Serving Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola, Albertson and Searingtown
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Friday, April 15, 2022
Vol. 71, No. 15
HOME DESIGN, LAWN & GARDEN
DEMS, BLAKEMAN CLASH ON COUNTY GAS TAX
SUOZZI SLAMS HOCHUL ON BUDGET, BENJAMIN
PAGES 25-32
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D E C A D E S D AY
Mineola trustees OK revised $25M budget Tax levy to rise 1.88%, an average increase of $31 BY J OH N N U G E N T The Mineola Board of Trustees voted to adopt revisions to the fiscal year 2022-23 village budget at its meeting last Wednesday. Village Treasurer Giacomo Ciccone presented highlights of the $25 million budget to the board. The estimated total tax levy is $14.2 million, an increase of 1.88% from the current year, Ciccone said. The average tax bill amounts to $1,670, and the average tax increase totals $31 per homeowner, said Mayor Paul Pereira. The mayor added that he did not wish to minimize any increase in taxes. However, he said the benefit to residents for all the services provided by
the village was substantial. With more people expected to return to work away from home, Ciccone said he anticipates increased revenue from parking meters, parking fines and permits issued for spaces in the new Harrison Avenue garage. Ciccone said he expects to add more than $200,000 from building permits and mortgage taxes due to the strong housing market as well as increases in interest income resulting from rate increases announced by the Federal Reserve Board. The village reaped $985,000 last year from the American Rescue Package and will receive the same amount in the 2022-23 fiscal year, said Ciccone. However, that revenue stream will not be available in the following year
or thereafter. Turning to expenses, Ciccone said he expects higher costs for gas and diesel fuel due to the rising cost of oil and effects from the war in Ukraine. An additional $30,000 has been budgeted to cover that expense. Sidewalk repair throughout the village is expected to cost $100,000. Other significant expense items include approximately $250,000 for security in the Harrison Avenue garage and $100,000 for certiorari costs due to an increase in commercial litigation. Before the budget presentation, the mayor introduced Donna Solosky as the newest member of the Board of Trustees. Pereira appointed Solosky to fill the seat he vacated when he was elected mayor.
Manhasset man charged for cache of illegal weapons Nearly 20 unregistered guns, ammo found at home BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z PHOTO COURTESY OF EAST WILLISTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Students at the Wheatley School dressed up from the past for day three of Showdown 2022.
A Manhasset man who possessed a cache of unregistered weapons at his house was arrested by Nassau County police last week, law enforcement officials said. Matthew Spigner, 69, was expected to be sentenced to probation
this week for illegally possessing a cache of guns in a previous case. Then police uncovered another group of weapons, including 12 pistols and six revolvers, at his Circle Drive residence, officials said. Spigner’s cache of weapons also included silencers, gun parts, assorted knives, ammunition, a cane sword and ammunition
feeding devices, according to Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. Ryder said officials will work to obtain a warrant to determine if the weapons were for personal use or if Spigner was attempting to sell them. Continued on Page 38
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