Attendance
Our November meeting was held by zoom. There were 19 members on the call.
Roll Call
Ryan Cote, President; Frank Pasquale, Vice President; Nora Beck, Treasurer; Steven Neuf, Assistant Vice President; Yvonne Lambertson, Recording Secretary; Ryan Schaefer-Walker, Corresponding Secretary. Assistant VP Anthony Fusaro was absent.
Motion to accept the Minutes
A motion to accept the prior month’s minutes as printed in the Changing Tides was accepted
Correspondence
RSW indicated POENB mailed out a hard copy of its drainage letter (excerpted in last month’s Changing Tides) to Andre Sorrentino, Ed Smyth, John McCarron and Keith Brown. We’re waiting on a response back from them. We also reached out to SCWA about aligning our backflow valve testing at both beaches. We reached out to Peter Steurwalt and asked him to shut off the water at our beaches which he kindly did. We reached out to True Blue sprinklers to blow out the sprinkler lines at Valley Grove. We’ve reached out to our insurer and renewed our POENB’s insurance and umbrella coverages for 2023 at the same rate we paid in 2022. Nora sent out Changing Tides advertising bills and bills for second watercraft spots.
Ryan Cote clarified, the hard copy of the drainage letter contained a new cover letter reminding our officials that we’re still awaiting some communication from them. That said on Nov 4 with elections about to occur and the expected winter wind down POENB doesn’t anticipate they’ll be doing much doing much, but our objective was to get a hard copy on their desk so we’re top of mind going into winter and ready to meet with us to let us know their plans going into spring.
A short discussion ensued. Frank expressed his concern that we haven’t heard anything from the Town as yet but went on to note that since they’ve re opened the overflow pipe to Valley Grove the system has been able to handle “normal” rain events. But, he cautioned, we are going to get more of these torrential rain storms. We need something that can take 3 to 4 inches in a day and he’s not sure we’re there yet. Ryan Cote agreed.
Chris Ballow reported that this past week (last week of October going into November) there was a water main leak at the bottom of Essex where they had been digging. It took 8 phone calls to get Suffolk County’s response. PSEG showed up.
Phil Cuiffo asked for further clarification. Frank P give a brief synopsis of how Valley Grove is the end point of the old cascading drainage system and d when we get the massive rainfalls and our drywells overflow Valley Grove doesn’t have the capacity to get to the volume of the water to the sound quick enough. The pipe he feels is too narrow in spots or possibly broken and needs to be scoped to see. If they were to design this system today it would have a 22 inch pipe. Right now, Frank P feels portions of the that is down there may be as only 15 inches. Highway Supervisor Andre Sorrentino told us he would like to scope the pipe from the waterline at Valley Grove up to the first catch basins where Carlisle meets Westview to see if that pipe is compromised. If that pipe cannot handle that volume coming downhill, nothing above it matters. That’s when Valley Grove washes out.
Phil said he thought the Town planned to do away with the main pipe at the beach. Frank indicated that was their original plan but the resulting flooding and damage POENB sustained over the summer and again in September convinced the Tow to re-open it. But even after they did so we had another huge rainfall in September and we lost close to $300 worth of lumber on the stairs at valley Grove. Plus scouring of soil behind our seawall. So re opening it has fixed some problems but not all.
Phil asked about the depth of the catch basins. Frank P indicated after the big September storms we had Laser Construction open random catch basins which showed signs of the new ones filling and draining in about a day. From Frank’s perspective that system is working. Phil asked if they should be deep enough to drain during the storm itself. No, said Frank. It still takes a day or two; we have clay solid plus lots of leaf buildup. Phil thought they only put them in 10 feet deep with a back hoe. Frank says he thinks some are 25 feet plus.
Ryan Cote said there were two issues with regard to how deep they go. One is going too deep and fouling the water supply. The other is the natural clay we have out here which prevents absorption of the water. It is draining, Ryan said, but not as quickly as we’d hope, There are many variables as to why: quantity of rainfall in a short time, leaves lining the bottom of the catch basin, clay in the drainage soil, pitch of the road, etc. Valley Grove is not the only trouble spot, we have them all over Eaton’s Neck: the bottom of Drake, Essex, Worcester and Birmingham. Plus, water cascading down from Robert Lenox. Ryan encouraged residents to drive down Robert Lenox and some of the other long hilly roads leading down to the beach. You will discover, he said, that those long roads only have 1 -2 catch basins which given the length of those streets is crazy, but it’s what the standard was back then when the streets were put in. Today, the number of catch basins is woefully inadequate for the rains we now get. Part of our request is to say that in spite of the deficiencies of the new system, we still need more drainage all over Eaton’s Neck—not just the streets already worked on. And we need refinements of the streets that have been done. Our specific asks are all outlined in the October Changing Tides. WE tried to set the table for the Town because we didn’t’ have the confidence that they’re going to come back to us proactively and say here’s what we’re going to do for you. With that Ryan suggested we table the drainage discussion.
