North Hempstead, NY – Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the North Hempstead Town Board approved unanimously on Tuesday an amendment to the Town’s Anti-Discrimination law that adds the term “gender identification” as one of the categories of protected classes. The law, approved at the Board’s June 2 meeting, applies to Town employees as well as businesses that contract with the town.

“Our anti-discrimination law was intended to protect everyone and now I believe with this amendment, it will do just that,” said Supervisor Bosworth.

Also approved at the meeting was:

• The adoption of an amendment to a local law to allow dogs in three Town parks, as part of a pilot program. The parks are North Hempstead Beach Park (not on the beach), Mary Jane Davies Green and Michael J. Tully Park. Dog waste disposal bags will be made available. Town Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jill Weber will be posting rules and regulations for dog owners in the parks. The presence of dogs on the North Hempstead Beach Park boardwalk during peak summer months is still to be discussed, Commissioner Weber said. Dogs on leashes and their owners are also welcome to use the newly extended Hempstead Harbor Trail located at the south end of the parking lot. The pilot program will be reassessed after six months, according to Supervisor Bosworth. “This is a move towards making our parks more dog-friendly,” said Supervisor Bosworth.
  
  
• A resolution authorizing the appropriation of $75,000 for the construction of a sidewalk on Fairway Drive in Port Washington.
  
  
• An ordinance to accept the recommendation of the North Hempstead Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate the Old Courthouse Road Bridge in New Hyde Park as an historic landmark. The bridge once spanned the Long Island Motor Parkway.
  
  
• An authorization for an agreement with Breakwater Marine Construction, Inc. of Oyster Bay for the repair of the hatch door at the Stepping Stones Lighthouse. The repair is estimated to cost about $4,400. The next meeting of the Town Board will be held on June 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 220 Plandome Road in Manhasset.