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[MESSAGE JSNF-285-09]

APPROVED Minutes of the July 1, 2014 Meeting of the Asharoken Board of Trustees

 Incorporated Village of Asharoken

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting/Public Hearing

Held on Tuesday

July 1st, 2014 7:30 P.M

At the Northport Power Plant

Approximate Attendance (30)

                                                                               

                                                                               

Officers Present:

Greg Letica, Mayor

Pam Pierce, Deputy Mayor

Melvin Ettinger, Trustee

Laura Burke, Trustee-Absent

Ian Jablonski, Trustee

 

Officials & Appointees Present:

Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk

Bruce Migatz, Village Attorney

Emily Hayes, Treasurer

Ray Mahdesian, Officer- in- Charge

Barry Bradley, Sanitation Operator

Doug Adil, Superintendent of Buildings

Marty Cohen, Conservation of the Environment

Joe Affrunti, Harbormaster

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Proof of publication was made.

 

Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve the regular board minutes for June 3rd, 2014, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.

 

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayors Report:

Mayor Letica reported, “We have made significant progress with village hall.  The bid package has been completed and the project has been advertised in the Observer.  The deadline to receive bids is July 25th.  At that time the bids will be opened and the village will have up to 45 days to evaluate them. I want to thank Village Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse, Architect Victor Cuneo, Village Attorney Bruce Migatz and Trustee Mel Ettinger for their hard work to put the bid package together.

The village received a letter from the NYSDEC on June 19th asking that we have our draft public access plan by the end of July.  Deputy Mayor Pierce had a terrific idea, to consider having parking for the beach access in the parking area by the sound view boat ramp.  We followed up with the Town of Huntington and National Grid.  Our preliminary draft public access plan pending approval of Town of Huntington and National Grid would call for the following; needing five 6 foot wide access points, the village has three, one at the nature preserve, one at the sea wall and one at the beach lot area.  The nature preserve access point would be moved to the sound view parking area if that works out.  We need to get two more access points and we propose to do this at the circle points given to us by the DEC and ACOE at the last meeting.  We would only have parking at the sound view ramps and handicap access as well.  The remaining four access points would only be used for pick-up and drop-off, no parking provided. This is similar to West Hampton Dunes plan. 

 

During the month I have had conversations with residents, elected officials and others in regards to the beach restoration project:

 

I spoke with Suffolk Legislator Dr. Spencer and Town of Huntington Deputy Superintendent Pat Delcol about assistance in paying for the local share of the project.  It seems unlikely that Suffolk County, which has a $250 million dollar deficit, would be able to assist. I have received no response from Town of Huntington yet.

 

I spoke with Town of Huntington Pat Delcol, Deputy Superintendent about providing parking for public access in Soundview boat ramp parking lot and met with Deputy Mayor Pierce, Belle Pagdanganan,Manager of Government Relations,  Bob Allen and Charles Tyler, Power Plant Managers from  National Grid, about getting beach access from the parking spots at the boat ramp. This seems like a promising way to get parking and the village is awaiting an answer from National Grid.

 

One of the beach lot owners made a suggestion as to whether part of the beach could be private and part be public. I wrote and spoke with Mark Snyder at Congressman Israel’s office to see if there was a possibility of reducing the amount of beach open to public access in consideration of the public benefit of protecting the road.  I made the case that the health and safety of the residents of Eaton’s Neck. He feels that the law is clear that any area that receives sand needs to be opened for public access if public funds are expended to place it. Mark researched this and noted that anywhere public sand is put down, there needs to be public access.

I spoke to Matt Chelbus at the NYSDEC about the same public access issues that I raised with Congressman Israel’s office.  He reiterated what Mark Snyder had told me. I also discussed the insurance ramifications of opening up the beach with Mark and he is going to have a NYSDEC attorney specializing in insurance give me a call.

 

I spoke with Joe Grasso from Hartt Agency, the village insurance broker, about the insurance ramifications of public access and he said that he would research.

 

I had very productive discussions with village residents and beach lot owners Alice Weigers, Joe Mustazza, Leslie Hepp, Leslie Barnett, John Press, Ken Douglas, Lisa Angerame, Doug Vaughn, and Tony Graziano.

