North Hempstead, NY – Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth and members of the Town Board unanimously approved on September 9 legislation requiring public utility companies to place a warning sign on any pole installed after January 2014 that has been treated with Pentachlorophenol (Penta), a known carcinogen. The text of the sign reads: “Notice-This Pole contains a hazardous chemical. Avoid prolonged contact with this pole. Wash hands or other exposed area thoroughly if contact is made.” Penalties for non-compliance with the law include a fine of $500 for the first conviction and $1,000 for a second.

The Board also voted to require utility companies and phone carriers to remove any “decommissioned” utility poles, commonly known as “double-poles” from Town roadways giving 30 days for each utility to remove its ”plants” (wires attached to the pole) and an additional 30 days to remove the pole itself. In addition, all new poles will require a permit and payment of a fee. The Superintendent of Highways will notify all utilities at the same time that the double pole must be removed.

In other news

• A resolution passed adopting an ordinance setting a uniform speed limit of 30 mph on portions of Roslyn Road. Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs spoke in support of the change, citing safety concerns along that road due to speed limits that vary from 30 to 40 mph along the road, which is confusing to drivers. Town Councilman Peter Zuckerman proposed the change to a consistent 30 mph starting from I.U. Willets Road, northbound, to the Town of North Hempstead and Village of East Hills boundary line and southbound from the Long Island Expressway to I.U. Willets Road.
  
  
• A public hearing on the application of Blumenfeld Development group for a site plan review of the former Pergament property at 2350 Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park was adjourned until October 21. During the public hearing on this matter, neighbors expressed concern about this new construction adding to traffic on local streets. In order to alleviate that issue, the Town’s Planning Commissioner preferred that the gym owner obtain a curb cut on Jericho Turnpike which Town officials are hopeful the State Department of Transportation will support. The hearing was adjourned until October 21 in order to give the State DOT time to react to the application for the the additional curb cut.
  
  “Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that the empty Pergament site is replaced with something that benefits the Town of North Hempstead as well as the community,” said Supervisor Bosworth.
  
  
• A local law was unanimously adopted that banned skateboarding, and in-line skating on certain Town streets in Manhasset in the interest of Public Safety and protecting pedestrians and drivers.