Incorporated Village of Asharoken
Board of Trustees Regular Board Meeting
Tuesday, September 4, 2018 6:30pm
At the Village Hall
Approximate Attendance (11)
DRAFT
Officers Present:
Greg Letica, Mayor
Pam Pierce, Deputy Mayor
Melvin Ettinger, Trustee
Laura Rittenhouse Burke, Trustee
Ian Jablonski, Trustee
Officials & Appointees Present:
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk
Bruce Migatz, Village Attorney
Emily Hayes, Treasurer
Doug Adil, Superintendent of Buildings
Barry Bradley, Sanitation
Raymond Mahdesian, Officer-in-Charge
Marty Cohen, Conservation Board Chairman
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Publication of meeting was confirmed.
Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve the Regular Board Meeting minutes for August 7th, 2018 seconded by Trustee Burke.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Trustee Jablonski Abstain
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica Abstain
Motioned Carried.
Mayor’s Report;” During the first week in August a significant repair to the sink hole on the Asharoken seawall was completed. Approximately, 180 tons of stones were place in the hole to shore up the steel sheeting and make the wall more resilient to damage from future storms. I would like to thank Deputy Mayor Pam Pierce for all of her work to coordinate and supervise this very important project. Additionally, Trustee and Police Commissioner organized the police supervision and traffic control during the construction. His efforts led to a major project being done without much impact on the flow of cars. I would also like to thank Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci, Highway Superintendent Kevin Orelli, Town of Huntington Foreman Rick Polachek and the members of the Huntington Highway Department for their incredible assistance in this project. The Town provided all of the machinery and labor to place the stones. In the age of shared services to reduce costs to tax payers this level of cooperation is an example for other communities to follow. It is important to remember that this is still only a temporary repair and a comprehensive project to restore the seawall area is still a necessity.
On August 28th Deputy Mayor Pierce and I had a phone conversation with Sue McCormick and Matt Chlebus from the NYSDEC in regards to a long term repair of the seawall. We were informed that the NYSDEC had spoken to the ACOE and that the ACOE has money to update the project management plan. They ACOE are looking for guidance from the Village as to what type of plan we would prefer. The ACOE will not do a wall only plan as they would expect that to fail in a short period of time but the ACOE would consider a plan with a wall and erosion protection in front of it with an estimated 50 year life expectancy. We discussed the previous plan the ACOE had come up with for the beach in front of the seawall which included three groins and beach fill. We told Sue and Matt that the Village agreed with the need for a comprehensive fix but would also like to know if there are any other options to consider. The NYSDEC will go back to the ACOE with the Village’s request for other options and once we hear back we will meet again.
The Village, under the guidance of Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse, has undertaken the effort to scan and save electronically Asharoken’s most important property and building records. This project will provide duplicate backup to the Village paper records. I would like to thank Nancy for her initiative to do this vital work.
Finally, I would like to encourage everyone to participate in the annual Village of Asharoken Coastal Cleanup which will be held on September 22nd. It’s a great day to clean up the beach and wetlands. Students who participate are also awarded public service credits. It is a fun and important event and I hope everyone takes a few minutes to join in on the fun. I attended the Fore Erika’s Golf Outing; it’s a wonderful event to help the Josephson family.
Trustee:
Deputy Mayor Pierce noted that she worked on the seawall repair during the month. She noted that she attended a Shared Service meeting; she was involved in the teleconference with the NYSDEC. She also attended a Coastal Cleanup meeting and attended the Fore Erika Golf Outing event. She reviewed the vouchers and minutes for the month.
Trustee Ettinger noted that he had meetings with Officer Mahdesian regarding various police matters. He noted that the department is looking very good in all the areas. He reported that the IMA with Northport Village for fuel purchases is going well. He noted that the Village saved approximately 24% on its fuel gas and diesel costs. On August 8th and 9th he assisted with the repair at the seawall, on August 22nd he attended the monthly court session and on August 27th he attended the Fore Erika Golf Outing event, reviewed correspondences, FOIL’s, minutes and vouchers.
Trustee Burke reported that she attended the Fore Erika Golf Outing event and reviewed the vouchers, minutes and Village correspondence.
Trustee Jablonski, he reported that he reviewed the minutes, vouchers and attended the August court session.
Village Attorney: Bruce Migatz noted that there was nothing to report.
Village Treasurer: Emily Hayes Treasurer reported that the vouchers for the month of August expenditures for the month were $38,882.76. There will be a separate resolution to approve the vouchers and budget transfers.
Officer-In-Charge: Officer Ray Mahdesian reported that there were 3 arrests and 65 summonses issued and things are going well but very busy.
Sanitation Operator: Barry Bradley reported that big blue is running well. Total tipping fees for the month of August were $2273.53. Trash tonnage 27.85, Single Stream recycling tonnage 10.32 and yard waste tonnage .84.
Superintendent of Buildings: Doug Adil reported for the month of August that he reviewed plans for a homeowner on Beach Plum Drive. Inspected a property at 1 Bevin Road regarding a a tree removal, reviewed drawings and application for a new swimming pool, reviewed plans for installation of an underground propane tank and backup generator at a home on Bevin Road. He inspected existing storage sheds and chicken coop structure at a home on Asharoken Avenue which is for sale. Reviewed re-submitted plans for a home that will be lifted within the guidelines of the NY Rising program. Reviewed drawings for alterations to an existing cottage and provided information to a new homeowner on Asharoken Avenue for driveway requirements and storm drainage.
Conservation Board Chairman: Marty Cohen noted that the board worked on a tree permit request for two property owners, both were granted and also worked on a clear cut incident that is on-going.
Resolutions:
Resolution (2018-95) Be It Resolved that the Village Board approves the budget transfers for the month of August 2018.
Trustee Jablonski 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 (2018-96) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the vouchers for the month of August 2018 in the amount of $38,882.76.
Trustee Jablonski made a motion to approve, seconded by Mayor Letica.
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-97) Be It Resolved, that the Mayor does hereby appoint the following uncompensated individual to the Board of Conservation of the Environment Committee, Denise DeAcetis as a member for a one year term to end July 2019, subject to board approval.
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 (2018-98) Be it Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the temporary tent permit for Keith Kebe located at 94 Cove Road to be installed on September 15, 2018 thru February 4, 2019.
Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Mayor Letica.
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-99) Be it Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the transfer of $11,289.83 from the reserve account #5018 to the operating account #9476.
Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Mayor Letica.
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-100) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the adjustment to the fiscal year 5/31/2019 budget to increase the Start Income (A1000.000) for $11,289.83 and increase the Public Works Other account (A1490.495) for $11,289.83 for the seawall sink hole repair.
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.
Mayor Letica asked if there was any old or new business:
Trustee Burke noted that there are exposed groins at low tide below the high tide mark.
Mayor Letica opened the meeting for public comment.
Three questions and/or comments were made.
1. Resident asked if we can have a crew during the Coastal Clean–up to pick up wood debris that has washed up. The sizes could be as long as 8’ long. Deputy Mayor pointed out that the pieces a very large for the volunteers to pick up. Trustee Jablonski noted that we had a dumpster after Sandy to pick up a lot of the wood debris, the neighbors on Bevin may volunteer to pick up these items. The resident noted that he supports the culling of deer; his concern is that someone is going to get hurt. Resident asked about the easement off of Bevin Road and would like to determine who is responsible for maintaining it. Resident also discussed the feeding of deer at the cemetery at the top of Ocean Avenue; the area is covered by Suffolk County. Trustee Jablonski noted that you can call the local NYSDEC if you see someone feeding the deer.
2. Resident asked about the tent permit and the requested length of time.
3. Resident asked about the three groins and sand in front of the seawall, he asked if this is the only option. Mayor Letica noted that this is an option that has been discussed and asked the ACOE to come back with other options as well. Mayor Letica pointed out that we are gathering ideas from the ACOE and will have our Coastal Engineer review them. Mayor Letica noted that the ACOE will not entertain a wall only fix. He noted that public access may be required in the seawall area. The resident asked about the Sand Piper Farm tax issue. Mayor Letica noted that Sand Piper Farm requested a tax reduction, the Village engaged an attorney who is an expert in this field, and discussions have taken place.
Deputy Mayor Pierce 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.
Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
The September 4, 2018 Regular board meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 7:05pm.
Signed: _____________________________________________
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk