MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
held on March 11, 2026
PRESENT:
Lawrence Ceriello, Mayor
Patricia Miller, Deputy Mayor
Gregory LiCalzi, Trustee
Bruno Carusone, Trustee
Regina Im, Trustee
Paul Pepper, ESQ., Village Attorney, Morici & Morici
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PUBLIC HEARING
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF MUNSEY PARK
MARCH 11, 2026
7:30 P.M.
MAYOR CERIELLO: We're going to start with the Pledge of Allegiance. Let's stand.
(Whereupon, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.)
MAYOR CERIELLO: Okay, we have our court reporter here. We're adopting Local Law 1 of 2026. This is called the Tax Cap Override. Tax increases by governmental entities in New York
are subject to a cap, I think which is roughly, Paul, is it the inflation rate.
VILLAGE ATTORNEY PEPPER: It's adjusted. It's roughly about two percent. I don't remember exactly what it is this year.
MAYOR CERIELLO: It changes every year. And before we adopt our budget and
determine what the tax load will be, we have to -- if we don't adopt this override, we're
limited to whatever the rate of inflation is or whatever the State sets for municipalities. So
we don't often know what our budget is going to look like. We're going to start that tonight.
But the tax cap override gives the opportunity to impose a tax increase larger than the tax
cap. Now, historically, Munsey Park has not exceeded that. I pulled the information for
the last, like, 13 years and our average increase was 1.3 percent over that time period
whereas, inflation was about three percent for that period. We do it as a matter of precaution. If
something comes up at the last minute and we have to increase our taxes because the only
place we get revenue is from -- well, we get it from a couple of different buckets, but most of
it comes from the residents through taxes. We could be in a budget shortfall. And it's nice
to have. In some villages, it's a must have, but we do it as a matter of precaution.
So, Paul, we had announced that we were going to do this in the January or February
meeting, I forget.
VILLAGE ATTORNEY PEPPER: I believe it was announced last month.
MAYOR CERIELLO: And now we're going to adopt the local law; is that right?
VILLAGE ATTORNEY PEPPER: Yes, that's what we'll be doing now. We can have a motion
to open the public hearing on the proposed local law.
MAYOR CERIELLO: Great. So we'll open up the public meeting by motion.
Who'll second?
DEPUTY MAYOR MILLER: Second.
MAYOR CERIELLO: All in favor?
TRUSTEE LICALZI: Aye.
TRUSTEE CARUSONE: Aye.
TRUSTEE IM: Aye.
DEPUTY MAYOR MILLER: Aye.
MAYOR CERIELLO: Aye.
So I'm going to move that we adopt Local Law 1 of the year 2026 and I'll read it.
It's pretty short. Be it enacted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Munsey Park for the Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York: It's the intent of this local law to allow the Incorporated Village of Munsey Park to adopt a budget for the fiscal year
commencing June 1st, 2026 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the "tax levy
limit" -- that's the cap that I was referring to -- as defined by General Municipal Law
section 3-C. This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law Section 3-C, which expressly authorizes a local government's governing body to override the
property tax cap for the coming fiscal year by the adoption of a local law approved by the
vote of 60 percent of the governing body. The Board of Trustees of the Village of
Munsey Park, County of Nassau, is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal
year commencing June 1, 2026 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the amount
otherwise prescribed in General Municipal Law 3-c. If a court determines that any clause,
sentence, paragraph, subdivision or part of this local law or the application thereof to
any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance is invalid or unconstitutional,
the court's order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this
local law but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph,
subdivision or part of this local law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or
corporation or other circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such
judgment or order shall be rendered. This local law shall take effect
immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Do I have a second on this motion?
TRUSTEE CARUSONE: Second.
MAYOR CERIELLO: All in favor?
DEPUTY MAYOR MILLER: Aye.
TRUSTEE LICALZI: Aye.
TRUSTEE IM: Aye.
TRUSTEE CARUSONE: Aye.
MAYOR CERIELLO: Aye.
Okay. Thank you. That's it.
(Whereupon, the Public Hearing was concluded.)
PUBLIC MEETING
A motion to open the public meeting was made by Mayor Ceriello, seconded by Deputy Mayor Miller and approved by all.
MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes for February 11, 2026, Board of Trustees meeting was made by Trustee LiCalzi, seconded by Trustee LiCalzi, and approved by all.
NEW BUSINESS
BSA EAGLE SCOUT RECOGNITION
The Village of Munsey Park proudly recognizes individuals who strive to make a meaningful difference and contribute to the strength of our community. In honor of these values, Mayor Ceriello has proclaimed Sunday, March 22, 2026, as a Day of Special Recognition throughout the Village of Munsey Park. On this day, the Village celebrates Eagle Scouts Nicholas Katsoulis, Charles Jettmar, Christopher Katsoulis, and Owen Lambert, acknowledging their outstanding achievements, dedication, and service.
