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Town building department to be audited

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR

The Nassau County Comptroller’s office announced they will perform an audit into the North Hempstead Building Department.

Continued from Page 1 passed numerous pieces of bipartisan legislation that focus on Building Department operations.

At the Aug. 4 meeting, Town Board members unanimously approved changes to the department’s expedited permit review process that removes the Town Board’s ability to override the department’s decisions.

The new process now allows the town’s Building Department and Planning Department commissioners to make decisions on expedited permit requests within fi ve business days.

The commissioners will also have added criteria to review requests before determining whether or not they should be granted an expedited permit.

Previously, applicants had to meet at least one of four criteria, which included accommodating emergency situations, furthering public interests like job creation or economic development, providing an essential service or avoiding extreme fi nancial hardship to the applicant, among others.

Additional criteria on top of the previous four now include the urgency of the situation, potential danger to property and requests relating to improved access for persons with mobility impairments or disabilities, among others.

The new legislation diff ers slightly from the original legislation proposed by DeSena in April, which mandated the town’s Building Department commissioner, John Niewender, to make a decision on expedited permits within seven days and remove the Town Board’s ability to override the department’s decisions. The reform was initially blocked by Democrats and reintroduced at a later meeting following changes in wording that avoided potential legal obstacles.

Since then, DeSena and Lurvey have worked together on legislation to overhaul the expedited permit process.

The Town Board also unanimously passed a resolution this year that requires monthly reports from the Building Department to be given to the Town Board as opposed to annually.

At the July press conference, Lurvey detailed additional improvements the Building Department has seen since she was elected over three years ago, including more staff hires, off ering extended hours to employees and installing the Citizenserve software platform.

North Hempstead is the fi rst municipality in the state to use Citizenserve, which provides online Building Department services for residents and can be accessed at www.mytonh.com.

7% released without bail rearrested: county

Continued from Page 2 have the same option, but they won’t see that diversion court judge for maybe a month or two months. How many overdoses occurred in that month or two months while they are waiting for that?”

Of the 487 arrested for controlled substance charges, Ryder said 96 were rearrested for drugrelated charges. He said the leniency of laws is unsettling for victims as a criminal may return to the same neighborhood.

“We will continue to do our job,” said Ryder. “We’ll continue to make these arrests and we hope that changes come that will keep the bad people where they belong: in jail.”

The victims of a recent incident in East Meadow, where a man was arrested after hurling 27 bricks through residents’ car windows, were also given the opportunity to speak and express their opinions.

“We always felt great and safe and when this happened, I was shocked,” said one resident. “And we need help. We need this law to change, whatever these laws are that help these criminals to be out in the street.”

Legislator Steven Rhoads (R-Bellmore) said the government’s top goal is to ensure the safety of residents. He said the victims who spoke highlighted the importance of this.

“You can have beautifully paved streets. Your garbage can get picked up on time. Mass transit can be operating,” he said. “Nothing else matters if you don’t feel safe in your community, and there’s a direct cause, and that’s bail reform.”

A recent Blank Slate Media analysis of county-wide crime statistics showed major crimes decreased by over 10% from 2017 to 2021. But the number of violent crimes increased by over 16% during that same period.

Statistics provided to the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Services by the county police reveal that there were 14,039 signifi cant crimes committed in the county in 2017 compared with 12,535 in 2021.

Leaders rally in Mineola for children’s laws

Continued from Page 8 anniversary of the day that we had her funeral and burial. She deserved so much more.”

State Senators. Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suff olk) and Anna Kaplan (D-North Hills) as well as state Assemblyman Jeff rey Dinowitz (D-The Bronx) spoke in favor of the law. They all agreed that the cause was crucial, regardless of political affi liation.

In her speech, Kaplan said child abuse needs to be prevented at all costs.

“We need to pass Kyra’s Law,” she said. “Which will ensure that children involved in custody cases are protected and that their safety is centered and prioritized.”

Franchetti’s campaigning has resulted in several bills being introduced, including Senate Bill S7425, which would establish Kyra’s Law.

These include that when deciding on child custody and visitation, the court must consider the child’s health and safety. It also guides the court’s presumptions and includes specifi c evidence in such situations, and it requires court staff to take part in training to handle cases involving domestic violence and child abuse.

The bill is currently in the Senate Committee Rules Committee. Palumbo said the process as it exists is fl awed.

“When you have an allegation of abuse, we have a process and yes, it’s excruciating,” said Palumbo. “The process is often why many individuals and parents refuse to bring a new case because it’s exhausting. And it costs money, and it takes forever, and it’s laborious and not only on the party’s with the children as well.”

Attendees held up signs endorsing Kyra’s Law and other child protection legislation. Student activists also talked about other stories like Kyra’s between offi cials’ speeches.

Shayna Blumenfeld, Kyra’s Champions Youth Ambassador, said these situations could have been avoided. She said that despite her age, she can see the fl aws in the current system.

“You might think I am too young to have a say. After all, I’m only 15,” she said. “But I know a few things. I know numbers. I know our judicial system is failing my friends. And I know child safety should be no must be the top priority and custody cases. Protect our kids, say it with me: protect our kids.”