POENB Minutes
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
The meeting was held in person at the Eaton’s Neck Firehouse from 7:30 pm to 8:45 pm and was also available on Zoom.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a roll call of officers.
Officer Roll Call
- Tom Kehoe – President
- Steve Neuf – Vice President (via Zoom)
- Sally Neal – Treasurer and Recording Secretary
- Nancy Regan – Corresponding Secretary (ABSENT)
- Paul Dippolito – Assistant Vice President
- Michael Ien Cohen – Assistant Vice President
- Heather Warrington – Assistant Vice President
Attendance
There were seven members physically in attendance, not including five officers. Three members attended via Zoom.
Tom Kehoe’s motion to accept last month’s minutes as published on the POENB Website was seconded.
Correspondence – Tom Kehoe (for Nancy Regan)
The Board received the following emails, texts and hand-written notes since POENB’s last member meeting on April 2, 2025. Both the question/comment and the Board’s response are listed below.
April 4, 2025– Tor Vincent (President of the Eaton’s Harbor Corporation) and Phil Quarles (Village of Asharoken (VOA) resident) sent an update on the Bevin Seawall. FEMA said it would not agree to VOA’s request to modify the Hazard Mitigation Grant so that the grant would include a feasibility study and engineering to move and raise Asharoken Avenue in front of the Seawall. Previously, the NYS DEC had also said that it was very reluctant to issue a permit for this project. Therefore, the VOA is putting this idea “on hold.”
April 6, 2025 – Gene Caputo, Membership Chair, sent the Board a list of 25 people who are either new residents (4) and/or have volunteered to help POENB with various activities (e.g., Beach, Changing Tides, etc.). A Board member or a Committee Chair will reach out to the volunteers.
April 28, 2025 –A member asked to reserve PB for a Cub Scout event and requested that POENB waive the beach usage fee. The Board decided to reduce the fee by 50%. This decision reflects the Board’s desire to support the Cub Scouts while balancing its financial and fiduciary responsibilities to maintain and preserve the two beaches. The Board advised the member to make the beach usage reservation in the name of the member not the Cub Scouts.
May 4, 2025 – John Ballow suggested that POENB consider buying a trailer (~$200) for PB that members could use to haul their watercraft from the racks to the water (and back again). The Board believes that a trailer would be a “nice to have” but the entire 2025 capital improvement budget of $6K has already been earmarked.
May 6, 2025 – John Ballow said that Phil Quarles (a VOA resident) sent Mayor Lettica a 20 page letter that identified open issues and asked the mayor for a formal, written response. John Ballow has endorsed and supported Phil’s letter.
May 6, 2025 – A resident, and former POENB Board member, wondered why, POENB, as a not-for-profit civic association, provides membership discounts. The person asserted that discounts are not effective in obtaining new members and was curious as to why POENB offered membership discounts to (1) renters (who moved to the POENB Region within the last six months) (perhaps) at the expense of long-time property owners and (2) owners with military service (but not law enforcement, fire fighters, and first responders). The person wrote that discounts could possibly be offered to seniors “as a courtesy” or to owners experiencing financial hardship (on an as needed basis).
The Board thanked the resident for the comments but respectfully disagreed with the assertions and opinions expressed.
The Board believes that discounts are an effective tool in recruiting new members and keeping members in portfolio. The early bird discount, which is used by over 97% of special class/senior members, provides much needed cash for POENB to pay vendors who prepare the beaches for the summer season.
On any given year, POENB has two or three limited members. A limited member is a person who rents a property in the POENB Region but cannot vote on Key Issues and cannot serve on the Board. The price of a limited and full (i.e., property owner, vote on Key Issues and can serve on the Board) memberships is identical. Both full and limited members can also take advantage of the status (senior, military) and payment (early bird) discounts.
Since both renters and owners who moved into or closed on their house within the last six months are offered a one-time 50% reduction in the price of membership and less than 1% of all members are limited members, the Board does not believe that first time renters are receiving special treatment at the expense of long-tenured owners.
POENB is also not unique in offering preferences to active and retired military: many corporations and non-profits do as well.
Multiple Dates –Several emails were received from members inquiring about watercraft issues (spots, stickers).
Board and Committee Reports – Tom Kehoe moderating
- Beach Committee (Tom Kehoe for Steve Neuf)
Tom said that items on POENB’s beach improvements list include: (1) replace a grill at PB, (2) repair the kayak rack at VG, (3) replace a bench at VG, (4) complete repairs on the VG stairs, (5) complete the fence at PB, (6) replace/repair three signs (i.e., welcome to Eaton’s Neck, PB sign and VG sign), (7) install a security gate at both PB and VG, (8) improve the shower facilities at PB, and (10) install a permanent bathroom at PB. Tom also reminded members that POENB’s total 2025 capital budget for both beaches was $6,000.
Since the list of “needs” outstrips POENB’s resources, expenditures would be prioritized based on safety considerations. Therefore, only items #1 through #4 are scheduled to be completed in 2025.
A very generous member, Joseph Cartolano (Essex Drive) has offered to fund the replacement / repair of the three signs. Another philanthropic member, Phil Cuiffo, has also volunteered his time and talents to build the signs.
The Board is very thankful for the big heartedness of these members to help the POENB Region continue to be an attractive and welcoming place.
- Watercraft
Michael Ien Cohen stated the watercraft currently stored at PB is a bit of a mess, especially crafts stored near Worchester Drive (east side). Many kayaks are piled on top of each other while others are turned right side up, collecting water and serving as mosquito breeding areas.
Michael Ien will be compiling a list of watercrafts that are out-of-compliance with policy (e.g., are not stored in their assigned spot, do not have a sticker, and/or have not registered and paid for watercraft storage fee in 2025).
Michael Ien will contact the owners of the all-out-of compliance crafts and ask that owners take corrective action. All watercrafts still out of compliance by May 19 will be moved to the shed area.
Persons storing watercrafts at one of the POENB beaches without being a member is unfair to the members who pay to maintain and preserve the beaches. Additionally, watercraft haphazardly stored are a safety issue (e.g., a boat could fall on someone trying to access their craft or someone could trip over a boat on the beach). Untidy watercraft also make it difficult for the landscapers and beach groomers to clean the kayak area. Finally, a “boat dumping ground” is unsightly.
Michael Ien noted that some members were confused over the boat storage policies with respect to “reserved spaces” and annual fees. Michael Ien said that boat spaces are assigned every two years (on even years). However, fees to store the boat must be paid annually. Said differently, a member may keep their assigned space for two years but pay for their storage spot every year.
- Social Committee
- Heather Warrington –stated that the Easter Egg Hunt held at PB on April 19 at 12 noon was an unqualified success. The event was open to all residents in the POENB Region (free of charge) and was attended by ~125 to 150 people. The plastic eggs were filled with high quality candy and the “golden eggs” contained even more generous treats. Many enjoyed having their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. To help defray the cost of this free event, a 50/50 raffle was held. POENB generated $210 since the ”winner” donated his $105 winnings back to POENB. Finally, Michael Ien Cohen took a fabulous aerial video of the event. The footage is available on the POENB website and on Facebook
- Paul Dippolito – stated that POENB’s Memorial Day event which, in 2025, will be called Salute to Summer (formerly known as Parti Gras), is scheduled for Sunday, May 25th at 3:00 pm. In addition to BBQ style food, there will also be an Ice Cream Truck, music, a 50/50 raffle, new, high quality POENB merchandise for sale, gifts for the first 100 attendees, and a variety of fun games (corn hole).
This is a MEMBER ONLY event. It is ONLY open to POENB members and their NON-RESIDENT guests. A non-resident is a person who does NOT own or rent property in the POENB area and therefore, are NOT eligible to become POENB member. A guest is a non-resident who has been invited to a POENB event by a POENB member.
A member may invite an unlimited number of non-resident guests.
