General Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 28, 2004
By PK Hopkins, 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 7:05 PM on June 28, 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
Minutes from May’s General Meeting were not available for review at this time.
Executive Board Minutes
Minutes from June 13, 2004 are available upon request through the Secretary.
Treasurer’s Report
Eugene Rausch gave the Treasurer’s Report. As of May 31, 2004, the Association had total funds of $9,079.89. Out of that balance, $1,903.00 is designated exclusively for Beautification purposes.
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to accept Treasurer’s Report. Allen Perkowski seconded. All were in favor.
Eugene said there was a ten dollar ($10.00) balance owed to Pool Builders from the building of the rock wall.
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to pay ten ($10.00) dollars owed to Pool Builders for the rock wall balance. Allen Perkowski seconded. All were in favor.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Audit:
Chairperson Barbara Swislosky reported that deposits made against revenues received as well as receipts on hand for all checks written through April 2004 has been verified. The committee suggested all dues be paid by check and to have a carbon copy numbered receipt book to be used for all cash received.
Beautification:
Chairperson Rose Nigro read her monthly report. A summary of the report follows: The “Welcome to Flanders” sign on Route 24 South East is now in place along with a rock wall and plantings. The committee made a request to purchase stone rock mulch along with landscape mesh. The “Welcome” sign for the Route 24/County Road 105 intersection is ready for installation. The on-going watch sale fund raiser is in progress. A new project will be the intersection of Old Quogue Road and Route 24 triangle in Riverside. Rose asked the members to bring plans to the next Beautification Meeting on Tuesday, July 20. A Fall Flower Bulb Fundraiser will begin and the committee would like to purchase two hundred dollars ($200.00) worth of daffodil bulbs for plantings within the three (3) hamlets.
Motion: Allen Perkowski made a motion to purchase mulch and mesh to keep weeds down from around the rock wall. Lonaway Muldrow seconded. All were in favor.
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to spend two hundred dollars ($200.00) on fall flower daffodil bulbs. Lonaway Muldrow seconded. All were in favor.
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to wave normal order of business in favor of our guest speaker, Suffolk County Legislator, Jay Schneiderman. Allen Perkowski seconded. All were in favor.
Guest Speaker: Jay Schneiderman introduced himself and gave a little biography of his past, i.e; East Hampton Supervisor for two (2) terms, teacher, motel businessman, zoning board chairperson, vice-chair environmental committee…..He said local quality of life issues are important to him. He said he recently visited Phillips Avenue School during their drug awareness program. He spoke about how Medicaid is funded: ¼ County, ¼ State, and ½ Federal. He said there will be a 200 million dollar jail to be built in Yaphank. He stated the funds for building will have to come from cuts somewhere. Mr. Schneiderman is chairperson of the Parks Committee and also on the Health Care Committee and Economic Development Committee at Gabreski Airport. He is involved with affordable housing which is being called “Work Force Housing”. He sent for a $500.00 Grant for our areas Revitalization. The floor was then opened for questions from the general membership. He stated that The Big Duck controversy was in the Town’s hand to donate the “foundation land” to Suffolk County because the Duck must be on county land, not town land. He said a second county bus was added to help relieve crowding. He said some reasons for incarcerations have to be re-looked at to help relieve jail crowding. He stated that he would like to see the County Center used for more East End meetings and not up island all the time. Beverly Perkowski asked why not get old homes and refurbish them instead of building new housing. Ken Densieski said that through the county health department issues regarding cesspools and garbage should be addressed. Dave Fox wanted to know why there was a push for a nine (9) minute response time from the volunteer ambulance. Michael told Dave that liability Insurance would possibly be in jeopardy if time is missed. Dave said the first (1st) responder is not considered in the time frame….only an ambulance is. Chris Sheldon said they should plan affordable housing through zoning. He said funding could be through the County. Mr. Schneiderman said there is a program in place at this time. He said some rules have been changed to make it easier to obtain funding; for instance, 50% for low income and 50% for moderate. Chris suggested that assessments should be made for affordable housing. He stated that the area where most of the job demand is should be where the housing is. Chris said each town should have their fair share of affordable housing. Allen Perkowski said the new bus stop shelters need garbage cans. The town would be responsible to empty them.
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to return to normal business. Janice Artandi seconded. All were in favor.
Code Enforcement:
Chairperson Michael Brewer took a Flanders ride-a-round along with Nancy Grabowski. He reported that the taxi’s on Peconic Avenue are unsightly. Lonaway Muldrow thanked the community for removal of stones and logs from Glider Avenue.
