M-L postpones vote on ambulance building

Continued from Page 2 trustee, said he was concerned with the increase in taxes and inquired if the village can reconfigure the existing company No. 3 to fit both units.

Sauvigne said the increase in taxes would not pierce the 2% state-mandated tax cap and that reconfiguring existing properties was considered in years past but not feasible.

North Hempstead resident Constantin Arama said there is no sidewalk on the street and children could be in danger when the ambulance leaves the station.

“The street is very tight and very narrow,” Arama said. “There are hidden driveways. Safety and functionality might be a big issue with this project.”

Residents pointed out that east end of Cumberland, the corner it intersects with Allen Drive, has a nearly 90-degree turn with no stop sign.

The district owns the land on Cumberland where the proposed unit would go. Included in the district’s service area is all of Manhasset except for Plandome, half of Great Neck and some of northern New Hyde Park.

Last week’s meeting got increasingly tense when Brian Kenny, a volunteer in the department for 59 years, brought up concerns with both the project and the department itself.

Kenny said he understands the district spent a lot of time and research on the location but should have knocked on doors in the area to gauge resident feedback.

Kenny also sent a letter to residents detailing his opposition to the department prior to the meeting, saying the department needs more volunteers, not a new firehouse.

“It is the excess spending and waste of your taxpayer dollars by the fire district that will offer no further protection to the occupants of the district that I object to,” Kenny said in his letter.

Additional reporting by Brandon Duffy