POENB Meeting Minutes of August 5th, 2022
Our POENB meeting was held in person at Valley Grove. The meeting began at approximately 7:40 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll Call of Officers:
Ryan Cote, President; Frank Pasquale, Vice President; Nora Beck, Treasurer; Steven Neuf, Assistant Vice President; Anthony Fusaro, Assistant Vice President; Yvonne Lambertson, Recording Secretary; Ryan Schaefer-Walker, Corresponding Secretary
Minutes (Readings and Update):
The July Changing Tides were not yet in everyone’s mailbox at meeting time; therefore, acceptance of the July minutes will be deferred until the September meeting. Approximately fifteen (15) members were in attendance down at Valley Grove. Ryan recognized and welcomed a special guest, Assemblyman Keith Brown.
Correspondence:
Ryan Schaefer Walker received a note from someone asking about the collection of garbage cans at Price’s Bend. He noted that while POENB contracts to have our dumpster emptied, the emptying of the cans on the beach is a volunteer effort. Currently the POENB does not have a Price’s Bend Beach chair so we rely on members to help us keep the beach clean. The board asks all members that if you happen to see that a Price’s Bend garbage bag is full, please tie it up, carry it to the dumpster and put in a fresh bag. At the beginning of the season, Greg Hodges installed a bag storage bin and affixed it to the cans which keeps a supply of fresh bags within easy reach of the bins. We ask that beach goers to do the right thing and pitch in to keep the beach clean. The board thanks everyone for their cooperation.
Presidents Report:
Ryan Cote started by thanking the Eaton’s Neck Fire Department for another successful July 4th parade and barbeque. He indicated that just when we thought we’d be able relax and enjoy summer, we got hit by two early August storms in close succession. These brought the first significant rainfall since the installation of the new catch basins. Ryan recapped:
The problems began with a Saturday July 16th storm which, while quick, had high volume. Due to the drought conditions, the soil could not absorb the deluge of water, creating dangerous flash flooding in low areas such as Waterside Avenue, Main street Northport, etc. During the Saturday storm the new Eaton’s Neck catch basins, installed by the Town of Huntington (through their contractor Laser Construction) were able to handle the storm incident. This storm, however, was followed by another similar sudden and intense rain event two days later on Monday July 18th. Our newly installed storm drains were not up to the
challenge of two storms in such close proximity and we sustained flooding in various parts of Eaton’s Neck, notably at Drake place and the bottom of Carlisle drive at Valley Grove Beach.
The flooding was photographed and recorded as it happened and sent to assorted members of the Town of Huntington Highway and the TOH engineering department to assist them. As it was described by one of the Laser Construction team foremen, the newly installed catch basins had not fully drained from the Saturday storm when the Monday storm hit. The basins, he indicated, were still half full when we got socked again. The rapidity with which the rains came on Monday combined with already half full catch basins resulted in in a perfect storm moment that put the new system to the test and, unfortunately, it did not perform well.
The catch basins were receiving water, according to Laser, but the downpour was so strong, the basins could not keep up with volume flowing down the streets. Further, the flow was so strong that the water was riding on the back of the water below it, skimming over the grates and down the street. At the bottom of Carlisle, a large pool of knee-deep water formed to the south of the Valley Grove main entrance, spanning the entire street. Eventually this pool of water pushed up the Schalle Driveway where the water found a new path to lower ground, through their garden. The water flowed under the Valley Grove picket fence down the grass, down the brick walkway then over the stairs resulting in a torrential waterfall down the Valley Grove stairs. The cascade of water carved out a new hole at the base of the stairs, ripped up some boards and created a large pool of water behind our new bulkhead.
The only silver lining, Ryan indicated to those at the meeting, was that this occurred while the TOH and contractors still had boots on the ground in our area, so we had the opportunity to present these photos and video to them in real time. If such an incident had to happen, Ryan remarked, it is better that it occurred now versus six months from now when the project is done and no one around. Photos and videos of the flooding were sent to the Huntington Town Supervisor, Highway Superintendent, Town Engineer, and a few TOH Highway assistants. As of the August 5th meeting, the POENB could only confirm that one TOH employee had actually downloaded the clips as a notification is supposed to be sent.
POENB immediately called the TOH as did members Bonnie Schalle and Jim Marsano, who experienced flooding right up to their garage doors. The next day, Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino, the owner of Laser Construction and a Deputy Town Supervisor (representing Ed Smyth) arrived to meet with us. At this meeting the mechanics and failures of the new system were discussed. It was explained to us that as part of the new drainage project, three very large catch basins (drainage rings) were installed at the base of Carlisle. When one fills, the water is “supposed” to overflow into the next and then into the next. This system is intended to catch the water on the street, thus not sending it down the hill and out the broken old pipe and out into LI Sound.
