North Hempstead · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in North Hempstead public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Stray Cat Population and Shelter Services
Residents advocated for increased municipal support and funding for stray and feral cat rescue, trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs, and emergency veterinary care, arguing that current town allocations heavily favor dog shelters over feline welfare.
Front Yard Fencing and Traffic Safety in Manhasset
Homeowners requested variances for fences in secondary front yards to protect young children, balancing privacy and family safety against driver visibility on corner lots.
Legal Defense
North Hempstead just hired outside counsel to defend its okay of the Sbarro family development project, meaning your tax dollars are officially paying for a courtroom fight. Local leaders are doubling down on their decision, but residents are left footing the legal bill.
Town-Wide Master Plan Update
The town hired BFJ Planning to update its comprehensive master plan to guide future growth and land use.
Legal Fees
North Hempstead just dropped another cool $257,000 of your tax dollars to fight a mosque lawsuit, sending the town's legal tab even higher. You're the one footing the bill for this endless courtroom drama.
Legal Expenses
North Hempstead taxpayers are on the hook for over $257,000 in legal bills just to fight a lawsuit involving the Hillside Islamic Center. That's a massive chunk of the town's budget spent entirely on courtroom drama.
Social Media Policy
North Hempstead town leaders just rejected a push by Democrats to ban political stuff from official town social media and mailers. That means elected officials can keep using your tax-funded accounts and newsletters to share their political views.
Infrastructure and Utility Pole Removal
Residents complained about drainage issues on Lipton Lane and prolonged delays in removing double utility poles left behind by telecommunications and electric providers.
Free Speech Restrictions
North Hempstead Republicans just shut down a proposed bill that would have clamped down on what local officials can say in official communications. For now, the town's current communication rules are staying exactly where they are.
Settlement Agreement
North Hempstead just wrapped up a long legal fight by settling with the New Hyde Park mosque. Now, they can finally move forward with expanding their community facility.
Hillside Islamic Center Litigation Settlement
The town board faced intense questioning and division over settling a federal lawsuit with the Hillside Islamic Center, with critics questioning past legal expenditures and the terms of the agreement.
Religious Center Approval
North Hempstead is voting on whether to give conditional approval to the Hillside Islamic Center. It's a big deal for local zoning and land use in the area.
Building Department Reform
North Hempstead is finally fixing its famously slow building department by rolling out a new digital platform called OpenGov. This means you might actually be able to get your permits and paperwork processed without wanting to pull your hair out.
Civil Rights Lawsuit
North Hempstead is in hot water with a federal civil rights lawsuit after local officials blocked a mosque from expanding. Taxpayers could end up footing the bill for a messy and expensive court battle.
Building Department Software
North Hempstead is finally upgrading its building department software to get your permits processed faster. No more endless waiting in line or drowning in paperwork—this digital overhaul aims to make dealing with the town a lot less painful.
Place of Worship Expansion and Parking Variances
A Westbury church sought extensive area variances to convert a vacant building into a place of worship, raising resident concerns about parking deficits and neighborhood tax rolls. Representatives emphasized protections under federal religious land use laws.
Bond Rating
North Hempstead just secured its top-tier Aaa bond rating, proving the town is in fantastic financial shape. This means the local government can borrow money on the cheap without needing to hike your taxes.
Certificate of Occupancy
North Hempstead just overhauled its property certificate of occupancy process, cutting through the red tape that used to make getting your paperwork sorted a massive headache for homeowners and local businesses.
Town Board Appointment
North Hempstead's Town Board is shaking things up with a brand new member, Yaron Levy, taking over a seat. This means fresh perspectives are coming into local leadership, which could shift how the board tackles your neighborhood issues.
Legal Dispute
North Hempstead is burning more taxpayer cash to keep fighting a local mosque's expansion in court. Instead of settling, the town is doubling down on a pricey land-use battle.
Port Washington Detached Garage and Prior Violations
A former building department official urged the board to rescind fines on homeowners who purchased properties with improperly issued certificates of occupancy from the early 2000s, arguing the town bears primary responsibility for employee misconduct during that era.
Building Department Reforms
North Hempstead is overhauling its Building Department to clear out the red tape and speed up project approvals. If you've been dreading the permit process for your home renovations, dealing with the town is finally getting a much-needed upgrade.
Administrative Upgrades
North Hempstead is finally upgrading its Building Department to help cut through red tape. If you've ever tried to get a local permit or renovate your house, this means fewer headaches and hopefully a much faster process.
FAA airspace lawsuit
North Hempstead is taking the FAA to court to finally get some quiet from low-flying planes ruining local neighborhoods. If you're tired of constant aircraft noise shaking your house, this lawsuit is all about forcing the feds to change their flight paths.
Capital Improvement Bond Authorizations
The town approved over $13 million in total bond funding for street lighting, park upgrades, town facility repairs, DPW roof replacement, solid waste facility improvements, and vehicle purchases.
Administrative Appointment
North Hempstead has a brand new planning commissioner to oversee local development and land use. This change in leadership means new eyes will be reviewing the town's future projects and growth.
Administrative Appointments
North Hempstead just filled two major leadership spots, bringing in Gerard Losquadro to run the highway department and Derek Skuzenski to head up public safety. These fresh faces will be calling the shots on local roads and community security moving forward.