General Meeting Minutes

February 23, 2004

By Janice J. Artandi, Secretary

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 February 23, 2004, at the Flanders Nutrition Center.

            Executive Board members Tom Weber, Janice Artandi, Eugene Rausch, Ellen Rausch, Lonaway Muldrow and Allen Perkoski were also present. Mary Anne Corwin was absent. Since 31 out of the 49 people who had signed in were members, a quorum was declared.

General Meeting Minutes

Janice Artandi read the minutes from the previous General Meeting, which was held on November 24, 2003.  (The December meeting was replaced by the Holiday Party and the January meeting was cancelled due to installation of new flooring at the Nutrition Center.)

            Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to accept the November minutes. Tom Weber seconded the motion, which passed.

Executive Board Minutes

In order to accommodate the two guest speakers, Michael Brewer suggested that the normal order of business be waived, including the reading of Executive Board minutes. There were no objections.

First Guest Speaker

Michael Brewer introduced Andrew Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of Central Suffolk Hospital, who told us that he has a Masters degree in Public Health. Mitchell explained that he envisions more of a regional hospital versus a community hospital.

According to Mitchell, the hospital expects a $25 million bond and intends to break ground on new construction in the fall. Plans include expanding the ER to reduce waiting time and building new operating rooms above the ER on the second floor.     

Mitchell said that the hospital is the first on Long Island to be part of the Planetree Alliance, which uses satellite nursing stations to enable the nurse to be closer to the patient. Other changes include a window in every patient’s room and the replacement of vinyl flooring with germicide treated carpeting for a quieter facility.

Mitchell also said that he thinks the community would benefit from a walk-in clinic, since there are a disproportionate number of alcohol and substance abuse cases, as well as more asthma patients than most communities.

Second Guest Speaker

The owner of the Southampton Inn, DeDe Gotthelf, updated us on the River Catwalk Project that she is developing in Riverside. She was accompanied by Michael Tortoris, the architect and Guy Smelling, who handles marketing.

According to Gotthelf, the potential effects on traffic, wetlands and nitrate loading have been satisfactorily addressed. The stated public benefit will be access to the water, with the possibility of a town marina.  Gotthelf foresees a Wetland Restoration Habitat.

Gotthelf said that the hotel will be four stories high, including 107 rooms, a 4,000 sq. ft. restaurant and an indoor pool that will have memberships available. Although current plans are for a beige exterior with a neutral-color roof, she asked for suggestions regarding the color scheme.

Gotthelf expects that construction will take about 9 months, beginning at the end of the year. She said that future real estate taxes will be phased in over 10 years and are estimated at $300,000-$400,000 aggregate. She also said that the hotel will create

105-120 new jobs.

Gotthelf encouraged community residents to contact her with any suggestions at www.southamptoninn.com.

Government Report: LI 40

At about 8:40 p.m., we resumed the regular order of business with Michael Brewer bringing us up-to-date on LI 40. He said that Five Towns College and a major bank are interested in locating there.  On March 9, a public hearing will be held to determine whether an exception use to the LI 40 zoning should be granted to the bank. Michael asked the opinion of the members attending the meeting and a show of hands indicated positive support for the exception use.

Since Jeff Murphee (Dept. of Land Management, Town of Southampton) had come to the meeting, Michael asked him to address the association regarding the 3-Day Community Workshop being held from March 29-31. He explained that this was an opportunity to work with Hutton Associates, which has been retained to prepare a hamlet center plan with the goal of revitalizing this area of Riverside. 

Nominating Committee

Lona Muldrow asked for volunteers to join the committee. She also encouraged members to do their part and consider running for office.

Bylaws Committee

Allen Perkowski asked for volunteers to join the committee.

Membership Committee

Chair Ellen Rausch reported that all membership renewals had been mailed. Michael Brewer suggested that we consider a discount for seniors on membership dues.

Beautification Committee

Barbara Swislowky reminded us that the Annual Cleanup is scheduled for April 24 from

9 a.m.-12 noon. She also said that the Flanders-Northampton Volunteer Ambulance Company is holding a fundraiser concert on April 3.

Publicity

As President, Michael Brewer announced that he had appointed Laura Smith the new chair of the Publicity Committee. During the transition, Mary Anne Corwin will handle the website, while Ellen and Eugene Rausch will prepare the meeting announcement postcards.    

Correspondence

Secretary Janice Artandi reported that she had sent a letter in Michael Brewer’s name to Senator LaValle asking for his help in obtaining funds to renovate the Phillips Avenue playground.  Per request of the board, she also wrote a letter to Skip Heaney advocating that the town purchase the historic Little Red Schoolhouse in Flanders with Community Preservation funds. In addition, thank-you letters were sent to all of the candidates that had participated in our Meet the Candidates Nights last year.         

Treasurer’s Report

Eugene Rausch gave the Treasurer’s Report. As of December 31, 2003, the association had total funds of $5,618.49. From that balance, $2,326.26 was designated for Beautification purposes. As of January 31, 2004, the association had total funds of $5,290.64. From that balance, $2,326.26 was designated for Beautification purposes.

New Business

            Motion: Allen Perkowski made a motion that Michael be reimbursed for $221.34 to cover the cost of Front Page software and other miscellaneous items. The  motion was seconded by Ellen Rausch and passed.

50/50 Raffle

Since the raffle tickets were not available, there was no raffle.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.