Newly elected Amityville Fire Department Chiefs, shown, left to right, are Chief Kevin P. Smith, First Assistant James Juliano, Second Assistant Arthur E. Smith and Third Assistant Harold C. Miller. Photo by Joe Turner

Over the years, the playground at Peterkin Park has had its share of ups and downs. Now, the park is scheduled for renovations as part of a major overhaul to the popular recreational area.

Several months ago, Amityville Village, working with the Park Commission began plans to restore the play area at the park, located on Oak Street between Bayview and Broadway. That work will include replacing the play units, putting in new bulkhead at the lake, sidewalks, fencing and landscaping. Part of the project also includes making the park handicapped accessible.

A total cost of the complete project has not been determined, but the Village is ready to purchase the new play equipment at a cost of approximately $28,000. Funding for that equipment comes from a grant from the Federal Community Development Program.

The renovations will include replacing some of the old obsolete equipment, the modular play units there now will be repaired and a newer integrated play unit will be installed. The swings will be moved to a safer area and the seats will be replaced.

In addition the Village will repair and replace sidewalks near the park, as well as install new fencing, and bulkheading on the south side of the lake. New benches, trees, and scrubs will beautify the area.

"The lake will also be cleaned," said Trustee Peter Casserly in discussing some of the work at a recent Village Board meeting.

The Village is monitoring the water levels at the lake, which are low. Village Administrator Roberta Hirsch said employees have checked to ensure that the low water table is not the result of any drainage problems. "It is probably due simply to the lack of rain," said Hirsch.

The work at the park will be done in phases, as additional revenue comes available either through general funds or grants, said Hirsch. Trustee Casserly is expected to give the Village Board a report on the estimated price tag on the entire project next week.

In other Village beautification projects, the 9-11 Memorial Garden at the Railroad Avenue parking field, a joint project of the Chamber of Commerce and Village is well underway, though no work has begun there yet. The Village has put out a bid for the cost of the brick and concrete work that needs to be done there and those bids are to be returned by May 23.

"All other work on this park will be done by volunteers through the respective community organizations and businesses," said Casserly. The unveiling is still slated for the July Family Fest.

The Village also announced that the demolition of the houses at 191, 195, 201, and 205 Merrick Road, between Ocean and Riverside Avenues, is to begin shortly. Hirsch said the Village is waiting for the Suffolk County to relocate the tenants at 195 and then the Village can set about the task of demolishing the buildings. The site will be baited and cleared of rodents before that process begins, said Hirsch.

Mayor Peter Imbert said that the delay in tearing down the buildings, which will be replaced by a Nautical park, was due to the Village’s decision to work with the families living in the homes. The County was helping to relocate them, but that has been a long process.

The Village has accepted a bid from Watral Brothers Contracting to tear down the buildings and dispose of the debris, at a cost of $96,000. That is considerably higher than the Village had anticipated but are due, said Hirsch, to the high price the contractor will have to pay for disposal. Since one of the houses has asbestos flooring and some asbestos in the roof, the debris must be taken to an approved landfill where disposal costs are high.

The cost of the demolition is funded through a $100,000 grant from the County’s Greenways program. Additional funding sources for developing the site into a Nautical Park are currently being explored by the Village.

"The main focus of the Village has been to get the buildings down," said Imbert "After the buildings are down the area be be greatly improved and we can go from there."

The Village also announced that:

•Dara Caramanico has been hired for the position of seasonal police officer. She will begin her training at the Academy and be employed as a summer addition to the police force;

•they would be monitoring the situation at 164 Sterling Place, after resident Valerie Miller complained that the building is once again being used for religious services as The Fellowship Church. Building Inspector John Lauria said the building has not been approved for a public assembly permit because it does not meet the code;

•the Fire Department held an Installation ceremony for Chief Kevin Smith, who replaces Chief Rocco Juliano. Assistant Chiefs James Juliano and Arthur Smith move up, and newly elected 3rd Asst. Harold Miller took his place in the Chief’s office;

•summer employment applications are being accepted and that Beach Pavilion permit requests are being taken for the upcoming summer season.

•registration for recreation and swimming programs in the Village begins Tuesday, June 25, Village Court, 3:30 to 5 p.m. It continues June 26, and 27 same time, same location. July 1 and 2 registration will be at the Village Beach 10:30 a.m. to noon. For information, Call Village Hall, 631-264-6000.