Roundup: NY Rising meetings around Hempstead

HEMPSTEAD TOWN

NY Rising panel hosts meetings

The NY Rising Community Planning Committee will host a number of public meetings about the state-sponsored New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program.

Residents from the Five Towns, including Cedarhurst, Hewlett, Lawrence, Woodmere, Hewlett Neck, Hewlett Harbor, Meadowmere, and Inwood, are encouraged to attend a public meeting on Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Young Israel of Woodmere, 859 Peninsula Blvd. in Woodmere.

Residents from South Valley Stream are encouraged to attend a meeting on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Forest Road School’s gym, 16 Forest Rd. in Valley Stream.

Residents from Atlantic Beach and East Atlantic Beach are encouraged to attend a meeting on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sands Beach Club, 1395 Beech St. in Atlantic Beach.

Residents from Lido and Point Lookout are encouraged to attend a meeting on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Bishop Molloy Recreation Center, 15 Parkside Ave. in Point Lookout. The New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program is one of several Storm Recovery Initiatives and was established to provide additional rebuilding and revitalization assistance to communities severely damaged by superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

SEE PHOTOSAerial views of Sandy damage

The governor’s Office of Storm Recovery’s mission is to coordinate and implement the state’s programs for Sandy, Irene and Lee, including housing, small business, transportation, coastal and inland infrastructure, and local community planning programs.

For more information, visit stormrecovery.ny.gov or email info@stormrecovery.ny.gov.

— Aisha Al-Muslim

EAST HILLS

SEE PHOTOSLI's Sandy deaths: A look at the victims

New standards for electrical inspectors

The village board has set new requirements for electrical inspectors who perform work in the village, hoping to strengthen standards for the inspection process.

“We had some residents expressing concerns and as a result, we looked into it,” said Mayor Michael Koblenz. “We passed the law because there were ambiguities in the current law that had to be tightened.” Licensing requirements, for example, “weren’t strict enough,” he said.

The new legislation requires inspections or electrical work be done by individuals with licenses; requires electricians to have liability insurance; installs a license fee; and says licensees must “possess the following qualities: integrity, competence, and honesty.”

The village sets a penalty for violations, with fines not to exceed $2,500 for each day of the violation or by imprisonment not to exceed 15 days in the county jail, or both. Fines increase after more offenses are committed, up to $7,500 or a maximum of 90 days of imprisonment, or both.

— Scott Eidler