Q&A: Farmingdale Village Mayor Ralph Esktrand

FARMINGDALE, NY — Farmingdale Village Mayor Ralph Esktrand recently completed a question-and-answer segment with Patch regarding his plans for 2022. Below are his unedited answers in full:

Michael DeSantis: Broadly, what are some goals you would like to accomplish as Farmingdale Village mayor by the end of this year? What is your New Year's Resolution for the village?

Ralph Ekstrand: "Our Goals and resolutions remain similar: We’d like new and greater lighting on Main Street and video cameras in our parking lots, train station and Main Street.

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!

We work closely with local organizations, churches and others, such as the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, local Farmingdale Rotary clubs, the Library, School District, Town, Local officials and others.

We are very fortunate to have volunteers helping to support Farmingdale Village - such as the Beautification Committee, Farmingdale Business Improvement District BID board, the Farmingdale Village Cultural Arts Committee, Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, and others.

We are DALER STRONG, thankful for all residents, merchants & organizations making Farmingdale Village Home; we want to recognize and thank all the first responders and wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2022!"

MD: How do you continue to plan to help small businesses get through the coronavirus pandemic and the cold winter months?

RE: "We are committed to PRO Business in every way possible! And this is probably most evident by the continued influx of new businesses; recent openings include Cousin’s Barber Shop, Kick’n Chicken’, Nunzi’s Restaurant, Leonza’s Treasure Box, and Uncle Joey's Rainbow Explosion.
And with more coming;- Burgerology, Cascone & Kluepfel. Back In Time is expanding their boutique and also added Elise’s Niece’s Café.

Moves within the Village include Bell & Whistle’s relocation from Conklin Street to Main Street, and Well Strung Guitars from Main Street to Conklin Street.

In Farmingdale Village, we are always open to listening to the needs of our downtown merchants.
The Farmingdale Business Improvement District (BID) was formed in May 2021 and is the first Long Island BID to be formed in decades. The Farmingdale BID promotes commerce for the businesses in the district and has been paying for commercials on News 12, which has greatly increased the amount of visitors coming into the Village.

The BID also has a website www.farmingdalebid.com.

We meet and continue to work with the Village merchants during this pandemic, and it shows by how active and vibrant Main Street is!"

MD: When do you estimate the water tower and burial of electrical wires projects to be done by?

RE: "We are delighted to see the new, 500,000-gallon Water Tower, located on Eastern Parkway rising; completion is expected by early May 2022!

The Burial of Electric Wires along Main Street will be done in two phases. Phase 1 of the project, from Prospect Street to Conklin Street, begins this April and we anticipate 4 months to complete.
In April 2023 we plan on Phase 2 to begin, from Conklin Street to South Front Street; again, we expect 4 months to complete the second phase of the project.

A $400,000 grant from State Senator Kevin Thomas is being used for this project in conjunction with Nassau County Grants."

MD: What other infrastructure improvements do you hope to start in Farmingdale this year?

"Five Corners Park, located at the intersection of Melville Road, Main Street, and Fairview Road, is undergoing rehabilitation. Nassau County approved the project and a $150,000 grant from Nassau County will be utilized for the rehabilitation project. The project has commenced and some of the upgrades for 5 Corners Park include: a new gazebo, new lighting, new shrubs/plantings, stones, several benches, new signage, and stockade fence along the rear perimeter of the park."

MD: What is your plan to keep residents' taxes down while continuing to bring in new businesses and improve the quality of life?

RE: "We have been within the 2% tax cap since its inception (over 10 years) and will continue to do so!

Safety is paramount! We are getting a new Advance life support ambulance, and a power lift for our older one, with help from a grant from State Senator Kevin Thomas.

The Farmingdale Fire Department is getting two John Deer Gators to aid in rescue and fire operations also with grants from Senator Thomas. And we would like to recognize that since his election, Senator Thomas has gotten $1.45 million in grant funds for the Village!

Happy New Year Everyone!"