While there were no concrete updates given as to the situation regarding privately-held water provider Aqua, which counts Merrick among it's customers, it didn't curb discussion of the topic at this month's meeting of the North and Central Merrick Civic Association one bit.

Dominating the meeting's run time, both civic association president, Claudia Borecky, and local residents gathered in the audience vented their frustration with both their high water bills and the possible takeover of Aqua by rival Long Island American Water, a deal which currently remains shrouded in political red tape with the New York State Public Service Commission.

"This is something we need to get taken care of," Borecky said. "Our water bills are getting out of hand. Pretty soon you’re going to have to worry if you can afford to flush the toilet.”

Another topic covered at the meeting was an update on the situation with Billy Dean’s, an adult entertainment club currently under construction on Sunrise Highway in Wantagh.

The community has been fighting against the establishment opening in the middle of a family-based area for some time and while the public scored a recent victory when Billy Dean’s permit was denied by the court, the decision is currently being appealed by the club’s owner.

“The law says it can’t be within 500 feet of a residential area and it absolutely is,” Borecky said. “It’s a very good decision, but it’s still a very real issue and it can very well still be a strip club.”

Also, Nassau County police sergeant John Schmaeling was on hand to present this month's Merrick crime report.

Also covered in sergeant Schmaeling’s report were the arrests made in Merrick in the period between Nov. 15 to Dec. 15., which included two domestic incidents and a three-man burglary bust made at a deli located 1340 Jerusalem Avenue, which was thwarted by concerned citizens doing the right thing.

“Someone in the community saw something suspicious and called 911, and when the cops got there, they arrested the three suspects,” he said. “The person who called 911 really helped us out and that’s the way it should go – people helping us, and we try to help the public as much as we can.”

Also covered in sergeant Schmaeling’s report were several cases of malicious mischief, graffiti, grand larceny, and an armed robbery of the Valero gas station located at 1470 Jerusalem Avenue.

Sergeant Schmaeling concluded his report with some holiday shopping safety tips, including not leaving valuables out in the open in your car when at the store.

Borecky concluded the meeting by stating that work was proceeding on the civic association’s new website, which they hope to have up and running soon to provide members with valuable community information and meeting schedules.