Important Numbers and Parking Information

Important numbers

eugene J. murray VIllage Hall main number: 678-9300 one College place temporary address 24 maple ave. www.rvcny.gov Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

mayor: Francis X. Murray (516) 678-9260 Deputy mayor: Kathleen Baxley (516) 678-9270 Village administrator: Nancy Howard (516) 678-9212

Building Department (516) 678-9247

110 Maple Ave. Water and Electric Building (516) 678-9323 Registrar (516) 678-9258 superintendent: Patrick O’Brien (516) 678-9250 Electric Department (516) 678-9305 110 Maple Ave. superintendent: Michael Valenzano Fire Department Comms (516) 766-0400 Headquarters: 58 North Centre Ave. Parks and Recreation Dept. (516) 678-9238 Recreation Center 111 North Oceanside Road Police Department (516) 766-1500 142 Maple Ave. Commissioner: James Vafeades (516) 678-9387 Sanitation (516) 678-9288 Public Works (516) 678-9216 10 Sunrise Highway Senior Services Department (516) 678-9245 50 South Park Ave. Director: Chris O’Leary Village Court (516) 678-9289 Village Hall Justices: William J. Croutier Jr., Kevin McDonough Water Department (516) 678-9301 superintendent: Kevin Reilly, village engineer 10 Sunrise Highway Zoning Board of Appeals (516) 678-9247 110 Maple Ave. secretary: Patrick O’Brien

Parking information

meter fees: Effective at lot consoles and on-street parking $.05 for four minutes $.10 for eight minutes $.25 for 20 minutes $.75 for one hour • Most meters have a limit of two hours. • All residents and employees parking spaces are available for use by shoppers after 4 p.m. and all weekend. • There is no fee for parking in the downtown business district after 6 p.m. Parking Permits: Residents $236 Employee Full Time $257 Quarterly $71 Overnight $249 Non-resident $338 Daily parking (field 14 only) • Permits are available at the cashier’s window in

Village Hall. • All permits are pro-rated if brought during the active period. • Permits enforced weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Maple Avenue:

At the center of it all

Maple Avenue is the heart of the inner workings of Rockville Centre as the village’s main events such as the St. Patrick’s Day and Memorial parades take place on this central roadway that traverses east west through the South Shore municipality. Both parades had great turnouts this year as people sought a return to normality with the Covid pandemic waning.

The village’s police department, fire department and American Legion Post 303, and the Village Green are all along Maple Avenue creating a focal point for Rockville Centre. The police moved into 142 Maple Ave. this year, which they share with the Water Department and other village departments. The original steam generator used to pump

Tom Carrozza/Herald Top photo: The Rockville Centre Fire Department marches into the village green on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 in September 2021.

Continued from page 13 village water is on exhibit at the utilities complex at Maple Avenue. The village’s fire department is one of the largest volunteer departments in the state.

The Village Green, the site of many of Rockville Centre’s events such as the Ragamuffin Parade, springtime arts festivals, summer concerts and holiday events such as the lighting of the village Christmas tree lighting, is on the property of what is known as the Wallace home.

The first water and electric utilities building on the south side of Maple Avenue was built on land acquired by Rockville Centre from Capt. Edwin Wallace. The water service began in 1995. The electric generating plant went on line three years later. In the late 19th century, the Wallace

Tom Carrozza/Herald Top photo: Hundreds gathered on the village green on Dec. 2 to watch the annual tree lighting ceremony.

Tom Carrozza/Herald Bottom photo: Gavin White, grandson of St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshall Ellen White , chases down one of the Irish bands marching down Maple Ave.

property was central to the village’s activities, and that tradition has continued.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11, the monument that honors the lives of the 49 residents who died that day was refurnished.

Matt Geyer, a village native who lost his father Jimmy on 9/11, spoke of the solidarity residents showed him after his incredible loss. “While I have very painful memories of 20 years ago, I also remember the simple acts of kindness that members of this community showed to me, my family, and each other in those days after 9/11,” Geyer said in front of hundreds of residents gathered.

More recently, the Village Green was a place of hope and excitement when Rockville Centre native Greta Ohanian, who overcame cancer six years ago, had her kickoff event to run 4,000 miles from Baltimore to San Francisco over this summer to lend a hand at cancer centers to tell her story to those who are battling cancer and other severe illnesses.

Taking a walk or a drive on Maple Avenue offers pedestrians and motorists a glimpse into Rockville Centre’s past, its present and future.

— Tom Carrozza

Tim Baker/Herald Top photo: Maple Ave. is home to many of the village’s first responders.

Tom Carrozza/Herald Bottom photo: The South Side High School Wind Ensemble marched up Maple Avenue and provided patriotic melodies during the Memorial Day Parade.