General Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 24, 2004
Taken by Janice Artandi, interpreted 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 May 24, 2004, at the Flanders Nutrition Center.
Executive Board members Michael Brewer, Lonaway Muldrow, Eugene Rausch, Janice Artandi, Ellen Rausch and Allen Perkowski were present. Patty Hopkins was absent. A quorum was declared.
General Meeting Minutes
Minutes from March 22 general meeting were read by Ellen Rausch.
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to accept the minutes. Eugene Rausch seconded. All were in favor.
Minutes from April general meeting were read by Janice Artandi.
Motion: Michael Brewer made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Ellen Rausch seconded. All were in favor.
Guest Speaker
Motion: At about 7:25 PM, Michael Brewer made a motion to change the order of business for the guest speaker. Allen Perkowski seconded. All were in favor.
The Guest Speaker was Nancy Lynott from the Town of Southampton Youth Bureau. She spoke about Summer Programs for teens.
Programs are available for teens grades 6-8 on Friday Nights. Transportation Permission Slips have to be signed by parents before child is allowed on the bus. Skate Park youths must be at least age 10 and have Permission Slips before being allowed to ride bus. The following are some of the schedules.
Long Beach/Sag Harbor from 8-11 Monday, Wednesday, Friday;
Ludlam Park on Tuesday
Red Creek Park 7:30 – 10:30
Ludlam Park on Thursdays, grade 7th and up
Some Special Events are on Friday at Ponquogue Beach.
Free Skate Park night in August.
Free Movie nights on Monday: Long Beach, Red Creek, East Quogue. Beginning the last week in June through August.
Janice Artandi asked for a pick-up location for Bayview Pines area such as the deli on the corner of Long Neck Blvd. Lynott suggested that Peconic Health and Racket would be a better pickup location. Michael Brewer asked for other pick-up locations. Ludlam Avenue Park and The Flanders Nutrition Center were mentioned as possibilities.
=How do you let kids know what is going on? By news releases, libraries.
=Permission slips are on website.
=Calendar of events could be posted by Jeanette Ott in the Flanders column.
=Possible trip to Ducks/Mets games, maybe bowling, or movie Night at Ludlam or trip to Elizabeth Morton bird sanctuary
=Outdoor pool at North Sea
Nancy also discussed employment possibilities for older teenagers, such as the internship program with local government. She said that youth ages 16 and up will park cars at the US Open. She said that a Guide to Employers is available for ages 14 and up.
Motion: At about 7:50 PM, Michael Brewer made motion to return to normal order of business.Lonaway Muldrow seconded. All were in favor.
Treasurer’s Report
Eugene Rausch gave the Treasurer’s Report. As of this date, the balances of funds were $9,556.32. Out of that balance, general funds were $7,211.06 and $2,355.26 is designated for beautification purposes.
Estimated Projected Annual Budget for 2004-2005 was presented. He said that FRNCA Membership needs 90 members and 8 businesses to meet projected budget. Currently there are 92 members and 6 businesses.
Motion: Allen Perkowski made a motion to accept Treasurer’s Report and Budget. Ellen Rausch seconded. All were in favor.
Rose Nigro submitted $597.00 in expenses from building the rock wall on Route 24 by the old Troopers Barracks. Michael Brewer submitted $38.00 in bills for Velcro for the Flanders Meeting sign.
Motion: Lonaway Muldrow made a motion to reimburse Rose $597.00 and Michael $38.00. Ellen Rausch seconded. All were in favor.
Michael asked Eugene to issue a check for $100.00 for a Little League sign that was previously approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Michael Brewer announced the chairpersons for the following committees:
Audit = Barbara Swislosky Education = Ellen Rausch
Beautification, Rose Nigro Government = Lonaway Muldrow
By-Laws = Allen Perkowski Membership = Janice Artandi
Code Enforcement = Michael Brewer Nominating = Allen Perkowski
Publicity = Laura Smith
Audit: No report at this time.
Beautification:
Chairperson Rose Nigro read a Mission Statement. She was calling for volunteers this Saturday to help put in the refurbished Welcome to Flanders sign. A fund raiser to sell watches at the Methodist church bazaar was announced. “Watch Us Grow” was the slogan. They would sell for $15.00 each. Next Beautification meeting would be next Tuesday at 7PM.
Rose asked if liability insurance had been secured. Michael Brewer said quotes were being obtained and would be discussed at the next Executive Board meeting.
Bylaws: No report at this time
Code Enforcement:
Chairperson Michael Brewer is planning to do a ride along in the hamlets. Barbara Swislosky, Ruby Edwards, Chris Sheldon, and Nancy Grabowski, the Town of Southampton liaison for code enforcement, will go.
>The Auto Parts Building was being torn down on Riverleigh Avenue.
>Chris Sheldon from Northampton reported finding needles on Wildwood Lake Beach.
Education:
Chairperson Ellen Rausch reported Chrissy Prete and Mary Ellen Harkin are new Board of Education Members. (Ellen works for the Riverhead School District.) The Budget for 2004-2005 year was defeated. Forty Three (43) districts voted their school budgets down. The Board will try to cut 2 ½ Million Dollars. Kindergarten may be ½
day. The Riverhead School Board of Education will have to have a contingency budget or pass a budget by July 1st. Beverly Perkowski said she was concerned for the kids. She encouraged people to attend the board meeting the next day. Allen suggested that we write a letter congratulating FRNCA member Chrissy Prete. Lonaway Muldrow said that Robert Brown, who also ran for the Board of Education, asked her to thank everyone for their support.
Government:
No report at this time. However, Michael Brewer brought up the following issues: He said Ocean Gas Station is asking for a variance to expand the gas station building to accommodate a mini mart. The Inglesia proposed church at the old Abor cabinet shop is requesting a wetlands permit.
Membership:
Chairperson Janice Artandi reported that a new member had joined. Michael Brewer suggested she visit the Trailer Store on Route 24 in Riverside as a new business member lead.
Publicity: No report at this time.
Special Projects: No report at this time.
Correspondence:
On Sunday, May 30, 2004, at 1 PM, the Flanders Little League Field will be rededicated to Michael Pace and Leo Spano. The location is at the end of Woodroad Trail.
Michael Brewer asked if anyone wanted to attend United Way’s “Saturday by the Bay.” Donation is $50.00.
Motion: Allen Perkowski made motion for a $50.00 donation for the United Way “Saturday by the Bay.” Janice Artandi seconded. All were in favor.
Michael Brewer read a letter written by Barbara Swislosky regarding the speed limit on Route 24 and also a draft of a letter asking for “Donation Support to FRNCA.”
Michael Brewer said the Executive Board minutes will not be read at the general meetings anymore. Copies of the minutes are available through the secretary upon request.
Old Business:
The 3rd FRNCA Picnic will be coordinated by Ralph and Pat Borrelli. The Association would subsidize the picnic.
Motion: Michael Brewer made motion to charge $3.00 per adult and $1.00 per child under 12 years old.
Ellen Rausch seconded. All were in favor.
New Business:
>Michael Brewer asked for input regarding future projects at the Flanders Memorial Park, which is on town-owned property. Michael said the $7,500.00 grant may be in limbo. We need permits for lighting and irrigation. We probably have to submit another grant application.
>Michael Brewer stated he wanted to write a letter to Dennis Susskind regarding lighting at the boat launch ramp.
>Carl Iacone and Chris Sheldon mentioned meeting with the Chief of Ambulance, etc. Michael Brewer suggested a “Summit Meeting” with community leaders. He asked Patty Hopkins to make an invitation letter.
>Suggestions for Goals:
New Zip Code: Those who are interested in working on getting a new Zip Code meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7PM at Carl Iacone’s. Rose Nigro encouraged more people to join committees.
Michael Brewer suggested that Beautification Funds no longer be separated in the General Fund account. Janice Artandi and Ellen Rausch explained that the Beautification Committee is not a 501(c)3 and cannot apply for
grants on their own for the committee’s use. However, incoming funds from Grants must go toward the Association goals that were designated on the Grant Application, such as for beautification of the area.
Motion: Michael made a motion that future beautification funds should no longer be “separated“ in the General Fund account. Janice Artandi seconded the motion, which passed with fifteen members (15) in favor, three (3) opposed, and two (2) abstained.
Raffle:
Barbara Swislosky won 50/50 raffle of $70.00.
Adjournment: 9:40 PM