Freeport's Linemen On The Spot August 9, 2001

Complaints about drug dealing in Freeport took center stage at this past Monday’s village board meeting, but drag racing got the action.

After the board raced through the evenings agenda, the public addressed the board.

Freeporter, Brian Frazier told the board, "I've been in Freeport about two years. I live on Jesse Street. I’ve noticed a problem of drug activity, particularly on Broadway and on Parsons Avenue by Northeast Park. I would like to know what is being done about it."

Mayor Glacken told Frazier, "Chief Woodward is not here this evening, but I believe he met recently with the representatives of NEFCA [Northeast Freeport Civic Association]."

Frazier said, "I want to raise my children here. How are you going to stop the drug activity?"

Assistant Police Chief, Al Gros answered for the Mayor and the silent board of trustees, "By the use of Block grants. We utilize those funds for overtime operations in the areas of drugs, prostitution, and quality of life. The Northeast section is a particularly targeted area and the streets you are speaking about."

Junior high school student, Grace Smith, told the Mayor, "I should be able to walk down the street and not be afraid. I want to live in a safe neighborhood. The drug dealers are moving out of the south side and into the north side, mostly because of the lack of police protection in the north side. I’ve seen drug deals going down when I’m trying to get bread at the corner store. A mayor’s job is to take care of the community and fulfill the resident’s needs. That’s what we need for all of Freeport.

Neither Glacken, nor the Board, said one word. Ms. Smith walked back to her seat.

President of NEFCA, Bernie Smith, took over where his daughter, Grace, had just left off. He asked Glacken, "Since the last board meeting, have you met with the Police about the drug dealing and the crime?"

Glacken told Smith, "I’m in touch with the police every day. There is an intensive effort going on."

Smith responded, "Last October or November we met about the same problem. Since that time, there has not been a significant decrease in the drug and gang activity in Northeast Freeport. I got the same answer last October."

Glacken said, "I think better deployment of the police is the solution. We have about ninety police officers and that is all we can afford." Then, unaware of what Smith and the police recently discussed, Glacken asked Smith for the details.

Smith answered, "What was discussed was that the police force was doing the best they can, with the resources they have. If there was a conspicuous police presence, we wouldn’t have these problems." Agitated, Smith, the concerned father, added, "While the board of trustees was sleeping and doing nothing, my twelve year old daughter was approached by drug dealers on Broadway."

Glacken cut Smith off. "You cannot just stand there and say we were asleep, while all this was going on. If you are interested in genuine dialog, I don’t think that it is at all productive for you to suggest that we are not doing anything, because you know that is not true.

Smith tried to respond, "What you are doing is ---" But Glacken interrupted him again [Because of the poor acoustics, most of what Glacken had to say was unintelligible.] "You may believe that. I think we are doing everything reasonably possible. For you to suggest that we are not doing anything ---"

Smith explained, "I’m not saying you’re not doing anything. What you are doing is insufficient."

Glacken said, "Fine, Now we are clear."

Smith continued, "Since the last trustee’s meeting, a resident has told me about a gang related shooting outside his house. He and his children had to hide because of the shooting. Since the last trustee’s meeting, when I told you that this was a priority, a desperate resident risked her life, confronting drug dealers with a video camera. Because there is insufficient police coverage in the Northeast, desperate residents are putting their lives on the line, while the trustees are closing swimming pools in the middle of the summer, buying new trucks and building pretty promenades. Tell me, how many man hours are the police spending in the Northeast?"

Most of Glacken’s answer was unintelligible. All that could be made out was, "I don’t think its proper to analyze this."

Smith concluded, "It is your duty and your responsibility to be aware and respond to the needs of the community. Thank you.

For years, the Glackenites have intentionally ignored the poor acoustics in Freeport Village Hall. Your reporter, who is also a Freeport resident, has found it almost impossible, more often than not, to understand what is being said.

FreeportNYNews [FNYN] addressed the Board. "It’s almost impossible to hear what is going on. I was wondering when you plan to do something about the acoustics in this room. I was wondering what your thoughts and the Trustees thoughts are, because this has been going on for almost four years. I can’t think of anybody who hasn’t complained about the poor acoustics in this room. Can you tell me when you are planning to do something?

As the republican board sat mute, Glacken gave the same answer that he began giving over three years ago, "It will probably get done this year, sometime."

FNYN asked, "When?"

Glacken said, "I don’t have specifics."

FNYN told the Mayor, "I remind you, that according to NYS open meetings law, everybody in this room is supposed to be able to hear what is going on. It’s about time something was done about this."

For years, Freeport has been known as the place for drugs, whether for dealing, or using. Parents have been forever complaining about open drug dealing going on in front of their children. Like ostriches with their heads in the sand, the highest levels of both the Village government and the Police department have never admitted to a problem.

Margaret Lopez of Northeast Freeport was next up to the microphone. "I live across from Northeast park. In the morning, our lawns are strewn with beer bottles and other things I can’t mention. My neighbor got stuck with a hypodermic needle. I want to move because it is disgusting. I had to go out with a video camera to get a drug dealer to move. I don’t want to put my life in danger."

