Mineola schools facing $19G fine for removing trees, North Hempstead says

The Mineola school district is facing up to $19,000 in fines after the Town of North Hempstead cited the district for improperly removing nine trees from its high school campus, town officials said.

For years, the Washington Avenue side of Mineola High School had been blanketed by trees that towered over the brick building, with leaves that turned light green in the spring. 

But in July, district workers chopped down the trees, and in August, the town cited the district for 11 code violations. The violations were for the nine trees cut down; one for not having a building permit to conduct the work; and another for not displaying a building permit while removing the trees, said Derek Skuzenski, the town's public safety commissioner.

The fine for improperly removing a tree ranges from $350 to $1,000. The fine for subsequent offenses ranges from $600 to $2,000. The fine for not having or displaying a building permit ranges from $0 to $1,000.

The town argues that since the trees were within the public "right of way," the district needed a permit before proceeding with the work. 

"Generally, schools, being special districts, are exempt from a lot of zoning requirements," Skuzenski said. "However, these trees happen to be within the town's right of way, so they were required to comply with the town policy and get a permit."

To remove a tree in North Hempstead, an arborist must conduct an inspection or issue a report.

Mineola High School is in Garden City Park, an unincorporated hamlet that falls under the town’s jurisdiction.

The district received an appearance ticket for District Court in Hempstead on Aug. 23. The appearance was adjourned and rescheduled for Oct. 11, Skuzenski said.

Jessica Novins, a spokeswoman for the district, said Mineola "does not comment on legal matters." Asked why Mineola removed the trees, the district declined to comment.

Elizabeth Fine, an attorney representing the district, also declined to comment.

Dennis Walsh, a town board member who represents Mineola, said he got several calls from residents complaining about the chopped-down trees. Walsh said he hopes the district agrees to replant the trees and does not only have to pay a fine.

On the first day of school last week, the school was buzzing with activity. Students streamed into the front doors with backpacks and binders, hopes and anxieties. 

Rosa Martins, 46, of Mineola, drove her son and daughter to school last week. She was disappointed when she saw the trees were no longer there.

"I think it’s nice to see the trees," she said. "It’s sad."

Paul Boccia, whose construction company is across the street from the school, said he was shocked when he saw the trees had been taken down.

"I drove by and was like, ‘Oh god, what happened to my trees?’ " Boccia said. "I miss them."

By Joshua Needelman

joshua.needelman@newsday.com

Joshua Needelman covers the Town of North Hempstead for Newsday. A Long Island native and University of Maryland graduate, his work has appeared in publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post.