POENB Minutes
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The meeting was held in person at Eaton’s Neck Firehouse from 7:35 pm to 8:45 pm.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a roll call of officers.
Officer Roll Call
- Tom Kehoe – President
- Steve Neuf – Vice President (ABSENT)
- Sally Neal – Treasurer
- Ellen DaSilva – Corresponding Secretary
- Paul Dippolito – Assistant Vice President (ABSENT)
- Michael Ien Cohen – Assistant Vice President
- Heather Warrington – Assistant Vice President (ABSENT)
- Recording Secretary – OPEN
Attendance
There were seven (7) members physically in attendance, not including four officers.
Tom Kehoe’s motion to accept last month’s minutes as published on the POENB Website was seconded.
Correspondence –Tom Kehoe
- Update on TOH Actions at Valley Grove – In July 2024, the TOH wrote to POENB, Inc. (as the deed holder to the VG beach) and asked to access the VG property so that it could finalize its proposed project (prepared by Nelson + Pope, an engineering, architecture, and surveying firm based in Melville) to repair the non-functioning drain pipe. On March 4, 2026, Tom said that a TOH representative from Supervisor Ed Smyth and Supervisor Andre Sorrentino’s offices stated that the DEC is completing their review of the Nelson + Pope plan and should issue their permit in the next few weeks. Once the permit is approved, TOH will put the construction work out to bid – which takes about three months from advertising to executing a contract. Based on that timeline, construction at VG should start sometime in Q3 26. This means that the TOH’s drainage remediation activities COULD impact member access and usage of Valley Grove during the Beach Season.
Committee Reports
- Beach Committee – Michael Ien Cohen stated the split rail fence at Price’s Bend (close to Hobart) is in a state of disrepair. As discussed in April 2023, a well-maintained fence serves three purposes: (1) makes the beach property more aesthetically appealing, (2) acts as a security device and (3) marks the boundaries of the PB property. In April 2023, the Board hired Amendola Fence Company (Amityville) to replace 50% of the 1,011 foot split rail fence from the shed to approximately Tudor Drive. The price for installing this new split rail locus wood fence at PB was $6,500. This amount was discounted by $2,000 based on members removing/repurposing the existing fence during the PB Beach Clean Up on May 6, 2023.
Sally Neal stated that the Board has standardized, separated and clarified the various POENB Rules and Policies to make them more accessible and understandable for members. The documents include a table of contents, introduction, version control table, and page numbers. The Key Terms and Definitions documents ensure the language used in all documents are consistent, clear and easy to understand.
The seven documents that comprise the POENB Rules and Policies, in alphabetical order, are (1) Beach Rules, (2) Beach Party/Event Rules, (3) Data and Security Policies, (4) Easement Rules, (5) Gate Rules, (6) Key Terms and Definitions and (7) Watercraft Rules. These rules and policies have been posted to the POENB website via the member Resources menu. The Board will routinely review the Rules and Policies (at least once per year) and update them as required.
- Watercraft – Michael Ien Cohen – said that Watercraft Allocation Day, where Members in good standing (dues paid for 2026) may request watercraft spots, would occur at the EN Firehouse on Sunday, April 12th. The watercraft spots will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. Additional details will be provided via email, a notice in the Changing Tides and social media.
If an eligible resident is not yet a member, he/she may sign up to be a member – at the Watercraft Allocation Day event, prior to requesting the number and type of watercraft rack spots desired.
As noted in the Correspondence Section, it is unclear when the TOH may begin or complete their construction to repair the damaged drainpipe at VG. Additionally, the existing watercraft rack at VG, which holds ~12 craft, is in dire need of repair or replacement.
While temporary fixes were discussed, the Town of Huntington may need to remove the racks, so in 2026 all watercraft rack spots will be located at PB.
- Social Committee – Sally Neal for Heather Warrington
The annual Easter Egg Hunt for children will be held Saturday, April 4th at 12 noon with a rain date of Saturday, April 11th. This event is open to both members and non-members. However, Board suggests that participants donate $3 per family to help defray the cost of the event.
Heather is also looking for volunteers to help (1) stuff the plastic eggs, (2) dress as the Easter Bunny, and (3) hide the eggs on the day of the event.
Please email info@eatonsneck.org is you are available to help with this annual, cherished, and fun event.
Treasurer’s Report – Sally Neal
The Treasurer’s Report (see page X) includes the Income Statement for the periodJanuary 1, 2026 to March 4, 2026 and a partial Balance Sheet as of March 4, 2026.
During the period ended March 4, 2025, revenue was $3.3K, expenses were $9.6K and net income was ($6.3K).
Revenue consisted of $1.4K from membership dues, $100 from merchandise sales, $1K from the sale of Super Bowl Boxes and $800 from miscellaneous sources (e.g., private beach party/event deposits, donations, interest income and watercraft storage fees).
Approximately $7K of the $9.6K in expenses were for beach security, specifically, the remaining 50% of the $14K cost of the security gate was installed at Price’s Bend. Other expenses were for costs incurred in 2025 (landscaping, utilities and internet charges) but paid in 2026 because POENB is on the cash basis of accounting.
As of March 4, 2026, POENB Inc.’s asset balance was $32K. $22K of the $32K was the Beach Infrastructure Fund.
Membership – Gene Caputo / Sally Neal / Michael Ien Cohen
The early bird membership payment period ends on March 31, 2026. The 2026 “early bird” annual dues for special class members (i.e., seniors, veterans, active military, and new residents) is $235 and $335 for standard members.
Members may apply online by going to www.eatonsneck.org or by putting their paper application and check into the POENB mailbox by the ENFD. To encourage eligible residents to sign up on line, the Board waived all online processing fees.
Reminder email notices will be sent out shortly. A paper copy of the membership application form will be included in the March edition of the Changing Tides.
The Board would like to again thank the many loyal residents who have chosen to support POENB’s mission by joining the Association year after year and often decade after decade.
These steadfast members are typically the first to submit their membership dues. The Board and your fellow members greatly appreciate your steadfast participation and involvement.
Your support of POENB helps make Eaton’s Neck a special place to live.
To make the POENB membership more valuable, Michael Ien Cohen has signed up ~20 local vendors (with a potential of 20 more) who will offer discounts to members who present their POENB membership cards. Retailers include restaurants and bars, dry cleaners, florists, and more. Details on the new member Discount program can be found on the website’s Member Resource menu.
Security at PB – Sally Neal
The security barrier arm / gate at PB has been installed thanks to the fund raising efforts and generous donations of members and others. Members have the option of obtaining a “Clicker” (remote access devices) so they can drive into PB and park their vehicle in the PB lot for a one-time, refundable security deposit of $35.
Once the early bird membership drive ends on March 31, 2026, the members of POENB’s Security Committee will start to distribute the Clickers to members who have elected to provide a one-time, refundable security deposit. Distribution should occur around mid-April.
A member noted non-residents and non-members clamming and engaging in other non-permitted activities at PB. In conjunction with the split rail fence, the Board will be installing security cameras at the PB Easement entrance, the member entrance at the bushes near the shed, the shed, and on the PB property at the end of Worcester Court. New (durable, rustproof, reflective, and large) signage will also be erected in various parts of PB prior to the start of the Beach Season. The signs will read (1) private property/ no trespassing – violators will be prosecuted, (2) This property is Protected by Video Surveillance, and (3) Wetlands – do not disturb.
Bevin Seawall – John Ballow
NYS Senator Matteo and Representative Brown want more signed paper petitions for their advocacy work in Albany to permanently fix the Bevin Seawall. Currently, 600 paper forms have been received. Additionally, 1,726 electronically signed forms (via Change.Org) have also been collected. A copy of the petition will be inserted into the March edition of the Changing Tides. EVERY PERSON in the residence can and should sign the paper form – children included!
Next Meeting
Next month’s meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 7:30 pm at the EN Firehouse. The meeting may also be available via Zoom. All members are encouraged to attend.m at the EN Firehouse.
