. Call 516-572-0700; 24-hour hotline is 516 542-0404.

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Christopher R. Zublionis appointed as next Plainedge SD Superintendent

each year of the contract.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE BOARD

Carol Muscarella, retired principal of John H. West Elementary School, has been serving as interim superintendent for the remainder of the school year.

Board of Education President Joseph Beyrouty said the district is confident in its selection.

“He is an education leader dedicated to building strong and collaborative school communities,” Beyrouty said at the meeting. “He brings a deep commitment to academic excellence, student well-being and real-world readiness.”

Zublionis, often referred to as “Dr. Z,” thanked the board for its support.

“I’m truly excited to join this community,” he said. “I’m grateful for and humbled by this opportunity, and I look forward to the work we will do together.”

Zublionis’ contract runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031 at an annual salary of $310,000 a year with a 3 percent raise

•Recognized several championship athletic teams, including the state champion wrestling team, the county champion winter track team and the Long Island Class A champion girls basketball team. Athletic Director Brian Sacks, who led the recognition, credited both student-athletes and coaches for the achievements.

“This kind of success is a reflection not just of talented athletes, but also the leadership, preparation and guidance of our coaches,” Sacks said.

•Unanimously adopted the 2026–27 school budget of $111,191,968, which includes a 2.14 percent tax increase — the district’s maximum allowable levy — totaling $1,525,857.

Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Laura Maier attended the meeting to help honor the district’s athletic accomplishments and to welcome Zublionis to Plainedge.

School and library vote set for May 19

the supports in place to promote student achievement. She detailed curriculum and instructional practices designed to support learning and reviewed how student progress is measured.

The board also approved contracts related to infrastructure improvements at the McKenna School, including a $222,815 award to Seaford Avenue Plumbing Corp. for boiler replacement and a $217,872 contract to GC Environmental Inc. for installation of a new fuel tank.

NYS Parks announces return of Summer Run Series

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced the return of its annual Summer Run Series, an eight-race program scheduled to take place Monday evenings from June 8 through August 10, 2026.

Participation will be capped at 4,000 runners, and advance registration is required through elitefeats.com/26srs.

Registration is divided into two tiers. Tier 1 includes all eight races and is limited to 2,500 runners at a cost of $100 per registrant. Online registration is now open.

Tier 2 and wheelchair-accessible registration is limited to 1,500 runners at a cost of $75 per registrant. Tier 2 participants will compete in four designated events: the Heckscher 5-mile (June 8), Sunken Meadow 10K (June 15), Heckscher 5K (August 3), and Jones Beach 5-mile (August 10). Wheelchair-accessible athletes will also participate in four races, including Heckscher 5-mile (June 8), Caumsett 5K (July 13), Heckscher 5K (August 3), and Jones Beach 5-mile (August 10). Registration for Tier 2 is on a

first-come, first-served basis.

All races will be held on Monday nights at 7 p.m. at various Long Island State Parks, beginning June 8 at Heckscher State Park with a 5-mile race. The series continues June 15 at Sunken Meadow (10K), June 22 at Belmont Lake (5K), July 13 at Caumsett State Park (5K), July 20 at Robert Moses (1-mile beach run), July 27 at Hempstead Lake (5K), August 3 at Heckscher (5K), and concludes August 10 at Jones Beach (5-mile).

The Summer Run Series is sponsored by the Natural Heritage Trust, Foundation for Long Island State Parks, 106.1 WBLI, 102.3 WBAB, Runners Edge, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, Boening Brothers, Performax Physical Therapy and Wellness, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, Newsday, and WildPlay Elements Park at Jones Beach.

Officials said proceeds from the series will support future New York State Parks programming.

For additional information, contact the Regional Recreation Department at 631-321-3510.

DEVIN PACCIONE

WANTAGH Senior LACROSSE

A DYNAMIC THREE-SPORT athlete, Paccione last spring helped lead Wantagh to Nassau and Long Island Class C lacrosse championships and earned All-America honors. He followed that up this fall as a major contributor to the Warriors’ county football title. This spring, the University of Villanova bound attacker was leading Nassau County in points with 72 (26 goals and 46 assists) as of April 28. He has over 300 career points.

games to watch

Thursday, April 30

Baseball: Plainedge at Wantagh 4:30 p.m.

Baseball: Lynbrook at V.S. North 5 p.m.

Softball: East Meadow at Clarke 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at Freeport 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Massapequa at South Side

Flag Football: Freeport at Bell-Merrick 5

Flag Football: East Meadow at V.S. District 5 p.m.

Flag Football: Long Beach at Glen Cove 5 p.m.

Flag Football: Bethpage at Plainedge 5 p.m.

Friday, May 1

Softball: East Rockaway at Freeport 4:15 p.m.

Softball: Syosset at Wantagh 5 p.m.

Softball: V.S. South at V.S. Central 5 p.m.

Softball: Kennedy at Seaford 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Carey at Mepham 5 p.m.

Baseball: Lawrence at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Baseball: South Side at Calhoun 5 p.m.

Baseball: Carey at MacArthur 5 p.m.

Softball: Oceanside at Massapequa 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 2

Softball: South Side at Floral Park 10 a.m.

Flag Football: East Rock. at West Hemp. 10 a.m.

Softball: Baldwin at Hewlett 2 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

HERALD SPORTS

Hot bats ignite Plainedge softball

By MARC BERMAN sports@liherald.com

Up and down the lineup, the Plainedge softball team is reliable. Eight of its players were hitting at least .300 during its 8-1 start – all of them underclassmen.

The Red Devils could be dangerous in the Nassau Class A playoffs as their two starting pitchers, junior Savannah Speicher (.488) and sophomore Alexis Fontana (.422), are also their two top hitters for average.

“What I like most is I feel everyone in the lineup always is someone to count on,’’ Fontana said. “When someone gets up in a tough situation, it’s always like “Good, this person is up”. Everyone in our lineup can get a hit or do what we need them to do.’’

Also an outfielder, Fontana hits second in the order as a line-drive/gap hitter while Speicher hits for power. On the mound, they also have different styles.

“They have different qualifies about them,’’ Plainedge coach Danielle Fazzolare said. “Savannah has more speed and Alexis is more a movement pitcher.’’

Fontana thinks it makes for a tricky arms tandem. “As pitcher, I do well because I’m consistent in tough situations,’’ Fontana said. “I’m able to battle and not get nervous on the mound.’’

Speicher was the winning pitcher on April 22 when Plainedge avenged its season’s lone loss with a 7-3 victory over Plainview. Plainedge trails Plainview by a half-game in the race for the Conference 2 regular-season crown.

Erik Lee/Herald

All-County returnee Savannah Speicher, left, pitches and swings a big bat in the Red Devils’ lineup.

“It was a big outing,’’ Fazzolare said. “(Savannah) didn’t have a lot of strikeouts but a lot of groundballs to keep them at bay.’’

Speicher, an All-County player, also ignites the lineup.

“She can hit extra bases and can hit homers,’’ Fazzolare said. “She’s consistent and knows how to hit in different situations. She’s our go-to hitter.’’

In the huge Plainview win,

the power came off the bat of eighth-grader, Charlotte Welsh, who had been adjusting to varsity. Welsh belted a two-run homer to key the triumph and boost her morale. Plainview had beaten Plainedge on April 13.

The Eaton sisters are more reasons to feel heartened about softball in North Massapequa.

Junior Imogen Eaton is hitting .400 while her young sister, freshman, Kaitlyn, is batting .395. Imogen hits leadoff while Kayla hits ninth.

The 9-1 combo works.

“Imogen is hot at the plate and she’s very solid as an infielder at shortstop and outfield,’’ Fazzolare said. “They’re very fast. I like having one of them behind the other (in the lineup). They make things happen on base.’’

The other .300-plus hitters are freshman Emma Ludwig (.375), junior Meghan Moore (.359), sophomore Toni Testa (.333), and junior Kayla Gately (.317.)

“I’m very excited,’’ Fontana said. “ We definitely will do really good the rest of the season based on how we’ve done.’’

The next key game is this Saturday versus Mineola and then the playoffs will come soon enough. Last season, Plainedge advanced to the second round after beating Clarke. But the Red Devils got stopped by Seaford.

“We need to have strong defense, but scoring runs is how you win games,’’ Fazzolare said. “We have good bats. We’re looking to stay consistent at the plate. We are capable of hitting well, but the key is being selective at the plate and not helping pitchers out.’’

ASD survey open for new school logo

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherld.com

The Amityville School District community will have the opportunity to help select the district’s new athletic logo from 12 final designs submitted by artists across the country.

The designs were developed through LogoArena, which generated more than 120 variations from 48 initial concepts, according to Athletic Director Evan Farkas, who is overseeing the project.

“When creating the design directions, I included feedback from the Tide Mascot Community Survey,” Farkas said. “That input helped shape the process from the beginning.”

Farkas said he evaluated submissions based on district guidelines, including

how the logos would appear on uniforms and apparel, as well as their clarity and alignment with the district’s identity.

“Based on those criteria, I narrowed the entries down to 12 final designs,” he said.

Residents can review the designs and complete a survey at amityvilleschools. org. Farkas noted that community feedback will be considered but will serve in an advisory role.

“Your feedback is important and will help inform the decision process, but it is advisory in nature,” he said.

The survey is available at amityvilleschools.org. It will close at 11:59 a.m. on May 7. Results will be compiled and presented to the Board of Education at its May 13 meeting.

At right are the 12 final designs.

GSB Boating club boating courses

The great South Bay Boating club is offering a variety of boating courses including to help prepare boaters for the upcoming boating season:

AMERICA’S BOATING COURSES

•Massapequa: Captree Squadron May 9, 9 a.m., at Harbor Green Shore Cloub, 38 Riviera Dr., East. The cost is $30. For

information call Gene Johnson at 631921-3403 or email him at pwrbtr@aol.

•West Islip: Great South Bay Squadron, May 11, 6:30 p.m., West Islip Library, 3 Higbie La., West Islip. The cost is $40. For information call Michael Boland at 631-290-8096 or email him atbolandmichael123@gmail.com

Bill targets harassment at houses of worship

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

Calls to protect religious institutions from harassment and intimidation took center stage last Friday morning at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.

There, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi unveiled the bipartisan Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption Act, known as the SACRED Act, legislation Suozzi said would address growing concerns among his constituents about safety at houses of worship.

“There’s too much hate in our country right now,” Suozzi said. “A lot of people are being intimidated as they enter into their religious institution to practice their faith.”

The bill, co-led by Rep. Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, would make it a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct or harass individuals within 100 feet of a place of worship, including blocking their path or approaching within 8 feet with the intent to harass.

Suozzi said the measure “ensures that people can access their place of worship safely and without obstruction, while still preserving First Amendment protections for peaceful expression.” He added that it draws “a clear line: Intimidation and threats have no place in our communities.”

“We at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center understand religious persecution,” Alan Mindel, the center’s chairman, said, “and so we are so proud to stand with Congressman Suozzi in protecting the rights of all Americans, regardless of where they pray.”

Leaders of several national advocacy and faith organizations attended the event, including represen-

Community leaders, elected officials and faith advocates gathered at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County to highlight efforts to protect religious institutions and ensure safe access to places of worship.

tatives of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitism has reached historic levels, with 9,354 incidents recorded in 2024, underscoring concerns about the safety of those attending religious services.

“Religious freedom thrives where respect prevails,” Azhar Azeez, CEO of the Islamic Society of North America, said. “Let every place of worship be a sanctuary free from intimidation, obstruction or harassment so all people may practice their faith in peace, dignity and safety within every sacred space.”

The proposal has also drawn political criticism.

Mike LiPetri, who is challenging Suozzi for his 3rd Congressional District seat in November, said he believed the congressman had not been sufficiently vocal on the issue in the past.

“Now in an election year he wants to take action?” LiPetri wrote in a statement to the Herald. “We’re not buying it.”

Rep. Laura Gillen, who was not in attendance, emphasized the need for additional protections.

“In the wake of rising hate crimes in our own backyard, we must safeguard our houses of worship and ensure every Long Islander has the freedom to gather without fear of violence,” Gillen wrote. “Establishing buffer zones is a step in the right direction.”

Roksana Amid/Herald

Tom McCarthy, veteran, firefighter who cared passionately about his community

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

Thomas Patrick McCarthy, a lifelong Massapequa resident and a member of the FDNY and longtime member of the Massapequa Fire Department, died on April 11, 2026. He was 79 years old.

More recently, he served as Commissioner of the Massapequa Water District.

A decorated U.S. Army Ranger who served in Vietnam, McCarthy dedicated much of his life to public service and emergency response. His career included service with FDNY Ladder 126, membership in Operating Engineers Local 15, and leadership roles with the Massapequa Fire Department, where he served as both commissioner and captain of Engine Company 4. He later continued his public service as commissioner of the Massapequa Water District.

McCarthy was widely recognized for his decades of involvement in firefighting and veterans’ communities, as well as his commitment to remembrance efforts honoring FDNY members lost on Sept. 11, 2001. He was known for attending memorial events and preserving the memory of the 343 FDNY firefighters who died that day.

Beyond his professional service, McCarthy was deeply involved in commu-

nity initiatives, frequently supporting local fundraisers and regularly donating blood. His family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the New York Blood Center in his memory.

McCarthy will be remembered for his lifelong commitment to service, both in uniform and in his community.

“Tom was a wonderful and kind friend. That kindness will never be forgotten. God bless him and his family,” wrote George Cain in remembrance of Mr. Mc Carthy.

“Tom was so proud of his Irish Roots,” wrote members of the Higgins family on a tribute wall. “A true Irishman with fire in his heart; legend in Massapequa and an American Hero.”

Mike Hanna, a longtime member of the Massapequa Board of Fire Commissioners remembers McCarthy as “a unique and honorable, stand-up guy.

“If we ever needed something done, Tommy was the first one there,” said Hanna. “Whether he knew you or didn’t know you he was always willing to help someone out. Losing Tom is a big loss to our community.”

Fire Commissioner Justin McCaffrey who worked closely with McCarthy since he first joined the Massapequa Fire Department 46 years ago, recalls a man who was dedicated to helping the

younger volunteers and whose work has had a major impact on the community.

“His folder in the fire department is filled with stories of heroic rescue efforts,” said McCaffrey. “Whenever anyone had a problem or needed something, Tom was there.”

For many years, McCarthy organized and ran the fire department’s canoe race, a daylong event that raised money for numerous charitable causes.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Barbara McCarthy, his son Christopher McCarthy and his wife Erin McCarthy, his son Brian McCarthy and his wife Jacqueline McCarthy, his daughter Colleen Martella and nine grandchildren, as well as by many friends in the Massapequa Fire Department and Massapequa community.

