General Meeting Minutes

March 22, 2004

By Ellen S. Rausch, General Member

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 7:05 p.m. on March 22, 2004, at the Flanders Nutrition Center.

Executive Board members Tom Weber, Eugene Rausch, Lonaway Muldrow, Allen Perkowski and Ellen Rausch were also present.   Janice Artandi was absent.  A quorum was declared.

General Meeting Minutes

The last general meeting minutes of February 25, 2004 were not available for review.

Executive Board Minutes

Final copies of these minutes from the March 14, 2004 were not available for review.

Treasurer’s Report

Eugene Rausch gave the Treasurer’s Report. As of February 28, the association had total funds of $6,395.55 From that balance, $2,326.26 is designated for Beautification purposes. 

Motion:  Michael made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report.  Allen seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Eugene presented a bill in the amount of $5.39 from Patty Hopkins for 50/50 chances.

Motion:  Eugene made a motion to pay Patty.  Ellen seconded, which passed unanimously.

Beautification

Barbara Swislowsky reported that the committee is doing a fund raiser with bulbs.  For further information contact Patty Hopkins. The Flanders Annual Clean-Up is on April 24, 2004.  Volunteers are needed.   Perhaps members could participate in the adopt-a-road program.

Bylaws

Chair, Allen Perkowski, stated that the first meeting of the Bylaws Committee was held on March 7, 2004.  The Committee will be re-vamping all bylaws. This process should be completed by the end of the year.

Education

Lonaway Muldrow reported that two members from our community are running for the school board this May.  Marianne Fitzgerald and Robert Brown spoke about what their reasons are for running.  They each want accountability of funds spent.

Guest Speaker

Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to waive the normal order of business to accommodate Tim Bishop, our guest speaker. Tom Weber seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Michael Brewer introduced Congressman Tim Bishop.   The following are issues that are important to Congressman Bishop:  Environment, Education, Working Families, Senior Citizens, Veteran Affairs and Constituents Service.  Mr. Bishop told the membership that he has not encountered success regarding a zip code for the Flanders area.  He will continue to press this issue.  He did report that the building that was to be the new Riverhead Post Office will be shortly going out to bid.  The following inlets have been dredged:  Mattituck, Moriches and Shinnecock.   Congressman Bishop will look into a possible solution of the traffic congestion on the east end.  In addition, Mr. Bishop told the association that the United State Federal Government is contemplating a plan for undocumented people.

Government Committee

Michael Brewer gave the Executive Board a copy of his March 2004 report.  It was very long and extensive.  Copies were made available. 

Correspondence

Michael received a letter from Jay Schneiderman’s office for a grant in the amount of $500.00 for the general fund.  This grant will be in addition to the $7,500.00 grant arranged by George Guildi before he left office.  The $7,500.00 grant will go towards the 4-corner beautification project.  The Phillips Avenue Parent Association will be holding a Chinese Auction on March 26, 2004 at 5:00 pm.  The Auction is to benefit the building of a new playground.  Household and hazardous materials can be dropped off at the Hampton Bays dump 4/3-8/7 between the hours of 9:00-2:00 pm.

Old Business

Workshops on the LI-40 (Flanders Drive-In) will be held at the Phillips Avenue School on March 29 (7-9:30 pm) March 30 (12:30-2:00 pm and 5-6:30 pm) and March 31 (7-9 pm)

Michael faxed a letter to Jeff Murphree regarding a zone change of the LI40.  This zone change will enable a bank to be developed at that property.

The Little Red School House has been sold to a private citizen for $215,000.00. 

The Association has received the $2,500.00 grant from Southampton Town.  This money will be used for the hamlet sign on Flanders Road by Sears Bellows Park.

New Business

Michael brought up to the Association that there is a Planning Board Meeting on 4/8 at 1:00 pm.  One of the items to be discussed is a proposed Church on the Abor Cabinets property. (Flanders Road)  Carl Iacone also spoke about this topic.  He stated that he would be bringing up this matter to the Bay View Pines Civic Association Meeting. 

Question:  Does the Association agree to support the proposed Church?  By a show of hands, the answer is NO.

Michael will write a letter to the Town stating that our Association is not in favor of the Church for the following reasons: traffic control, taken off the tax rolls, dangerous sanitation situation which will roll off into Silverbrook Pond. 

Everyone has received their reassessment letters from Southampton Town.  Allen Perkowski stated that anyone that is not happy with their reassessment can grieve it to the Town. 

Supervisor Patrick “Skip” Heaney will be a guest speaker at our next general meeting on April 26, 2004.  It was suggested that a list of questions be sent to the Supervisor ahead of time.  Different topics were discussed.  Michael will prepare the letter to the Supervisor.

Raffle

Barbara Downs won the 50-50 raffle; she donated $48.00 to the beautification fund.

Adjournment

Michael motioned for the meeting to the adjourned at 8:55 pm.  Allen seconded, which passed unanimously.