Beach Report
Steve Neuf said at PB the water is being shut off and we’re in the process of blowing out the sprinklers at VG. We have a shut off valve at VG that is free spinning and a repair ticket has been put in to Suffolk County Water authority. At Price Bend the Dumpster is locked and closed thanks to RSW. Sand Raking is done for the season and we appreciate Anthony’s negotiations. The pile of Wood chips at prices bend is Frank’s. He got close to 80 yards for free and he accepted them and plans to put them to good use. Residents and kids, please steer clear of them. At Prices Bend have a volleyball post down which we’ll replace. Should just be a bag of concrete, Steve will handle it.
Steven indicated that Yvonne will continue working with watercraft owners on boat issues. The POENB thank Pete Steurwalt for shutting off our water. We also thank to Greg Atkins and Phil Beamer for brining in the swim lines. Special thanks to Nick Cavuoto for doing his usual excellent job of handling the beach reservations throughout the year. Thanks to Greg and Meghan Hodges for all they do for our beaches care and special beach projects year long. Thanks also to several residents around the Prices Bend area who take special pride in doing the little things all year long that keeps Price’s Bend looking great. You know who you are.
Watercraft
Yvonne reminded members to not throw way their car hang tags. POENB will be providing new stickers for 2023 which will go over the old parking sticker. She reminded all that 2023 is not a watercraft re assign year so boats in their primary spot (first spot issued) can be kept there this winter and next summer assuming continued POENB membership. Any second spots or any sail craft, large or small, need to be brought home now please. Ryan made special request of sail craft owners, large and small, who have left their craft on the beach for several seasons — noting that the beaches belong to all and cannot serve as long-term storage. POENB politely requests removal of all sail craft now with appreciation for everyone’s cooperation.
Changing Tides
Ryan Cote reported that the Changing Tides will be printing a November and December issue to finish out the year. He went on to thank all our block captains, noting how impressed his is that within an hour of getting an issue back from the printer Diane Ryan has them out to the block captains who then get the issue into mailboxes right away. The effort benefits all.
Ryan also recognize Peter Cartwright who handles the layout of each Tides issue and keep the content clean and organized. He finished by thanking regular contributors, Rich Baer, Terry Reid and Kelly Gifford, those who submit photography and, most important, the advertisers whose support makes it go. He finished by noting that the Tides is always looking for new content so if you have an idea, reach out to changingtides@eatonsneck.org and share it.
Social
The 10th annual Turkey Trot was announced. Tom Bishop asked everyone to come out and run. Ryan thanked you to Tom and his turkey team for all their hard work in putting together this great event. Ryan also thanked Bethany, Julia L. and their team of volunteers who put on another fantastic Kids Halloween Parade. Special thanks to the Eaton’s Neck Fire Department for putting on the kids party and fire safety demonstrations after. It’s always a great event.
Report of the Treasurer
Nora Beck reported that income so far this year was $68,776.64 which is a good number and reflective of the excellent membership year we had. Total expenses were $ 50,138.50 leaving us with an operating with a net surplus of 18,638.14. We expect to end the year with a moderate surplus factoring in the expenses we have yet to pay such as landscaping, printing for a few remaining issues of Changing Tides, sprinkler winterizing, etc. Nora indicated she sent out invoices for Changing Tides and watercraft.
President’s Report
Ryan Cote indicated that over the last five years of service to POENB, he’s been fortunate enough to be part of several fantastic iterations of the board, but the 2022 board is extremely special to him. Apart from their many talents, they work tirelessly and care only for the betterment of our community and making it run more efficiently. Ryan then announced that after five years of recent POENB board service and 8 years of total service, he feels he needs to take a slight step back. With a pending home renovation and three kids moving into college age, his time is getting pulled in many directions. For these reasons, after much thought, Ryan announced his decision to not seek re-election as POENB President in 2023.
Ryan pledged to continue to work as hard if not harder for POENB, just out of the spotlight. He will continue to serve as drainage Liaison, put out the Changing Tides and handle other special projects needed by the Board. Ryan noted that Eaton’s Neck has a long tradition of former board members continuing to serve–Gene Caputo is our current Membership Chair, Christine Ballow is Nominations, Nick Cavuoto handles Beach Reservations, Julie Atkins acts as political liaison, Bethany continues to assist Heather Kennedy with social events, and the list goes on. Volunteerism makes Eaton’s Neck run and Ryan said he will be no different.
Although a difficult decision, it was made much easier when all current board members agreed to stay on and continue the good work this board has started. That continuity and experience will benefit all Eaton’s Neck. Ryan went on to comment that if were possible to make this board even better, we have done so with a new nominee but long- time Necker, Sally Neal. As Sally joins the team to run for recording secretary, Nora Beck has decided to step away after five years of dedicated service as POENB Treasurer. We will all have an opportunity to thank Nora at our December meeting and thank are in order as Nora has given of her time selflessly, helped structure the financing for our VG Seawall, paying off all our debts and putting POENB on a path to financial solvency. We cannot thank her enough.
With that, Ryan turned the meeting over to Nominations Chair Ballow to formally read the names of the 2023 slate of Board Nominees.
Board Nominations
President Frank Pasquale
Vice President Ryan Schaefer Walker
Assistant Vice Present Steve Neuf (Engineering & Special Work Projects)
Assistant Vice President Yvonne Lambertson (Technology, Web, Communications)
Treasurer Anthony Fusaro
Recording Secretary Sally Neal
Christine Ballow noted that we have an opening for a corresponding Secretary and that anyone interested in filling that role can contact nominations@eatonsneck.org . The board will be able to managed correspondence as a group effort if no one steps forward,
New Business
Ryan congratulated the board nominees and introduced Sally Neal who provided a brief bio of herself of to the audience. Sally moved to Eaton’s Neck as a child back in1966 when far fewer families lived out here. She lived on Peterborough until leaving for college. In her adult life and for her career, Sally moved to and lived in New York City. When her dad passed just prior to covid, Sally returned to the Neck to help organize his house and has been enjoying her return. Ryan thanked her for graciously volunteering to give back to community.
Janet Corcoran kindly commented how impressed she was with how this board; both its handing of difficult ongoing issues (flooding, drainage, erosion) as well as its commitment to bring back fun community events. She gave specific recognition to Frank Pasquale for his tireless work transforming Valley Grove. Janet noted that the time board members volunteer for the community is time they must take away from their families and thanked them all.
Phil Cuiffo asked to speak on the issue of security around Eaton’s Neck. Security, he noted, is becoming a bigger deal and he feel that the Asharoken Police, once a potent deterrent, is becoming less so. He cited that in the past the force was a bit more diligent about the lookout for cars with heavily tinted windows, concealed plates, expired registrations, etc. As a result, Phil suggested it may be time to form an Eaton’s Neck neighborhood watch group.
Phil provided the board with a flyer as to how to go about doing this, safely and requested we re-print it in the Changing Tides for anyone interested. Ryan asked if the POENB has ever had a community watch. Christine Ballow indicated no but that we have hired a security car for certain holidays in the past (Halloween). Greg Hodges registered agreement with Phil, citing cars frequently parking in Price’s Bend late at night and nonresident parking in the streets around the beaches and walking in.
Ryan Cote cited prior POENB boards where this topic was brought up and, legally, it was decided that POENB could not sponsor a watch in case anyone extended their authority or were injured. Both Phil and Greg clarified that any neighborhood watch would be entirely unaffiliated with POENB. This would be a purely voluntary, non POENB program. Phil echoed that this concept would not involve engaging with anyone. Its purpose is to set up a formal protocol on contacting the authorities if needed. The conversation was left that anyone wishing to find out more can leave Phil a message on his office phone at 631-757-4053.
Christine Ballow brought up the issue of the decrepit Asharoken seawall and suggested that we advocate for DEC to ask them to create an artificial reef out in the Sound off of Bevin Road. This has been done it in several other areas of Long Island.
Sally Neal asked Frank P for some additional clarification on our drainage system and suggested putting a diagram for the Tides to help explain how it works to others.
Our next meeting is Friday December 2nd at 7:30 at the firehouse. This will be POENB’s Annual Meeting at which we formally elect the new board by a simple majority of those in attendance. Everyone is invited to come vote and participate then stick around to greet the new board and join them for some holiday cheer afterward.
We adjourned at 8:40 pm.