Visitation was held at Massapequa Funeral Home on April 17. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, followed by interment at Calverton National Cemetery.

TOM MCCARTHY

HERALD NEIGHBORS

Massapequa Schools honor student artists and musicians at board meeting

By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent

The Massapequa Board of Education recognized the achievements of students in the district’s fine and performing arts programs at its April 16 meeting, highlighting a range of honors at the local, regional and state levels.

Board President Kerry Wachter opened the recognition by emphasizing the importance of celebrating students across all disciplines. While the district is known for its athletic success, she said, it is equally important to acknowledge accomplishments in the arts.

The ceremony was led by Superintendent Dr. William Brennan and Fine and Performing Arts Director Vincent Green, who noted that, in addition to the students being honored, nearly 200 others in the district earned county-level recognition this year.

Green first introduced five elementary students whose artwork was selected for display at the New York State School Boards Association Art Exhibit: Madison Swaby and Adriana Driscoll of Fairfield Elementary School, and Massimo Randazzo, Brooklyn Gottlieb and Luciano Casella of East Lake Elementary School.

Four additional elementary students were recognized for having their work featured in the New York State Art Teachers Association’s Kindred Spirits Exhibit: Maverick Moraves of Birch Lane Elementary School, Emma Forni of East Lake Elementary School, Guiliana Contreras of Fairfield Elementary School and Violeta Ziegler of Unqua Elementary School.

At the secondary level, two Massapequa High School students were selected for New York State School Music Association honors: Sophia Alfieri, who was named to the AllState Mixed Chorus, and Gerrit Dabovich, who was selected for the All-State Wind Ensemble. Green described the recognition as a “capstone” achievement for high school musicians.

Massapequa High School student Ginger Russo was also honored after being named one of Long Island’s Best Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum, an accolade Green described as among the highest distinctions for visual arts students in the region.

The program also highlighted student contributions to upcoming district events. In preparation for the New York State Special Olympics, set to take place May 2 at Berner Middle School, students submitted designs for official event logos. Hailey Gerula created the logo to appear on volunteer shirts, Lily Rothwell designed the logo for athletes and coaches, and Aiden Nilsen developed the logo featured in event programs.

Additionally, Zachary Mark was recognized for designing the logo for the district’s recent Parents University event.

District officials said the recognition reflects the breadth of student achievement across Massapequa’s arts programs.

Left: Kindred Spirits Award winners Maverick Moravec, Emma Forni, Giuliana Contreras and Violeta Ziegler.

Courtesy /Massapequa school district Heckscher Museum artist Ginger Russo is congratulated by School officials.

Special Olympics and Parents University Design winners Hailey Gerula, Aiden Nilsen, Lily Rothwell and Zachary Mark.

NY State School Board Association winners Madison Swaby, Adriana Driscoll, Massimo Randazo, Brooklyn Gottlieb and Luciano Casell.

Above: NYS School Music Association Award winners Sophia Alfieri and Gerrit Dabovich.

Stamp Out Hunger drive will return May 9

Residents across Long Island are being asked to take part in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on May 9 by leaving donations at their homes for pickup.

Island Harvest Food Bank and the National Association of Letter Carriers are partnering for the nationwide one-day effort.

Community members can leave nonperishable food items and personal care products in a bag by their mailboxes, where letter carriers will collect them during regular delivery. All donations collected on Long Island will support Island Harvest’s network of community-based food pantries and feeding programs.

The need remains significant, according to Randi Shubin Dresner, president and chief executive of Island Harvest Food Bank, which distributed a record 21 million pounds of food across Nassau and Suffolk counties last year.

“Hunger and food insecurity impact about a quarter of a million Long Islanders, including children, families, older adults, and veterans — and virtually every ZIP code is affected,” Shubin Dresner said in a news release. “We have always depended on the generosity of Long Islanders to support their neighbors. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is an easy yet powerful way for our community to come together. When Long Islanders act as one island for one day, the impact is extraordinary.”

Items needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices and shelf-stable milk. Prepared food and items in glass containers are not accepted. Personal care products such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant and disposable diapers are also accepted.

Tom Siesto, executive vice president of NALC Branch 6000, said that letter carriers see the effects of

food insecurity every day.

“Our members see firsthand the impact of food insecurity on Long Island during their daily routes,” Siesto said in the release. “We are proud to partner

with Island Harvest once again and to help bring neighbors together for the 34th annual Stamp Out Hunger food collection. This one day when letter carriers and residents unite island-wide makes a real difference.”

Stamp Out Hunger is held annually on the second Saturday in May, and has collected more than 2 billion pounds of food nationwide since it began in 1993.

Last year, Long Island residents donated more than 360,000 pounds of food, enough for more than 600,000 meals. Island Harvest aims to collect more than 500,000 pounds this year.

This year’s collection campaign on Long Island is supported by presenting sponsor National Grid, lead sponsor JPMorgan Chase, and IPRO Healthcare, along with nearly 40 additional corporations.

Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading human-services organization whose mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. It has organized innovative programs and services aimed at enhancing hunger awareness, short-term case management, nutrition education, outreach and advocacy initiatives, its Healthy Harvest Farm, a Workforce Skills Development Institute, and efficient food collection and distribution.

Island Harvest’s work directly supports children, families, seniors and veterans who turn to the organization in times of crisis, and supports a network of community-based nonprofits. Its Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks leading the effort to combat hunger in the United States. To learn more, go to IslandHarvest.org.

–Jeffrey Bessen

and catching up with friends! We will also install the new WEDLI officers and board members. All are welcome to attend.

Courtesy Don Miller

Long Island residents can help by leaving food donations outside their homes for the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on May 9.

Heralds capture 11 awards in N.Y. press contest

By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com

Herald Community Media received 11 awards at the New York Press Association’s 2025 Better Newspaper Contest. The awards were presented at the organization’s spring convention in Saratoga Springs on April 23-24.

Creative Designer Jeffrey Negrin took first place for Best Special Section Cover, Division I, for the Herald’s basketball section. Karen Millindorf was the photographer.

“The layout is clean and bold,” the judges said. “Good use of the isolated subjects placed center frame and the text is well balanced. Overall solid.”

Negrin also placed second in the same category for a Rockville Centre cover. “The mostly monotone color scheme is well complimented to [the] line art doodle graphic,” the judges said. “The lightness of the graphic placed center frame is well balanced with the heaviness of the text at both the top and bottom of the layout.”

“It’s always an honor to be recognized by our peers,” Herald Community Media publisher Stuart Richner said. “We’re proud to continue telling the stories of our communities, and I congratulate our team on this well-deserved recognition. Ultimately, our greatest reward is delivering comprehensive local news to our readers each week.”

Vice President of Sales Rhonda Glickman, Special Sections Editor Karen Bloom and Negrin combined their talents and captured second place for Best Special Section in Advertising, Division I.

“An eye-catching and meaningful special section,” the judges said. “The editorial is local, informative and well writ-

ten. The ads complement the section and align with the section’s intent.”

Negrin and Advertising Director Ellen Reynolds partnered to grab second and third place in the Best Multi-Advertiser Pages.

“This piece does a nice job of capturing the spirit of this campaign and community,” the judges said of the secondplace submission, “combining the multiple advertisers into a harmonious layout. A subtle mix of patterns and color makes a strong impression. Well done.”

Of the third-place entry, the judges said, “A fun piece that visually captures the reader while being based on a strong concept that is a service to the community. The art and topography are appropriate for the theme and lend themselves to the overall mood of the piece. Nice job.”

“Good journalism doesn’t chase applause — it chases accountability,” COO Brad Harmon said. “That’s what makes me proud and reminds me why the work we do matters.”

On the editorial side, Copy Editor Jim Harmon and Production Designer Yolanda Rios received second-place recognition for editorial pages that appeared in all 24 weekly editions of the Heralds. “This was a close second,” the judges said. “The editorial writer is excellent.”

Staying on the editorial page, Managing Editor Jeffrey Bessen, Harmon and Zack Richner combined their efforts to take third place in Editorials, Division 1.

“Three editorials delve into some of the troubling dangers of our time — unaddressed impacts of long Covid; Meta abandoning moderators and the implications on civility and democracy; and the harshness of the housing crisis,” the judges said. “All are told with

perspective and expertise.”

Multiple sports stories that appeared in the Massapequa Herald Post were part of the package that took second place in Sports Coverage, Division 1.

“Greatly enjoyed the range of stories covered in this issue, from the longtime Hofstra soccer coach to the Ryder Cup volunteers,” the judges said. “Well written and attractive layout, easy to read.”

It takes a great team to bring back awards from NYPA — we have the best!” Glickman said. “From finance to sales to editorial, production, press, circulation etc. Together we win!”

For Online Breaking News, Will Sheeline, editor of the Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff/Glen Head Heralds, and past reporter Luke Feeney placed second for their story “Pirate Booty founder Robert Ehrlich addresses attempt to seize control of Village of Sea Cliff.”

The judges said: “The reporters not only identified Robert Erhlich first as the person behind the attempted power grab, but also landed the first on-therecord, exclusive interview with him and posted it online before state, national and international outlets followed.

Excellent use of community trust and source relationships to turn a chaotic, somewhat bizarre local power struggle into a clear, timely story.”

Sports Editor Tony Bellissimo and Negrin earned third place for Special Sections/Niche Publications for the Herald’s lacrosse book.

“Very well organized, and comprehensive,” the judges said. “Visually appealing and something for everyone who likes Lacrosse.”

Sheeline also took third place in the Environment Story category for his “Keeping the ‘oyster’ in Oyster Bay” story.

the category Best Special Section Cover.

“I kept reminding myself that this is a reporter’s award and not an award for which environmental project was the coolest,” the judges said. “And this project was cool! I’ve decided not to hold it against the reporter, however, because the reporter has done an excellent job of making me feel invested in these people and this place and their oysters without getting mawkish or too purple in the prose.”

For the Better News Contest, 150 newspapers submitted 2,732 entries and competed in 67 categories, and a total of 389 awards were presented. The Michigan Press Association judged the contest submissions in January.

Courtesy NYPA

At the New York Press Association’s spring convention in Saratoga Springs, members of Herald Community Media’s editorial team with President and CEO Stuart Richner, far left.

Herald file photo

The Herald’s Basketball section was a winner in

STEPPING OUT

You don’t have to be a kid to love bubbles. Step into the museum’s bubble playroom and see why bubbles are fun for any age.

No kids allowed

By Abbey Salvemini

For many folks a trip to the Long Island Children’s Museum isn’t just a childhood outing, it’s a shared community memory. Now, those of us “big kids” who grew up visiting here will have a chance to step back inside but this time as grown-ups.

Relive the wonder of childhood at the museum’s inaugural “Adults Only Nostalgia Night” on May 6. Open to guests ages 23 and up, this after-hours event (starting at 6:30 p.m.) offers a lively, playful reimagining of a beloved local destination — welcoming visitors to explore familiar exhibits in a whole new light, long after the kids have gone home.

“This has been something that’s been talked about for years,” Communications Coordinator Stephanie Silver says. “We have so many people who came here as kids and are now bringing their own children or even grandchildren. There’s always been this desire to come back and experience it again for themselves.”

That idea recently gained momentum online after a nostalgic TikTok post comparing the museum’s former Stewart Avenue location with its current home in Garden City went viral, creating a wave of former visitors in the comments reminiscing and sharing memories.

The result is an occasion designed to feel equal parts reunion and night out.

For three hours, the museum’s galleries are open exclusively to adults, giving guests the rare opportunity to explore exhibits at their own pace. From the popular bubble station to newer installations, visitors can revisit old favorites or discover exhibits they may have missed.

“It’s really about giving people the freedom to explore,” Silver explains. “They can go wherever they want, spend as much time as they want, and just enjoy it without any responsibilities.”

Beyond exploring the exhibits, the evening comes

Children’s Museum turns childhood memories into an adults-only night out

alive with a DJ spinning crowd pleasing hits from across the decades, inviting guests to hit the dance floor or simply enjoy the music. Classic games add a touch of friendly competition, while photo stations capture the fun along the way. Together, these elements transform the museum into a vibrant, social “playground,” a striking departure from its usual daytime pace. The result is a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where nostalgia, play and connection come together for a memorable night. Light bites and refreshments are available; admission includes two drink tickets for beer and wine. Organizers aim to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where everyone can mingle, unwind, and rediscover a beloved space in an entirely new way — all without straying far from home.

Guests are also invited to take part in hands-on memory-making activities throughout the evening.

Design your own I Heart LICM friendship bracelet to keep as a personal memento, or contribute to the Nostalgia Wall by posting photos and sharing stories from past visits. Over the course of the night, the growing display will reflect decades of community connection — ranging from childhood snapshots to treasured, multigenerational memories — woven together into a heartfelt collective tribute.

For Silver, that piece hits close to home.

• Wednesday, May 6, 6:30-9 p.m.

• Tickets are $45 per person, $40 members, with limited availability; Advance registration and valid ID required

• Visit the events calendar at licm.org for tickets and additional information

• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

“I grew up coming here,” she says. “My own photos will be up there. It’s special to see how many people have that same connection.”

While designed to be lighthearted and fun, the museum’s educational spirit remains an underlying thread throughout. Exhibits originally created to spark curiosity in children take on a new dimension for adults, offering a fresh perspective that invites reflection, rediscovery and a touch of wonder in a familiar setting.

“That’s actually the easiest part,” Silver adds. “Everything here is already grounded in education. The nostalgia just comes naturally.”

If the evening proves successful (as expected), museum leadership aims to make this a recurring offering and potentially expand it in future seasons, building on what’s anticipated to be strong community enthusiasm.

“We’d love to make this a reoccurring event,” Silver says, enthusiastically. “But we also want to hear from visitors … what they enjoy, what they want to see. This is really about the community.”

Nostalgia Night will offer something that’s familiar yet new: a chance to revisit a childhood staple, reconnect with friends or neighbors and see a well-known local institution in a completely different light.

“We want people to walk away feeling reconnected, not just to the museum, but to that sense of joy and creativity,” Silver adds. “Play is just as powerful for us as adults as it is for the children.”

And for those who recall spending rainy afternoons or birthday parties inside the museum’s walls, this might feel somewhat like coming home — only this time, with music, companions and no curfew.