Many residents have complained to this reporter about the drug and gang activity going on all around Freeport.

Devorah Weinman, of South Freeport, told the Board, "One of the things that disturbs me here is the atmosphere. I don’t think you are listening to people. I live in south Freeport. I couldn’t let my kids out. It’s a horrible feeling not to be able to let your kids out to play. I don’t feel that you feel any sympathy for the people. People shouldn’t live in fear. It’s not just Northeast Freeport. It’s everywhere."

The trustees sat silent. Your reporter observed this portion of the meeting from the back of Village hall. Mayor Glacken might as well have been silent, as most of his words were incomprehensible.

The final speaker of the evening was Joe Cattano, the newly elected school board member. Upset that his neighborhood was recently invaded by gangs and drag racers, he told the Board, "I am here to discuss a quality of life issue. There are drag strips in Freeport." Glacken told Cattano, "Tell it to [police] Chief Gros."

Not satisfied with that answer, Cattano told the Mayor, "At 2 a.m. kids are out on our street in gang colors. Quality of life is deteriorating. I want to see a police presence."

Freeport's Linemen On The Spot

By Stewart Lilker

A loud explosion was heard by the residents of Lexington and Longbeach Avenues in Freeport, followed by a local loss of power. Within ten minutes, Freeport Electric’s line crew was on the spot.
     Earlier in the day, a local resident called the police to complain about oil in the street. Unknown to the police, who told the resident to spread sand on the spot, the oil was coming from the electric transformer high overhead. These transformers, know as pots, are oil cooled. Long time electric supervisor, Tony Capozzoli, said, "We’re lucky it lasted as long as it did, as a lineman, high above the street, yelled down to his fellow lineman to stand clear underneath, as the oil was "red" hot.
     Freeport’s crack line crew wound their way high above the street in the darkness, hoisting the old transformer off (see picture) and installing the new one in an hour and twenty minutes.
     FNYN has learned that the telephone pole is rotten and leaning and that the Superintendent of Electric, Hub Bianco, has been trying to get Verizon to replace the pole for years.
     About an hour and a half after the job began, the switch was pulled and power was restored.
     Thirty-eight year veteran Capozzoli said about his crew, "These guys are the best. They have been out here since early this morning. I hope we don’t get anymore calls tonight, so they can all go home and get some rest." 
      Most of the residents in the area will learn that their power went out when their alarm clocks wake them up for work, late.

ZBA Plays To Full House • Web TV & KFC Take Center Stage • Residents Strain To Hear

By Stewart Lilker

Right from the start of the August 15, 2001 Zoning Board of Appeals [ZBA] hearing, residents and members of the audience were complaining that they couldn’t hear what was being said. While some residents yelled out, most just shook their heads and whispered among themselves in disbelief of the poor acoustics. Some left early in disgust.

The first major case before the ZBA was case number 59-2000, Castle Trucking, who had made an application for what amounted to a variance for ten parking spaces.

The attorney for Castle Trucking, Arthur J. Nastre, explained to the ZBA that the company’s name was not indicative of what the company did. He explained to the ZBA that Castle Trucking was really a holding company that was involved in stock trading and web TV.

Tony Cafutti, the principle of Castle Trucking, explained to the ZBA that he was building a TV studio for web TV and that web TV is "part of the future." Responding to the ZBA he explained that "everybody is our target audience." He further explained that he would be producing financial content, news, and entertainment, as well as other things.

ZBA member Jorge Martinez asked Cafutti why he was installing a hot tub, dishwasher and a shower. Cafutti explained that it was for the use of the crew and the actors.

Nastre explained that the use of a TV studio is a permitted use according to the village building code. He told the board that the issue before them was a variance for ten parking spaces. Anticipating the objection of the village, he also mentioned that the basement of the premises had been used as an occupied space before and that there was a fire exit in the basement.

Nastre told the ZBA, "I’m sure this Board has granted a variance for more than ten spaces [before]." He told the ZBA, "We have nothing to hide." He explained that the planned renovation to build the TV studio would cost a quarter of a million dollars. He also explained to the ZBA that they would be willing to agree to the inspection of the premises by the village during all their hours of operation and he further said he would agree to not have alcoholic beverages on the premises.

"I Don't Know Much About Web TV Or Anything Else"

Deputy Village Attorney, Stephen Malone, testified for the village in opposition to the granting of a variance for the additional parking spaces, telling the ZBA, "I don’t know much about web TV or anything else." Malone told the Board that the applicants were making an undesirable change in the area because of the additional office space. Malone objected to the TV studio’s close proximity to the junior high school and also opposed the use of the basement for anything except storage.

Nastre rebutted Malone’s testimony, telling the ZBA that the basement in the building next door was converted for use as a physical therapy office.

He also told the Board that all the renovation and construction that was done in the basement was done "with the full knowledge of the building department."

William Mello of the Building Department disputed Nastre’s contention, telling the ZBA, "The Building Department was not aware of the construction. The complaint was made by a civilian." Mello did not state who the civilian was.

Nastre told FNYN that he thought it was disgraceful that it was so difficult to hear the testimony.

At the close of the testimony, the ZBA reserved decision.

Mr. Kalvin Vogt’s case was next up. Vogt, who was looking to build a new house on a vacant lot, was seeking a side yard variance for a foot. The only resident who testified lived on the street of the proposed construction. After he understood that Vogt was requesting a variance for only a foot, he told the Board, "I wouldn’t oppose it for a foot."

The Main Event • "Is The Mike On"

The case that everybody was waiting for, Kentucky Fried Chicken - Pizza Hut, was next up on the calendar. The people in the packed village hall strained to hear what was going on. During the testimony, the Chairperson of the ZBA, William Curran, kept asking, "Is the mike on?"

Howard Avrutine, the attorney for KFC - Pizza Hut told the ZBA that the restaurant would be approximately 2800 square feet with a drive through lane. He told the Board that he was asking for a variance in connection with the drive through.

Avrutine explained that the "lions share of the property is zoned business B," and some was zoned Residence A. Avrutine told the Board that the nursery previously located on the property received a variance to use part of the parcel zoned residence A for business use. Overtone told the Board that he was requesting a special exemption pursuant to sections 210-12F and 210-13 of the village code.

Avrutine told the Board that, "Glacken wrote a letter as Village Attorney supporting the business use in this residential A district." Avrutine also said, "The trees on the site will be preserved."

Throughout the testimony Mr. Curran kept asking "What?"

August Gulotta, the area manager for KFC - Pizza Hut explained to the ZBA that KFC goes after the "family business." He also told the ZBA, "We haven’t had any issues in any communities about odors from cooking." He continued, "We will have garbage pickup as often as necessary."

Gulotta explained that the restaurant would be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on weekends they would be open until midnight.

As Gulotta was addressing the ZBA, Avrutine, who was standing by his side, was straining to hear what he was saying.

Gulotta told the Board that the average ticket of KFC was $6.80 and that he expected the store to do about $3,000 a day.

When Board member Martinez asked Gulotta, "Why this location?" Gulotta explained, "Its a good location on Sunrise Highway. Forty-six thousand cars a day pass by."

Gulotta also told the Board that the total cost of the project was estimated to be $860,000.

No One Spoke In Favor

When Board Chairperson Curran asked for public comment, no one from the community spoke in favor of the project.

Resident Rita Barry of Centre Street led the opposition, telling the ZBA, "A restaurant does not fit in with the character of our neighborhood. There has been no survey of expected foot traffic from the high school [located a block away]. If the foot traffic is horrendous, the litter will be horrendous." Barry had a petition which she said was signed by over two hundred residents who were opposed to the KFC.

Resident Doreen Borchers articulated her concerns about late night truck deliveries and told the Board that she strongly objected to the restaurant.

George Gudmundsen of Park Avenue told the Board that the former use of the property as a nursery "was a benign use" and that he was concerned about "increased negative action between the students and the homeowners. Gudmundsen told the Board that he is a Nassau County Police Inspector and in his experience, "fast food restaurants are a magnet for fights and disturbances," further telling the Board, "This is about a bunch of people looking to make money."

Deputy Village Attorney, Stephen Malone, testified for the village. Malone told the Board that there is "a major difference" between the property being used as a nursery and its newly intended use as a restaurant in a residential neighborhood. Malone also voiced concerns about the traffic on Sunrise Highway and trucks using the local streets for deliveries. Malone, speaking for Mayor Glacken said, "I request that the Board deny the variance in its entirety."

Area resident, Doris Votke was clear in her opposition to the Board granting KFC a variance to build, when she told the Board, "There are bus stops and children on every corner. I’d have to move."

At 01:20 a.m., the Board adjourned the hearing and said it would be reconvened in September.

Board Makes Twelfth Hour Decision

Without warning, at 01:30 a.m., in the tradition of Freeport government, a decision was rendered after everyone went home. The Board read from a handwritten decision in the Matter of the Application of Vincent Greco. Neither Chairperson Curran nor ZBA counsel Sue Lyons made an explanation why the prepared decision wasn’t read earlier in the evening. The ZBA reserved decision almost two months before, on June 27, 2001.

Vincent Greco, along with all the resident’s of Bedell Street, save one, were opposed to installation of gas tanks on residential property and gas docks at Rick’s Marina. Rick’s Marina, owned by Richard Dillworth, is located on Bedell Street, a residential street. Most of what the Chairperson read was unintelligible. Of the ZBA members, only Robert Cardinale Jr. had the courage to vote against the Village, who supported Rick’s Marina and opposed Greco’s application. The three to one vote against Greco allows Rick’s to install the gas tanks and a gas dock. FNYN, under the Freedom of Information Law, has requested the handwritten decision as well as the complete ZBA file. A follow up story will be appearing as soon as the information is supplied.

As Greco left Village Hall, he told FNYN that he didn’t know if he was going to appeal the ZBA’s decision.

As your reporter left the building at 01:30 a.m., some six and a half hours after the ZBA convened, there was one case remaining on the calendar. The court reporter, who was given only one break, was still at her machine, shaking her numb fingers and still struggling to hear what was being said. FNYN was told that the ZBA finally adjourned for the evening at 02:00 a.m.