March/april 2015 THiS MoNTH iN Vol. 62, No. 2 Rockville Centre Dates & Village of Rockville Centre Scores Events AAA Rating The Village of Rockville Centre Standard S&P noted, this proved to be extremely management with standard financial & Poor’s Rating was raised from AA+ challenging during the downturn in the policies and a consistent ability to to AAA, the highest possible rating. economy, but the Village was able to maintain balanced budgets; very strong According to S&P’s five-page report, maintain balanced operations and strong budgetary flexibility, with 2014 audited April 8, At 7:30 P.M. the upgrade is based on the Village’s liquidity. Much of this can be attributed to available reserves at 10.7% of general BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS ability to consistently maintain balanced the professional team we have in place fund expenditures and rising; and strong • operations and strong liquidity during in Rockville Centre, including Comptroller debt and contingent liabilities position, the recent recession. In addition, another Michael Schussheim and Village reflecting a manageable debt burden. April 13, At 7 P.M. rating service, Moody’s, affirmed the Administrator Keith Spadaro.” “This upgrade resulted in the Village BOARD OF TRUSTEES Village’s rating to AA2, which is one of The S&P report went on to say that the securing an extremely low net interest charge • its highest ratings. rating reflects its assessment on multiple of 2.26% on its recent $14,460,000 bond April 21, At 7 P.M. “I am extremely proud of the S&P upgrade factors for the Village including: strong issue,” continued Mayor Murray. “The to a AAA rating,” commented Mayor budgetary performance, which takes low net interest charge will help control PLANNING BOARD Francis X. Murray. “My administration into account a relatively stable revenue Village real estate taxes and utility user rate • has worked diligently to bring about stream; very strong liquidity providing increases over the next 15 years.” April 22, At 7:30 P.M. fiscal discipline to the operation of our very strong cash levels to cover both BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Village while not impacting services. As debt service and expenditures; strong • May 4, At 7 P.M. Monte Carlo Night To Take Over Sandel Senior Center BOARD OF TRUSTEES • Tickets are now available for FOSSI’s will sponsor a mouthwatering array of May 6, At 7:30 P.M. Monte Carlo Night. This popular party is desserts, Rich McQuillan, of Exit Links BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS one of Rockville Centre’s most successful Realty is the Cocktail Sponsor. Better annual fundraisers. Don’t miss the fun! Home Health Care is Hospitality Sponsor. • The excitement begins at 7:30 p.m. Pat Kerley of Cannons Blackthorn will May 12, At 7 P.M. on Saturday, April 25 for only $60 per host a “beer garden” featuring a variety PLANNING BOARD person. of donated beers and ales. Many more • Guests will find the Sandel Center sponsorship opportunities are still transformed into a glittering casino. available. May 20, At 7:30 P.M. Professional dealers, lots of “betting” Each year the FOSSI Board selects an BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS action, big prizes and music will honoree that has had a meaningful and • accompany a light dinner, open bar, and positive impact on our Village. The 2015 Monday, May 25 spectacular dessert buffet. Monte Carlo Night honoree is Margarita The evening is sponsored by FOSSI, Grasing. For over thirty years Ms. Grasing Village Offices Closed Friends of Senior Services, Inc., a not-for- has served as Director of the Hispanic MEMORIAL DAY profit organization that supports the RVC Brotherhood of Rockville Centre. Parade at 10 A.M. Department of Senior Services. For tickets to the Monte Carlo Night, Rockville Centre’s business community is send checks, made payable to FOSSI, Events are at Village Hall always supportive and 2015 will be no to Friends of Senior Services, Inc., 50 unless otherwise indicated. exception. In fact sponsors are already South Park Avenue, Rockville Centre, pledging support: Pasetti’s Catering will NY 11570, Attn: Monte Carlo Night. prepare and donate the food, Grand For more information about the evening, Pavilion for Rehab and Nursing as well as sponsorship opportunities, or to pay by Rockville Skilled Nursing and Rehab are credit card, call (516) 678-9245. Holiday Sanitation Schedule Event Sponsors. TSG Financial Services Memorial Day Week • Monday, May 25, 2015 - No trash collection • Normal Monday/Thursday trash collection will be on Tuesday and Thursday • Normal Tuesday/Friday trash collection will be on Wednesday and Friday • Wednesday, May 27, 2015 No bulk items or paper pickup During holiday weeks, paper products may be deposited Monday through Friday at DPW headquarters 10 Sunrise Hwy. RVC Residents Celebrate Margaritaville age age D ST Nearly 500 people came out to take part in the Village’s ai P annual “Margaritaville,” which raises money for