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[MESSAGE JSNF-285-09]

APPROVED Minutes of the December 1, 2015 Meeting of the Asharoken Board of Trustees

 Incorporated Village of Asharoken

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

        Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 7:30pm

             At the Village Hall

Approximate Attendance (45)

                                                                               

                                                                                                               

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, Village Treasurer

Avrum Golub, Superintendent of Stormwater

Raymond Mahdesian, Officer-in-Charge

Joe Affrunti, Harbormaster

Matthew Casamassima, ASDRP Committee Chairperson

Duck Island Harbor Revitalization Committee

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

 

Mayor Letica requested, proof of publication, Village Clerk confirmed.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve the regular board minutes for November 2nd, 2015, seconded by Trustee Burke.

 

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve the work session minutes for November 17th, 2015, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

 

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor Letica reported, “On Friday November 27th the Village received a copy of the draft feasibility study from the USACOE.  We did our best to get it out to the residents on Saturday afternoon to our residents.  The ACOE will be holding an informational meeting to explain the feasibility study for residents of Asharoken on December 9th.  The meeting will be held at the Northport High School in the large cafeteria and will go from 6:30 to 10 PM.

During the month the Village received letters of support for the ASDRP from the ENFD and the Village of Northport.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Village Hall was held on Tuesday, November 24th. The attendees included: Congressman Israel, State Senator Marcellino, Assemblyman Raia, Huntington Supervisor Petrone, Mayor George Doll, Huntington Clerk Raia, Huntington Highway Superintendent Gunther, Huntington Town Board Members Edwards, Cook and Berland. The Village had a chance to thank Congressman Israel and State Senator Marcellino for their assistance in securing funding for the construction of the building.  Following the ceremony there was an open house, a tour of the building and an array of snacks.  Thanks go out to Nancy Rittenhouse and Mel Ettinger who did a great job planning this event.

At a work session on November 17th, the Village interviewed a potential attorney who we may want to retain to provide advice for the ASDRP.  The Village is still reviewing how it will proceed.

Several great events are coming up which I hope that many people will be able to attend.  On Sunday December 13th Santa will be making his first visit to the new Village Hall at 4 PM.  On Monday December 21st there will be a blood drive. I would encourage everyone who is eligible to donate blood to do so.  Thanks to Trustee Burke for organizing the blood drive.  Finally, the Village will be conducting a food drive during the months of December and January. I like to thank the Asharoken Garden Club and Judy Ross for the beautiful wreath on our front door.  We had a long time resident Mr. Hosie a physics teacher at the Northport High School pass away, I send my condolences out to the whole Hosie family.”

Trustees:

Deputy Mayor Pierce reported, during the month of November she attended the Northport Harbor Dredging Meeting as well as the Northport Harbor Water Quality Protection committee and inter-municipal Council meeting in Huntington with Superintendent of Stormwater, Avrum Golub. She noted that she continued working on letters of support and updating Northport and Huntington officials and updating ACOE contact for Congressman Israel related to ASDRP.  She began reviewing the draft feasibility study and environmental assessment and contacted the ACOE on the Board’s behalf for an extension on the public comment period as well as requesting another opportunity for questions and responses in advance of an extended public comment period. She attended the work session, the dedication of Village Hall, and reviewed the vouchers.

 

Trustee Burke reported that she attended the work session on November 17th and helped organized and attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. She noted that she has been working on the next issue of the “Asharoken News”, she reviewed the minutes, vouchers and ASDRP report.  She is planning a blood drive on December 21st, 2-8pm, and noted that the schools are closed during this time and the blood banks are in need.

 

Trustee Jablonski reported that he attended the work session held on November 17th and ribbon cutting ceremony.  He has reviewed the minutes, vouchers and is reviewing the ASDRP report.

 

Trustee Ettinger reported on the completion of the punch list and the dedication of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.  Regarding the punch list, he met with the General Contractor and Sub-contractors, most of the punch list items are complete and should be finished up soon.  He noted that the fencing was installed behind the building.  He met with Deputy Mayor Pierce and the Garden Club, to discuss the layout of plantings for next spring.  He thanked the Flynn Family who gave approximately 350 sq ft of sod.  During the month most of the time was spent planning the dedication ceremony, it was a wonderful event and well attended.  He thanked Nancy Rittenhouse for her efforts with the dedication ceremony.  He noted that he attended the work session, court session, reviewed the minutes, correspondence, vouchers, and working through the ASDRP report.

 

 Village Attorney:  Bruce Migatz noted that the Zoning Board did not meet, no applications filed.  The Planning Board did not meet; there is only one application before them, the Duck Island sub-division.  The board is still waiting for revised plans and revised EAF submitted by the applicant.  The Environmental Review Board did meet, it is an advisory board.  It hears applications for docks in the “Ida Smith Property” area, the board makes a recommendation to the Village board whether or not a permit should be granted. The ERB held a public hearing on November 23rd for two applications, one at 255 Asharoken Avenue and a second one at 241 Asharoken Avenue.  The hearing has been kept open the board has requested additional documentation and suggested to the applicants to revise their plans.  Once the revised plans are received the hearing will be continued. 

 

Treasurer: Treasurer Emily Hayes reported that the total vouchers for the month of November were $191,052.60.  The vouchers include a payment of $146,861.00 to NYS retirement to cover pension costs of the village.

 

Officer-In- Charge:   Officer-In-Charge Ray Mahdesian reported that most of the month was devoted to ‘settling in’ our new station.  Members have worked hard to organize the many facets of our operation.  All the police officers who attended the dedication ceremony volunteered their services and he noted that they are all grateful to Mayor Letica, Police Commissioner Melvin Ettinger, Deputy Mayor Pamela Pierce, and trustees Laura Burke and Ian Jablonski.

 

Superintendent of Stormwater: Avrum Golub reported that he attended along with Deputy Mayor Pierce the Northport Harbor Water Quality Protection committee on November 18th.  At the meeting the primary discussion was the water quality.  He also noted that the Centerport Yacht beaches have been open; this may have been a result of better management of the sewage treatment plant.  He also noted some discussion of dredging a channel in Northport Harbor to facilitate boating, and discussion about dredging the Duck Island area.

 

Conservation Board: Marty Cohen reported that the village received an application from the Rittenhouse property on Duck Island to raise the elevation of the 2.7 acre parcel to help with drainage.  The committee visited the site and determined that there was no adverse environmental impact.  As the final resolution we recommend that the board issue the permit.

 

ASDRP Committee Chairperson: Matthew Casamassima reported that our neighbors in Eaton’s Neck and the committee members John and Christine Ballow have established and introduced a partner from a distinguished law firm to assist the committee. We plan to accept their contributions and suggestions and he thanked Greg Atkins who has been contributing at our meetings.  He encouraged everyone to attend the ASDRP public meeting and to become well informed.

 

Resolutions:

 

Resolution (2015-154) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board approves the budget transfers for the month of November 2015.

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

 

Resolution (2015-155) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the vouchers for the month of November 2015 in the amount of $191,052.60.

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2015-156) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board, does hereby accept the donation from the “Asharoken Building Fundraising Committee” in the amount of $2,000.00 for the new village hall project.

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2015-157) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the services for Parker landscaping for the 2015/2016 winter season snow removal  for village hall parking area and entrances in the amount of $150.00 per snow fall of 1” to 6” and $250.00 for 6” to 12”.

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2015-158) Be It Resolved, the Village Board does hereby appoint Mayor Greg Letica and Avrum Golub, Superintendent of Storm water to act as the village’s representatives for the Northport Harbor Water Quality Protection Committee, subject to Board approval.

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2015-159) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby authorize the advertisement of the sale of the village portable generator, on NYCOM marketplace, village website and paper of record with a minimum bid of $750.00, all costs for removing and transporting will be the responsibility of the buyer,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

                RESOLVED the Village Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to advertise for sale the portable generator; 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.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2015-160) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby authorize the purchase of interior solar shades for the village hall in the amount of $2400.00 from Home Depot.

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2015-161) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve change order#13 for an extension until January 15th, 2016 to RAVCO Construction for the completion of the village hall project and hereby amends change order #2015-111 to eliminate the assessment of liquidated damages for not completing the work on or before September 25th, 2015 on the basis that the delay in completion is not attributable to the contractor; contract sum $0.00.

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2015-162) Be It Resolved that, based upon the findings and recommendation of the Board for the Conservation of the Environment, the Village Board finds that the granting of the fill permit application filed by John Rittenhouse for the premises 285 Asharoken Avenue will not result in any significant adverse environmental impacts and determines that the permit should be granted.

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  Abstain

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor Letica opened up the meeting for Public Session.

During public session, 17 statements, questions and comments were presented.

1.       A  comment was made about the ACOE choice of plan #4 that calls for groins, the question was will the village contest plan #4. Mayor Letica noted that the village will contest plan #4.

2.       A comment was made on a proposed survey that was noted during the worksession in November for the ASDRP, and was concerned that it would be considered a vote. Mayor Letica indicated that if a survey is used it will not be considered a vote.

3.       A comment was made on the village’s position on deer hunting.

4.       A comment was made on the regulation on using bow and arrow, and commented on the feasibility study.

5.       A comment was made from a representative for a village resident on Duck Island Corporation’s application to the NYSDEC, the village and the potential use of fill. Mayor Letica pointed out that the building inspector did notify the NYSDEC to inspect and the tidal wetland division was notified.

6.       A statement was made about a letter/email that was sent out on deer hunting, the resident indicated that approximately 50 residents responded.

7.       A resident commented on the village hall’s emergency lights, exit lights, a sign indicating the number of persons allowed in the building and the opening of the front door. He also commented on the Huntington’s deer ordinance and packs of coyotes. He commented on docks.

8.        A statement was made from a representative for Duck Island Corp, he commented that the NYSDEC and Building Inspector were called about a complaint on fill, both NYSDEC and Building Inspector investigated and they found that no fill was placed on site. He addressed a comment that was made on downsizing and noted that it is not true.

9.        A statement was made on the class action lawsuit filed in Bethpage having to do with closing two water wells because of radium.

10.   A statement was made on the ASDRP and the need for the project and importance to do away with public access to help protect the 2000 people.

11.   A comment was made in the matter of the Rittenhouse road, that he personally witnessed the dumping or the addition of fill to the property.

12.   A question was asked that after the presentation on December 9th, will a timeline be presented on the project.

13.   A question was asked about whether hunting is allowed on private property and the board responded that no one is allowed to hunt on private property. He also asked about the cemetery and if it falls in the village or the township.

14.   A comment was made on the ASDRP the resident noted that Asharoken is considered the local sponsor and asked what the cost will be for the residents.

15.   A comment was made on the public comment period ending January 8th, 2016 and if an extension will be requested.

16.   A comment was made about having an email sent out giving the name and address to send comments to.

17.   A question was on the venue of the ACOE/NYSDEC public meeting and what is the status of the public access component. A question was on the participation of the Town of Huntington and Suffolk County and its share of the cost of the project.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to close the public session, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

                The December 1st, 2015 Regular board meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 8:55 pm.             

Signed: _____________________________________________

                Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk