Board of Trustees Minutes
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF SHOREHAM HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WOODVILLE ROAD, SHOREHAM, NY ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 AT 7:30 O’CLOCK PM.
PRESENT:
Edward Weiss MAYOR
Brian C. Vail TRUSTEE
Leonard Emma TRUSTEE
Rosie Connell TRUSTEE
Kathleen Baumann Schnoor ARRIVED AT 8:15 PM
Cathy Donahue-Spier CLERK/ TREASURER
Deputies, Commissioners, and Chairs present: Blum, Kogel, Weiss, Walker, Madigan and various committee members and residents.
OPEN MEETING
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Weiss opened the Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM.
MINUTES
Motion to approve minutes from August 11, 2015 Board Meeting.
Approved.
(Connell - Vail 4-0)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Resident Barbara Kullen stated that fireworks are still going off all around the Village especially late at night and she is concerned that, either someone will get hurt, or property will be damaged. She also stated that lighting fireworks and firecrackers is against the law without a permit. The Board stated that it has been in contact with the Village counsel regarding such matters as, the rights of Village code officers to enter onto private property, and other enforcement issues connected with this type of violation.
Resident Kathryn Spier addressed the Board by a letter read into the record by Clerk Spier. In this letter, K.Spier requested that the Board address the need for handicap access to the lower level of the Village Hall (letter attached). Several residents in the audience spoke in support of K.Spier’s request. The Board passed the matter to Commissioners Scrimenti (Bldg.) and Blum (Bldg. and Grounds) to come up with some proposals to address this matter. The Board also directed that Justice Clerk Wood be notified to explore funding possibilities through a Justice Court Action Plan (JCAP) grant. The Board indicated that if the need arose due to inaccessibility, any meeting could be reconvened on the upper level.
Resident McManus voiced concern that people were fishing too close to the beach. Commissioner Weiss stated that fishing is prohibited within 500 ft. of any public bathing area by County law. A discussion ensued whether a notice should be sent out in the beginning of the summer reminding everyone of this fact and whether no fishing signs should be posted on the beach.
CLERK/TREASURER REPORT
Treasurer Spier reported that the Village bonds sold at an interest rate of 2.68%. This is under the 2.75% projected rate. The bond will be re-paid in 13 years and in semi-annually installments beginning November 15,, 2015. The second payment is on May 15, 2016. Thereafter, payments will continue every May and November until 2028.
Treasurer Spier reported that PSEG underpaid its 2014-15 taxes by $55.79. PSEG cited a clause in the 2013 LIPA Reform Act stating that, as of January 2015, it is not authorized to pay taxes in an amount greater than 2% of its prior payment. All municipalities have been affected by this Act, which is separate and apart from the 2% tax cap. Treasurer Spier has been in contact with the State and other municipalities who were underpaid and will report on any further developments.
ABSTRACT APPROVAL
OPERATING BUDGET
2015004 - $ 8,261.39 (8/13 payroll & utilities)
2015005 - $ 926.87 (8/13 payroll, cont’d.)
2015006 - $ 8,595.91 (8/27 payroll & utilities)
2015007 - $ 6,960.62 (9/10 payroll & utilities)
2015008 - $ 16,445.16 (bills received since last board meeting)
TOTAL: $ 41,189.95
Approved.
(Weiss - Connell 4-0)
CAPITAL BUDGET
2015001 - $2,417.00 (Roadwork)
TOTAL: $2,417.00
Approved.
(Connell - Weiss 4-0)
RENTAL REQUESTS AND SECURITY DEPOSIT RETURNS
UL rental: Malhotra/Weiss 10/18/17 175 guests 5pm – 10pm $3,700
UL rental: Resident Baker 8/27/16 175 guests 5pm – 10pm $1,500
UL rental: Antonopoulos/Caterer 6/4/16 175 guests 5pm – 10 pm $3,700
Approved.
(Connell - Weiss 4-0)
UL full return LaMantia/Barnhart 8/15/15 $1,000
LL full return Resident Blum 8/23/15 $250
UL full return Biele/Kuck 9/12/15 $1,000
Approved.
(Weiss - Connell 4-0)
Request to have Tuscany Gourmet approved a replacement for Steer Sellar.
Approved.
(Connell - Vail 4-0)
HEARING ON THE PROPOSED LOCAL VEGETATION LAW
Motion to close regular meeting and open hearing.
Approved.
(Weiss - Vail 4-0)
Proposed law withdrawn from consideration
Motion to close hearing and re-open meeting.
Approved.
(Weiss – Connell 4-0)
HEARING ON THE PROPOSED LOCAL LAW ENTITLED NOTICE OF DEFECTS
Motion to close regular meeting and open hearing.
