Incorporated Village of Asharoken
Board of Trustees
Held on Monday
December 5th, 2011, at 7:30 P.M
At Village Hall
Approximate Attendance (22)
Officers Present:
Patricia Irving, Mayor
Joseph Affrunti, Trustee
Joseph Catanzano, Trustee
Pam Pierce, Trustee
Officials & Appointees Present:
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk
Emily Hayes, Village Treasurer
Ken Savin, Village Attorney
Ray Mahdesian, Officer- in- Charge
Judge Brown-Village Court
Doug Adil, Superintendent of Buildings
Bill Raisch, Emergency Manager
Barry Bradley, Sanitation Operator
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Mayor Irving called the Regular meeting to order.
Proof of Publication was noted.
Approval of the Regular Board Meeting minutes for 11/7/2011, Trustee Pierce made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Trustee Catanzano.
Trustee Affrunti AYE
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Pierce AYE
Deputy Mayor Tilleli Absent
Mayor Irving AYE
Motioned Carried.
Approval of the Special Board Meeting minutes for 11/1/2011, Trustee Catanzano made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Trustee Affrunti.
Trustee Affrunti AYE
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Pierce AYE
Deputy Mayor Tilleli Absent
Mayor Irving AYE
Motioned Carried.
Mayor’s Report:
SAVE THE FIREWORKS: Mayor noted that our fireworks show is scheduled for July 4th, Wednesday, 2012 with Bay Fireworks – pending DEC permits.
FEMA and Storm Clean-up: The Village has scheduled a kick-off meeting (with FEMA representatives) to review the expenses from Tropical Storm Irene.
Sea Wall: Mayor Irving reported that the Village received a letter from the NYS EC regarding Asharoken Beach Erosion Control Project. The letter goes on to talk about an agreement for the Project, between the State of NY and the Village of Asharoken entered into on May 30, 1995. The invoice clearly says that it is for contracted expenses to build the original Sea Wall in 1995. We have been busy recovering electronic files and storage boxes of documents to review this expense. The contract was signed by the former Mayor Kelly and approved by the Board of Trustees. An affidavit was filed by the Village Clerk that the Mayor was given Board approval to enter into the contract. Details of the vote are not on the affidavit, only that it was approved by the Board of Trustees. She noted that it is hard to believe that an expense $104,221.02 for the Village did not have a reserve account established.
She put together a meeting with resident Jim Zima, a Trustee at the time of the contract signing and had our Village attorney attend as well. He was very helpful.
Senator Carl Marcellino is assisting Mayor Irving in researching what funding may have been available at the time when the previous Mayor William Kelly entered into the contract with language that says “the Village will look for funding” according to the official Village records that we have found to-date.
Sea Wall Staircase damages from Tropical Storm Irene: Mayor Irving noted that the loss of sand in front of the sea wall and the damages sustained made the staircase unusable. The Village has contracted to rebuild the staircase so that the beach in that area will remain accessible. That work is now complete.
We continue to work with the Army Corps in this regard and as always the largest impediment to restore the beach is the NYS DEC’s refusal to allow any sort of dredging in Long Island Sound including the large sand deposits just off Asharoken beach.
Sand on the Beach: Mayor Irving had a brief discussion with Ron Pinzon of the US Army Corps of Engineers and he assures her that the Asharoken Feasibility Study is still under discussion with the DEC.
Sea Grass: Mayor Irving noted that the Village had additional sea grass re-planted at both the north and south ends of the sea wall.
Emergency Management: Bill Raisch has prepared a revised plan that the Mayor will be reviewing along with the Board of Trustees. She noted that this month we hope to cover this very important project for final review and updates.
Infrastructure projects in the Village this month: Deputy Mayor Tilleli has been working with several contractors to get estimates to seal and protect Asharoken Avenue prior to the winter. The Board will be reviewing the proposal this evening.
Mayor Irving reported that striping Asharoken Avenue will have to wait till the spring of 2012.
Attended as your Mayor:
She met with residents whose properties border Carter’s bight, at the end of Beach Plum Drive to discuss dredging.
She attended the Pearl Harbor Observance.
She congratulated the newly elected County Legislature, Dr. William Spencer
She congratulated newly elected Town Councilman Gene Cook with the Town of Huntington
She congratulated re-elected Town Councilwoman Susan Berland with the Town of Huntington
As your Police Commissioner:
She spent time this month with Deputy Police Commissioner, Mel Ettinger to discuss Police Matters.
Correspondence:
She received a copy of the Village of Lloyd Harbor Local Law “Regulation of Outdoor Lighting”. The Board will be reviewing this local law.
She noted that she received notice from Bob DeMoustos regarding a LIPA Gas Venting procedure on unit #3 on Tuesday, December 6th. A courtesy call was sent to both Northport Mayor Doll and the Mayor.
Trustee Reports:
Trustee Affrunti reported that he is in the process of getting the police boat winterized and scheduling the necessary repairs. He spoke with Volpe Marine about the 5mph signs about creating a new design that will increase stability. He reported on the progress of the Village dock permit from the Town of Huntington. The Town of Huntington will not be requesting the Village to obtain a variance for the proposed Village dock and are currently in the process of reviewing the Village dock application.
Trustee Pierce reported that she attended the work session on November 1st. She attended the POENB meeting and took part in the Deer discussion. She attended all court sessions for the month of November and noted that she attended the FEMA kick-off on November 21st. She reported that she has been observing the sea wall shoulder project, corner near Bevin road and the new beach grass plantings and has taken numerous photos.
Trustee Catanzano reported that he attended several court sessions. He observed the sea wall shoulder project and the repair to the crossover staircase. He reviewed the vouchers this month.
Mayor Irving read Deputy Mayor Tilleli’s report. He noted in his report that he received two estimates for the sealing of the roadway. He noted that he monitored the repair of the crossover staircase. He monitored the installation of the hay bales and planting of the beach grass. He wished everyone a Happy Holiday.
Village Attorney: Ken Savin reported on the sea wall repairs, he noted that we still haven’t received a response from the USACE. The sea wall roadway stabilization project is now complete and new signs will be installed. He noted that now that the shoulder and roadway are repaired the likely hood of a road closure is minimal since the road and shoulder are now stable. New asphalt was placed on the north side of Bevin road approximately 232 feet of roadway was milled and new asphalt installed. He noted on “Sand on the Beach” the snow fences are creating a build-up of sand. Reviewed several code issues and noted that there are several outstanding violations. He made mention of several police matters which will be discussed during executive session and that several channel changes in Verizon. No new litigations.
Treasurers Report: Vouchers for the month of November 2011: Treasurer, Emily Hayes requested approval for vouchers in the amount of $369,168.46 and related budget transfers. She noted that a large portion of the voucher total includes the payment of $183,315.10 to Kings Park Industries and the funding for the employee pension plan.
Motion was made by Trustee Catanzano to approve the Treasurers Report and November 2011 vouchers of $369,168.46 and related budget transfers, seconded by Trustee Affrunti.
Trustee Affrunti AYE
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Pierce AYE
Deputy Mayor Tilleli Absent
Mayor Irving AYE
Motioned Carried.
Village Justice: No Report
Officer-in-Charge: Ray Mahdesian reported that the officers reported a substantial increase in deer sightings. He noted that the Asharoken Police assisted a resident whose care struck a deer at Steers Beach entrance on November 25th. He reported that two instances of Cablevision wires have been purposely severed at the same location, the matter is under investigation. He noted that no reported burglaries in the village for the month of November.
Sanitation Report: Barry Bradley reported that Big Blue was running well. Trash pick-up was 28.53 tons, 1.87tons of comingle and 7.65 tons of newspaper. A final yard waste pick up was done in November.
Superintendent of Buildings Report: Doug Adil reported on 8 construction inspections and performed several discussions with residents involving zoning requirements for construction of a new residence. Discussed with resident a question regarding expansion of an existing bathroom and Suffolk County DHS requirements.
Resolutions:
Resolution (2011-73) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board of the Village of Asharoken NY in regular session duly convened does hereby approve the following amendment to the budget for fiscal year 5/31/2012, Revenue accounts: (A4090.000) Multi-Modal MM4 for $93,711.96 and (A3501.000) CHIPS (Consolidated Highway Aid) for $90,353.14 totaling $183,315.10(KPI) plus $750.00 (Surveyor) and to post to the Permanent Improvements Highway, Equip. & Capital Outlay Account: (A5112.200) for $184,065.10.
Trustee Catanzano made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Pierce.
Trustee Affrunti AYE
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Pierce AYE
Deputy Mayor Tilleli Absent
Mayor Irving AYE
Motioned Carried.
Resolution (2011-74) Be it Resolved, that the Village Board of the Village of Asharoken NY in regular session duly convened does hereby authorize the following dates the Asharoken Village Hall will be closed for 2012; January 2nd, January 16th, February 13th, February 20th, May 28th, July 4th, September 3rd, October 8th, November 6th, November 12th, November 22nd, December 25th.
Trustee Affrunti made a motion to approve, seconded by Trustee Catanzano
Trustee Affrunti AYE
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Pierce AYE
Deputy Mayor Tilleli Absent
Mayor Irving AYE
Motioned Carried.
Public Session:
Village residents asked or commented about the wood caps on the sea wall. Mayor Irving noted that the she is waiting to hear back from USACE to determine when the repairs will take place.
A Village resident thanked the Village Board for all their hard work and thanked them for their time.
A Village resident discussed the amount of sand that was placed during the repair of the sea wall.
A Village resident commented that he thought that the sea wall wasn’t built correctly; he noted that the boulders in front of the sea wall should have been curved out to release the energy from the waves back into the water.
Mayor Irving made a motion to close public session, seconded by Trustee Catanzano.
Trustee Affrunti AYE
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Pierce AYE
Deputy Mayor Tilleli Absent
Mayor Irving AYE
Motioned Carried.
Mayor Irving made a motion to go into executive session for personnel matters, seconded by Trustee Catanzano.
Trustee Affrunti AYE
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Pierce AYE
Deputy Mayor Tilleli Absent
Mayor Irving AYE
Motioned Carried.
No action taken during Executive Session.
Mayor Irving made a motion to close executive session, seconded by Trustee Affrunti.
Resolution (2011-75) Village Board of Trustees, Incorporated Village of Asharoken, State of New York, In the matter of the Grievance of Police Officer Dennis Magerle decision.
Trustee Affrunti made a motion to waive the reading of resolution (2011-75), seconded by Trustee Catanzano.
Trustee Affrunti AYE
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Pierce AYE
Deputy Mayor Tilleli Absent
Mayor Irving AYE
Motioned Carried.
Vote on resolution (2011-75) took place by way of a Roll Call.
Trustee Affrunti AYE
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Pierce AYE
Deputy Mayor Tilleli Absent
Mayor Irving AYE
Mayor Irving made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Affrunti.
Trustee Affrunti AYE
Trustee Catanzano AYE
Trustee Pierce AYE
Mayor Irving AYE
Motioned Carried.
The December 5th, 2011 meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 9:15 pm.
Signed: _____________________________________________
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk