Approved

General Meeting Minutes

For July 24, 2006

Submitted by Doris Schneider

Call to Order, Pledge, Roll Call:  The Flanders, Riverside and Northampton Community Association Meeting for July 24, 2006 was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by Michael Brewer.  Executive Board members Michael Brewer, Michael Sacco, Eugene Rausch, Laura Smith, Barbara Swislosky and Doris Schneider were present.  A quorum was declared.

Old Minutes:  The minutes from June 26, 2006 were read.

A motion was made by Michael Brewer to accept the minutes with corrections, seconded by Laura Smith.

Treasurer’s Report:  Eugene Rausch reported a balance of $20,162.02.  A motion was made by Eugene Rausch to pay LIPA the amount of $161.65 seconded by Michael Sacco, all were in favor.

A check was received for $15,000.00 for the Phillips Avenue playground.

Michael Brewer  presented a plaque to Patti Hopkins thanking her for her years of service as recording secretary for FRNCA

A motion was made by Michael Brewer to waive regular business at this time and to go right to the guest speakers, seconded by Doris Schneider, all in favor.

John O’Hara, who is the developer for the LI40, spoke about the plans for the building of the entertainment center/bowling/video games, and party room packages to be built by Joe Albanese.  He explained that the radio towers operated by Five Towns College would have to be moved to make room for the building.

Builder Joe Albanese then spoke about his plans for the entertainment center, which is to be a family run business.  It will be 30,000 to 35,000 square feet and will contain an ice cream parlor, video games, rooms to be used for parties by adults and children and a twenty four lane bowling alley in the back.  The front will be constructed to look like a group of stores, with an entrance for each one. 

Mr. Albanese answered many questions from the floor. Some of the members were concerned with it becoming a hangout, but he assured us that would not be tolerated, and there would not be billiards or apartments over the stores.

Next Mr. David Cohen from the Five Towns College spoke to the members about the building of new towers across from where they are now located and an academic building to be used for teaching.  The towers are approximately 185 feet tall.

He answered questions from the floor explaining the AM radio station and it’s uses.

Our next speaker was Jeff Murphree, the Planning Administrator for Southampton Town, who spoke briefly concerning the Riverside Hamlet Center and turned the floor over to Kyle Collins.

Mr. Collins displayed plans and explained the size of structures and that there could be a small supermarket built approximately 15,000 square feet.  Stop and Shop is going to build an approximately 50,000 square foot store in Hampton Bays, and it was not felt that another large food chain would be interested in the Riverside area.  Access roads would be built, so that all the traffic would not enter and exit only from  Flanders Road.

There was a long discussion joined by Mr. O’Hara answering many questions from the floor concerning these plans and the effects on the community.

Michael Brewer made a motion to return to regular business seconded by Michael Sacco all were in favor.

Correspondence:  Vince Taldone donated $200.00 to be used for beautification purposes.  A thank you note has been sent to him.

Committee Reports:

Membership:  A membership drive was discussed at the last Executive Board meeting.  It was decided that there will be a door to door campaign handing out a package containing all the information concerning membership and handing out voter registration cards a the same time.  Membership will be free until next April for all new members signing up.  It was discussed to offer ½ off the membership fee to each member who recruits a new member.  Family membership is also being considered.

Beautification:  Mulch has been placed at the corner of Flanders Road and Route 105 and looks very good.

New signs are being worked on.

Code Enforcement:  Nothing to report at this time, but continue to send complaints to Barbara Swislosky.

Government:  Michael Sacco reported his attendance at the Council of Unity.  It was reported that gang activity should be considered a real problem, and we discussed having members of the Council of Unity speak at one of our future general meetings.

Announcements:  A letter is being composed to be sent to Southampton Town concerning the water taxi, RV Park and Pine Barrens.

Michael Sacco reported speaking to a lawyer with a lot of experience, who may be willing to work for the community pro bono.

We will be notified when the next meeting for the Riverhead Blight will take place

Old Business:  Office/apartments have been approved by the Southampton Zoning Board  for 721 Flanders Road despite our petitions with 500 signatures against the granting of this structure with three bedroom apartments on the second floor.

Picnic:  Tickets for the annual picnic are being sold at the door.  This will take place on August 13, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Red Creek Park in Hampton Bays.

Raffle:  Eugene Rausch reported no further sale of raffle tickets, however, some tickets were turned in tonight.

Michael Brewer made a motion to donate a check for $200.00 to the North West Alliance, Michael Sacco seconded, all were in favor.

The blood drive will take place on Monday, July 31, 2006 at the Flanders Fire House from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Thanks to Patti Hopkins and Barbara Swislosky for their great work on this project.

Raffle:  The 50/50 raffle was won by Ruby Edwards, who received $74.00.

 In lieu of the FRNCA picnic on August 13th, there will not be a general meeting in August.

Adjournment:  A motion was made by Michael Brewer to adjourn.  Doris Schneider seconded, and all were in favor. 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.