Peterkin Park in Amityville is scheduled to get a facelift, thanks to two state grants totaling between $375,000 and $400,000.

The plans, on the drawing board for awhile, have been placed into the hands of the Land Tek Group of Amityville, the firm that completed work at the Nautical Park on Ocean Avenue and Merrick Road. Work is expected to begin late spring, early summer, according to Diane Sheridan, the Village's Administrator.

The funding came from New York State Assemblyman Robert Sweeney and New York State Senator Chuck Fuschillo's offices.

"The most important work is aerating the pond and repairing the bulkheading around it," said Sheridan. "New lighting and fencing will be installed and the bridge on the north side of the pond will be restored.

Finally, the parking area on the east side of the park will be refurbished.

"When it is all finished, it should be beautiful," said Sheridan.

No additional work is planned for the playground, which had new equipment installed two years ago.

The work will help revitalize the entire area, which is undergoing major changes. The property to the northeast of the park which has, for years, been an industrial site, with heavy trucks in and out has been sold. The new owners have applied to the Village for a rezoning to Senior Citizen, Multiple Residence.

"All of this will make a big difference for the residents of that area," said Sheridan.

In other business, the Village board recently:

+recognized Mike Esposito, the owner and operator of Mike's Pizzeria and Vittorio's Restaurant in the Village as he celebrated the fifth anniversary of Vittorio's. "You have been a big part of improving the heart of our Village and we wanted to recognize you on this anniversary," said Mayor Imbert. "Your efforts have helped to improve the look of our downtown tremendously.

Vittorio's is located in the old Phanemiller's Drug Store building, which had become run down following the business closing approximatley ten years ago. "What you have done there has been fabulous," said Imbert.

Esposito accepted his award and then excused himself, telling the board he had "some cooking to do."

+announced plans for expanding the Colonial lighting along Merrick Road. The Village must get DOT approval before it completes the work, which is funded with $224,000 from NYS Assemblyman Robert Sweeney's office and $34,000 from Suffolk County. That work is in addition to the lighting that developers have or will install along that route, including Stop and Shop. The Village is looking to continue that practice as other developers come before the village for approval.

+heard from Trustee Peter Casserly that the Fire Department responded to 12 general alarms, 85 rescues, five miscellaneous and 7 mutual aid calls during February.

+heard from Trustee Joe Slack who reported that the Senior Citizen center was proceeding with plans for numerous events and trips and that the Village Highway Department laid down 12 tons of salt and sand to clear Village streets during the snow and ice storm at the end of February.

+heard from Trustee Johnson who reported that the court activity for the month of February included handling 297 traffic tickets, and 74 other summonses for a total revenue received of $4,690, of which $2,505 went to the Village's parking commission.

+heard from Trustee Richard Ubert who reported that the building department took in $7,050 during the month of February.

The next regular Village board meeting will be held Monday, March 26, 8 p.m., Village Hall