George Thorogood and The Destroyers

For the past five-plus decades, over 8,000 live shows and more than 15 million albums sold, George Thorogood and The Destroyers have been “The All-American Rock & Roll Party Band” (Goldmine Magazine). In celebration of their 53rd year of “playing rock ‘n roll hot enough to melt the polar icecaps and flood the world’s major population centers” (Rolling Stone), the group continues The Baddest Show On Earth Tour — a stage-shaking, roof-raising, guitar-snarling blast. For an artist whose music honors the blues, rock and country legends of the past, Thorogood’s forward momentum is now stronger than ever. And along with longtime Destroyers Jeff Simon (drums), Bill Blough (bass), Jim Suhler (guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone), they continue “to slap a custom flame paint job onto those classic sounds” (Blues Blast Magazine) like never before.

Saturday, May 2, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Til Death Do Us Part … You First!

Love, regret and second chances take center stage in a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud solo show directed by Broadway veteran Chazz Palminteri. Written and performed by comedian Peter Fogel, the 90-minute multimedia performance blends sharp humor with heartfelt reflection on the realities of modern relationships. At the heart of the story is Fogel himself — an eternal bachelor blindsided by a Valentine’s Day breakup that forces him to confront more than just heartbreak. As he wrestles with questions of love, timing and personal growth, he’s guided by his own conscience, voiced by Palminteri, in a clever theatrical device that adds both wit and depth. What follows is a whirlwind of storytelling as Fogel transforms into more than a dozen characters, Saturday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $40. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Photos courtesy LICM

Building boom! ‘Big kids’ are sure to have fun unleashing their creativity by building with KEVA planks

Delve into Long Island’s maritime history and connections at the Saltwater Stories exhibit.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

Wendy Klemperer: Wrought Taxonomies

Vanderbilt Museum welcomes everyone to enjoy the exhibition of outdoor sculpture at the historic summer estate of William Kissam Vanderbilt II. Klemperer’s sculptures. a haunting assemblage of animal forms that span imaginary, endangered, familiar, and exotic species, celebrate natural history and the nonhuman world through evocative interactions with the surrounding environment. Using materials salvaged from scrapyards, she composes ecological narratives that respond to the history and collections of Suffolk County’s first public park and museum. Her brilliant use of gestural lines captures the spectator’s attention and invites museum-goers to reflect on the relationship between an interest in animal life and the incessant push of human industry. Visitors are encouraged to picnic on the grounds.

• Where: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport

• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Contact: vanderbiltmuseum. org or call (631) 854-5579

‘Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years’

Visit the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame for an immersive exhibit (designed by LIMEHOF Creative Director, renowned designer Kevin O’Callaghan). It features the 70-foot-wide set from the show’s recent 30th anniversary TV special on CBS, never before on display. Visitors can walk into the world of the Barone family and explore their home through original studio sets, which include the living room, the kitchen and other areas of the house. Also see a variety of iconic items, including original clothing, the famous fork and spoon, and the Christmas toaster, among other classic items from the series. Multimedia clips, including behind the scenes and rare out-takes and a range of related videos play in LIMEHOF’s surround sound theater.

• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook

• Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

In concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame welcomes the Kerry Kearny Band for their 30th anniversary gala. Kerry

Ben Folds & A Piano

Austen knowledge, and admire the finery of fellow guests dressed for the occasion. Between diversions, indulge in sweet treats at the café and discover Regency-inspired treasures in the gift shop. Visit the website for programming details.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: Ongoing, through May 3

• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048

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LIMEHOF concert

Ben Folds, widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of his generation. brings his latest tour to the Tilles Center, joined by multi-talented actress-singer- composer Lindsey Kraft. Known for pushing genre boundaries, Folds first rose to prominence with Ben Folds Five before launching a wide-ranging solo career that blends sharp lyricism, piano-driven melodies and orchestral ambition. Over the years, he has released multiple solo albums alongside collaborative projects, earning an Emmy nomination and a devoted global following. His most recent pop album (2023) drew critical praise and played to sold-out audiences, followed by a holiday release in 2024. Folds’ recent work also reflects his deep engagement with orchestral music, including a live album featuring a live orchestral performance of his hits recorded just before concluding his eight-year tenure as Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center — an appointment that marked a first for the role. Today, he continues to move fluidly between pop tours and performances with leading orchestras worldwide, while also developing new work for film, television and theater. A bestselling author and former podcast host, Folds remains a restlessly creative force — an artist constantly expanding the reach of his music.

Kearny is a slide guitar master, plays and works his instrument to limits that amaze even the most seasoned musician or cultured music fan. His style, music from the “Psychedelta,” is his own brand containing an upbeat mix of American Blues and Roots, created from writing and performing on the circuit for over 40 years. Along with his band, he has continued to experience an overwhelming and positive response over the airwaves and especially when performing live. His wailing upbeat style of blues, driven by tasty, inspired guitar riffs, electrifying slide and infectious rhythms, has allowed Kerry to amass a huge loyal following.

• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook

• Time: 7:30 p.m., also May 2

• Contact: limusichalloffame. org or (631) 689-5888

Thrift Shop

Stop by Simpson United Methodist Church’s Thrift Shop for some unique finds.

• Where: 30 Locust Ave., Amityville

• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 789-2569

St. Mary’s Thrift Shop

Stop by St. Mary’s Thrift Shop to check out some found treasures. Choose from collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items.

• Where: St. Mary’s, 175 Broadway, Amityville (enter from rear parking lot)

• Time: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Contact: (631) 464-4899

Long Island Marathon Weekend

Get ready for a weekend of running, celebrations and more as the Jovia Financial Credit Union Long Island Marathon returns to Eisenhower Park, through May 3.

• Where: Eisenhower Park

• Time: Races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at various times

• Contact: RunLongIslandMarathon.com

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” back at the museum by popular demand. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!),

• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

this show is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon since you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can finally do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also May 2 and May 6-7

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

MAY

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Old Westbury Gardens’ Regency Romance Weekend

Enjoy two delightful days of romance, revelry, and refinement in true Jane Austen-style at the lush estate. Step onto the grounds, don your finest gowns and cravats, and prepare for a weekend of charm, wit, and elegant amusements. Stroll the gardens, try your hand at lawn games and crafts, enjoy classical melodies, test your

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame welcomes Joe Louis & The Groove. By combining rhythm, soul, Motown and blues, Farmingdale-based singer-songwriter-guitarist Joe Louis always has his audience at the edge of their seat enjoying emotional electrifying performance. In 2023, he won the Long Island Blues Challenge and released his first studio album, “First Time I Saw You.” His soulful vocals are incredibly inspired from greats like Wilson Pickett, Little Buster, and B.B. King. His bright fierce guitar playing will touch your heart with each and every note.

• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

MAY

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Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce meets

The Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce holds their next meeting. The chamber welcomes Farmingdale School District Superintendent Paul Defendini who speaks on the school budget. Register if you plan to attend so the restaurant can be prepared. Refunds will be issued if you’re unable to participate, $30 if registered prior to noon on May 6, $35 per person after early deadline.

• Where: Absolutely Mario, 10 Allen Blvd., Farmingdale

• Time: Noon-1:30 p.m.

• Contact: farmingdalenychamber. org or (516) 200-1228

Having an event?

Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

Notice of formation of THE CHARCUTERIE WIVES, LLC  Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SS Y) on 02/11/2026

Office location, County of Nassau  SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a process served to:

THE CHARCUTERIE WIVES, LLC , 2081 Willoughby Ave, Wantagh NY 11793  Purpose: any lawful act.

26-57 3/25, 4/1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Notice of Formation of Specline Tech LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/18/2026. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: 9 Seneca St E, Massapequa, NY 11758. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

26-78. 4/15, 22, 29, 5/6, 13, 20

Notice of Formation, Hill City Homes LLC Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of New York (SSNY) on 10/28/2025

Office Location: Nassau County SSNY designated for service of process & shall mail copies of any process served against the LLC to: 266 Glengariff Rd, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 Purpose: any lawful purpose of activity

26-79. 4/15, 22, 29, 5/6, 13, 20

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0370-26108964 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Bar/ Tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 3355 Merrick Road, Wantagh, NY 11793, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Sunrise Tavern LLC.

26-80. 4/22, 29

Notice of formation of Lyndsey Bayon, Nurse Practitioner in Acute Care, PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on March 17, 2026. Office located in Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of the PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to 4910 Merrick Road P.O. Box 107, Massapequa Park, NY 11762. Purpose: Any lawful purpose 26-84 4/29, 5/6, 13, 20, 27, 6/3

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0370-26109500 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Bar/Tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 195 Main Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at THE SAINT LOUNGE NY LLC. 26-89. 4/29,5/6

Town of Oyster Bay

Zoning Board of Appeals

TOWN HALL, AUDREY AVENUE, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 11771-1592TELEPHONE: (516) 624-6232 – FAX: (516) 624-6149

RITA BYRNE, Chairwoman – LOIS

SCHMITT, Vice Chairwoman –KATHLEEN MULLIGAN

REBECCA M. ALE-

SIA –LISA CICCOLELLA – FLORESTANO GIRARDI – BRIAN GRIFFIN

*********************

********************

PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Section 246-12 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on MAY 7, 2026, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals: BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 25-477

MASSAPEQUA

JOHN GUARASCIO:

(A) Variance to allow existing driveway having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to construct roof over deck and allow existing roof over porch exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to construct roof over deck, allow existing dormer additions and roof over porch exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance.

S/s/o Jetmore Pl.,

Public Notices

1332.78 ft. W/o Forest Ave., a/k/a 4 Jetmore Place, Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 26-35

MASSAPEQUA

JESSA KATZ: Variance to reconstruct a 64 ft. by 60 ft. dwelling on partial new and partial existing foundation having less rear yard setback and exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters.

N/s/o Commonwealth Ave., 543.56 ft. E/o Franklin Ave., a/k/a 161 Commonwealth Ave., Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 26-42

MASSAPEQUA

JAMES HANEMAN:

(A) Variance to allow an existing bathroom in accessory structure (cabana). (B) Variance to allow existing shed “A”, shed “B” and cabana having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.

(C) Variance to allow existing shed “B” exceeding maximum height than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing pool equipment having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (E) Variance to allow existing oil tank having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.

S/s/o E. Lincoln Ave., 270 ft. W/o Clocks Blvd., a/k/a 30 E. Lincoln Avenue, Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 26-43

MASSAPEQUA

FREDERICK

SOLLER: (A) Variance to allow existing semi in-ground swimming pool having less front yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing pool equipment having less front yard setback and side yard setback than

permitted by Ordinance.

W/s/o Forest Ave., 899.90 ft. W/o Jefferson Pl., a/k/a 78 Forest Avenue, Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 26-115

MASSAPEQUA

JOHN GARUTTI:

(A) Variance to allow existing one story addition and second story addition having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing second story addition having less roof pitch than permitted by Ordinance.

S/s/o E. Cedar St., 513.84 ft. E/o Sunrise Hwy., a/k/a 62 E. Cedar Street, Massapequa, NY

ZONING

BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING OF 05/07/26

APPEAL NO. 26-45

NORTH MASSAPEQUA

ISABEL TORRES:

(A) Variance to allow existing diving board, pool equipment and 2.5 ft. by 7 ft. shed having less front yard setback (North Broadway) than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing outdoor kitchen with gas line and sink having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to erect 4 ft. high picket fence having less setback from pool than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing 4 ft. high chain link fence exceeding maximum height within 30 ft. of intersection than permitted by Ordinance. (E) Variance to allow existing 9.5 ft. by 16 ft. roof over exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance. (F) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 96-154 and

granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated May 9, 1996. NW/ cor. of N. Albany Ave. & N. Broadway, a/k/a 201 N. Albany Avenue, North Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 26-47

FARMINGDALE

JOAN TOMEO-

DIEHL: (A) Variance to allow existing 6 ft. high vinyl fence exceeding maximum height across front yard (Chester Lane) than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing shed having less front yard setback and side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. NE/ cor. of Lillian Pl. & Chester Ln., a/k/a 31 Lillian Place, Farmingdale, NY

APRIL 27, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 26-85. 4/29

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0241-26109437 for beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at Jones Beach State Park, Field 1, Wantagh, NY 11793, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Strada Food LLC. 26-88. 4/29, 5/6.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL MASSAPEQUA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT Requests for Proposal for Professional Claims Auditing Services be accepted by the Purchasing Agent, Massapequa Public Schools, District Offices, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758, on or before 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2026. Specifications may be obtained in person or by calling 516-3085020. A copy of the RFP will also be available on the school district website at www. msd.k12.ny.us/rfp.

Christine Petrullo Purchasing Agent 26-90. 4/29

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL MASSAPEQUA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT Requests for Proposal for Professional Internal Auditing Services be accepted by the Purchasing Agent, Massapequa Public Schools, District Offices, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758, on or before 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2026. Specifications may be obtained in person or by calling 516-3085020. A copy of the RFP will also be available on the school district website at www. msd.k12.ny.us/rfp.

Christine Petrullo Purchasing Agent 28-91. 4/29

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION

Massapequa School District

4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Massapequa Union Free School District, Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the Massapequa High School Auditorium, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, New York 11758 in said District on May 7, 2026 at 8 p.m. prevailing time, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the New York State Education Law, including the following items.

•Presentation of the budget document.

•To discuss all of the items herein set forth, to be voted upon by voting machine, at the election to be held on May 19, 2026, as hereinafter set forth.

•To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on May 19, 2026, at 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. prevailing time, in the school buildings located in such districts as enumerated below:

District No.

1: Massapequa High School

4925 Merrick Road

Massapequa, NY 11758

District No. 2: McKenna Elementary School

210 Spruce St.

Massapequa Park, NY 11762

District No. 3: Lockhart Elementary School

199 Pittsburgh Ave

Massapequa, NY 11758

District No. 4: Fairfield Elementary School

330 Massapequa Ave

Massapequa, NY 11758

at which time the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., prevailing time, to vote by voting machines upon the following items:

1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2026-27 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

2. To adopt the annual budget of the Massapequa Union Free School District Public Library for the fiscal year 2026-27 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the School District.

3. To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2029.

4. To elect one (1) trustee of the Library Board of Trustees for a five (5) year term beginning July1, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2031.

