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Brookville, New York
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| Incorporated Village of Brookville | |
The DuPont-Guest Estate, one of Brookville's best-known landmarks
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Location in Nassau County and the state of New York
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Coordinates:
40°48′55″N 73°34′12″W / 40.81528°N 73.57000°WCountry
United StatesState
New YorkCountyNassauTownOyster BayIncorporated1931Government
• MayorDaniel H. Serota • Deputy MayorCaroline BazziniArea
3.96 sq mi (10.25 km2) • Land3.95 sq mi (10.22 km2) • Water0.012 sq mi (0.03 km2)Elevation
236 ft (72 m)Population
2,939 • Density744.5/sq mi (287.46/km2)Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)ZIP Codes
Area codes516, 363FIPS code36-10132GNIS feature ID0944887Websitewww
Brookville is a village located within the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 2,939 at the time of the 2020 census.[2]
The geographic Village of Brookville was formed in two stages. When the village was incorporated in 1931, it consisted of a long, narrow tract of land that was centered along Cedar Swamp Road (NY 107). In the 1950s, the northern portion of the unincorporated area then known as Wheatley Hills was annexed and incorporated into the village, approximately doubling the village's area to its present 2,650 acres (1,070 ha).[3]
When the Town of Oyster Bay purchased what is now Brookville from the Matinecocks in the mid-17th century, the area was known as Suco's Wigwam. Most pioneers were English, many of them Quakers. They were soon joined by Dutch settlers from western Long Island, who called the surrounding area Wolver Hollow, apparently because wolves gathered at spring-fed Shoo Brook to drink. For most of the 19th century, the village was called Tappentown after a prominent family. Brookville became the preferred name after the Civil War and was used on 1873 maps.[4][5]
Brookville's two centuries as a farm and woodland backwater changed quickly in the early 20th century as wealthy New Yorkers built lavish mansions in the area. By the mid-1920s, there were 22 estates, part of the emergence of Nassau's North Shore Gold Coast. One was Broadhollow, the 108-acre (0.44 km2) spread of attorney-banker-diplomat Winthrop W. Aldrich, which had a 40-room manor house. The second owner of Broadhollow was Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jr., who at one point was president of the Belmont and Pimlico racetracks. Marjorie Merriweather Post, daughter of cereal creator Charles William Post, and her husband Edward Francis Hutton, the famous financier, built a lavish 70-room mansion on 178 acres (0.72 km2) called Hillwood.[5]
In 1931, estate owners banded together to win village incorporation to head off what they saw as undesirable residential and commercial development in other parts of Nassau County. The first Mayor was W. Deering Howe. In 1947, the Post estate was sold to Long Island University for its C. W. Post campus. The campus is noted as the home of the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. Also in Brookville is the DeSeversky Conference Center of the New York Institute of Technology. The center was formerly Templeton, mansion of socialite and businessman Winston Guest. Templeton was later used as one of the settings for the Dudley Moore film Arthur.[5]
The Chapelle de St. Martin de Sayssuel, also known as the St. Joan of Arc Chapel where Joan of Arc prayed prior to engaging the English, was moved from France to Brookville in the early 20th century. It was acquired by Gertrude Hill Gavin, daughter of James J. Hill, the American railroad magnate. The chapel was dismantled stone by stone and imported from France to her Brookville estate in 1926. The chapel is now located at Marquette University in Wisconsin.[5]
The Brookville Reformed Church, one of the oldest existing church congregations in the country, calls Brookville its home. The Brookville Church was founded by 17th century Dutch settlers.[5]
The James Preserve is a nature preserve in Old Brookville and is the only tract of land showing the natural appearance of the village before development. Although it is in Old Brookville, it is connected to Greenvale.[citation needed]
In 2009, BusinessWeek dubbed Brookville the wealthiest town in America.[6]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10 km2), all land.[7]
The village lost territory to the adjacent Incorporated Village of East Hills between the 1960 census and the 1970 census.[8][9]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 204 | — | |
| 1950 | 337 | 65.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,468 | 335.6% | |
| 1970 | 3,212 | 118.8% | |
| 1980 | 3,290 | 2.4% | |
| 1990 | 3,716 | 12.9% | |
| 2000 | 2,126 | −42.8% | |
| 2010 | 3,465 | 63.0% | |
| 2020 | 2,939 | −15.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 2,126 people, 631 households, and 569 families residing in the village. The population density was 530.5 inhabitants per square mile (204.8/km2). There were 648 housing units at an average density of 161.7 per square mile (62.4/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 89.75% White, 1.16% African American, 3.16% Asian, 0.56% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.68% of the population.
There were 631 households, out of which 49.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 82.9% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.8% were non-families. 7.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.35 and the average family size was 3.49.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 32.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
The median income for a household in the village was in excess of $200,000 – as was the median income for a family. Males had a median income of over $100,000 versus $60,238 for females. The per capita income for the village was $84,375. None of families or the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 or those age 65 or over.
