Hempstead Town Board Hires Private Firm to Help with Redistricting

The Hempstead Town Board on Tuesday approved a $5,000 contract with Schenectady-based Skyline Demographic Consultants Inc. to help with the town's upcoming redistricting.

The board voted 4-0 to approve the contract with Skyline, which would analyze population data to be used by the town attorney's office in redrawing the six-district map.

The town board would vote on the new map, spokesman Michael Deery said. The board will propose a map before a redistricting hearing on March 19, Deery said.

But the Town of Hempstead Democratic Committee said that the Republican-controlled town board should discuss the potential new map with a bipartisan committee before it is voted on.

"Not only should Republicans, Democrats and all the political parties have access to the process, but groups concerned with fairness and good government should all be included and participate, a nonpartisan commission must be formed and must hold public hearings in each district about the proposed map," said Bob Young, first deputy leader of the Town of Hempstead TOHDC in a release.

District maps are redrawn every 10 years as required by law, to account for demographic changes. The town's population of nearly 760,000 grew by 0.5 percent from 2000 to 2010, but the minority population grew much faster in areas such as Elmont, Valley Stream and Freeport, advocates and redistricting experts said.

Hempstead Town Extends Building Department Fee Waiver Program for Sandy Victims Rebuilding and Repairing Homes

Months after Hurricane Sandy left behind unprecedented damage across Hempstead Town, many victims are still rebuilding their homes and restoring their lives. Some neighbors are still awaiting important storm-related insurance and relief checks needed to fund home repairs.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and the town board have extended a helpful program through June 1, 2013, that includes a waiver of all building department permit fees for Sandy victims faced with house reconstruction or storm-related repairs.

Initially established in the wake of the Superstorm, under the direction of Murray and the Town Board, all Hempstead Town Building Department fees are waived for Sandy-related structural repairs that conform to original dimensions and specifications, commonly referred to as “in-kind” repairs/replacement.

Additionally, all fees have been waived for temporary housing trailers and storage pods during construction. Furthermore, the town has eliminated a requirement for homeowners to obtain a variance prior to increasing their home’s foundation to comply with FEMA flood height standards.

The waived building department fees will save residents up to $2,500 for a permit. Building permits are required for all structural repairs and alterations to structures within the Town of Hempstead.

Hours for the Hempstead Town Building Department’s Plan Examiners remain extended. Until further notice, the planning examiners are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary for storm-related damage permit applications. However, residents can make an appointment to minimize waiting times for meeting with officials by calling (516) 812-3073.

Additionally, the town has eliminated a requirement for homeowners to obtain a variance prior to increasing their home’s elevation to comply with FEMA flood height guidelines (building department permits are required).

Hempstead Town Animal Shelter Holding Photo Contest

If you have adopted or rescued a pet from the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter (at any point), the town is inviting you to share your adopted pet's tale as part of the shelter's Happy Tails Contest. If your pet's story (and accompanying photo) is chosen, it will be featured at the Town Animal Shelter.

The contest begins March 1, 2013 and ends on March 15, 2013. All stories must be accompanied by a photo of your adopted pet.

Rules: All pets must have been adopted, rescued, or adopted from a rescue group who obtained the animal from the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter.

Image Format: Set your camera to the highest resolution and high pixel (suggested: 300 dpi at a minimum size of 8x10). Please send original digital files (jpeg only) via email as an attachment to animalinfo@tohmail.org. Emails are only able to handle a maximum of 20 MB per email.

Hempstead Town Animal Shelter Earns Perfect Marks in Two NYS Inspection Reports

The Hempstead Town Animal Shelter recently earned perfect grades from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which recently handed down its Municipal Shelter and Dog Control Officer inspection reports.

The Wantagh-based town Animal Shelter graded “satisfactory” – the highest rating possible – in all 30 categories associated with the inspections, with no deficiencies found.

Click here to read more on the animal shelter's rating.