Before May 19, tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children. From May 20th and up to the day of the event, the price is $35 for adults and $15 for kids. Non-resident guests pay the same price as members for the event.
To buy tickets, write a paper check to POENB, Inc. and put it into the POENB mailbox near the firehouse.
Because tickets are available on the day of the event, it is possible to join POENB and pay for the event at the same time.
Paul stated that the Social Committee is trying to sign up sponsors for some events to (1) help defray the cost of the event, (2) continue to allow POENB, Inc to offer free events and (3) generate additional revenue for capital improvement projects.
- Michael Ien Cohen said that to make POENB membership more valuable, he is signing up local vendors who will offer discounts on their products and services to POENB members. Each member will receive a plastic card (the size of a credit card) that they can present to a local merchant for a discount. The names of the participating merchants, the product/service offered and the amount of discount will be posted on the POENB website (eatonsneck.org). The discount will be available for “pick up only” (not valid for uber eats or door dash). Flyers will be put into resident mailboxes to announce the formal launch of the program (~ 2 weeks).
Treasurer’s Report – Sally Neal
The Treasurer’s Report (see page X) includes the Income Statement for the period January 1, 2025 to May 7, 2025 and a partial Balance Sheet as of May 7, 2025. Please note, given space limitations in the Changing Tides, some revenue and expense line items have been aggregated.
Net income for the period ended May 7, 2025 was $59,684.42
Total Revenue was $63,642.67. In terms of revenue contributions, the largest item is Membership Dues ($56K), followed by Watercraft Fees ($3.6K), Raffles ($1.5), and Donations ($1.3K).
Since the early bird discount ended on March 31, membership has slowed.
| As of 5/725 | As of 4/2/25 | Dollar Difference | Percentage Difference | |
| Standard | $26,963.08 | $23,303.08 | $3,660 | 15.7% |
| Special/Senior | $28,989.80 | $27,580.00 | $1,409.80 | 5.11% |
| Total | $55,952.88 | $50,883.08 | $5,069.8 | 9.96% |
| Watercraft | $3,550.00 | $3,055.00 | $495.00 | 16.2% |
As of May 7th, POENB had 208 members of which 125 (~60%) qualified for the Special Class Discount (seniors 65 and over, active /retired military) and 83 (~40%) were classified as Standard members. Only one member was a “limited member” (non-property owner in the POENB Region).
While the percentage of Special Class members has continued to increase since the 1990s, it is expected that the ratio of Special to Standard Class members in 2025 will be approximately 45/55. Typically, eligible property owners who qualify for the Special Class category join POENB as soon as membership opens. Many Standard members wait to submit their applications until right before the Memorial Day Weekend.
In terms of online vs. paper (application and payment methods), 161 used paper and 47 used online. The use of online mechanisms was about 50% for Standard members but only 20% for Special Class members.
Total Expenseswere $3,958.25. Expenses are low since beach cleaning and grooming hasn’t started or if it has started, POENB has not yet received a bill. POENB does not open the dumpster and set up the port-a-pot until shortly before Memorial Day.
As of May 7, 2025, POENB had approximately $83K in cash.
Please consider re-joining/joining soon – eatonsneck.org/membership.
New Business – Tom Kehoe moderating
- Member Discounts – Christine Ballow said that POENB currently has an oil purchasing program with Sweezy. Nick Cavuto has led this effort. Approximately 120 families in the POENB region are participating. The Board said that it is discussing with other vendors (Lewisy) if they would be interested in participating in such a program.
- Financial Incentives for Existing Members to Recruit New Member. A member suggested using a referral program to increase the number of members. For example, if a member signs up a non-member (one who has not been a member for at least 10 years), he or she will receive a gift card, multiple tickets to use on 50/50 raffles, free tickets to POENB events or other items of value. The Board said it would consider this idea.
Next Meeting
Next month’s meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 7:30 pm at the EN Firehouse. The meeting will also be available via Zoom. All members are encouraged to attend.