Approved.
(Weiss – Emma 4-0)
The Board informed those in attendance that the proposed law was meant to provide for a notification of defects requirement prior to any claim for damages against the Village.
Motion to close hearing and re-open regular meeting.
Approved.
(Weiss – Connell 4-0)
Motion to adopt local law entitled Notice of Defects.
Approved.
(Weiss – Connell 4-0)
REPORT FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Flag Football Program: Mayor Weiss requested, and was granted, permission from the Board to hold the Annual Village Children’s Flag Football Program Saturday mornings at Joe’s Field. Flyers will go out with details shortly.
Road & Drainage Project: Mayor Weiss complimented the residents on their cooperation and remarked that there were very few complaints lodged during the road repair project thus far. Mayor Weiss also complimented the contractor, who he said was very good at communicating with all of the affected residents regarding the project. The curbing is 60% complete and, when it is finished, the paving will be done in roughly 2 days. The project is expected to be concluded at the end of October ahead of schedule.
Mayor Weiss indicated that the contractors will change the screens on the storm drains so more water can enter the drains. During the last rainstorm, the current screen did not allow rainwater to pass freely into them.
The Bridge: Mayor Weiss gave an update on the steps taken to permit the Village to beautify the bridge.
The Bond: Mayor Weiss reported that the proceeds of the bond have been deposited in the Village bank accounts and thanked Trustee Baumann for her assistance in the bond process.
Stop Signs: To slow traffic on Woodville Rd., Mayor Weiss reported that the Trustees are considering the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Beatty Rd. and Woodville Rd. The Trustees are also considering the installation by the Town of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Circle Drive north and Woodville Rd.
Beach Rock Revetment: The Village has applied for a beach nourishment permit from the DEC. Trustee Emma is looking into the DEC requirements for lining the beach access road, and other portions of the beach, with fortifying rocks.
Beach Grass: The beach grass has been installed around the western stairs leading to the beach and around the cover to the drainage pipe.
State Funding: Mayor Weiss announced that Senator LaValle’s office informed him that the State has granted funding to the Village in the amount of $200,000 to implement road and drainage improvements within the Village.
Laws: The Zoning law is scheduled for introduction at the October Board Meeting. The Village cannot move forward on the law until it receives the environmental consultant’s report. When that is received, the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning law and zoning map will be ready for introduction. Mayor Weiss thanked Commissioner Brian Mahoney for his assistance with the zoning map. A building permit law will also be introduced at the October meeting. Thereafter, numerous laws will be introduced dealing with: dog control, vegetation, parking on plots, access to beach, design review, hazardous buildings, steep slopes, noise control, fireworks as well as others.
Code Enforcement Communications: The Village is working with the Rocky Point Fire Department to see if they can assist us in obtaining radio service for our code officers. Updates will follow.
Policies: The Village is working on various policies and has assigned them as follows: Clerk Spier/Workplace Violence; Trustee Schnoor/Procurement; Commissioner Falco/Emergency Preparedness; Mayor Weiss/Code Enforcement.
Miscellaneous: Commissioner Blum is looking into further improvements for lighting in the parking lot and will report to the Board.
COMMISSIONER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Public Works: Commissioner Kogel reported on road maintenance, the road project, sump repairs, drain cleaning, pothole repairs, and cutting back on encroaching vegetation.
Village Insurance Renewal: D. Madigan reported that the Village insurance broker informed him that the Village’s prior insurance carrier, Scottsdale/Euclid Insurance has declined to make a proposal to provide insurance coverage to the Village.
Building: The 25 year old dishwasher in the upstairs kitchen is not working very well and needs to be replaced. A replacement would cost 10-15 thousand dollars. D.Madigan suggested that the Village look into leasing a dishwasher that is based upon pay-by-use. Since the dishwasher is so infrequently used, this may present a very economical solution. The Village Hall building commissioner will look into this option and report back to the Board.
Beach: Commissioner Weiss reported that the beach is now closed for the summer and the 5 year old raft is “shot”. He says that we will need a new raft for next year and will price them over the winter. Resident David Madigan thanked Commissioner Weiss for all of his hard work on the beach this summer.
Grants: Grant writer N.Christian is investigating funding sources for the Village. The mayor mentioned the need for handicap access for the lower level. Ms. Christian stated that the Village of Port Jefferson had received a large grant to install an elevator in their Town Hall to provide handicap access. N. Christian will be meeting with the grant committee to determine which grants she should apply for.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn 8:40 PM.
Approved.
(Connell - Vail 5-0)
Submitted,
Cathy Donahue Spier,
Village Clerk