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APPROVED Minutes of the February 4, 2014 Meeting of the Asharoken Board of Trustees

 Incorporated Village of Asharoken

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

Held on Tuesday

February 4th, 2014 7:30 P.M

At the Northport Power Plant

Approximate Attendance (20)

                                                                               

                                                                                                                               

Officers Present:

Greg Letica, Mayor

Pam Pierce, Deputy Mayor

Melvin Ettinger, Trustee

Laura Burke, Trustee

Ian Jablonski, Trustee

 

Officials & Appointees Present:

Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk

Bruce Migatz, Village Attorney

Emily Hayes, Treasurer

Ray Mahdesian, Officer- in- Charge

Doug Adil, Superintendent of Buildings

Barry Bradley, Sanitation Operator

Bill Raisch, Emergency Manager

Marty Cohen, Conservation of the Environment

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Proof of publication was made.

 

Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve the regular board minutes for January 7th, 2014, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.

 

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve the board’s work session minutes for January 21st, 2014, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

 

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

 

 

 

Mayors Report:

Mayor Letica reported, “During the month of January a lot of effort was put into working on the village budget for 2014-2015 as well as working to complete the final architectural drawings of John Ross’ village hall design and the needed bid documents. We still have not heard back from FEMA or from the other grants the village put in for.

On January 24th Deputy Mayor Pierce and I met with representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers for a site visit on the sound side of Asharoken beach and no new updates to report regarding the feasibility study.

I had conversations with Jon Kaiman and Leslie Rothschild, from NY State Assemblyman Brian Curran’s office, to see if Asharoken would be eligible for funding for village hall from NY Rising. I am awaiting a reply.  I would like to thank Mary Ellen Mendelsohn for making the needed entre to seek this avenue of funding.

The Huntington Highway Department continues to come through for the village and graciously sent down their pay loader to repair the eroded shoulder of the road across from the sea wall.  I would like to thank Superintendent Gunther for his almost instantaneous response to my request.  I would like to point out that next year’s budget for “Snow Removal” will have to be increased due to the significant amount of snow falls this year.

I have asked Andy Mendelsohn to see if he can come up with a plan to increase the efficiency of the top catch basin coming down the hill from Eaton’s Neck Road.  He is working on this project and will be getting back to us shortly.

I attended a New Year’s brunch given by Congressman Steve Israel and the Northport Chamber of Commerce luncheon that was attended by local government officials from the state, county and local communities.

 

Trustees:

Deputy Mayor Pierce noted that she attended the New Year’s brunch given by Congressman Steve Israel, and attended the Asharoken work session held on January 21st which included a first look at the budget worksheet for 5/31/2015. She prepared photography on the sound side beach and participated in the site inspection with the ACOE with Mayor Letica.  She met with a marine contractor regarding the proposed beach restoration plan and reviewed with Mayor Letica.  She reviewed several meeting procedures and followed up with the Town of Huntington regarding the Inter-municipal agreement and reviewed the vouchers for the month.

 

Trustee Ettinger noted that during the month of January he was active with Officer-in-Charge, Ray Mahdesian to develop the police department’s budget for next year.  He attended the work session held on January 21st to review the budget worksheet for 5/31/2015.  He noted that he worked on gathering information and estimates for a new small gas run temporary generator that will be support the police and village hall trailer in case of an emergency.  He indicated that a resolution is on tonight’s agenda.  He noted that he and Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse and Doug Adil met with a representative from Riverhead Lumber to review some of the building components for the new village hall project.  He attended the New Years Brunch given by Congressman Israel and reviewed the vouchers for the month.

 

Trustee Burke, noted that she attended the work session held on January 21st to review the budget worksheet for 5/31/2015.  She attended a meeting with Barry Bradley and Mayor Letica to discuss a contingency plan for garbage collection.  She noted that she reviewed this month’s minutes, the vouchers for the month and reviewed the emergency management plan submitted by Bill Raisch.

 

Trustee Jablonski, noted that he participated in the work session held on January 21st to review the budget worksheet for 5/31/2015.  He reviewed several records and organized a meeting with Paul Ruzenski to discuss the area in and around Parking lot 13, for a proposed shoulder project.  He reporting on information from his meeting with the Duck Island Dredging committee and he noted that chairperson, Jean Bonawandt will have a formal report to present to the board next month.  He also reviewed the vouchers for the month.

 

Village Attorney:  Village Attorney Bruce Migatz noted that he attended the Zoning Board hearing on January 13th, 2014. The first application was for 144 Asharoken Avenue, for a special accessory renewal which was granted for one year.  The second application was for 497 Asharoken Avenue for a special accessory renewal, the applicant was not present so the application was adjourned to February 10th, 2014, and the applicant was notified.  The third application was for 317 Asharoken Avenue for variance for a front yard set-back for a front porch, the applicant was present but the architect was not present.  The Zoning Board wanted additional claims and testimony from the architect, the application was adjourned to February 10th, 2014, the applicant was notified.  A second article 78 proceeding was filed by Robert Holmes to challenge the variance granted in the Wurzel application.  The first article 78 proceeded was withdrawn by his attorney, and he has now filed a second article 78 proceeding that the village will have to defend.

 

Treasurer: Treasurer Emily Hayes reported that the total vouchers for the month of January were $105,447.51, which includes the expenditure for the two new police cars in the amount of $59,998 and for the snow removal costs for the calendar year 2013 in the amount of $7136.76.

 

Officer-In- Charge:  Officer-In-Charge Ray Mahdesian reported that an incident occurred where two kids were found located on the ice and were safely removed.  He noted that it was a routine month.  No burglaries reported in the village for the month of January. 

 

Sanitation: Sanitation Operator, Barry Bradley reported on Big Blue which is running well.  Trash pick-up was 23.17 tons, Co-mingle was 2.57 tons and News and Cardboard was 2.48 tons, totaling 28.22 tons.

 

Emergency Manager: Emergency Manger, Bill Rasich noted he and the trustees are in the process of updating the Villages’ current emergency management plan.  He indicated that a table top exercise will be scheduled sometime in March and that it will be aviation based scenario which will include the coast guard, the fire departments and other agencies.

 

Superintendent of Buildings: Doug Adil noted that he was contacted by a new owner who might be building a new home in the village and followed up with several questions from the new owner. He worked with a NFIP consultant to complete the NFIP worksheet for the village.  He noted that he, Nancy Rittenhouse and Mel Ettinger had a meeting with a representative from Riverhead Lumber to review different materials needed for the new village hall project.  He also noted that he reviewed plans for a buried propane tank and the importance of insuring that the tank is not buried in a floodplain area. He performed 14 inspections for the month of January.

 

Conservation Board: Marty Cohen noted nothing to report this month.

 

Planning Board:  No report this month.

 

Resolutions:

 

Resolution (2014-07) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the vouchers for the month of January 2014 in the amount of $105,447.51.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-08) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board approves the budget transfers for the month of January 2014.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Burke.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-09) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the transfer of $4,340.00 from the Building Reserve Fund account #5059 to the Money Market account #5018 for architectural/building plan fee payment of $4,340.00.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-10) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the adjustment to the fiscal budget for year end 5/31/2014 for an increase in the Start-up Income (A1000.000) and an increase in the Buildings Equipment account (A1620.200) for $4,340.00.

 

Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-11) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve the scheduling of a public hearing on Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 to discuss the proposed Inter-municipal Agreement between Northport Village, Asharoken Village and the Town of Huntington.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-12) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve the scheduling of a public hearing on Tuesday, April 1st, 2014 to discuss the proposed Asharoken Village budget for fiscal year ending 5/31/2015.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-13) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board of the Village of Asharoken, does hereby approve the proposed local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law}3-c for the fiscal year commencing 6/1/2014. 

 

Mayor Letica made a motion, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.

 

Roll Call was taken:

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-14) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby appoint a committee of the Board of Trustees to include, Deputy Mayor Pierce, Trustee Ettinger, Trustee Burke, Trustee Jablonski and Assessor Paul Wotzak  as the Board of Assessment Review for the purpose of reviewing any complaints regarding the 2014/2015 assessments filed on or before Grievance Day, February 18th, 2014 and to be reviewed during the hours from 1pm to 5pm at Village Hall Trailer, One Asharoken Avenue, Northport, NY 11768.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-15) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve the purchase of a generator to support the village hall and village police trailers, for a total amount not to exceed $2000.

 

Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-16) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby authorize the advertisement of the sale of the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria police vehicle on NYCOM marketplace, Craig’s List, village website and paper of record at a minimum bid of $2,000.00,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

                RESOLVED the Village Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to advertise for sale the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria police vehicle; and be it further

                RESOLVED that the Village Clerk is hereby authorized to publicly open and read bids on set day in accordance with the “Notice to Bidders”; and be it further

                RESOLVED that the Village Clerk is hereby authorized to reject said bids for good and sufficient reason and to re-advertise same under the authority herein granted without further action of this Board.

 

Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-17) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby authorize the advertisement of the sale of the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria police vehicle on NYCOM marketplace, Craig’s List, village website and paper of record at a minimum bid of $2,500.00,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

                RESOLVED the Village Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to advertise for sale the 2002 Ford Crown Victoria police vehicle; and be it further

                RESOLVED that the Village Clerk is hereby authorized to publicly open and read bids on set day in accordance with the “Notice to Bidders”; and be it further

                RESOLVED that the Village Clerk is hereby authorized to reject said bids for good and sufficient reason and to re-advertise same under the authority herein granted without further action of this Board.

 

Mayor Letica waived the reading of resolution 2014-17, but noted that it is for the 2006 police vehicle and minimum bid is for $2500.00

 

Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-18) WHEREAS, the Village Clerk of the Village of Asharoken delivered to this Board of Trustees the following account of all taxes remaining due and unpaid for the year 2013 & 2014, together with a description of the lands on which said taxes are unpaid:

 

Name of Owner

2013/2014 Real Prop. Taxes

Dist/Section/Block/Lot

Taxes

Penalty

Pub. Fee

Total

Duck Pond Cove, LLC

0401-003-02-010-004

$538.61

 

$64.63

$7.00

$610.74

LaRosa

0401-003-01-015-000

$42.52

$5.10

$7.50

$55.12

Estate of Leroy Block

0401-003-01-018-000

$113.39

$13.61

$7.50

$134.50

Press

0401-003-02-090-000

$3600.16

$432.02

$7.50

$4,039.68

Blower

0401-003-02-091-000

$3075.73

$369.09

$7.50

$3,452.32

Thelma Hansen

0401-008-02-008-000

$3968.69

$476.24

$7.50

 

$4,452.43

Total

 

$11,339.10

$1,360.69

$45.00

$12,744.79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Board has examined said account, and compared it with the original tax rolls, and hereby certifies it to be correct.

WHEREAS, the Village Clerk by the 1st day of February, 2014 did return and file an account of unpaid taxes to this board for the year 2013 & 2014, and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees met at the Northport Power Plant, 301 Waterside Avenue in Northport on the 21st day of January 2014 and did examine such account and did compare it with the original tax rolls and did therefore, certify to the effect that they found it be correct,

AND WHEREAS, from the account of unpaid taxes returned by the Clerk of the Village of Asharoken, New York, to this Board for the year 2013 & 2014, the following taxes still remain due and unpaid after diligent efforts have been made to collect same, to wit;

 

 

Name of Owner

2013/2014 Real Prop. Taxes

Dist/Section/Block/Lot

Taxes

Penalty

Pub. Fee

Total

Duck Pond Cove, LLC

0401-003-02-010-004

$538.61

 

$64.63

$7.50

$610.74

LaRosa

0401-003-01-015-000

$42.52

$5.10

$7.50

$55.12

Estate of Leroy Block

0401-003-01-018-000

$113.39

$13.61

$7.50

$134.50

Press

0401-003-02-090-000

$3600.16

$432.02

$7.50

$4,039.68

Blower

0401-003-02-091-000

$3075.73

$369.09

$7.50

$3,452.32

Thelma Hansen

0401-008-02-008-000

$3968.69

$476.24

$7.50

 

$4,452.43

Total

 

$11,339.10

$1,360.69

$45.00

$12,744.79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, this Board, pursuant to Article 14 of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York, determines to collect the amount of such unpaid taxes levied or assessed for the year 2013 & 2014 by a tax lien sale in accordance with procedures authorized by the Board of Trustees in the manner and after the form and resolution, certified by the Clerk, shall be transmitted forthwith to the Treasurer of the Village with the account, affidavit, and certificate of such unpaid taxes and is authorized and directed to cause to be published in the official paper of the Village, once each week for three consecutive weeks, a list as shown in the tax roll, with the amount of the tax, penalties, and charges thereon, excepting there from such parcels of property on which the Village holds and owns one or more unredeemed certificates of tax sale; and also a notice  that the said real estate will, on a day subsequent to the expiration of said three weeks to be determined by said Village Clerk and specified in said notice, be sold at a place in said Village to be designated by said Village Clerk, to discharge the tax, penalties, and charges aforesaid, which may be due thereon at the time of such sale, and that the said Village Clerk, at the time and place specified in said notice, proceed with the sale of said real estate upon which such taxes are unpaid, as set forth above, and continue the same from day to day until the sale is completed.  That such real estate shall be sold subject to any unpaid assessments thereon levied by the Village of Asharoken and also subject to any unpaid tax liens purchased and held by the Village.

 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in all cases where no bid shall be made on a lot or parcel of land so offered for sale for an amount sufficient to pay the said tax, penalties, and charges, the said premises shall be deemed to have been sold to and purchased by the Village of Asharoken, New York

The Village Clerk has advised that the tax sale referred to in the foregoing resolution would be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at 1pm to 3pm, at the Village Hall trailer, 1 Asharoken Avenue, Northport, New York, and that publication of the list of properties to be sold would commence on or about February 20, 2014, and be it further resolved that the Village Board reserves its right to authorize and direct the Village Treasurer on behalf of the Village to reject any and all bids for parcels of lands listed in the annual tax lien sale to be held as set forth herein and, and to bid in and purchase if necessary the same for the Village.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village Board reserves the right to withhold any and all said tax liens from sale and/or to cancel said tax lien sale.

Village Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse read the first, second and last paragraph and Mayor Letica then waived the reading for the remaining resolution number 2014-18.

Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution: (2014-19) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board of the Village of Asharoken does hereby authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement letter authorizing Skinnon and Faber CPA’s P.C. to perform an audit for the Village of Asharoken financial statements and the Court financials statement and furnish the NYS Update Report for the year ending 5/31/2014. The cost of the audit will be approximately $8000 to $8800 and the cost of the court audit will be approximately $500.00.

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-20) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board of the Village of Asharoken does hereby approve the application for a “Permit for use of firearms” to Ian Jablonski effective 2/4/2014.

Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Burke.

Trustee Jablonski                                            Abstain

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-21) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board of the Village of Asharoken does hereby approve the application for a “Permit for use of firearms” to Laurie Landeau effective 2/4/2014.

Trustee Jablonski made a motion to approve, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor Greg Letica made a motion to go into public session, seconded by Trustee Jablonski

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Public Session:

Mayor Letica opened up the meeting to public session.

During public session twelve comments were communicated to the Board.

Comments that were brought to the Board’s attention were the following:

1.       Inquiry on the Army Corps visit on the sound side beach.

2.       Inquiry on whether the temporary generator was going to be raised.

3.       Inquiry on plans to pave Asharoken Avenue and Bevin Road.

4.       Inquiry on the “Use of Firearms” application and the location to be used.

5.       Inquiry on whether the Inter-municipal Agreement will be on the website.

6.       Inquiry on the progress of the Deer Committee.

7.       Inquiry on the progress of the dredging committee, Trustee Jablonski noted that the Chairperson Jean Bonawandt will be presenting a report to the board next month and he shared with the public several points of progress that have been made.

8.       Inquiry on the shoulder area near the seawall and parking lot 13.

9.       Inquiry on the Beach Restoration Project and the components involved. Deputy Mayor Pierce pointed out that a coastal expert has been contacted to get his view on the beach restoration plans and this individual noted that the plan was an improvement than what we have, and he noted that he thought the seawall needed the groins.

10.   Inquiry on the sand to be dredged from the Coast Guard Cove area.

11.   Information was provided regarding the Centerport Harbor dredging.

12.   Comment was made to the scheduling of the work sessions.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to close public session, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

 

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

        The February 4th, 2014 Board meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 8:55 pm.

                Signed: _____________________________________________

                Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk