(Editor's Note: The following letter was sent to Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and the Town Board. It is being reprinted here at the civic association's request.)

The Duffy Park Civic Association would like to thank the Town of Oyster Bay Board and the department officials for giving the proper attention to our concerns with the demolition of the TOB Parking Garage. At this time we are anticipating the same attention to the matter of replacing the garage.

On July 28, the Duffy Park Civic Association held a special meeting to discuss what our stand on the parking garage would be. Along with our civic we had representation from Hicksville Gardens, Midland and West Green civics, as well as representatives from Senator Craig Johnson's and Assemblyman Rob Walker's office. With total agreement from the residents in attendance, the Duffy Park Civic Association would like to go on record that we are against the parking garage being rebuilt in its current location and we are asking the Oyster Bay Town Board not to rush into the decision of the rebuilding of the structure until all alternative suggestions are considered.

First we would like to explain our concerns about having the parking garage placed back into its current location.

This structure is too close to the adjacent residential homes:

• Safety issues of debris such as toilet bowls and other garbage thrown into their yards;

• Lack of privacy, individuals watching them in their homes and yards;

• Lighting from garage shining into homes;

• Noise from individuals hanging out in the parking lot and car alarms going off throughout the day;

• Original owners not involved in 1971 with the parking garage; they should be involved 2008.

Commuter Safety:

• Dangerous intersection for commuter crossing; just two weeks ago a pedestrian was killed crossing at Newbridge and Duffy Avenue. There are numerous automobile accidents at this corner;

• Back in 1971 it was not necessary [to conduct] a traffic study. This is now 2008. This intersection can not handle the traffic that is there now. How will it be able to handle more cars and pedestrians?;

• Pedestrians do not exit only at the corner of Duffy Avenue. They exit through the easement located between the two AIG buildings. There is no crosswalk there; they are walking right into traffic.

Environmental:

• Routes 106 and 107 are used for commercial traffic, commuter traffic and mall traffic. With all this added traffic through Hicksville, the quality of air is very poor (not to mention the added bonus of asphalt fumes) all within 100 feet of residential properties. An environmental study should be done.

Hicksville Commuter:

• Will the extra parking be designated to Hicksville residents since we are the ones dealing with all the negative influence of the commuter parking?;

• How will the permits be monitored?;

• What about increasing the dollar amount for parking permits to help offset the cost of the rebuilding of the garage?

• Will monitoring of the permits be done on a day-to-day basis to ensure the cars belong to TOB residents?

The following were alternative suggestions that we would like to bring to your attention:

• Do not rebuild the parking garage; keep as ground lot;

• Allocate the money throughout all the train stations in the Town of Oyster Bay to extend their parking capabilities;

• Work with the MTA to increase stops to these stations to encourage commuters to park in their own towns;

• The TOB property located behind the town Highway Department (off the service road) cannot be used for constructing buildings due to contaminated property. Make it a parking lot and provide a shuttle bus for the commuters to the train station;

• Landia Station should not be a dead issue. This would benefit the Syosset station (due to gaps) and alleviate North Shore traffic to Hicksville. Again work with the MTA to increase stops to this station.

If we must rebuild a garage in Hicksville here are some other alternatives:

• Parking lots H-16 and H-18 (north side of tracks); the station platform ends in this approximate area; it can be incorporated into the parking garage. This would be a safer situation due to fewer commuters needing to cross major roads.

• Place 3-level parking on both town parking lots H-16 and H-18 (keeping Duffy Avenue as a ground parking lot). This would give you the same amount of parking spaces;

• Construction would not cause traffic backups on major roads or inconvenience residents.

• Traffic could be controlled. One side street could be designated as a left-hand turn only onto West John with a light, another side street for right-hand-turn only and Barclay for right-hand-turn only onto Newbridge. 3 exits compared to the one on Duffy Ave.

• Asphalt Plant Property: A state-of-the-art "transportation hub" - buses could be incorporated in this area, alleviating more traffic on Newbridge Road.

We have already been told it is an unrealistic time frame to use this area, but once again, why do we need to rush into making a decision that will affect Hicksville for decades.

On behalf of the Duffy Park Civic Association we hope the Town of Oyster Bay Board and officials will take our concerns and alternatives into consideration.

John Keyer

President

Duffy Park Civic Association, Inc.