5. Shall the Board of Education be authorized to expend funds already deposited in the Massapequa Union Free School District “Capital Reserve Fund 2022” (the “Fund) approved by voters of the District on May 17, 2022 pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law for the following capital improvement projects: Security Upgrades, Districtwide Science Rooms, MHS Stadium Upgrades, Districtwide Audio Visual Upgrades, MHS Broadcast Studio Upgrades and MHS Main Gym Floor, and any ancillary or related work re-

Public Notices

quired in connection with such projects; and to expend from the Fund therefor, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto, in the amount not to exceed the estimated total of $4,000,000.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the Massapequa Union Free School District shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 not later than April 20, 2026, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by 44 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); must state the name and residence of each signer and must state the name and residence of the candidate. Vacancies on the Board of Education shall not be considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 or pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 and has voted at any annual or special district meeting within the past four (4) calendar years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law, such

voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. Voters may register on any school day prior to May 14, 2026, at the District Office, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, to add any additional names to the registers to be used at the aforesaid election, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such registers provided that at the meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such public hearing or election for which such registers are prepared, and that the registers so prepared pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 and the registration list prepared by the Board of Elections of Nassau County will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk of the School District, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District on weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., prevailing time, on and after May 14, 2026, and Saturday by pre-arranged appointment, except Sunday; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to New York Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the following locations: Massapequa High School Gym, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758, John P. McKenna School – Senior Center, 210 Spruce Street, Massapequa Park,

NY 11762, Raymond J. Lockhart School Gym, 199 Pittsburgh Avenue, Massapequa, NY 11758 and Fairfield School General Purpose Room, 330 Massapequa Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., prevailing time, to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the annual meeting and election that is to be held in 2027, and any special meeting that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which such Register is prepared.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that qualified voters with disabilities who seek information about access to polling places may, in advance of the day of the vote, contact the District Clerk at 516-308-5001 for information about accessibility.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 7, 2026 public budget hearing, any resident in the District may request to review a copy of the proposed budget by appearing at the Office of the District Clerk, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758. Additionally, a statement of the estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said election

on the school district website www.msd.k12. ny.us., at the Massapequa Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 523 Central Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758 and 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park, NY 11762, at the School District Administrative Center, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: Birch Lane Elementary School, 41 Birch Lane, Massapequa Park, NY 11762

East Lake Elementary School, 154 East Lake Ave, Massapequa Park, NY 11762

Fairfield Elementary School, 330 Massapequa Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758

Raymond J. Lockhart Elementary School, 199 Pittsburgh Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758

John P. McKenna Elementary School, 210 Spruce St., Massapequa Park, NY 11762

Unqua Elementary School, 350 Unqua Road, Massapequa, NY 11758

Alfred G. Berner Middle School, 50 Carman Mill Road, Massapequa, NY 11758

Massapequa High School – Ames Campus, 198 Baltimore Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758

Massapequa High School – Main Campus, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption re -

port. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.  The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.  AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours at the office of the District Clerk beginning April 20, 2026 In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018-e, completed absentee and early mail ballot applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the election, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after May 14, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on May 16, 2026, by advanced appointment by contacting the District Clerk at 516-308-5001 and on May 19, 2026, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on election day.  AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Massapequa Union Free School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to palvarado@msd. k12.ny.us or fax sent to 516-308-5009. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or

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email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Massapequa Union Free School District may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk and return such military ballot application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to palvarado@msd.k12. ny.us or fax sent to 516-308-5009. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email. A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 along with the required signed affidavit by the voter.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN, that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on May 19, 2026 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal

Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with New York Education Law §2035, any referenda or propositions to change the number of Board of Education members, or a bond issue for capital improvements, or any other petition required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election must be filed with the District Clerk at 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758, not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on March 20, 2026. Any other petition, except those petitions required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, must be filed with the District Clerk at the Massapequa, School District, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758, no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time on April 20, 2026. All such petitions must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 109 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 or 5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the Board of Education will not

entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, nor any proposition or amendment which is contrary to law.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that those voters seeking information regarding this Budget Vote and Election in Spanish should contact the Office of the District Clerk at 516-308-5001.

Pamela Alvarado District Clerk of the Board of Education

Massapequa School District 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758

April 16, 2026 26-65 4/1, 15, 29, 5/13

AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN PRESUPUESTARIA Y ELECCIÓN

Massapequa School District

4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758

SE EMITE AVISO de que se celebrará una audiencia pública de los votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Unión de Massapequa, Pueblo de Oyster Bay, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en el Auditorio del Instituto Massapequa, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, Nueva York 11758 en dicho Distrito, el 7 de mayo de 2026 a las 20:00 horas. en el tiempo vigente, para la transacción de aquellos negocios autorizados por la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, incluyendo los siguientes elementos.

• Presentación del documento presupuestario.

• Debatir todos los puntos aquí establecidos, que serán

Public Notices

votados por máquina de votación en las elecciones que se celebrarán el 19 de mayo de 2026, según se establezca a continuación.

• Para tratar otros asuntos que puedan ocurrir adecuadamente antes de la reunión Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que dicha votación y elección se celebrarán el 19 de mayo de 2026, de 6 a.m. a 9 p.m. en el tiempo predominante, en los edificios escolares situados en los distritos enumerados a continuación:

Distrito nº 1:

Instituto Massapequa 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758

Distrito nº

2: Escuela Primaria McKenna 210 Spruce St.

Parque Massapequa, NY 11762

Distrito nº

3: Escuela Primaria Lockhart

199 Pittsburgh Ave

Massapequa, NY 11758

Distrito nº 4:

Escuela Primaria Fairfield

330 Massapequa Ave

Massapequa, NY 11758 en ese momento, las urnas estarán abiertas de 6 a.m. a 9 p.m., hora vigente, para votar mediante máquinas de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:

1. Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2026-27 y autorizar que la parte necesaria del mismo se recaude, mediante impuestos, sobre los bienes sujetos a impuestos del Distrito.

2. Adoptar el presupuesto anual de la Biblioteca Pública del Distrito Escolar Libre Unión de Massapequa para el año fiscal 202627 y autorizar que la parte necesaria del mismo se recaude,

mediante impuestos, sobre la propiedad sujeta a impuestos del Distrito Escolar.

3. Elegir a dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación para un mandato de tres (3) años que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026 y expira el 30 de junio de 2029.

4. Elegir a un (1) fideicomisario de la Junta de Síndicos de la Biblioteca por un mandato de cinco (5) años que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026 y finaliza el 30 de junio de 2031.

5. ¿Se autorizará a la Junta de Educación a gastar fondos ya depositados en el "Fondo de Reserva de Capital 2022" del Distrito Escolar Libre Unión de Massapequa (el "Fondo) aprobados por los votantes del Distrito el 17 de mayo de 2022 conforme a la Sección 3651 de la Ley de Educación para los siguientes proyectos de mejora de capital: Mejoras de seguridad, Salas de Ciencias para todo el distrito, Mejoras del estadio MHS, Mejoras audiovisuales a nivel distrital, mejoras en los estudios de emisión de MHS y la planta principal del gimnasio MHS, y cualquier trabajo complementario o relacionado requerido en relación con dichos proyectos; y gastar del Fondo en consecuencia, incluyendo los costes preliminares y los gastos correspondientes, en una cantidad que no exceda el total estimado de 4.000.000 de dólares. Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que las peticiones que nominen candidatos para el cargo de Miembro de la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de la Unión de Massapequa deberán presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito en la oficina del Secretario del Dis-

trito, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 , a más tardar el 20 de abril de 2026, entre las 9:00 y las 17:00, Prevaleciendo. Todas las peticiones de nominación deben ser firmadas por 44 votantes cualificados del Distrito (representando la mayor parte del 25 o el 2% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); deben indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante y el nombre y residencia del candidato. Las vacantes en la Junta de Educación no se considerarán cargos separados o específicos; los candidatos se presentan en la categoría de votos libres.

Y SE DA MÁS AVISO de que el registro personal de votantes es obligatorio ya sea conforme a la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014 o conforme al Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York. Si un votante se ha registrado hasta ahora conforme a la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014 y ha votado en alguna reunión anual o especial de distrito en los últimos cuatro (4) años naturales, dicho votante es elegible para votar en esta elección; si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar conforme al Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York, dicho votante también es elegible para votar en esta elección. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse. Los votantes podrán registrarse en cualquier día escolar anterior al 14 de mayo de 2026, en la Oficina del Distrito, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 16:00, hora vigente, para añadir cualquier nombre

adicional a los registros que se utilicen en dicha elección, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dichos registros, siempre que en la reunión de la Junta de Registro se conoce, o se ha probado a satisfacción de la Junta de Registros, que entonces o posteriormente tiene derecho a votar en dicha audiencia pública o elección para la que se preparen dichos registros, y que los registros así preparados conforme a la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014 y la lista de registro preparada por la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau se archivarán en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito del Colegio Distrito, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 y estará abierto para inspección por cualquier votante cualificado del Distrito entre los días laborables entre las 8:30 a.m. y las 4:30 p.m., hora vigente, a partir del 14 de mayo de 2026, y el sábado mediante cita preestablecida, excepto el domingo; Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que, conforme a la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2014, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 19 de mayo de 2026 en los siguientes lugares: Gimnasio de la Escuela Secundaria Massapequa, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758, Centro de Mayores de la Escuela John P. McKenna, 210 Spruce Street, Massapequa Park, NY 11762, Gimnasio de la Escuela Raymond J. Lockhart, 199 Pittsburgh Avenue, Massapequa, NY 11758 y Fairfield School General Purpose Room, 330 Massapequa Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758 entre las 6 a.m. y las

9 p.m., hora vigente, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la reunión anual y elección que se celebrará en 2027, y en cualquier reunión especial que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, en ese momento, cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre, a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro, que tiene derecho a votar en la reunión o elección escolar para la que se prepare dicho Registro.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que los votantes cualificados con discapacidad que soliciten información sobre el acceso a los colegios electorales pueden, antes del día de la votación, contactar con el Secretario del Distrito en el 516-308-5001 para obtener información sobre accesibilidad. Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que, a partir de siete (7) días inmediatamente antes de la audiencia pública presupuestaria del 7 de mayo de 2026, cualquier residente del Distrito podrá solicitar revisar una copia del presupuesto propuesto comenzando en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758. Además, cualquier residente del distrito puede obtener un estado de los gastos estimados para el año siguiente durante los catorce (14) días inmediatamente previos a dicha elección en la página web del distrito escolar www. msd.k12.ny.us., en la Biblioteca Pública de Massapequa durante su horario habitual,

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situada en 523 Central Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758 y 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park, NY 11762, en el Centro Administrativo del Distrito Escolar, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 y en cada uno de los siguientes edificios escolares donde se mantiene la escuela entre las 9:00 y las 16:00, hora predominante, excepto sábados, domingos y festivos:

Escuela Primaria Birch Lane, 41 Birch Lane, Massapequa Park, NY 11762

Escuela Primaria East Lake, 154 East Lake Ave, Massapequa Park, NY 11762

Escuela Primaria Fairfield, 330 Massapequa Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758

Escuela Primaria Raymond J. Lockhart, 199 Pittsburgh Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758

Escuela Primaria

John P. McKenna, 210 Spruce St., Massapequa Park, NY 11762

Escuela Primaria Unqua, 350 Unqua Road, Massapequa, NY 11758

Escuela Secundaria

Alfred G. Berner, 50 Carman Mill Road, Massapequa, NY 11758

Instituto Massapequa – Campus Ames, 198 Baltimore Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758

Instituto Massapequa – Campus Principal, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758

Y SE DA UN AVISO

ADICIONAL de que, conforme a la Sección 495 de la Ley de Impuestos sobre la Propiedad Inmobiliaria, el Distrito Escolar está obligado a adjuntar a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará

parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cuánto del valor total tasado en el registro final de evaluación utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, listará todos los tipos de exenciones concedidas identificadas por la autoridad legal y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención expresado ya sea como un importe en dólares de valor impositivado o como un porcentaje del valor total impuesto sobre el rollo; (b) la cantidad acumulada que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos por servicios municipales; y (c) el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones concedidas.  El informe de exención se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para los avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web gestionado por el Distrito.  Y SE DA UN AVISO

ADICIONAL DE QUE LAS SOLICITUDES PARA VOTOS POR CORREO ANTICIPADO Y POR CORREO ESTARÁN DISPONIBLES DURANTE EL HORARIO LABORAL ESCOLAR EN LA OFICINA DEL Secretario del Distrito a partir del 20 de abril de 2026. De acuerdo con la Ley de Educación §§ 2018-a y 2018-e, las solicitudes completadas de voto por correo y por correo anticipado no podrán ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección, y debe ser recibido por el Secretario del Distrito al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta debe enviarse por correo al votante, o el día antes de la

elección, si la papeleta debe entregarse personalmente al votante o al agente nombrado en la solicitud de voto por correo o anticipado. Las papeletas por correo y por correo anticipado deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas, hora vigente, del martes 19 de mayo de 2026.

Una lista de personas a las que se hayan emitido papeletas de voto por correo, y una lista de todas las personas a quienes se hayan entregado papeletas anticipadas de votantes por correo, estará disponible para su inspección para votantes cualificados del Distrito en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. los días laborables previos al día fijado para la elección anual y en mayo 16 de 2026, con cita previa contactando con el Secretario del Distrito en el 516-308-5001 y el 19 de mayo de 2026, fecha fijada para las elecciones. Cualquier votante cualificado podrá, tras examinar dichas listas, presentar una impugnación por escrito de las cualificaciones como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dichas listas, exponiendo los motivos de dicha impugnación. Cualquier impugnación escrita será transmitida por el Secretario del Distrito o por un representante de la Junta de Educación a los inspectores de elecciones el día de la elección.  Y SE DA UN AVISO

ADICIONAL de que los votantes militares que no estén actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes cualificados en el Distrito Escolar Libre Unión de Mass-

Public Notices

apequa solicitando y devolviendo una solicitud de registro al Secretario del Distrito en persona, o por correo electrónico a palvarado@msd.k12. ny.us o por fax al 516308-5009. La solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 23 de abril de 2026.

Y SE DA UN AVISO

ADICIONAL de que los votantes militares que sean votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Unión de Massapequa pueden solicitar una solicitud de papeleta militar al Secretario del Distrito y devolver dicha solicitud de papeleta militar al Secretario del Distrito en persona, o por correo electrónico a palvarado@msd.k12. ny.us o por fax al 516308-5009. Para que un votante militar reciba una papeleta militar, debe recibirse una solicitud válida de papeleta militar en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 23 de abril de 2026. Las solicitudes de papeleta militar recibidas conforme a lo anterior se tramitarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de papeleta no militar conforme a la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de la papeleta militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la papeleta militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico. La solicitud original de la papeleta militar y la papeleta militar de un votante militar deben ser devueltas por correo o en persona a la oficina del

Secretario del Distrito en 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 , junto con la declaración jurada firmada requerida por el votante.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL DE QUE LAS PAPELETAS MILITARES DEBERÁN SER CONSULTADAS

SI EL Secretario del Distrito las recibe antes del cierre de las urnas el 19 de mayo de 2026 mostrando una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando una avalación fechada de recepción por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibidas a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 19 de mayo, 2026 y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que se determina no más tarde que el día anterior a las elecciones.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que, conforme a una norma adoptada por la Junta de Educación de acuerdo con la Ley de Educación de Nueva York §2035, cualquier referendo o propuesta para cambiar el número de miembros de la Junta de Educación, o una emisión de bonos para mejoras de capital, o cualquier otra petición que la ley requiera constar en el Aviso de Reunión

Anual y Elección debe presentarse en el Secretario del Distrito en 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758, no más tarde de las 17:00 horas, hora vigente, el 20 de marzo de 2026. Cualquier otra petición, excepto aquellas que la ley exige que consten en el Aviso de Reunión Anual y Elección, debe presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito Escolar de

Massapequa, 4925 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758, a más tardar a las 17:00 horas, hora vigente el 20 de abril de 2026. Todas estas peticiones deben estar mecanografiadas o impresas en inglés; debe dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; debe estar firmado por al menos 109 votantes cualificados del Distrito (representando la mayor parte del 25 o el 5% del número de votantes que votaron en la elección anual anterior); y debe indicar legiblemente el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta de Educación no admitirá ninguna petición para presentar ante los votantes ninguna propuesta cuyo propósito no esté dentro de las competencias de los votantes, ni ninguna propuesta o enmienda que sea contraria a la ley. Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que aquellos votantes que busquen información sobre esta votación presupuestaria y elección en español deben contactar con la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito en el 516308-5001. Pamela Alvarado Secretario del Distrito de la Junta de Educación

Massapequa School District 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758 16 de abril de 2026 26-66 4/1, 15, 29, 5/13

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF THE FARMINGDALE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWNS OF OYSTER BAY, NASSAU COUNTY AND BABYLON SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

1.         To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 20262027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

2. That the Farmingdale Youth Council Appropriation for fiscal year 2026-2027, as submitted, shall be approved and the requisite amount thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

3. To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education for three-year terms commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2029. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of the detailed statement in writing of the amount of money which will be required for the 20262027 school year for school purposes (the proposed budget) and the 2026-2027 Farmingdale Youth Council Appropriation budget will be made available, to any resident of the District between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. beginning May 5, 2026, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at the Office of the District Clerk, Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York upon request. Additionally, a statement of estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days preceding the election on the District’s website at www. farmingdaleschools. org, at the Farming-

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the Farmingdale Union Free School District of the Towns of Oyster Bay and Babylon, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York, will be held in the Auditorium of the Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York, in said District on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 8:00 p.m., prevailing time, for the transaction of business as authorized by the Education Law, including the following items:             1.         To present to the voters a detailed statement (proposed budget) of the amount of money which will be required for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.           2.         To discuss all the items hereinafter set forth to be voted upon by voting machines at the Budget Vote and Election to be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. .        3.         To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that said Budget Vote and Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in the Aquatic Center of the Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting machine upon the following items:

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Continued from previous page dale Public Library, during its normal hours of operation, located at 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale, New York, at the School District Administrative Center, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: Albany Avenue Elementary School

Northside Elementary School

Saltzman East Memorial Elementary School Woodward Parkway School

Weldon E. Howitt Middle School Farmingdale High School AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report.  Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of  the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative

impact of all exemptions granted.  The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.  AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be filed with the Clerk of said School District at her office in the Administration Building, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York, not later than April 20, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions for the Board of Education shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Board for which the candidate is nominated; must be directed to the Clerk of the District; must state the name and residence of each signer, and, must state the name and residence of the candidate. Nominating petitions for the Board of Education must be signed by at least 81 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 qualified voters or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the 2025 annual election).

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law.  If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he or she is

eligible to vote at this election.  If a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he or she is also eligible to vote at this election.  All other persons who wish to vote must register.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Farmingdale Union Free School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, by mail to the Office of the District Clerk, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York 11735, by email to districtclerk@ farmingdaleschools. org or fax sent to (516) 752-6516. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Farmingdale Union Free School District, may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk in person, by mail to the Office of the District Clerk, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York 11735, by email to districtclerk@ farmingdaleschools. org or fax sent to (516) 752-6516. In such request, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application by mail, fax or email. A military voter must return the origi-

Public Notices

nal military ballot application by mail or in person to the Office of the District Clerk, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York 11735. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for a military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, a military voter’s original military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the Office of the District Clerk, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York 11735. Military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on May 19, 2026 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law of the State of New York, the Board of Registration will

meet on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, at the Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the Budget Vote and Election to be held in 2027, and any special district meetings that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting of said Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school election for which said Register is prepared, or any special district meeting held after May 19, 2026. Registration shall be conducted for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law through May 14, 2026, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, on all regular days during which the office of the District Clerk is in operation, located in the Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York, and on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such register, provided that at such time he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said District Clerk to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the register is prepared.  The register so prepared pursuant

to §2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk, Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Thursday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, and on Saturday, May 16, 2026, by appointment, and at the polling place on the day of the vote.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours from the District Clerk beginning March 20, 2026. Completed applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than April 20, 2026, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application.  Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.  A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 14, 2026, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and

4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on May 19, 2026, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. A challenge to an early mail ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an absentee ballot. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on election day. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN, that qualified voters with disabilities who seek information about access to polling places may, in advance of the day of the vote, contact the District Clerk at 516-434-5002 for information about accessibility. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

FARMINGDALE UNION FREE

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Nassau & Suffolk Counties

Farmingdale, New York

Rosemarie Fullam, District Clerk 26-71. 4/1, 15, 29, 5/13

GIVEN, that pursuant to Board Policy, any referenda or propositions to change the number of Board of Education members, or any other petition required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, must be filed with the District Clerk of the Board of Education at the District Office, Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York, no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on March 20, 2026. Any other petition, except those petitions required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, must be filed with the District Clerk of the Board of Education at the District Office, Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York, no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on April 20, 2026; all petitions must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 203 qualified voters of the District (representing 5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer.  However, the School Board will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, which is unlawful or any proposition which fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition, or where other valid reason exists for excluding the proposition from the ballot. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that those voters seeking information regarding this Budget Vote and Election in Spanish should contact the Office of the District Clerk at 516-434-5002. Dated:  Farmingdale, New York March 25, 2026         By Order of the BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE

AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA, VOTACIÓN PRESUPUESTARIA Y ELECCIÓN

DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR FARMINGDALE UNION FREE MUNICIPIOS DE OYSTER BAY, CONDADO DE NASSAU Y BABYLON CONDADO DE SUFFOLK, NUEVA YORK

SE EMITE UN AVISO DE QUE SE CELEBRARÁ UNA AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA DE LOS VOTANTES

CUALIFICADOS

DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR Farmingdale Union Free de los municipios de Oyster Bay y Babylon, condados de Nassau y Suffolk, Nueva York, en el auditorio de la escuela secundaria Weldon E. Howitt, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York, en dicho distrito, el martes, 12 de mayo de 2026 a las 20:00 horas, hora vigente, para la transacción de negocios según lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación, incluyendo los siguientes puntos:

1. Presentar a los votantes una declaración detallada (presupuesto propuesto) sobre la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año fiscal 2026-2027

2. Debatir todos los puntos que a continuación se exponen a votación por las máquinas de votación en la Votación Presupuestaria y Elección que se celebrará el martes 19 de mayo de 2026.

.3. Tratar otros asuntos que puedan surgir adecuadamente antes de la reunión.

Y SE DA UN AVISO

ADICIONAL de que dicha votación y elección presupuestaria se celebrarán el martes 19 de mayo de 2026 en el Centro Acuático de la Escuela Secundaria

Weldon E. Howitt, 50 Van Cott Avenue,

Farmingdale, Nueva York, entre las 6:00 y las 21:00 horas, hora vigente, momento en el que las urnas se abrirán a votación mediante máquina de votación sobre los siguientes puntos:

1. Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2026-2027 y autorizar que la parte requerida se recaude, mediante impuestos, sobre la propiedad sujeta a impuestos del Distrito.

2. Que se aprobará la Asignación del Consejo Juvenil de Farmingdale para el año fiscal 2026-2027, tal como se presentó, y que la cantidad requerida se recaudará mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad sujeta a impuestos del Distrito.

3. Elegir dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Educación para mandatos de tres años que comienzan el 1 de julio de 2026 y expiran el 30 de junio de 2029.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que se pondrá a disposición de cualquier residente del Distrito entre las 8:00 y las 16:00 horas del presupuesto del Consejo Juvenil de Farmingdale para el curso 20262027 entre las 8:00 y las 16:00 a partir del 5 de mayo, 2026, excepto sábados, domingos o festivos, en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York, bajo solicitud. Además, cualquier residente del Distrito puede obtener un estado de los gastos estimados para el año siguiente durante los catorce (14) días previos a la elección en la página web del Distrito en www.farmingdaleschools.org, en la Biblioteca Pública de

Farmingdale, durante su horario normal de funcionamiento, ubicado en 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale, Nueva York, en el Centro Administrativo del Distrito Escolar, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York y en cada uno de los siguientes edificios escolares donde se mantiene la escuela entre las 9:00 y las 16:00, hora predominante excepto sábados, domingos y festivos:

Escuela Primaria Albany Avenue

Escuela Primaria

Northside

Escuela Primaria

Saltzman East Memorial

Escuela Woodward Parkway

Escuela Secundaria

Weldon E. Howitt Instituto Farmingdale Y SE DA UN AVISO

ADICIONAL de que, conforme a la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmobiliaria, el Distrito Escolar está obligado a adjuntar a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención.  Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cuánto del valor total tasado en el registro final de evaluación utilizado en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, listará todos los tipos de exenciones concedidas identificadas por la autoridad legal y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención expresado ya sea como un importe en dólares de valor impositivado o como un porcentaje del valor total impuesto sobre el rollo; (b) la cantidad acumulada que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos por servicios

Public Notices

municipales; y (c) el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones concedidas.  El informe de exención se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para los avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web gestionado por el Distrito.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que las peticiones que nominen candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación deberán presentarse ante la Secretaria de dicho distrito escolar en su oficina en el Edificio de Administración, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York, a más tardar el 20 de abril de 2026, entre las 8:00 y las 17:00, Prevaleciendo. Las vacantes en la Junta de Educación no se consideran cargos separados o específicos; los candidatos se presentan en la categoría de votos libres. Las peticiones de nominación para la Junta de Educación no describirán ninguna vacante específica en la Junta para la que el candidato sea nominado; debe ser dirigido al Secretario del Distrito; debe indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante, y debe indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato. Las peticiones de nominación para la Junta de Educación deben estar firmadas por al menos 81 votantes cualificados del Distrito (representando la mayoría de los 25 votantes cualificados, o el 2% del número de votantes que votaron en las elecciones anuales de 2025).

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que el registro personal de votantes es obligatorio de acuerdo con el §2014 de la Ley de Educación o conforme al artículo 5 de la Ley

Electoral.  Si un votante se ha registrado hasta ahora conforme a la §2014 de la Ley de Educación y ha votado en una reunión anual o extraordinaria de distrito en los últimos cuatro (4) años naturales, es elegible para votar en estas elecciones.  Si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar según el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral, también es elegible para votar en estas elecciones.  Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL DE QUE LOS VOTANTES MILITARES QUE NO ESTÉN ACTUALMENTE REGISTRADOS

PUEDEN SOLICITAR REGISTRARSE COMO VOTANTES CUALIFICADOS EN EL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE Farmingdale Union solicitando y enviando una solicitud de registro al Secretario del Distrito en persona, por correo postal a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, New York 11735, por correo electrónico a districtclerk@farmingdaleschools.org o por fax al (516) 752-6516. La solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 23 de abril de 2026. Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que los votantes militares que sean votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de Farmingdale Union podrán solicitar per-

sonalmente al Secretario del Distrito una solicitud de papeleta militar, por correo postal a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York 11735, por correo electrónico a districtclerk@farmingdaleschools.org o por fax enviado al (516) 752-6516. En dicha solicitud, el votante militar puede indicar su preferencia por recibir la solicitud por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Un votante militar debe devolver la solicitud original de la papeleta militar por correo o en persona a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York 11735. Para que un votante militar reciba una papeleta militar, debe recibirse una solicitud válida de papeleta militar en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 23 de abril de 2026. Las solicitudes de papeleta militar recibidas conforme a lo anterior se tramitarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de papeleta no militar conforme a la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de una papeleta militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la papeleta militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL De que la papeleta militar original de un votante militar debe ser devolvida por correo o en persona a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York 11735.

Las papeletas militares deberán ser consultadas si el Secretario del Distrito las recibe antes del cierre de las

urnas el 19 de mayo de 2026 mostrando una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o un endoso fechado de recepción por parte de otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibido no más tarde de las 17:00 horas del 19 de mayo de 2026 y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que se determina no posterior al día anterior a las elecciones.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que, conforme al §2014 de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m., hora vigente, en la Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que será utilizado en la votación presupuestaria y la elección celebrada en 2027, y cualquier reunión especial de distrito que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de dicha Junta de Registro se sepa o se demuestre a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tiene derecho a votar en la elección escolar para la cual dicho Registro está preparado, o cualquier reunión especial de distrito celebrada después del 19 de mayo de 2026. El registro se realizará con el fin de registrar a todos los votantes cualificados del Distrito conforme a la §2014 de la Ley de Educación hasta el 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., hora vigente, en todos los días regulares en los que esté en funcionamiento la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, ubicada en la Escuela Secundaria Weldon E. Howitt, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York, y el martes 12 de mayo de 2026, entre las 16:00 y las 20:00, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro, siempre que en ese momento se sepa o se demuestre que tiene derecho a votar en la elección para la que se encuentre el registro preparado.  El registro así preparado conforme al §2014 de la Ley de Educación se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York, y estará abierto para la inspección de cualquier votante cualificado del Distrito a partir del jueves 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. en horario predominante, entre semana y cada día anterior al día fijado para la elección, excepto el domingo, y el sábado 16 de mayo de 2026, con cita previa, y en el colegio electoral el día de la votación. Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que las solicitudes para votos por correo anticipado y por correo estarán disponibles durante el horario laboral escolar por parte del Secretario del Distrito a partir del 20 de marzo de 2026. Las solicitudes completadas no pueden ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito antes del 20 de abril de 2026, y deben ser recibidas por el

Continued from previous page

Secretario del Distrito al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la papeleta debe entregarse personalmente al votante o al agente nombrado en la solicitud de voto por correo anticipado o por correo.  Las papeletas por correo y por correo anticipado deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas, hora vigente, del martes 19 de mayo de 2026.

Una lista de personas a las que se hayan emitido papeletas de voto por correo, y una lista de todas las personas a quienes se hayan emitido papeletas anticipadas de votantes por correo, estará disponible para su inspección para votantes cualificados del Distrito en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del jueves 14 de mayo de 2026, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. los días laborables previos al día fijado para la elección anual y en el día fijado para la elección anual 19 de mayo de 2026, el día fijado para las elecciones. Cualquier votante cualificado podrá, tras examinar dichas listas, presentar una impugnación por escrito de las cualificaciones como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dichas listas, exponiendo los motivos de dicha impugnación. No se puede impugnar una papeleta anticipada por correo porque el votante debería haber solicitado una papeleta por correo. Cualquier impugnación escrita será transmitida por el Secretario del Distrito o por un representante

de la Junta de Educación a los inspectores de elecciones el día de la elección.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que los votantes cualificados con discapacidad que soliciten información sobre el acceso a los colegios electorales pueden, con antelación al día de la votación, contactar con el Secretario del Distrito en el 516434-5002 para obtener información sobre accesibilidad.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que, conforme a la Política de la Junta, cualquier referendo o propuesta para cambiar el número de miembros de la Junta de Educación, o cualquier otra petición que la ley exija que conste en el Aviso de Reunión Anual y Elección, debe ser presentado ante el Secretario del Distrito de la Junta de Educación en la Oficina del Distrito, Escuela Secundaria Weldon E. Howitt, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 17:00 horas, hora vigente, el 20 de marzo de 2026. Cualquier otra petición, excepto aquellas que la ley requiera constar en el Aviso de Reunión Anual y Elección, debe presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito de la Junta de Educación en la Oficina del Distrito, Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, 50 Van Cott Avenue, Farmingdale, Nueva York, a más tardar a las 17:00 horas, hora vigente, el 20 de abril, 2026; todas las peticiones deben estar mecanografiadas o impresas en inglés; debe dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; debe estar firmado por al menos 203 votantes cualificados del Distrito (que representan el 5% del número de votantes que votaron

en la elección anual anterior); y debe indicar legiblemente el nombre de cada firmante.  Sin embargo, la Junta Escolar no admitirá ninguna petición para presentar ante los votantes ninguna propuesta cuyo propósito no esté dentro de las competencias de los votantes para determinar que sea ilegal, ni ninguna propuesta que no incluya una asignación específica cuando la propuesta requiera el gasto de fondos, o cuando exista otra razón válida para excluir la propuesta de la papeleta.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que aquellos votantes que busquen información sobre esta votación presupuestaria y elección en español deben contactar con la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito en el 516434-5002.

Fecha: Farmingdale, Nueva York

25 de marzo de 2026 Por orden de la CONSEJO DE EDUCACIÓN DE LA FARMINGDALE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT Condados de Nassau y Suffolk Farmingdale, Nueva York

Rosemarie Fullam, secretaria del distrito 26-72. 4/1, 15, 29, 5/13

Public Notices

N OTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION AMITYVILLE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWNS OF BABYLON, SUFFOLK COUNTY, AND OYSTER BAY, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a budget hearing before the qualified voters of the Amityville Union Free School District, Town of Babylon, Suffolk County, and Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York will be held at the Amityville Memorial High School, 250 Merrick Road, Amityville, New York, in said District on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., for the transaction of business as authorized by the Education Law, including the following items:

1. To present to the voters a detailed statement (proposed budget) of the amount of money which will be required for the 20262027 fiscal year.

2. To discuss all the items hereinafter set forth to be voted upon by voting machines at the vote and election to be held on Tuesday, May 19. 2026.

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to Education Law of the State of New York and acts amendatory thereto.

A copy of the proposed budget shall be made available, upon request, to residents of the school district beginning May 4, 2026 through and including May 19, 2026 during regular business hours at the Office of the District Clerk, Park North Administration Building, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN, that pursuant to Chapter 258 of the Laws of 2008, Section 495 was added to the Real Property Tax Law, and requires the School District to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report.  Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of  the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.  The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.  AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the annual vote and election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., in the two election districts, namely Northeast Elementary School, 420 Albany Avenue, Amityville, New York, and Amityville Memorial High School, 250 Merrick Road, Amityville, New York, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting machine upon the following items:

1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal

year 2026-2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

2. To elect four members of the Board of Education as follows:

• One member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Lisa Johnson, whose term expires on June 30, 2026;

• One member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Leslie Kretz, whose term expires on June 30, 2026;

• One member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term to succeed Carol Seehof, whose term expires on June 30, 2026; and

• One member of the Board of Education to complete the remainder of the unexpired term of the seat left vacant by the resignation of Caroline Fanning, such term beginning immediately after the election and expiring June 30, 2027.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the School District’s budget for 2026-2027, exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any resident of the District during business hours beginning May 4, 2026 through and including May 19, 2026, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at the Park Avenue Administration Building, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York, and at each of the following schoolhouses: Amityville Memorial High School Edmund W. Miles Middle School Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School Northwest Elementary School Northeast Elementary School AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be filed with the Clerk of said School District at her office in the Park North Administration Building, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York, not later than April 20, 2026 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. prevailing time. Nominating petitions must be directed to the Clerk of the District; must be signed by at least 29 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 qualified voters or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must state the name and residence of each signer, and, must state the name and residence of the candidate. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours at the office of the District Clerk beginning April 20, 2026. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018-e, completed absentee and early mail ballot applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the election, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee ballot application. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for public inspection in the office of the District Clerk, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York, on and after Thursday, May 14, 2026 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. each weekday through Tuesday, May 19, 2026 the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the Inspectors of Election on election day. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law in the Amityville Union Free School District and has voted at an annual or special district meeting in such district within the last four calendar years, he or she is eligible to vote at this election. If a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he or she is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register.

April 29, 2026 —

Continued from previous page Voters may register to vote on any school day up to and including May 14, 2026 at the District Office, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such registers, provided that he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the register is prepared. The register so prepared pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Park North Administration Building, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on May 14, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, by advance appointment on Saturday and at the polling place(s) on the day of the vote.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Amityville Union Free School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, by mail to District Clerk, Amityville Union Free School District, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York, 11701 by email to DistrictClerk@amityvilleufsd.org or fax sent to (631) 691-3215. The request for the registration application may include the

military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application, by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Amityville Union Free School District, may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk in person, by mail to District Clerk, Amityville Union Free School District, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York, by email to DistrictClerk@ amityvilleufsd.org or fax sent to (631) 6913215. In such request, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application by mail, fax or email. A military voter must return the original military ballot application by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, pursuant to Section 2018-d of the Education Law, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email.

AND FURTHER

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, a military voter’s original military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the Office of the District Clerk at 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York. Military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on May 19, 2026, showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026, and signed and dated by the military voter and one (1) witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.

AND FURTHER

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law of the State of New York, the Board of Registration will meet on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., at the Northeast Elementary School and the Amityville High School, to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the election to be held in 2027, and any special district meetings that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting of said Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school election for which said Register is prepared,

Public Notices

or any special district meeting held after May 19, 2026. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with §2035 of the Education Law, any referenda or propositions to amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the District Clerk of the Board of Education at the Park North Administration Building, located at 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York, on or before March 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, except for petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the annual meeting which must be filed with the District Clerk of the Board of Education at the Park North Administration Building on or before April 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 29 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 voters or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the School Board will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, which is unlawful or any proposition which fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition, or where other valid reason exists for excluding the proposition from the ballot.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that election districts have been established in the School District. The boundaries of the election districts, as adopted by resolution of the Board of Education, and the polling place in each election district shall be as follows:

Election District No.

1 – Northeast Elementary School

• North by school district boundary line (Southern State Parkway)

• East by school district boundary line (Great Neck Road, Albany Avenue and Bayview Avenue)

• South by Long Island Rail Road

• West by School district boundary line (Carman Road)

• Being that part of the School District North of the Long Island Railroad Election District No. 2 – Amityville Memorial High School

• North by Long Island Rail Road

• East by school district boundary line (Amityville Village line)

• South by school district boundary line (Great South Bay)

• West by school district boundary line (Carman River and Carman Road)

• Being that part of the School District South of the Long Island Railroad

Dated: Amityville, New York

March 18, 2026

By Order of the Board of Education of the Amityville Union Free School District

Towns of Babylon, Suffolk County and Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York

Anne-Marie Monahan, District Clerk 26-86 4/29, 5/6,, 13

AVISO DE JUNTA ANUAL, VOTACIÓN DE PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCIÓN EN EL DISTRITO ESCOLAR DE AMITYVILLE (AMITYVILLE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT) MUNICIPIO DE BABYLON, MUNICIPIO DE OYSTER BAY, CONDADO DE SUFFOLK, Y CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO, de que va a llevar a cabo una audiencia presupuestaria ante los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar de Amityville (Amityville Union Free School District), Municipio de Babylon, Municipio de Oyster Bay, Condado de Suffolk y Condado de Nassau, Nueva York en Amityville Park Avenue Memorial Elementary, 140 Park Avenue, Amityville, Nueva York, en dicho distrito el 6 de mayo de 2026 a las 5:30 pm, para la gestión de los siguientes asuntos tal y como faculta la Ley de Educación, incluidos los siguientes elementos:

•Presentar a los votantes una declaración detallada (propuesta de presupuesto) de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año fiscal 2026-2027.

• Discutir todos los puntos que se establecen a continuación para ser sometidos a plebiscito mediante máquinas de sufragio para la votación y elección que se realizará el martes 19 de mayo de 2026.

• Tratar cualquier otro asunto debidamente presentado antes de la reunión de conformidad con la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York y cualquier enmienda a ella.

Se pondrá a disposición de los residentes del distrito escolar una copia del

presupuesto propuesto, previa solicitud, a partir del 4 de mayo de 2026 hasta el 19 de mayo de 2026 inclusive durante el horario de atencion al publico habitual en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito, Edificio de Administración Park North, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, Nueva York.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que de conformidad con el Capítulo 258 de las Leyes de 2008, fue incorporada la Sección 495 a la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmobiliaria, por la que se requiere que el Distrito Escolar adjunte a su propuesta de presupuesto, un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también pasará a formar parte del presupuesto final, mostrará qué parte del valor tasado total en el registro tributario final usado en el proceso presupuestario está exento de impuestos, se enumeran todos los tipos de exenciones otorgadas, identificadas por la autoridad legal, mostrando: (a) el impacto acumulado de cada tipo de exención expresado bien como una cantidad en dólares del valor tasado o como un porcentaje del valor tasado total en el registro; (b) el monto acumulado que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos u otros pagos por servicios municipales; y (c) el impacto acumulado de todas las exenciones otorgadas. El informe de exención se publicará en alguno de los tablones de anuncios que tiene el Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web administrado por el Distrito.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO

ADICIONAL, de que la votación y elecciones anuales se llevarán a cabo el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, entre las 7:00 am y las 9:00 pm, en los dos distritos electorales, a saber, Northeast Elementary School, 420 Albany Avenue, Amityville, Nueva York, y Amityville Memorial High School, 250 Merrick Road, Amityville, Nueva York, cuando estarán abiertas las urnas para votar mediante máquinas de votación sobre los siguientes asuntos: • Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2026-2027 y autorizar que la cuota requerida del mismo se recaude mediante los impuestos sobre las propiedades sujetas a tributación en el distrito.

•Elegir cuatro miembros de la Junta de Educación de la siguiente manera: •Un miembro de la Junta de Educación por un plazo de tres (3) años para suceder a Lisa Johnson, cuyo mandato expira el 30 de junio de 2026, •Un miembro de la Junta de Educación por un plazo de tres (3) años para suceder a Leslie Kretz, cuyo mandato expira el 30 de junio de 2026, •Un miembro de la Junta de Educación por un plazo de tres (3) años para suceder a Carol Seehof, cuyo mandato expira el 30 de junio de 2026, y •Un miembro de la Junta de Educación para completar el resto del mandato no vencido del puesto que quedó vacante tras la renuncia de Caroline Fanning; dicho mandato comenzará inmediatamente después de la elección y vencerá el 30 de junio de 2027. Y POR LA PRESEN-

Continued on next page

Continued from previous page TE SE DA AVISO

ADICIONAL, de que cualquier residente del Distrito puede obtener una copia del estado de cuenta con el importe necesario para financiar el presupuesto del Distrito Escolar durante 2026-2027, excluyendo el dinero público, durante las horas de atención al público, a partir del 4 de mayo de 2026 hasta el 19 de mayo de 2026 inclusive, excepto sábados, domingos o festivos, en el Edificio de Administración de Park Avenue, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, Nueva York, y en cada una de las siguientes escuelas: Amityville Memorial High School

Edmund W. Miles Middle School Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School Northwest Elementary School Northeast Elementary School

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO

ADICIONAL, de que las solicitudes para nominar a los candidatos para los cargos en la Junta de Educación deberán presentarse ante la Secretaria de dicho Distrito Escolar en su oficina en el Edificio de Administración de Park North,150 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York no más tarde del 20 de abril de 2026 entre el 9:00 am y 5:00 pm. Las solicitudes de nominación deberán estar dirigidas a la Secretaria del Distrito y deberán estar firmadas al menos por 29 votantes calificados del Distrito (representando al mayor de mas de 25 votantes calificados o el 2% del total de votantes que participaron en la elección anual previa); deberá indicar el nombre y domicilio de cada firmante y deberán

indicar el nombre y el domicilio del candidato.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que las solicitudes para las papeletas de voto en ausencia y votación anticipada se podrán obtener durante el horario de atencion al publico en la oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito a partir del 20 de abril de 2026; De acuerdo a la Ley de Educación §§ 2018-a y 2018-e, Las solicitudes completas de voto en ausencia y votación anticipada deben ser recibidas en la Secretaría del distrito antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección y deberán ser recibidas en la Secretaría del Distrito al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se va a enviar por correo al votante o el día antes de la elección si la papeleta se entrega personalmente al votante o al agente designado en la solicitud de voto en ausencia. La Secretaria del Distrito debe recibir las papeletas de voto en ausencia no más tarde de las 5:00 p.m. del martes 19 de mayo de 2026. La lista con las personas a las que se les ha emitido las papeletas de voto en ausencia estará disponible para ser inspeccionada por los votantes calificados del Distrito en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito, 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, Nueva York a partir y después del 14 de mayo de 2026 entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. los días laborables anteriores al día establecido para la elección anual y el mismo día 19 de mayo de 2026, día establecido para la elección. Cualquier votante cualificado puede, al examinar dicha lista, presentar una impugnación por escrito sobre la habilitación como votante

de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dicha lista, indicando las razones de dicha impugnación. Cualquier impugnación por escrito será transmitida a los inspectores electorales por la Secretaria del Distrito o una persona designada por la Junta de Educación el día de la elección.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que es necesario el registro en persona de los votantes conforme a la sección §2014 de la Ley de Educación o conforme al Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral. Si un votante está registrado con anterioridad conforme a § 2014 de la Ley de Educación en el Distrito Escolar de Amityville (Amityville Union Free School District) y ha votado en alguna reunión anual o especial en dicho distrito dentro de los últimos cuatro años naturales, será elegible para votar en esta elección. Si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar bajo el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral,será también apto para votar en esta elección. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse. Los votantes pueden registrarse para votar cualquier día lectivo antes de o el mismo día 14 de mayo de 2026 en las Oficinas del Distrito,150 Park Avenue, Amityville, Nueva York, entre las 8:30 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dichos registros, siempre y cuando él o ella cumplan con los requisitos de la Junta de Registro para tener el derecho de votar a partir de ese momento o en el futuro en las elecciones para las que se establece el registro.

Public Notices

El registro así establecido de conformidad con §2014 de la Ley de Educación se archivará en la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito Escolar en el Edificio Administrativo de Park North, y se abrirá para poder ser inspeccionado por cualquier votante cualificado del Distrito a partir del 14 de mayo. 2026, entre las 9:00 A.M. Y las 4:00 P.M., de lunes a viernes, los días previos al día fijado para la elección,excepto el domingo, con cita previa el sábado y en los centros de votación el mismo día de la votación.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar de Amityville (Amityville Union Free School District) solicitando y devolviendo una solicitud de registro a la Secretaria del Distrito en persona, por correo a la Secretaria del Distrito, Distrito Escolar de Amityville (Amityville Union Free School District), 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, Nueva York, 11701 por correo

electrónico a DistrictClerk@ amityvilleufsd,org o por fax al (631) 6913215. La solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la solicitud de registro, ya sea por correo, fax o correo electrónico. La solicitud de inscripción en el registro de los votantes militares debe recibirse en la oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito no más tarde de las 5:00 p.m. el 23 de abril de 2026.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que los votantes milita-

res que sean votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar de Amityville (Amityville Union Free School District), pueden solicitar papeletas de voto para militares en la Secretaria del Distrito en persona, por correo a la Secretaria del Distrito, Distrito Escolar de Amityville (Amityville Union Free School District), 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, Nueva York, por correo electrónico a DistrictClerk@amityvilleufsd.org o por fax al (631) 691-3215. En dicha solicitud, el votante militar puede indicar su preferencia para recibir la solicitud por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico. Los militares que voten deben devolver la solicitud original de papeletas de voto para militares por correo o en persona a la oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, Nueva York. Para que un votante militar reciba una papeleta de voto para militares, conforme a la Sección 2018-d, se debe recibir una solicitud de papeleta de voto para militares válida en la oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito no más tarde de las 5:00 p.m., el 23 de abril de 2026. Las solicitudes de papeleta de voto para militares recibidas de acuerdo con lo anterior se procesarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de papeleta de voto no militar bajo la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de papeleta de voto para militares puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar de recibir la papeleta de voto por correo, fax o correo electrónico.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que el original de la papeleta de voto de un votante militar debe

devolverse por correo o en persona a la Oficina de la Secretaria del Distrito en 150 Park Avenue, Amityville, Nueva York. Las papeletas de votos de militares serán escrutadas si son recibidas por la Secretaria del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el 19 de mayo de 2026 mostrando un matasellos del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando el acuso de recibo de otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibido a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. el 19 de mayo de 2026 y firmado y fechado por el elector militar y un (1) testigo del mismo, con una fecha que se verifica no posterior al día anterior a la elección. Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que de conformidad con la §2014 de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, entre las 7:00 A.M. Y las 9:00 P.M., en Northeast Elementary School y Amityville Memorial High School, para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la elección que se llevará a cabo en 2027, y cualquier reunión especial del distrito que pueda realizarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, momento en el que, cualquier persona tendrá derecho de inscribir su nombre en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión de la Junta de Registro se demuestre que el o ella cumplen con los requisitos de dicha Junta de Registro otorgándole el derecho a votar en ese momento o en el futuro, en las elecciones de la escuela para las que se establece dicho

Registro, o cualquier reunión especial del distrito que se lleve a cabo después del 19 de mayo de 2026. Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, que de conformidad con una regla adoptada por la Junta de Educación de acuerdo con la sección §2035 de la Ley de Educación, cualquier referéndum o propuesta para modificar el presupuesto, o cualquier otro asunto que sea sometido a votación en dicha elecciones, deberá presentarse ante la Secretaria del Distrito de la Junta de Educación en el Edificio de Administración de Park North, el mismo dia o antes del 20 de marzo de 2026 a las 5:00 pm, hora vigente, excepto las peticiones relacionadas con una proposición que deba ser incluida en el avviso de la reunión anual que debe ser registrado en la Secretaria del Distrito de la Junta de Educación el mismo dia o antes del 20 de abril de 2026 a las 5:00 pm deberá estar mecanografiado o impreso en el idioma inglés; deberá estar dirigido a la Secretaria del Distrito Escolar; deberá estar firmado por al menos 29 votantes calificados del Distrito (que representan al mayor de 25 votantes calificados o el 2% del número total de votantes en la elección anual anterior); y deberá indicar de manera legible el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta Escolar no aceptará ninguna proposición para presentar a los votantes cuyo propósito no esté dentro de las atribuciones de los votantes, ya que sería ilegal, o cualquier proposición que no incluya una asignación específica de los gastos incurridos mediante dicha propuesta, o cu-

ando exista cualquier otra razón válida para excluir la propuesta de las papeletas de votación.

Y POR LA PRESENT E SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL, de que se han establecido distritos electorales en el Distrito Escolar. Los límites de los distritos electorales, adoptados por resolución de la Junta de Educación, y el lugar de votación en cada distrito electoral serán los siguientes:

Distrito Electoral No. 1-Northeast Elementary School

•Al l Norte por la línea fronteriza del distrito escolar (Southern State Parkway)

•Al este por la línea fronteriza del distrito escolar (Great Neck Road, Albany Avenue y Bayview Avenue)

•Al Sur por Long Island Rail Road (Ferrocarril de LI)

•Al Oeste por la línea fronteriza del distrito escolar (Carman Road)

•Siendo esa parte del distrito escolar al norte del Long Island Rail Road

Distrito Electoral No. 2-Amityville Memorial High School

•Al Norte por el Long Island Rail Road

•Al Este por la línea fronteriza del distrito escolar (línea de Amityville Village)

•Al Sur por la línea fronteriza del distrito escolar (Great South Bay)

•Al oeste por la línea fronteriza del distrito escolar (Carman River y Carman Road)

•Siendo esa parte del distrito escolar al sur del Long Island Rail Road

F echa: Amityville, Nueva York

18 de marzo 2026

Por orden de la Junta de Educación de la Amityville UFSD Ciudad de Oyster Bay, Ciudad de Babylon, Condado de Nassau y Condado de Suffolk, Nueva York

Anne-Marie Monahan, Secretaria del Distrito 26-87 4/29, 5/6, 13

Public Notices

INCORPORATED

VILLAGE OF MASSAPEQUA PARK

NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN pursuant to the provision of the State of New York that a Public Hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals in the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Village Hall, 151 Front Street, Massapequa Park, New York 11762 for the following purposes:

Case No. 4534 To consider the variance application of Mr. Scott Bocklet, 227 McKinley Street, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 to erect an addition, front porch, cellar entrance, and air conditioning unit which violates side yard setback and lot coverage in violation of Village Code. Such proposals are in violation with the following Village Codes: Chapter 345-31 (C1) Side Yards which states: Must provide a minimum five (5) foot side yard setback.

Proposed air conditioning unit to be located at four point thirty-three (4.33) feet from side property line.

Chapter 345-28 (C) Lot and Building Area: In a Residential District: the maximum lot coverage permitted shall be 30 percent.

Total lot coverage of all structures on the property to be 32.95 percent.

Case No. 4535 To consider the variance applications of Mrs. Cheryl Hunstein, 155 Van Buren Street, Massapequa Park, NY 11762. Homeowner was previously issued an inground pool permit now looking to change green space to be less than required by code in violation of Village Code.

Such proposal is in violation of the following Village Code: Chapter 345-41 (H, J) Pools, Walkways, Distances, which states:

An unobstructed walk area of not less than 24 inches wide shall be provided to extend entirely around pools below grade. Also, no portion of a pool, including walkways, pump, filters, showers, accessories or pool water disinfectants shall be located at a distance less than five (5) feet from any side or rear property lines or building setback line. Proposed to create a one (1) foot garden bed from north rear property line and create a three (3) foot garden bed from the east side property line, deficient by four (4) feet and two (2) feet, respectively.

By order of the Zoning Board of Appeals April 23, 2026 26-92 4/29

Quotes about Dogs that say a lot about people

Below is a compilation of what famous people from all walks of life have said about man’s best friend. Many of the 30 dog quotes say more about people:

• “Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.”—Emily Dickinson

• “The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.” – Charles de Gaulle

• “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” —Roger A. Caras

• ” The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.” – Samuel Butler

• “Happiness is a warm puppy.” –Charles Schulz

• “The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be.” –Konrad Lorenz

• “My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet.”

– Edith Wharton

• “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” –Josh Billings

• ” Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” -Groucho Marx

• “To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.”

–Aldous Huxley

• “Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul, chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we’re the greatest hunters on earth!” -Anne Tyler

• “What do dogs do on their day off? Can’t lie around – that’s their job!”

-George Carlin

• “Dogs never bite me. Just humans.”

-Marilyn Monroe

• *“Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are

wonderful.” -Ann Landers

• “You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right!’ I never would’ve thought of that!’”

-Dave Barry

• “I’ve seen a look in dogs’ eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that dogs think humans are nuts.”

-John Steinbeck

• “You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.” –Harry Truman

• “Once you have a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.”- Dean Koontz

• “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”

– Will Rogers

• “Every dog has his day, unless he loses his tail, then he has a weak-end.”—June Carter Cash

• “The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.”- Johnny Depp

• “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”- Dwight D. Eisenhower

• “There are three faithful friends: an old wife, an old dog, and ready money.”Ben Franklin

• “A bone to the dog is not charity.

Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.”Jack London

• “I care not for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.”Abraham Lincoln

• “Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.” –Mark Twain.

• “If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.” –Woodrow Wilson

• “The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.” – Andy Rooney

• “Everyone should have a shelter dog. It’s good for the soul.”- Paul Shaffer

• “I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.” –Doris Day

Looking to adopt a dog? Here are two possible pups who need you at Last Hope Animal Rescue Adoption Center (631-9469528) 3300 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh 11793: Bennie is a one-year-old Lab mix who was hit by a car. His damaged rear leg needed to be amputated. Bennie is a doll. He has such an upbeat attitude about life despite his lost leg, and he treats everyone he meets as a long-lost friend. Miles is a happy fellow too. This five-year-old Miniature Pinscher (aka Min Pin) dances on his hind legs to greet you.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, MAY 1

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569.

SUNDAY, MAY 3

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631) 789-2569.

MONDAY, MAY 4

•Massapequa Fire District Monthly Work Session: 7:30 p.m., District Administration Building, 1 Brooklyn Ave., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 798-9849.

TUESDAY, MAY 5

•Town of Oyster Bay Town Board Meeting: 7 p.m., Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. For more information, please call (516) 624-6380.

•Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown. Free weekly, in-person meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

•Farmingdale School District Board of Education Meeting: 8 p.m., Howitt Middle School, 70 Van Cott Ave., Farmingdale. For more information, call (516) 434-5189.

• Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free weekly, virtual meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.

acceptable. While we make every

Space Meets Style!

There’s not much creativity in suburban building design

Q. My daughter is in architecture school, and she has always had an interest in doing more artistic things, thinking outside the box, so to say. When she comes back home after architecture school, she wants to look for somewhere that she can do more artistic designs, not just the ordinary kinds of buildings that you see around us, for the most part. Where would you recommend that she look? What communities are more open to doing unusual designs?

A. Not on Long Island. I, too, was once a starry-eyed young architecture graduate, ready to change the world with groundbreaking designs that inspired forward thinking, etc. I even got an amazing opportunity I didn’t plan on when I was hired to work in a firm that landed three entire cities to redesign Jeddah, Jubail and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.

Between my minor in city planning and studying with a group called Superstudio in Florence, Italy, I ,too, thought this was the most extraordinary opportunity. And it was, for a time, but the process of building design is very long, and cash flow changes by the day. The city design started with a lot of statistical analysis, referred to as the scope of work or program, which was better suited to an accountant, so that by the time the design phase began, the cost analysis showed that the exciting ideas had to be cut back.

On Long Island, government regulations such as zoning, parking, height restrictions, use allowances, groundwater containment you get the idea create so many restrictions that artistic creativity is limited. Then you encounter architectural review boards that won’t let you deviate from their version of local styles, such as no flat roofs in some communities, to adding colonial trim details and only specific colors. If you ever notice in architecture magazines, most of the more creative, curvy or flat-roof homes are somewhere out away from cities. The land of the free isn’t so free when it comes to suburban building design.

Your daughter will need to search for communities with fewer restrictions, away from populated or conservative towns and villages, if she wants to generate her ideas. You could bond over road trips, like my family did. My father was an aerospace engineer who worked on Saturn, Gemini and Apollo rockets, and my mother was an interior designer, so we set out to find the latest new designs by piling into the family car and traveling all over. Fortunately, with the internet, your daughter can research the regulations of community governments before you drive off to the horizon.

Remember, some things that stand out may have taken many years to even get permission because of restrictions and politics. For example, the Guggenheim Museum, on Manhattan’s Central Park, a complete departure from convention, took 14 years to obtain approvals to build. Even the replacement World Trade Center tower took three years to get final approvals. Your daughter must persist if she wants to fulfill her dreams. Good luck!

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

Building Maintenance Assistant and Porter needed for Management Co. in Long Beach Experience Preferred Email: humanresoures5771 @gmail.com or Call: (212) 873-7575

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

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FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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Federal funding has helped science thrive on L.I.

While the headlines have focused on science funding cuts at elite national universities, we shouldn’t lose sight of the local impact. Long Island is home to major research centers, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institutes at Northwell and Stony Brook University, among others.

The $47 billion in cuts to the National Science Foundation and other federal sources of research funding affect those institutions, too. The administration has halted thousands of approved grants for projects focusing on infectious diseases, energy management and quantitative computing, while also releasing staff and curtailing new funding, causing major upheavals in research.

Some now argue that the United States model for research, involving universities, research institutes and private corporations, should change because there’s too much reliance on unstable federal support. Fair enough, but first we should ask how we got here, and how federal support became so important. Our current research enterprise originated in World War II. Reflecting on the

immense and immediate response of universities and scientific laboratories to the war effort, Dr. Vannevar Bush, an engineer at MIT, accepted President Harry Truman’s invitation to write a report on what worked and how to plan for the future.

Bush assembled several committees of experts to examine the issues, and wrote an essay entitled, “Science: The Endless Frontier.” In it he summarized the various reports and recommended goals and a strategy for the president to consider.

RFirst, Bush highlighted the fact that many of the discoveries and advances that aided the war effort were made by scholars who had migrated to the United States from countries under totalitarian rule. One conclusion was that immigration was an important source of intellectual talent. A second was that the war had kept millions of Americans from advanced education, and that we should create a program that offered them opportunities to earn college and higher degrees. The G.I. Bill was one result.

years. They include support for federal student aid, immigration policy and grant programs for basic and applied research at universities and private companies.

esearch here has led the world, and Washington shouldn’t forget that.

The war also gave birth to the Grumman Corporation, which mass-produced aircraft as well as an innovative wing configuration that made it possible to fit more planes on aircraft carriers. The story of how this unique folding feature was developed from a model using two paper clips and a soap eraser is engineering legend. That same spirit launched the lunar module that transported two astronauts to the surface of the moon.

Another example is Brookhaven National Laboratory, established on an unused Army base in1946 by a consortium of nine major universities. Today it is a leader in high-energy physics, materials chemistry, national security and nonproliferation, neurosciences and computational sciences.

A significant source of science innovation is Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, home to eight Nobel Prize winners in physiology and medicine. It has an education division that awards doctoral degrees, hosts international conferences and partners with regional medical schools affiliated with Hofstra/Northwell and Stony Brook University.

Stony Brook’s prominence is grounded in biomedical science, including work that led to the development of magnetic resonance imaging, which was recognized with a Nobel Prize in 2003. Other research is dedicated to understanding and addressing water quality challenges on Long Island, in the interest of restoring the health of bays and waterways, safeguarding fisheries and protecting the coastal environment that is so central to the region’s identity and economics.

A third conclusion was that the country needed systemic support for ongoing research and advanced learning not limited to defense. The National Science Foundation was another result.

The models that Bush’s report inspired have worked well for over 80

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, established in 1999, is home to 50 research labs, 2,500 clinical trial studies and 5,000 professional and support staff. They conduct research in molecular medicine, genetics, cancer, neuroscience, behavioral science and bioelectronic medicine.

Together, these Long Island enterprises employ thousands and operate with millions of dollars in federal grants. They contribute to improved health outcomes and the economic well-being of individuals and communities. The products and services they develop create businesses, expand services and contribute tax revenue that supports our schools and public services. Rather than shutter these programs, let’s work together to remember why they exist and consider how they can improve even further.

Robert Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and the author of “How University Boards Work.”

My colleagues in Congress did the right thing — finally

In January, I received a phone call at my Garden City office that no parent should ever have to make.

Andrew Jedlicka, a father from Merrick, whose 5-year-old son is fighting a rare and debilitating genetic disorder, was desperately seeking help. The only lab in the world treating, and potentially capable of curing, his son was set to shut down because its federal funding had run out.

The lab, in Queens, had been partially funded by grants from a federal program known as the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer. The program is branded as “America’s Seed Fund” for high-risk, highreward medical and technological research and development that is often not attractive to investors. The federal funding is the crucial factor to incentivize and enable private-sector investment

in these types of innovations.

For the Jedlicka family and others, SBIR/STTR program dollars promise a future for a child whose life depends on them. And the program not only aids the families and smallbusiness owners who directly benefit from it; it also grows and strengthens our economy and enhances the United States’ competitive edge and dominance in medicine and technology. For every dollar the federal government invests in SBIR/STTR, taxpayers see a return of $22 to $33 in economic impact.

I helped a unique lab in Queens get some of those crucial federal funds.

The program has supported everything from new, innovative cancer treatments to semiconductors that power our lives to the world’s smallest heart pumps. It should have been reauthorized without delay. Unfortunately, it ground to a halt in late 2025, leaving small businesses and families like the Jedlickas in peril.

Andrew’s plea was heartbreaking — I certainly understood the anguish and

fear his family felt, and was determined to break the gridlock and get his family the help they needed. Reauthorizing the program had broad bipartisan support — a bill had passed the House, but because of delays in the Senate, the program expired without being reauthorized.

I immediately reached out to and pushed my colleagues on the Senate Small Business Committee, including the chair, to work across the aisle to reauthorize the program. Following my efforts, the Senate finally reached a bipartisan deal to reauthorize funding for five years.

After passage of a revised bill in the Senate, followed by the House, with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority, we thought the Jedlicka family’s nightmare might be over. But then, instead of moving to the president’s desk, the bill inexplicably sat on the House speaker’s desk for weeks, awaiting his signature. There was no good reason for this, and on April 1, I demanded that the speaker

act. Two days later, the bill was at last presented to the president, and on April 13 it was finally signed into law.

I’m glad colleagues on both sides of the aisle came together to finally reauthorize the SBIR/STTR program. This long-overdue victory belongs to Andrew and his son, and it is an honor to fight on their behalf. Andrew’s relentless advocacy shows how one father can make a real difference for Americans at a time when constant partisanship in Washington leaves many families feeling helpless. His family, and others facing the diagnosis of a rare disease, should never have faced this uncertainty.

My office is now working to ensure that the National Institutes of Health moves the funding to the lab immediately. We have extended vital medical research funding for the next five years, but Washington should not need a crisis to compel it to act. I will never stop fighting for Long Island families, and will use every tool available to cut through the partisanship and political games that put their futures at risk.

Laura A. Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.

Long Island must make pedestrians safer now

atroubling pattern is emerging across Nassau and Suffolk counties — and it should force leaders in both to act with urgency. In recent weeks, there have been a number of serious and fatal crashes involving pedestrians in our communities, from Wantagh to Freeport, Rockville Centre and Lindenhurst.

In Wantagh on March 9, a 53-year-old woman was killed when a pickup truck struck her while it was making a turn at an intersection. On April 4, In Freeport, a 66-year-old man died after being hit while crossing Merrick Road, with police later charging the driver for a hitand-run.

In Rockville Centre on April 10, a 76-year-old woman died of injuries she sustained when she was struck by a vehicle at an intersection. And in Lindenhurst on April 15, an 85-year-old woman was seriously injured when she was hit by a vehicle making a left turn. These were not isolated incidents. They were part of a steady, devastating rhythm of crashes that too often end in tragedy for people doing something routine — crossing the street.

Even in Long Beach, where city officials are now reviewing traffic data in an effort to improve safety, the response remains reactive. Studying the problem isn’t the same as solving it. Long Island has reached the point where analysis

letters

Ferretti favors status quo amid the housing crisis

To the Editor:

The “local control” lauded by Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti in his April 16-22 op-ed, “REVIVE Act is the wrong solution to the housing crisis,” is spelled NIMBY, for Not In My Backyard, and he spells it out by rote. On Long Island, local control is widespread, a slogan for a politician’s assertion of veto power.

It is, in effect, a feudal remnant of the creation days of “suburbia,” shaped by the interests of bankers, builders, insurance and real estate. It was an illusion then, and is now a distraction from broader visions needed for a better future. Mr. Ferretti’s claim that REVIVE is the wrong solution suggests some better choice on offer. The one he offers is the status quo — a denial, in effect, that any crisis exists.

The REVIVE Act will benefit the same interests named above, and will not solve the housing crisis alone, but “house” construction is core to any solution, and thus the right one for the present.

must give way to action.

The uncomfortable truth is that Nassau and Suffolk are still operating under an outdated suburban model of road design that prioritizes speed and vehicle flow over human safety. Wide lanes encourage faster driving. Long crossing distances expose pedestrians to danger. Intersections are designed for convenience, not caution.

We do not need to reinvent the solution. We need to look west.

New York City, through its Vision Zero initiative, has spent years reshaping its streets with a different philosophy: that no loss of life on the road is acceptable. That approach has led to lower speed limits, redesigned intersections, pedestrian islands, expanded enforcement and a fundamental shift in the way streets are used. The results haven’t been perfect, but they have been meaningful. Fatalities have declined over time, and the conversation has changed.

Now the city is going even further, considering a “full stop” rule that would require drivers and cyclists to remain stopped at intersections until pedestrians have completely crossed the street — not just cleared their immediate path. It is a simple idea with powerful implications: The pedestrian comes first, fully and without compromise.

Long Island should not wait to see how that proposal plays out. The princi-

ple behind it is already clear, logical, and overdue here.

And not every solution requires tearing up asphalt. Some changes can happen quickly: reducing speed limits on local roads, increasing enforcement of failure-to-yield laws, improving signage and crosswalk visibility, and launching public-awareness campaigns that reinforce a culture of caution.

The data makes this urgency undeniable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 90 percent of crashes in the United States are tied, at least in part, to human error — speeding, distraction, poor judgment. That means safer systems are not optional; they are essential. Road design must anticipate mistakes and reduce their consequences.

Long Island has the benefit of proximity to one of the largest real-world laboratories for traffic safety reform. The question is whether its leaders are willing to learn from its city neighbors. How many more deaths will it take before that happens?

The recent fatalities in our area shouldn’t fade into the background of the next news cycle. They should serve as a call to action. Nassau and Suffolk must act now to prioritize pedestrians, redesign dangerous roads and adopt proven safety measures. The cost of waiting is already far too high.

opinions Advanced economics: the bacon, egg and cheese effect

economic trends remain solid on Long Island and across most of the united States, yet consumers still seem “unhappy.” Measures of sentiment, both local and national, are more downbeat than some relevant information would suggest. For example, inflation, as measured in the consumer price index, continues to moderate from the highs of 2022, up 3.3 percent in March nationwide, while our region was up 3.6 percent. Even with higher gas prices likely to fuel an uptick in inflation overall, we’ve been seeing moderating trends.

Even so, the cumulative increase in inflation since early 2017 remains roughly 32 percent. Prices have gone up over the past five years, and consumers haven’t forgotten it, even if the recent trends are more moderate — or even if they temporarily move in the wrong direction.

Letters

Do your part to keep construction workers safe

To the Editor:

The perception that prices are still going higher can be partially attributed to what we call the Snickers Bar Effect: consumers remember the prices of more frequent purchases. Economists at uBS began examining this issue in early 2024, and it remains highly relevant today. In 2020, the popular candy bar cost $1.50, but today it costs $2.39, an increase of nearly 80 percent. Most consumers, however, don’t know how much their car insurance has gone up over the past few years.

Ysis suggests that in 2015, the average price of a BEc was $3, and in 2020 it was $4.25. Today it’s closer to $7.50. People see the higher prices every morning, which reminds them daily that expenses are higher.

ou’re more likely to know about its price increases than those of your insurance.

We’re all much more aware of the price increases on everyday products, which creates a sense that inflation is still surging. So, even though it has in fact been moderating, most consumers still feel that prices are too high.

For those who don’t scarf down a mix of savory peanuts, caramel and chocolate for breakfast, lunch or a snack several times a week, let’s drill down to a very Long Island-specific product: the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Nearly every neighborhood deli or bodega serves it, on a roll or a bagel. Our analy-

Last week was National Work Zone Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign reminding motorists that warmer temperatures bring an increase in construction activities along our transportation system.

Here on Long Island, the state Department of Transportation is scheduled to perform hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of paving and bridge projects this year. For the safety of the highway workers doing this work, NYSDOT will deploy signs, cones, barrels and attenuators to make these work zones as visible as possible. Motorists, however, must also do their part to ensure that our workers return home safely each night: slow down, move over and stay alert. Honoring this simple request can save a life.

Earlier this year, a NYSDOT worker was senselessly struck by a vehicle while setting up a closure on the Long Island Expressway. It’s a miracle that worker survived. Throughout this construction season, in an effort to better protect our workers, NYSDOT will be working with our police partners on targeted enforcement, and will be deploying automated speed-enforcement cameras in our work zones. Thank you for doing your part to keep our highway workers safe.

RIcHARD cAuSIN

L.I. regional director, New York State Department of Transportation Hauppauge

To be clear, it isn’t just Snickers, bacon, egg and cheeses or even overall inflation that weighs on purchasers on Long Island. Data shows that consumers are also worried about possible layoffs, the seeming likelihood of artificial intelligence replacing jobs, and the so-called K-shaped economy, in which high earners thrive while low earners struggle. These concerns are real, even if they aren’t fully showing up in the hard economic data.

Recent survey data reinforces this point. A few months ago, PKF O’connor Davies, in partnership with the Siena Research Institute, released its annual Long Island Economic Survey–Outlook 2026. Like consumers, Long Island businesses also seem more worried about the economy, even though current trends are solid. Economic sentiment in

Framework by Tim Baker

the survey is the third lowest since 1995. Even with March housing data showing continued strength and the stock market rebounding dramatically, affordability and inflation for residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties remain issues. If you bought a home five or more years ago, you are sitting on strong price appreciation. But if you’re entering the market today, there aren’t enough reasonably priced alternatives. Entry-level buyers are being squeezed, and affordability remains a major problem. That’s why the Long Island Association and business leaders have been advocating for federal, state and local support for more housing development. Sentiment matters, because it drives spending, hiring and investment decisions. When consumers and business leaders feel downbeat, they may pull back — even in a relatively solid economy. until they begin to feel relief in their day-to-day purchases, housing becomes more attainable and there’s less volatility in economic news, that disconnect is likely to persist, even if the numbers continue to tell a more positive story.

Steven Kent is chief economist at the Long Island Association. Comments? Skent@longislandassociation.org.

Showing the teachers a few new tricks, much to the amusement of their students — Hewlett High School