In 2009, Brookville topped BusinessWeek's list of America's 25 wealthiest towns based on average income and net worth.[6]
As of August 2021, the Mayor of Brookville is Daniel H. Serota, the Deputy Mayor is Caroline Z. Bazzini, and the Village Trustees are Caroline Z. Bazzini, John A. Burns, Edward J. Chesnik, and Robert D. Spina.[12]
The village is protected by the Brookville Police Department, which was established in 2022.[13]
Brookville is primarily served by the Jericho Union Free School District, though portions are served by the Locust Valley Central School District.[14]
The Long Island Lutheran Middle and High School is also located within the village.[14]
Half of the New York Institute of Technology's 1,050-acre (420 ha) Old Westbury campus is located in the Village of Brookville.[15]
The village is also the home of LIU Post, which is the largest campus of the private Long Island University system.[14]
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| District overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 15, 1964 |
| Dissolved | October 30, 1979 |
| Type | Special district |
| Jurisdiction | Greater Hicksville, New York, United States |
| Status | Defunct |
| Parent agency | Town of Oyster Bay |
The Hicksville Escalator District was a controversial special district in the Town of Oyster Bay, in Nassau County, New York, United States. Its purpose was to operate and maintain two escalators at the Long Island Rail Road's Hicksville station in Hicksville.
Throughout the district's existence, it was the subject of bipartisan criticism by both taxpayers and government officials, who cited the district's inefficiencies, taxpayer cost burdens, and maintenance issues, amongst other things.[1][2]
The Hicksville Escalator District was established on September 15, 1964, as a result of the reconstruction of the Hicksville station; the station, which had previously been at-grade, was raised onto an elevated structure through a grade crossing elimination project executed by the New York Public Service Commission.[1][3][4][5][6] The district was created by the Town of Oyster Bay in order to pay for & maintain the rebuilt station's two escalators between the street and the platforms.[1][2][3][7] The escalators went into service in 1966.[8][9][10]
Not long after the establishment of the district and the installation of the escalators, issues over costs & maintenance arose. Disputes between the town and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority hindered the district's ability to adequately maintain the escalators, which were subjected to frequent, chronic breakdowns and were poorly shielded from the elements.[8][10] In an attempt to mitigate weather-related breakdowns, the escalators were enclosed by the town in 1969 to shield them from the elements, but chronic breakdowns and other issues persisted.[8][10]
By January 1977, seeking to abolish the district and allow the escalators to be maintained more efficiently, Oyster Bay officials were negotiating with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for that agency to purchase the escalators for $1; this would enable the district's elimination, the town's taxpayers to be relieved of the cost burdens, and the improvement in the station's efficiency.[2][7][10] That May, the Oyster Bay Town Board voted in favor of this proposal, spearheaded by Town Supervisor John Colby.[2][7] The extensive talks between the town and the MTA broke down later that year, as a result of the MTA demanding the town first repair the escalators to a state of good repair – and pay for the replacement the handrails – before the execution of the transfer could be completed; this dispute coincided with the town spending $40,000 (1978 USD) to repair the steps on the escalators.[2] The prerequisite was viewed by town officials & taxpayers as an undue tax burden upon district residents, as then-Deputy Town Supervisor Robert Schmidt stated in a 1978 Newsday article on the matter.[2] Schmidt also argued that, as a significant amount of passengers at the station – the LIRR's busiest east of Jamaica – resided outside of the district, it would be more appropriate for the MTA to own, operate, and maintain the escalators; district residents were paying an escalator tax of 1.4 cents per $100 in valuation at the time.[2] It was further argued by Supervisor Colby that it was more appropriate for the MTA to assume ownership & maintenance responsibilities than leave them to the town, as the escalators were a service for commuters at an MTA-owned train station, served by an MTA-operated commuter railroad.[8]
By February 1978, bills in the New York State Legislature were proposed as a result of the breakdown in negotiations between the town and the MTA, which spurred the need for legislative action to settle the matter; the bills would effectively dissolve the district and transfer the escalators' ownership & maintenance responsibilities to the MTA – and would also enable that agency to replace them.[2][11] The bills also allowed for the allocation of up to $700,000 (1978 USD) for the installation of escalators at the Floral Park, Lynbrook, and Valley Stream stations.[2] The bills received bipartisan support and subsequently passed; Senator Norman J. Levy (R–Merrick) sponsored the State Senate bill, while Assemblyman Lewis J. Revoli (D–Old Bethpage) – a vocal critic of the district – sponsored the State Assembly bill.[1][2][8] About this time, Levy also sponsored a separate bill to abolish the Baldwin Escalator District – a similar district in Baldwin to maintain that community's station's escalators and the only other such district in Nassau County.[2]
On October 30, 1979, with the New York State Legislature's approval, the MTA took over control of the station's escalator's from the district.[1] At the time, district residents were paying an escalator tax of 1.9 cents per $100 in valuation – an increase from a tax of 1.4 cents per $100 in valuation in 1976, caused by rising maintenance costs.[1][9][10] That same day, upon the transfer, the Hicksville Escalator District officially dissolved.[1]
The Hicksville Escalator District was governed by the Town of Oyster Bay.[1][9][10] It was funded through taxes on properties located within the district's boundaries. The district's expenditures included paying for the construction and maintenance of the escalators – in addition to the salary of one full-time escalator serviceman.[1][10]
The boundaries of the Hicksville Escalator District included approximately all of Hicksville proper – in addition to portions of Bethpage, Jericho, Plainview, and Syosset – including portions of Locust Grove.[3][10]
Redirect to:
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|
| District overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 15, 1964 |
| Dissolved | October 30, 1979 |
| Type | Special district |
| Jurisdiction | Greater Hicksville, New York, United States |
| Status | Defunct |
| Parent agency | Town of Oyster Bay |
The Hicksville Escalator District was a controversial special district in the Town of Oyster Bay, in Nassau County, New York, United States. Its purpose was to operate and maintain two escalators at the Long Island Rail Road's Hicksville station in Hicksville.
Throughout the district's existence, it was the subject of bipartisan criticism by both taxpayers and government officials, who cited the district's inefficiencies, taxpayer cost burdens, and maintenance issues, amongst other things.[1][2]
The Hicksville Escalator District was established on September 15, 1964, as a result of the reconstruction of the Hicksville station; the station, which had previously been at-grade, was raised onto an elevated structure through a grade crossing elimination project executed by the New York Public Service Commission.[1][3][4][5][6] The district was created by the Town of Oyster Bay in order to pay for & maintain the rebuilt station's two escalators between the street and the platforms.[1][2][3][7] The escalators went into service in 1966.[8][9][10]
Not long after the establishment of the district and the installation of the escalators, issues over costs & maintenance arose. Disputes between the town and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority hindered the district's ability to adequately maintain the escalators, which were subjected to frequent, chronic breakdowns and were poorly shielded from the elements.[8][10] In an attempt to mitigate weather-related breakdowns, the escalators were enclosed by the town in 1969 to shield them from the elements, but chronic breakdowns and other issues persisted.[8][10]
By January 1977, seeking to abolish the district and allow the escalators to be maintained more efficiently, Oyster Bay officials were negotiating with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for that agency to purchase the escalators for $1; this would enable the district's elimination, the town's taxpayers to be relieved of the cost burdens, and the improvement in the station's efficiency.[2][7][10] That May, the Oyster Bay Town Board voted in favor of this proposal, spearheaded by Town Supervisor John Colby.[2][7] The extensive talks between the town and the MTA broke down later that year, as a result of the MTA demanding the town first repair the escalators to a state of good repair – and pay for the replacement the handrails – before the execution of the transfer could be completed; this dispute coincided with the town spending $40,000 (1978 USD) to repair the steps on the escalators.[2] The prerequisite was viewed by town officials & taxpayers as an undue tax burden upon district residents, as then-Deputy Town Supervisor Robert Schmidt stated in a 1978 Newsday article on the matter.[2] Schmidt also argued that, as a significant amount of passengers at the station – the LIRR's busiest east of Jamaica – resided outside of the district, it would be more appropriate for the MTA to own, operate, and maintain the escalators; district residents were paying an escalator tax of 1.4 cents per $100 in valuation at the time.[2] It was further argued by Supervisor Colby that it was more appropriate for the MTA to assume ownership & maintenance responsibilities than leave them to the town, as the escalators were a service for commuters at an MTA-owned train station, served by an MTA-operated commuter railroad.[8]
By February 1978, bills in the New York State Legislature were proposed as a result of the breakdown in negotiations between the town and the MTA, which spurred the need for legislative action to settle the matter; the bills would effectively dissolve the district and transfer the escalators' ownership & maintenance responsibilities to the MTA – and would also enable that agency to replace them.[2][11] The bills also allowed for the allocation of up to $700,000 (1978 USD) for the installation of escalators at the Floral Park, Lynbrook, and Valley Stream stations.[2] The bills received bipartisan support and subsequently passed; Senator Norman J. Levy (R–Merrick) sponsored the State Senate bill, while Assemblyman Lewis J. Revoli (D–Old Bethpage) – a vocal critic of the district – sponsored the State Assembly bill.[1][2][8] About this time, Levy also sponsored a separate bill to abolish the Baldwin Escalator District – a similar district in Baldwin to maintain that community's station's escalators and the only other such district in Nassau County.[2]
On October 30, 1979, with the New York State Legislature's approval, the MTA took over control of the station's escalator's from the district.[1] At the time, district residents were paying an escalator tax of 1.9 cents per $100 in valuation – an increase from a tax of 1.4 cents per $100 in valuation in 1976, caused by rising maintenance costs.[1][9][10] That same day, upon the transfer, the Hicksville Escalator District officially dissolved.[1]
The Hicksville Escalator District was governed by the Town of Oyster Bay.[1][9][10] It was funded through taxes on properties located within the district's boundaries. The district's expenditures included paying for the construction and maintenance of the escalators – in addition to the salary of one full-time escalator serviceman.[1][10]
The boundaries of the Hicksville Escalator District included approximately all of Hicksville proper – in addition to portions of Bethpage, Jericho, Plainview, and Syosset – including portions of Locust Grove.[3][10]