North Hempstead allocates rest of town's $10M funding from American Rescue Act

North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena announced Wednesday that she has earmarked more than $9 million in federal pandemic-recovery funds for five infrastructure projects around the town.

Standing near the intersection of Cherry Lane and Westbury Avenue in Carle Place, DeSena said five projects — three in Carle Place, one in Manhasset and one in Port Washington — will receive American Rescue Plan Act funding. North Hempstead was awarded more than $10 million in federal stimulus and has used just over $1 million to offset lost revenue in the Port Washington Parking District, town officials said.

“These projects will help repair, maintain and expand critical infrastructure throughout our town, and significantly improve the quality of life of our residents,” DeSena said.

In Carle Place, $2 million will be allocated to replace sidewalks along Westbury Avenue. The project will be in conjunction with Nassau County’s plan to repave Westbury Avenue between Jamaica Boulevard and Carle Place Road.

At the news conference, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said contracts to repave the road will go out to bid soon and they are hoping to start work by the spring.

Two parks in Carle Place — Charles J. Fuschillo Park and Eighth & Asbury Ballfield — will each receive about $1 million for renovations, DeSena said. Earlier this year, her administration announced the Fuschillo Park project would receive $1 million from the Long Island Rail Road’s Community Benefit Fund, designed to support local initiatives intended to ensure quality-of-life throughout the construction phase of the recently completed Third Track project. 

Longtime Carle Place resident John T. Heslin said residents have been asking for some time for repairs to the roads and sidewalks. However, he said he would like to see additional enforcement to keep commercial trucks off the road to keep the roadways in good condition.

Heslin, who is president of the Carle Place Senior Citizens, said he is excited to see renovations at Fuschillo Park, where he holds meetings for the group.

“I have 180 senior citizens [in the group],” Heslin said. “We have anywhere from 85 to 95 every Tuesday at our meeting. They’re going to be so happy when I tell them Tuesday that something is going to happen.”

Port Washington’s Sunset Park will also receive about $2 million for renovations. Under DeSena’s plan, a project to convert the private septic tanks of businesses on Plandome Road in Manhasset to a public sewer system will receive $3 million. Earlier this year, state officials announced $5 million in state funds would be allocated to advance the initiative.

“This is a project that has long been overdue,” said Matthew Donno, co-president of the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce. “This $3 million will help pay for the completion of the project along with pump systems for all of the stores.”

Donno said businesses along Plandome Road, especially restaurants, can pay as much as $50,000 to $70,000 annually to pump their septic tanks.

“Having a sewer system would help alleviate that part of the equation,” he said.