the Rockville Centre Community Fund that aids Village residents who are faced PRSRT STD PRSRT Permit No. 70 No. Permit U.S. Po U.S. with emergency financial needs. Partygoers were decked out Hicksville, NY 11801 Hicksville, in tropical colors and styles for the Margaritaville theme while listening to the sounds of Jimmy Buffet tribute band “Jimmy and the Parrots.” At the March Board of Trustees meeting, members of the planning committee presented a $20,000 check to the Community Fund. Box 950 . Centre o N i nth Mo S i ne College Place, P. ne College Place, Rockville Rockville H www.RvCny.us Find us on facebook T o Rockville Centre, New York 11571 York New Rockville Centre, See inSert for the Mayor’S State of the Village Around Our Community addreSS Village Welcomes 5 New Police Officers Police Commissioner Charles Gennario U.S. Army, serving until 2009, including two swore in new Officers Stefanie Balos, combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. After Nicholas Bamonte, Kyle J. Coppola, Jerremy leaving the Army, he enrolled in the New Diaz, and Michael Farrell at the March York National Guard, where he worked Board of Trustees meeting. full-time as a counterterrorism specialist. He Officer Balos was born at Mercy Medical received numerous decorations, including Pictured here, from left, are Trustee Michael Sepe, Officer Michael Farrell, Trustee Edward Center and grew up in Wantagh. She the Army Commendation Medal. He is now Oppenheimer, Officer Stefanie Balos, Mayor Francis X. Murray, Officer Jerremy Diaz, attended MacArthur High School, where attending the Westchester Police Academy, Officer Nicholas Bamonte, Trustee Emilio Grillo, Officer Kyle Coppola, Police Commissioner she played soccer and lacrosse. Officer and is expected to graduate in June. Officer Charles Gennario and Deputy Mayor Nancy Howard. Balos received a Bachelor’s Degree in Farrell attended St. John’s University and Psychology from Queens College. She is Stony Brook University. He comes from the currently enrolled in the Nassau County New York City Police Department, where he Police Academy and expected to graduate worked for 10 years. He was an Officer in in August. Officer Bamonte received his Flushing, Queens, and then a sergeant in Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal justice before East Flatbush, Brooklyn. joining the New York City Police Department “Police Officers in our Village make in 2013 where he was assigned to the significant sacrifices every day to ensure 115 Precinct in Jackson Heights. Officer our safety and maintain our peaceful Coppola received a Bachelor’s Degree in neighborhoods,” commented Mayor Francis History from Hofstra University. From 2008 X. Murray. “When others are running away to 2014, he was a member of the New from danger, they run toward it, putting their York City Police Department, and from May lives on the line in pursuit of helping innocent 2014 to February of this year, he was a bystanders and victims and pursuing Nassau County police officer. Officer Diaz criminals. I feel extremely confident that these attended Valley Forge Military Academy five new Officers will continue to keep our and Valley Forge Military College, earning community a safe home to work, play, and Police Commissioner Charles Gennario, right, swore in new officers, from left, Michael an associates degree in international raise a family.” Farrell, Stefanie Balos, Jerremy Diaz, Nicholas Bamonte and Kyle Coppola at the Village’s business. In October 2001 he joined the Board of Trustees March meeting. Artist George Burgess Rockville Centre Basketball League at Phillips House Celebrates 60 Years of Sportsmanship, Competition & Fair Play The Phillips House Museum recently featured the works of Westbury, New York artist George C. Burgess. Burgess began his early years reproducing comic book characters. He later graduated to oils and acrylics. His mixed media art has been exhibited in the Annual Molloy College Black History Month Exhibit, the African- American Museum in Hempstead, Aswagh Hall in South Hampton, and the Black-Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina. His series In recognition of the Rockville Centre Basketball League is an integral part of the include First Fruits, Street Games, and Yester- proclamation for his work. Pictured, from Basketball League 60th anniversary, the community. The League’s values of “loyalty, Feelings. Burgess possesses over 50 years left, are the President of the Phillips House Village of Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. behavior and leadership” have remained of dedicated art study and development. Fank Seipp, Michelle Burgess, artist George Murray, Deputy Mayor Nancy Howard and consistent with the main objective to give Mayor Francis X. Murray and Deputy Mayor C. Burgess, Mayor Francis X. Murray, and Board of Trustees honored the League at all participants an opportunity to play. This Nancy Howard honored Burgess with a Deputy Mayor Nancy Howard. the March Board of Trustees meeting.