The owner of Laser Construction, in tandem with Supervisor Sorrentino, confirmed that, as part of this project, the beach pipe had been disconnected from the new system. The drainage rings, already rings half full from Saturday’s storm, filled up quickly and then had nowhere to go, which is why (they feel) we experienced the flooding we did. It was noted that we had never had that kind of flooding before. The reason cited was that the pipe had been disconnected. We were unaware the pipe had been disconnected until Laser told us.
The town’s initial response to this was that they would re connect the pipe. As the original objective of this project was to try to reduce runoff into the sound we (POENB) don’t know if this action constitutes a long-term solution or a knee jerk fix. At that statement the Town trucks left. Ryan Cote drove around and spoke a few Laser employees about the issue.
One Laser foreman indicated that the process would be to re connect the pipe to the catch basins as a safety valve. The theory is that if ever the three interconnected catch basins fill up, the option of last resort would be to have any overflow water then move into the final hole containing the outfall pipe which then runs down to the beach. The plan was to dig that hole even deeper so it can hold more water before the water rises to the level of the pipe.
Ryan explained to audience members that re connecting the pipe brings into play a host of other issues. Will it be cleared of sand? It hasn’t been maintained in the past. Will it be replaced? It’s currently in pieces. Although it can act as an overflow at the street level, a chronically blocked pipe presents a hazard to our bulkhead down below — the same problem we’ve had for years: it fills with sand, water backs up and then blows off the manhole cover during severe high tides and storms and proceeds to scour out sand behind our bulkhead.
Ryan indicated that he had heard the town is considering putting the pipe “over” the wall. We have had no communication from the Town of Huntington as to whether this is an actual plan but we are very concerned about this option as well because if water would then be pouring over the wall onto an already badly eroded beach, creating massive beach trenching. The POENB will reach out to the Town Engineering Department for clarification on this. At some point Ryan indicates that we may need the mobilize the community to come together so that our beach is protected. Thus far no one from the Town has shared any information with us.
This led to a brief audience discussion. One member asked why the soil wasn’t draining quickly inside the catch basins? Another member opined that while we do have sand we also have layers of clay in between which may have slowed the absorption of the storm water. She went on to comment although she prefers the water not go into the Sound, if an overflow is needed, that would be acceptable to her; this storm proved to her that we may need a safety valve. She explaining that in 2004 we had a storm that blew out the pavers at Valley Grove which is why, the entrance to Valley Grove was moved to the north.
As the flooding discussion wound down, Ryan then introduced assemblyman Keith Brown who had reached out to POENB and requested an opportunity to address some of his constituents on some federal funding he was able to help procure for repairs to the Asharoken seawall.
Assemblyman Keith Brown:
Assemblyman Brown thanked the board for allowing him to come and address the audiences. He indicated that Asharoken Mayor Letica had asked him to write a letter to the State seeking aid for the Asharoken wall and that letter he (Brown) wrote, resulted in a $50,000 grant. Mr. Brown’s application went through NYS Ways and Means but because it’s an “aid grant”, its utilization is at Mr. Brown’s discretion. He has opted to put it toward the Asharoken seawall. As soon as the money is officially approved, it will be wired to the Village of Asharoken. Mr. Brown’s hope is that it can be used to do some short term shoring up of the wall—which us plainly needed. He indicated that that he had spoken to Congressman Suozzi’s office as well and that multiple layers of bipartisan government will be needed to effect a fix at Asharoken.
A skeptical POENB member talked about past Congressmen taking their picture down by the seawall. He expressed his hope that someone would really get something done. Steve Israel got some money but Village didn’t accept it because of the access issue. This member went on to suggest raising the road to let the water go underneath it. Another member commented that the DEC is creating artificial reefs around LI and suggested that this may be an area where this could be done—thus creating an artificial breakwater. Mr. Brown spoke of dissipating the wave energy further out.
Mr. Brown went on to give a brief bio of himself. He indicated he grew up in East Northport, graduated class of 86 from SUNY Albany, then interned for Norman J Levy in the NYS Legislature. He came home, went to law school at Touro, worked for multiple law firms and dealt mostly with zoning and land use. He’s been practicing municipal law for 20 years and seeks to use his experience in this area to accomplish a few key objectives. One of these is the dredging of Northport Harbor which, he indicated, hasn’t been dredged since 1965. This is a complicated project topic that would involves state county, town and village of Northport. He indicated that doing so would clean the water, improve navigability, and allow for the placement of more guest moorings that would be good for the Village. The project is pretty far along and a feasibility study already completed which is now being reviewed by the BPW (Bureau of Public Works) the agency responsible for actually doing the dredging. If they approve the plan the next step is to apply to the DEC for a dredging permit.
