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[MESSAGE JSNF-285-09]

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

 Incorporated Village of Asharoken

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

          Tuesday September 1, 2015 7:30pm

             At the Northport Power Plant

Approximate Attendance (34)

                                                                               

                                                                                                               

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

Doug Adil, Superintendent of Buildings

Raymond Mahdesian, Officer-in-Charge

Barry Bradley, Sanitation

Joe Affrunti, Harbormaster

Matthew Casamassima, ASDRP Committee Chairperson

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Proof of publication was made.

 

Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve the regular board minutes for August 4th, 2015 seconded by Trustee Burke.

 

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor’s Report:

 

Mayor Letica, reported “There are several things to report on the ASDRP. On August 8th Deputy Mayor Pierce and I met with Supervisor Frank Petrone and Deputy Supervisor Pat Del Col to discuss getting the Town of Huntington to help Asharoken make the ASDRP a road protection project and eliminate the need for public access.  The Supervisor offered his assistance and advised us that he was going to discuss the matter with Congressman Steve Israel.

Assemblyman Andrew Raia sent an excellent letter to Governor Cuomo seeking to eliminate the need for public access by funding the project with a Hazard Mitigation Grant.  This type of funding could eliminate the need for public access. Additionally, I attended the first meeting of the ASDRP Committee, where I asked Matthew Casamassima to be chairperson.  The committee has met several times since and I would like to thank them for their hard work. Deputy Mayor Pierce will report on these matters in a little more detail and update the Village on a meeting she had with the Colonel David Caldwell who now is heading the New York office of the ACOE.

Village hall continues to move along well. Completion and occupancy are not very far away.  Trustee Ettinger will give a more detailed report of the progress.

The Village received correspondence from Jon Santemma, the attorney for Sandpiper Farms, in an effort to begin the process of legalizing their agricultural operations.  Mr. Santemma was put in touch with the Village Attorney and as a result of their discussions a public hearing will be set to hear comments on a proposed amendment to our local laws to address this matter. On the agenda is a resolution to set up a public hearing.

The village is still intending to pave a section of Asharoken Avenue as soon as the village hall project is at a point where the road will not need to be opened up any more. Presently the village is waiting for the final engineering design from Newport Engineering and will then finalize the contract for the paving. The approximate time frame is early October.

The police boat is out of the water for the season as a result of a serious malfunction in the engine.  The Board of Trustees has a resolution on the agenda this evening to authorize the repair of the boat.

The next couple of months are going to be very busy in the village.  The coastal cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, September 26th.  Debbie Masterson and Cathy Zimmermann are once again running this important event.  The village is planning a grand opening ceremony for village hall in early October.  Finally, the Village Holiday Party celebrating the Village’s 90th anniversary will be held at the Northport Yacht Club on November 7th.  Carole Casamassima is organizing this event and I am sure that she will out do herself again.

Last night Linda and I had the pleasure of attending the Fore Erika fund raiser.  This event raises money to help Jeff and Cathy Josephson raise their daughter Erica who has Charge Syndrome. Erika is truly a special child.  She has had over forty surgical procedures in the last twenty years to help her live with one of the most complex medical problems a child can have. Jeff has been one of our full time police officers for the last 31 years.  The out-pouring of support by the Asharoken and Northport community to assist the Josephson’s is heartwarming and remarkable. Cathy, Jeff and Erika are a remarkable family and deserve all of the love that their friends and neighbors show them every year.

Trustees:

Deputy Mayor Pierce reported on the ASDRP she continued her outreach to elected officials, Assemblyman Raia, Supervisor Petrone, Northport officials and interested parties both with updates and getting support regarding the public benefit of protecting Asharoken Avenue.  She noted that she plans to meet with Senator Marcellino next week.  The Town of Huntington completed a traffic survey for the village; it showed 5,140 trips per day, the total represents an increase over 2008 and 2010 data which was 4,400 trips per day.  She noted that she participated in the ACOE inspection with Colonel Caldwell.  This was his first visit to the ASDRP site, Ron Pinzon updated him on the plan of the beach restoration project, and Deputy Mayor Pierce updated him on the villages position, regarding the surrounding areas and the importance to get the project to be considered a road protection project rather than solely a beach replenishment project due to the importance to both Asharoken, Eaton’s Neck, and the public safety aspect that are involved.

On August 24th she attended a public hearing in Port Jefferson, on the dredge material management plan by the federal government which was the ACOE and EPA, the hearing was on the dumping of dredge spoils from the Connecticut rivers and ports into Long Island Sound, she reported that she added Asharoken to the list of municipalities who were opposed to the plan.  She noted that she attended two ASDRP committee meetings, reviewed the vouchers and minutes for the month.

 

Trustee Ettinger reported on the progress of the village hall project for August.  He noted that the interior is approximately 95% complete.  The painting, ceramic tile, vinyl floor, plumbing fixtures has been installed and water is on.  Excavation of the front steps, stoop and ramp took place.  We are in the process of installing a new drainage pipe and dry wells.  We also moved the contents of one of the storage trailers into the building, to eliminate cost.  The plan for September is very aggressive and we hope to move into the building by the end of the month.  The next step is to pour the concrete for the steps, the walkway and pad for the mechanical system as well as complete the parking area.  Our goal is to finish in order hold our next meeting in the new building.  He noted that he reviewed the minutes, vouchers, and attended the Fore Erika event.  He thanked John and Judy Ross for a beautiful framed photo of the old village hall.  He also thanked Valerie Bauman from Newsday for the article of the new Village Hall.

 

Trustee Burke reported that she reviewed the minutes, financial statements and vouchers; she met with Deputy Mayor Pierce and Assemblyman Raia.  She noted that she volunteered at the Fore Erika event. 

 

Trustee Jablonski reported that he reviewed the minutes, vouchers, and financials and attended the Fore Erika event.

 

 Village Attorney:  Bruce Migatz noted that neither the Zoning Board nor the Planning Board met in August. He noted that he anticipates that the Planning Board may be meeting in September on the sub-division application on Duck Island.  He noted that he drafted the proposed local law, revising the zoning code to accommodate farm operations.  He noted that he has been in contact with Jon Santemma and sent a draft of the proposed local law for their review and input.  He noted that he will review with the board and it is subject to change.

 

Treasurer: Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk, reported for Treasurer Emily Hayes.  She reported that the total amount of vouchers for the month of August $26,124.61.  There will be a separate resolution to approve the vouchers and related budget transfers.

 

Officer-In- Charge:   Officer-In-Charge Ray Mahdesian reported on aviation incidents last month.  A drone was flying over the Coast Guard Station.  He reported that it was a crime free month, 37 summonses were issued and 64 water ski permits were issued.  No burglaries in the village for the month of August.

 

Harbormaster:  Joe Affrunti, reported that the police boat is out of service.

 

Sanitation Operator: Barry Bradley reported that trash pick-up was 34.97 tons, single stream 8 tons, .62 tons for yard waste for a total of $2,141.60.  He reported that Big Blue is running very well and single stream is working well.

 

Superintendent of Buildings: Doug Adil reported on thirteen inspections for the month of August. He noted that he reviewed and approved plans for a renovation to a home.  He discussed construction drawings for a home and required accurate square footage and estimated construction costs.  He responded to a police inquiry regarding a homeowner who was re-paving an existing asphalt driveway.  He reviewed a tree removal plan in advance of construction.

 

ASDRP Committee Chairperson: Matthew Casamassima, reported that the ASDRP committee will suggest alternative long term solutions to protect Asharoken Avenue as a key transportation artery, storm barrier and emergency evacuation route, without the locally burdensome conditions currently mandated by the USACOE & NYSDEC.  The committee will report directly to Deputy Mayor Pam Pierce.  The committee is a cross section of all of Asharoken residents and it realizes the sensitivity and timeliness of the issue.  He noted that they will meet once a week in a think tank environment to explore all options.

 

Resolutions:

 

Resolution (2015-107) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board approves the budget transfers for the month of August 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

 

 

Resolution (2015-108) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the vouchers for the month of August 2015 in the amount of $26,124.61.

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

 

 

Resolution (2015-109) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board, does hereby accept the donation from the “Asharoken Building Fundraising Committee” in the amount of $5000 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

 

Resolution (2015-110) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve change order #9 from Ravco Construction for additional rental equipment required to re-route the existing drainage pipe per Newport Engineering plan #C101.00, change in contract sum $3,850.00.

 

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                    

 

 

Resolution (2015-111) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve change order #10 for a extension until September 25th, 2015 to RAVCO Construction for the completion of the village hall project subject to and on the condition that if the work is not finished by September 25th, 2015, liquidated damages will be charged retroactively from September 1st, 2015 and on a daily basis going forward, contract sum $0.00.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                    

 

Resolution (2015-112) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby accept the audited Financial Statements for year end 5/31/2015, the Financial Statements have been filed with the Village Clerk, published and available for inspection.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                    

 

Resolution (2015-113) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve the replacement of the supercharger for the village police boat by Accurate Marine Inc., cost of repairs not to exceed $5000.00.

 

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                    

 

Resolution (2015-114) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve the scheduling of a public hearing on Tuesday, October 6th, 2015 for local law (#3-2015) to amend Chapter 125 of the Code of the Village of Asharoken entitled “Zoning” to comply with the provisions of Article 25-AA of the New York State Agricultural and Markets Law. 

 

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                    

 

Mayor Letica opened up the meeting for Public Session.

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

1.       A statement was read on the proposed Rittenhouse dock at 285 Asharoken Avenue.

2.       A comment was made on ASDRP committee meetings and minutes.

3.       Question was made about Crab Meadow Beach closure.

4.       A comment was made on the ASDRP advisory committee.

 

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 Deputy Mayor Pierce.

Trustee Jablonski                                            AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

                The September 1st, 2015 Regular board meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 8:15 pm.             

Signed: _____________________________________________

                Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk