MINUTES OF THE JULY 10, 2008 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF POQUOTT HELD AT VILLAGE HALL AT 7:00 P.M.

Present Mayor Barbara Donovan, Trustees Carol Castillo, Carol Lane, Christine Vitkun and Sandy Nicoletti.  Also present was Village Attorney Peter Sverd and 13 Residents.

Open Public Hearing 7:00 P.M.-A Local Law Regulating Accessory Apartments Within The Village of Poquott.

Open to the Village Board for Discussion. 
No Comments.

Village Attorney:  The purpose of the proposed law is to give the Village a mechanism to legalize apartments. To ensure the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Village, as well as those who occupy apartments within the Village. To make sure they meet current Building and Fire Codes.  It also establishes an Apartment Review Board.
 

• Resident: If Poquott is zoned as single family dwelling, how have apartments existed in the past?  Response:  The illegal apartments would have to been brought to the attention of the Village Board.  It was difficult to obtain a signed affidavit from a neighbor reporting the illegal apartment.  Therefore it was difficult to enforce.
• Resident:  How does this affect our school district?  Response:  Minimum effect on the school district.  Proposed law allows only two persons per bedroom.
• Resident:  How many apartments are allowed?  Response:  Only 5% of the homes in each district are allowed to have apartments.
• Resident:  With an increase in people will it increase their taxes?  Response:  There is no increase in taxes by increasing the number of people in a home.  If they renovate that would increase the taxes.
• Resident:  What is the need for this law?  Response:  Safety, to protect residents and the renter.  The law does not prohibit it regulates; it needs to be enforced by our codes.
• Resident: Are all existing apartments grandfathered?  Response: No, existing apartment owners must apply for the permit and if they meet the requirements will be approved even if they exceed the 5% minimum for their zoning district during initial grace period.
• Resident:  Will the Board limit the lease?  Response: This is not about the lease it is about the apartment.
• Resident:   If you are unable to enforce illegal apartments now, how will this law help you enforce the law?  Response:  Residents obeying the law will assist in enforcement
• Resident:  What about changing the % of apartments.  Response:  The law can always be amended.
• Resident:  What happens if the 5% is reached?  Response:  The permit would be denied, if it is past the initial grace period.
• Resident:  Planning Board recommendation for Section 9 item A the initial period should be one year not three.  Response:  It will be corrected.
• Resident:  Is the proposed Accessory Apartment Law pertaining to the primary building?  Response:  Yes

Motion to close public hearing was made by C. Vitkun, seconded by C. Castillo.          

OPEN GENERAL MEETING 7:40 P.M.

• Motion was made by C. Lane, seconded by C. Castillo to approve the request from Michael Wuertz to have an event at California Park on July 19, 2008.  Aye C. Lane, C. Castillo, C. Vitkun, S. Nicoletti and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.
• Motion was made by S. Nicoletti, seconded by C. Vitkun to approve the request from Valeri Fine to have an event at California Park on July 22, 2008.  Aye S. Nicoletti, C. Vitkun, C. Castillo, C. Lane and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.
• Motion was made by C. Castillo, seconded by C. Lane to increase the salary of Maureen Kirk from $8.50 to $10.00 effective 7/14/08.  Aye C. Castillo, C. Lane, S. Nicoletti, C. Vitkun and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.

 
Appointments:  Rob Kukta has accepted the position as Commissioner of California Park.
Building Department:  The new roof on Village Hall has been completed.
California Park:  Chick Voorhis of Nelson, Pope and Voorhis LLC is going to make a check list of items that still need to be completed at California Park.  In addition, we have asked him to
 
MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2008 CONTINUED

look at the end of the boat ramp a resident feels the rocks at the end of the boat ramp could damage an inflatable boat.  Another resident feels the boat ramp is to narrow so we have asked him address that concern.  A resident at 70 Washington Street is not pleased with the restoration of his lawn that was damaged during the project. 
Other Business:  The office organizer is to meet with the Village Clerk on 7/15 to order our new furniture and coordinate the installation of the furniture, new phone system, and moving existing computer wiring.
C. Castillo to meet with Pristine Property Care on 7/12/08 at 8:30 A.M. to review work that has not been completed.
New Business:  Accessory Apartment Law to be table to the 7/24/08 meeting.
SCWA will do the  backflow prevention testing for the Village.
NYPRIG -Peter to respond to a letter we received regarding their solicitation in the Village.
PERMITS:  A motion was made by C. Lane, seconded by C. Castillo to approve a request for Michael Wuertz to have an event at California Park on July 19, 2008.  Aye C. Lane, C. Castillo, C Vitkun, S. Nicoletti, and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.
A motion was made by S. Nicoletti, seconded by C. Vitkun, to approve a request for Valeri Fine to have an event at California Park on July 22, 2008.  Aye C. Castillo, C. Lane, C. Vitkun S. Nicoletti and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.
Correspondence:  A Justice Grant is available again; requests must be completed by August 31, 2008.
Public Comments:

• Resident:  New signs are very nice, but some were not done.  Response: More signs will be forthcoming.
• Resident: Tree removal is needed on Van Brunt Manor Road and Bayberry Court.  Response: This will be looked into.
• Resident: Overgrowth on the west side of Van Brunt Manor Rd from Wells Lane to Shore Road needs to be trimmed.  Response:  We will contact the Town of Brookhaven.
• Resident:  The ramp at California Park needs to be wider.  Response:  Already discussed. 
• Resident:  Rocks wash onto ramp.
• Resident:  Line edge of ramp to prevent rocks washing onto the ramp.  Dr. Appisson to call our Engineer to discuss the problems with the ramp at California Park.
• Resident:  Is the Sump going to be fenced?  Response:  The bio retention is to be fenced.
• Resident:  Is the work completed?  The work is not completed

Motion to go Executive Session at 8:30 P.M. to discuss a Personnel issue was made by C. Castillo seconded by C. Lane.  Aye C. Castillo, C. Lane, C. Vitkun, S. Nicoletti and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.
Return from Executive Session at 8:35 P.M.
Motion was made by C. Castillo, seconded by C. Lane to increase the salary of Maureen Kirk from $8.50 to $10.00 effective 7/14/2008.  Aye C. Castillo seconded by C. Lane, S. Nicoletti, c. Vitkun and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.

Adjourned at 8:45 P.M. by C. Lane.

_____________________________                           ___________________________
                                                                                     Eileen Harvey, Village Clerk

_____________________________                           ___________________________

_____________________________                          ____________________________

DRAFT