A member asked what would be done with the dredge spoils? Mr. Brown indicated you cannot dump them in the Sound, so there are two options on the table: 1_ have them trucked away to a landfill in Ohio or Pennsylvania. 2_try to put them spoils in the Brookhaven landfill – the only place on Long Island that might accept them. A member asked if we could put the spoils along our beaches out here. Mr. Brown did indeed consider the notion of seeing if they could go to shore up the Asharoken wall but it’s felt that the spoils will be too silty. They are not contaminated, he indicated, but of a very silty quality that would create water problems.
Local waterfront revitalization is another issue Mr. Brown is working on. He noted that the US Navy has raised every pier 5 feet due to rising waters and these are things we’re going to need to start to consider in our area. The bulkhead in Northport is failing and water is coming up Main Street. Mr. Brown put the Northport Mayor and the TOH in touch which a grant writer and they hired someone to try to garner some of the infrastructure funds that are out there. He authored a joint letter with Tom Suozzi to try to get some infrastructure funds.
He concluded by saying he would follow up with Andre Sorrentino and engineering regarding our flooding issue. When walking around Eaton’s Neck he indicated that a woman told him she has to wait three tide cycles after a rain due to bacteria counts. He relayed a story of not being able to kayak at crab meadow for the same reason and feels it’s unacceptable. The open Sound is pretty clean but the back bays and estuaries are the problem because they don’t flush. It’s the high nitrogen levels and the storm water run-off. It’s an issue he wants to work on.
The discussion with Mr. Brown concluded with Ryan indicating that while we (Eaton’s Neck) are grateful to the Town for all the drainage work, they tend to come out, have a quick meeting then disappear. Better communication and response to emails from the Town is needed and appreciated. Ryan indicated to those in attendance that the Highway Department had been invited to attend our Valley Grove meeting but no one had responded.
Committee Reports
Treasurers Report:
Nora read her income & expense report. . Watercraft fees for second spots and other spots were $1, 250 as of the meeting date, more than double what we collected last year. Party beach usage collected as of Augusta 5th was $2100. Total membership income is $50,921.97…which brings our total income $62, 333.92
On the expense side we’ve been paying our normal expenses—normal beach raking and expenses. We paid off all our loans with Nora noting that the POENB bulkhead is officially paid for.
Total expenses at $27 847.46 to give us a Net operating surplus of $34,486.46. Nora noted that we’re having a good year. Our account balances are as follows: Checking is $48,038.55 and our dedicated 50/50 account holds $345.01
Membership:
Gene Caputo was unable to attend the meeting, so board member Anthony Fusaro stepped in to give Gene’s membership report. As of the August 5th meeting we had 247 paid memberships, which is the highest since Gene has been keeping records. Anthony noted that it was a beautiful night it was down at Valley Grove and a great evening to spend time with fellow members. He asked that anyone who may have forgotten to send in their membership this year to please still do so and encouraged all to cross check the lists printed in the Changing Tides to confirm whether they’ve paid. The board thanked those in attendance for being members and also thanked Gene for his tireless efforts in managing our membership.
Watercraft:
Yvonne noted that the Board had sent an eblast out in July showcasing photos of some unidentified boats that have been left on our beaches. We asked the owners to come forward so these craft can be registered. These included a larger white Hobie sailboat down at Price’s bend along with a few unidentified paddleboards. Plus an abandoned white windsurfer board we had removed from Valley Grove and was seemingly re-claimed from the curb by its owner and dumped back down there. We would remind all owners of unregistered craft that just leaving your boats wherever you feel like places you in a situation where you are putting your own interests above those of the membership who have paid their dues and played by the rules. We encourage the owners of these craft to reach out to us so we help you register. If members have a tip on who may own an unregistered craft please alert info@eatonsneck.org .
A member indicated that he’s tired of seeing abandoned boats and suggested POENB sell some of the unregistered ones and keep the money. Ryan indicate that the POENB has tried to be polite but is now considering options. As an organization, one of the reasons we’re doing well is because that we’ve better organized the watercraft system. We ask all to respect that.
Beaches:
We have some extra money in the beach improvement budget. In the early fall we’ll be discussing ways we can put it to good use.
Social:
The Community Garage Sale will be happening on August 28, we ask all to support it.
In an effort to bring live Music back to Eaton’s Neck as well as put a Valley Grove event onto the social calendar, an end of season “Endless Summer” concert was announced. The cover band, Solid 70’,is scheduled to perform. This popular band had only one date available, Sunday September 11th. In light of the significance of this date, it was decided a portion of the proceeds would be donated back to the Eaton’s Neck Fire Department. We ask that folks respond early to ensure we can hold the event, which will feature delicious catered food. The concert will be held from 2 to 6 pm, feature delicious catered food. Beverages are BYOB.
Changing Tides:
Ryan mentioned that the cover of our July Changing Tides featured artwork by Cliff Potenza Cliff, recently deceased, was a long-time Eaton’s Neck Resident, beloved father and grandfather. The board expressed it condolences to the Pokorny and Potenza families.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Our next meeting is scheduled for Friday Sept 3rd
