Massapequa Cares Members Honored At Village Board Meeting

Massapequa Cares, a community organization that caters to the veterans of the area, was saluted by Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna this week for their tireless efforts to help those who served our country.

Special recognition was given to Massapequa Cares at the village board meeting for their work at the annual event they held at the in Northport this past March, where clothes, treats, and, most importantly, entertainment and fun were provided for the grateful residents there.

Altadonna not only acknowledged the Northport event, but also the recent influx of funding for Massapequa Cares from multiple donors (including the Massapequa Kiwanis), which was previously on the verge of going out of business.

“I heard it was a very successful endeavor once again,” Altadonna said. “I also heard that money is coming in and that Massapequa Cares has been saved. That’s a good thing...the tradition will continue, and hopefully for a long time.”

Members of Massapequa Cares who participated in the Northport Veterans’ Hospital event were invited down to this week’s Village Board meeting, where they were presented with certificates of merit by the Mayor and his trustees.

Other business covered at the meeting included the authorization of the Mayor to sign an agreement to hire Squire Sanders, LLP, as Village Bond Counsel.

“As we all know, due to world events, bond rates continue to come down,” Altadonna said. “So, we’re going to explore two goals. One, we’re going to refinance some of our bonds so we can save some money. Two, over the years, our capital has decreased, and we need to, even in bad times, invest in our infrastructure and our roads. Not to the degree that we would in good times, but we’ve got to find a balance.”

During the public question section of the meeting, Altadonna addressed a resident’s concern over Sunrise Highway, possibly being declared a for children forced to cross it on foot when walking to school.  The issue has concerned a number of parents in the Massapequa school district and Altadonna was asked by some residents to look into the matter to see if the village could be of any assistance.

“I think it’s going to happen,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s going to happen before the end of this school year, but I’m pretty sure that for the next school year, it will happen. And we’re not averse to taking a ride up to Albany to help it along.”

The next meeting of the Massapequa Park Village Board is scheduled for Monday, May 21, at 8 p.m.