Incorporated Village of Asharoken
Board of Trustees Meeting/Public Hearing
On the Annual MS4 Stormwater Report
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 6:30pm
At the Village Hall
Approximate Attendance (8)
Officers Present:
Greg Letica, Mayor
Pam Pierce, Deputy Mayor
Melvin Ettinger, Trustee
Ian Jablonski, Trustee
Officials & Appointees Present:
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk
Bruce Migatz, Village Attorney
Emily Hayes, Treasurer
Doug Adil, Superintendent of Buildings arrived approximately at 6:39pm.
Barry Bradley, Sanitation
Raymond Mahdesian, Officer-in-Charge
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Publication of meeting was confirmed.
Trustee Jablonski made a motion to approve the Regular Board Meeting minutes for April 3, 2018 seconded by Trustee Ettinger.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Mayors Report;” During the month we have been working on stabilizing the sink hole, this past Friday a meeting took place with our coastal engineer and Town of Huntington members, Deputy Mayor Pierce will discuss further during her report. Subsequent to Sand Piper Farm filing a grievance application with the Village, a meeting was set up on April 13th. Deputy Mayor Pierce, Attorney Migatz along with Laurie Landau and her attorneys attended. Discussions took place on their assessments. Subsequent to that meeting they filed a tax certiorari petition in Supreme Court to challenge their assessments. We are seeking outside counsel on this matter. Presently Sand Piper Farm are asking for approximately a 75% reduction in their assessments”.
Trustee:
Deputy Mayor Pierce reported that she attended the April 13th meeting. She noted that Village Clerk and I attended a meeting with Ed Moltzen who is the Director of Shared Services. We went through the list of items that tend to have higher costs, hoping to utilize the shared services program in order to find better savings over time. On Friday, April 27th we met with Town of Huntington highway superintendent and our Coastal Advisor, they discussed several ideas on how to stabilize the sink hole until the permanent repair occurs. She attended the Water Quality Presentations sponsored by Northport Yacht Club Women’s Club committee in cooperation with the Greater Council of Yachts and Boaters Club. The presentation noted the progress it made in Northport Bay. Our own resident Stephanie Quarles is on the committee and did a great job organizing the Q & A section. She noted that she reviewed the vouchers, minutes, storm water report and the Memorandum of Understanding with the PBA.
Trustee Ettinger reported that during the month he discussed police related matters with Officer Mahdesian. On April 10th he represented the Mayor and Village in a meeting held at the Huntington Town Hall, with Lieutenant Governor of New York who presented the Long Island Regional Budget. Following the presentation Superintendent Lupinacci and others discussed Asharoken needs for the States help, specifically rebuilding the seawall. On April 20th he attended the Memorial Service with Officer Mahdesian for Officer Nate Bruckenthal. During the month he reviewed and discussed the Memorandum of Understanding and the Police retirement incentive resolution. He reviewed the stormwater report, minutes, vouchers and FOIL’s.
Trustee Jablonski reported that he reviewed the minutes, vouchers, stormwater report and Memorandum of Understanding.
Village Attorney: Bruce Migatz reported that the Zoning Board met on April 24th. One application was presented from Bevin Holding Group LLC located at 37 Bevin Road. The application was for a variance for side yard setback for additions to an existing dwelling. It was granted. The Planning Board did not meet in the month of April. The Browne Appeal from the dismissal of the Article 78 challenging the Duck Island Corp subdivision has not yet been perfected. The ERB did not meet. There is a pending Article 78 commenced by Akeson and Giunta challenging the dock permit denial. A briefing schedule has been agreed to by all parties. The submission date to the court of June 26th has been set, that may or may not be further adjourned depending upon further requests.
Village Treasurer: Emily Hayes Treasurer reported that the vouchers for the month of April were $49,375.47. Included in the vouchers for April is the yearly workers comp insurance premium of $23,315.44. Nothing unusual to report, there is a separate resolution to approve vouchers and budget transfers.
Officer-In-Charge: Officer Ray Mahdesian reported that there was 1 arrest and 32 summonses. He noted that the department performed well this month. An Asharoken Police car A-2 was struck in the rear end while stopped at a traffic light in Northport. No injuries, minor damage.
Sanitation Operator: Barry Bradley reported that big blue is running well. Total tipping fees for the month of April were $2,014.82. Trash tonnage 24.44, Single Stream recycling tonnage 7.93 and yard waste tonnage 1.1.
Superintendent of Buildings: Doug Adil reported for the month of April that he discussed building requirements for a vacant building. He discussed with an architect, building codes and floodplain requirements. He responded to a concern of standing water on Duck Island Road. He reviewed an application for a demo of a carport. He responded to questions regarding pavers. He reviewed applications for a demo of a dwelling on Bevin Road. He reviewed plans for a new construction on Bevin Road. He reviewed plans for a tennis court and reviewed plans for an addition on Beach Plum Drive. He performed 10 inspections this month.
Conservation Board Chairman: Marty Cohen was not present.
Presentation from Carole Casamassima and Linda Letica:
Both Carole and Linda presented a check to the Village of Asharoken for $9,000.00 to support the cost of the Fourth of July Barge and Tugboat for the 2018 Fireworks event.
Mayor Letica thanked Carole Casamassima, Jean Bonawandt and Linda Letica and their entire committees for all their efforts and support. He noted that there is a tremendous amount of work organizing very successfully the Holiday Party and putting together all the raffle prizes to help support the Barge and Tugboat costs.
Carole Casmassima thanked everyone for their support. She emphasized that the funds coming from the raffle prices and grand raffle support the Fireworks Barge and Tugboat. She noted that many people who do not attend the Holiday Party still make donations from $10.00 to $500.00 any amount is much appreciated.
Mayor Letica opened the public hearing for the Annual Stormwater MS4 report.
Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse read the legal notice.
He noted that every year the Village must file an annual Stormwater report called an MS4, the annual reports’ year end is March 9th.
MS4 is a (small municipal stormwater sewer system). The MS4’s are regulated under EPA’s Phase II stormwater rule, along with the NYSDEC. The MS4 program is to develop a stormwater management program that will help reduce the amount of pollutants carried by stormwater run-off into our water bodies (our bay, sound and wetlands). The program has six elements call minimum control measurements.
· Public Education/outreach
· Public Participation/involvement
· Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
· Construction Site Runoff control
· Post construction Run-off control
· Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
When implementing these measurements together they are expected to result in lower or reduced pollutants into our waterways. The ultimate goal is to improve water quality and recreational use of our waterways.
A public hearing and approval to sign the MS4 annual report is required and must be filed by June 1st to the NYSDEC office, Division of Water.
Mayor Letica opened up the hearing for public comment.
No public comments were made.
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.
Resolutions:
Resolution (2018-34) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board approves the budget transfers for the month of April 2018.
Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-35) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the vouchers for the month of April 2018 in the amount of $49,375.47.
Trustee Jablonski made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-36) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby authorize the Mayor to sign the Annual Stormwater Report for year-end March 9, 2018, subject to Boards approval.
Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-37) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the Memorandum of Understanding for a retirement incentive condition to be part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Incorporated Village of Asharoken and the Police Benevolent Association of Asharoken for the period of June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2021.
Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.
Trustee Ettinger noted that we are adding an addendum to the contract until 2021, to provide an incentive for full time officers if they elect to take retirement. It expires at the end of this month; if one of the full-time officers elects to take it with the incentive it will be a great savings to the Village. A new officer is at a lower pay rate. Mayor Letica noted that the step scale for new officers is going to be the same as it was several years ago. The difference between a new officer and the full time officers is a huge difference.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-38) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby authorize the Mayor to sign the Easement Agreement between the GRANTOR Barbara Johnson residing at 544 Asharoken Avenue and the GRANTEE Village of Asharoken for a permanent easement and right–of-way along the premises for the purpose of constructing, reconstructing, inspecting, maintaining, restoring and using the public road and highway approved as to form by our Village Attorney.
Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.
Mayor Letica answered a question; regarding the resolution and noted that the owner is in the process of selling her home and it was determined that the easement was never filed with the County Clerk’s office.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-39) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby approve a tent permit for James Monahan located at 262 Asharoken Avenue from May 26, 2018 to May 27, 2018.
Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-40) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby appoint the following election inspectors, Denise DeAcetis as Chairperson, Marian Milliken, and Hillary Candelora, Mary Brabender and Phyllis Milano for the June 19, 2018 Village Election.
Trustee Jablonsksi made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-41) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby accept the donation from “Save the Fireworks” committee in the amount of $8,000 these funds will support the cost of the barge and tugboat for the 2018 Fireworks Event.
Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-42) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby accept the donation from AVT-Shirts committee in the amount of $1000.00 these funds will support the cost of the barge and tugboat for the 2018 Fireworks Event.
Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve, seconded by Mayor Letica.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-43) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve retaining the law firm of Koeppel Martone & Leistman, L.L.C. to represent the Assessor and Board of Assessment Review of the Village of Asharoken in the real property tax assessment review proceeding for the tax year 2018/19 commenced by Eaton’s Neck, LLC at the hourly rate of $350.00, plus any disbursements.
Mayor Letica made a motion to approve, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-44) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve rescinding resolution (2018-21) and replacing it with resolution (2018-44) and authorize the Mayor to sign the proposal for services of Newport Engineering P.C. in the amount of $6000.00 for engineering services to mill and repave a portion of Asharoken Avenue beginning at 232 Asharoken Avenue and ending at 355 Asharoken Avenue approved as to form by our Village Attorney.
Trustee Ettinger made a motion to approve, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2018-45) Be It Resolved that the Village Board authorizes the Mayor to sign the marking pavement contract between the Village of Asharoken and Safety Marking Inc. for road marking for Asharoken Avenue in the amount of $9345.60, subject to Village Attorney’s review and approval as to form of the contract.
Deputy Mayor Pierce made a motion to approve, seconded by Mayor Letica.
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Mayor Letica asked the board if they had any new business, none was brought forward.
Mayor Letica opened the meeting for public comment.
One comment or questions was asked.
1. A question was asked about resolution 2018-38. Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse explained the need for the resolution. She noted that the owner of the property was in the process of placing her home on the market and realized she did not have a copy of the original easement dated 2002. After reviewing the easement the village found that it was not properly notarized nor filed with the County Clerk’s office. The easement was re-written to have properly signed and filed. Mayor Letica pointed out that the owner of the property gave the village an easement for a small portion of the roadway in order for the village to reinforce the embankment and install a block wall and be able to maintain and repair if needed.
Mayor Letica made a motion to close public session, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Mayor Letica made a motion to go into Executive Session for the purpose to discuss the petition from Sand Piper Farm filed in court requesting a reduction in their assessment, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Mayor Letica made a motion to end Executive Session at 7:08pm, no action or decisions were made, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pierce.
Trustee Jablonski 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 Ettinger AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
The May 1, 2018 Regular board meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 7:08pm.
Signed: _____________________________________________
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk