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General Meeting Minutes

July 26, 2004

By PK Hopkins

 

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 PM on July 26, 2004 at the Flanders Nutrition Center.

 

Executive Board members Michael Brewer, Lonaway Muldrow, Eugene Rausch, Janice Artandi, Ellen Rausch, Allen Perkowski and Patty Hopkins were present.  A quorum was declared.

 

General Meeting Minutes

Janice Artandi read the General Meeting Minutes from May 24, 2004.  Carl Iacone inquired about FRNCA’s position regarding the Big Duck.  Michael Brewer told Carl once the minutes were finished being read, corrections would be made to clear up the reference to the Big Duck.

 

            Motion made by Allen Perkowski to accept the May 24, 2004 minutes with the corrections.  Lonaway Muldrow seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Patty Hopkins read the General Meeting Minutes from June 28, 2004.  Toni Normoyle suggested using a tape recorder at all meetings so there is less errors.

 

            Motion made by Michael Brewer to accept the June 28, 2004 minutes with corrections to all locations for Allen Perkowski’s name and other corrections.  Ellen Rausch seconded.  All were in favor.

 

Minutes from July 11 Executive Board Meeting are available upon request through the Secretary.

 

Normal order of business waived in favor of Treewolf West, candidate running for NY State Assembly.  He expressed an interest in the blue collar worker, and would like to restructure the school system, protect our natural resources, address the cost of living problem, hold the health care costs down, and keep property taxes down.  Mr. West said he would like to return power of government back to the people.

 

            Motion made by Michael Brewer to return to regular business.  Lonaway Muldrow seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Eugene Rausch read the Treasurer’s Report.  As of June 30, 2004, the Association had total funds of $9,164.75.  Out of that balance, $2,355.26 is designated exclusively for beautification purposes. 

 

Patty Hopkins submitted a receipt for get well and sympathy cards.

 

            Motion made by Allen Perkowski to accept Treasurer’s report and to pay bills.  Lonaway Muldrow seconded.  All were in favor.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Audit:            

No report was due at this time.

Chairperson Barbara Swislosky stated that Membership Dues are not supposed to be taken in as cash.  Barbara said this was written in the by-laws.  Revisiting the by-laws and further discussion will be necessary at an executive board meeting.

 

Beautification:

Chairperson Rose Nigro reported that the mulch and mesh has been installed around the South East “Welcome to Flanders” sign and rock wall.  Rose said that plans are progressing for the development of the Route 24 and County Road 105 South West corner and for the Triangle space where Old Quogue Road and Route 24 meet.  She said the availability of water and electricity to the corner project is still needed.  The Committee suggested that the North West corner where a “Welcome to Riverside” sign will go will possibly have a nautical theme.  Rose said the Committee is always open for suggestions from the general membership.

 

Stan Normoyle asked for a clarification of the Beautification Funds from the Membership Funds regarding the grants.  Michael Brewer explained that the 501©3 status applies to the original purpose pledged although the funds co-mingle in the same account.

        

By Laws:

No meetings until September.

 

Education:

Nothing to report at this time.

 

Government:

Chairperson Lonaway Muldrow reported on the Town of Southampton Planning Board meeting from July 22, 2004.  On the agenda, there were two Road Abandonments in Flanders; a portion of Port Street was requested to close by persons named Druek and Biancone, and a portion of Polk Street to close requested by Muldrow and Hawkins.  A three (3) lot planned residential development subdivision for a 42.7516 acre tract of land located on the west side of Pleasure Drive that was requested by John DeGregorio according to the agenda.

 

Code Enforcement:

Chairperson Michael Brewer stated that he was talking with Town of Southhampton liaison Nancy Grabowski and she said the Taxi issue for non conforming use in Riverside has to go back to court on September 9.  A site plan approval would be needed.  Michael will talk with the town attorney to get more information.  Janice Artandi said a stop work order was posted until they get a building permit.  Michael said that he thinks they are possibly going for a zoning change.

 

Membership:

Chairperson, Janice Artandi reported there are 110 members.  This total includes nine (9) business members.  One new business member is John Corallo of Wildwood Lanes in Northampton.  Janice said she has a report available upon request.

 

Nominating:

Nothing to report at this time.

 

Publicity:

Chairperson Laura Smith is working the web site with links to the Town of Southampton for posting events.

 

Special Projects:

The Picnic Committee, consisting of the Borrelli’s, Perkowski’s, and Rausch’s reported as of July 26, 2004 we had 30 adults and 17 children signed up to attend the picnic.  They will need a final head count by August 11.  A sign up sheet was posted in the back of the room.

 

Correspondence:

*Michael Brewer read a letter he received from Town Councilperson Dennis Suskind regarding the Point Road streetlight that is needed.  Michael was told that a petition needed to be submitted from all the residences on Point Road.  Michael collected the signatures for the petition and sent it back to the Town.

*Michael read a letter he sent to Fred Thiele regarding the speed limit in our area.  We are now waiting for a reply from Mr. Thiele.

*The Town of Southampton sent a letter to all community leaders inviting them to a “Community Action Circle” in order to make things better in our town.  The first meeting will be held September 26th, 2004 from 12 – 4 at the Southampton College.  The RSVP was July 23, 2004.

*The Phillips Avenue Parent Association Car Wash was a success and the parents wanted to thank FRNCA for the use of car washing equipment.

*The East End Voter Coalition apologized for omitting FRNCA from their Juneteenth celebration.  Robert A. Brown, a co-chair of the coalition, promised a greater success with our participation for next year.

*The 2004 Omnibus Grant Contract had some lines that needed to be filled in.  Michael Brewer filled in the lines and had the form notarized and sent back to the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development.

 

Old Business:

Rose Nigro presented the Beautification Committee’s suggestions for the four (4) corners theme and plantings, and for plantings at the Triangle intersection of Old Quogue Road and Route 24.

 

A “Round Table Summit” letter will be sent to local volunteer groups to get together on September 14 at 7 PM at the Flanders Nutrition Center to have a unity discussion regarding the future direction of our hamlets.

 

New Business:

 

Michael Brewer said more information is needed regarding a $2,000.00 state grant from Senator Ken LaValle according to his assistant Ann Labassie.  Michael spoke to Jeanette Ott regarding the new Phillips Avenue Playground.  The 1st stage of the playground is costing approximately $22,000.

 

Michael Brewer asked Town of Southampton Supervisor Skip Heaney about a $7500.00 grant and if maybe there were some cultural grants, or matching grants that we could apply for.   Michael told Supervisor Heaney that we still needed electricity and water to our four (4) corner project.  Michael thanked Supervisor Heaney for the new PVC fence at the old Tire Craft site.  Michael said the River Cat Walk project by Dede Gotthelf is close to being accepted.  He said a public hearing on the project will be in August.  Michael encouraged everyone to come out to support her project.  Michael said that he was informed that Supervisor Heaney will meet with engineers to review the outer buildings on the old Duck property.  He said he was told that the engineers will give their recommendations on which buildings should be removed and which ones can be refurbished.  Michael said Supervisor Heaney told him that the entire property needs to be cleared of brush first.  At one time, there were monies allotted to move the duck.  Michael asked if there were any funds still available.  Michael said we don’t have that answer yet.

 

Allen Perkowski reported that people were dumping garbage from the Riverhead Blues Festival behind the closed up Riverboat Diner. 

 

According to Michael Brewer, Town of Southampton Chief of Police Overton told Michael that he did not own any electric speed limit sign to clock the speed motorists were traveling.  Michael reported that Chief Overton said he can set speed traps along Route 24.  During the Riverhead Blues Festival, the Town of Southampton had police working at the traffic circle without any funding from the Town of Riverhead. 

 

Patty Hopkins asked about the damaged fence on the bridge on Peconic Avenue between the Towns of Southampton and Riverhead.  She asked whose responsibility is it to repair it.

 

Janice Artandi asked about getting a petition to remove the Taxis in Riverside.  Michael Brewer said he will talk to a judge.  There was a suggestion that having a Night Court would help to move along the docket to address the many town violations.  Michael said we can send a letter out in September.

 

Stanley Normoyle asked where all the FRNCA members were.  He wanted to know how come they are not coming to the meetings and what can we do to bring our current members to the meetings.  Michael said that Summers are hard in general to keep the continuity going.  Stan also suggested that a sick and welfare committee be formed.  

 

Chris Sheldon asked who our guest speaker for September will be. 

 

Michael Brewer expressed our sympathy on the passing of long time Flanders resident, Dave Crohan. 

 

Carl Iacone wanted to know who is responsible for the new bus shelters.  Carl said the roofs only have tar paper on them and will rot soon if the shelters are not completed.  Michael Brewer and Carl said they will call the Town of Southampton Supervisor’s Office and put in a request to get the jobs completed.

 

Mr. Sorenson mentioned that a street light was out by the traffic circle.  Mr. Sorenson was advised by Michael Brewer to get the tag number off the pole and call the highway department.  The phone number was given to him by Patty Hopkins.

 

Ida Crohan made the announcement that Flanders Memorial Park does not need help at this time from FRNCA for beautifying it.  She said the Park is maintained by the founding members of the Park with the help from the Town of Southampton.

 

Patty Hopkins asked if FRNCA could get lighter weight FRNCA T-shirts.  She was told to speak to Ellen Rausch.  Ellen said maybe if there are enough orders taken we can do that.

 

Raffle

The 50/50 raffle was conducted by Eugene Robinson.  Michael Brewer asked Mr. Sorenson to pull the winning ticket.  The winner of $36.50 was Gail Brewer.  Gail donated the $36.50 back to the Association.

 

                        Motion made by Michael Brewer to adjourn meeting.  Lonaway Muldrow seconded.  All were in favor.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.