New district lines cost Hempstead Town's Santino hamlet

Hempstead Town senior Councilman Anthony Santino has announced he will no longer represent Baldwin, starting in January, when the town’s new council district map is scheduled to go into effect.

Santino made the announcement last week during his South Hempstead/Baldwin Town Hall meeting at the South Hempstead Fire House. Councilwoman Angie Cullin will represent Baldwin instead, he said, adding that he will continue to represent South Hempstead.

At the town hall meeting, representatives from various town departments and the Nassau County Police Department answered questions and addressed community concerns, including complaints about drivers blowing through stop signs.

Santino said at the meeting the town is working on a deal with Garden City-based developer Breslin Realty Development Corp. to revitalize the Grand Avenue and Merrick Road business corridor. The company has developed more than 30 retail centers in five states, according to its website.

“The supervisor and I never wavered on that,” Santino said. “We are very close.”

The plan would call for Breslin to buy more than a dozen properties or, possibly, the town to exercise its eminent domain powers. The one-block stretch has some underutilized properties and some vacancies, Santino added after the meeting.

Building department officials also said they have received more than 2,000 superstorm Sandy-related construction permit applications. They reminded residents the department is waiving all permit fees until June 1 for storm-related structural repairs and temporary housing trailers.