October 15, 2014

By:  Progress for WHB

The meeting was called to order at 7:00.  The Trustees worked through the agenda for the work session.  The best presentation of the evening was a request by Catherine Penn to be permitted to plant perennials and landscape the three parking islands located in the Mill Road municipal lot at the north end of Glover’s Lane.  Catherine is working towards the highest award in Girl Scouting, The Girl Scout Gold Award.  Juliet  Gordon Low would be glad to see the tradition continue.gold award

This was followed by an initial proposal 1)no application for use of village property had been filed for the use of Village property by Lorraine Girard for what she described as a Food Truck Festival.2)a nickel search found a website for a Food Truck FestivalThis Festival was presented as a fundraiser for the Moriches Bay Project.  As a sop to local food merchants Ms. Girard offered that local shop owners could participate as vendors free of charge.

She anticipated having 25 mobile food stands use the Mill Road parking lot after the Farmer’s Market had concluded for the day.  The Food Truck vendors would continue from late in the afternoon through the evening hours with the possible accompaniment of music apropos of the cuisine being served: Tortillas – Mariachi music; Keilbasa – Polka music; Bratwurst – an Oom-pah band; etc.  The anticipated application will seek to schedule the Festival for a Saturday during the summer, with the hope that it can be an annual event.

oompah-bandThe Trustees received the proposal politely.  It won’t be until a formal application is submitted that it will be subjected to closer scrutiny.

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Trustee Pat DiBenedetto presented the application for the use of village property on behalf of the fire department.  Fire Chief Chip Bancroft had a conflicting engagement.  The fire department has requested permission to use the old DPW property for practice in cutting up cars with a Hurst Tool and putting out car fires.  The department has done these practices at this location previously without reported incident and the request was well received by all members of the Board of Trustees.

Holday Lighting Contest

Trustee DiBenedetto gave an update to the Board on the annual Holiday Lighting contest and proposed adding new categories for participants.

Maureen Jones a past victor in the contest was present in the audience, no doubt seeking advance intelligence for this year’s competition.  Residents its time to get your game on.

Trustee Ralph Urban reported that rules for the use of marina that had been updated last year will be ready for implementation for the 2015 boating season.  Payment for slips will be due earlier so that boat slips that are declined can be made available sooner to those on the waiting list.

The Trustees returned to traffic control issues:

  • they addressed the specifics for the school speed zone on Mill Road that require correction;
  • they plan to relax regulations of Lilac Road to allow for both standing and stopping in order to accommodate student pick up in the afternoon when cars have been idling (standing) and not merely stopping while waiting for their children; and
  • Lt. Gonce reported on an occasional issue in the village, municipal parking lots have been used for sleeping in vehicles overnight. Think Conversion Van, not RV.  The Lieutenant proposed adopting a local law modeled after a sleeping proscription that has been on the books in the Village of Quogue since 1970.3)Quogue Village Code § 123-10. Sleeping in vehicles in public places:  No person or persons shall sleep in any stationary motor vehicle at or on any street, park, recreation area, beach, beach access road or parking area owned, controlled or operated by the Village of Quogue, New York, between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

scrum001The Great Lawn across from St. Marks is open space purchased by the village with CPF funds.  There are recorded covenants that restrict the use of the property.  It was recently brought to the Mayor’s attention that the village has not consistently honored the restrictions, and going forward the use of the property will be more limited unless a waiver can be obtained. There is sure to be a scrum for the reduced allotment of time that will be available.

A_Steam_Roller_Construction_Vehicle_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_090812-140787-696042The Trustees authorized the Mayor to sign a contract with Rosemar for the paving of Mill Road at a price that had been determined on a previous bid with Suffolk County.

 

In response to requests from residents of Meadow Lane, and in the interests of public safety, the Trustees agreed to the installation of two additional street lamps on the southern portion of Meadow Lane.  These lights are to be installed from an existing inventory.

boat

John Kearns reported to the Board on his search for a flat bottom boat for use in annual inspections of storm water outfall pipes.  This will be used in maintaining compliance with State D.E.C. requirements.

Repairs for the decking at Roger’s Beach were also discussed with Dunn Engineering to examine the scope of the work required.

At 9:00 the Trustees adjourned to executive session to discuss pending litigation and police personnel issues.

References   [ + ]

1. no application for use of village property had been filed
2. a nickel search found a website for a Food Truck Festival
3. Quogue Village Code § 123-10. Sleeping in vehicles in public places:  No person or persons shall sleep in any stationary motor vehicle at or on any street, park, recreation area, beach, beach access road or parking area owned, controlled or operated by the Village of Quogue, New York, between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

One Purpose…

By:   Maria Moore, Mayor

Mayor-Merchants

This afternoon I had a rewarding meeting with many of the merchants in our village.  Each one came to village hall with enthusiasm, energy and talent.

Working together towards a common goal is a pathway to certain success.  Today we took our first step in opening up communications between village hall and our business men and women.

During the past few months I have come to know the village employees, all of whom are good people who take pride in their jobs. Together we’ll work with the residents and merchants, with the best interests of the village as our priority.

Once we recognize that all members of our community have a shared interest in the success of every business in every district, we will begin to share a revitalized community.  Thank you to everyone who took the time from their busy day to attend.

Maria Moore, Mayor

 

 

October 2, 2014: Old Gray Lady Buried

By:  Progress for WHB

newyorktimes-logo

The Board of Trustees Meeting was commenced at 7:00.  Highlights from the meeting agenda include a resolution designating the Southampton Press and Newsday as the official newspapers of the Village of Westhampton Beach.  The New York Times was not designated.

A casual inquiry was interjected during the Trustees’ meeting concerning the relative circulation of Newsday as compared to the Times, with the suggestion that Newsday was in a circulation death spiral.

The Mayor explained that municipalities designate newspapers so those interested  know where to look.  Unlike advertisers who are interested in circulation numbers1)Newsday circulation scandal is not forgotten. the Village does not need to hope readers will stumble upon legal advertisements by chance, the village has told everyone exactly where to look — in the designated publications.

NYTimes Building

The decision to bury The Old Gray Lady as an official newspaper was a matter of economy.  Legal notices must be published in all designated papers.  A requirement the village, in the past, has honored in the breach.

co-op-clipart-gass-pump-clip-art

With the demolition of the firehouse the Village now needs a different fueling station for municipal vehicles.  The Village has been using Suffolk County refueling stations.  Tonight the Board authorized the Mayor to execute a Municipal Agreement for the purchase of fuel from Southampton Town.  The County and the Town each add a 15% surcharge.

The Trustees also authorized the Village Clerk to provide legal notice to bidders for the construction of a fuel dispensing system for the village to be located on the DPW property.

Fire Station 1The construction of the new firehouse appears to require more sanitary flow credits to meet Suffolk County Health Department requirements.  The Health Dept. expects more sewage to be produced at the new firehouse. 2)There remains some legal question as to whether the firehouse, as a municipal corporation may be able to get the necessary flow credits from Suffolk County without cost. We will leave it to the Sons of the Beach to comment on effluvium that flows in the back room.

The Village agreed to transfer some of its sanitary flow credits associated with the municipal parking lot (used for the Farmer’s Market) to the fire department in return for a perpetual easement granted to the village for parking on the fire district property with the exception of 20 stalls to be reserved exclusively for the department.  If it turns out the fire district does not need the sanitary flow credits the credits will revert to the village.

The Trustees then adjourned the meeting to enter executive session.

References   [ + ]

1. Newsday circulation scandal is not forgotten.
2. There remains some legal question as to whether the firehouse, as a municipal corporation may be able to get the necessary flow credits from Suffolk County without cost.