Williston Park 2021_12_24

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Serving Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola, Albertson and Searingtown

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Friday, December 24, 2021

Vol. 70, No. 52

NEW YEAR’S DINING GUIDE PAGES 23-26

TOWN OPTS OUT OF MARIJUANA SALES

COVID CASES CLIMB

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Harrison Ave. parking garage finally opens Opening of 551-space facility, part of 3rd track work, delayed since 2019 BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y The Harrison Avenue parking garage in Mineola is open for business at long last, village officials said. A “soft” opening was held Dec. 15, allowing people to park their cars for a fee based on hours spent. “I’m happy to have it,” Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss said of the 551-space garage. “It was a long, arduous process and I appreciate the combined work of the MTA, 3TC, our DPW, village attorney, trustees and parking enforcement on getting this over the finish line.” At the last board meeting, the village finalized the payment structure and monthly permits for residents and nonresidents. In January, sensor-accessible cards will be issued. Two hundred twenty-five cards will be 14-hour “day” permits, available to Mineola residents for $105 a month. Nonresidents can purchase a similar permit for $250 a month, and 75 will be created.

For 24-hour permits, 50 cards will be created for Mineola residents at $300 a month. Nonresidents will be billed $500 a month, and 20 cards will be issued. Hourly parking will be billed for a maximum of 24 hours. Rates begin at $2 for up to two hours and jump to $6 for two to three hours accumulated. The maximum daily rate for the garage is $30, which covers 15 hours of parking. Trustee George Durham said the new facility is good for those making small runs who cannot find parking on Mineola Boulevard. “It’s two dollars for the first two hours. It’s a great spot for quick trips,” he said during his report. The parking garage’s opening ends over a year of delays. It was originally completed in 2019, but COVID-19 and minor structural issues pushed back the transferring of ownership from the MTA to the village. Continued on Page 34

PHOTO BY BRANDON DUFFY

From Dec. 10 to Dec. 23, the Mineola Fire Department has paid personal visits to residents in the village alongside Santa, Rudolph, Frosty and Santa’s elves. See story on page 10.

Kanas to retire, Gately to take reins in EWSD BY B R A N D ON DUFFY East Williston School Superintendent Elaine Kanas announced at a Board of Education meeting Monday night that she

was retiring, effective July 1. Kanas became the second superintendent in recent weeks to announce a retirement on the North Shore, following Herricks’ Fino Celano. Deputy Superintendent

Danielle Gately will succeed her as superintendent. “It has been such a pleasure and honor to serve the wonderful students, families and staff of the East Williston School District,” Continued on Page 35

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