Weekly Roundup

Many Factors to Consider in School Budget
Don't know if you have been watching the smoke signals but they have been talking school budget again and you may want to hold on to your wallets. Mandated increases are going to rise by 13.45% in the 2006/2007 budget. Oil, gas and heating are expected to increase by 20% and finally the teacher's contract, not yet signed, is expected to include significant increases. The acquisition of Little Flower is still being discussed.

Reassessment is Likely Despite Objections........Can't believe the mild objections from Ed Densieski and John Dunleavy will be enough to stem the reassessment tide. The Town Supervisor and the Town Assessors are on board this one and the recent encouragement from Wading River circles will make this happen. The contention that some taxes will go up, some will go down and some will stay the same is a fairy tale. The Town is not going to spend one or two million on this project to break even.

Meanwhile down at the Track...................The F1 Go-Cart people have been busy promoting their track concept for Edwards Avenue. (Have your seen the promotional piece that appeared in Newsday this past week?). The neighbors of the proposed track are less than enthusiastic and the objections voiced by the proprietor of the Calverton Links and the owner of the nearby horse breeding farm had serious concerns with regard to the noise factor. This proposal needs one or more public hearings to allow sufficient comment before any approval.

Downtown - A $120 million Dollar Makeover - Town Board ready to move ahead with a major redevelopment plan for downtown to include multiplex theater, 100 residential units, multi story parking, waterfront park and an outdoor ice rink. Apollo RE and the Spector Group are at the forefront of proposals. Could be on a fast track. Decisions at next Town Board meeting, Tuesday, March 7.

Ed Densieski had proposed an outdoor ice skating rink for downtown just last week. It isn't clear if this is the same rink included in the redevelopment project. At the time of the announcment Densieski advised that $200,000 was being made available by the State for this proposal.

Calverton Civic Association Meeting Wednesday, March 8 Riley Ave School. (7:PM).........Ed Romaine, County Legislator is expected to attend. The agenda includes: F1 Go-cart Track, EPCAL, Crown Sanitation and Group home in the Manors. Non-members are welcome. Preserve residents urged to attend.