 

The paving of Asharoken Avenue from Bevin road up the hill to the village border is scheduled for the week of July 7.  In preparation for the striping of the road, which will occur the week of the 14th, the Huntington Highway Department cleared the road shoulder from 341-413 Asharoken.  I would like to thank Superintendent Pete Gunther and his road crew led by Rick Polacek for a great job.  At the same time sand was pushed up against the shoulder of the road opposite the seawall to eliminate the drop off.

 

I would like to thank residents Denise DeAcetis and Judy Ross for serving as election inspectors for our village election on June 17th.  They did a terrific job perfectly balancing professionalism with friendliness.  I would also like to thank Trustee Burke for organizing the concurrent blood drive.  Although the drive was abbreviated by the heat many people will benefit from the donated blood. I also want to thank Martin Hakker and Joe Affrunti for their assistance with the Fireworks event.

I attended the NYCOM summit on shared municipal services on June 19th.

 

I would like to wish everyone a very happy 4th of July and ask that everyone uses the utmost common sense and care with their bonfires. Please remember that should the wind conditions not be favorable for bonfires the police will blow three air horn signals to alert everyone not to ignite their fires.  Please pass the word on to your neighbors if the signal is given.”

 

Trustees:

Deputy Mayor Pierce congratulated Mayor Letica, Trustee Ettinger and Trustee Burke on their re-election; she noted that she looks forward to working with them.  She reported that she attended the Long Island Sound Green infrastructure workshop, which went through ways to incorporate green designs to mitigate storm water run-off, for buildings or parking lots.   She noted that she reviewed the June draft minutes, West Hampton Dunes public access plan, documents on the zoning change, vouchers for the month, snow removal contract and the updated shoulder repair project.  She attended the Municipal Innovation Summit with Mayor Letica on June 19th and monitored the cutback of Asharoken Avenue.  She thanked everyone who worked on the newsletter this month.

 

Trustee Ettinger commented on the administrations accomplishments and congratulated Mayor Letica, Trustee Burke and Village Justice Kleczka.  He noted that the administration accomplished many things this year, such as repairing the sand dunes and creating a bid package for the new Village Hall.  He thanked the entire board and especially Mayor Letica on a superb job.  He thanked the residents for voting in the past election.  He reported that he worked on various police matters and personnel issues.  He noted that the police department has covered all matters having to do with the Fireworks display.  He thanked the entire committee on the Village Hall bid package and getting the bid out.  He attended the monthly court session, reviewed the June draft minutes, proposed local law and the monthly vouchers.  He wished everyone a happy fourth.

 

Trustee Jablonski reported that he continued to work on the shoulder project, reviewed the June draft minutes, the West Hampton Dunes access plan, the snow removal contract, and the monthly vouchers and wished everyone a happy fourth.

 

Village Attorney:  Bruce Migatz, reported that no decision was made from the court on the Holmes Article 78.  The Zoning Board met on June 16th on the continuation of the hearing for applicants Craine and Verdone and has been continued to July 21st and the applicant was requested to submit more detail plans.

The Planning Board met on June 23rd to review two sketch plans, which is the first step in a sub-division process.  The two applicants have submitted sketches that were filed, one by Duck Island Corp to create two lots out of one and one by John Rittenhouse pertaining to a sub-division. The Planning Board discussed the sketch plans, and the planning board has scheduled a meeting to go and inspect the property.  The applicants were asked to submit a more detail sketch plans and Long Environment Assessment form prior to submitting a preliminary sub-division map.

 

Treasurer: Treasurer Emily Hayes reported that the total amount of vouchers for the month of June was $45,528.84. A separate resolution to approve the vouchers and related budget transfers will be made. Included in the vouchers for the month are payments to Breakwater Marine for $8500.00 for the tugboat and barge and tax grievance refunds of $3034.04 and $5329.50 for two new portable police radios.

 

Officer-In- Charge:  Officer-In-Charge Ray Mahdesian reported on the entire plan associated with the Asharoken fireworks display.

 

Sanitation: Sanitation Operator, Barry Bradley reported on Big Blue which is running well.  Trash pick-up was 34.94 tons, Co-mingle was 2.31tons and News and Cardboard was 4.30 tons, totaling 41.55 tons.

 

Superintendent of Buildings: Doug Adil reported on 10 reviews and inspections for the month of June.  He reviewed the National Grid’s draft Emergency Report for interruption of power.  He reviewed several pool projects. 

 

Conservation of the Environment: Marty Cohen noted no report at this time.

 

Harbormaster: He reported on the progress of the fireworks display.

 

Mayor Letica asked Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk to read the public notice on the Public Hearing, to amend chapter 125 of the Village Code of the Village of Asharoken entitled “Zoning”.

 

Mayor Letica opened the Public Hearing for comments. The board received five comments during the public hearing.

 

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

 

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Village Attorney noted that before the board can take action on this law it must be sent to the Suffolk County Planning Commission for their advisory opinion, prior to that the board must pass a resolution to adopt a negative declaration.

 

Resolutions:

 

Resolution (2014-64) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board approves the budget transfers for the month of June 2014.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-65) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the vouchers for the month of June 2014 in the amount of $45,528.84.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-66) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve a tent permit for Jean Bonawandt located at 387 Asharoken Avenue for the time period of July 3rd, 2014 thru July 5th, 2014.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-67) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve a tent permit for Marty Ciesinski located at 144 Asharoken Avenue for the time period of July 3rd, 2014 thru July 5th, 2014.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-68) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve a tent permit for Mr. & Mrs. Cox located at 208 Asharoken Avenue for the time period of July 3rd, 2014 thru July 5th, 2014.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-69) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve a tent permit for Mr. Chris Anderson, location beach lot area of Asharoken Avenue for the time period of July 4th, 2014 thru July 5th, 2014.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-70) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve a tent permit for Ms. Ann Flynn located at 25 Asharoken Avenue for the time period of July 10, 2014 thru July 14, 2014.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-71) Be It Resolved that the Village of Asharoken Board of Trustees determines that the amendment to Chapter 125 of the Village Code entitled “Zoning” is a negative SEGR determination.

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-72) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve August 5th, 2014 as the Organization Meeting for fiscal year end 5/31/2015.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-73) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board, does hereby authorize the allocation of the following funds ($10,000.00 for Police General, $3,000.00 for Marine, $4000.00 for Sanitation, $5,000.00 for Highway, and $10,000.00 for Unpaid benefits, and $65,000.00 for Infrastructure from our General Account (Unreserved fund) to our money market account (Reserve fund) for fiscal year-end 5/31/2015.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-74) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby accept the bid from Patrick Schwarte in the amount of $1,200.00 for the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria police car.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-75) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby authorize the Mayor to sign the five year agreement between the Village of Asharoken and the Town of Huntington for snow and ice removal services, village attorney reviewed as to form.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2014-76) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby authorize the Village Clerk to order a title report for lot (0401-007.00-01.00-028.000) in order to determine marketable and insurable title to said parcel of land not to exceed $225.00

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor Letica opened up the meeting for public session.

During public session, 10 questions and comments were presented.

1.       Question on the plans presented by the Planning Board. The Village Attorney cleared up the misunderstanding of the difference between the proposed four lot plan and the presented seven lot maximum yield plan.

2.       Comment was made on what the Board wants to see with the Duck Island Property.  Mayor Letica pointed out that the village has a planning board and he noted that the property is private and the most important thing is that the owner complies with our village ordinances. 

3.       Comment on attorneys in the room.

4.       Comment on advertisement of the bid package.

5.       Question on the funding from FEMA for Village Hall.

6.       Question on the placement of sand and liability.

7.       Question on public access points and proposed sites for groins.

8.       Question on the $65,000 within the reserve reclassification and a question on the building inspection report.

9.       Comment on the beach restoration project and the long term commitments.

10.   Question on how many bidders responded to the Village hall Bid.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to go into executive session for personnel matters, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

 

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

No action was taken in executive session.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

                The July 1st, 2014 Board meeting/Public Hearing of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 10:00 pm.       

Signed: _____________________________________________

                Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk