POENB Minutes Friday, November 3, 2023
The meeting was held in person from 7:00 pm to 7:25 pm at the Eaton’s Neck Firehouse. 

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

Officer Roll Call

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

Attendance  
Approximately 20 members, including officers, were in attendance.  

Frank Pasquale’s motion to accept last month’s minutes as posted on the POENB website and in the Changing Tides was seconded and the minutes were approved. 

Correspondence – Nancy Regan

Nancy reviewed the list of inquiries, comments and other correspondence that the Board received during the month of October.   The dates, person or persons initiating the question/correspondence and the topic discussed (if relevant) are listed below.  The Board’s response to selected items are also included.

• 10.3.23 – Update from John Ballow regarding PSE&G’s electricity reliability improvements
• 10.3.23 – NY Post article (published on October 1, 2023) titled “Schumer says Fire Island shores washing away from erosion, blames Feds” forwarded by Sally Neal regarding replenishing the beaches and stemming erosion on Long Island and Senator Schumer’s plan to address the issue.  Schumer specifically mentions Fire Island (Seaview, Ocean Bay Park, Point O’Woods, Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines, Water Island, and Davis Park). The article also mentions Montauk and Shinnecock Inlet.  Asharoken/Eaton’s Neck were not included in the list of LI beach locations suffering from beach erosion.  The article states that Senator Schumer sent a letter to the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) on September 25th stating that Suffolk County and NYS DEC have done “what they can” but the ACOE must provide a permanent solution.
• 10.4.23 – Phil Cuiffo inquired about the income and expenses associated with the Endless Summer party and recommended that any surplus funds (to the extent they exist) be used for general beach clean-up and PB beach improvements such as fencing, showers and bathrooms.
• 10.4.23 – Forwarded emails from John Ballow which document– responses from candidates for (1) TOH Council, (2) Suffolk County Executive and (3) SC Legislator (18th District) to John’s written questions regarding each candidate’s perspectives, commitment and urgency to remediating public safety issues associated with the Bevin Seawall.
• 10.23.23 -Email from POENB’s insurance broker regarding insurance policy renewal (for general liability, property, D&O and umbrella insurance).  As members have undoubtedly seen in their own homeowner policies, premiums have risen significantly.  POENB’s 2024 premium increased approximately 20% vis a vis 2023.  POENB’s broker shopped our insurance and was not able to obtain lower quotes from other carriers.  POENB’s increase was renewed with the increase in annual premiums
• 10.30.23 – Email from Jacqueline Tordik requesting a refund of a $500 deposit given for a beach party over the summer.  Ryan Schaeffer-Walker, speaking on behalf of Anthony Fusaro (Treasurer), stated that the refund will be forthcoming.
• Multiple emails regarding interest in POENB membership, watercraft space and mooring procedures from new homeowners.
• Multiple emails regarding frustration with the delay in moving the dirt pile at PB to Valley Grove.  Various POENB members have noted that the dirt pile is unsightly and may attract vermin.  They also have questioned the length of time it has taken to relocate the dirt pile (since comments on the dirt pile were first received in July 2023).  Ryan Schaefer-Walker stated that he is in the process of obtaining quotes from 3rd contractors to move the dirt pile and that the dirt pile should be relocated no later than December 31, 2023. 

Treasurer’s Report – Ryan Schaefer-Walker (on behalf of Anthony Fusaro) 
Ryan provided highlights from the Income Statement for the period January 1, 2023 to November 3, 2023 and three Balance Sheet line items as of November 3, 2023.  

As shown in the Income Statement, net income for the first 10 months of POENB’s operations was approximately $24K.  However, POENB will receive and must pay two significant bills before the end of the year:  (1) insurance and (2) beach landscaping.  The insurance bill will be more than POENB paid historically given the 20% increase in the premium for 2024.  POENB’s landscaping service does not bill the association monthly but rather provides one bill for annual services at the end of the year. 

Additionally, expenses due prior to year-end will include the monthly utility expenses (water and power) for November and December.  

There are also selected miscellaneous expenses (e.g., refund of deposits received for private parties held at the beach, cost of food and drink for the Halloween and Fire Safety event on October 28th, etc..).  All of these expenses are projected to be $26K.  

As a result, the projected net income for 2023 is expected to be a deficit of $2K.  

That said, as can be seen in the balance sheet, POENB has plenty of cash on hand and also has a health equity account (not shown).  The $2K deficit simply means that POENB’s equity account will decrease by $2K.   

POENB’s financial condition continues to remain strong.

Finally, in response to member questions, the income and expenses associated with each of the four major social events are identified separately.  The Parti Gras event turns a profit.  The other events, 4th of July, Egg Hunt, and Endless Summer do not. The free Halloween Parade and Safety event is also not profitable. 

President’s Report – Frank Pasquale 

Frank asked John Ballow to provide a brief update on two public safety issues. 

1. PSEG – On Monday, October 30 began to actively execute its plan to improve the reliability of electrical power to Eaton’s Neck.  Specifically, 12 new heavy-duty poles have been installed and pipes have been deposited near Bevin Road that will be used to lay underground power cables from Bevin to the North Creek Road.  All work is expected to be completed by March 31, 2023.   PSEG has provided detail on the status of its efforts on its website.  https://www.psegliny.com/reliability/EatonsNeck.   

If members have further questions, they may call PSEG Long Island Customer Service at 1-800-490-0025 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

2. Bevin Seawall – As discussed previously, the Bevin Seawall is rapidly deteriorating and John Ballow, as Eaton’s Neck representative, is working with multiple impacted stakeholders to:  

• Further educate local, state, and federal politicians of the public safety hazards to the 2,000 residents living north of Bevin Road (inability to access fire, police, and health services), and
• Provide a fact base to help politicians (Village of Asharoken (VOA), Town of Huntington (TOH), Suffolk County, and NYS) collaborate with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the US Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) on solutions and funding.    

As discussed in prior editions of the Changing Tides, the VOA has secured two $1 million grants.  

• The first $1 million is an earmark from Sen. Schumer to substantially repair several hundred feet of collapsing steel.  
• The second $1 million is a hazard Mitigation Grant to prepare an engineering solution to permanently restore the seawall and the beach.  
• Both grants have a local share meaning that VOA (ideally with NYS) must fund $250K of the first $1 million grant and $107,600 of the second $1 million grant.  

In order to access the Seawall grants, VOA Mayor Leticia (in conjunction with the TOH) must first issue RFPs (request for proposal) to qualified firms.  These firms will be asked to bid on a comprehensive engineering study to design a permanent solution to ensure safe and secure passage through the Seawall area for residents who live beyond Bevan Road.  

Other Business

Membership – Gene Caputo

Gene stated that 2023 POENB membership reached an all-time high.  Two hundred fifty-eight memberships were sold this year.  

Beach – Greg Hodges 

Greg stated that four buoys are used to mark the swimming area for PB.  While PB has plenty of rope, 3 new buoys are needed.  One buoy floated away and while two others are old and need to be replaced.  

Social  

On Thanksgiving Day, POENB will host the annual “Turkey Trot.”   The course (laid out by Tom Bishop) is approximately 3 miles long, starts and ends at the firehouse, and includes a loop around Hobart Beach and past Price’s Bend beach.  While some participants run, others walk, stroll, or even ride bikes.  All are welcome to get a bit of exercise in the crisp, fall air prior to enjoying the rest of their traditional Thanksgiving Day activities. 

2024 POENB Officer Nominations – Christine Ballow

Christine Ballow, the Chair of the Nominating Committee (one of POENB’s permanent committees), read the slate of candidates for 2024.  The candidates are:

• President Tom Kehoe
• Vice President Ryan Schaefer- Walker 
• Assistant Vice President Yvonne Lambertson (IT, website and watercraft)
• Assistant Vice President Steve Neuf (Beach and Special Projects)
• Treasurer Anthony Fusaro
• Recording Secretary Sally Neal
• Corresponding Secretary Nancy Regan

The nominations were accepted, seconded and voting will occur at the December meeting, also referred to as our Annual Meeting. Voting will be conducted in person and shall be carried by a simple majority of votes cast. POENB members in good standing shall be represented by one (1) vote per household. Members are asked to attend to cast their vote. 

At annual election meetings, the order of business shall be:  a) Roll call of Officers and Directors; b) Annual report of Treasurer; c) Annual report of President; d) Presentation of issues to be voted on other than election of officers; e) Nominating committee reads list of nominees and proceeds with election; f) Nominating committee announces elected officers.

POENB Committees

The subject of committees came up. POENB committees are appointed by the board, not elected. POENB’s several permanent committees include: 

1. Membership; b) Beach; c) Planning and Zoning; d) Social Activities; e) Nominating. The President and/or majority of the Board members can also create other committees they deem as necessary. Volunteers currently serving as POENB Committee Chairs Include: 

• Membership  Gene Caputo
• Nominating Christine Ballow
• Changing Tides Ryan Cote
• Planning & Zoning John Ballow
• Beach Chair (VG) Tom Bishop
• Beach Chair (PB) This is an open position able to be filled by one person or 
• several volunteers working in tandem
• Social This is an open position able to be filled by one person or several volunteers working in tandem

POENB’s success is dependent on new members volunteering. If you are interested in being an apprentice helper on any of the committees listed above or in creating a new committee, please email info@eatonsneck.org and we will have the Committee Chair reach out to you. Thank you.

Holiday Cheer at our December Meeting

For the December meeting, we ask that attendees bring some light snacks, soft drinks and/or BYOB libations so that we can end the year with some holiday cheer with friends and neighbors.  At the meeting on December 1st, we will offer a special toast to thank our outgoing President Frank Pasquale for his service to POENB and to the community in 2023.  

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:40pm.  Our annual meeting and board elections will be held on Friday, December 1st at 7:00 pm at the Firehouse.