Bylaws:
No report needed at this time from Chairperson Allen Perkowski.
Education:
Chairperson Ellen Rausch reported that the Riverhead Central School budget passed the second time. Finance manager Carol Perkins was leaving the district due to ongoing political plays. The new Board of Ed would meet on July 6.
Government:
Chairperson Lonaway Muldrow. Michael Brewer read a report. The Town of Southampton is initiating a Riverside Blight Study as suggested from the Hamlet Study. New legislation is being looked at to prohibit cars from being sold on other people’s property. A copy of the report is available upon request.
Membership:
Ellen Rausch reported a new member tonight, Jay Petraszewski. Two or three Business Members have not renewed yet. We have 103 Members at this time. Ellen will pass the membership chair to Chairperson, Janice Artandi.
Special Projects:
*Michael Brewer stated Zip Code progress will go in the direction of Emergency Services need.
*Pat Borrelli reported the picnic will be August 22, 2004 from 10 – 3 at Red Creek Park. Three dollars ($3.00) per person. Children under 12 one dollar ($1.00). Volunteer sign up sheet was made available. Picnic open to non members also. Barbara Swislosky said to call News Review Flanders Column person Jeanette Ott.
Correspondence:
*Town of Southampton Highway Superintendent Bill Masterson received a letter from Chris Sheldon and Mike Brewer regarding street lighting on Point Road. The job is in the works.
*The Town of Southampton adopted resolution #0782 stating that the Moore Charitable Foundation has gifted one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for the Flanders, Riverside, and Northampton Community Association for the purpose of revitalization.
Old Business:
Town of Southampton put up a fence at the old Tire Craft site.
New Business:
The Town of Southampton initiated a walk through of the Big Duck site. The following people attended; Bill Matherson (Highway Superintendent), Patrick Heaney (Supervisor), Steve Kenny(Town Councilman), Cheryl Kraft (Chief Fire Marshall), Carl Iacone (President, Bay View Pines Assoc.), Michael Brewer (President, FRNCA). During the visit the group determined that most of the existing buildings are in need of extensive repairs and can not be saved. However a few of the buildings will be saved and possibly be turned into a Duck Farm Museum. Clearing of the property should start in the Fall.
On Thursday, July 1, 2004 at 6 pm there will be a dedication for the refurbished Welcome to Flanders sign on Route 24 at the South East end of the road. Town Supervisor Skip Heaney was invited to attend and also Tim Gannon from the News Review, Flanders Column reporter Jeannette Ott, and the Southampton Press. All persons who worked on the sign were thanked. There were pictures of the making of the rock wall available for ones’ perusal.
The second “Welcome to Flanders” sign is ready to be installed. A plan for future plantings will be presented at the next general membership meeting in July.
Next beautification meeting will be July 20 at 7 PM at Rose Nigro’s house.
Rose Nigro stated that the traffic on Route 24 is too fast. She wants to know how we can fix this problem. A suggestion was made to send a letter to Fred Thiele for a Traffic Study.
Dacus Lewis stated that the visibility onto Route 24 coming out of Glider Avenue is poor. Cars parking on the road block the view. No parking should be posted with other speed trap/signs.
Some questions and statements asked by the general membership/guests:
*Are all bus stops getting shelters? The answer was no.
*Allen Perkowski stated that the Grace Episcopal Church was hosting a program called “Just Inspired” Fire on July 16 at 7 PM free of charge.
*Raymond Buick Pontiac GMC has prostitute dealings going on their property which was reported by Pauline Sandmann..
* FRNCA members who are sick or hurt will get a card sent to them from FRNCA.
Motion: Eugene Rausch made a motion for the secretary to purchase cards and stamps. Allen Perkowski seconded. All were in favor.
*When a new family moves into your neighborhood, drop by and introduce yourself and the Association.
*FRNCA has a new address. All mail should be sent to: PO Box 602, Flanders, NY 11901.
*A State “dock” was left in the bay during the winter. The debris was left in the water and not cleaned up.
*Ken Densieski, representing Wildwood Bowl, said he would like to work together with the Community Association. He had a petition for people to sign to keep Saturday Night Bands playing at the bowling alley.
Raffle:
Eugene Robinson conducted the 50/50 raffle. The winner of thirty four ($34.00) was Michael Brewer who donated his money back to FRNCA.
Adjournment:
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion for the meeting to adjourn. Allen Perkowski seconded. All were in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9 PM.