The meeting was held on Zoom from 7:00 pm to 8:10 pm.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a roll call of officers.

Officer Roll Call

• Frank Pasquale – President
• Ryan Schaefer-Walker – Vice President (absent)
• Steven Neuf – Assistant Vice President (Engineering and Special Projects)
• Yvonne Lambertson – Assistant Vice President (Technology, Web and Communications) 
• Anthony Fusaro – Treasurer (absent)
• Sally Neal – Recording Secretary

Attendance  

All 17 members, including officers, in attendance dialed in via zoom.  

Frank Pasquale’s motion to accept last month’s minutes as published in the Changing Tides was accepted. 

President’s Report

Frank provided very positive news on three public safety issues.  Highlights are listed below followed by selected detail on PSEG and the Bevin Seawall. 

1. PSEG – PSEG obtained funding and permits to create electrical redundancy and resiliency for EN by burying power lines from Bevin Road to North Creek Road and installing new “smart” switches.  These projects should reduce the number of outages EN experiences (currently ~20 per year) by 70%.  Some work will be completed by July 2023 and all work should be completed by Q1 ‘24.  
2. Bevin Seawall – Town, county, and state leaders agreed that politics related to the failed/failing Seawall interfere with the development of feasible engineering solutions and need to be set aside.  NYS has money for infrastructure projects.  These leaders will try to direct some of these funds to fix the Seawall.  In the short term, TOH Highway Supervisor Andre Sorrentino will continue to provide trucks and manpower to install new boulders and sand. 
3. Drainage/Flooding – Given significant rainfall last week, most drainage infrastructure functioned as intended.  However, scoping tests conducted on the overflow pipe at the bottom of Carlyle and VG showed that it was compromised (e.g.,was too narrow and had collapsed).  TOH is waiting for permits from the NYS DCA to replace this existing pipe.  Once the new, wider pipe is installed, excess water will flow properly into LI Sound. 

Frank acknowledged the leadership of John and Christine Ballow on both PSEG and the Bevin Seawall.  Without their laser-like focus and relentless drive, these public safety issues would not have been successfully concluded.  John Ballow thanked the hundreds of people who signed the petitions. He reiterated the importance of EN residents using our collective voices to effect positive change. 

Finally, Frank stated that PSEG appears “receptive” to approving claims filed by residents for damages to their homes caused by the power outage on February 3rd and February 4th.

To potentially obtain compensation, impacted residents must complete a claim form on the PSEG website (http://www.psegliny.com/claims) or via telephone (where an operator will record the information).  While the form may be returned via email, fax or US mail, email is best since the email box is monitored 24/7.  PSEG will then assign each claimant a claim number and a claim consultant. Claimants may be asked to provide color photos of damages, a written quote for the repair, or proof of payment if repairs were made – similar to data provided to a P&C insurer. 

By law, there is a 3 year time limit to file a claim from the date of the incident.

PSEG also stated that, to date, only 5 or 6 residents have filed a claim for damages.

Additional detail on PSEG improvements and Seawall next steps 

1. Background

On Thursday, May 4, a 75 minute meeting was held at the Firehouse to discuss (1) PSEG solutions to improve the reliability and resilience of electrical power to EN and (2) next steps regarding the Bevin Seawall.  

Approximately 35 persons attended the meeting.  One third were part of the Eaton’s Neck Community Working Group (ENCWG) which consists of 11 associations, representing approximately 1,000 homes and 2,000 residents. One third were PSEG managers and one third were elected leaders including Keith Brown (NY Assembly), Mario Mattera (NYS Senator), Stephanie Bontempi (SC Legislator), Andre Sorrentino (TOH Highway Supervisor), John McCarron (TOH Deputy Supervisor), and Sal Ferro (TOH Councilman) and their selected staff members. 

2. PSEG Actions Already Taken

Matt Otto, Operational Manager for Western Suffolk, stated PSEG had improved:

1. The power poles and lines from Bevin Road to the Firehouse.
   1. Installed 17 animal guards
   2. Trimmed trees in five designated “hot spots” or areas where continued tree growth could potentially bring down the power lines
   3. Removed vines in four “hot spots”
   4. Replaced 7 poles with ones that are newer and thicker
   5. Installed selected new equipment (details not provided), and
   6. Removed 12 hazardous (old/rotten) trees that were at risk of falling and damaging the power lines
2. Administrative policies and procedures (given the excessive and incorrect messaging sent to residents that power will be restored on a rolling 2 hour basis)
   1. Updated and tested new messaging controls
   2. Refreshed training for PSEG customer service teams, and 
   3. Revamped job aids for outbound messaging

3. PSEG Options Considered and Actions to be Completed in the Near Term 

PSEG considered three options to reduce the frequency and duration of outages and increase response time.  Each potential option was evaluated using four criteria.

	Option 1- Install new smart switch near Asharoken Village Hall	Option 2 – Install submarine cable	Option 3 – Install express underground line (including new smart switch at Bevin)
Description	Remove ACR feeding area and install and configure new smart switch  Although a smart switch is hard to obtain, it provides more data points for the Control Room to determine factors impacting power usage and causes of outages.  Option should reduce outages and enable faster power restoration.	Run underwater power cable from Duck Island to Cherry Lawn Road and Beach	Run an underground line for ~ 1 mile from Bevin Road to North Creek Road.  New line will provide redundancy to existing overhead power lines in the “troubled forest” area of EN Road.  Also includes installing (1) new pad mounted switching gear, (2) new overhead “smart switch”, and (3) split fused branch line.  If a power outage happens on overhead lines, PSEG must manually throw a switch to transfer power to the underground line. Buried lines serve as back-up to above ground lines. Smart switch used at Bevin is identical to one installed at VOA Hall and will provide the same benefits.
Cost to implement	~$120K	$10 million +	$1 million
Relative impact on area/residents	Low – no need to dig up street, re-route traffic, or use loud/heavy equipment	Very High – given environmental concerns	Low
Relative improvement to power reliability	High	Moderate	High
Timing/ completion date	3 months/July or Aug 2023	6 + years (implemented in phases)	~9 months/Q1 2024
Outcome	Option green lit –  fully approved, permitted, and funded and in process of implementation	Option rejected – not cost beneficial	Option green lit  Expedited /very high priority. Funding obtained, survey started, environmental analysis out for bid, smart switch procured

Unrelated to the two green-lit solutions for EN, PSEG is implementing three previously planned projects that should improve the reliability of electricity in EN. 

1. Elwood Feeder – Three new underground feeder lines will be installed at the Elwood Substation. Two of these 3 new, buried lines (~3 miles in length) will head north toward EN and will reduce electrical exposure for part of the route from the Substation to EN
2. Tree trim – A “full circuit” tree trim is scheduled for EN no later than Q1 2024
3. Storm hardening – Beefier poles, thicker conductors, and new hardware more capable of withstanding harsh weather will be installed in 2024.

4. Bevin Seawall next steps 

John Ballow made the following points to the elected officials about the Bevin Seawall.  Some officials were not fully aware of this information because they were first elected in 2022.   

1. There is one road that goes from Northport to EN.  Part of that road, Asharoken Avenue near Bevin Road, is compromised and represents a public safety hazard.
   1. The current, boulder reinforced, steel wall is corroded.  During extended rains, nor-Easter’s, or other harsh weather conditions, the Seawall is breached and water rushes from LI Sound to Northport Bay effectively cutting off EN access to the “mainland.”   
   2. Parts of the road near the Seawall are not properly supported and could potentially collapse. 
   3. Recently, several cars have been “stranded” near the Bevin Seawall and needed to be rescued by the ENFD 
2. No one governmental entity has full jurisdiction over this road and the Seawall.  VOA is responsible for maintaining the road but outsources execution activities to the TOH.  The TOH “as a favor” to VOA replaces boulders and sand.  Both Suffolk County and the VOA own property near the Seawall that they acquired via tax liens. 
3. Although nearly 2,000 people (~620 homes) are impacted by the Bevin Seawall, ~90% are residents of the TOH and ~10% are residents of VOA . While the VOA has 300 homes and 650 people, only ⅓ of the homes are at or above Bevin road.  US Coast Guard military personnel must also pass the Bevin Seawall to access LI via land. 
4. The Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) caused the problem in the 1930’s and have aggravated the situation over the last 90 years. The ACOE has not acknowledged their role in the current state of affairs.  The most recent solution proposed by the ACOE in 2015-2016 became mired in politics over issues related to public access to Asharoken beaches vs. public safety considerations. 
5. Permanently fixing this public safety hazard will take multiple years and cost significant money.   
6. The VOA,  TOH, or Suffolk County do not have the funds nor manpower to fund and implement a solution
7. Local elected officials, representing multiple constituencies/residents, will need to collaborate to access NYS infrastructure funds to implement a solution 

Treasurer’s Report – Sally Neal (on Behalf of Anthony Fusaro)

Sally provided highlights from the Income Statement for the period January 1, 2023 to May 5, 2023 and three Balance Sheet line items as of May 5, 2023.  

Net surplus/income, as well as the Operating Checking Account, has increased given the membership dues received.  Expenses are in line with prior years.  

Income Statement 

Income  

• Changing Tides Ads $420.00
• Beach Rental Fee $700.00
• Membership Dues  
• Senior           $23,253.96
• Standard 18,748.37
• Total Membership Dues 42,002.33
• Parade Income $890.00
• Interest Income $    0.03
• Total Income $44,012.36

  Expenses

• Changing Tides $1,677.46
• Monthly Bank Fees $  150.00
• NY State Taxes $    26.67
• PO Box             $  194.00
• Security             $2,256.80
• Social  
• Easter Egg Hunt $490.70
• Utilities  
  • Prices Bend 150.74
  • Valley Grove 153.00
  • Total Utilities $303.74
• Website & Technology $149.90
• Total Expense $5,249.27

Net Surplus 38,763.09  

Balance Sheet Items as of May 5, 2023

• Operating checking account balance          $53,213.53  
• Beach Fund checking account balance          2,000.00  
• 50/50 Savings account balance                         640.09
• Total Cash                                              $55,853.62

Membership – Gene Caputo

As of May 4, 2023, 220 membership applications and dues were received.  Given historical trends, this number should increase once (1) residents make corrections to the membership roster in the April Changing Tides, (2) paper (vs online) applications are processed, and (3) the weather gets warmer (around Party Gras/Memorial Day).  

Beach Committee Report – Greg Hodges (on behalf of Ryan Schaefer-Walker)

PB Fence and Beach Clean Up

The quoted price for installing a new split rail wooden fence at PB is $6,500.  This amount has been discounted based on members removing/repurposing the existing fence during the PB Beach Clean Up on May 6th.  Money has been budgeted for the fence.  If pieces of the existing fence can be power washed and repurposed, it may not be necessary to install new fencing on the second half of the beach property. 

Report on upgrading shower/port-a potty

Tom Kehoe was not available at the meeting to communicate the results of his investigation.    

Electricity at VG – Budgeted money is available and work should be completed by June. 

Crime and Safety 

There are 7 beaches in the TOH.  In Northport, (1) Crab Meadow, (2) Asharoken and (3) Hobart; in Huntington, (4) Gold Star and (5) Crescent; in Lloyd Harbor, (6) West Neck; and in Centerport (7) Fleets Cove.  Hobart Beach is both the largest beach and the only one that requires patrons to weave through residential neighborhoods to access the beach.  The other six beaches can be directly accessed via a main road.  

Recently, there have been unauthorized activities at Hobart Beach (bonfires and fireworks) which required a response by the ENFD.  Additionally, there have been reports of attempted car break-ins, speeding along residential roads, and riding unregistered four wheel drive vehicles on the beaches.  

On April 20, Greg Hodges and approximately 20 other EN residents met with:  (1) Suffolk County’s Police Department (SCPD) 2nd Precinct, (2) TOH Director of Public Safety and  (3) TOH Harbor Master.  

As a result of the meeting, 

• SCPD has designated Hobart Beach a “routine patrol spot” for Car 216. 
• TOH Park Rangers will provide additional beach supervision
• Hobart Beach will be closed “a bit after dusk” and then re-opened at dawn
• Residents were asked to call 911 regarding suspicious activities.  SCPD, not EN residents, will “screen the calls” to determine their priority, the type of response needed, and the best responder (VOA, SC or TOH).  
• License plate readers will be installed at Hobart to help ensure that only TOH residents use the beach

Greg proposed creating a POENB public safety and quality of life subcommittee to routinely focus on these activities.    

Later in the year, POENB will be installing additional security at PB:  (1) a new security gate (ETA Q3 ’23) to block access to the parking lot and (2) security cameras – one facing the parking lot and the other facing the beach high tide line.  

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.  The next meeting is scheduled for June 2^nd.