Politics & Government

Town of Hempstead Notebook: Animal Shelter Protest and Capital Program Announcement

A weekly look-in at news in the Town of Hempstead.

Animal Shelter Protest

Town of Hempstead residents held a protest outside Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter last weekend after a 17-year-old video of shelter workers acting inappropriately toward a kitten had been released earlier in the week.

In response to Patch's video report about the protest, a spokeswoman for the Town of Hempstead defended the adoption coordinator and rescue liaison they recently hired. She said despite what protesters have said, the two new hires do have ties to various rescue groups that they have been working with over the past two weeks to boost adoptions.

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The spokesperson also said that Supervisor Kate Murray recently reached out to one local rescue organization, Last Hope Animal Rescue, and met with its president and board members on Friday.

Shelter Vigil

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An animal advocacy group called Hope for Hempstead Shelter held an “Honor and Remember Them” vigil outside the animal shelter on Friday night for those animals who had been euthanized in the shelter. Patch will have the full video report up first thing on Monday morning.

Town Announces $50 Million Capital Program

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has proposed a $50 million Improve Hempstead Town Capital Program, an initiative that will be used to help create jobs, stimulate the economy and serve residents.

The town’s capital program will fund a host of important construction projects including roadway resurfacing, marine bulkheading, as well as the implementation of a new computer system in the Receiver of Taxes office and the development of a building for Hempstead’s ANCHOR Program, which serves residents with special needs, among other projects.

The Hempstead Town Board will consider authorizing $2.5 million of the total program funding at the March 22 town board meeting with the remaining $47.5 million to be the subject of a hearing on April 5.

VITA Tax Program Available for Seniors

Hempstead Town’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program offers free tax assistance to senior citizens.  

The Town of Hempstead Department of Senior Enrichment, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service, operates the VITA Program. Through this program, volunteers are trained to assist seniors in completing their basic income tax returns.

Residents can make appointments for tax return assistance through their local Hempstead Town senior center or club (tax filing deadline is April 15). Please note that assistance will also be available at some local libraries on a first-come, first-served basis.

To find out more information about how to utilize the VITA program, please contact the Town of Hempstead Department of Senior Enrichment at (516) 485-8100.

Board of Appeals to Meet Wednesday

The Town of Hempstead Board of Appeals will hold its regularly scheduled meetings on Wednesday, March 30, at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

To submit your comments regarding an upcoming Board of Appeals hearing, you may do so online using the BoA Hearings Comment Form, or send your comments in writing to: David P. Weiss, Chairman of the Board of Appeals, One Washington St., Hempstead, NY 11550. Comments received prior to the close of the public hearing will be made part of the record.


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