Incorporated Village of Asharoken
Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Tuesday March 3rd, 2015 7:30pm
At the Northport Power Plant
Approximate Attendance (20)
Officers Present:
Greg Letica, Mayor
Pam Pierce, Deputy Mayor
Melvin Ettinger, Trustee
Laura Burke, Trustee-Arrived at 7:32pm
Ian Jablonski, Trustee
Officials & Appointees Present:
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk
Bruce Migatz, Village Attorney-Arrived at 7:44pm
Emily Hayes, Treasurer
Barry Bradley, Sanitation Operator
Doug Adil, Superintendent of Buildings
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Proof of publication was made.
Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve the regular board minutes for February 3rd, 2015 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, “The village has gone through a deep freeze of epic proportions accompanied by persistent small snow storms during February. This has been the 3rd coldest February on record and for the first time in many years Long Island Sound is covered by a substantial about of ice. Needless to say this has slowed down progress on village hall but I expect that construction will commence this week.
Matt Chlebus from the DEC reports the following on the progress and status of the ASDRP:
“I just spoke to Ron. As I mentioned in my email to Phil, The Corps is focusing right now on completing the draft Engineering Appendix. They are reviewing the technical data now, and will have it to us soon. The Engineering Appendix will outline each of the alternatives the Corps have evaluated for the project area, and provide costs for each alternative. However, the benefits analysis (calculated in dollars) are still under development, and will not be included in the initial appendix that the Corps provides us. Because of this, the appendix will not yet recommend a specific alternative. The completion of the benefits analysis is probably a while out yet, and once that part is completed, the Corps can give us their recommended plan.
Ron also gave me an update on the Public Access Plan. They are expecting to send me their comments soon.”
Ron mentioned in the email is Ron Pinzon from the ACOE who is the project manager for the ASDRP.
During the month a lot of work was done on preparing the 2015-2016 budget. The tentative budget will be available for public review no later than March 23rd. The board of trustees will be voting this evening to schedule a public hearing on April 7th to repeal the tax override law as it now appears that the tentative budget may not exceed the 2% tax cap. Finally the village is in the process of preparing a shared municipal services and government efficiency plan that is required in the 2nd year of the 2% tax cap law and must be submitted for approval to NYS by June 1st.
In other items, the village completed a draft IMA with the Town of Smithtown for single stream recycling which will be voted on this evening. The village is aware of several potholes that need attention and they will be filled as soon as the weather allows. The village received an insurance payment to cover the full cost of repairing the retaining wall around the fire hydrant on the hill up to Eaton’s Neck. The wall was damaged by a van that ran into it. “
Trustees:
Deputy Mayor Pierce reported that she attended the NYCOM webinar on Property Tax Freeze with Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse and participated in the tax role assessment. She and Trustee Ettinger reviewed the tax grievances submitted and no new submissions were made during the four hour session. She reviewed the vouchers, February minutes and the IMA on single stream recycling.
Trustee Ettinger reported progress on the village hall project. The progress that was made was on the construction of the retaining wall. The weather has prevented further progress, but we have been having our weekly progress meetings, and some progress was made in reviewing with the general contractor all the hardware and other materials for the project. We are still on schedule and completion is still estimated for early summer. This month the plan is to install the footings for the building and then begin framing. He noted that he attended the grievance session. He reviewed the IMA for single stream recycling program and February minutes and vouchers.
Trustee Burke reported that she reviewed the monthly vouchers, February minutes and IMA for single stream recycling which should begin March 11th all residents will receive notification of the new single stream system.
Trustee Jablonski reported that he reviewed the monthly vouchers and February minutes and the IMA for single stream. He reported that the village is waiting for final payment on the shoulder project and the block retaining wall will be repaired as soon as the weather permits. He noted that he wrote two articles that will appear in the newsletter this month regarding deer and spoke with the Nature Conservancy regarding a deer feeding station that administers a tickicide on deer as they eat at the station (similar to frontline for dogs and cats); this will help to control ticks in the village to help eliminate Lyme disease.
Village Attorney: Bruce Migatz had nothing to report this month.
Treasurer: Treasurer Emily Hayes reported that the total amount of vouchers for the month of February was $36,455.52. A separate resolution to approve the vouchers and related budget transfers will be made. Public Safety money was received this month.
Officer-In- Charge: Police Commissioner Mel Ettinger reported for Officer-In-Charge Ray Mahdesian who was not present at the meeting. Police Commissioner reported that the police department checked on vacant houses, especially for signs of broken pipes. Five arrests and ten traffic summonses were issued this month. Six members of the department attended a training session for legal updates at Farmingdale College. Officer Rubino gave a presentation on identity theft and consumer fraud to the area Suffolk County Women’s Extension group at the Eaton’s Neck Firehouse.
Sanitation: Sanitation Operator Barry Bradley reported on Big Blue which is running well. Trash pick-up was 16.75 tons, Co-mingle was 1.75tons and News and Cardboard was 2.33 tons, totaling 20.83 tons.
Superintendent of Buildings: Doug Adil reported on 13 reviews and inspections for the month of February. He reported that he assisted a homeowner looking to undertake deck alterations; he discussed structural details and new code requirements affecting deck construction. He met with a homeowner to discuss generator locations and zoning requirement.
Resolutions:
Resolution (2015-16) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the vouchers for the month of February 2015 in the amount of $36,455.52.
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 (2015-17) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board approves the budget transfers for the month of February 2015.
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 (2015-18) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby ratify the denial of (16) sixteen of the grievance applications submitted for revision of assessed valuation, and directs the Village Assessor to advise the applicants of their statutory right to commence small claims tax certiorari proceedings to challenge the Village’s assessment of their properties.
Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.
Trustee Jablonski Abstain
Trustee Burke AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2015-19) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve the scheduling of a public hearing on Tuesday, April 7th, 2015 to discuss the tentative budget for fiscal year beginning 6/1/2015.
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 (2015-20) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve the scheduling of a public hearing on Tuesday, April 7th, 2015 for local law (#2-2015) repealing of local law (#1 of 2015), authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law }3-c.
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 (2015-21) Be It Resolved that the Village Board authorizes the Mayor to sign the IMA agreement between the Town of Smithtown and the Village of Asharoken for the delivery of recyclable materials to the Smithtown Municipal Services Facility located at 85 Old Northport Road, Kings Park, New York for the single stream recyclable program village attorney has approved as to form.
Trustee Jablonski made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Burke.
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2015-22) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does approve the assignment of an Infrastructure Reserve Fund within account #5059.
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 (2015-23) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does approve the transfer of the following reserve balances; Marine Reserve Fund $61,500, Beach Revitalization Reserve Fund for $5069.99, to the Infrastructure Reserve Fund for $66,569.99 within account #5059.
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 (2015-24) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board, does hereby accept the donation from the “Asharoken Building Fundraising Committee” in the amount of $100 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.
Mayor Letica opened up the meeting for public session.
During public session, nine questions and comments were presented.
1. Question on resolution (2015-20), and the numbering of local laws vs. resolutions.
2. Question on the safety net for the override of the tax cap.
3. Question on all other revenue items and assessment balance.
4. Question on the beach revitalization reserve.
5. Question on (2015-22) marine reserves and beach revitalization reserve.
6. Question on beach restoration and the public access response.
7. Question on the liability issue pertaining to the beach replenishment project. Mayor Letica pointed out that one of the beach lot owners provided a name of a professor in Stony Brook who has performed a lot of coastal erosion studying; he has offered to look at the plan from ACOE once we receive it.
8. Question on the name of the professor from Stony Brook.
9. Question on paving Asharoken Avenue.
Mayor Letica made a motion to close the public session, seconded by Trustee Ettinger
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 March 3rd, 2015 Board meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 8:25 pm.
Signed: _____________________________________________
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk