June 9, 2021

• Election:Congratulations to Deputy Mayor Pam Pierce and Trustee/Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Jablonski for their re-election. Voting results; 76 total voters; Pierce received 71 votes and Jablonski received 68 votes. I look forward to working with Pam and Ian during the next two years.
• Seawall Repair: The repair of the seawall is complete. Stan Thompson with Thompson Bros. Pile Corp. replaced several large toe stones, rearranged several stones to make the structure more secure, and repaired part of the crossover staircase. The Huntington Town Board agreed to pay for half the cost of the repair. Thanks to Deputy Mayor Pierce for planning and overseeing this project.
• National Grid Gas Main: The National Grid gas main replacement is moving along. The crew is in the last phase of this project, the installation should take approximately three more weeks. The second phase will involve National Grid connecting homes to the new gas main. The estimated time of completion of the entire project is September. I would like to thank everyone for their patience, understanding and cooperation during this project.
• Fourth of July and Grucci Fireworks Display: Independence Day is just over two weeks away. The Village will be having its annual Fireworks by Grucci display starting at 9:15pm. Big thanks go out to Carole Casamassima, Jean Bonawandt and Linda Letica for their fundraising efforts which funded one third of the cost. I also want to thank new resident Phil Lagana for his generous contribution to support the fireworks. Bonfires on the beach are part of the fourth of July tradition. Please follow the Village Guidelines. I am looking forward to celebrating our traditional Fourth of July once again!

June 4, 2021

• The Village received an invoice from the NYS DEC in the amount of $292.477.05 for the North Shore of Long Island, Asharoken, Feasibility Study. The amount due represents the Village's 30% cost share with NYS. This liability dates back to an agreement, dated January 2001, between the Village and the State of New York. This was during the administration of Mayor William Kelly. Since the feasibility study was never completed the Village will review its liability for this expense. To that end, I have written a letter to the NYSDEC respectfully submitting that the Village of Asharoken is not liable for the non-federal portion. The Village will await a response and I will advise you once it receives one.
• The Village decided to postpone the public hearing on amending the tree law pending additional comments from Asharoken Conservation Board Chairman Marty Cohen. The tentative plan is to reschedule the hearing.
• The plans for the 4th of July celebration are going well and once again we will cap off the day with a spectacular fireworks display. Let us hope for nice weather and a fun day with family and friends.

• Bobwhite

  Congratulations to former Trustee Joe Tilleli for spotting the bird of the year. Last week Joe had a pair of bobwhites in his yard. bobwhites are quail and are named after their "bob-white" call. These birds used to be very common in the Village, but I have not seen or heard one in at least ten years.
  
  The four osprey nests along Asharoken Avenue all appear to have chicks. After a couple of difficult nesting seasons, I hope that this year all the young osprey fledge and survive.

May 28, 2021

• The Village will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 1st at 6:30 PM via teleconference to solicit comments on a proposed amendment to the proposed amended local law on trees. The proposed change will require that any regulated tree, regardless of its condition or health, will require permission from the Conservation Board prior to its removal. Presently only living trees are regulated. Attached is a copy of the local law with the proposed changes. Comments can be emailed to nrittenhouse@asharokenny.org or made at the public hearing on Tuesday. All written comments will be added to the record of the public hearing.
• The National Grid gas main replacement project has been going very well. We have a great group of guys from Asplundh construction doing the work. Presently they are using directional drilling to install the new main. Approximately one third of the new main has been installed. Once it is finished individual homes will be disconnected from the old main and reconnected to the new one. Lastly, National Grid will repair the old concrete road where the openings were made, resurface all Asharoken Avenue from Village Hall to 285 and re-stripe the road.
• The Town of Huntington passed a resolution of pay for half of the $8000 repair project to the seawall. Several large toe stones on the seaward side of the wall have been displaced and need to be replaced. The two-day project, performed by Thompson Bros. Pile Corp., is expected to start June 3rd. I would like to thank Huntington Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci and Board Members Mark Cuthbertson, Joan Cergol, Ed Smyth, and Gene Cook for supporting this needed repair project.
• The Village applied for funding through Senator Chuck Schumer’s office. Two applications were submitted for funding to cover engineering and permitting costs for the seawall. I would like to thank Senator Schumer for inviting the Village to participate in these funding opportunities. Additionally, big thanks go out to Deputy Mayor Pam Pierce and Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse who did a terrific job completing and submitting these two applications in a very limited amount of time.
• I would like to congratulate Clerk Rittenhouse for being honored as a member of the General Code 2021 Municipal Clerks Honor Roll. This is a very prestigious award and only goes to the best of the best. New York State has 62 Cities, 932 Towns and 534 Villages. Each one has a municipal clerk. Only 39 clerks made the honor roll, 2.6% of all the Clerks. Congratulations Nancy on a very well earned and deserved recognition. The Village really appreciates all your hard work and dedication.