Call to Order, Roll Call
The General Meeting of the Flanders, Riverside and Northampton Community
Association was called to order by President Michael Brewer at 7:10 p.m.
on November 24, 2003, at the Flanders Nutrition Center.
Executive Board members Tom Weber, Janice Artandi, Eugene Rausch, Ellen
Rausch and Lonaway Muldrow were also present. Since 33 out of the 38
people who had signed in by the start of the meeting were members, a
quorum was declared.
General Meeting Minutes
Janice Artandi read the minutes from the previous General Meeting, which
was held on October 27. Several corrections were suggested by members of
the Executive Board. These included correcting the total fund amount to
$5,425.89 and the Beautification portion to $2,217.31, which properly
reflected the October Treasurer's Report.
Under New Business, Paula's last name, Sandmin, was
added.
In regard to the casino, the maker of the motion was
corrected to Michael Brewer.
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to
accept the October minutes with the above corrections. Lonaway Muldrow
seconded the motion, which passed.
Executive Board Minutes
Ellen Rausch read the minutes that Janice Artandi had written from the
Special Executive Board meeting, which was held on November 14, 2003.
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to
accept the minutes. Ellen Rausch seconded the motion, which passed.
Guest Speaker
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to
waive the normal order of business to accommodate a guest speaker. Tom
Weber seconded the motion, which passed.
Michael Brewer introduced Vinny Chiaramonte as the
association's accountant. Chiamonte is an Enrolled IRS Agent with offices
in Riverhead and East Hampton. He gave us an overview of what we can and
cannot do as a new tax-exempt organization.
This was followed by a generous question and answer
period.
Chiaramonte also explained that, under 501A as
described in 501(3)(c), the association has obtained an advanced IRS
ruling effective March 29, 2002, until December 31, 2006. Within 90 days
of the latter date, we will have to reapply.
Treasurer's Report
At about 8:10 p.m., we resumed the regular order of business. Eugene
Rausch gave the Treasurer's Report. As of November 10, the association had
total funds of $5,725.89. From that balance, $2, 359.81 is designated for
Beautification purposes.
Beautification
Patty Hopkins reported that the committee had touched up the Welcome to
Flanders sign on the four corners. She also said that the committee
discussed holding a craft fair in June.
Bylaws
At the request of the Executive Board, Bylaws Committee Chair Tom Weber
presented two amendments to the Bylaws so that the General Membership
could vote on them. The amendments were proposed in light of recent
vacancies on the board.
Regarding #7A, which notes the number of Executive
Board members that it takes to constitute a quorum, the following
amendment was proposed:
Replace the number "5" with "two-thirds of the Executive
Board members"
With 25 votes in favor, 0 votes against and 6 abstentions, the General
Membership passed this amendment.
In order to clear up the ambiguity of #9A, which
does not deem immediately vacant a position that has been resigned, the
following amendment was proposed: "If any position is vacated by the
position-holder, the Executive Board shall fill the vacancy." With 25
votes in favor, 0 votes against and 6 abstentions, the General Membership
also passed this amendment.
Education
Lonaway Muldrow reported that a March on Albany took place on November 15.
The purpose was to gain more money for Nassau and Suffolk schools.
Government Committee
Michael Brewer reported on several developments. The Planning Board has
extended the USA Deli's existing building permit. The Town's Affordable
Housing Bank is $217,000. Talks are underway for the acquisition of land
from Jim Dreeben, owner of Peconic Paddler. An application has been made
to develop 22 lots located in an area extending from Concord to McKinley
Avenues. Another application has been made to build on the Nelson
property, located on Quogue Road in Riverside.
Holiday Festivities
The association is holding its Second Annual Holiday Party on December 15.
The evening will start at 7 p.m. at Mike Esposito's restaurant. The price
of $17 for members and $22 for non-members includes buffet dinner with a
cash bar.
Northampton resident Allen Perkowski had invited all
of our members, including those from Flanders and Riverside, to join them
in the Northampton Christmas Carol Extravaganza. Michael Brewer urged us
to attend the event, which will begin at McCleod's trailer park. A sign-up
list was posted.
LI 40 Update
Michael Brewer discussed phone conversations that he had with Bruce
Barnett, the developer of the Riverside property at the site of the former
drive-in movie theatre, and Supervisor Skip Heaney. Barnett said that he
would work with the community as long as it doesn't cost more money.
Heaney indicated that he is not willing to change the zone.
Chrissy Prete inquired about the association's
official position on LI 40, as well as affordable housing. She suggested
that members attend the hearing tomorrow at Town Hall. She reiterated her
concern over the effect of light industrial business on the Phillips
Avenue School and the Head Start facility.
According to Tom Weber, Jeff Murphy will handle the
LI 40 project. As it proceeds, Weber urged that the association be
represented at meetings with the developer. Ellen Rausch agreed and
suggested that we submit a list to the Town with two representatives from
each of our hamlets. If the Town does not include us, Weber said that we
should report their lack of cooperation to News 12.
New Business
Regarding an item in the Government report, several members voiced their
concern over the development of the area from Concord to McKinley Avenues.
According to David Brewer, the plan is to build a subdivision of 22 houses
on plots of 50' x 100' each. Questions were raised about the subdivision's
proximity to one-acre zoning, the effect of this type of density on our
taxes and how this kind of development fits into the Hamlet Study.
Raffle
Laura Smith won the 50-50 raffle, which totaled $92.
Ad Hoc Motion: Lonaway Muldrow made a
motion to reimburse Ellen for $76.96 that she spent on office supplies,
including stamps, envelopes and binders. The motion was seconded by
Janice Artandi and passed.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:32 pm.
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