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APPROVED Minutes of the January 15, 2019 Meeting of the Asharoken Board of Trustees

 Incorporated Village of Asharoken

Board of Trustees Regular Board Meeting & Public Hearing

         Tuesday, January 15, 2019 6:30pm

             At the Village Hall

Approximate Attendance (12)

                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                                    

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

Emily Hayes, Treasurer

Doug Adil, Building Inspector

Barry Bradley, Sanitation

Raymond Mahdesian, Officer-in-Charge

Marty Cohen, Conservation Board Chairman

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Publication of meeting was confirmed.

 

Trustee Jablonski made a motion to approve the Regular Board Meeting minutes for December 4th, 2018 seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

 

Trustee Ettinger                                           AYE

Trustee Burke                                               AYE

Trustee Jablonski                                         AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                  AYE

Mayor Letica                                                  AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor’s Report;” The Village and Town sent the NYSDEC the letter asking the ACOE to prepare a Locally Preferred Plan for the restoration of the seawall area.  The Village received word last week that the DEC would like some clarification of our letter.  The Village is awaiting a response from the DEC to explain exactly what points that need clarification.

 

The Village is working with the DEC to get a permit to restore the dunes in the beach lot section by using sand that has accumulated landward of Asharoken Avenue in the seawall area.  This would be a cost effective means of augmenting the eroded dunes and help revitalize the tidal wetlands opposite the seawall.

 

The Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse, and resident Drew Mendelsohn have been working to determine if there would be some way to use the sand dredged from Coast Guard Cove to bolster the seawall area. They have gathered a significant amount of information and are still analyzing whether or not this is a viable option.

 

The Village began dual stream recycling on December 12th.  So far, the system is going well and most of the residents have transitioned into it very readily.  It is very important that residents maximize their paper and cardboard recycling because the Village is still able to sell this material.  The Village will continue to study the viability of recycling glass and as the program goes and more data becomes available the glass recycling will be re-evaluated.

 

I would like to thank Scott Spittal from the Town of Huntington Highway Safety Department for his assistance in recommending new signage in the seawall area. The new signs will make transiting this area safer.

 

On January 6th Deputy Mayor Pam Pierce, my wife Linda and I attended the swearing in of our new NYS Senator Jim Gaughran.  The event was held at the Engeman Theater in Northport. It was a star studded event with guests including Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, Congressman Suozzi, and Suffolk County Executive Bellone, Nassau County Executive Curran and NYS Comptroller DiNapoli as well as many other elected officials. I am optimistic that having Senator Gaughran, who lives on Eaton’s Neck, represent us will significantly help with getting assistance for the seawall repair.

 

The Holiday Concert by Valance and the visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus was another terrific success.  I would like to thank Nancy Rittenhouse for doing such a great job organizing this event.

 

Sadly, I need to announce the passing of former Trustee and Deputy Mayor Carol Cappy.  Carol and her family have been Asharoken residents for decades. Carol always had a big smile on her face, played a mean game of tennis and loved the Asharoken lifestyle.  My condolences go out to the Cappy family on their loss. To end on a happier note I would like to congratulate former Police Commissioner George Ayer on recently celebrating his 95th birthday.

 

Trustees:

Deputy Mayor Pierce reported that she reviewed the minutes and vouchers, participated in two shared service teleconferences and spoke with a resident regarding the status of the seawall study.

 

Trustee Ettinger reported that during last month the board approved the hiring of a full-time police officer Patrick Rogin.  He began a month of training and orientation and as of January 1st he is actively involved with our organization. In addition during the month he met with three engineer firms for proposals to design a potential guiderail across from the seawall.  In addition he noted that we are looking into street lighting at the seawall area and additional signage for traffic safety.  The fog line was re-painted as well.  He noted that he has been working with officer-in-charge Ray Mahdesian reviewing next year’s police and court budget.  He also reviewed the minutes and the vouchers.

 

Trustee Burke reported that she reviewed minutes, vouchers, village correspondences and local law 1-2019.

 

Trustee Jablonski reported that he reviewed the minutes and vouchers for the month.

 

Village Treasurer: Emily Hayes Treasurer reported that the vouchers for the month of December were $57,005.29 and noted that that was nothing unusual to report. There will be a separate resolution to approve the vouchers and budget transfers.

 

Officer-In-Charge:   Officer Ray Mahdesian reported that we had a very active 2018 year; 22 arrests, 491 traffic tickets including 186 speeds. He noted that we are keeping an eye on the seawall and going on calls involving deer being struck by cars.

 

Sanitation Operator: Barry Bradley reported that big blue is running well. Total tipping fees for the month of December were $2016.00. Trash tonnage 25.2, Single Stream recycling tonnage 1.87 and yard waste tonnage 3.87.  He noted that the Village switched to dual stream on December 12th total paper and cardboard 1.95 tons, plastic and metal .53 tons and total glass .97 tons.

Building Inspector: Doug Adil reported that he reviewed the site plan for landscape plantings for 157 Asharoken Avenue; plans were found to be in compliance with village code and species and planting design. He responded to a question regarding the need for a building permit for an upgrade to electric heat; the permit is required. He performed 11 inspections.

 

Conservation Board Chairman:  Marty Cohen reported that he spent time reviewing the landscaping site plan for 157 Asharoken Avenue.

 

Mayor Letica opened up the public hearing on the local law 1-2019; Village Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse read the legal notice.

 

Mayor Letica made a statement regarding the local law 1-2019. Mayor Letica noted; “This is the first step in the budget process that the Village has used for the last six years. Fortunately it has never been needed. This legislation provides the village with the financial flexibility to do what is right for Asharoken without the constraints of an arbitrary tax limit imposed by NY State. Passage of this law gives Asharoken a safety net should unexpected expenses arise or revenue shortfalls occur prior to finalizing the budget. Examples could include extreme snow removal cost, police overtime should we have a significant storm or other unanticipated fiscal events.

 

Right now we are in the earliest phases of determining the 2019-2020 budget. I would like to stress that adoption of the override law should not be interpreted or assumed to mean that the village intends to have a tax increase above the 2%. Just as the village has to finalize the assessment roll, determine expense budgets and revenue streams, the proposed law is part of the Village’s due diligence to prepare a realistic budget for the next fiscal year. It is in the best interest of the Village to adopt the law with the hope and expectation that it will not be needed.

 

Should a tax increase be required, the Board of Trustees will do it’s best to minimize it. This is even more of a priority now with the cap on the deductibility of State and Local taxes on your federal income tax return.  Asharoken has a long history of fiscal conservatism.  During the last six years when I have been Mayor the average tax increase has been 1.12% and there has been no increase for the last 3 years. The Board and I will be striving for similar results for the new budget”.

 

Mayor Letica opened up the hearing for public comments; No public comments were made.

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

Trustee Jablonski                                         AYE

Trustee Burke                                               AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                  AYE

Mayor Letica                                                  AYE

 

Resolutions:

Resolution (2019-01) Be It Resolved that the Village Board approves the budget transfers for the month of December 2018.

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 (2019-02) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve the vouchers for the month of December 2018 in the amount of $57,005.29.

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce 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 (2019-03) Be it Resolved that the Village Board, does hereby approve in accordance with the provisions of the Election Law of the State of New York, the 2019 Annual Village Election in the Village of Asharoken shall be held on June 18th, 2019, and be it further resolved that the offices to be filled at said election and the terms thereof are as follows:

Trustee, two (2) years

Trustee, two (2) years

Be it resolved that the polling place will be held at the Village Hall, 1 Asharoken Avenue, Northport, NY 11768 during the hours of 12 noon to 9:00 pm, subject to change.

 

Trustee Ettinger 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 (2019-04) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby authorize the mayor to sign the engagement letter from Skinnon & Faber CPA for the village audit in the amount between $9,350 to $10,150 and court audit in the amount of $700 for year end 5/31/2019.

 

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                                                  AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2019-05) Be It Resolved that the Village Board does hereby authorize the Mayor to sign the Fireworks contract between the Village of Asharoken and Fireworks by Grucci Inc. for $20,000 to be held on July 4, 2019 and rain date is July 5, 2019.

 

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 (2019-06) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve an increase in the hourly rate from $14.00 an hour to $20.00 an hour for all hourly Sanitation employees.

 

Mayor Letica 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                                                  AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2019-07) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board does hereby approve an increase in the hourly rate from $15.00 an hour to $20.00 an hour for all hourly individuals that fall under (Account A1410.499 Clerk Hourly-Non.

 

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

Trustee Jablonski                                         AYE

Trustee Burke                                               AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                           AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                  AYE

Mayor Letica                                                  AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Resolution (2019-08) Be It Resolved, that the Village Board of the Village of Asharoken, does hereby approve the local law 1-2019 authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c for the fiscal year commencing 6/1/2019. 

 

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

ROLL CALL:

Trustee Jablonski                       AYE

Trustee Burke                              AYE

Trustee Ettinger                          AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                AYE

Mayor Letica                                 AYE

 

Mayor Letica opened up discussion for new business. Mayor Letica discussed the dune repair and explained that the village needs a DEC permit in order to utilize the excess sand from the wash over area to replenish the dunes. He noted that the village requested a proposal from Newport Engineering to develop site plans per the DEC’s application request.

 

Return of Unpaid Taxes for 2018/2019:

Village Clerk noted that this process is usually performed during a Special Meeting at the end of January; but the board decided to review the unpaid taxes for 2018/2019 at the regular meeting of 1/15/19.

Village Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse; reported that the Village has two outstanding parcels unpaid as of 1/15/19. The certified list of unpaid taxes, tax warrant and a true copy of the 2018 tax roll was delivered to the Board of Trustees for review. The Board compared the list of unpaid taxes to the original tax role for 2018 and certified that the outstanding taxes were true and accurate. Village Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse noted that the Village has sent out notices approximately 8 times and has made every effort to collect these taxes. 

 

Mayor Letica opened up the meeting for public session; no public comments were made.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to close 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 January 15, 2019 Regular board meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 7:30pm.              

Signed: _____________________________________________

               Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk