MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 18, 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 Sandy Nicoletti, Carol Lane, Christine Vitkun and Carol Castillo.  Also present was Village Attorney, Peter Sverd, Public Safety Supervisor, Bob Fikar and 24 residents.

A motion was made by Carol Lane seconded by Christine Vitkun to accept the November 20th, 2008 minutes as written.  Aye B. Donovan, C. Lane, C. Vitkun, C. Castillo and S. Nicoletti. Nay 0.

A motion was made by C. Castillo and seconded by S. Nicoletti to accept the Treasurer’s report as read.  Aye C. Castillo, S. Nicoletti, C. Lane, C. Vitkun and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.

A motion was made by C. Vitkun seconded by S. Nicoletti to approve the December 18th, 2008 bills totaling $21,738.09.  Aye C. Vitkun, S. Nicoletti, C. Lane, C. Castillo and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.

John Lane-Treasurer:  John reviewed treasurer’s report.  Currently there are $11,259.00 past due taxes that are due the Village.  A past due tax bill including their penalty is sent each month to these residents.  Interest income and mortgage tax revenue is not expected to meet budget due to the current economy.
The collateralization of cash accounts maintained at HSBC Bank, NA, USA and MBIA for the month of December 2008 has been reviewed and is adequate.
A motion was made by C. Castillo and seconded by S. Nicoletti to accept the Treasurer’s report as read.  Aye C. Castillo, S. Nicoletti, C. Lane, C. Vitkun and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS, COMMISSIONERS AND COMMITTEES

Carol Lane-Trustee for Environment & Shore Lines
Drains-Dr. Lederman sent a letter regarding a drain on Dyers Court that is not working properly or is not adequate during heavy rains. The drain mentioned in his letter was cleaned in October. C. Lane is to contact the engineers to review the current drain and do a proposal to correct this problem.  C. Vitkun recommended the engineer check the drain in dry weather and during a rain storm.
Harbor and Moorings-The Town of Brookhaven Harbor Commission has increased their mooring fees from $100.00 to $125.00 for residents and $250.00 to $325.00 for non-residents.
The Village of Poquott will remain at a $10.00 mooring fee.
Pubic Comments: None
Carol Castillo-Trustee for Roads, Roadsides and Parks
Roads/Signs-Striping of the Village streets cannot be done until the spring. L. Mitchell to contact Don Spence of Hawkins and Spence to see what the cost would be to place the hot oil on Washington Street to prevent damage to the roadway.  It was suggested that the Village purchase reflective markers to prevent the snow plows from damaging our curbs.  Public Safety to do a survey of any damage that was done to our curbs during the recent storms.
Relocating the “No Signs” from the entrances of the Village to inside the Village, would mandate the Village to place a sign every 100 feet.
Public Comment:

1. Resident:  Move the “No Sign” away from the puddle to reduce water damage.
2. Resident:  Have Public Safety monitor the sign more to alleviate the vandalism.
3. Resident:  There is a lot of mud at the bottom of Maple Avenue where it meets New Street.  Can that be looked at?  Response:  L. Mitchell to call Bob Juliano, Clerk at the Village of Port Jefferson to see what the cost would be to have their sweeper do some sweeping of streets in the Village of Poquott.
4. Resident:  Why don’t we install speed bumps?  Response:  We have been told that speed bumps are not allowed on Village Streets.
5. Resident:  Maybe raised crosswalks could be installed.  Port Jefferson’s raised crosswalks have actually sunk creating a trough slowing traffic down.
6. Resident:  Brookhaven did a traffic study on the effectiveness of stop signs.
7. Resident: There was an article on the stop signs on Hallock Avenue in local paper.

Christine Vitkun-Trustee for Finance, Website & Waste Management
Website-Agenda is now being placed on the Website.
Waste Management-Nothing
A motion was made by C. Vitkun seconded by S. Nicoletti to approve the December 18th, 2008 bills totaling $21.738.09. Aye C. Vitkun, S. Nicoletti, C. Lane, C. Castillo and B. Donovan.  Nay 0.
Public Comments:

1. Resident:  Thank you for placing the agenda on the website.  Can pending legislation be placed on the website?  Response:  Yes.

Sandy Nicoletti-Trustee for Public Safety & Van Brunt Manor Park Beach
Public Safety:  Bob Fikar, Public Safety Supervisor presented his monthly report.  Parking permits for street parking has been suspended from 12/24/08 through 01/01/09.  It is recommended that the resident’s house number be visible on their homes.  It is also recommended that the residents clear the snow away from fire hydrants.
Special Events: No permits pending.
Public Comments:

1. Resident:  Any discussion regarding having Public Safety changing their hours from during the day to evenings?  Response:  Yes it is under discussion.
2. Resident:  The bus stop at White Pine and Van Brunt has not been covered by Public Safety.
3. Resident:  If Public Safety cannot stop drivers from passing busses they should work nights.
4. Resident:  Code Enforcement rules must be uniform and applied evenly to all.
5. Resident:  It would be a benefit if Public Safety was equipped with a defibrillator.  Response:  Although we do not have a defibrillator, most of our Public Safety Officers are trained to use one.
6. Resident:  How are residents made aware of Village Codes.  Response our Village Codes are on our website.

Attorney:  Following up with National Grid and LIPA regarding the escrow money due the Village.  The title search of Van Brunt Manor Beach has been completed.  Need to obtain the information regarding the dredging that was done in Setauket Harbor.
Environmental Action Committee (LIPA)
LIPA has switched back to oil and are using old generators.  Maybe it is time to have the air monitoring study done.
Building Inspector: No report
Planning Board/Roger Flood:  Our next meeting January 12, 2008 at 7:30 PM.  Items on our agenda are the Pyramid Law and Tree Clearing Law.  We do not approve any laws, we make recommendations to the Board.
Zoning Board of Appeals:  No report.
Permits/Building, Parks & Beaches:  No report.
Village Hall:  No report.
Other Business:

1. Auditors requested the bills to be paid be posted in the minutes. 

New Business

1. Alan Svoboda from the Town of Brookhaven contacted the Mayor about partnering with the Town on an intermunicipal grant for Stormwater.  A resolution needs to be completed by 1/14/08.

Public Comments:

1. Resident:  SEQRA was not done for the Accessory Apartment Law how did that happen?  Response: It was an oversight.
2. Resident:  What is the board doing about rescinding the law?  Response:  We are having an informational meeting in January to obtain input from all residents.
3. Resident:  There is a dead deer on Van Brunt Manor Beach.  Response:  Public Safety will call animal control and have it removed.
4. Resident:  How many permit applications has the Village received for an Accessory Apartment.  Response:  One received but all forms are gone.
5. Resident:  The law not allowing dogs on beaches should be repealed.
6. Resident: Regarding minutes of 10/23/08 question of ownership beyond high tide.  Response:  The Village boundaries are 500 feet from high tide mark.
7. Resident:  Why is hunting still allowed?  Response:  DEC controls the duck hunting by state law.  Write you state representatives with your concerns.
8. Resident:  When did it start that dogs were not allowed on Village Beaches?  The law was passed in 1983 amended in 1998 to allow dogs in the parks.
9. Resident:  Can the law be changed?  Response:  It can be looked at.

Meeting adjourned by C. Lane at 8:30 P.M.

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                                                                                      Eileen Harvey, Village Clerk

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