N. Hempstead, East Hills agree on park work

The Town of North Hempstead and Village of East Hills on Tuesday announced a joint agreement that will provide sidewalk improvements for East Hills Park at 202 Harbor Hill Rd.

North Hempstead will cover the $250,000 cost of the project, which includes laying a sidewalk over an approximately quarter-mile stretch that borders the park on Harbor Hill Road. In addition, cobblestone will be placed along the border of sidewalks in the park.

The town is paying for the improvements in lieu of making annual payments, and not paying taxes, on a building the town purchased in the village in the past year for its Department of Services for the Aging. Because the building would house a not-for-profit agency, it wouldn't be subject to village taxes.

“We’re giving them money up front for money they would have received over time,” Town Councilman Thomas Dwyer (D) explained. According to a news release the village will save $75,000 by having the town perform the work as opposed to a for-profit entity.

Dwyer said the project will likely start in the middle of April.

“I don’t anticipate it being more than a month-long project,” Dwyer said. “The goal would be to have it completed before it’s time for the kids to go swimming there.”