Hempstead Town Notebook: Taxpayer Forums, Theater Files for Liquor License

Clavin to Hold Taxpayer Forums

Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin has announced his winter series of taxpayer forums at local libraries. As part of his job to make government work effectively for the residents of the township, Clavin will discuss important issues such as assessment challenges, tax exemptions, tax discounts, property tax payment dates and convenient tax payment options.

Tax Forums are scheduled as follows:

• Jan. 12, 2 p.m. - Lynbrook Library, 56 Eldert St.
• Jan. 17, 1 p.m. - Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road
• Jan. 19, 1 p.m. - Hewlett-Woodmere Library, 1125 Broadway
• Jan. 25, 2 p.m. - Oceanside Public Library, 30 Davison Ave.
• Jan. 26, 2 p.m. - Levittown Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane
• Feb. 2, 2 p.m. - Hempstead Library, 115 Nichols Court
• Feb. 8, 1 p.m. - Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike
• Feb. 9, 2 p.m. - Baldwin Library, 2385 Grand Ave.
• Feb. 21, 2 p.m. - Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave.

Forums are free, and all are welcome to attend. For further information about taxpayer forums, please call the Office of the Receiver of Taxes at (516) 538-1500.

Town Rallies Against Movie Theater Liquor License

A national movie theatre company, American Multi-Cinema, Inc., has announced its intention to file an application for a license to sell beer, wine and liquor at the theater.

The Town of Hempstead rallied in front of the AMC Loews Nassau Metroplex 10 in Levittown on Saturday to oppose the movie theater's decision to file for a liquor license.

Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes -- both Levittown residents themselves -- expressed their opposition to the theater's application in a letter dated Dec. 9.

“The safety of our children is at stake," Murray said. "The sale of alcoholic beverages in a wholesome neighborhood cinema is an outrageous idea.”

Town Unveils Wind Turbine

On Monday, the town unveiled a state-of-the-art wind turbine that will provide the energy necessary to create hydrogen gas, which is being used to power the town’s fuel cell cars. This “closed loop” energy system is completely green in producing fuel for vehicles that emit no pollutants.

The wind turbine, which is located the township’s Conservation and Waterways Department in Point Lookout, stands 121 feet tall. The “windmill” is capable of generating up to 180 megawatts of power per year.

Powered by winds off the Atlantic coast, the turbine will provide an almost continuous source of energy that will facilitate a water-to-hydrogen process. The resulting hydrogen fuel is dispensed from Long Island’s only hydrogen fueling station, located adjacent to the turbine. Ultimately, the hydrogen fuel is utilized to power Toyota fuel-cell vehicles operated by the town, as well as a hydrogen/natural gas bus.

The town is negotiating with another major fuel-cell vehicle manufacturer to secure additional cars.

Funding for the wind turbine was drawn from a $4.6-million United States Department of Energy grant secured by the Town of Hempstead. The wind-powered device had a total cost of almost $615,000. Additionally, electrical and marine bulkheading work associated with the project was performed “in-house” by town personnel, and had an estimated private sector value of over $150,000.