Village of Lawrence Notebook: William Street Change, Sidwalk Battle, Unwanted Fill

Following a raucous two months ago, the approved a revised map on Wednesday that will affect the flow of traffic on William Street.

Half of William Street, closest to Mulry Lane, will now be one way only toward Mulry. The other half will remain a two-way road. Trucks exiting the parking lot behind will have to make a left turn towards Mulry. Some sidewalks will be shortened or softened to enable the trucks to make the turn more easily, according to Trustee Ed Klar.

The adjustment would also restrict drivers from making a left turn on to Central Avenue from William Street and eliminate parking spots on the busy street to increase visibility.

Rock Hall Road Work

A sidewalk was recently added to Rock Hall Road to accommodate pedestrians, but the project went forward with only the mayor’s approval, according to trustees.

“We’re beyond the period of stalemate on how a sidewalk gets done,” said Mayor Martin Oliner. “I thought it would be done, so I did it.”

The trustees were also alarmed because they said they had not received a revised report from traffic firm Sam Schwartz.

“The sidewalk that was poured dead ends into the street,” said Trustee Joel Mael. “Did we ignore the comments on safety and have a sidewalk going into traffic?”

The mayor would not respond.

The village also wants to add a small island, but it needs Nassau County’s approval before moving forward, according to Village Administrator David Smollet.

Unwanted Materials

A contractor, who was not identified, apparently put up a 12-foot fence in the village marina parking lot without permission and has been storing fill there, according to the board.

The fill was apparently brought to the lot for a project being done at the club, which was scaled back, Smollet said, who added that the fill was the village’s. But the mayor said it couldn’t be.

“There’s no way the story has any truth to it. This is unacceptable,” Oliner said. “The marina lot should not be used this way. I’m shocked this happened.”

He added, “Fill is a very dangerous product. We’re not storing fill on our premises. I don’t want to get into litigation over this.”

Miscommunication

Trustee Michael Fragin expressed concerns about a recent 5K race held in back Lawrence, which he said the police department approved before it even came before the board. It’s not the first time it did that, he added.

“Trustees should not be forced in a situation with our backs against the wall that we ratify something that’s already been approved,” Fragin said.

Off Too Easy

The village judge apparently let people who were given summonses for not shoveling snow from their property off too easy.

Mael said the judge dismissed half of the summonses and gave others only $40 fines.

Apparently, a not identified board member had asked the judge to go soft on the people who were ticketed, Mael said the judge told him. Mael said he’d draw up a letter telling the judge the importance of tickets.

A Bug Problem

“From Broadway to back Lawrence, bugs have become so difficult that people have problems walking outside,” Mael said.

The village will seek a quote from a company that sprays for bugs, Oliner said.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the meeting took place on Thursday.