Farmingdale 'State Of The Village': Mayor Ekstrand

FARMINGDALE, NY — Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand gave a "State of the Village" speech at the February lunch meeting for the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce and gave some highlights in a news release.

"Financial: The State of the Village is robust, not only financially, but with new businesses, as well as residents moving in!" Ekstrand wrote. "Our BOND RATING is the best it’s ever been. The revitalization in the Village has provided new housing options, attracted new merchants and retailers, while also offering employment opportunities. This has resulted in an influx of activity in the downtown, with merchant / storefront vacancies down, as well as the redevelopment of the LIRR train station area."

The New York state 2 percent tax cap has not been pierced, Ekstrand said. The village will plan to continue to keep it that way, he said.

Some grants have helped keep spending down while improving quality of life, he said:

• $1,450,000 Grant from NY State Senator Kevin Thomas ($500,000 for the new water tower, $500,000 for Main Street to bury electric wires, $450,000 – new ambulance, ambulance upgrade & gators for Farmingdale Village Fire Department).
• $150,000 Grant from Nassau County for 5 Corners Park Rehabilitation.
• Assemblyman Michael Montesano gave a $100,000 grant that was used for the reconstruction of the village's parking lots.
• The Federal American Recovery plan, part of legislation passed by Congress, has awarded the Village $919,525. To date the village has received $449,762, the money can be used for many projects; the village chose infrastructure.

"Thank you to Senator Kevin Thomas, Michael Montesano, Nassau County, U.S. Congress and to many other LOCAL OFFICIALS for the Support they provide - it's instrumental and truly appreciated!" Ekstrand wrote.

Several infrastructure projects have been completed recently; are underway, or being planned in the village.

• The Parking lot renovations / repaving / rehabilitation are now completed – nine parking lots were redone, and many roads in the village have been repaved/paved in the last few years.
• 5 Corners Park is undergoing rehabilitation. Trustee Cheryl Parisi spearheaded the project.
• Work at the new 500,000-gallon water tower on Eastern Parkway is progressing and the tower is rising. Completion is expected in November.
• Burial of electric wires along Main Street. The village signed a contract with PSEG LI to put all of the overhead electric wires underground. Phase I is set to start in April and will be south of Conklin Street to Prospect Street, and Phase II will follow in March 2023 running north of Conklin Street to South Front Street. The village expects four months to complete each phase of the project. A $500,000 grant from Thomas is being used for the project in conjunction with Nassau County Grants.

The Farmingdale Business Improvement District (BID) was formed in May and is the first Long Island BID to be formed in more than two decades. The Farmingdale BID promotes commerce for the businesses in the district and has been paying for commercials on News 12. The BID can apply for grants, plans, and funds parades, community events, and more.

Beautification was next on the mayor's address.

"We love our Beautiful Plants; via our Beautification Committee!" he said. "Thank you to Trustee Cheryl Parisi, the Village beautification committee volunteers, and the Fire Department and Juniors for the wonderful efforts decorating for the holidays and throughout the year!"

• The village has received a gift of six sculptures from the estate of former Village resident Sven Brost, and they are installed.
• Beautiful plantings/flowers throughout the village – about 300 plants are in the re-constructed parking lots.

Upcoming events were announced, as well as summer events returning - Village Pops (40th year), movie nights, Music On Main, Theater On The Green, and more.

New businesses, expansions, and relocations:

• SimpliSmiles Dental
• Elise’s Niece’s Café at Back In Time (expansion)
• Cousin’s Barber Shop
• Kick’n Chicken
• Nunzi’s Restaurant
• Leonza’s Treasure Box
• Uncle Joey’s Rainbow Explosion
• Burgerology
• Cascone & Kluepfel Law Firm
• My Grandmother's Kitchen
• Marketplace at 317
• Fitness On Main (new & moved along Main St)
• Thomas Russo Law Firm (Conklin St)
• Spirit Taekwondo Farmingdale (Palmer’s center)

Businesses coming soon include Farmingdale Dines, Necromantic Gluten-Free Brewery, Vico, and more.

Some merchants moved to new locations:

• Weichert Realty (relocated from Route 109).
• Step By Step (relocated along Main Street).
• Le Che Hair Salon (relocated along Main Street).
• MinuteMan Printing (moved across the street).
• Bell & Whistle (relocated from Palmer’s Center to the Lofts).
• Well-Strung Guitars (relocated to Conklin St).

Flux Coffee, Candy's Jewelry and several others are celebrating five years in Farmingdale Village.

"Welcome and congratulations to all!" Ekstrand said. "Thank you to all Village residents, merchants, businesses, and all organizations, we are thrilled that you selected Farmingdale for your 'home!' We look forward to the continuation of the Revitalization of the Village and certainly to everyone enjoying the year-round community events! We are committed to keep the Village moving in the right direction; maintaining a vibrant, great, and safe place to Live, Work and Visit! Thank you to all the first responders, health care workers, Fire Dept, Police Dept, Emergency /Paramedics/EMT's, EMS, all front line workers, essential workers, all residents! Thanks to All, as they say, It takes a Village!"