76 KENSETT ROAD - MELVIN
Ryan Melvin presented his appeal of the Building Advisory Committee’s decision to deny his request to omit shutters on the windows located on the east and west elevations of his home. Mr. Melvin explained that multiple obstructions prevent their installation and noted that the windows have limited visibility.
The Board voted to approve Mr. Melvin’s appeal of the Building Advisory Committee’s decision denying the omission of shutters on the east and west elevations at 76 Kensett Road, and the motion carried as follows:
Mayor Ceriello – NAY
Deputy Mayor – AYE
Trustee Carusone – AYE
Trustee Im – AYE
Trustee LiCalzi – AYE
863 HUNT LANE – ZINNANTI
Pat Zinnanti presented his application for a set of side yard fences and a gate. Fences are not permitted under the Village of Munsey Park Code; however, residents may appeal to the Board based on hardship. After consideration, the Board did not grant approval of the requested fences and directed Mr. Zinnanti to consult with Paul Pepper, Village Attorney, to determine the next steps.
MUNSEY PARK WOMAN’S CLUB BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
The Munsey Park Woman’s Club presented three interactive, child-friendly items that they would like to donate to the Village. The items include a magnifying glass feature and a tic-tac-toe game, both of which were available for review at the presentation. A third item, currently on order, will be an informational signage panel, typically mounted on a post. The Board discussed potential locations for these items; however, no final determination was made.
RESOLUTION TO EXTEND POOL MORATORIUM
Deputy Mayor Miller made a motion to extend the pool moratorium pursuant to the local law to extend until May 13, 2026, seconded by Trustee Carusone and approved by all.
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING INCREASED AID TO MUNICIPALITIES AND STRENGTHENING NEW YORK’S STATE-LOCAL PARTNERSHIP
The Mayor made a motion to adopt the following resolution, seconded by Deputy Mayor Miller and approved by all.
WHEREAS, Governor Kathy Hochul released her 30-day amendments to the Executive Budget, which include an additional $100 million in Temporary Municipal Assistance (TMA) to be allocated in the same manner as in the past two years; and
WHEREAS, these additional investments reflect a recognition that New York’s strength begins in its cities, villages, and towns, and that a strong state-local partnership is essential to delivering the services, infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life that residents expect and deserve; and
WHEREAS, local governments across New York continue to face mounting fiscal pressures driven by inflation, increased service demands, infrastructure needs, and rising operational costs, while striving to provide relief to taxpayers amid a rising cost of living; and
WHEREAS, NYCOM Executive Director Barbara Van Epps, along with mayors from across the State, testified at the Local Government Joint Budget Hearing in Albany, advocating for increased unrestricted aid and a strengthened state-local partnership; and
WHEREAS, the additional $100 million in TMA will offer meaningful assistance to many municipalities statewide, helping to address fiscal challenges and maintain essential services for residents;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Munsey Park applauds Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of investing in local governments and for reaffirming her commitment to strengthening New York’s cities and villages; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Munsey Park urges the New York State Legislature to include, at a minimum, this additional $100 million in Temporary Municipal Assistance in the adopted state budget; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Munsey Park calls upon the Governor and the State Legislature to develop a more permanent and predictable solution for unrestricted municipal aid to ensure long-term fiscal stability for New York’s local governments; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Temporary President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the members of the State Legislature representing the Village of Munsey Park.
PROPOSED BUDGET 2027
The Board reviewed the proposed budget, which will be considered for adoption at a public hearing on April 8, 2026.
INTERMUNICIPAL COOPERATION (GRANT - SIDEWALKS)
Mayor Ceriello made a motion to approve the following agreement, seconded by Deputy Mayor Miller and approved by all. The agreement is between the County of Nassau, NY and the Incorporated Village of Munsey Park in relation to intermunicipal cooperation. This agreement made and dated as of the date March 11, 2026 is executed by Nassau County, by and between the County of Nassau, a municipal corporation, having its principal offices at 1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, New York 1150; and the Incorporated Village of Munsey Park, having its principal offices at 1777 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, New York 11030.
VILLAGE REPORTS
JUSTICE REPORT: The Monthly Justice Report for February 2026 notes total fines assessed in the amount of $585.00.
BUILDING REPORT: The Building Report notes that between June 1, 2025, to March 5, 2026, a total of 85 permits has been issued totaling $135,490 in Building Permit Fees.
POLICE REPORT: The Police Report incident February 2026 notes no Burglary-Residence, no Burglary-Business, no Robberies, no Larceny-Auto incident, no Larceny (other than auto), no Criminal Mischief incidents and a total of 12 summonses
(9 Movers and 3 Parkers).
Questions/Comments were received from the following residents:
Scott Arenare, Mike Campbell, Holly Wilson, Grace Nystrom, Steven Carbone
The motion to close the Board of Trustees public meeting was made by Deputy Mayor Miller, seconded by Trustee Carusone and unanimously approved at 9:22 pm.
______________________________ ______________________________
Lawrence A. Ceriello Tara Gibbons
Mayor Treasurer/Clerk