November 23, 2022

Dear Neighbors:

Linda and I would like to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have a terrific day filled with family, delicious food and football. We all should be very thankful for living in the beautiful Village of Asharoken!

Mayor Greg Letica, Officer Robert Cafiero, Officer-in-Charge Ray Mahdesian and Trustee/Police Commissioner Mel Ettinger.

The sand on the beach project is going well with almost half of the material placed to date. We just have to hope that there are not any nor’easters while the project is being worked on.

At the Board of Trustees meeting on November 1, Robert Cafiero was sworn in as the newest part-time member of the Asharoken Police Department. Robert is a member of the Suffolk County Police Department. He has extensive experience and training in a wide range of police duties. I am sure that Officer Cafiero will do a great job and I welcome him to Asharoken.

Best Regards,
Mayor Dr. Gregory Letica

November 16, 2022

Dear Neighbors:

Yesterday, Michelle Glennon was sworn in as the eighth clerk in the history of the Village of Asharoken.

For the past two months, Michelle has served as the Deputy Clerk and has been receiving in-depth training from the Village's retiring Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse. Nancy also prepared a comprehensive training manual for Michelle and has graciously offered to be available by phone should there be any questions. I expect there will be a seamless transition and I am looking forward to working with Michelle in the years to come.

I would like to thank Nancy one more time for fourteen incredible years of service to the Village. As she and her husband Paul start their new lives in South Carolina, I wish them and their family health and happiness.

Best Regards,
Mayor Dr. Gregory Letica

November 11, 2022

Dear Neighbors:

I would like to thank all of the Village's veterans and active duty members for their service to America. The immortal words of Winston Churchill that "Never was so much owed by so many to so few" are still true today. Your patriotism, courage, and selfless service assured that America's democracy and freedom were protected. Have a very happy Veterans Day!

Beach replenishment

The sand on the beach project is going well. To date, approximately 6,400 cubic yards of dredged sand has been placed. The weather has been very cooperative so far which has really helped. The pace of the placement should increase as National Grid has added a second dump truck.

I am happy to report that tropical storm Nicole, which was forecast to hit the village this evening, has weakened substantially. We will get some moderately strong southerly winds and some rain but it is going to be far less impactful than originally predicted.

This is the time of year when the Village's wintering waterfowl will return. Already, Common Loons, Bufflehead Ducks and Long-tailed Ducks are back. As I am writing this I can hear the plaintive call of a loon in front of my house. Northport Bay and Long Island Sound provide the perfect habitat for hundreds of ducks from November to April. Additionally, our seal population should be back any day now.

I would like to wish you a very nice weekend.
Mayor Dr. Gregory Letica

November 4, 2022

Dear Neighbors:

National Grid began the placement of 45,000 cubic yards of sand on the Long Island Sound beach. The placement began approximately 1,000 feet from the west jetty. To date, approximately 2,500 cubic yards have been placed on the beach. Joe Warren, the NG plant manager, has informed me that there may be enough dredged sand for the entire project. NG has provided the following phone number should you have any questions or concerns during the project: 631-262-6550.

The Village will be closely monitoring the project, particularly regarding the volume of delivered material and quality of sand should upland material be brought in. The project is expected to be finished by the middle of December.

During the month, Deputy Mayor Pam Pierce and I met with Northport Mayor Donna Koch and Village Manager Don Tessararo to continue our discussions on the new fire protection contract.

The Village has been working with the Town of Huntington to finalize an Inter-Municipal Agreement to allow the two municipalities to work together to do emergency repair work to the seawall.

I would like to thank Trustee Ian Jablonski for undertaking a wel-needed project to identify each beach lot. Each beach lot now has an ID number stenciled on the shoulder of the road to tie it to an individual property owner. Ian’s 5 hours of hard work last Sunday will now allow the Village to contact beach lot owners should the need arise.

Village Police Officer-in-Charge Ray Mahdesian reported at the last BOT meeting that there has been a significant rise in car thefts, catalytic converter thefts and vehicles being rummaged through for valuables in our neighboring communities. He advised that everyone should always remove the key fob from the car and remember to lock the doors when the vehicle is unattended.

Last Tuesday was Nancy Rittenhouse's last BOT meeting. She was presented with a plaque thanking her for her service to Asharoken in the last 14 years. She was also presented with a lovely arrangement of peach roses. The peach rose represents modesty and sincerity, which describes Nancy to a tee, and gratitude and appreciation, which reflects on how the Village feels for Nancy's incredible service. I would like to say thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to Asharoken. We have accomplished so much in the last ten years and I am sure that without Nancy’s help far less would have been done. I wish Nancy and Paul good health and happiness in the next chapter of their lives in South Carolina.

On November 16th Michelle Glennon will be taking over as the new Village Clerk. I am looking forward to Michelle joining our team and I am confident that she will do an amazing job.

Wishing everyone a nice weekend.
Mayor Dr. Gregory Letica