[0:00] September 9th work session meeting of the young incorporated village of Port

[0:04] Jefferson's board of trustees uh 5:04 p.m. Clerk Pillo, can you

[0:11] confirm the presence of a quorum? >> Thank you. Mayor Shepro,

[0:15] » present. Thank you. Deputy Mayor Juliano >> here.

[0:18] » Thank you. Trusty Dit >> here.

[0:20] » Thank you. Trusty Franco, >> present.

[0:22] » Thank you. Trusty Snen, >> present.

[0:24] » Thank you. With that, mayor, we have a quorum. We have attorney Moran and

[0:28] treasurer Gaffkco with us as well. >> Okay, let's all stand, please, for the

[0:31] pledge of allegiance.

[0:36] » Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[0:40] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:47] justice for all.

[0:55] So our first item on the agenda is to go into executive session.

[1:00] Do we have a motion? >> Motion.

[1:04] » Second. >> All in favor?

[1:06] » I >> I

[1:07] » I >> I. And the purpose is uh to discuss

[1:10] proposed pending or current litigation pursuant to section 105 chapter 47

[1:15] article 7D of the public officer's law and to discuss matters leading to the

[1:20] appointment or employment of a particular person or corporation

[1:23] pursuant to section 105 chapter 47 article 7 of the public officer's law.

[1:30] Does that mean we're skipping the this presentation or will that the one that

[1:34] appears before exec session or that be moved?

[1:37] » There's a new agenda. The exec session and the presentation

[1:41] were flipped. But so I think one of the reasons we're going into executive

[1:45] session is to do something that maybe doesn't need to be done in executive

[1:48] session. Um we're interviewing ethics council tonight, right?

[1:54] » How many candidates do we have? We have um I believe five mayor

[2:01] » five candidates. >> Yes.

[2:03] » Um who are here to be interviewed >> uh in different time time positions of

[2:10] time? >> Yes.

[2:11] » They've been staggered. Yes. >> Staggered. So um if any does anyone have

[2:17] objections to doing these interviews in public?

[2:23] » I'm fine with that. Nope. Okay. Do we have something to go into

[2:28] executive session for first? >> Well, we do, mayor. We have two uh brief

[2:32] items. >> Okay. Let's do that first. Okay.

[2:35] » And we'll maintain the resolution to go into executive session. Then we'll come

[2:39] back and do our interviews. >> Okay. We do I just want to say that we

[2:44] do have a gentleman that needed to be interviewed at 5:00.

[2:48] » Let's go. Oh, >> that's going first.

[2:51] » 5:00. It's >> after

[2:53] » 507. Yeah, >> let's let's do them first.

[2:56] » Okay, >> Sylvia, um do you have copies of the

[2:59] resumes, hard copies, >> or should I just pull it up on my phone?

[3:03] » Um want me to call go get them? >> Okay.

[3:06] » I have one of each.

[3:12] » You didn't print it out. You got them, right?

[3:14] » I have them and I have them printed at home. I didn't bring the printed copies,

[3:17] so I didn't know if Sylvia had them printed. I just I'm a paper person, but

[3:22] I can bring it up on my phone for now. That's fine. I'm going to have to do the

[3:26] same. >> Do you have the

[3:30] questionnaire, Sylvia? So, we're coming out of executive session right now,

[3:34] right? So, do we have a motion to come out of executive session?

[3:39] » Motion to come out of exe. >> Second.

[3:41] » All in favor? >> I

[3:43] » I >> Okay, we're out of executive session at

[3:47] Yep. >> 508. That was the quickest executive

[3:49] session we've ever had. >> You're welcome.

[3:58] Oops. >> Hello, sir.

[3:59] » Good afternoon. Thank you for accommodating my schedule.

[4:02] » Thank you for accommodating our schedule,

[4:04] » please. >> Um

[4:08] All right. So, uh

[4:14] we just have a set of questions. Do you want to first introduce yourself and um

[4:18] let us know what what brought you here today and why you're interested in this

[4:21] position? Well, my name is Kevin Foreman. I've been a practicing attorney

[4:25] for probably more years than I care to say, at least 38 at this point. Um,

[4:31] I'm here because one of my secretaries is a resident and mentioned position,

[4:36] brought it to my attention. I currently do work for Smithtown, Icelip

[4:41] defense on the defense side, or excuse me, and um, village prosecutor for head

[4:47] of harbor and nisquad. My practice right now um is primarily

[4:54] commercial litigation. I still do a lot of defense, municipal defense work. On

[4:59] the rare occasion, plaintiffs work. My experience has been malpractice, medical

[5:04] malpractice defense, dental defense. I work for the DAS. I did work for the

[5:08] Dasis of Rockville Center um in-house counsel for AIG.

[5:16] And like I said after this much time I have too many things to tell you and in

[5:21] terms of my what my experience is. >> So so based on your review of um our

[5:28] chapter 41 yes ma'am >> ethics code how do you understand the

[5:32] role of legal counsel to the board of ethics including the distinction between

[5:36] advising the board and exercising authority reserved to the board itself?

[5:42] Well, as with any council, my position is to advise. You know, whether a c

[5:47] client, whether it's municipal or not, chooses to follow my advice. That is,

[5:51] you know, dependent upon the client and in this case, the board. Um, I think

[5:56] quite honestly, when it comes down to ethics, there's right and there's wrong.

[5:59] And right and wrong doesn't necessarily mean what's best for me or you. It's

[6:03] what's right or it's wrong. Um, I like to think of myself as somebody I don't

[6:09] and I don't mean this with any disrespect. I don't need at this point

[6:12] in my career to do it. I'd like to be able to give something back. Um, I've

[6:17] seen bad and I can point out a bad attorney when I see him in court. Um, I

[6:22] know what's right. I know what's wrong. And I will tell you if it doesn't pass

[6:26] the smell test or give that appearance of impropriy, I'm going to bring it to

[6:30] your attention. The one thing you don't have to worry about me, and none of my

[6:33] clients have ever complained, is I will be forthright and honest. You may not

[6:38] like what I have to say, but I'm going to tell you what I believe is right. And

[6:44] I will not give advice unless I'm sure on it. You can never be 100% sure

[6:48] because there's always going to be that malcontent or there's always going to be

[6:52] something and someone who's going to say, "I don't care what Kev said. I

[6:56] don't care how much research he put into something." He's he's missed the boat on

[7:01] this one. But I will tell you that before I give an opinion, it will be

[7:04] what I believe within a reasonable degree of certainty.

[7:16] You all can chime in on these questions if you like.

[7:21] » I'll say the RFQ specifically requires can confidential and independent legal

[7:26] advice. What does independence mean to you in

[7:30] this representation? Particularly if your legal advice differs from the

[7:35] position of the mayors, a trustee, um a v the village attorney or another

[7:40] village official. >> Independent to me means I don't ask

[7:44] anybody what they want to have done. If I'm given a question or an issue that

[7:50] comes up, I'm going to deal with it. The chips are going to fall where they may.

[7:53] I can give you an example. There is a municipality I've done work for and I'm

[7:57] doing work for. There is a trustee on that particular in that particular

[8:01] municipality. Um, from what I understand, the person

[8:05] is quite a malcontent. I was confronted by their attorney on a

[8:12] violation that was issued to them. And because, you know, they're on the board

[8:17] and he's the attorney. Well, Kev, I was kind of looking for a conditional

[8:21] discharge. And quite honestly, I said, "You can look all you want." I said,

[8:25] "But you know better than I do. This particular trustee gets a deal different

[8:29] than what everybody else gets. It'll cut through the village like a hot knife

[8:32] through butter, and you're going to lose all sorts of credibility with the rest

[8:36] of their residents." I hope that answers your question. I don't I marched to my

[8:42] own drum. If anybody wants a yes, man, I'll tell you right now, I'm not that

[8:46] person.

[8:52] So, let me ask you a question without going into detail. Have you ever

[8:56] represented anybody on this on this board?

[8:58] » No. Thank you. >> No, I can say no. I did disclose that my

[9:02] son, I believe, covered the um village prosecutor for Dave on on occasion sack

[9:08] forman. >> Oh, yeah.

[9:09] » And you know that. >> Yeah. Okay. But I I would be a hypocrite

[9:14] if I didn't disclose that when I sent in the resume. I felt it was important.

[9:18] Look, I'm not a choir boy. Don't get me wrong, but you know, if that's the way

[9:23] that's the position, I have no problem telling you. The answer to your question

[9:28] is no. But my son was here. He's no longer doing it. He's got two kids and

[9:32] it the time constraints just didn't work for him anymore.

[9:35] » But your son didn't represent anybody here.

[9:37] » No, absolutely not. No. >> Kevin, nice to meet you.

[9:41] » Pleasure. Kev, I think I think what the board is

[9:45] really looking for is someone to call balls and strikes, right? If it's a

[9:49] strike, it's a strike. If it's a ball, it's a ball. Uh I think that's what you

[9:52] know, and take what we have in the eth code, ethics code. If there's a

[9:55] violation that comes uh to the committee, and they have some questions

[10:00] to present to you. Really, what we're looking for is balls and strikes. That's

[10:03] it. >> Oh, that I think I can do that. I I

[10:06] don't want I don't think I can do it. I will do that. And I I don't h I'm not

[10:10] beholden to anyone. I will tell you right now, I am the most a-olitical

[10:14] person you'll ever meet. I I don't rub elbows. I'm not really, you know, a

[10:21] member. I shouldn't say that. I am Republican. I'll tell you that right

[10:23] now. But I don't go to fundraisers. I'm not one of these dropping, you know,

[10:28] donations or anything else. I have gotten the work that I got from

[10:32] Smithtown by virtue of my the quality of my work. I they reached out to me, you

[10:38] know, and I will tell you this, I'm old school. You usually need a rabbi to get

[10:42] that kind of work. Anybody who knows that they're getting municipal work.

[10:46] They know somebody. I just it was my reputation. When the the prior office I

[10:51] was with, we handled the work for Smithtown. Um I was the senior guy at

[10:55] the time is going back more years than I care to say, but it came to me when I

[11:00] left. I left without reaching out to it. What's yours is yours. What's mine is

[11:04] mine. But I'll say probably eight to year eight years later or so after I was

[11:10] gone, I ran into someone and asked me if I was interested and I was like I'll

[11:16] leave my exact language, you know, to the side, but absolutely.

[11:23] » Mr. Foreman, thank you. >> Kevin, please. I look for my father.

[11:25] Whenever I hear Mr. Foreman, I still look for my father.

[11:28] » Um, you mentioned that your secretary notified you of the position. Does she

[11:32] in fact have any um relations with any members of the board or

[11:36] » Not that I'm aware of. I did ask. Okay. >> I did ask

[11:39] » um she just mentioned to me I think she you have a Facebook page.

[11:44] » I'm you can take this anyway. I have no social presence. So she had brought that

[11:49] to my attention. That's how I found out about it.

[11:51] » Okay.

[12:00] And actually this particular secretary does my real estate so it's not this not

[12:06] be up in her wheelhouse. >> Is she a resident or are you a resident?

[12:10] » I believe she's resident of Port Jeff, >> right? I from what I understand I have

[12:14] never driven by her house but you would know it if you passed it.

[12:17] » Okay. >> It's somewhat decorative.

[12:22] » That just is just sparking curiosity in everyone now. Look at me. Everybody's on

[12:26] the edge. >> Now we want to know, but we're not going

[12:28] to ask. We will maintain her privacy. >> I'll text her. Ask if it's okay. I'll

[12:33] come back and tell you. >> So, ethics matters can involve sensitive

[12:36] allegations and significant reputational interests. How would you advise the

[12:40] board to protect confidentiality, attorney client privilege, and due

[12:44] process while complying with applicable New York law?

[12:50] Well, don't disclose anything until you speak to me, you know, and and then we

[12:54] would look at it and um certainly limit the access to it. If it's a board issue,

[12:59] then of course the board members would be um have access to it. But you

[13:04] certainly want to limit who can see it until there's an ultimate determination.

[13:08] Today, people want to shoot first and then, oh, I'm sorry, I shot the wrong

[13:12] person. You know, that it becomes a real issue. That's true. You need to, you

[13:15] know, get your ducks in a row >> and Okay. I can only tell you from some

[13:20] of the employment law that I've done, document, document, document, and then

[13:24] if you have enough, then you can drop your hammer.

[13:26] » But until that point, you're only buying yourself a lawsuit.

[13:32] » Have you had the opportunity to review our ethics ethics code

[13:35] » briefly? But I will tell you when I looked at it, when I first sent over the

[13:39] resume, um, to me it was standard. I I you know, again, not a choir boy, but

[13:46] it's pretty standard stuff. You know, I don't I've never understood the

[13:51] difficulty between doing right and wrong. If it doesn't pass the test, you

[13:55] know, come on. >> I you know, that's like my grandson

[13:58] looking at me and saying, you know, yes, you smile, give me a kiss, I'll let you

[14:02] get it away with it. Not here, but at home, it's a different story.

[14:06] » Thank you.

[14:23] All right, I'll read the next one. Uh, assume an ethics complaint is filed

[14:27] involving village official with whom you have or your firm has had prior

[14:31] professional personal relationship, which I don't think you've have. Um,

[14:35] what steps would you take before advising the board on that matter? first

[14:38] as I bring it to your attention and more than likely step aside,

[14:42] you know, because again, as an attorney, and I know it's, you know, in the book

[14:47] and but I honestly believe it wholeheartedly, the appearance of

[14:50] impropriety. But once you, an old expression, you lay down with dogs, you

[14:54] come up with fleas. I'm not, you know, I've worked too hard to be where I am at

[14:59] this point in my career to screw it up because, you know, something silly like

[15:04] that. I've I've I was actually called by another attorney, needs me to cover

[15:09] something. And I was very flattered and I said, "Well, let me ask you a

[15:12] question." The first question I asked, "Who is it? What is it? And let me ask

[15:16] who the arbitrator is." And she goes, "Why?" I said, "Because you know, I've

[15:19] done this a long time and I've pissed off some people. So, if I've pissed off

[15:24] this particular arbitrator, you certainly don't want me covering it for

[15:27] you because I'll become more of a problem than the benefit."

[15:31] So I mean it's it it's never and I say this it sounds no it's not the money

[15:37] it's my reputation and at close to 40 years you know if Dave talks to my son

[15:44] everybody my son will tell you exactly what I told him how he better act out in

[15:48] court.

[15:56] Is there anything about our chapter 41 code that um or about our uh village the

[16:02] village ethics process council's role or the structure of the engagement that you

[16:07] believe warrants particular attention? >> No. And honestly I have not looked at it

[16:11] that close to make a comment on that. I could sit here and you know come up with

[16:14] some boilerplate answer but I haven't looked at it that close to make a

[16:18] comment as to whether or not there are procedural changes or anything else that

[16:22] should be done. And if I go in with a preconceived notion, I don't think it'll

[16:26] serve anybody. >> And there's a process already set up. Um

[16:30] it's it's been established the ethics code that we have right now. We have a

[16:33] working group uh that are are appointed. So and really it's more of advise and

[16:40] consent like they're going to ask you your advice on on a particular issue

[16:44] whether it stands up under our ethics code. So I mean and I agree with you. I

[16:47] think not not having delved into it completely gives you like a a free hand

[16:52] to walk in there and say >> well there I can tell you with um some

[16:56] of the municipal codes um on the on the liability aspect of it there are certain

[17:01] what they call the shifting statutes where and again village I'm sure has it

[17:05] and I know Dave shaking it his head he knows what I'm talking about you know

[17:09] where your you know your resident or the budding land owner is somewhat

[17:14] responsible but it doesn't necessarily mean they're liable they may have to fix

[17:17] a sidewalk. They may have to clean it, but it doesn't impose the liability. And

[17:21] when I brought that up to one of the municipalities, it was a political

[17:25] issue. We don't like to, you know, charge our, you know, residents and

[17:30] whoever would change that would be a persona nonrada. I I get that.

[17:39] » What's your level of a availability? Um, I'm assuming that you would be available

[17:44] for the formal uh meetings, but for questions, for concerns that may come up

[17:49] during the regular course of business, would you be available to take a phone

[17:52] call and email? >> I that's why, you know, the beauty of my

[17:56] my my house and I'm sorry, my girls, you know, they're my girls and my age and

[18:00] older, right? They're my girls. Um, they have access to everything. Um, my email

[18:07] basically when I was sitting downstairs, I was responding to clients now. So, in

[18:12] terms of availability, 247. I had a client call me two weeks ago, a young

[18:18] gentleman, sle proprietor, got his own business going on, but he's he knows

[18:22] he's about to get stuck. So, he called me up in a panic and he's a very

[18:26] apologetic. Kev, I'm sorry. It's Sunday. It's Sunday. Okay, Grant. I don't care

[18:30] what's the, you know, what's the problem. So, I'm available. Um, in terms

[18:35] of scheduling it, like I said, today I have Nissqu, next week I have Head of

[18:40] the Harbor. I don't know what your schedule is. I I didn't look. I'm not

[18:45] going to be presumptuous to say, "Okay, let me set my whole schedule to it." Um,

[18:49] but what you know, I I I dictate my calendar.

[18:52] » So, if there's something that's needed, I said, "Okay, Denise, put this to the

[18:56] side." You know, I'm put me out. I'm going to be over the village.

[18:59] » Okay. Kev, I just have a question. Do Do you live in the village?

[19:02] » No. >> Okay.

[19:02] » No. there. My running joke with, you know, this aquag and head of the harbor,

[19:08] they won't let me in. I'm in a different tax bracket.

[19:18] » But your practice with them is as village council.

[19:21] » Um, no, village prosecutor. There was a couple years back um again there the the

[19:28] it was head of the harbor the the town attorney well I should say the village

[19:31] attorney um was Anthony Tutill I don't know if Anthony done has done work up

[19:36] here but um somewhere along the line we had a case together and I impressed

[19:40] Anthony and he referred um work to >> good for you it's not an easy thing to

[19:46] do >> I I was flat I mean like I said I'm

[19:48] doing it a long time I get a >> one of the best

[19:50] » I get a phone call from the gentleman I'm like and he's ke I loved your

[19:53] papers. I loved your papers. He says, "You really ripped it." And I'm like,

[19:56] "Thanks, Anthony. I I didn't know how to respond." Nobody No one has ever said,

[20:02] you know, a nice job. But he was impressed. And um he sent the case to us

[20:06] or to the office because of me. And and we handled um that was a special counsel

[20:11] arrangement. Uh and and I I always say this, I don't try to stick my finger in

[20:16] anybody else's pie. If Anony's work, it's Anony's work. There are other

[20:20] attorneys that you know I get work from. I make it clear from the beginning

[20:24] that's theirs. Before you come to me, you get the okay from my contact or our

[20:31] mutual friend. It's just again the way I am.

[20:35] » Okay.

[20:41] » Anyone else? Any other questions? >> Fee structure.

[20:46] » Fee structure. All right. Well, you want me to tell you what my normal hourly

[20:49] rate is for my commercial clients or what I do for municipalities?

[20:53] » Yes. >> Yes.

[20:55] » So, my normal hourly rate for commercial clients is 750 an hour. All right. I I

[21:00] know that is not going to float with any municipality. I generally do depending

[21:04] upon what it is. I can tell you what I you know do for uh Nissag and Edit

[21:08] Harbor. I am per presently $400 per court appearance

[21:13] and then my outside rate it currently I think 300 it it'll probably be going up

[21:19] to 350 at the end next year.

[21:27] Interestingly enough Oldfield was was paying their village prosecutor 375 an

[21:32] hour outside court for time. I happened to look it up and they thought my 350

[21:39] was too high.

[21:54] » Anybody else? >> Good.

[21:57] » Well, thank you so much for have a good day, Kev.

[22:01] » Thank you for coming. Thank you for coming early. Number

[22:06] two is downstairs. I don't know if he's off.

[22:11] » The second interview is here. >> Uhhuh.

[22:14] » Take care. Thank you again. Thank you. >> Yeah, I think so.

[22:18] » Just keep going. >> Yeah.

[22:19] » Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. Why don't we do that?

[22:21] » Yes, Kevin. Please send them up. >> Can I

[22:24] » Do you have those documents? >> Yeah.

[22:29] » More papers. >> We need I'm all over it. I'll put it

[22:32] back on. Two microphones. That's a lot for you.

[22:35] » I thought you had a whole stack. >> Oh, look at that.

[22:38] » It was five candidates. Five people have to hold the microphone.

[22:52] » Uh, Fallon

[23:03] I forgot. >> I like this stuff.

[23:05] » Come on up. >> Hello.

[23:08] » Hello.

[23:14] » Wow.

[23:20] » We're just waiting for the clerk to come back.

[23:22] » Of course. Um, may I hand out a copy of my resume, please?

[23:27] So I brought here.

[23:38] » It's like your MC Jagger. You have to put

[23:40] » I have I have that right now. >> Is there enough or I I have one extra

[23:47] fine. >> There's five of us. So that's perfect.

[23:49] Not fallen. >> That's not Fallen, though.

[23:55] Oh, you guys aren't kidding. >> Ben, how do you pronounce your last

[23:58] name? >> My last name, uh, it's a bullet.

[24:00] » I had it right. >> Yes, it's a it's actually soft egg. But

[24:05] in >> my You are right.

[24:08] » So, it's actually pronounced a bullet. It's Turkish, but in growing up here, if

[24:14] uh assimilated to a bullet. >> Got it.

[24:20] » Yeah. >> All right. That's the first one we got.

[24:28] » Feels so special. I got a special microphone.

[24:32] » All right. While we're waiting for the clerk, what how'd you find out about

[24:35] this? >> Actually, uh, I found out through

[24:39] Facebook. There was a Facebook ad and I thought it was a joke at first and then

[24:43] when I clicked through, um, I it actually led to the Port Jefferson

[24:48] website and, uh, it was a real deal. So I I sent an email and uh next thing you

[24:53] know I'm here. So something I always wanted to do and uh I thank you all for

[24:58] having me tonight actually. >> So thank you for coming.

[25:02] » Of course.

[25:06] » So just by way of introductions on Mayor Shepro.

[25:09] » Yes. >> This is Deputy Mayor Trustee Bob

[25:11] Giuliano. >> Yes.

[25:13] » Trustee Snen. >> Trusty Franco. Trusty Dit. This is

[25:17] village attorney David Moran. This is our uh treasurer, Stephen Gaffka.

[25:21] » It's a pleasure to meet you. >> He often has that uh confused look on

[25:24] his face when he's >> so don't be surprised by

[25:27] » I'm just curious why you you didn't put your law school in your education.

[25:30] » Well, uh very good question. It it's because uh the way I became an attorney

[25:35] was under the clerkship practice. So, uh clerkship, uh there are multiple ways to

[25:41] become admitted to the bar under this route. Uh it's also known as the Lincoln

[25:46] way of doing things. uh you go to one year of law school. I went to New

[25:49] England School of Law and then you practice under a a an attorney for three

[25:55] and a half years and then you become eligible to to take the bar exam. So in

[25:59] this in my instance uh I practice under my father. The deal we had is he'll

[26:04] employ me minimum wage for for three and a half years and I'll learn the lay of

[26:08] the land and then I could take the bar exam. uh being a lawyer, you don't

[26:12] really have a business to give someone, but you have a practice and a skill you

[26:16] could give to somebody. So, that's basically the deal we had, and it kind

[26:21] of set me free. A right after I passed the bar, I hit the ground running and uh

[26:25] started my own practice,

[26:32] » of course.

[26:37] Well, um she'll be back momentarily, so we might as well continue.

[26:44] » What What do you feel you bring to um the village of Port Jefferson for this

[26:49] particular position? You read the ethics code chapter 41.

[26:53] » Yes. Yes. Uh I even have a copy of it right here. So been uh reading that all

[26:57] day. >> So uh the

[27:01] I I actually prepared a small statement if if I may read that. Um uh the most I

[27:06] I bring both sides of what this role needs. That's legal judgment and local

[27:12] roots. Uh professionally I've been practicing for 12 years advertising my

[27:16] practice as criminal defense and traffic tickets. Unofficially for 10 years I've

[27:22] been doing immigration and transaction law. And that has been solely for

[27:28] returning clients. So for the past 10 years, clients have been coming back and

[27:33] keeping me afloat because they trust me. And that has built a foundation in how

[27:41] to handle sensitive information. You know, when clients come and confide in

[27:45] you in their certain situations, you have to be able to tell them what's

[27:49] going to work and what's not going to work and what's going to really not work

[27:53] and put them in in in trouble. you know, whether it's putting them out of status

[27:58] in in their immigration sense or going to be even worse off like, you know, put

[28:02] them in some sort of deportation proceeding or you don't want to give bad

[28:06] information cuz the consequences are more than just, you know, you're going

[28:10] to go to jail, you're going to sep ruin your family, you're going to leave the

[28:14] country. So, um, that's something that I' I've been doing for for 10 years. Um,

[28:21] in terms of legal judgment, I' i've been a lawyer. In terms of local roots, I've

[28:25] grown up on Long Island. I I I've went to Stonybrook, completed my

[28:30] undergraduate. Uh, I met my wife there, and I've uh went back to finish my

[28:36] master's degree just a couple years ago in uh public policy administration,

[28:40] basically local government. And um I don't know if you guys are familiar with

[28:45] uh the late Lee Lee Coppelman. He was a huge proponent of land use and he set up

[28:50] a lot of what we see here today. I was one of his understudies. So I got a very

[28:54] good understanding of how how local government works. This here today is my

[29:01] first step into local government after I've you know settled my life down, had

[29:06] my children, paid off my loans, and now I put myself here wanting to get into

[29:12] into local government. I live in the neighborhood. I live in Eastatalkit and

[29:17] um it's it's really uh I think this

[29:21] position fits the nature of what I'm looking for on on a practical level as

[29:25] well. Um there are a lot of district attorney positions you could take, a lot

[29:29] of, you know, judgeships you could apply for. This one being a contract position,

[29:34] I think fits in line with what I'm looking for. being able to balance my my

[29:39] home responsibilities, my professional responsibilities and my responsibilities

[29:43] to here. So, um that's why I think it it would be a good fit to be honest.

[29:49] » How how do you understand the role of legal counsel to the board of ethics

[29:54] » in terms of >> in terms of what the role is for

[29:58] » advising and counseling ethics board members and the board to do what they

[30:05] need to do. So my understanding is it's to be an independent mind. Give your

[30:10] opinion and where the where the ethics lead might differ from

[30:17] what the reality is and it's to highlight that difference when when

[30:22] you're when somebody comes to you or you have to issue an opinion. So, uh, my my

[30:28] goal is to be forthright and tell them what I believe and what the ethics code

[30:34] states should be. So, what I believe and what I think is not always what is real

[30:41] and in front of me. However much I will it, the what is true is what is there.

[30:46] So, my my job is to make sure that the board un understands that position. So,

[30:53] it's it's a position of trust. And it's a position that when you look back

[30:58] that's that's what was you know we hold these truths to be self-evident. Well my

[31:03] goal is to help show that is true. Um I hope that answered your question.

[31:09] » It does. >> Yeah.

[31:14] » So let me ask the same question I asked and I'll ask all all the candidates. Um

[31:19] have you ever represented anybody on the board here?

[31:21] » No. >> Okay.

[31:23] And not knowing the members of the ethics board, as far as you know, you've

[31:28] never represented anybody from >> to the best of my knowledge, I have not

[31:31] um I haven't appeared here in in this forum. Um I I've explicitly tried to

[31:36] avoid that. So when I do get into it, I am, you know, I can affirmatively say

[31:41] that. Okay. Thank you. Can you guys see?

[31:51] So what experience do you have? Um whether

[31:57] it so you you didn't you don't have college experience or coursework that

[32:01] you took ethics classes in college. What experience do you have um

[32:08] that would apply to this position? So in in terms of uh coursework uh in

[32:15] the master's program, ethics is something that's overarching between

[32:19] them when you're trying to evaluate policy. So uh one of the key courses and

[32:25] we're talking five years ago um the intergovernmental relations and policy

[32:29] delivery has loads of ethics because you have to be sensitive to people's

[32:33] positions to understand and form and advise on policy what will work in

[32:38] another local like whether it's another village or or another jurisdiction. So

[32:44] not all policy works in in any other place. Um in terms of uh in in in terms

[32:52] of other coursework

[32:57] the

[33:03] when you are in training to be a lawyer meaning in law school the the core

[33:08] » classes you have to take one of them is ethics in your first 1L year they hammer

[33:13] home ethics and there is a ethics component to becoming an attorney. the

[33:17] the model rule of ethics exam you have to pass. Yes, that was 12 13 years ago

[33:23] but it is a standard that is applied before becoming admitted to practice

[33:27] law. So um there was some academic training there you know

[33:37] so ethics matters uh can involve sensitive allegations and significant

[33:42] reputational interests. How would you advise the board to protect

[33:47] confidentiality, attorney client privilege, and due process while

[33:51] complying with applicable New York laws?

[33:56] » So, to to comply with rules of ethics, um the the first the first thing that

[34:01] you the first place you look is the the

[34:05] general municipal law that outlines the the ethics in terms of New York State.

[34:10] Then you come back down to the local level, the village code of ethics that

[34:15] outlines what you can and can't do broadly speaking. Uh I'm sorry, broadly

[34:20] speaking. And then uh there's the common law ethics, which all three of those

[34:24] together, they form the the the three-step test to outline which way you

[34:29] should be heading in. And of course there's always standards but the the

[34:32] standard I believe the the village uses I think in section

[34:38] section one is clear and reasonable for ethics. So if what is being told is not

[34:45] justified in a clear and reasonable manner then you really don't have much

[34:50] to to go on. You know you could state that that conduct is not ethical.

[34:55] you know, uh, being a lawyer, that's, you know, there's all different types of

[34:58] standards and, uh, clear and reasonable, um, is something that we work with all

[35:02] the time. You know,

[35:06] » if you're advising the ethics board, um, and they sort of

[35:14] get off the path, how would you re them back in?

[35:20] So, uh, first my first step would be to informally talk to them. You know, tell

[35:25] them what I believe that there's maybe some something that's not right there.

[35:29] It doesn't feel right. And then if that continues or there is no change or

[35:34] there's a complaint that's filed about it, then you have to actually take the

[35:37] steps of seeing all right, what is this ethics violation? You know, uh, where

[35:43] does which section does this violate? Because something doesn't sit right.

[35:46] It's it's within your w within inside you in terms of standards. You can feel

[35:51] when ethics are involved and that that are not right. So um

[35:59] the second step would would be to to issue some formal warning or tell the

[36:03] board about you know the conduct that's going on there and then it the the the

[36:09] village has to take action whether that's starting from me or whether

[36:13] that's starting from the actual ethics board. That's something that would be

[36:16] decided, you know, between them.

[36:22] » And I'm gonna say uh the same thing like Bob, I'm gonna say the same thing to

[36:26] each candidate. >> Sure.

[36:27] » What this board is looking for, and I'm going to say it again, is someone to

[36:30] call balls and strikes, right? >> Yeah. Of course.

[36:32] » Strike is a strike, a ball is a ball. All the gray, let's just get rid of it

[36:36] and comply with our ethics code. I mean, that's all this board is really looking

[36:41] for. >> Of course,

[36:42] » someone to be straightforward. If the committee um has an has a question, you

[36:47] know, and they're right, tell them they're right. If they're wrong, explain

[36:52] to them why they aren't. Maybe explain both ways. That's what the board's

[36:56] looking for. >> So, life is rarely that clear. I mean,

[37:00] uh we're mired in things that are just on the line.

[37:04] » So, uh if you want to see a certain position a certain way, that's how that

[37:10] is viewed. But there are metrics and and and standards to help guide you in that.

[37:17] So what I would reference is the the three-step test that was in the advisory

[37:24] opinion from last year. Um there was a whole controversy with the school and a

[37:27] statement. Um I think it's advisory opinion 101. They outlined there. went

[37:32] through some headache to set up a three-step test that references uh

[37:36] general municipal law section 18 and then this code of ethics here uh for the

[37:42] village and then common law code of ethics. If it fits into those then it's

[37:47] it's it's by by uh by law ethical but um again my own opinion doesn't

[37:54] always align with what those ethics are. But it I would make sure to outline both

[37:59] of those and give my own recommendation based on that.

[38:06] Yeah. Um but on on a personal level just like you know that that is my like

[38:10] official position but like it is difficult to call balls and strikes. Um

[38:15] sometimes they're clear but oftent times they're not. So if you have to shoot by

[38:19] the hip, you call it as you believe it to be. And you most of the time you aim

[38:25] to get it right and you do. Will you get it perfect? No. And I don't think that

[38:30] you should think that you're going to be perfect because you will make mistakes

[38:34] and that's okay. Um, you know, you have to always be improving. That would be my

[38:38] goal at least. Do you or your firm have um have any

[38:44] current or prior professional, financial, political, personal, or other

[38:48] relationships involving the village of Port Jefferson, its elected officials,

[38:52] employees, board of ethics members, candidates for village office or

[38:57] political organizations that could create an actual conflict or the

[39:03] appearance of one? >> Not to my knowledge. I've never been

[39:06] involved with the with the >> if if that came up, how would you handle

[39:10] it? If that became an issue, how would you how would you handle it?

[39:13] » Uh on a practical level, uh whatever issue was in front of me, I would recuse

[39:19] myself. Um and state the reason why and let the board members understand why

[39:24] that is. Um assuming that that happens. On a more general level, if that was the

[39:29] case where I can't go on, then I would have to withdraw my position and and

[39:33] state to the board of trustees and the other board of ethics why that is. I

[39:39] don't see that that is to be the case. However, it can always happen. You know,

[39:43] I can't predict the future.

[39:58] Let's assume an ethics complaint is filed involving a village official with

[40:03] whom you or your firm has had a prior professional or personal relationship.

[40:07] You already answered that question. >> I would I would tell every I would tell

[40:12] the board. I would tell you the mayor and

[40:16] » but let's say it comes up um with a a village official with whom you don't

[40:22] have a professional relationship what would your process be there

[40:26] » so if I don't have a professional relationship with them then the

[40:33] uh just to just to clarify uh what is my basis of recusing myself or the conflict

[40:38] if I've never had a relationship with them

[40:41] » um I I wouldn't feel inclined to to recuse myself if I don't have a

[40:45] relationship with them. Then I would move forward with my duties in trying to

[40:49] sort out the ethical issues, the quandries that are there and try to

[40:54] break them down to the board until they understand, you know, why it's an

[40:58] ethical violation and uh what needs to change to make it in compliance.

[41:04] » Okay.

[41:09] » So, it seems like you've done your research. I know you have the you know

[41:13] yeah it's you seem to be pretty knowledgeable. Um, so is there anything

[41:16] about the village's ethics process, council's role, or the structure of the

[41:22] engagement that you believe warrants particular in attention? Like anything

[41:27] jump out at you? >> I mean, small things, nothing major. Uh,

[41:32] overall the the code of ethics is written very well. If our federal

[41:36] government followed this, we wouldn't be in the mess that we're in today. Mhm.

[41:40] » And I I firmly believe that because it covers a lot of the basis of you know

[41:44] conflict. So uh can it cover everything? No. But uh the you know I I do think

[41:51] there should be a section added for the the changing in technology. I think

[41:56] there should be some sort of addendum added to include artificial

[42:00] intelligence. Um I think that's something that I have a lot of

[42:04] experience with. um been involved with artificial intelligence and they just

[42:09] working with it for about 7 years now since its very inception. So I

[42:14] understand how that's going to cause issues and I think I could bring that to

[42:19] the board. You know >> in what way is AI becoming a ethical

[42:24] » because it's becoming harder and harder to tell what's real.

[42:28] you you look at something online, is it you used to be shown a photo and you

[42:33] could take that at face value? You don't know that that's real or not,

[42:38] » you know, or people will come to you with a complaint that is based not in

[42:42] reality, but something that they saw online. So, it's it's a second degree

[42:46] removed and parsing that out and deescalating that is super important.

[42:50] Um, and a lot of people, you know, they just say it's a computer when it's it's

[42:57] much more than just a computer, you know. Uh, so it's gonna something that's

[43:00] going to impact us all. And being prepared for that, I think is helpful,

[43:05] you know, or at least being aware of it, cognizant of it.

[43:13] » And do you have anyone in your firm that does the work with you for you or is it

[43:18] is it >> No. Um I'm I'm a solo practitioner. I I

[43:22] work with my father u from time to time. Uh he's a practicing attorney for uh 40

[43:28] wow uh 42 years now. Um and uh he does a lot of immigration work. So uh we work

[43:36] on a lot of things together and he's my reference when whenever I get stuck or

[43:40] or something of that like um and he's probably one of the most ethical people

[43:43] I know. So he's one of my confidants. So I trust his judgment greatly.

[43:52] What would be the fee structure >> in terms of of uh

[43:55] » that you would charge the village right? >> Oh um honestly I did not have uh

[44:00] anything I I was hoping the the village had an idea already

[44:04] » and that's something that's to be negotiated. I'm I'm not you know this

[44:09] isn't something that I I'm I'm going to retire on. I'm I'm well aware of that.

[44:13] And um my my my goal like I said from the outset is to to get involved with

[44:18] the village and this is my way to do it. So honestly I don't know.

[44:23] » You would do it for free. >> Great.

[44:25] » I mean in so like everyone here there is some extent that you have to put in uh

[44:31] some sort of equity which is not measurable. So nobody ever feels like

[44:35] they earned what they were paid. They were you know earned a lot more. So that

[44:41] uh you know that's a shared feeling. So whether I'll do it for free, it feels

[44:45] like you're for free even though you're getting paid because you're doing more.

[44:48] You're putting actual effort into it and that's something you know you feel.

[44:53] » I was kidding. >> Oh well, you know somewhat I thought it

[44:58] was a great idea. >> No good.

[45:01] » You get what you pay for. You get what you pay for. Yeah.

[45:04] » What is your availability? Um other than attending uh the ethics board meetings

[45:10] during the day, questions, concerns, um responding to emails, what would be your

[45:15] day-to-day availability? >> So, uh my my busiest hour is between 9

[45:19] and 12. Um that's when I do my court appearances, whether it's in in Nassau

[45:23] district or Suffach District. Um, but I'm still available in those time frames

[45:28] as well, too, because the the moments which you're engaged are only, you know,

[45:32] 10 minutes at a time or 15 minutes at a time. So, if something urgent is is

[45:35] necessary, I'm I'm available. Um, I I live nearby, so I always frequent uh the

[45:42] village, I am available you usually in the toward the evenings,

[45:47] I'm I'm a lot more available. um during the day is is the private practice, but

[45:52] that's where you get a lot of your life things done as well, too. So,

[45:56] » um I make sure to have make time for everything.

[45:59] » Thank you. >> Of course.

[46:06] » Anything else you want to add to uh >> I have a question for the village.

[46:10] » Okay. I been following the issue with the sign

[46:16] on the steam room and that's what actually got me to this scene

[46:20] » and um I I I had a moment to to talk to you during a farmers market. You were uh

[46:26] I I it was I don't know if it was last fall but

[46:29] » the DRI >> I probably all I know is uh when we

[46:33] discussed that's what actually was the tipping

[46:37] point for Okay. Um, it's, you know, that conversation just is put a little spark

[46:44] in me to to actually get the courage to be here today.

[46:47] » What did I tell you? >> I mean, that you were actually doing

[46:49] something about it. >> Oh, okay.

[46:50] » And like it it wasn't lost on you. >> Mhm.

[46:53] » Because like you go down the road and you see a blatant violation of town

[46:58] code. Like it doesn't matter the content of the sign.

[47:02] At least uh you you guys were aware of it. And like that to me made me feel a

[47:09] lot better because it it it appears that nobody was doing anything.

[47:14] » But that wasn't true. And and that resolved a lot of my frustration.

[47:19] » So and that's what got me to here today because like you know that means you do

[47:24] see things you do want change. So then I want to be part of that.

[47:28] » We won that case, right? >> I don't think so.

[47:32] » No. >> Depends on which case you're talking

[47:34] about. >> Yeah. Oh well. Uh, all the last I read,

[47:36] » the first one before I got here was a a loss of trial and an appeal filed in the

[47:41] village. The second one was a plea. >> Understood. Um, I thought there was some

[47:46] sort of first amendment type of thing there.

[47:48] » That was the that was before uh the current attorney and I were on the

[47:53] board. Yeah. >> And uh but our strategy was a little

[47:56] different and the uh defendant took a plea.

[48:00] » Fair enough. just, you know, it's it's good to know that it it is, you know,

[48:05] other people aside from me see these things and they feel them, but they

[48:10] don't say anything and it it adds up, you know.

[48:14] » So, but but I I do thank you guys, you know. I thank you guys very much.

[48:18] » Thank you so much. >> Of course.

[48:20] » Thank you for your time. >> I'm glad the conversation had an impact.

[48:22] » And I'll take that. Thank you. >> All right.

[48:32] Thanks again. >> Thank you, Ben.

[48:35] » Bye. >> Bye.

[48:40] » Do we know if another candidate is here? >> Downstairs.

[48:45] » Check downstairs.

[48:50] » Yeah, we need more. We all need more. >> Send the whole pile. We'll take three

[48:54] each. Here

[49:00] you go.

[49:07] » Hello. >> Hi.

[49:16] Take a pass. Take a bunch. >> I don't need them. I'm doing my own

[49:19] notes. >> Oh, okay.

[49:21] » But thank you. I have them for reference.

[49:38] Hello. Good evening. >> Good evening.

[49:40] » Um, just we'll start with an introduction of who you're sitting in

[49:43] front of today. I'm the mayor Shepro. Uh, this is uh deputy mayor and trustee

[49:47] Bob Giuliano, trustee Kathy Anne Snen, trustee Matthew Franco, and trustee

[49:52] Randy Dit. We have our village attorney, David Moran. Our village clerk, Sylvia

[49:57] Pillo, and treasurer, Steven Gaffka. The trustees will be asking you questions

[50:02] tonight. Sure. So, do you want to introduce yourself and let us know why

[50:05] you're here tonight and what what brought you here?

[50:07] » So, my name is Tim Fallon. >> Oh, sorry. Closer. Okay. I'm Tim Fallon.

[50:13] Um, I've been attorney for about 15 years. I'm Port Jeff Village resident.

[50:18] Um, here to interview for the position of councel to the board of ethics. Um, I

[50:23] think it's something that, you know, would allow me to have an opportunity to

[50:26] kind of give back to the community that I would serve in a uh a way that would

[50:31] allow my talents to help the village and, you know, I'd look forward for the

[50:34] opportunity to do that. >> Okay. Um can you just briefly describe

[50:41] uh the experience which mo most directly qualifies you to serve as legal counsel

[50:46] to the board of ethics in Port Jefferson particularly your experience with

[50:51] municipal ethics New York municipal law conflicts of interest or ethics

[50:55] investigations? >> Sure. So I don't have any direct

[50:58] professional experience in those areas. Um however I would uh you know my

[51:04] experience in dealing with different phases of litigation, research of legal

[51:09] issues, um applying you know factual problems to you know various

[51:14] regulations, case law, um researching different legal problems. All of those

[51:19] things come up in my practice continually. Um you know my primary I'm

[51:23] primarily a litigator. Um, majority of my practice is in matrimonial and family

[51:28] law, but I do also represent clients in, you know, numerous types of civil

[51:32] matters, including contracts disputes, contract disputes, commercial

[51:35] litigation, real estate litigation. Um so you know the it comes down to being

[51:41] able to uh identify what the legal question is in any type of legal

[51:46] situation, identifying uh you know the appropriate uh applicable

[51:52] uh statutes or case law that are relevant to the problem and offering

[51:56] your advice and interpretation of those as it applies to the situation. I think

[51:59] those, you know, are applicable across many areas of the law. And frankly, I

[52:03] think that a diverse experience, you know, gives a broader context of my

[52:06] ability to offer uh advice in in in that role to the board uh as it relates to

[52:12] real life problems. So, you know, in my everyday practice, I'm constantly doing

[52:16] that, identifying issues, researching how those issues and facts are have been

[52:21] applied to the law, which statutes are applicable to that, and then, uh,

[52:26] incorporating that into, you know, written documents, briefs, memorandums,

[52:30] that kind of stuff. Um, I'm a great researcher. Um, during my time at

[52:35] Hopster Law School, I was a senior research editor. So that's really my

[52:38] forte is diving into um getting that information from various sources, coming

[52:43] up with uh creative solutions to complex problems and and you know sort of

[52:48] synthesizing that into something that everybody can digest and and uh be

[52:53] guided by in a in this kind of format.

[52:59] » How did you find out about the position? >> Facebook.

[53:02] » Oh, okay. Wow. >> Three for three.

[53:05] » Yeah. >> Yeah.

[53:05] » It's amazing. Um and can you just describe uh what you understand to be

[53:11] your role as legal counsel to the board of eth ethics?

[53:15] » Sure. So uh from what I understand basically uh as counsel to the board of

[53:20] ethics, I'd be there to guide and offer a legal perspective to the problems that

[53:23] are being faced by the board. somebody files a complaint related to an ethical

[53:27] issue having to do with an officer, trustee or or other uh village

[53:31] personnel. Um obviously the board meets and considers that type of that

[53:35] complaint. Uh I would assume then the council's job would be to identify the

[53:40] applicable um uh code of ethics section uh relevant case law, municipal law that

[53:46] relates to the issue uh that's been presented to the board and offer an

[53:49] opinion as to how the facts of of the complaint have been interpreted, you

[53:54] know, uh as they relate to the code, as they relate to other prior cases that

[53:58] have interpreted that to address the problem, to help the board come to an

[54:02] opinion that then can be presented. um you know and again giving them the legal

[54:08] context uh to deal with that problem basically.

[54:12] » Mhm. Okay. Thank you.

[54:18] » As a resident of Port Jefferson, do you have any relationship business personal

[54:22] or otherwise with any members of the board, any employees um in the village?

[54:27] Uh you or your um anyone you work with in your practice?

[54:30] » I do not believe so. No. >> Okay. Thank you.

[54:34] So, let me just add, you live around the block from me, but I don't think we've

[54:39] had any interaction other than maybe waiting when I

[54:42] for disclosing. >> Yes, in the interest of full disclosure,

[54:45] I think that is accurate. And I I I know the law firm that that you work for. I I

[54:50] having grown up in Westbury and my parents and grandparents having grown up

[54:54] in Westbury, I'm very familiar with um you know the Simonettes and you know but

[55:00] there is no prior representation at all of that. So I just

[55:05] wanted to wanted to get that out. So >> just one follow-up question to that. How

[55:09] is uh Bob as a neighbor? >> Everybody would like that.

[55:13] » Well, he always waves. Uh I always see him walking his dog. So uh on that level

[55:18] 100%. >> And I always have my bag with me so I

[55:21] always clean up after. >> That's true.

[55:22] » That is important. >> The man. Yeah.

[55:25] » He disclosed that. You did not. >> Well,

[55:29] » yes. >> So what's your understanding of our

[55:32] ethics code? Chapter 41. >> Sure. So I believe that there's a number

[55:35] of primary areas of the ethics code specifically um designed to prevent any

[55:40] ethical conflicts from occurring you know with any sort of village personnel

[55:44] members of the board of trustees. I think there's a number of primary areas

[55:47] that it covers. Obviously there's you know financial conflicts uh people who

[55:51] may have a financial or ownership interest in some issue of business

[55:56] that's before uh before the the village board obviously not participating in

[56:00] that type of decision. There's nepotism rules. There's disclosure rules. There's

[56:05] all sorts of things which are designed to uh make sure obviously that there's

[56:09] transparency with all the decisions that are made by the village that all the

[56:13] officers and personnel of the village are not you know uh engaging in any sort

[56:17] of self-deing you know where they may be steering things towards something in

[56:21] which they have a financial interest to make sure that uh trustees are not

[56:25] voting on any issues in which may affect uh them financially or business-wise. Um

[56:32] and obviously making sure that people who are given jobs and positions are

[56:36] qualified and it's not based simply on you know who they know or who they're

[56:40] related to or anything like that. Uh so I think primarily the purpose of the

[56:44] code is prevent personal conflicts of interest, financial conflicts of

[56:47] interest to ensure transparency. Um so that you know the village can be

[56:51] confident that the decisions that are being made by their elected

[56:54] representatives are not being done for personal gain or uh to you know help

[57:00] people that they know. but are being done, you know, from a disinterested

[57:04] point of view.

[57:16] » Who do you believe is your client when serving as the ethics attorney?

[57:21] » So, I think ultimately the direct client would be the board of ethics, but the

[57:25] board of ethics really reports to the village of Port Jefferson. So I think

[57:29] there's you know uh being the council to the board of ethics they would be the

[57:33] immediate client whose advice you are being uh asked to give um to you know

[57:40] sort of uh guide and advise them on the legal questions that are being presented

[57:45] as it relates to ethics complaints or investigations that they're undertaking.

[57:48] But at the end of the day the the higher purpose obviously is to ensure that you

[57:52] know the village government is operating in an ethical manner for the benefit of

[57:56] the residents. So, I think that's kind of a two-part uh question.

[58:01] » Thank you.

[58:04] » So, ethics matters can involve sensitive allegations obviously. Um, so how would

[58:09] you advise the board to protect confidentiality, attorney client

[58:14] privilege, and due process while complying with applicable New York law?

[58:18] » Sure. So uh specifically in my practice I deal with an extremely high level of

[58:22] confidential information. The most sensitive types of information that

[58:26] people have not only their personal financial documents, tax returns, bank

[58:30] records, but also uh information that is extremely personal to themselves, mental

[58:36] health, their children, medical records, all those sorts of things uh come

[58:41] through uh my door in terms of my practice areas. So, I'm extremely uh

[58:46] used to making sure that that information is treated sensitively um

[58:50] and obviously not being disclosed to places where it shouldn't be disclosed.

[58:54] So, it's something I'm highly aware of and highly sensitive to. So, we have to

[58:57] be very careful about how that information is exchanged. Make sure that

[59:00] proper security protocols are followed. Uh make sure it's not left lying around

[59:04] in places that other people there could be unintended um you know dissemination

[59:10] of information. Uh often information that I come into possession of is sealed

[59:14] by court order that I have to adhere to. Um and you know I can't share it with

[59:18] anybody. Some there are documents that you know my clients are not allowed to

[59:21] view that I'm entrusted with. So uh you know that's something that I'm very

[59:25] accustomed to dealing with and and take very seriously.

[59:28] » Okay. Thank you.

[59:37] Have you ever has your firm done any work for the village of Port Jefferson

[59:40] or any of the Is this your question, M? >> Yeah. But

[59:43] » yeah, um that I don't know if you asked You didn't ask it yet, right? No.

[59:47] » Uh anyone in the village of Port Jefferson, on this board, on the board

[59:51] of ethics, or any of our statutory boards?

[59:53] » No.

[1:00:02] All right, I'll take the next one. Having reviewed the RFQ in chapter 41,

[1:00:07] is there anything about the village ethics process, council's role, or the

[1:00:11] structure of the engagement that you believe warrants particular attention or

[1:00:16] additional attention or changes? >> So, I mean, I note that there only

[1:00:20] appears to be one ethics opinion that's currently published on the village

[1:00:23] website. Not sure if that's because there only has been one or uh whether

[1:00:27] there are others that may not be publicly available that I absolutely

[1:00:30] don't know the answer to the question. I would hope that you know in in dealing

[1:00:35] with this process um it could be very transparent and that you know those the

[1:00:40] work of the ethics board is not necessarily done in secret and that it's

[1:00:44] something that everybody's aware of uh the the process the procedures when the

[1:00:48] meetings are uh who's who's on the board what's being discussed. I think you know

[1:00:52] residents have a right to the extent that you know there's not confidential

[1:00:55] information that there's also a balance on that in terms of protecting sensitive

[1:00:58] information but I think the village has residents need to be aware of the work

[1:01:02] the board is doing and the output of the board and that you know there are

[1:01:06] situations that are be actively dealt with so that they know that they're

[1:01:10] there and they're doing something and they're you know serving in a watchdog

[1:01:13] role to make sure that the functioning of the village government is according

[1:01:16] to uh you know the appropriate ethical guidelines that that that have been

[1:01:20] adopted. So certainly I think that the communication and um level of engagement

[1:01:26] that we can have with the community is something that you know should be strive

[1:01:30] for.

[1:01:35] » I'll take the last one. Um what level of availability and responsiveness uh can

[1:01:41] the village expect? Um and can you briefly uh summarize your proposed uh

[1:01:46] fee schedule for this? >> Sure. So, um, I'm pretty available.

[1:01:50] Obviously, I have a full-time job Monday to Friday, but, you know, I always have

[1:01:55] my phone with me. Can usually take calls most of the unless I'm on the record

[1:01:58] somewhere. Um, you know, so, but other than that, I have availability to do,

[1:02:04] you know, evenings, meetings as needed. If I have enough advanced notice, I can

[1:02:07] make myself available most times. Um, so I think I certainly have the

[1:02:12] availability and I'm very accessible. I have to be accessible to dozens of

[1:02:15] clients on a daily basis. So, I like to get back to people. I try to return

[1:02:20] every single phone call that I get at that day. Um, you know, emailing to

[1:02:25] people constantly. If I'm doing one thing, I'm sending an email to another.

[1:02:28] So, I'm always multitasking all the time. Um, so I I try and pride myself on

[1:02:33] that. Um, you know, in terms of fee schedule, I you know, whatever's in line

[1:02:38] with existing practice historically that, you know, has been paid to uh

[1:02:42] prior attorneys in this position is is fine. I'm not looking for anything

[1:02:46] different than that. >> Is this through your firm or

[1:02:50] » This would be me personally. >> Okay.

[1:02:58] And do you uh so you have your own private shingle and uh in malpractice

[1:03:03] insurance those kind? >> I I do not as of this moment right now.

[1:03:07] So, you know, proprietorship if that needs to be established, I can do that.

[1:03:10] » Okay. Do you have or do you need approval from your partners or your firm

[1:03:16] to bill outside of the firm? >> I do not need approval for that. No.

[1:03:27] » Do you have any questions for us or anything else you would like to add?

[1:03:30] » I don't think so. No. I appreciate everybody's time. It was nice to uh have

[1:03:34] the opportunity to speak to everybody and I wish everyone luck in making the

[1:03:38] best decision possible. >> Thanks for coming. Nice to meet you.

[1:03:42] » Thank you.

[1:04:14] busy. >> Is this something I should

[1:04:18] » Oh, yes. Yes. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[1:04:22] Yeah. No, that's what you're talking about. Yeah. Yeah. I saw that.

[1:04:29] » How are you? >> Good evening.

[1:04:31] » Does it Does it work? You too.

[1:04:36] » We're waiting for >> We're waiting for

[1:04:38] » Bob back. >> Oh,

[1:04:39] » he just took a break. >> Okay.

[1:05:05] Yes.

[1:05:20] » Hi. >> I'm Mayor Lauren Shepro.

[1:05:24] » Hello. >> This is Trusty Dit.

[1:05:26] » Hello. >> This is uh village attorney David Moran.

[1:05:30] This is our clerk, Sylvia Pillo, our treasurer, Steven Gaffa, trustee Matthew

[1:05:35] Franco, trustee Kathy Anne Snaden, and Deputy Mayor Bob Juliano.

[1:05:42] » Does it work? >> It does still work.

[1:05:45] » Okay, >> so why don't you tell us uh who you are,

[1:05:49] why you're here, what what enticed you to how did you find out about the

[1:05:52] position, and uh what enticed you to apply for it?

[1:05:54] » I watched the village meetings and I I saw that Mr. 11th all was not

[1:05:59] reappointed and so that's when I sent a resume in to to all of you before there

[1:06:03] was any kind of RFQ. Um so myself my name is Richard Harris. Um think a lot

[1:06:08] of you know me. I previously worked in the village. I've been the deputy

[1:06:12] village attorney, the director of building and planning and the village

[1:06:15] prosecutor. I was there until um just after the new administration took over.

[1:06:19] Um, as many of you know, um, I've based my

[1:06:24] career, my reputation on being of the highest ethical caliber. I've never

[1:06:28] bowed to any political pressures. Um, I'm not beholden to anybody. I don't

[1:06:32] make political donations. Um, so I've been the most above board in everything

[1:06:36] I do. Um that's what's allowed me to hold positions in um the town attorney's

[1:06:42] office as a prosecutor, as an organized crime prosecutor, as an ethics

[1:06:46] prosecutor, um a deputy village attorney building department, and also

[1:06:51] temporarily running code enforcement and public safety for the town of

[1:06:55] Southampton. So when I saw this this job was open, I saw it as an opportunity to

[1:07:01] come back here to help out my village. um

[1:07:05] I'd like to be back here and be able to do what I can for it like I did before.

[1:07:08] Um in fact, I didn't even know if it was paid or unpaid. Actually, I still don't

[1:07:11] even know that. Um so that's that's why I applied for it. Um and then I saw I

[1:07:17] watched the village meetings obviously. I saw the last village meeting and um

[1:07:22] there was I think um was um Mayor Shepro you had discussed about um about me. you

[1:07:30] were concerned about my having a relationship with Kathy Anne Snen and um

[1:07:35] it's true I do I obviously I worked here before I worked with Kathy Anne for

[1:07:40] almost three and a half years um we usually with regard to building code

[1:07:45] enforcement employment matters you name it we did it and I found her to be a

[1:07:50] very good person to work with extremely ethical extremely hardworking caring

[1:07:54] about the village so um afterwards in the here and now did I support her in

[1:07:59] her bid to rejoin the village, the village board. I did. It's absolutely

[1:08:04] true. She's the kind of person that I'm proud to have as a colleague, as a

[1:08:06] friend. So, I'm not hiding that in any way. Um then I saw the um conversation

[1:08:12] that took place about previous ethics council, Mr. Leventhal, who who I also

[1:08:17] know. He's a he's a very good attorney. Um, and there were some arguments made

[1:08:21] that he had previously represented you in a personal capacity before coming on

[1:08:26] here to work for the village and write the ethics code and serve as ethics

[1:08:29] council. And I if that's inappropriate or a violation that that's not for me to

[1:08:36] say, but at least in my work having worked in ethics and government for a

[1:08:40] long time, it could give an appearance of impropriety. And in the world of

[1:08:45] forward- facing government ethics, that's sometimes just as important. Um,

[1:08:50] with with that in mind and having seen that beating, I rethought about my

[1:08:55] application here and I realized as as you brought up the other very good point

[1:08:59] was that yes, I do have a relationship with Kathy Snen and my being appointed

[1:09:04] to this position could end up w with the same the same appearance that I may be

[1:09:10] biased one way or another. And I'm not that way. I'm not biased. I'm always as

[1:09:15] straight up as I can be. But I understand that there could be

[1:09:19] appearance, especially with that point being made. Um, with that in mind, and I

[1:09:23] spoke with Kathanne about this, I'm I'm I hope I'm not wasting time, but I'm

[1:09:28] going to withdraw my application because I don't think that my being appointed

[1:09:34] would would serve the best interest of the village because we're supposed to be

[1:09:36] open and transparent and not have any question, especially in the ethics

[1:09:40] world. And that's got to be higher than anything else. And I want the ethics

[1:09:43] board to work. It's a good thing. And what Mr. Leventhal wrote, he does a good

[1:09:47] job on these things. So, as much as I like to be here in this job, I don't

[1:09:52] think it's going to be the best for us given the conversation that happened.

[1:09:55] So, I thank everybody for your time. You can go home early if you want. Wouldn't

[1:10:00] that be great? >> But I'm I'm not going to go forward.

[1:10:02] Thank Thank you for >> listening to me.

[1:10:04] » Thank you. Any other positions where I could be

[1:10:08] » not say compromised? I'm surely willing to help out the village as I am.

[1:10:13] » Well, thank you. I I think that's very commendable of you. So, I appreciate

[1:10:16] what you everything you just said. So, thank you.

[1:10:21] » He's not the guy. >> His wife maybe not him. Rich, thank you.

[1:10:26] Appreciate it. Appreciate everything you had to say.

[1:10:28] » All right.

[1:10:36] » Just leave it on. >> Yeah, no worries, man. I thought you

[1:10:38] said turn off.

[1:10:44] » Yes.

[1:10:50] » Right.

[1:10:53] » I feel like I'm at home. I do what my wife says and I still get yelled at

[1:10:57] about it. So, I'm just saying. >> Who's your wife? Jeff or Steve?

[1:11:02] » Right now? >> Feel like I got a room full of them.

[1:11:09] Hello everybody. >> How you doing?

[1:11:10] » Hello. >> Please have a seat.

[1:11:12] » It's your seat and your microphone. >> Thank you very much.

[1:11:17] » Nice to meet everyone. >> You as well.

[1:11:19] » My name is Steven Piani and uh happy to uh address the board.

[1:11:25] » Yeah. Thank you for submitting your interest in this position. Um I'm Mayor

[1:11:29] Shepro. This is uh deputy mayor uh Juliano, trustee Snen, trustee Franco

[1:11:36] and trustee dit. This is village attorney David Moran and our clerk and

[1:11:40] treasurer Sylvia Pllo and Steven Gaffa respectively. So thank you uh for

[1:11:45] submitting your application of interest. Um

[1:11:49] say your name again. Spell >> uh Stephen

[1:11:52] » Pambiani. >> Did we receive that?

[1:11:55] » Yeah. >> resume.

[1:11:59] I do have uh resume here if you would like.

[1:12:01] » Oh, please. >> That would be great.

[1:12:04] » Thank you.

[1:12:15] » Thank you, sir. >> You're welcome.

[1:12:17] » Can you um share how you found out about the position?

[1:12:21] » Um I saw a Facebook post. I kind of just stumbled upon it.

[1:12:25] » Three for three. But >> everybody everybody it's yeah the common

[1:12:31] theme it's the thing theme. >> I guess we have a pretty good digital

[1:12:35] social team. >> My son was taking a nap uh I think about

[1:12:41] 7 o'clock at night on uh >> on the 5th and uh

[1:12:46] » I recognized you. >> Yeah. I used to work with Dave at uh

[1:12:50] Brook Haven. >> He was an intern.

[1:12:51] » Yeah. >> Oh wow.

[1:12:52] which when you walked in I said he looks familiar.

[1:12:58] » That's funny. >> Hi.

[1:13:00] » How are you? >> Good to see you again.

[1:13:02] » So you saw it on Facebook and it interests you because

[1:13:07] » uh I've served as uh ethics board council to two ethics boards uh city of

[1:13:11] Long Beach. I'm presently uh council to village of Marin as well uh the ethics

[1:13:16] board and also the board of trustees. So uh it's just I think up my alley.

[1:13:27] Can you describe then what your role um as council to the ethics board like how

[1:13:32] you see your role? >> Um sure. So it was a little bit

[1:13:36] different. I'll say in each municipality Long Beach was more um I kind of

[1:13:42] directed the meetings. Uh we reviewed the annual disclosure forms. Um if there

[1:13:47] was a request for an advisory opinion um I would I would write that and then um

[1:13:52] the board would adopt if they agreed if there was any changes they uh felt

[1:13:56] necessary to be made I would go back change that until you know there's a

[1:13:59] final version um that could be issued um so that's how it worked at least in Long

[1:14:04] Beach and then uh village of marinac is um very similar kind of you know the

[1:14:10] same things um that board operates uh with a number of attorneys so they pull

[1:14:15] pull me in for more um certain questions they have. I think they have a pretty

[1:14:20] good handle on the ethics code generally themselves. So, uh I'm only pulled in

[1:14:24] when there's only certain matters that are needed.

[1:14:28] » Do most of the boards that you work with, this is off the sheet because you

[1:14:32] just inspired this question, are they are they of council or what what typical

[1:14:39] roles do people who are on the boards that you serve, ethics boards? Um

[1:14:44] » so so the members themselves that are attorneys uh they they maintain private

[1:14:49] practices most of them and then they just volunteer for the ethics board uh

[1:14:52] ultimately. So they all all different walks of life. Yeah. You know from real

[1:14:56] estate to you know commercial litigation all different all different uh walks of

[1:15:00] life.

[1:15:04] » So you've read our code. >> I have taken a look. Yes. Um, how do you

[1:15:10] understand the role of council to our board of ethics,

[1:15:14] including the distinction between advisory to the board and exercising

[1:15:18] authority reserved to the board? >> Um, I believe there is a penalty

[1:15:24] provision. So, you know, in the event that, you know, there's some sort of

[1:15:27] violation, you know, that could that could be instituted. However, uh just in

[1:15:31] a more advisory capacity, um you know, I'm I'm I would be there for support as

[1:15:37] well. Um kind of like how I described in the in the other municipalities, very

[1:15:41] similar. Um you know, just noticed other little nuances. Some municipalities have

[1:15:46] like a nepatism provision, some don't. So, uh you know, some some unique uh

[1:15:51] things in your in your code versus other places as well.

[1:16:01] So, let me ask a question that we've asked all the other candidates. Have you

[1:16:05] ever represented anybody on this board or as far as you know, and you might not

[1:16:09] know the members of of the of the um ethics board, but any represent anybody

[1:16:14] from >> uh No. So, I mainly uh practice in

[1:16:18] Nassau County and Westchester County. I don't really practice uh in Suffach

[1:16:22] County at all. Not since law school days at uh at Brook Haven. That was about it.

[1:16:34] What's your approach to maintaining confidentiality?

[1:16:38] » Um it's obviously very serious. So um you know I have uh I have mechanisms in

[1:16:44] place just to make sure that um you know everything goes to who it's supposed to

[1:16:49] and um you know a lot of times in the in the electronic age it's you know it

[1:16:54] could be easy to accidentally you know CC someone or or send to an email

[1:16:59] address but so it's just a matter of double triple checking things things

[1:17:03] like that and um and you know luckily I'm able to I'm really a solo

[1:17:07] practitioner um so it's uh It's pretty easy for me. You know, I do everything

[1:17:13] kind of soup to nuts myself. So, it's not like uh you know, I have to worry

[1:17:16] about staff or anything like that. Anything getting out in that regard, I'm

[1:17:19] able to keep uh things close to the chest.

[1:17:25] » How often does the Long Beach um ethics board meet? Do they meet regularly or is

[1:17:30] it if there's something? >> They were a monthly basis. Um same with

[1:17:33] Village of Marin was monthly basis. Um there's a lot of rescheduling around

[1:17:38] holidays, things like that. And and really the the disclosure form time of

[1:17:43] year is like the the biggest I would say ask of the boards. So that is the

[1:17:48] busiest time of year around when the uh forms need to be submitted and then

[1:17:53] after for review. Um so it was loosely a monthly meeting and then rescheduling as

[1:18:01] needed. you know, if there's really nothing on an agenda, you know, a lot of

[1:18:05] times there's an adjournment. So, >> so the boards you're currently advising

[1:18:10] or have advised in the past, they've been primarily attorneys and some shape,

[1:18:14] way, or form. Correct. >> Uh, so I'd say the current ethics board

[1:18:19] of the village of a Marinct, that's the case. not necessarily um you know the

[1:18:24] the city council of Long Beach uh you know had an attorney on there but um

[1:18:29] outside of that not not many attorneys involved just really the ethics board

[1:18:33] like the board of trustees of Marinette there's no attorneys.

[1:18:35] » No no but on the ethics board there they there were primarily attorneys that you

[1:18:39] that you worked with. >> Correct. Correct. Presently. Yeah.

[1:18:42] » Um our current um ethics board are are not uh attorneys. Mhm.

[1:18:48] » How would you um feel that you would be able to manage that situation?

[1:18:53] » Um yeah. So in >> there were

[1:18:56] » Yeah. >> Yeah. The uh so for Long Beach, for

[1:19:00] example, >> there were but they're not now as the

[1:19:02] mayor so eloquently uh expressed. Thank you. Let's let's be, you know,

[1:19:06] transparent. >> Understood.

[1:19:08] » Mayor loves to be transparent. >> If maybe she'll tell you why they're no

[1:19:12] longer there, but that that could be for another time. But please continue on. I

[1:19:16] have >> just got sneden just to give you the

[1:19:18] headset. I have experience with boards before uh with council that often zoning

[1:19:25] boards things like that often think you know they are the council to the board

[1:19:29] themselves versus you know they don't understand the defined role um so that

[1:19:33] often comes up so it's a matter of navigating that but um you know you just

[1:19:39] give your advice and and you know I'm always confident in my advice and my

[1:19:44] research and my findings and things like that um and then it's just a matter of

[1:19:49] uh managing personalities, things like that, almost softer skill type of

[1:19:53] things. So, um that's at least how I've navigated it. I've ran into it, you

[1:19:58] know, here and there. Um and I think I have a good handle on it.

[1:20:02] » So, have you had an opportunity to review our ethics code?

[1:20:06] » Uh yes. >> And was there anything structurally that

[1:20:08] you would change based on all your experience?

[1:20:11] » Uh I would say it looked pretty strong just at least, uh going through it.

[1:20:16] um you know I didn't notice anything that really stood out to me to be

[1:20:20] completely out of the or ordinary anything like that. I think it's a

[1:20:23] strong code actually. >> So going back to the previous question

[1:20:27] then um you know since we since this board would be different from the other

[1:20:32] ones where we don't have currently have any attorneys on the board. Um,

[1:20:37] how would you, you know, and how would you

[1:20:42] push them into saying, "All right, you you got to make these decisions and and

[1:20:46] not rely on on counsel." >> Right. Right.

[1:20:50] » How would you advise them? >> Obviously, you know, you advise on the

[1:20:52] law. Uh but ultimately, you know, there's degrees of discretion that that

[1:20:57] the board has to exercise and uh it's just a matter of uh you know, making

[1:21:01] sure they're confident in their decisions and they're just fully

[1:21:04] informed, you know, as to the law. Um and you could, you know, very well help

[1:21:09] navigate things. Like I said, I've drafted, you know, draft advisory

[1:21:12] opinions and there's some uh back and forth that could be, you know, taking

[1:21:16] place in that regard. So, uh just making sure members have a, you know, a say at

[1:21:19] the table as to, you know, how they'd like things to read. so long as it

[1:21:22] doesn't, you know, interfere with uh the actual uh legal findings ultimately.

[1:21:31] » And can you um obviously you said you do a lot of work in Nassau County. So what

[1:21:35] would be your level of availability? >> Um so I I work a 9 to5 uh for the

[1:21:41] village of Marin currently and then just like you know some matters here and

[1:21:45] there. I'm in Nassau County. Um it's a little bit irregular. Um, so for the

[1:21:50] most part I'm tied up 9 to5, but otherwise I'm widely available.

[1:21:54] » Okay. >> I didn't if you answered this question I

[1:21:56] apologize. Do you live in the village or you you don't live in the village?

[1:21:59] » No, I live in uh Seafford in Nassau County.

[1:22:01] » Thank you. Sorry. >> And what would your fee schedule be? Fee

[1:22:06] fee structure. >> Uh, typically I I bill 400 an hour. Um,

[1:22:11] I I wasn't sure, you know, whether um an hourly retainer is something, you know,

[1:22:15] the board was seeking. you know, happy to have uh discussions, but typically my

[1:22:19] hourly rate is 400.

[1:22:26] » What do you feel is the most uh the frequency of ethics meetings? How do you

[1:22:31] how would you ethics board meetings? How would you guide that or how would you

[1:22:36] propose that that work? How does it work in your current situations?

[1:22:40] » Um, so I'll backtrack to Long Beach. Like I said, it was really a matter of I

[1:22:45] was really um kind of guiding the board through meetings. Like I said, it ramped

[1:22:50] up a lot during annual disclosure time of year uh and just um advisory opinions

[1:22:56] that would pop up here and there that were needed and and ethics complaints um

[1:23:01] that needed opinions ultimately. Um so that was like I said about a monthly but

[1:23:06] I would say a little bit less just uh just depending on the schedule. Um and

[1:23:11] then uh for the village I I would say it's they meet more consistently I would

[1:23:17] say. Um I think there are honestly more complaints that do come in. Um

[1:23:25] but it's uh the meetings aren't too long. I would say they're they're about,

[1:23:30] you know, 45 minutes in length, that type of thing. Um you know, it's not the

[1:23:34] longest meetings. So, um but yeah, that there's uh you know, no shortage of uh

[1:23:41] complaints that come in at least with that board.

[1:23:43] » And what do you what is what do your clients do with their um with their

[1:23:48] ethics um the results of their investigations or their deliberations?

[1:23:54] » Uh it really ranges. Sometimes um for the most part, I think most things are

[1:24:01] worked out well. Like for example, there's like a a waiver provision for uh

[1:24:06] nepotism. A lot of those come in like if someone is related to someone else,

[1:24:11] there's a lot of uh waiverss that are issued ultimately um for, you know, if

[1:24:15] they think it's like a real uh non-conlict situation. Uh but other

[1:24:20] times there's there's other things where you know I've seen it get to at least

[1:24:24] not under my tenure but it gets to like uh an actual litigation stage where it's

[1:24:28] uh you know they come to a finding and say that there was an ethics violation

[1:24:32] and then ultimately there's like an article 78 lawsuit that stems from that.

[1:24:36] Uh I luckily haven't you know none of my findings or anything like that have ever

[1:24:40] been challenged in court thankfully. Um but you know that sometimes is a result

[1:24:46] uh as to uh a board's findings just depending on it's a very case by case

[1:24:50] basis ultimately. So

[1:24:58] » and you would be the person you would be representing the board the it's not

[1:25:03] you're not a firm it's you you personally that would

[1:25:05] » Yes. Correct. Yeah. >> You're a sole practitioner.

[1:25:08] » Exactly. >> That's the word I was looking for.

[1:25:12] and no. Um, does does your firm have any sort of political work with political

[1:25:16] organizations that could create a a perception or an actual conflict of

[1:25:21] interest and in your experience?

[1:25:25] » No, honestly, my my practice at this point is mainly um matters that I uh

[1:25:30] represented the city of Long Beach on. Um I had left Long Beach in September of

[1:25:36] 25 uh to join the village of Marin but there was uh some litigation matters

[1:25:41] that um you know I was very involved with. I had tried cases etc. Uh and so

[1:25:47] for appeals and things like that uh they kept me uh on retainer just to see those

[1:25:52] through. So, uh, no, nothing, uh, political, nothing like that otherwise.

[1:26:02] » So, you're full-time with the village as village attorney?

[1:26:06] » Yeah. Monday to Friday, 9 to5. Correct. >> And let me let me clarify. Do you you

[1:26:10] also represent the board of ethics, >> right? Board of trustees, board of

[1:26:15] ethics, >> all the boards.

[1:26:17] » Um, there is separate land use council. Uh there's been when the land use

[1:26:23] council's conflicted out, I'll sit for the zoning board or planning board

[1:26:26] depending. Uh but that's that only comes up here and there.

[1:26:29] » That's more than 9 to5. >> Yeah.

[1:26:32] » Yeah. I had a a trustee meeting to uh till 10:45 last night. So

[1:26:37] » Oh, and they done that. >> All right.

[1:26:42] Anyone else have questions? >> No. Everything else was covered. How was

[1:26:45] your intern supervisor when you were >> It's a conflicting

[1:26:50] » always about him. >> Did he periodically buy you guys lunch

[1:26:54] or >> he was good?

[1:26:58] » Good, huh? He was good. >> I don't know. I didn't lunch.

[1:27:01] » I was going to say I don't know if the board's expecting that now, but

[1:27:03] » I mean, he hasn't even replaced Sylvia as Altoids.

[1:27:10] » Very nice meeting all of you. It's great to see You have any questions for us or

[1:27:13] anything before you leave? >> I don't believe so. When should I expect

[1:27:16] to hear back? I guess >> I would looking to make a

[1:27:21] » within the next month. >> Yeah.

[1:27:22] » Yeah. Okay. >> I mean, we we meet twice monthly.

[1:27:26] » Okay. >> And our next ethics

[1:27:29] » board meeting is scheduled in November. >> Okay.

[1:27:32] » So, >> All right.

[1:27:33] » But yeah, we'd like to sooner rather than later.

[1:27:35] » Okay. That's the goal. >> Okay. Great.

[1:27:37] » Thank you for your time. All right. Nice meeting all of you. Nice meeting you.

[1:27:40] Nice meeting you.

[1:27:49] So, we all learned Dave does buy lunch. >> Not for me.

[1:27:54] » Yeah. >> Not all about you. What about all of us?

[1:27:57] » Any of us?

[1:28:02] » Okay. Next candidate. >> Next and final.

[1:28:06] » Yes.

[1:28:09] I didn't realize that would have been that would have been sex if Right.

[1:28:13] » Do you need another paper? >> No, I just crossed

[1:28:19] just

[1:28:29] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:28:33] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:28:42] We'll wait for Trusty Franco to come back.

[1:29:00] » It's because of the lunch. >> What was it? What? What was the launch?

[1:29:06] Do you remember? >> It was proximity because we had district

[1:29:08] court and patchog.

[1:29:12] » Good ones there. >> Yeah, we'll go with that.

[1:29:39] All right, Mr. Rouse, thank you for coming in tonight. I'm I'll go through

[1:29:43] the introductions. on Mayor Shepro, uh, Trustee and Deputy Mayor Bob Giuliano,

[1:29:48] Trustee Kathy Anne Snaden, Trustee Matthew Franco, Trustee Randy Dit,

[1:29:55] » our treasurer and clerk respectively, Steven Gaffa and Sylvia Pillo, and

[1:30:00] village attorney David Moran. >> Nice to meet you.

[1:30:02] » Thank you for coming in. >> Thank you for coming. Would you pass me?

[1:30:05] Thank you. >> Um, can you uh tell us what interested

[1:30:09] you about this position and how you found out about it? So, um, as you, um,

[1:30:15] may recall from the letter I sent off to the village,

[1:30:18] I am very interested in transparency in government at every level.

[1:30:24] » Microphone. >> Microphone. Sorry.

[1:30:26] » I'm very interested in transparency, governmental transparency at every

[1:30:30] level. Um I actually happened to be at the meeting um the I guess it would be

[1:30:37] the reorganizational meeting where appointments were being made and I was

[1:30:42] actually here when um the prior ethics council uh I guess was rejected. Um so I

[1:30:51] was curious to see how that would play out. Given my experience, it's something

[1:30:56] I would naturally be interested in and I'm a little bit of a junkie. So, I read

[1:31:01] the the agendas and stuff and I saw that uh there was a candidate being

[1:31:05] presented. Um and uh >> you just hold up to your

[1:31:09] » I'm sorry. >> Do you need me to start over?

[1:31:12] » No. >> Okay. Um and I saw that there was one

[1:31:15] candidate being presented and I thought that um it would be a good idea that if

[1:31:19] I introduced myself to the board and encouraged the board to um open the

[1:31:23] process up to as many candidates as possible. I'm so happy that you did

[1:31:27] that. Um a board of ethics is very different than

[1:31:33] most any other board uh that a village can have and for that matter most

[1:31:37] municipalities. It needs to be independent.

[1:31:43] It cannot show any sense of subjectivity,

[1:31:48] partisanship or favoritism. I understand that we live in a political

[1:31:54] world. I've served in political positions, elected positions for many,

[1:31:58] many, many years. But of all the positions I've had, all the places I've

[1:32:03] been, other than Supreme Court, an ethics board needs to be really above

[1:32:10] reproach. Cannot ever, ever, ever be weaponized.

[1:32:16] The board of ethics is not in place to punish people. Board of ethics is really

[1:32:22] I think in place to serve as an adviser, as a guard rail and as an educator. A

[1:32:32] board of ethics when properly constituted and properly running will

[1:32:38] avoid hopefully the need for any kind of advanced litigation, disciplinary action

[1:32:44] or otherwise. Board of ethics should be out ahead of

[1:32:49] most problems. I cannot tell you that I'm aware of what

[1:32:53] level of education uh the the uh board has uh offered to

[1:32:58] its employees and and the village employees and officers and for that

[1:33:02] matter outside contractors. I don't know what level it is, but I can assure you

[1:33:05] that if I'm involved in the board of ethics, that would be not my number one

[1:33:09] priority. Um, preventive medicine goes a long way when we get involved in

[1:33:15] sensitive situations that often come before boards of ethics. We deal with

[1:33:20] people's reputations. We deal with people's famil family's reputations.

[1:33:24] Um, our goal is to ensure that we do no harm in in in this kind of a capacity.

[1:33:35] So, can you describe what you feel like your role as legal counsel to the board

[1:33:39] of ethics would be? >> Advisory,

[1:33:43] » obviously wearing a different hat. Um, I understand there may have been another

[1:33:49] attorney on the board at one point, but um, if you would compare it to a jury

[1:33:57] trial. So when I was presiding over trials and

[1:34:01] family in Supreme Court, supreme we had juries. I would have a a jury panel of

[1:34:07] six people and maybe two alternates. I'm the judge. I'm the jury's advisor.

[1:34:15] In fact, typical jury instructions say you're not to listen to anything about

[1:34:20] the law but anyone but the judge. You, however, find the facts for yourselves.

[1:34:27] Now, I would often times have on a jury a lawyer,

[1:34:32] and it was always a coin coin toss about how that would go. But there are special

[1:34:36] instructions that you offer an attorney on a jury. Let's go to a board of

[1:34:42] ethics. Myself as the judge in the advisory

[1:34:46] role, however, not the person or not a person in the pool of people making

[1:34:51] decisions as to facts and what directions they want to go in. So it

[1:34:55] would be as an adviser, as a legal adviser, wearing a clearly different hat

[1:35:00] than uh the the members of the board, not to tell them what to do,

[1:35:06] » not to take over a meeting, not to steer them in any particular direction other

[1:35:11] than the legally appropriate direction. the council to the board of ethics or

[1:35:18] any board for that matter is only wearing a legal advisory hat and cannot

[1:35:23] be promoting any other agendas.

[1:35:27] » That's the role of council to the board of ethics.

[1:35:30] » Thank you. >> I just have a question. When your

[1:35:34] initial statement um you said something about the board being weaponized or

[1:35:39] should not be weaponized you I'm paraphrasing.

[1:35:41] » Yes. Uh, do you think the board of ethics that we currently have is

[1:35:45] weaponized? >> I have no idea. I would have no way to

[1:35:48] know that. >> I was just I just thought that was an

[1:35:49] odd statement. Like I was trying to figure out why how you would start that

[1:35:52] off as it should not be weaponized. >> The entirety of the statement dealt with

[1:35:57] boards generally. A board of ethics. I didn't say the village of Port. That's

[1:36:01] why I said >> a board of ethics can never be

[1:36:04] » can never be weaponized. And if you'll take that beginning of the statement and

[1:36:07] circle around to the end of what I said, I talked about people's reputations.

[1:36:13] » I talked about famil family's reputations. The responsibilities of a

[1:36:17] board of ethics, among other things, is to promote

[1:36:20] integrity. And to me, the weaponization of a board

[1:36:26] of any kind, but most particularly a board of ethics

[1:36:30] would be so harmful could be so harmful to people in the community as to destroy

[1:36:36] the confidence that the community in general would have not just in the board

[1:36:39] of ethics but in government. So to be clear, the statement that I made and any

[1:36:45] statement I've made so far has been specific to Portf Village in only one

[1:36:49] respect and that is to the level of education that the board of ethics has

[1:36:54] promoted. Other than that, these are meant to be general statements as to my

[1:36:58] feelings about boards of ethics in general and the role of council.

[1:37:02] » Thank you.

[1:37:07] So the RFQ that we published specifically requires confidential and

[1:37:13] independent legal advice. What does independence mean to you in this

[1:37:18] representation? Particularly if your legal advice differs from the position

[1:37:23] of the general pop or a board like of

[1:37:29] trustees like like this one. I'm not sure I'm understanding

[1:37:35] your question. >> I agree. I don't understand it either.

[1:37:40] » Okay. Um well, I'll repeat my question to John maybe.

[1:37:44] » Um so it it requires confidential and independent legal advice.

[1:37:48] » Correct. Um, you you may be aware of different opinions that a trustee on

[1:37:56] this board has or a feeling how do or a feeling that staff member has or how do

[1:38:02] you how do you separate the independence from what any kind of um uh professional

[1:38:10] or personal pressures you might be feeling from the ether

[1:38:16] » just as I would and had to do every day as a judge in Suffach County for 10

[1:38:22] years. My role is my role. I honor the seat that I'm sitting in and I honor the

[1:38:28] responsibilities and rights that come with that seat and

[1:38:32] that seat alone. So, I may be involved in a qu an ethical question that I am

[1:38:38] advising the board about and it may involve one of you and I may develop a

[1:38:43] personal relationship with you over time. I may like you a lot. I may

[1:38:51] see you around town, have cups of coffee,

[1:38:55] but I can't take that into consideration when I'm counseling the board of ethics.

[1:39:00] For me, it's not a hard choice. I'm trained in it.

[1:39:12] Have you ever I have to ask this question of all the candidates. Have you

[1:39:15] ever represented anybody on this board or anybody on the board of ethics? If

[1:39:20] you know who the members of the board of ethics are?

[1:39:23] » Not to my knowledge.

[1:39:28] » Do you have any I mean obviously you live in the village.

[1:39:31] » I do. >> Uh do you have any relationships with

[1:39:33] anybody on this board? Uh currently >> on the board. When you say

[1:39:39] relationships, I know who you all are. >> Yeah. Yeah, but I mean

[1:39:42] » I've known I've known Lauren Shepro's family uh since seventh grade when I

[1:39:46] went to then infant Jesus school with her brother Dennis who now I think lives

[1:39:51] out in Portland. Um so I'm aware of the Shepro family.

[1:39:55] » Okay. >> But I have no personal relationship with

[1:39:59] our mayor per se, but of course I do know her family.

[1:40:02] » Of course. Okay.

[1:40:09] what was uh your requested fee structure if you were to be chosen as the council

[1:40:14] to the board of ethics. So my understanding is that there was and this

[1:40:18] is just based upon the reorg meeting that there is an hourly uh rate that you

[1:40:22] were paying um what would be my predecessor and I don't even know what

[1:40:26] that rate is but what >> your predecessor's rate trust me you

[1:40:29] want your predecessor's predecessors >> okay well just say that

[1:40:34] » well this is this is not a money maker for me I am

[1:40:40] not here because I need the job I'm here because I want the job because I live

[1:40:47] here. I grew up here. I love the village of Port Jeff and I think we need strong

[1:40:53] leadership at every single level in this room and in the room that I'm proposing

[1:40:58] that I become council to. So, as far as an hourly rate goes, I will tell you

[1:41:03] that I get $550 an hour in private practice. But I will also tell you that

[1:41:08] acting in of councsil capacity to the town of Brook Haven a few years ago, I

[1:41:12] was being paid $300 an hour. So, I think the going rate these days for municipal

[1:41:18] work is $250 to $300 an hour. It's not a huge negotiating point for me.

[1:41:25] » So, being a village resident, I'm sure you're familiar with the code and

[1:41:29] obviously you're here for that uh position. So, um for the ethics

[1:41:33] obviously the ethics the ethics code. So, um, have you noticed anything in

[1:41:40] particular that you feel like would need it would need some attention or some

[1:41:44] updates or anything that you know drew your attention in reviewing it if you

[1:41:49] have? >> So, having made six copies of it, I'm

[1:41:52] happy to hand them all out to you. >> Well, then then I'm assuming you've done

[1:41:55] your research. >> I've really actually did. But, um, no,

[1:41:59] I've I've taken a look at it. Generally, I think that it's a bit of a

[1:42:05] shotgun approach. >> Generally, I think it was modeled after

[1:42:10] larger state models. Um, from what I see, I think that it can be tailored

[1:42:15] down >> um

[1:42:19] to the specific needs of this village. I think it was I think it's a huge step

[1:42:24] forward even having it and having a board. It's it's wonderful. But I think

[1:42:30] like any any organic kind of a thing, this is growing. Okay.

[1:42:36] And um I love the fact that you're putting such

[1:42:39] attention on it that you'll be receptive to anything that your board comes

[1:42:43] forward to you with in terms of maybe changing the code. But my my look at it,

[1:42:48] and I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I studied it like I would for

[1:42:51] the bar exam, >> but um I see I see something where I'm

[1:42:55] looking at language that I think is used generally and I think we could take a

[1:42:59] closer look at it and tailor it more to this village.

[1:43:02] » Okay. Thank you.

[1:43:27] Everything's answered.

[1:43:37] » Do you have anything else that you would like to add or anything? any questions

[1:43:42] for us or >> No, I don't think I have anything to

[1:43:45] add, but I would like to re-emphasize how pleased I am that you all considered

[1:43:51] my letter um seriously. I obviously um have a

[1:43:57] vested interest in the place in which I live. Um, I guess what I could add is

[1:44:02] that um, my first job,

[1:44:07] other than pumping a little gas up so for 250 an hour in Portf Station, my

[1:44:11] first real job was Ron Carlson gave me a job at the Department of Recreation.

[1:44:16] » And I went from there in the summers and seasonally throughout college and law

[1:44:20] school. I also worked at the highway department with a guy named Henry

[1:44:23] Sulowski, if you remember that. >> Um, ultimately became a superintendent

[1:44:28] of highways. Why do I tell you that? Not because that's the kind of experience

[1:44:31] you need for this job, but to give you my sense of deep commitment to this

[1:44:35] village, my how important it is to me. It's done so much to formulate who I am,

[1:44:41] who I became as a professional, and I would like to be able to give that back

[1:44:45] to the community. But I am again so happy that you all opened up this

[1:44:51] process. I think that's how every level of government should work and most

[1:44:55] importantly in the board that I'm asking you to consider me to become counsel to.

[1:45:01] » Thank you. >> Thank you so much.

[1:45:03] » Wonderful meeting. >> Same here. Thank you.

[1:45:05] » Have a good day. >> Appreciate your very nice to meet you,

[1:45:07] brother. Thank you.

[1:45:20] » Okay. Um, so do we have a motion to go into executive

[1:45:25] session?

[1:45:30] » Motion second >> discussion.

[1:45:33] » If there's nothing that we have to vote on, maybe we wait till the end of the

[1:45:36] meeting since all of these wonderful people have been sitting here for so

[1:45:39] long. >> Well, I know

[1:45:40] » wonderful people. >> There's a present. I just I was going to

[1:45:45] say the same thing. I know we were waiting on a presentation.

[1:45:47] » Uh, okay. Well, we have two we have a lot of wonderful people waiting to speak

[1:45:51] with us. >> Well, that's what I mean. They're all

[1:45:53] sitting here waiting and I would rather not go into executive session until

[1:45:56] after. >> Is it is it one

[1:45:59] » So, we have Miss Bell is here. Um, so we have um Miss Bell here. I also want to

[1:46:06] let the board know that it's possible that there are two resolutions that come

[1:46:10] out of executive session >> which we can come out of and back up

[1:46:14] here and vote, but we don't have to make everyone wait.

[1:46:20] I mean, I at least would like to hear the presentation. I just

[1:46:25] don't I don't want to make >> I don't want to make anybody wait.

[1:46:28] » Yeah. I mean, I feel >> it's been a constant complaint that I

[1:46:30] receive from the residents that we make them wait.

[1:46:33] » How I feel. >> No, it's not about that. It's just

[1:46:36] about, you know, being efficient with our time and people's time in the

[1:46:39] audience. So, >> exactly.

[1:46:41] » Um, >> that's my point.

[1:46:43] » Quick sidebar. >> Sure.

[1:46:47] All right. So, we have uh Beachwood here. Is Beachwood executive session

[1:46:52] material? >> No.

[1:46:53] » Oh, okay. Let's go. >> All right. Then I would draw my motion.

[1:46:57] » Okay. With Sean. >> Thanks, Bob.

[1:46:59] » Sure. >> All right. Miss Bell, come on up.

[1:47:06] » Sorry to make you wait. >> Silly village business. May she

[1:47:14] » pleasure to be here and I don't mind waiting.

[1:47:16] » Nice to see you again. >> Thank you.

[1:47:17] » That microphone is not as sensitive was we'd like it to be. So you have to hold

[1:47:21] it close to your >> Oh, thank you.

[1:47:23] » speaking apparatus. >> Okay.

[1:47:26] » Good evening. Thank you for having me today. Um we last met in May. Um and

[1:47:32] since then um I focused on the things that we discussed which was a size of a

[1:47:39] potential educational sign um to be put by Barnum and Broadway representing

[1:47:44] Arnet AM church uh working along with uh Chris Ryan

[1:47:49] Portf historian and Barbara Russell um Brook Haven Town historian. I have

[1:47:54] spoken to them before this meeting in depth. um they would have been here

[1:47:58] tonight if they could have been but um we have put together the wording um for

[1:48:04] the sign. I did provide a copy um for everyone along with the um size of it. I

[1:48:12] » and I just wanted to see what we I feel very happy with um taking feedback from

[1:48:19] all the different people that I've been working with. Um, one of the important

[1:48:22] things was outlining what AM stands for, but not to assume that everybody just

[1:48:28] known that. And we came up with a nice subtitle. Um, Arnet AM Church, the heart

[1:48:33] of a community, remembering the Arnet African Methodist Episcopal Church. Um,

[1:48:38] two maps on um, the left hand side, which and a timeline. Um, there was so

[1:48:44] much information. So going through it to see what could be reflective and

[1:48:50] educational where people could say, "Wow, you know, I didn't know that." And

[1:48:54] just walk away feeling just a broader sense of Port Jefferson was very

[1:48:59] important um to me. And interviewing a Mr. Julius Sty on the

[1:49:05] bottom leftand corner there. He was actually a member of the congregation

[1:49:10] who was involved in the fundraising and delivered meals on his bicycle. Um, and

[1:49:15] he sat with me for hours and just really gave his time and I could feel his love

[1:49:20] and appreciation and even more of a sense what this place was like cuz he

[1:49:24] was able to visually walk me through it as if I was there and I feel like he

[1:49:28] gives that to this project um by having a quote from him.

[1:49:34] Um I after reading it over um I did one two three four fifth paragraph down um

[1:49:43] there's a mention of harvest home suppers. I wanted to get feedback if you

[1:49:48] felt the definition of what that is should be also um included. Um some

[1:49:52] people after reading um it said like Chris Ryan said what is a harvest home

[1:49:57] supper? So, and so that's something that I highlighted that I could add. And I

[1:50:02] did see in the next paragraph down that arnet was misspelled. I highlighted that

[1:50:06] that would be fixed also for the um final um copy.

[1:50:12] And the um big concern was with gratitude. I felt like the more this

[1:50:17] project was going on, even being here at this moment, it's just a full circle of

[1:50:23] how Arnette, although they had a congregation before they had a building,

[1:50:27] it took the whole community in Port Jefferson that really took a part in

[1:50:31] making that building happen. And I felt that same sense as I was working on this

[1:50:36] project because it took so many people's and even now everybody's time here. So

[1:50:41] having just a logo just made me feel like maybe it was not as much reflective

[1:50:46] as naming like community, but then it became very long and this is not even

[1:50:51] everybody um that's listed here. So that's a little bit of a um

[1:50:58] I I I did say well what how could we solve that? And one suggestion was with

[1:51:02] a QR code, but then with coming up with solutions, there's another problem

[1:51:07] because there's no website that can connect to the QR code. And so some

[1:51:11] suggestions were maybe to add a QR code later in time.

[1:51:15] » I actually tried the QR code to see no there's a lot of more information,

[1:51:22] but um that was something that we're coming that I'm coming. I don't want to

[1:51:29] if this was approved I wouldn't want to delay it but I also feel like there's so

[1:51:33] much yeah >> that I um that so many more people I

[1:51:37] know I don't know how to really handle it with gratitude that's something that

[1:51:40] I would like to hear what um you thought to but there were so many people that

[1:51:44] were a part of this and even everyone here that it's I don't know it makes me

[1:51:50] feel like that reflecting that community involvement is important

[1:51:54] » definitely

[1:52:01] I mean, I I appreciate the work that you put in on, you know, I love history and,

[1:52:06] you know, I've grew up here, so um yeah, I really appreciated reading all the,

[1:52:10] you know, about the Yeah. So, thank you. >> Thank you so much. Thank you.

[1:52:13] » And I think it's important because I don't think a lot of people realize

[1:52:16] » No, definitely not. >> So, this is important to bring

[1:52:21] » to the public much. >> I think this is great. Thank you. Uh

[1:52:26] » I appreciate you coming in and bringing it to our attention.

[1:52:28] » Well, thank you very much. >> Um the one thing that I would maybe

[1:52:31] suggest um just for the full design uh purpose of the sign is to maybe run it

[1:52:36] by the architectural review committee. Okay.

[1:52:38] » Um and see if they have any comments or suggestions on um you know the overall

[1:52:44] design of the actual sign. Not necessarily the content because you are

[1:52:47] the expert in the content. Um but maybe just to um add an extra layer of of uh

[1:52:54] oversight on design. >> Okay.

[1:52:55] » Of the actual sign. >> I think that's very good idea. Thank

[1:52:59] you. >> You're welcome.

[1:53:06] » So remind us again where the um identified location of the sign would

[1:53:11] be. >> It's right near um Drown Meadow Cottage.

[1:53:15] actually um right that parking lot is where Arnette stood and I think that on

[1:53:21] Chris Ryan and Barbara Russell felt that right near um right in that vicinity I

[1:53:26] have like the coordinates but there is a sign there now I think next to it

[1:53:32] perhaps >> like to the north side of the parking

[1:53:35] lot >> um is that towards the water towards the

[1:53:39] northeast corner of the parking lot >> yes

[1:53:41] » okay >> and um what's the process process for

[1:53:45] getting the sign made. >> Um the design company said if we had

[1:53:51] approval today, they would need about five weeks um to have um the sign made.

[1:53:57] Speaking with um >> it was um Barbara Russell that was able

[1:54:02] to um through the Raml Foundation um cover the cost that assigned. So I

[1:54:09] appreciate that. Excellent. >> You know, and so this is very exciting.

[1:54:15] I feel like this is >> Is there a special date that works for

[1:54:17] the dedication c because I would imagine you'd want to do a dedication sort of

[1:54:22] » I was we were speaking about that in November. We were thinking is um I know

[1:54:27] there's another event um a race um Barbara said there's a race maybe and

[1:54:33] it's also um in um indigenous month. Maybe around that time would be good

[1:54:38] because there would already be people in the area. I like that. Maybe this is the

[1:54:43] second event of that day. Okay. >> Because it goes tight, especially with

[1:54:47] 250th. I feel like this would be a really nice time. November.

[1:54:52] » Is it a concrete um >> footing

[1:54:56] » footing? >> Um I think reading from the design like

[1:55:01] that they're able to install >> in installation. Yes. Yes. I um they I

[1:55:05] did speak with design company today before the meeting and I asked them what

[1:55:08] would work for them as far as when could they have this done and they said five

[1:55:13] weeks. So I said was November doable. They sounded that was doable.

[1:55:17] » Maybe there's a project plan or just nothing too extravagant but just a

[1:55:21] project plan of this is what it this is what happens. This is how it gets

[1:55:25] installed. We have several of these installed around the village.

[1:55:28] » Yes. >> Already and they're they are in concrete

[1:55:32] footing. Okay, great. >> And they are immovable basically, but

[1:55:36] » just so just so we know and our public works knows and parks knows.

[1:55:39] » Oh yes, I will get a detailed email from them. Okay. tomorrow and um but I mean

[1:55:46] I'm excited to be at this point and just I mean reading about just everything and

[1:55:52] I saw how much this meant when the money was being collected and people worked

[1:55:58] really hard to have a building established and you feel that

[1:56:01] perseverance and just to have you know remember it it feels feels really good.

[1:56:07] » Kudos to you. No, to everybody. To everybody

[1:56:11] » getting the support of the town, getting the support.

[1:56:13] » Absolutely. Yes. >> Uh the assembly woman,

[1:56:16] » everybody legislator

[1:56:19] » because when I first brought it up, I couldn't do it without tears.

[1:56:23] » And now I'm feel like it's just I I still feel emotional, but I'm able to

[1:56:28] deliver, you know, more than that. When I first met um you know Rebecca Cassay

[1:56:33] and Steve Angelbrite it was with tears that I was saying that a lot of people I

[1:56:38] read there when they passed away said their funeral was at our net. They don't

[1:56:43] have a headstone. They're nowhere to be there's nothing to even touch nothing

[1:56:46] you know to remember them and it was very emotional for me. So

[1:56:52] feels good. >> Great.

[1:56:54] » Great. Is there any information we can give her uh to make contact with the

[1:56:58] architectural review committee? email or something. So, just make it easier for

[1:57:01] you while you >> Thank you.

[1:57:02] » Yes, I can get that to you. >> Okay. Appreciate that.

[1:57:06] » Silia, you can connect the two of us and I would be happy to set that up for

[1:57:09] » just so make it easy for you. >> Thank you so much. Thank you.

[1:57:14] » Very excited. >> It's exciting news.

[1:57:17] » And and just love Port Jeff. Love history. So, I'll I see everybody at all

[1:57:21] the events. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[1:57:23] » Thank you very much.

[1:57:32] Okay. Now, um we'll invite the Beachwood representatives up.

[1:57:43] » Bring gifts.

[1:57:47] » Thank you for your patience.

[1:57:52] » Thank you. >> Oh, look who's here. Hello, legislator.

[1:57:57] » Thank you. >> You just missed us.

[1:58:02] » Literally. >> Keep your calendar open in November.

[1:58:09] » Would you like to say anything while you're here?

[1:58:12] » Yeah. Come on up. >> Thank you.

[1:58:16] » No, come on up. It's all right. >> You made the trip.

[1:58:21] This is >> We have a speaker for you. Like a

[1:58:24] microphone. This is a a part of the community's

[1:58:29] heritage that is too often forgotten. Um that uh you're taking the time to

[1:58:34] remember it this evening. Um we're very grateful to you. Uh I've seen the

[1:58:42] African-American community in Great Neck almost

[1:58:45] disappear. When I was a kid, I lived in Queens.

[1:58:49] used to drive out. There was a significant uh community there.

[1:58:55] Uh now it's nothing but uh auto dealerships

[1:59:01] and office buildings. They're gone.

[1:59:08] You're not going to let that happen here. Uh this sign uh this historic

[1:59:13] marker is going to memorialize uh many of the men and women who helped

[1:59:18] build this community, helped build the ships that were here,

[1:59:22] who toiled and labored and contributed and that you're remembering that is

[1:59:28] heartening. So thank you. I just I'm so honored uh

[1:59:34] to uh to live amongst you and uh very grateful that you gave me a chance to

[1:59:40] say a few words. Thank you very much. >> Thank you for your contributions and

[1:59:43] your advocacy. >> Have a good day.

[1:59:49] » Night.

[1:59:53] » All right. Take two. >> Take two.

[1:59:58] » No problem. Thank you. Um Mayor Trustees, I appreciate this opportunity

[2:00:03] to speak to you. My name is Richard Rosenberg. I'm the attorney for the

[2:00:06] Beachwood organization and I'm here to discuss I want to make sure I get the

[2:00:12] name right because you guys spent a lot of time.

[2:00:14] » Yes, we did. >> Harbor Cove at Mary Haven.

[2:00:18] Um, just to refresh, in November of last year, the board of trustees had approved

[2:00:24] a resoning from PO to RM zone that would allow us to build a 76 unit uh,

[2:00:31] condominium development. We went before the board of um, zoning appeals in

[2:00:36] January and received all the necessary variances.

[2:00:40] Since that time, we've been in the site plan with the planning board. And I

[2:00:44] believe right now, based on my last conversation,

[2:00:48] all of the issues are are resolved but for the sidewalks. And the sidewalks

[2:00:53] took on a little bit of a life of its own. And with your permission, I just

[2:00:58] want to give you a bit of a recap if I could. on page one of before you you

[2:01:04] will see um to the right hand side there's an H. Now, just just briefly,

[2:01:12] the zoning the uh covenants and the approval documents said that the

[2:01:17] applicant shall at it sole cost and expense install a sidewalk along Myrtle

[2:01:22] Avenue from High Street across the subject property to ultimately connect

[2:01:28] to the sidewalk with the school and with any permission from adjacent owners to

[2:01:32] be obtained at no cost to applicant. Once built, the sidewall would be

[2:01:36] dedicated to and maintained by the village. So if you look at age, that is

[2:01:42] basically going around from the school parking lot down Hill and it attaches

[2:01:48] into an existing um an existing road, not a roadway, exist existing path

[2:01:54] around 3T wide. It has not been maintained. So what we're suggesting is

[2:01:59] refurbishing that and giving a little boundary and redoing the 3-ft all the

[2:02:05] way around to go to the school up front. Going back to the left is I which is

[2:02:13] this was the sidewalk from Beltare to the parking lot of the school

[2:02:20] and initially we had to reach out to the owner of that property which is

[2:02:24] Fairfield and we had to have a pretty much a long discussion with them. Their

[2:02:29] concern was there's a sidewalk across the street. Um why can't you use that?

[2:02:35] Um I told him it's not my discretion. It's within the village right of way. Um

[2:02:40] so ultimately we intend to do a 4 foot wide

[2:02:45] um sidewalk going from Beltare to the school parking lot and up to the village

[2:02:52] whether we do typically that could be a twoft strip of grass that will be

[2:02:57] maintained by the village. So the question is whether you want that or

[2:03:01] whether it's just the curb and a 4ft. Now what we would do is every 200 feet

[2:03:07] we would do a five-foot turnaround to comply with the ADA requirements and

[2:03:11] what have you. So I believe we resolved those.

[2:03:17] Right at the front of the development you will see number J which is the wall

[2:03:23] uh excuse me the path that's going to go from our development to Beltare Road.

[2:03:30] Now, just as an aside, uh the board was very concerned about the intersection of

[2:03:36] Myrtle and Beltier. We agreed to certain um do certain things to improve it. We

[2:03:42] then spoke with the planning uh board chair who is a traffic consultant and

[2:03:47] we've improved it more with traffic lights with uh we're basically going to

[2:03:51] rebuild that entire traffic light at our sole cost and expense. And we're also

[2:03:56] going to have a walkway that's going to go across belt with signals.

[2:04:03] The issue that we have is along myrtle and Myrtle is number D. And if I could

[2:04:09] just ask you to go to number three in the presentation bottom right hand

[2:04:14] corner.

[2:04:17] I went before the planning board and at the beginning we had estimated the trees

[2:04:22] and to do the sidewalk from High Street all the way up to our entrance way.

[2:04:28] Right now based upon uh field surveys there's 80 trees that would need to be

[2:04:33] removed. Now

[2:04:38] it really breaks into about 1,00 to,100 square ft of property that's alongside

[2:04:45] the Mary Haven Beachwood property and then there's another 500 ft below Inwood

[2:04:51] from Myrtle going down Myrtle to High Street down there. So, what we proposed

[2:04:57] is we drew in a 4ft wide sidewalk going from the front entrance to Inred Road

[2:05:04] and we had a twoft curb to excuse me a twoft strip. Now, again,

[2:05:09] it's maintenance to the village. Uh, if the village likes and I just go to 4ft,

[2:05:14] I can save eight trees out of the box because I'm not going as far in. But

[2:05:19] we're prepared to do the sidewalk um there um in accordance with applicable

[2:05:24] rules and regulations. And that leads me to the last part which

[2:05:29] is the hold up of my site plan. Um this is from Inwood Road down to High

[2:05:34] Street. Now, at the very corner of High Street to your left hand side, you

[2:05:39] really can't see it, but that is pretty much the front yard of that house, which

[2:05:44] has existing hedges and is over the right of way of the village.

[2:05:49] Then we have the property of Canyon Creek and we've been um dealing with

[2:05:53] Canyon Creek for the better part of 3 four years at this point and they were

[2:05:57] very concerned because that is the steepest area along Myrtle and to put in

[2:06:04] that sidewalk would not only require a retaining wall substantial but also the

[2:06:11] removal of 30 trees. So, in prior discussions with various people of the

[2:06:16] of the uh board, um if we could go to number two now, uh

[2:06:23] excuse me, number four, my apologies. What that shows is the entire sidewalk

[2:06:29] along Myrtle going around Spraggy Hill and then along the Beachwood property up

[2:06:36] until Inwood Road. And at Inwood Road, the width of the roadway there is 33 to

[2:06:43] 34 feet. Now, north of Inwood Road, it's 29 feet. So, those those are kind of

[2:06:49] important numbers. So, what we suggest is going now, I promise this is the last

[2:06:55] one, um to number two. And what we propose is I can save 30

[2:07:04] plus trees if I restripe that area from High Street to Inwood Road. Now there

[2:07:12] are three um three drawings on the right hand side. The first shows a 33 ft width

[2:07:18] with a 12T northbound and southbound then 4 and 1/2t shoulder on each side.

[2:07:25] Um, if I reduce the traffic lane to 11 ft, which is the minimum required, I can

[2:07:32] increase the so shoulder on both sides by 5.5 ft. I asked my traffic engineer,

[2:07:38] could I cheat from the other side and move it over? And they said that really

[2:07:43] best engineering practices is the middle of the road should be where the crown

[2:07:47] is. So you go from there to there. So while there's no requirement of a

[2:07:53] shoulder, he had proposed 4 and 1/2 or 5 1/2 ft. And what we would do then is

[2:08:01] restripe the restripe that area. And I would have 4 1/2 ft up and one of the

[2:08:07] one of the issues that the uh board had concerns about is safety of the people

[2:08:11] as did we. And it really comes down to a balancing act. Now I spoke with the

[2:08:17] engineers and there are delineated posts. You've seen them on the Parkway.

[2:08:21] You've seen them at the bridge where you go in and it's kind of like a uh it's

[2:08:27] kind of a plastic PVC up and it has um it has uh lights in it. It doesn't have

[2:08:35] lights in it. It's what whatever you want. It's a bit of a maintenance issue

[2:08:39] and the village would be doing the maintenance. So, the question is what do

[2:08:43] you want and what could you use at this point? What I tried to do after speaking

[2:08:49] with the village attorney was to come up with something that gives you the

[2:08:53] sidewalk that we promised that saves trees. Um, and really what I'm proposing

[2:08:59] is a 4 and 1/2 or 5 1/2 ft shoulder as opposed to a sidewalk. And I would just

[2:09:05] point out that presently there's nothing. And I did speak with

[2:09:12] Canyon Creek to get their spin on things. I explained to them that if the

[2:09:16] village wanted, I could go into the right of way and I can take property

[2:09:21] that is the villages basically do it there, but I would require a heck of a

[2:09:26] retaining wall and um again trees. So I believe I can almost split the amount of

[2:09:34] trees in half that we originally proposed by doing this. Now this is a

[2:09:39] condition of the approval that was given by this board. We presented it to the

[2:09:45] planning board and basically said, "Let me get started. We're going to solve

[2:09:49] this. Let me get started and um we'll make this subject too. We could tie it

[2:09:55] to certificates of occupancy. We could tie it to a bond. We could tie it to

[2:09:59] whatever you want that allows me to proceed." And the board wanted an

[2:10:05] indication of how the trustees felt about this. And I just want to point in

[2:10:10] we spoke to the planning director and the DPW commissioner asked them to come

[2:10:14] out to the site and walk with us and they basically told us we follow the

[2:10:18] edict of the board of trustees. So until you have a direction from them there's

[2:10:24] nothing for us to do. So I'm hung up at site plan. I've tried resolving this for

[2:10:31] quite a while. I was working with Trustee Hill previously and then there

[2:10:36] was the question of um could there be a mixture of

[2:10:43] some sidewalk some funds funds in L so the village could do whatever they

[2:10:48] wanted and council advised that no sidewalks is what we want address that

[2:10:54] so that's where I am right now I once again I believe I'm resolved as far as

[2:11:00] all other issues on my site plan but for this

[2:11:04] um I've seen um some writings from the civic association we've tried to include

[2:11:11] that with the two foot which they wanted but it becomes a maintenance issue so

[2:11:15] I'm just looking for direction there my wish list is if you like the if you

[2:11:23] like the uh green part the two-foot I can gladly do it on Beltare Road in the

[2:11:28] front of my property but when we go down south on Myrtle, that 2 ft becomes

[2:11:34] pretty important as far as saving more trees and as well as the retaining wall.

[2:11:39] Um, how many feet of sidewalk are we talking

[2:11:43] about from Inwood to High Street? >> Approximately 480.

[2:11:47] » About 480. And And how many feet of um retaining wall are we talking about

[2:11:52] » on that side? It would be 480. >> Another So you're you're going retaining

[2:11:55] wall from Inwood all the way down to High Street. I have to because the slope

[2:11:59] is so so high at the at the roadway. >> Okay. I'm going to have to go take a

[2:12:04] look at that again. All right. >> Well, the retaining wall would there's a

[2:12:08] there's a uh residential property about halfway

[2:12:12] down. >> You're right.

[2:12:13] » Where it wouldn't require a retaining wall per se, and I'm not saying that for

[2:12:16] any reason um prejudice or no prejudice. But what what about I'm sorry. Are you

[2:12:22] done with your questions? >> Please go. We're on the same group.

[2:12:25] » Okay. Um, what about curbing? >> Mark on the calendar.

[2:12:30] » Um, for the the 480. >> For the 480, curbing, we weren't going

[2:12:37] to do curbing. I can do curbing. >> Um, the issue is that from the end of

[2:12:43] the pavement, there is curbing and drainage in place already. I can do

[2:12:48] additional curbing but the idea was to give as big a shoulder as possible and

[2:12:53] leave that alone for drainage purposes. >> There is curbing there. I don't I can't

[2:12:57] » There is curbing. >> Visualize it.

[2:12:59] » Um yes, there is curbing there. >> Okay.

[2:13:01] » All the way all the way up. >> Yes.

[2:13:03] » Where where we talked about curbing? >> The question was from inward to um high

[2:13:09] street. >> There's an existing curb there, right?

[2:13:12] curb in front of the property owner's property, but

[2:13:15] » uh does it goes all the way up to Inwood?

[2:13:18] » It goes all the way up to >> and then out out of Inwood all the way

[2:13:20] further east. >> That's right. Okay.

[2:13:22] » So, what we're what I'm proposing is the sidewalk inwood up.

[2:13:26] » Um I've been I spoke with Kenya Creek. They have an entrance with some boulders

[2:13:31] and what have you. I told them you're on the village right of way. We'll figure

[2:13:35] it out. >> Um

[2:13:37] » so just just to get a clarification. Sure. From Inwood to High Street. Um,

[2:13:41] you're saying there's going to be a two there potentially, right now, currently

[2:13:44] in the plan, there's a two- foot strip of, uh,

[2:13:47] » if I did the sidewalk, there's a 4 foot sidewalk and a two-ft strip.

[2:13:51] » Okay. >> And if I do that, um, as I said, I'm

[2:13:55] affecting 30 trees. And I understand it's safety, but I understand also

[2:14:00] » a two-ft strip >> and went curb 4T across. How would that

[2:14:06] affect the trees? >> Probably 28. There's really not. Do we

[2:14:09] save 28 or >> what's No, I would lose 28.

[2:14:11] » Lose 28. Okay. >> It's because of the slope is so high.

[2:14:15] » Understood. >> Highest point of the retaining wall.

[2:14:19] » The retaining wall is figured at 3 ft north of Inwood. And then between Inwood

[2:14:26] and Myrtle, north of the house that's currently at the corner, it would be

[2:14:32] diverse going anywhere between 3 to 5t. >> Okay. So, you're talking inward to high

[2:14:36] street. >> Yes.

[2:14:37] » Okay. All right.

[2:14:39] » So, those plastic ballards you're talk or those PVC ballards you're talking

[2:14:43] about, is that is that am I correct? >> I'm suggesting whatever you whatever you

[2:14:47] like. Um, it was suggested and I >> Dickens Dickens lighting all over again.

[2:14:52] » Yeah. Yeah. And the other part is if the cement the traffic engineer says would

[2:14:57] be a safety problem and I what I'm trying to help I'm going to make worse

[2:15:03] with the cars. >> Right. So, it's really the balancing

[2:15:06] that, you know, when we did the zoning. Um,

[2:15:10] I committed to a sidewalk subject, too. Um, I'm happy to do it, but I saw the

[2:15:17] danger in it and I saw Canyon Creek was upset and after three years of dealing

[2:15:25] of working with them and keeping them revised. I'm not saying bear the edict.

[2:15:30] I'm just saying I was trying to find the middle ground. What does your traffic

[2:15:34] engineer say about um the the 4 foot white line? the 4 foot. I'm sorry. The

[2:15:42] four foot >> line from instead of it,

[2:15:44] » oh, four and a half to five and a half, what what he says is

[2:15:48] » you have a shoulder. It's defined. It's defined more than now. It's certainly a

[2:15:53] better situation, but when I went to him and I said, I want more. Let's move it

[2:15:59] over. He said again, where the crown of the roadway, that's against engineering

[2:16:05] principles. From where I stand, I've walked it and it's pretty level up

[2:16:10] there. But I have to advise you what the engineer told us.

[2:16:16] But what I'm trying to figure out is number one,

[2:16:20] I'd like to finish the issue. Number two,

[2:16:25] if this board wants uh to take a look at things because I believe it's within

[2:16:31] their jurisdiction. This is an offsite improvement, sidewalks to be maintained

[2:16:36] by the village. So, I think it's before the village trustees, but I'm locked in

[2:16:41] with the planning board who want some type of resolution. And I've asked them

[2:16:46] previously, close my hearing, make it a condition, and we'll get everything you

[2:16:51] need. But as of right now, um, they were hesitant to do so without further

[2:16:57] advice. And as I mentioned, I did try planning

[2:17:01] DPW. Um, this was out of their bandwidth.

[2:17:06] They weren't prepared to to go on the line for that. I

[2:17:09] » I think Rich, what would be for me what would be helpful, I don't know about the

[2:17:12] rest of the board, is if maybe if your traffic engineer wanted to do a a field

[2:17:16] trip, >> okay,

[2:17:17] » to Inwood to Myrtle. And let's take let's actually get eyes on it to see

[2:17:21] » Oh, he's been there. >> No, no, for us.

[2:17:23] » Oh, okay. >> Yeah. I mean, I've I've been there, too.

[2:17:25] I I've walked up that hill a million times. I just want to see, you know, if

[2:17:29] you have the plans already designed for the retaining wall, seeing exactly what

[2:17:32] we're talking about. >> The retaining wall is mostly 2, three

[2:17:35] feet and it gets bigger there. >> You said something about a safety issue.

[2:17:38] So, I'm just kind of >> Well, the safety issue would be if I did

[2:17:43] the sidewalk. It's defined by the curb, but I'm wiping out the slope and the

[2:17:48] trees. So, >> you're supporting that with retaining

[2:17:51] walls. >> I'm supporting that with retaining

[2:17:52] walls, but the trees are going to come down. There's no no doubt about it. And

[2:17:56] the other part that I am a little um apprehensive of, but you never know, is

[2:18:01] I don't know where the roots are coming. All I could do is go out and have the

[2:18:07] engineer tell me what trees do you think? Give me give give me give me the

[2:18:11] realistic number of trees. And there's a chance there could be some uh some long

[2:18:17] roots that could affect another tree. So it when I say safety, I think it's

[2:18:22] better than there, but it's not it's a shoulder. It's not a walkway.

[2:18:28] » And I think the added concern with taking down the trees is the

[2:18:31] destabilization then of that >> but drainage. Yeah.

[2:18:34] » And drainage. Um you take the root system out and now you've destabilized.

[2:18:39] Even with a retaining wall, you don't really know until you know,

[2:18:42] » right? >> And it could cause a problem. And you

[2:18:45] know, when we're doing it, once we have direction, depending on the retaining

[2:18:49] wall, um my client Mike Dub has a very big um background in landscape. He's

[2:18:57] going to try to save whatever tree we can, you know, but at this point, it's

[2:19:03] hard to identify it until you're actually in the field and you see what

[2:19:06] where the roots are. In your estimation from Inwood to High Street, if you

[2:19:12] proceeded with the sidewalk, it would be, you think, a minimum of 40 trees?

[2:19:16] » A minimum of 30 trees would be taken down there.

[2:19:19] » 30 trees would be taken down now from that.

[2:19:21] » Yes. >> Okay.

[2:19:22] » Those numbers are

[2:19:26] » the number I'm sorry, that's that's the numbers in red.

[2:19:28] » Yeah. Just in in um number three and number four.

[2:19:34] I have it I have it bigger, but you have a black dot with a circle around. Those

[2:19:38] are the trees. >> We can see them. We can see them.

[2:19:40] » Thank you. >> Okay.

[2:19:41] » So, the the

[2:19:45] Let's talk about what the aesthetic is. From sidewalk to no sidewalk and from

[2:19:51] sidewalk to white line. What's the What's the I mean, Beachwood is all

[2:19:57] about aesthetics. So, >> right. What we'll do is we're obviously

[2:20:02] it's we don't know what it's going to look like. So, we're gonna obviously

[2:20:06] have a replanting plan to put in because it's impossible to see how these trees

[2:20:13] come down, what it's going to look like. So, we would do that.

[2:20:16] » The sidewalk all the way around is similar to the sidewalk elsewhere in the

[2:20:21] village. and elsewhere in the village and I have pictures. There are certain

[2:20:26] areas that have the twoft, but it it's um it's not really maintained. Um, and

[2:20:35] there are all there are sidewalks that are 4 foot that are just the curve,

[2:20:39] which is ideally gets me to do some of the sidewalk, save

[2:20:44] 40 trees because by getting rid of the two feet, I'm saving I'm saving um trees

[2:20:52] going from inward up to my entrance. So there I might have 40 43 trees and

[2:21:00] now um I'm taking down 39 or something like that. So it's it's a lot that you

[2:21:07] know the question is what's a tree? If it's a sapling I'm

[2:21:12] counting it as a tree because it's a tree. So you know

[2:21:16] » planning board has definitions of significance, right?

[2:21:19] » Yeah. Yeah. >> So is a sapling a significant tree?

[2:21:22] » Um depends how big it is. Of course, >> everything is there, but typically it's

[2:21:29] typically it's, you know, over over a foot wide and

[2:21:32] » it's not a weed. >> Right. Right. Um, but the, as I said,

[2:21:36] the issue that I have and I I don't know how to get out of is

[2:21:41] who has jurisdiction over this issue. I'm gonna do whatever the trustees are

[2:21:47] I'm directed to. But I'm playing patty cake right now because I've gone before

[2:21:52] the board a trustee the board of planning board and we've had two

[2:21:57] hearings. They didn't want to close it and they want some input on this on

[2:22:02] this. I know I'm going to satisfy it. I just don't know.

[2:22:06] » You're looking for direction and and closure, right?

[2:22:09] » I'm looking for direction and closure. But if I can if the board if this board

[2:22:13] wants to take a look at it, I have no issues if we could just make that

[2:22:17] subject too. >> Okay. So the issue as I see it is and I

[2:22:21] I did some research. I spoke to the special uh council lane use council. Um

[2:22:28] I believe your statement is correct, Mr. Rosenberg that um the only issue hanging

[2:22:33] up a some type of conditional approval or conditioned approval is this sidewalk

[2:22:38] which is I believe to be the complete and utter jurisdiction of the board of

[2:22:42] trustees as it is our covenant. Um what I am hearing is a commitment on your end

[2:22:48] to do whatever this board would like you to do whether it's a sidewalk whether

[2:22:53] it's saving trees whether >> absolutely we

[2:22:55] » or whether there's an alternative middle ground. We've we've studied it and tried

[2:22:59] to come up with the alternative, but I'm open.

[2:23:01] » And I and I we had a meeting with Trusty Snen and and the mayor and I I I I

[2:23:07] thought Trusty Sn had a great idea with the bumping it out with the ballasters.

[2:23:11] You're telling me I can understand the safety issue of concrete on the roadway.

[2:23:15] » Um >> but from my position, you're done with

[2:23:19] the planning board. I believe >> not according to the planning board

[2:23:23] » and that and that's why you're looking for that direction tonight. And what I'm

[2:23:25] hearing from the trustees is they would like a little more time to digest to

[2:23:29] come up what whatever we're going to direct this board's going to direct you

[2:23:33] to do. And under that theory, I would suggest that the direction be to

[2:23:38] the planning board is conditionally approve whatever. Again, if the board

[2:23:45] says paint the sidewalk pink because that's our covenant. The planning board

[2:23:49] doesn't get the way in on a pink sidewalk, it's the co it's the

[2:23:51] jurisdiction of this board. So, I understand the predicament you're in.

[2:23:55] It's also a predicament we're in because we would like your project to move

[2:23:58] forward as well as I'm sure with everybody and specifically um I I I

[2:24:04] think I see a member of the walkability group here. Um the sidewalks are

[2:24:08] paramount. >> Um and I believe that's the direction I

[2:24:11] gave you. It seems like you've honored that commitment. Um,

[2:24:17] I also agree with Trusty Franco. If he needs more time and wants to go look at

[2:24:20] it, we should give you that time, but it also shouldn't hold up your application

[2:24:22] since we have complete jurisdiction. Um, I guess what I'm concluding is

[2:24:28] I will attempt again to speak to council to the um special counsel to the to the

[2:24:34] planning board and advise him that I would suggest they close their hearing

[2:24:40] with whatever conditions they would like to put on you as a reference to the

[2:24:44] sidewalk if my client is in amendable to that.

[2:24:47] » That's what I would like to see. I don't want us holding up the conditional. Um,

[2:24:54] there's no reason to. I think there's been a lot of good faith effort on

[2:24:57] Beachwood's part to make sure this gets done. They wouldn't have done all of

[2:25:00] this work if they're going to stop at some point. And if it's just us needing

[2:25:04] time to go look at the site, which you know, that's absolutely fine in my mind.

[2:25:09] Um, I would advise that that recommendation would work.

[2:25:13] » And at the end of the day, without that CO, you're not occupying.

[2:25:16] » Exactly. >> So, this condition has to get met,

[2:25:19] » right? But take it one step further with the planning board. Um

[2:25:24] once it leaves our jurisdiction, it goes back into their jurisdiction that it's

[2:25:29] designed and constructed the right way. >> Yes.

[2:25:32] » Yeah. >> It would either be planning board or

[2:25:33] building department, but we would we would fully engineer it and I would

[2:25:37] assume based upon what we've done throughout it'll be sent out to your

[2:25:41] consulting engineer to make sure it's right.

[2:25:43] » And that's that that to me is the reassurance that we need.

[2:25:46] » We totally 100% that's why we >> And then I have one more one more thing.

[2:25:53] So, uh, and I'm just throwing it out there because I can and I thought about

[2:25:59] it and I'm thinking about the aesthetic. Trees are one thing. Inside the ropes is

[2:26:03] one thing. Outside the ropes is the other aesthetic. So what Myrtle Avenue

[2:26:08] will end up looking like after this project is done in terms of how the how

[2:26:13] the how the white line is drawn. Uh where it starts, where it stops, how

[2:26:18] it's designed, what are the communication mechanisms inside that

[2:26:23] white line if there is one, if it's a bike lane or a walking lane or some sort

[2:26:28] of you know um >> the engineer said the best I could do

[2:26:32] was a shoulder on that southernly part. Thereafter, I'm in the sidewalk. So,

[2:26:37] it's only an issue for that bottom 400 ft. And what I would request is when you

[2:26:42] do go out for the field, if you would take a look at the road looking up from

[2:26:47] High Street because it's generally straight, which is good. And when you go

[2:26:52] to the bend, I'm doing the sidewalk there, so nobody's going to it's not

[2:26:57] going to be surprise. I could see straight up to

[2:27:01] Canyon Creek. Would it be helpful to the aesthetic to mill and pave

[2:27:06] » to >> mill and pave and re rest re restripe

[2:27:09] that whole road? >> If you want, we'll do it.

[2:27:11] » Okay. >> Not a problem. I also I also asked him

[2:27:15] about rumble strips and things like that. And he said, "Well, it's a

[2:27:18] question of maintenance and you guys are going to be doing the snow and what have

[2:27:22] you, but I think you I'm open. I just want to I just want to get there and as

[2:27:28] far as the aesthetics is concerned, we'll work with you." And then obviously

[2:27:32] if there were bare spots, we're going to fill them in.

[2:27:36] » I just uh I have one more question and and and it it could be my mistake. Um

[2:27:42] when and I know you read the covenant. I thought the sidewalk on Scraggy went

[2:27:47] past the school. >> I Well, I know that the black top stops

[2:27:54] right where your pen is right now. >> Yeah. Yeah. But I'm just saying I

[2:27:56] thought the the sidewalk >> the school has a sidewalk there.

[2:27:59] » No, it has a sidewalk. Yeah. And it was going to carry past the school.

[2:28:02] » We were supposed to connect into >> That's what I'm trying to find out.

[2:28:05] » We were supposed to connect into the path and what we're going to do is

[2:28:08] refurbish the whole thing. >> This this

[2:28:11] No, that I that I'm aware of. >> I'm just saying I I thought when we had

[2:28:15] that original covenant that we were tying it to this sidewalk and then

[2:28:18] taking it past the school. >> I can I that wasn't the original

[2:28:22] understanding. >> Okay. That's why I was

[2:28:24] » collection. Okay. No, I just wanted to figure that out. All right. Thank you.

[2:28:29] I thank you for your time. >> One more question. Is there a way to

[2:28:32] resurface if we were to do a walking path or a shoulder to make a different

[2:28:37] surface on that walking path to more than delineate with a white line that

[2:28:42] could show drivers that's, you know, it's not a place to drive.

[2:28:46] » Um whether it be a stamped concrete or concrete so it looks like a sidewalk. I

[2:28:51] don't know if that's doable. What I'd like to do is bring in my traffic

[2:28:55] engineer because I think these are all good ideas and he has

[2:28:59] » he tells me no and I I want I want him to tell me yes.

[2:29:03] » Yeah. >> Um apologize you

[2:29:07] » attorney Mar. >> You have to speak to the attorney.

[2:29:12] » I think if I'm hearing the board correctly, you would like the

[2:29:15] application to proceed at the planning board. We'll maintain jurisdiction of

[2:29:19] what and how and the and and the soup to nuts on what the sidewalk's going to be

[2:29:24] based on your clear commitment as trustee Snen suggested and I mean the

[2:29:30] planning board is an autonomous board but I will speak to their council and

[2:29:34] tell them we wish to retain this jurisdiction and them having no open

[2:29:38] issues at planning I would think that they would be able to close it with a

[2:29:43] condition but I will have those discussions. appreciate that.

[2:29:46] » I'll put this on the record that, you know, the the board of trustees in the

[2:29:50] past has accommodated a request to decouple,

[2:29:55] » per se, a um covenant with a a CEO, >> right?

[2:30:00] » And we're still 18 months into the lack of starting of that project, right?

[2:30:05] » Completely different project. >> Understood.

[2:30:07] » But I just want to put that in your in your in your mind so that you're

[2:30:12] thinking about it and >> we have been.

[2:30:14] » Okay.

[2:30:17] Um, thank you. I appreciate it. Hope I didn't take too much of your time.

[2:30:21] » Could we put a time limit on it for the board of trustees to go to the site if

[2:30:25] necessary? Maybe add it to the next work session to come to a decision

[2:30:30] » so it doesn't just linger on our part. >> You guys tell me what I'm excited. I'm

[2:30:34] good. So you guys, if that's what you want to do, feel free.

[2:30:38] » I'd like to see I'd like to see the site.

[2:30:40] » Is that enough time is what I'm saying. Is that enough time for you? one month.

[2:30:44] Do it at the next work session. >> That's fine.

[2:30:46] » Well, tomorrow's the day. Tomorrow is the planning board meeting,

[2:30:49] » right? >> But the idea was to get it subject two

[2:30:51] and >> subject two and then tomorrow. Yeah.

[2:30:54] » We can decide. >> And then what we'll do is I'll bring my

[2:30:57] engineer out to walk with you. >> Sure.

[2:30:59] » Thanks. >> Every there you go.

[2:31:00] » Looking for every idea. >> Trusty, if I may, if I'm hearing you

[2:31:03] correctly, >> sometimes in this municipal process, you

[2:31:08] get your conditional approval and then you do a thousand other things and lose

[2:31:11] sight of the condition. Could you get the start? Um I I think what Trusty

[2:31:17] Stain is saying is we're going to keep you, Mr. Rosenberg, on a tight leash. We

[2:31:21] make our decisions. >> That's fine.

[2:31:23] » So, >> well, I'm I'm keeping ourselves on a

[2:31:25] tight leash. >> We go to the site, look at it, and at

[2:31:30] some point we have to say, okay, we want sidewalk, we want walkway, we want

[2:31:33] retaining wall trees, no whatever it might be, we have to come back, I think

[2:31:37] at a work session, discuss what we see, what we've discussed, and make a

[2:31:41] decision. Right. and finalize it. I don't want to hold

[2:31:45] you guys up anymore. >> I would love to work on my conditions,

[2:31:49] pay the fees, get going, and tie it up to cos,

[2:31:52] » right? >> We're not going anywhere. We really want

[2:31:54] to solve it, and I think >> I think we came up with a couple of

[2:31:58] decent alternatives, but >> as I said, you guys just direct us.

[2:32:02] » Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Have

[2:32:04] a good day. Thank you. Thank you, Rich.

[2:32:27] Okay. Do we have a motion to go into executive session? I've been waiting for

[2:32:30] this all night. Take three. >> I will make a motion

[2:32:34] » and then we'll come back and do reports and resolutions.

[2:32:39] We have votes to go apparently.

[2:32:44] » It is what it is. It's half a dozen of one and six of the other.

[2:32:48] » Well,

[2:32:51] » I vote no. >> I don't think we had a second.

[2:32:54] » Do we have a second? >> I'm sorry. We have have a motion. We

[2:32:58] have Trusty Dit's motion on the floor. Is there a second?

[2:33:01] » I'll second. There's discussion. >> There we go. Well, you beat me to it.

[2:33:06] » All right. I I'd rather finish the agenda and then go into exec at the end

[2:33:11] for the reasons stated earlier. >> I mean I I mean I know I made the

[2:33:15] motion, but I had advocated for that a few meetings

[2:33:20] ago. So >> the clerk said we're going to be voting

[2:33:24] executive session. So I I like I said, six of one for me, half a dozen of the

[2:33:29] other. And um I'd like to get I' I'd actually like to get the executive

[2:33:36] session over with so we can then go right through all the resolutions and

[2:33:41] reports.

[2:33:45] » I I'd like to just keep going and let's finish up what we have and then we'll go

[2:33:48] into executive session and come back. >> So we keep the technology folks late, we

[2:33:54] keep our attorney late, we'd keep our treasurer late, we keep everybody late.

[2:33:57] It doesn't have to be late. the same time.

[2:34:00] » No, we don't >> we wouldn't have we wouldn't have

[2:34:03] technology necessarily. If we >> we're going to have to come back.

[2:34:07] » If we go if we go to exact session, get all of our resolutions intact and come

[2:34:13] up and vote go and work through them all, then everybody leaves at the same

[2:34:17] time. >> No, I think our time is I don't I don't

[2:34:20] think that that's going to change. I think it's just Yeah, the time is the

[2:34:25] time. We're just changing the >> I'm looking out for the people, the

[2:34:29] public. That's all. I'm looking out for the public. I don't think they should

[2:34:32] have to sit through an hour of nothing >> where Let them see what they want to

[2:34:36] see. And if they want to then sit through our executive session, they can,

[2:34:40] but I don't think we should force them to in order for them to see the meat of

[2:34:43] our agenda. >> What would be the estimate of how long

[2:34:46] it would be exec for? Any idea?

[2:34:51] » That's the million-dollar question at the meeting, Bob. Yeah,

[2:34:54] » it depends on the discipline of the folks talking discussion. So,

[2:34:59] » attorney Moran doesn't have any additional topics.

[2:35:02] » I have two. In my opinion, it it could be 15

[2:35:07] minutes.

[2:35:12] » So, then but again, it makes sense just to do it at the end if it's 15 minutes

[2:35:16] no matter what the time is. >> But we're going to have you anticipate

[2:35:19] that we'll have resolutions when we come out of exec. two of them

[2:35:24] » potentially. >> Well, yes.

[2:35:27] » Trusty Senate might anticipate. Yes.

[2:35:33] » Well, there's a motion. Can we vote?

[2:35:38] » Just waiting for rain to come back.

[2:36:21] Okay. So, we had a motion by trustee Dit at 7:37 to enter into executive session.

[2:36:26] Seconded by Trustee Giuliano.

[2:36:33] All in favor? Roll call. Vote. Vote, please.

[2:36:39] Trusty Dit.

[2:36:43] » Oh, no. I'm gonna say I'm gonna say no. I think

[2:36:47] we should just proceed with the meeting at this point.

[2:36:50] » Trusty Jano. >> I

[2:36:53] » trusty Snen. >> No.

[2:36:57] » Trusty Franco. >> No.

[2:37:01] » That motion fails.

[2:37:11] Okay. So, clerk Pillo, do you want to go through your monthly report? Thank you,

[2:37:15] Mayor. Um, of importance are were excuse me, um,

[2:37:22] the first and foremost a very productive meeting with representatives of civil

[2:37:28] service between myself and the deputy mayor. I'm I'm sorry between myself and

[2:37:33] the deputy clerk and it was very important in terms of the

[2:37:40] ongoing proper classification of our employees, classifications of our

[2:37:46] employees which is an arduous but very important task and secondarily because

[2:37:52] once the work ends here at our meetings and we have hirings

[2:37:59] of seasonals the work begins for my deputy clerk. So, a lot of that is very

[2:38:06] time inensive. I spoke with representatives of civil service while

[2:38:11] we had them as a captive audience and asked what we could do to make that

[2:38:16] process a lot less time inensive and laborious. And so, we have a process for

[2:38:22] that in place. So, for that, I'm very thankful and that was very helpful. The

[2:38:27] ongoing work with categorization and classification continues. So, thank you

[2:38:33] to our representatives at civil service for that meeting. We have some upcoming

[2:38:38] events. Dragon boat festival on the 19th, the village cup regata on the 20th

[2:38:43] and the hill climb on the 26th. The next project that

[2:38:48] we are continue to work on is records management. In fact, today additional

[2:38:54] containers were delivered to the town of Brook Haven record storage facility and

[2:39:00] we have already others in place for the next time that we go and we also have a

[2:39:08] large number of records ready for shredding. So, we are working on a

[2:39:14] multi-prong process there. So, we're very happy about being able to do that.

[2:39:19] There's boxes going out of here like it's incredible to behold.

[2:39:26] » It's what a difference it this project is making to the to the

[2:39:34] operation of Village Hall and the aesthetic of Village Hall.

[2:39:37] » Thank you. So, and we're not done yet. So,

[2:39:40] » thank you for putting all that effort into it.

[2:39:42] » You're welcome. Thank you, mayor. We await the results of Kelly Riley's

[2:39:49] notary training class, which takes quite a bit of time, as much as possibly six

[2:39:54] weeks for unknown reasons. Terresa Scoggin, our IT consultant, and I will

[2:40:00] attend a presentation regarding AI and the business leaders guide to AI, which

[2:40:06] should be quite interesting. That's on the 29th of this month from 8:30 to

[2:40:10] 10:00 and that is at Tech Works Consulting in Ronanka with whom we have

[2:40:16] a business relationship. And with that, there are eight

[2:40:21] resolutions to be voted on this evening unless anyone has questions on my

[2:40:25] report.

[2:40:32] I'm just waiting for Trusty Franco.

[2:40:40] Do I have? No. Okay. >> Okay. Very good. Resolution number 19926

[2:40:46] is a resolution approving the attached proposal submitted by Lisa M. Rickmers

[2:40:50] on behalf of H2M architects and engineers for the provision of

[2:40:53] professional planning consulting services on an asneeded basis to support

[2:40:57] the building and planning departments with the associated cost to be paid by

[2:41:01] the respective applicant via the establishment of an escrow account. May

[2:41:05] I have a motion?

[2:41:11] » Motion.

[2:41:14] » Do we have a second? >> Second.

[2:41:16] » All in favor? >> I

[2:41:17] » I. >> Motion carries. I think any opposed?

[2:41:21] » I No. >> I

[2:41:23] » I >> Okay. Resolution number 29926 is a

[2:41:29] resolution adopting the attached Suffach County 2026 hazard mitigation plan

[2:41:33] resolution. May I have a motion?

[2:41:36] » Motion. >> Second.

[2:41:39] » All in favor? I >> I

[2:41:42] » resolution number 39926 resolution ratifying the hiring of Andrew Martin as

[2:41:47] a part-time seasonal recreation aid at the Port Jefferson Country Club and an

[2:41:51] hourly wage rate of $17 per hour effective August 27th, 2026. We have a

[2:41:56] motion. >> Motion

[2:41:58] » second >> discussion.

[2:42:01] Um I like to table these um hiring uh resolutions. Uh I tried to meet with the

[2:42:09] uh treasurer and there was a conflict um where uh the mayor put us into a quorum.

[2:42:16] So um and we never had an opportunity to sit down with the treasurer and go over

[2:42:20] some budgetary concerns. So um I'd like to table this um until we have an

[2:42:26] opportunity to sit down with the treasurer and go over uh some concerns

[2:42:29] that we have with the budget.

[2:42:34] » Make your motion. >> Is there a motion to table? Well, the

[2:42:38] discussion >> Andrew is working there already because

[2:42:41] Jake needed him. >> I wanted $17 an hour minimum wage.

[2:42:45] » Is it in the budget, Stephen? >> That's what I was going to ask.

[2:42:50] » Sir, >> it's ratification.

[2:42:52] » There's seasonal workers in part-time labor for the country club and pro shop.

[2:42:56] Yes. >> Are they currently working, Stephen?

[2:43:00] to my knowledge that I this is a ratification resolution, so I'm assuming

[2:43:05] that that's because the person is already working.

[2:43:07] » All right. >> I was just curious about um have we ever

[2:43:12] had a recreation aid at the country before?

[2:43:15] » All of the people who work outside that's a classification called they're

[2:43:20] called recreation a civil service. Okay. I wasn't sure. I just

[2:43:23] » Those are the civil service titles. Back to our civil service conversation. Yeah.

[2:43:30] Andrew is a finance major at Stonyie Brook University. His first day was

[2:43:35] earlier this week. I can only assume that Jake needed his assistance outside

[2:43:42] because of all the college kids and other staff that that go back to their

[2:43:46] regular lives at the end of August. So, um

[2:43:53] » $17 an hour. I mean just good, right? Yeah. Yeah, we can.

[2:44:00] » That's it. >> Vote on it.

[2:44:03] » All in favor? >> I

[2:44:05] » I I >> No.

[2:44:09] » Motion carries.

[2:44:14] » Resolution number 49926, resolution hiring Amelio Romero as a seasonal labor

[2:44:19] in the parks department and an hourly wage rate of $18 per hour. effective

[2:44:24] September 10th, 2026. May I have a motion?

[2:44:27] » Motion. >> Second discussion. Um, when you say

[2:44:30] seasonal, what would this position, how what would that take us to?

[2:44:36] » Seasonal for >> Seasonal is the number of hours that a

[2:44:38] person could work over the course of uh the year. Correct, Stephen?

[2:44:46] » There's a limit to the number of hours. I think it's 1,535

[2:44:50] or something like that. >> That is that is accurate. uh to the

[2:44:54] terms of of giving any types of benefits or or qualifying for part-time. But uh

[2:44:59] also this this is in the budget. It was budgeted for two part-time seasonal

[2:45:03] parks laborers for uh $8,000 a piece. >> Okay.

[2:45:08] » Total budgets for each of them. >> Okay. Thank you. All in favor?

[2:45:13] » I I >> no

[2:45:16] » opposed. Oh, >> yep.

[2:45:18] » Sorry.

[2:45:22] Resolution number 59926. Resolution hiring Felix Ramone Dialian

[2:45:28] as a full-time laborer in the highway department. An annual salary of $45,3942

[2:45:34] effective September 16th, 2026. All the provisions of the collective bargaining

[2:45:39] agreement currently in force between the village of Port Jefferson and the CSEA

[2:45:43] local 1000 apply to this hiring as does the standard 26 week civil service

[2:45:48] probationary period. May I have a motion? motion.

[2:45:51] » Second discussion. >> I have the same objection. I, you know,

[2:45:55] we had an opportunity. We wanted to have an opportunity to sit down with the

[2:45:57] treasurer and go over budgets. The mayor refused to leave this meeting putting us

[2:46:03] into a situation for the quorum that we actually had to get a corrective letter

[2:46:07] from attorney Moran. Um, so, uh, my position is still the same. Until I have

[2:46:12] an opportunity to sit down with the treasurer and go over DPW's budget and

[2:46:17] our overall spending and hiring, um, I don't feel comfortable voting on this. I

[2:46:22] think my opinion is we should table this until we are able to have that meeting

[2:46:27] and go over uh, where we are currently with the budget.

[2:46:31] » So, >> on this one, I agree. I I too did not

[2:46:34] have the ability to uh, have that meeting. um the mayor did not allow us

[2:46:40] that information and didn't allow us to have the meeting with the treasurer. So,

[2:46:44] that's a big number um relatively speaking. And uh on top of that, this is

[2:46:49] a full-time labor. So, that now includes um a a um benefits package right for

[2:46:56] this employee. Do you have that amount offhand what that would what the

[2:47:01] benefits package on top of the 45,000 would be? I I don't have that number in

[2:47:06] front of me for what this particular would cost at the hiring date. I do know

[2:47:10] this is I believe my this is the replacement for the previous

[2:47:13] resignation. I was going to ask that question.

[2:47:15] » I was just going to ask that question. >> So this is the full the full amount is

[2:47:19] in the budget. Obviously the they're not being paid the full 459 for the rest of

[2:47:24] the year because that's a year salary. So you just go from you know you're

[2:47:27] losing three months off of that. So it will cost less than that for the rest of

[2:47:30] the year through May 31st. and it's the health insurance uh everything is

[2:47:35] already in the budget. >> Again, my uh my objection is not that

[2:47:40] the potential of this gentleman to hire him is that the opportunity was not

[2:47:43] afforded us to go over the budget to go over DPW's budget, see what they're do,

[2:47:48] see what's going on, where we are in the calendar in the fiscal year right now.

[2:47:52] So, until um we have an opportunity to do that, uh I would be a no on this or

[2:47:57] table it until we have that opportunity and let's bring this back up.

[2:48:03] Thank you. Motion. >> Motion to table.

[2:48:06] » Second. >> Roll call in the motion.

[2:48:12] » Trusty Dit. >> Motion to table. Is that what you're

[2:48:16] saying? Uh, no. >> Trusty Guliano.

[2:48:20] » No. >> Trusty Snen.

[2:48:23] » Yes. >> Trusty Franco.

[2:48:26] » Yes. >> Mayor Shepro, how do you vote?

[2:48:29] » No.

[2:48:33] The motion to table fails.

[2:48:38] » Do we go back to an already a motioned resolution?

[2:48:41] » Yes. >> All in favor table. Do we do a roll call

[2:48:44] vote on this too? Just >> Okay.

[2:48:46] » Yeah. >> Trusty Dit.

[2:48:50] » Yes. >> Trusty Giuliano.

[2:48:52] » I. >> Trusty Snan.

[2:48:55] » No. >> Trusty Franco.

[2:48:57] » No. Mayor, how do you vote? >> Yes.

[2:49:00] » Thank you. That motion passes.

[2:49:06] » Resolution number 6926. Resolution accepting the resignation of senior

[2:49:10] office assistant Michelle Keenan effective September 9th, 2026. May I

[2:49:15] have a motion? >> Motion.

[2:49:18] » Second. Discussion. >> Discussion.

[2:49:19] » I would like to add with regret. >> With regret. Absolutely.

[2:49:22] » And I've worked with Michelle for many years. Um, she's been a great employee.

[2:49:27] She will sorely be missed. I want to thank her publicly for all of her hard

[2:49:31] work and dedication. Um, and we will definitely miss her here.

[2:49:35] » I echo that. I I hired Michelle uh she was originally my my assistant um as the

[2:49:41] clerk um administrator and then she moved over to the DPW. So, I echo

[2:49:47] everything that you said. She'll be deeply missed and with regret.

[2:49:51] » I agree. and I taught her daughter when she was in first grade.

[2:49:56] » They infiltrate everything. >> I know. We really do.

[2:49:58] » Listen, I I I wish her the best of everything in her new position. Uh it's

[2:50:03] it's it's a it's an increase in her her annual wage and giving her greater

[2:50:09] opportunity. So, I wish her the best of luck and congratulations.

[2:50:14] All in favor? >> I I

[2:50:16] » I. Resolution number 79926,

[2:50:21] resolution approving the event application submitted by Danielle

[2:50:24] Lovevet on behalf of the Port Jefferson Soccer Booster Club for the use of the

[2:50:28] parking lot behind Village Hall and access to the village outdoor water

[2:50:33] facilities from 1:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m. on September 26th, 2026

[2:50:39] 2026, excuse me, for community car wash fundraiser and approving a waiver of the

[2:50:44] requisite $50 application fee. We have a motion.

[2:50:48] Motion >> second.

[2:50:51] » All in favor? >> I

[2:50:53] » I >> resolution number 89926

[2:50:56] resolution approving the purchase of a Pomemeroy historical marker for Strong

[2:51:00] Homestead Park to be funded by a grant received from the Pomeroy Foundation and

[2:51:05] authorizing Treasurer Gaffa to perform attached budget amendment number 137 as

[2:51:10] follows. Increase revenue line item A 3089 state aid other by $2,100

[2:51:17] and increase expense line item A 7110.2 parks equipment by $2,100. May I have a

[2:51:24] motion? >> Motion.

[2:51:25] » Second. >> All in favor?

[2:51:27] » I >> I

[2:51:29] » Okay,

[2:51:33] mayor and board. concludes my report.

[2:51:55] I touched your hand. So, there are there are a few um

[2:52:02] volunteer appointments for discussion that um I'd like to bring to everyone's

[2:52:08] attention. It's sort of attached to the clerk's report, but not as her report. I

[2:52:13] asked her to put these in here because we have some folks who have uh raised

[2:52:17] their hand to volunteer and I wanted to see if um you know there were any uh if

[2:52:25] there was any feedback or um questions about some of the people and

[2:52:31] their backgrounds as they have submitted them through the um

[2:52:39] make a difference portal.

[2:52:47] So Matt Tyler is uh put in his interest for

[2:52:53] taking on the alternate position on the planning board understanding that there

[2:52:56] are seven members on the planning board now. So the opportunity for him to weigh

[2:53:00] in as a true um with at a seat with a seat at the table is understood. Um, but

[2:53:06] I think he's interested in in serving his uh

[2:53:13] he was actually recommended by Allison Le Point who was um special attorney and

[2:53:19] director of building and planning for a while working with the planning board.

[2:53:22] So he's a ci he's a civil um engineer

[2:53:28] and uh this is I believe he's pretty pretty well qualified for um serving in

[2:53:35] this role as even just a a a novice and but he also

[2:53:43] works in this capacity from the other side of the table. And then we have John

[2:53:48] Wagner from um uh for the CCMAC who is a financial

[2:53:56] um and and um cor does corporate tax

[2:54:01] returns and closings. Um he would bring a financial aspect to the CCMAC that we

[2:54:08] don't exactly have right now. So that would be a great um addition. He's a

[2:54:13] village resident and he also is u an avid golfer, very competitive.

[2:54:22] And then for the board of ethics, we have an expression of interest from uh

[2:54:27] Brianna Russell, who has over 18 years of experience with the NYPD.

[2:54:33] Extensive inspir experience in law enforcement investigations and

[2:54:36] leadership. has served 10 years in supervisory roles and more than a decade

[2:54:40] conducting investigations, including three years with the NYPD Internal

[2:54:44] Affairs Bureau and two years of experience overseeing confidential

[2:54:47] investigations. She's got a master of science and urban

[2:54:50] policy and leadership from Hunter College and recognized for her

[2:54:53] leadership, discretion, and commitment to integrity and uh participated in the

[2:54:58] NYPD IAB steering committee. So, I wanted to put those out for this work

[2:55:04] session because I wanted to give the board an opportunity to if they were

[2:55:08] interested in speaking with these folks to see how they how they felt about

[2:55:12] them. >> I think was there one more also? Is

[2:55:14] there we had the resume from Bruce. >> Oh, Bruce. Yes. Sorry. For the budget

[2:55:18] and finance uh committee. He's not on this for

[2:55:22] » I don't know why, but thank you Randy for bringing that up. Um

[2:55:26] where is that resume? There he is. Okay. Yeah. So, um, Bruce sat in. Actually, he

[2:55:32] put his interest in a couple of months ago and he finally had an opportunity to

[2:55:36] sit in on the last, uh, meeting. I think Trusty Franco, you were there. You had

[2:55:40] an opportunity to meet him. Um, and, um, he's extremely interested in serving on

[2:55:48] on budget and finance to step in for the position that was made um, available

[2:55:54] with the resignation of Ununis Marado. So, um, and then also we have, uh, on

[2:56:01] the agenda, uh, reappointment of, uh, Jim Burke to the CCMAC as the non

[2:56:09] member resident who brings his, um, municipal

[2:56:14] um, and, um, his municipal law experience to bear on that um, council.

[2:56:23] and it's it's been significantly helpful over the past three years since he's

[2:56:27] been doing it. So,

[2:56:37] any thoughts about that?

[2:56:53] Um, I'll ask any thoughts about that? The answers are either yes, no, or hey,

[2:56:58] let's talk about our thoughts. >> I don't

[2:57:00] » No thoughts. >> No thoughts.

[2:57:04] » I'm I'm not familiar with anybody. I I do know Bruce just cuz he uh is my

[2:57:09] neighbor and I've spoken to him. I've never discussed this with him.

[2:57:13] » I saw this and said, "Oh, wait. I know that guy." Um, and just having met him

[2:57:19] briefly, I think he's would be a good candidate.

[2:57:22] » Okay. >> Trusty Dick, can I just ask He lives

[2:57:24] near you, right? >> Yeah.

[2:57:26] » He's not a travel buddy. >> No,

[2:57:28] » I just wanted to make sure. >> No, met him.

[2:57:30] » Confirm that. >> Met him just briefly.

[2:57:32] » It's a It's a It's a metric that we have to look into to make sure that

[2:57:36] » we don't have travel buddies. >> Just briefly. Just briefly.

[2:57:39] » Golf buddies. >> Golf buddies different. Travel buddies.

[2:57:46] All right. Um, just want to give a couple of updates, keep my report

[2:57:52] extremely brief, and I'll chime in if there's a need be as everyone else gives

[2:57:57] their reports. I just wanted to share some good news um unofficially because

[2:58:02] these two granting um agencies will be announcing these things on their own in

[2:58:08] due time. But we did receive notification um in actually at the

[2:58:15] actual meeting of the uh Suffach County um water planning

[2:58:21] um uh commission and we were awarded two $200,000 for the cleanout of the uh west

[2:58:31] side of Mil Creek from west of Barnum. So that was really great to hear. It's a

[2:58:37] matching grant. Great. All of our all of our matching dollars will be in kind

[2:58:42] services engineering. Some of the some of the engineering that's already been

[2:58:46] done through the uh the flood mitigation study and plan. It's the the FEMA grant

[2:58:52] that we concluded with LKMA and also the Department of State grant

[2:58:58] that was concluded to an extent um on the climate resil resiliency and plan by

[2:59:06] um Campanian Schwarting. So, and then the second piece of news is

[2:59:11] that the Long Island Sound Partnership has agreed um and awarded a contract to

[2:59:18] LKMA um for water reuse and uh study and plan for water reuse off of Old

[2:59:28] Homestead Road into the that would that goes into that Oakwood Road recharge

[2:59:34] basin. So, the redirect redirection of that water from Old Homestead Road

[2:59:41] possibly onto the golf course and how that water would be treated and utilized

[2:59:47] going forward. It's a study and a plan and um it's about an 11-month project

[2:59:56] and um I called uh Assemblywoman Cass pretty much immediately to thank her for

[3:00:03] that brainstorm the vision. Stan LS also had

[3:00:08] that brainstorm and vision and now with the assistance of the Long Island Sound

[3:00:13] Partnership um Crant and Cornell cooperative we will

[3:00:17] be able to take a look at that and see if it's actually feasible. So it's um

[3:00:23] about $85,000 of just engineering and planning. So I

[3:00:28] thought that was good news to share. >> Good. Excellent. And then I just also

[3:00:32] want to announce and we've all we've tal we talked about this as a board last

[3:00:37] meeting that um that George Wallace of the Frigot Steam Room has dedicated

[3:00:43] donated the eagle from the memorial that was residing there at the corner of the

[3:00:49] Frigot um for 24 years since 2002. and he agreed to donate it to the

[3:00:58] village and with help from people sitting at this table and also

[3:01:05] public works. Uh we were able to really um not build the memorial yet, but

[3:01:12] actually um coordinate and collaborate with um another organization that holds

[3:01:18] their annual Harbor Front their annual 911 memorial on um September 11th from

[3:01:25] 6:00 to 8 in Harbor Front Park. So, um we we joined up with them and the public

[3:01:33] works team actually built a portable um device that

[3:01:42] will be the um platform for a temporary uh

[3:01:49] monument um that can be moved into different areas. So we'll move we'll

[3:01:55] have this particular um on this day on on de on September

[3:02:01] 11th we will have the monument down by the pergola and the pier um not on a

[3:02:07] permanent basis obviously but on a temporary basis so um we can actually

[3:02:13] acknowledge the dedication the the donation and dedicate it and we've

[3:02:19] invited the entire community to come and join us.

[3:02:23] So, please invite all your friends, neighbors, relatives, anyone that you

[3:02:28] know that has had some sort of experience or is a survivor or knows

[3:02:34] someone who um you know did not make it uh on 911. So, and we'll if you all want

[3:02:42] to say a few words at that ceremony, you'd certainly be welcome to do so.

[3:02:46] Obviously, you're all invited. I think the the the sons and daughters of um of

[3:02:52] Italy have invited all the elected officials

[3:02:57] in our region. So if if they're coming, they're coming as a result of that

[3:03:02] invitation that's been out for a very long time. So it's on a lot of people's

[3:03:06] calendars. I also invited folks from the fire department to attend.

[3:03:11] And um again, anyone else especially who've been who's been

[3:03:16] impacted in the village of Port Jefferson with um with this and dealing

[3:03:20] with it for the past 25 years. So if there's any questions about that, I'd be

[3:03:25] happy. >> Mayor, just a quick question. That was

[3:03:27] Mr. Wallace that uh donated that. >> Correct.

[3:03:29] » I just want to say thank you. That was really a very thoughtful and considerate

[3:03:32] thing for him to do. >> Agree.

[3:03:34] » It's really nice. >> Agree.

[3:03:37] Okay. So that's my report. Um, who wants to start?

[3:03:44] » I guess I am. Um, all right. I was uh able to attend the uh PTSD event that

[3:03:51] took place on the harbor. Um, again, uh I'm going to use my uh my co word

[3:03:57] amazing event. Um this year they had like a big tailwind and they were able

[3:04:02] to they got to um where the ferry cuts through the the um the inlet. Thank you,

[3:04:09] ma'am. Um, so quick that we had to run out supplies. So, it was fun, you know,

[3:04:14] and I met them last year and we had just such nice conversations and, you know,

[3:04:18] when you listen to the stories and you hear the um, you know, this pain, you

[3:04:23] just it's it's it's a wonderful event. So, I'd like to put a motion forward um

[3:04:28] if you guys would be so kind um to recognize Alex Roman and Frank Lombardi

[3:04:36] uh for their outstanding efforts to raise awareness of uh PTSD among

[3:04:40] veterans and their dedication to our our veterans and community. Uh and maybe we

[3:04:47] can present the certificate of recognition at uh the board meeting if

[3:04:50] uh everybody's in agreement with that. Totally. They've done such hard work.

[3:04:54] So, uh, I have a motion to, uh, to let's put a signific a village certificate of

[3:05:00] recognition for those two gentlemen. >> I'll second

[3:05:04] vote. >> All in favor?

[3:05:05] » I I >> Thank you so much. That

[3:05:09] » was an easy one. >> Yeah.

[3:05:10] » Um, I the parking committee uh hasn't met. Um, but I did uh reach out to the

[3:05:17] committee and that we have a meeting date on the 21st of uh September. I'd

[3:05:22] like to uh as I start just just discuss a little bit about parking. Uh thank Mr.

[3:05:27] Luciano for coming in at our last work session and discussing his alternative

[3:05:32] plan to parking fee schedule though it was going to put you know a 560 to

[3:05:37] $800,000 hole in the budget. You know we we have to think outside the box

[3:05:41] sometimes. >> Exactly. He thought outside the box.

[3:05:43] » Yeah. There's and that's and it's not a negative thing. It's we we as a board

[3:05:47] and a community need to continue to keep thinking outside the box. Well, I think

[3:05:50] it's something to explore in the future, too. I mean, not maybe not necessarily

[3:05:54] for this budget, but >> no doubt. So, we're um I did email the

[3:05:58] board. Uh Mr. Luciano sent me a um >> I got it over here some someplace. Um

[3:06:07] they met and they put together um basically like a mission statement for

[3:06:13] the uh parking committee. So, I submitted it to the board so everybody

[3:06:16] can review that. >> Oh, without context. What was that? So

[3:06:19] you you submitted it but but it didn't have you just sent a co a copy. What was

[3:06:24] what was your thought about it? >> So what happened was I I had reached out

[3:06:28] to say uh when's the next meeting and they he said that they met with the bid

[3:06:32] and they decided that they're going to continue with the parking committee and

[3:06:38] um he said this is um he sent this over. >> I was reviewing it and I said let me

[3:06:43] send it to the board so if anybody has any questions about it they can look

[3:06:46] into it. And uh other than that, it was just a generic uh structure on how they

[3:06:52] want to run the parking committee. >> What did you think about it?

[3:06:55] » I didn't give it. I only received it earlier today. Did not have an

[3:06:58] opportunity to give it a wholesome look, but I will and I'll have I'll send uh

[3:07:02] information on it. Did you get the chance to review it, Mayor?

[3:07:04] » Yeah, sure. >> What do you think?

[3:07:06] » I think it's >> Can I ask a question?

[3:07:08] » Great. >> Who did this come from?

[3:07:11] » James Luciano. >> I remember James Luciano. I also

[3:07:13] remember him being at the last meeting and I forget which board member

[3:07:16] questioning whether or not he was even on the board.

[3:07:18] » Yeah, that's a it's a fair question. >> Want to make sure that comes from the

[3:07:22] board and not James Luc. >> He did give us a letter of resignation.

[3:07:25] So, we accepted his resignation. Um, but I think part of why I sent it out to the

[3:07:30] board is the way that it seems like it's

[3:07:34] structured and again I just took a quick look at it is that they make all the

[3:07:37] decisions themselves on what they want to do and like kind of not including the

[3:07:41] board and who's going to be added to that committee and who's not. So I want

[3:07:45] to really take a wholesome look at it and then once we get a look at it we can

[3:07:48] make a decision. But yes, from what I understand James is back on the

[3:07:52] committee and he is I from what I understand I could be wrong. I don't

[3:07:56] want to might be the president or chairperson of the committee. So again,

[3:08:00] um I don't you know I let me get let me look into it a little further before we

[3:08:04] get uh we get any further into the weeds on this one. So just to get back to um

[3:08:08] parking um I I was able to uh look into some of the data. We've had some really

[3:08:14] nice success this year. Um in 2025 for June, July, and August we had 70,849

[3:08:22] meter transactions. this uh I hope I'm saying that correctly, Stephen. Tell me

[3:08:26] if correct me if I'm wrong. Uh but this year we've had 80,000 15. That's an

[3:08:31] increase of 9,000 uh 116 transactions, which is really nice. An interesting

[3:08:37] statistic is that um in September, we've already had an additional 2,300

[3:08:44] transactions at the meter. We're we're well on pace to pass last year's uh

[3:08:50] transactions and visits to the community. I think um the $2 an hour

[3:08:54] we've we might have hit a sweet spot there where we uh where you know it's

[3:08:59] not affecting the budget significantly and I don't think it's affecting the

[3:09:02] community. So, um I think we've made some uh some progress. I think

[3:09:06] hopefully, knock on wood, uh we keep having some success and I think we might

[3:09:10] have hit a sweet spot on that. Um also, Stephen, you were kind enough to send me

[3:09:14] that sign, the the version of the sign. You emailed it to me um on the 21st.

[3:09:18] I'll I'll bring it up. I'll present it to the uh the parking committee if you

[3:09:23] haven't not forwarded the template already. And um we also uh Trusty Snen

[3:09:29] and I met with the uh president of the bid uh Mr. GTO to discuss Upper Port

[3:09:34] Jefferson and and projects that are going on up there and parking situations

[3:09:38] that are going to arise. So, you know, I'd like to bring that to the uh parking

[3:09:42] committee to see what their ideas are and, you know, start at least get a jump

[3:09:46] on uh Upper Port Jefferson to kind of figure out where we are with parking.

[3:09:50] So, that's uh that's the parking. >> Um

[3:09:54] » while we're on the subject of parking, can I just add something?

[3:09:56] » You may. Since we're talking about parking, um I've just heard from a few

[3:10:00] um business owners that they're concerned about the winter because in

[3:10:05] the past metered parking has been suspended and the current plan is for

[3:10:12] the meters to stay turned on. So I don't know if

[3:10:15] » I would love to be able to turn them off. Um with the numbers like these in

[3:10:19] the on season, I think like Trusty Franco said, we hit a sweet spot with

[3:10:23] that number for now. But one of the things I really wanted to address with

[3:10:28] uh our treasurer Gaffka at this meeting that I was stopped from having was to go

[3:10:33] over those numbers looking ahead and see if there is any room wherever that we

[3:10:37] could find some some wiggle space to consider that.

[3:10:40] » I would like to consider to meet with the treasur

[3:10:44] » and again you know we have to say because I mean the the original plan was

[3:10:48] to um >> bring it to a$150 which was going to put

[3:10:52] a $300,000 hole in our budget. So that's something that as Trusty Sniden said, we

[3:10:57] kind of wanted to figure out where we are

[3:11:00] » and see where we can go forward with that. But again, thank you so much.

[3:11:03] It'll be something that we discuss with Stephen when we have our meeting.

[3:11:06] » Yeah, I think that's important. >> I think when we get a couple more months

[3:11:10] under our belt to see if this trend continues, then we can make a better

[3:11:14] decision. >> And I think data, listen, this data lets

[3:11:17] us get to a delta, right? So when we when we have that, you know, we'll be

[3:11:21] able to, you know, be able to figure out where we are. or Steven most will be

[3:11:25] able to figure out where we are budgetarily and if we make some

[3:11:28] adjustments again how does that affect us budgetarily but we have to be careful

[3:11:32] not to put you know a massive hole in our budget this year and next year so

[3:11:36] again we let's speak to Stephen when we have an opportunity uh next week and I

[3:11:42] apologize the week after and we'll um we'll see where we are

[3:11:46] » trusty Franco if I may um in your conversations with the parking committee

[3:11:50] and for the board as a whole we have to fix the signage. We We are losing a ton

[3:11:56] of revenue um from people correctly pointing out

[3:12:02] that we're we're not adequately adver advertising the where and how parking is

[3:12:09] paid for. There's still signs out there that say a different price.

[3:12:15] » I can't answer why. I just know that I I see the complaints that come in.

[3:12:19] » No. Why are the signs still incorrect? I I again I if I could just finish my sent

[3:12:24] sentence and then the board could deliberate. Um I see the parking ticket

[3:12:29] disputes and the primary dispute is always I didn't know there was no sign.

[3:12:36] I didn't know that sign was meant for me, you know.

[3:12:40] » Okay, >> there's still people trying to put in

[3:12:43] numbers of parking spots because the numbers are still on the street um

[3:12:47] instead of their license plate. So there's there's a lot that we could do

[3:12:52] inhouse also to help generate and continue the upswing in revenue based on

[3:12:58] um people paying for parking. >> Dave, thank you so much. Anything that

[3:13:02] you're seeing, Dave, if you could just shoot me a quick email um things you

[3:13:07] want me to bring up and discuss with them as far as that, that'd be

[3:13:09] fantastic. I appreciate it. >> My question is why do we need the

[3:13:11] parking committee to create a sign? In the past, when the board of trustees

[3:13:16] would vote on a parking rate, a time period, meters on, meters off, that

[3:13:21] would directly go the next day to DPW who would then make whatever necessary

[3:13:26] changes on the signs and then they'd go up.

[3:13:28] » I bring it up for two reasons. One, I also said for the board's iteration and

[3:13:32] the parking committee. So, the parking committee, I'm sure, are also hearing

[3:13:35] from their constituents or their their customers.

[3:13:39] » Hey, I I wanted to pay for parking. Where do I pay for parking sites? They

[3:13:42] might have some suggestions. Maybe you can go through it with them as as as I

[3:13:46] know I think I heard at one of these meetings some type of

[3:13:50] » um you know either validation of parking or at least an expression of you know

[3:13:55] work in conjunction with the business owners to make sure that people know

[3:13:59] they have to park. It'll save them money in the long run and continue to promote

[3:14:02] the the the business district along with and I agree with you trusty state and

[3:14:06] because that's why I was kind of twofold the discussion should be had with them

[3:14:10] because they do offer valuable suggestions to this board from the

[3:14:14] committee because we've heard some um but again it's an it's not the first

[3:14:19] time I've said this at meetings like this where the signage is an issue. Um

[3:14:23] so I think we need to attack it on all fronts.

[3:14:25] » Uh Dave Attorney you are correct. We've discussed this at meetings and I think

[3:14:29] the problem was it was the fluctuation in what the dollar amounts we were going

[3:14:34] to use. It was going to be $150. It was going to be $2. It was going to be $3

[3:14:38] the same. So, you're right, Stephen. Um, where are we? Oh, you lost your

[3:14:41] microphone. Where are we with the signs at the

[3:14:46] current rate of $2 from 12 to 12?

[3:14:50] » So, none of the parking meter signs, the blue ones that are out there, have the

[3:14:55] rate on them. they have the QR code and then when they get brought to Honk or if

[3:14:59] they go to a meter uh they see it on the meter itself or through Honk.

[3:15:04] » So Dave, what are the complaints if the sign doesn't have an incorrect rate?

[3:15:08] They don't know that they have to feed the meter. What's what's the over I mean

[3:15:12] I'm sure you get lots of different ones, but

[3:15:14] » there's literally hundreds um ranging ranging and I do have pictures of some

[3:15:21] that I've reviewed that the the the dollar amount was incorrect. the timing

[3:15:25] was incorrect, the season was incorrect. >> Well, that's Yeah, if I can just jump

[3:15:28] in. That's what I'm what I'm referring to. If the season's correct, if the days

[3:15:32] are incorrect, um, and the amounts are incorrect, to me, that's a quick fix. We

[3:15:37] have a sign making machine, make the new signs, change them out. If there's

[3:15:42] additional signs that need to happen that, you know, that the parking

[3:15:45] committee wants to see that helps give them direction or how to pay or

[3:15:49] whatever. But if there's a sign out there that says it's $3 an hour when

[3:15:52] it's really two, can't we just do a make a sign and put it up? That's what we

[3:15:56] used to do in the past. I >> put based on what you're seeing. Um

[3:16:00] what's the modification we need to make to the sign that Stephen just No, I

[3:16:05] know. >> And that's the modification. I I I don't

[3:16:07] live in a village. I I don't I don't hear what goes on. I I only see what's

[3:16:11] on paper. And consistently the complaint is inadequate signing about h how, when,

[3:16:17] and where people should pay for parking. Res identifying residential lots from

[3:16:21] non-residential lots. It's across the board a I don't want to call it a

[3:16:26] failure, but an inconsistency in adequate signage, period. I mean, I

[3:16:30] don't know how else to say it. >> I know. I got you. It's more than just

[3:16:33] $3 versus $2. >> So, this is actually a good a a good um

[3:16:38] » something to address with with the parking committee because, as you said,

[3:16:41] Yeah. No, you're right on target with I got it. Um, so I'll bring that up to

[3:16:45] them. If you could just shoot me uh whatever little suggestions you have,

[3:16:48] uh, that would be fantastic. Thank you. I know some people too that have had

[3:16:52] some confusion on um oh gosh now I can't even think of what this the side street

[3:16:58] where um Castaways is because it's marked 2-hour parking and I think people

[3:17:03] see the 2-hour parking and think that it's a free 2hour parking spot and don't

[3:17:09] realize that >> Mil Creek is

[3:17:13] » free two hours >> because then So if they park longer than

[3:17:17] 2 hours >> so to tack on to that. Oh, so I guess

[3:17:20] they they could No, because there there's a a pay pay sign there. So

[3:17:25] there's a pay sign right in the middle of the street. I'm pretty sure

[3:17:30] » used to be >> and we It's definitely gone. Okay. Cuz I

[3:17:34] remember >> there used to be one by the brewery

[3:17:37] between that was to my knowledge was all taken down.

[3:17:40] » All right. >> I know it's muscle memory.

[3:17:43] » Yeah. But the lasted >> going back probably maybe a year now

[3:17:47] from the parking committee they decided that milk they were going to

[3:17:52] » keep Mil Creek as a road. So that would be as you would on any street no to

[3:17:59] promote turnover. Right. >> Okay. Thank you.

[3:18:02] » Okay. Any more parking? >> Did you want to add something?

[3:18:06] » I could just I could answer one of the qu to attorney Moran's point. There are

[3:18:10] the new signs are made out of like a uh it's like a cora material and they used

[3:18:16] some of the really old signs that are made out of hard like hard plastic and

[3:18:20] metal to use as a base to apply the the new signs on top of it

[3:18:26] » yeah with Velcro. Some people go around and

[3:18:29] » rip them off >> and they rip it off and then if we don't

[3:18:32] catch it in time then it become that becomes the issue. So once we get

[3:18:35] notified, parks gets notified, they go right out and try and put a new sign on

[3:18:40] um as soon as possible. Or if they can't, they don't have an additional

[3:18:43] sign, they'll just take that old one off.

[3:18:44] » And we order those out. We don't we don't make those ourselves

[3:18:48] » because there's too many. We ordered 90 to 120 at a clip depending on what it

[3:18:52] is. And that's that's too >> it's a lot cheaper than metal signs for

[3:18:56] them to make. And the the ink at the sign making machine is quite expensive.

[3:19:00] So that would blow through quite a bit and hurt their budget. Maybe we don't

[3:19:04] use Velcro. Maybe we can >> I defer to I defer to the parks and

[3:19:09] highway department. >> I'm going to I'll bring that up also uh

[3:19:12] at the at the meeting on the 21st um to kind of see if we can problem solve out

[3:19:16] what would be a better way to secure the that signage so we don't have that

[3:19:20] problem. All right. Any more parking? Okay. Let's move on to the school

[3:19:25] district. Um the school district working group had had the summer off. We're

[3:19:29] going to get started um uh this uh in two weeks. Um but I I'd like to address

[3:19:35] the um uh and I think it was a travesty by section 11 what they did to the uh

[3:19:42] football players and the stu these student athletes at the school. I think

[3:19:45] that was terrible. Um and I do like I would like to say I know

[3:19:50] mayor you sent an individual letter to section 11.

[3:19:54] You >> I had a communication with the section

[3:19:56] 11 the head of section 11. Yeah. I'd like to thank Trusty Dit and uh Juliano

[3:20:00] and Snen for joining the letter that we submitted to section 11 in support of

[3:20:05] the school district. Um mayor, you also said you received a communication that

[3:20:09] you were going to forward to us. Uh I don't know if it was an oversight. We

[3:20:12] never received that. So if you have an opportunity, that would be great. Um and

[3:20:16] then welcome back to all of the uh Oh, I apologize. The school district is

[3:20:20] currently appealing that decision. >> Yeah. uh they lost the appeal and now

[3:20:24] they are um in the process of researching uh different avenues to uh

[3:20:31] address the issue with section 11. Um moving on uh want to welcome back all

[3:20:37] the the uh kids and students back to school. Um, I I was able to take a

[3:20:42] facilities tour with uh Trustee Dit and they've done uh so much stuff at the

[3:20:48] school um repairs to buildings, air conditioning units. Um too much to list,

[3:20:54] but they've done a nice job getting the school ready for this upcoming school

[3:20:58] year. So, uh kudos to um all the employees at the school district and the

[3:21:03] board and the superintendent administration. They've done a nice job.

[3:21:06] Um, I'd like to uh recognize I hope I pronounce her name correctly, Siana Sar.

[3:21:14] She uh had this wonderful art project that became part of the school calendar.

[3:21:18] It was really very very neat. I was at the board meeting last night. It was

[3:21:22] just it was sweet to see. And uh also I'd like to acknowledge um Julia Gomez.

[3:21:28] Uh she is now the board of uh education uh student rep. Uh wonderful resume. Uh

[3:21:34] it was just really nice to see her take her oath of office. It was uh fun.

[3:21:38] Yesterday I did speak to uh uh division chief uh Mson about the snow plow

[3:21:45] painting. Um we had a discussion uh with the school uh yesterday um at the board

[3:21:51] meeting and uh Greg and I have come to a conclusion that we're going to bring

[3:21:55] about three plows over to the uh high school. They're going to Greg's going to

[3:21:58] get them prepped and we're going to provide the paint to the uh to the

[3:22:02] school district and then they're going to have them uh paint them all up, get

[3:22:05] them all ready. It's going to be a nice thing. Um we both came up with actually

[3:22:09] I think we kind of said it together how we want to have like a naming contest of

[3:22:13] each of the plows by the elementary school. So, we're gonna we're going to

[3:22:17] start something like that and then in the end we'd like to if it would be okay

[3:22:20] with the board to put the plows in front of village hall while when they're all

[3:22:24] finished and painted so you know residents and uh the students can come

[3:22:28] by >> 100%.

[3:22:29] » Yeah, I think it's going to be a really nice idea.

[3:22:32] » Um so >> somewhere

[3:22:34] » yeah we'll find a spot for them. We'll find we'll find a spot for them. So uh

[3:22:39] and that's it for the school district uh working group. I have been um attending

[3:22:48] um uh the golf course department head meetings and I was at the CCMAC

[3:22:54] meeting. Uh so I just want to run through some things that I uh that were

[3:22:58] discussed. Uh one of the suggestions from the uh CCMAC

[3:23:04] was to hire an aronomist for the golf course. And um so I did a little

[3:23:09] research on it. We currently have an aronomist

[3:23:13] that works with the uh uh the head of grounds. And so my concern was when I

[3:23:22] spoke to uh this gentleman, his name is Steven McDonald, that nobody from the

[3:23:26] CCMAC, the board of governors, or even the division chief contacted him to

[3:23:32] discuss um the conditions on the course. So the the problem is they're making a

[3:23:38] recommendation to hire a USGAA certified aronomist

[3:23:44] without all of doing all the all the the the work. You know, we have someone in

[3:23:48] place. Now this gentleman that we currently have, mayor, when you were at

[3:23:54] Shinik um for the golf course, I don't know if you were monitoring holes, he

[3:23:59] was there working at Shinik. This this gentleman is experienced. So I think um

[3:24:05] before they make a recommendation to this body to spend $3 to $6,000,

[3:24:11] they should, you know, reach out to the current aronomist we have, find out

[3:24:15] what's going on because I've received his report. And um the big concern at

[3:24:20] the golf course, um from what I'm understanding is from the meetings is

[3:24:24] crab grass and this the green speed. And you know what I think some of the people

[3:24:31] are are not taking into consideration is that we've had 30 to 40% more rain. So I

[3:24:38] did a a drive around with uh Pat Sullivan and Greg Mson and you can see

[3:24:44] that the it's spongy, the course is wet and that promotes crab grass. That's

[3:24:49] just how it is. Um but they're working hard to get the situation resolved. Um

[3:24:55] but I do think a recommendation um uh that and I did speak to Greg about it

[3:25:00] that he should reach out to Mr. McDonald before we start recommending another

[3:25:03] expenditure. We already have one on a contract with one that maybe that would

[3:25:07] might be a better a better uh plan of action. And the same with the CCMAC if

[3:25:12] they're going to make a recommendation they should speak to the current

[3:25:14] aronomist that we have on staff. Um so >> do we have an aronomist on staff or do

[3:25:20] we have a contract with them? >> We have well potatoes potatoes. We have

[3:25:23] a We have an aronomist that we can >> No word no words words matter.

[3:25:26] » Yeah. No. >> So we have an we have an aronomist that

[3:25:30] is under contract. >> Where's his scope?

[3:25:33] » Do we have a do we have a contract with Steve McDonald? Not that I'm not crit

[3:25:38] not a criticism. Just >> mayor I I

[3:25:40] » I want to know what his agree what our agreement is with him. if there's an

[3:25:44] agreement with him, what is what is the scope and what how who is he reporting

[3:25:48] to and who how is the CCMAC or anyone uh getting that information? I haven't seen

[3:25:55] it. >> Well, I I they could probably do what I

[3:25:58] did. You ask the head groundskeeper and say, "Do we have an aronomist?" And he

[3:26:02] goes, "Yeah." And then he goes I said, "Hold on,

[3:26:05] » but I'd love to see that scope work. >> I'm going to tell you how it works."

[3:26:08] Then you say, "Oh, what's his name?" >> And do you have contact information? And

[3:26:13] then you you text him and then what he does is he calls you back and then you

[3:26:18] get that information. >> In what capacity?

[3:26:22] » In what capacity did you do that? I >> I in what capacity as a trustee of the

[3:26:27] village? >> That's op that's daily operating thing.

[3:26:30] That's a daily operating. >> Yeah. So

[3:26:32] » but but I'm I am curious. I I'm I think brilliant, right? you're interested in

[3:26:38] your in your engaged, but I'm wondering where's the scope of work that the

[3:26:44] aronomist has. And I'm not asking you to explain that. I don't I'm not sure that

[3:26:48] I even know. I I'd like to know what his scope of work is if we're paying him and

[3:26:53] and how often does he does he come in and what where are his reports and who

[3:26:58] do they go to and just you know, we don't have to talk about it right now,

[3:27:02] but I I will follow up with that. >> Things to follow up on, right?

[3:27:06] » Yeah. I I think there's definitely that before a recommendation is made, they

[3:27:10] should ask Pat, you know, cuz he's the head of the grounds, you know, do we

[3:27:15] have an aronomist and where are the and where are the reports? What's their

[3:27:18] recommendations? >> Can you produce them before you say

[3:27:21] charge? Let's let's hire another one for $6,000. That's that's it.

[3:27:24] » We're not hiring. It would be >> Can I ask a complaint because I don't

[3:27:27] know and I because I'm sure at some point I'm going to have to look at this

[3:27:30] agreement. >> Yeah. Um, I have to assume if it made it

[3:27:34] to the CC, whatever it is in the board of governors that, um, there was

[3:27:41] complaints that the golf course made to somebody, who was responsible for making

[3:27:45] the complaint to get it to the board of governors or the board of commissioners

[3:27:50] and who at the golf course knew about it?

[3:27:54] » That's a and and who's responsible for engaging the person who's responsible

[3:27:58] for fixing it? There's a lot to unravel there.

[3:28:02] » There there's I'm going to say this after having a couple of these meetings

[3:28:05] with the staff. There's a lot of hands in the sauce,

[3:28:09] » right? There and and they they're they could use

[3:28:13] less hands in the sauce. All right, that's so I'll leave it at that. You got

[3:28:17] you got the board of governors, you have the CCMAC, you have you know there's

[3:28:21] there's external influences from village.

[3:28:25] » I agree with you. I'm just trying to understand the process because you would

[3:28:28] think that comp if there's conditions of the grass being made to the golf course

[3:28:33] » that there should be a record of it there should be an engagement there

[3:28:38] should be a report on the engagement of what services were provided and I'm

[3:28:42] still I'm doing some of this to delay I'm doing some of this to delay so

[3:28:47] Stephen could say oh we paid him last month

[3:28:51] » I can move on to something else we dance so much That leads to Is there an RFP

[3:28:56] and did we go through a while? >> Why do we not as the board of trustees

[3:29:00] get uh regular reports from the CCMAC and the board of governors?

[3:29:05] » Just stands >> again. Hold on. Mayor, if I may, I think

[3:29:10] the better question might be

[3:29:13] » whoever's engaging >> the aronomist should be producing the

[3:29:18] report of the work that's being done. >> No, not that report. I'm just saying

[3:29:24] there's two entities running the golf course, making decisions, engaging

[3:29:30] aronomists, telling employees what's wrong with the course. I've heard none

[3:29:34] of that. I don't know if the board has heard any of that. I don't spend every

[3:29:37] day at the golf course. I don't have these discussions, but as a committee or

[3:29:40] the CCMAC as a committee and the board of governors as a board, shouldn't we be

[3:29:44] getting regular reports from the golf course

[3:29:49] about all of this stuff, good and bad, and what's going on? I have no idea

[3:29:54] what's going on over there. >> I'm currently going to do the best I

[3:29:56] can. So, um, Stephen, do you need more time because I have other stuff to talk

[3:29:59] about. >> Yes. Just say yes. You need more time.

[3:30:03] All I can what I can answer right now is that the village uh procured uh Steve

[3:30:08] McDonald's company which is called Turf Grass Disease Solutions and paid him

[3:30:12] $8,100 in February. >> Turf Grass Disease Solutions.

[3:30:18] » Yes. And >> did is that a sole source provider?

[3:30:22] » Uh I have to pull the package. I don't I but I can pull up right at this moment.

[3:30:28] » Was it then there was a resolution? >> I don't believe so. I believe it was I

[3:30:33] believe there were more than one quote possibly was received but again I don't

[3:30:37] know I have to do more research I have to go and look at the actual packet

[3:30:40] » when you figure when you get it together we'll take

[3:30:42] » what's the name of the company >> turf grass

[3:30:46] one word disease solutions >> so it's a contractor

[3:30:52] » it was a contractor >> selling chemicals

[3:30:57] » that was not my understanding when it was procured

[3:31:01] from The my understanding was he was an aronomist.

[3:31:05] » He that's exactly >> certified to come in and was was to be

[3:31:09] on call >> of the grounds

[3:31:11] » and I if my memory serves me to give a couple quarter or quarterly reports on

[3:31:16] the conditions of the course to assist in the maintenance staff to help address

[3:31:21] those problems. >> So those reports exist somewhere.

[3:31:24] » I don't know. >> Well, don't ask the CCMAC or the board

[3:31:29] of governors because they've never asked for them. So, I'm going to move on. Um,

[3:31:33] also at the work session with the um, department heads, we discussed the

[3:31:37] driving range, and you know, Jake brought up an ex and Larry actually

[3:31:41] brought up an interesting point. They said potentially we're losing 15 to

[3:31:45] 20,000 worth of golf balls on the west side of the driving range into the

[3:31:53] um, landfill area because the uh, the netting is so low. So, um um Division

[3:32:02] Chief Mson is going to potentially look into um at least figuring out if we can

[3:32:08] repair the west side to prevent the lost balls into the um waste area there. So,

[3:32:14] that was something they're going to look at. Um we also discussed or they

[3:32:19] discussed and I added to it um a potential of a new scoreboard. Uh the

[3:32:23] school district working group uh had an idea about potentially uh having a sign

[3:32:28] developed that said home of the royals with all the championships on it. We had

[3:32:31] discussed this last year. Uh Jake had an excellent idea that when we when they uh

[3:32:38] modernize and and uh replace this current sign that would be a spot that

[3:32:42] they could do it. So that was uh uh suggested. So hopefully that comes to um

[3:32:48] uh come to fruition. Um they were also would like to um increase Luke and I'm

[3:32:54] going to butcher this name Mavane Mane his role um but they're restricted I

[3:33:00] guess because of his title. So maybe something to that we can look at um

[3:33:04] about uh Luke and giving him an expanded role uh for junior programs and things

[3:33:09] like that they were talking about. Um, again, I I you know, I did the tour and

[3:33:14] and looked at the green speeds and the crab grass, and I know that uh uh Pat

[3:33:19] and uh Division Chief Mson discussed uh removing some trees and trimming some

[3:33:24] trees down to get a little bit of more sun on the greens um uh to help dry them

[3:33:29] out a little bit. So, uh they're working on that. And then we also scheduled to

[3:33:35] meet with the treasurer because they'd like to get the early bird started soon.

[3:33:40] So, we they kind of want to meet with Stephen. So, Stephen accepted an

[3:33:43] invitation to next Tuesday's meeting. Um, and they'll discuss early bird um uh

[3:33:51] fees to see if we can get that started because um I'm confused who's going to

[3:33:56] discuss it. >> Steven is going to be there with uh Jake

[3:34:00] uh division chief monson. You know that that the department

[3:34:03] » I didn't know if you CCMC. Okay. >> So, no, it's not the CCM that he's going

[3:34:07] to start with the department heads on that Tuesday meeting. Mhm.

[3:34:10] » So, um and so Steven was kind enough to say that he would come to that and um so

[3:34:16] hopefully they get that started because they are down um members at the golf

[3:34:21] course and um they would like to get this out so that we could potentially,

[3:34:27] you know, maybe offset some of the financial losses that we've had um by

[3:34:32] membership drop offs. Um,

[3:34:36] and then, uh, Larry, who does a lot of the scheduling at the course, would like

[3:34:41] all of the, um, participants at the golf course, you know, the men's league, the

[3:34:47] the the ladies league, um, uh, the the rec center to get their scheduled

[3:34:53] activities and and dates to him sooner, sometime maybe in January, so he it just

[3:34:59] make them easier to schedule, which made sense. Um, if we could get that done,

[3:35:02] he's going to he's going to work on that. He's actually putting a proposal

[3:35:05] together uh to submit to uh division chief Mson uh so that we can kind of

[3:35:10] figure out a process to move that along. Um

[3:35:15] let me see what else. Sorry.

[3:35:20] And I think Hold on. I'm going to say and that's Oh, and

[3:35:26] that's my report. >> That might Yeah. Take it away.

[3:35:33] I'm ready. Building and planning uh has a meeting

[3:35:38] um tomorrow night. They have a bunch of projects um on the schedule for

[3:35:43] approval. Um I read on the agenda that GEI will be making a presentation at

[3:35:50] that meeting about the bluff stabilization project. Um so that is a

[3:35:54] public meeting. I think it's important that the public be notified and aware

[3:35:59] that that's taking place. Um, it's my understanding that someone from the CCE

[3:36:03] will be in attendance and I have a question as to whether or when GI will

[3:36:08] be presenting um that same report to the board of trustees.

[3:36:15] » I guess it depends on what the planning board comes back with, right? So, they

[3:36:20] will be presenting something, but the goal was to have them present to the

[3:36:26] planning board first and respond to some of the questions that the planning board

[3:36:30] came up with um after the first presentation that they made.

[3:36:33] » Okay. >> So, I'm really interested in hearing the

[3:36:36] planning board's review. They review plans all the time. So,

[3:36:40] » that to me is a check and balance that was never uh conducted before for this

[3:36:44] project on on the bluff. So, I think it's a a great asset that we have at our

[3:36:51] disposal and they asked some really good questions back in March or April and so

[3:36:58] um GEI is coming back with responses to those and some responses to some of the

[3:37:02] other issues that have been brought up by our um by our just volunteers and

[3:37:08] also our CCE and um the CCMAC has a representative who's very very attentive

[3:37:14] and interested in the project, Eli Zam. IC and um also our engineer. So I mean I

[3:37:23] don't think we can get enough eyes on this project because it's that

[3:37:26] important. >> Okay, great.

[3:37:27] » Can I interject something, Stephen? What is that? Uh do we have a a a cost

[3:37:31] estimate on that presentation >> on what presentation?

[3:37:35] » The GEI presentation. >> Do we Stephen?

[3:37:39] » Why would why would Steve >> Well, I'm just saying do we know what do

[3:37:42] we know what that's going to cost us approximately? I have not seen anything.

[3:37:45] » They're not charging us for it. >> Oh, it's free.

[3:37:48] » Oh, great. >> It's included included

[3:37:50] » the scope of services that they have been

[3:37:53] » so just just to add I'm sorry I was talking to Sylvia so I missed some of

[3:37:58] that. Um, I understand that it's it's it's important to have the planning

[3:38:03] board um there, but would it not be best to have that presentation done here at

[3:38:10] our board meeting with the planning board here with the community here? So,

[3:38:14] they make that presentation and we start to involve the community and let them

[3:38:17] know uh what's going on with this project. So, that and if we have

[3:38:22] questions at the planning board, we can't ask any questions. We can't even

[3:38:24] be there. But here we can and it would be nice to have GEI do a presentation in

[3:38:30] front of us where if we have a question we can ask.

[3:38:34] » That's I love that idea. Let's do it. >> Bob,

[3:38:38] » let's do it. >> Hold on. I I

[3:38:40] » Let's do it. >> Right here, sister.

[3:38:42] » It's planned. Matthew, >> when?

[3:38:44] » Matthew, >> we have We don't have a date right now,

[3:38:47] but it is planned. >> Dave, is there a reason why the

[3:38:51] » board of trustees can't go to the planning board meeting?

[3:38:53] » Who said you can't? Okay.

[3:38:56] » No one. >> Thank you.

[3:38:57] » Can we can go and ask questions? >> No.

[3:39:01] » Well, that's up to the board. That's up to the chair.

[3:39:04] » Again, what you can't do is deliberate. >> A violation of a meeting meetings law

[3:39:08] would be if you're in a quorum for the purposes of conducting business.

[3:39:11] » Okay. >> The the presentation itself and

[3:39:14] questions about the presentation, >> I don't think I have an issue with

[3:39:19] directing them is I have an issue with or telling them they're wrong. I have an

[3:39:22] issue with or things meant for this room. I I would have an issue with

[3:39:26] um but I I don't think I have an issue if the board of trustees attended and I

[3:39:30] think we've done it before where the board of trustees have attended

[3:39:33] presentations and listened along with the public.

[3:39:36] » I I remember at least one. >> Yeah.

[3:39:38] » Okay. Because I was planning on going. So I just wanted to make sure that it

[3:39:41] was okay for me to be there. >> I'm going to and I'm going to sit right

[3:39:44] next to Bob. >> Okay.

[3:39:46] » So that is tomorrow. Starts at six o'clock in this room. um for that. I

[3:39:50] don't know when on the agenda the presentation is, but that will be

[3:39:53] happening tomorrow. >> There's two public hearings first.

[3:39:56] » Yes. And their regular business. So um the new beautifification committee we

[3:40:01] met. >> Did you want to say something?

[3:40:05] » Yeah, I do. And I want to say tactfully. Um, there might be another thing on the

[3:40:09] planning board agenda tomorrow that maybe this board I would not like in the

[3:40:13] room at that time because it was in the room tonight and I don't want to be a

[3:40:18] appearance that we're trying to put influence on an autonomous board for

[3:40:22] everyone's benefit and that would be the Beachwood project.

[3:40:25] » So you can watch it on YouTube. >> Everyone's having

[3:40:28] » I don't know what time that's on. I don't know when but when it happened I I

[3:40:31] I don't want there to be you you understand as we as we did 100 ethics

[3:40:36] interviews and everyone talked about the appearance of impropriety that board is

[3:40:39] meant to be autonomous >> and with five trustees in the room they

[3:40:43] might think it's less autonomous than it should be even though we know that's not

[3:40:47] the reason >> I'll give you the lay the rundown of the

[3:40:50] agenda. >> Good like

[3:40:52] » I think it's actually >> it's near the beginning. Yeah, I think

[3:40:57] they're at the uh >> what's near the beginning of the

[3:40:59] presentation >> the bluff presentation. There's two two

[3:41:03] I believe public hearings if I remember reading it.

[3:41:06] » Two public hearings and then general business.

[3:41:08] » Yeah. >> Of which uh Beachwood is not a part of

[3:41:11] that. Um and then

[3:41:15] » I think Beachwood would be at the end as part of a decision calendar

[3:41:18] » because it's a longer it's part of the resolutions.

[3:41:20] » They have a lot of >> I think projects on for approval

[3:41:23] tomorrow. I would only ask as as your council if the pre if that presentation

[3:41:26] happens first please don't scadaddle >> I'm sorry site plan development is the

[3:41:33] second item on public hearings >> beachwood

[3:41:39] » they're closing that public hearing I'm sorry my mistake

[3:41:42] » so you can watch on YouTube and when they get around to that point then show

[3:41:45] up >> or we could yeah public

[3:41:49] don't talk business but meet somewhere else

[3:41:51] » that's very good point David thank Thank you.

[3:41:54] » Thanks, David. Um, beautifification committee, we just met for the first

[3:41:57] time. We went, um, discussed some lowhanging fruit. Uh, quickly, areas

[3:42:03] around some of the Portf welcome signs. Um, some small pocket gardens that need

[3:42:07] attention. There's there's a a regular complaint that we've seen on Facebook.

[3:42:12] Um, additionally, some of the committee members brought it to my attention and

[3:42:16] residents have brought it to my attention as well as store owners about

[3:42:19] the weeds in a lot of the garden beds and the excess amount of garbage that is

[3:42:25] in around on top of um all of the uh big bellies throughout the village. So, I

[3:42:32] don't know if the regular schedule of DPW is is not keeping up with the amount

[3:42:37] of people that are leaving garbage. Um, but it's been a regular complaint in

[3:42:43] lots of different facets of the village. So, I don't know um how that can be

[3:42:47] addressed, but I think it needs to be addressed

[3:42:49] » with a seasonal part-timer. >> Maybe that's it. If he's on

[3:42:54] » um but we we don't know that. So, >> that's why we hired him.

[3:42:59] » Great. So, that shouldn't be a problem anymore.

[3:43:02] » Well, >> weeds and garbage.

[3:43:04] » With more visitors and more transactions comes more garbage. So maybe we need to

[3:43:09] look at getting more big bellies, other garbage cans, maybe picking up more

[3:43:13] often, but having garbage spilling out. And then this morning when I took my

[3:43:17] daughter to school, I had seen pizza boxes on one of the the the machines or

[3:43:21] uh Big Bellies. And then when I came back, they were in the street. So it's

[3:43:26] it it's unsightly. It's dirty. I don't know. I think it should be addressed.

[3:43:31] And I mentioned to all of the people that complained to me that I would bring

[3:43:33] it to the board to see how we could address that.

[3:43:35] » I'll bring it up to DPW. Great. Thank you. Um the ARC, we already talked about

[3:43:41] the memorial. Randy and I had volunteered to um have a committee with

[3:43:45] that and with that committee we really hope to have uh members of the

[3:43:48] architectural review committee um >> parks and wreck the conservancy possibly

[3:43:53] for fundraising um a part of the fundraising. So that's on an ongoing um

[3:43:59] process. Uh speaking of the conservancy, the hill climb is coming up on September

[3:44:03] 26. Everyone is invited. It's a great event. Um, super fun. And I wanted to

[3:44:08] also say thank you Sylvia as well as Mary and Teresa for updating that

[3:44:12] committee list. Um, I know that took a lot of time and and energy, but I think

[3:44:16] it's a great thing that we now have for the village and everybody can refer to

[3:44:18] that and everybody's kind of on the same page and organized. So, I know it took

[3:44:22] you a lot of time. So, I thank you for all your hard work on that. Much

[3:44:25] appreciated. >> Oh, and Rita. Okay. Thank you.

[3:44:28] » Thank you. >> That's it. Concludes my report.

[3:44:32] » Okay. Next is me. Uh, use your hand. >> I I'm I'm okay. Not a lot. I'm going to

[3:44:39] try to keep this brief. Um DPW report had some staffing challenges throughout

[3:44:45] August. Um you know, people were on vacation. Um but they were able to

[3:44:51] stagger the uh the people the the working. One

[3:44:56] employee was out on medical leave. So between that and vacations and

[3:45:00] everything, they were able to to stagger some of the work. So they got a lot of

[3:45:03] the work done. Um, you know, special thanks to them for the oyster jamboree

[3:45:07] and for the u block party we we talked about at the last meeting, but they u

[3:45:12] you know, they really rose to the occasion and they they did a great um a

[3:45:17] great job at the oyster jamboree. Um storm response, they had um a couple of

[3:45:22] different storms throughout the month of August. um significant rainfall um

[3:45:28] throughout the month and localized uh street flooding, you know, in some of

[3:45:33] the areas in the areas that always flood. Um but there were no major flood

[3:45:37] flooding impacts um you know during the during those events. Staff remain

[3:45:43] vigilant throughout each and every storm and work diligently to minimize

[3:45:46] disruptions to residents and to businesses and motorists as well. um as

[3:45:52] far as the parks report and cleanup and maintenance and I will make a note to

[3:45:58] speak to DPW about the um the big bellies. Um

[3:46:04] but you know, parks barn goes through the village center, Joe Erlandfield, uh

[3:46:08] village hall, rocket ship park, um beach street, centennial park, east and west

[3:46:13] beach. These are all their on their daily um maintenance and and cleanups.

[3:46:19] Um, Bakers Alley, Texico Park, Roosevelt Park, village restrooms at Rocket Park,

[3:46:25] uh, they open and clean them daily. Uh, the basketball and tennis courts, they

[3:46:29] blow off whatever debris might be on on those courts. Um, repair, there was a

[3:46:35] repair that to the main water line on at Harborf Front Park that uh that parks

[3:46:41] was uh was involved in. Um, they used a bucket truck to chalk village center

[3:46:46] windows to chalk. I'm sorry, not chalk. Uh, village center windows to stop uh,

[3:46:51] you know, stop leaks going into the village center.

[3:46:55] Um, they met with park equipment companies at Rocket Chip Park about the

[3:47:01] flooring issues and possible new splash uh, splash pad uh, at Rocket Ship Park.

[3:47:07] Um, that was recommended by the Parks and Recreation um, committee

[3:47:12] couple of meetings a couple of months ago.

[3:47:15] Um, couple of other, again, parks also work very well with the Oyster Fest. Um,

[3:47:22] and you know, kudos to them and thanks for them. Um, also don't forget there

[3:47:26] was movie nights that they're that they were and village concerts and Friday

[3:47:29] night East Beach Rocks concert. So, they've been busy. You know, this is

[3:47:34] their their busy one of their busy seasons. I mean, DPW is always busy.

[3:47:37] Come wintertime, we got the snow and we got leaves and so they're always busy.

[3:47:42] But um you know this is one of the uh one of the times between uh vacations

[3:47:47] going on and a couple of people being out sick that uh you know they really

[3:47:51] rose to the occasion. Everybody did a did a great job. Um so that's one of the

[3:47:57] reports. Uh I I I don't know if people saw this.

[3:48:00] » Can I add something or encourage you to add something?

[3:48:03] » Yes. uh about the um this the company that's on state contract for some of the

[3:48:09] re repairs to Rocket Ship Park and to Harborf Park and looking at

[3:48:13] » you know the um the surface in the Rocket Ship Park.

[3:48:16] » Rocket Ship Park surface >> turtle

[3:48:18] » turtle park >> as well as the yeah this um the

[3:48:22] » yeah the turtle what what are we going to call that? Oh, you talking about

[3:48:25] that? >> That's what I'm now. I mean, no, but I

[3:48:28] mean, I don't have >> I don't have that information. It's more

[3:48:32] of request for where we're at as far as those projects.

[3:48:35] » I know I know Greg met with somebody >> yesterday, I think it was. Okay. So, um

[3:48:40] » she's a resident. >> Oh, yes. Well, we have had a

[3:48:44] conversation, right? Yeah. So, that's good. So met with her and walk through

[3:48:48] the different >> park as well as basketball tennis courts

[3:48:54] » and the um the turtle splash spray be able to check things as we go and

[3:49:03] also the the the um the misting station they they talked about at the park and

[3:49:08] the shades >> and the Yes. And the sail shades. Well,

[3:49:10] that was all in my report. More requesting information and seeing where

[3:49:14] we are with quotes from her sometime >> shortly. He likes it. I think it was

[3:49:18] just yesterday that he met with us. >> Okay, perfect. So that I can bring that

[3:49:21] back to parks and wreck for the next meeting. And I also heard that the uh

[3:49:25] the rocking horse spring to re to replace it or repair it was like

[3:49:29] $10,000. So I don't think that's happening. Nobody thinks

[3:49:32] » I think we're going to It's not I was just floored that it was

[3:49:36] » I thought the recommendation was to remove that not and not to replace that.

[3:49:40] » No, because that's an astronomical amount in my opinion for what that is.

[3:49:43] Yeah. >> Okay. Sorry. Yeah.

[3:49:45] » Um I don't know if people saw there was an article in News Day today about um

[3:49:50] the lip of the capacity issues and they're calling for repowering of some

[3:49:54] of the older plants. Um so you know naturally you know

[3:49:58] springs up and says so hey we have an older plant here and we could use

[3:50:02] repowering. Um so the you know the article just goes on about you know how

[3:50:08] there is lack of power and one of the interesting things at the very end of

[3:50:13] the article I thought they were said that there are 500 megawatt deficiency

[3:50:19] » um throughout the island. So they they they briefly the article briefly touches

[3:50:24] upon that they that they're looking at um

[3:50:26] » is that Mark Harrington? >> Yes. At the Port Jefferson plant. But um

[3:50:32] I I think it's time to take a you know maybe the board can take a some sort of

[3:50:37] a aggressive stand to completely you know you know to replace you know

[3:50:44] the power station. I know I know Randy you're you're on the uh on that

[3:50:48] committee. Um you know just something that we could do with the new combined

[3:50:52] power base loading power you know would greatly help the the tax base. Um, and

[3:50:59] if we get it re repowered, yes, we can go back to the state and say we need to

[3:51:06] raise the assessment and like I said, it it helps with the tax base. So,

[3:51:09] » yes, >> um, I I you know, love to work with you

[3:51:13] on it. Maybe we can maybe there's something that we can bring back to the

[3:51:16] board and you know, >> that would be great. I would I would

[3:51:18] like to do that, too. I was also um thinking of getting in touch with

[3:51:22] Rebecca Cassay just to see what she could do statewise, you know, as far as

[3:51:28] um even just doing an assessment of the plant maybe statewide. I I don't know. I

[3:51:33] mean, there's just some things I was thinking about. Um so, I don't know.

[3:51:36] Maybe we can brainstorm together. >> Sure.

[3:51:38] » Yeah. So, it was an article that like said it was it was an electronic

[3:51:42] » Franco has something to say. >> It was an electronic article. So, I

[3:51:45] don't know if it's going to be in the paper tomorrow or or what, but I can

[3:51:48] » He's going to be challenged. >> Thank you.

[3:51:50] » We'll we'll we'll work it out together. >> All right. So, so the mayor and I um

[3:51:54] attended the um >> and I love all your ideas, Bob, but we

[3:51:58] attended uh the uh budget and finance meeting and we had a presentation by uh

[3:52:03] Tom Burolof, >> the power the power plant working group

[3:52:06] and the budget and finance committee meetings were combined.

[3:52:09] » Thank you, mayor. We're going to do this together. So um

[3:52:13] » and Trusty Dwick couldn't be there, so Trusty Franco jumped in.

[3:52:16] » So um there is a a transmission line coming

[3:52:20] down from upstate and it's called Propel.

[3:52:23] » Yep. >> Uh we have two lines right now. I think

[3:52:26] it's 49 and 50 um that are that are feeding down here. But this line is

[3:52:31] going to bring uh power from upstate New York down here. Um so what and I'm

[3:52:38] mayor, correct me if I'm wrong on any of this. Um

[3:52:41] » I don't know if I can >> I was going to say I saw I saw it

[3:52:45] previously and it's a lot of information. I believe the year was like

[3:52:48] 2030, right? >> So So we have a five I think we have a

[3:52:51] they gave us >> potentially

[3:52:53] » potentially a five-year window where we they need the plant

[3:52:58] and there's a lot this is complex like and it's very detailed. Um so after that

[3:53:05] five-year period mayor correct me if I'm wrong prepare

[3:53:10] nothing but love for you, mayor. See, Lauren, you and I are going to be

[3:53:13] buddies in the end. Um, so when Propel gets here in 5 years, that's the I think

[3:53:19] that's the projected plan. >> The

[3:53:22] potential for the power plant to be needed is reduced.

[3:53:28] » Even Lipa, >> even Lipa, yeah,

[3:53:31] » mayor's right about that >> because Propel is separate from Lipa.

[3:53:33] » Well, the article almost makes Lipa >> Does Mark right about that? article

[3:53:37] talks about that and it says that okay but the 500 again with the 500 megawatt

[3:53:42] deficiency >> but they it's transmission

[3:53:46] so and and what was talked about >> bringing it here is fine but it's got to

[3:53:49] be >> well but but what was talked about is

[3:53:52] and I don't I I'm only paraphrasing the numbers let's say electricity down here

[3:53:56] is $125 I don't know kilowatt whatever it is

[3:54:00] it's like $40 or $50 a kilowatt if it's pushed if it comes from upstate New York

[3:54:04] down here >> megawatt megawatt Thank you, Stephen.

[3:54:08] Megawatt. So, um, and the problem with our plant is we're not tied into

[3:54:14] Connecticut. Um, so we there's a lot of concerns and what the pres presenter

[3:54:21] wanted to uh present to the power plant working group and the budget committee

[3:54:25] was um start preparing

[3:54:30] for something that might be theoretically inevitable. Right. So we

[3:54:33] and and it was it was and and I have to say the budget and finance committee

[3:54:37] asked some hard questions about you know what do you know what are we preparing

[3:54:41] for like what what kind of what are we looking at and um

[3:54:47] so that's where we are uh as far as that presentation. So, but there are some

[3:54:53] concerning um elements

[3:54:57] or factors that make it look like the plant mayor, correct me if I'm wrong,

[3:55:00] does might not be viable in the long term.

[3:55:06] » Well, if you're talking with Tom, I mean, Tom Peteroff is an expert. He

[3:55:10] worked very closely with the village and keeping Kathan, you know, at bay. So,

[3:55:16] » I mean, he >> he's very knowledgeable on that. Uh,

[3:55:19] » one of the recommendations is to start reaching out to and meeting with some of

[3:55:23] the leadership at National Grid, National Grid Ventures

[3:55:27] » and um and potentially Lipa, but National Grid Odin's that plant and it's

[3:55:34] up to them to decide how they want to if if Lipa, you know,

[3:55:41] becomes obsolete like LIPA is a monopoly right now. Their monopoly is going away.

[3:55:45] » Yeah. >> Because of Propel.

[3:55:47] » Yep. So um so we have some deep thinking to do in strategic

[3:55:53] thinking. We need, it was also advised that we bring in an actual consultant

[3:55:58] like the London um what do you call it of economics those those people that

[3:56:03] came in and actually did the report for for the village back in 2015 or

[3:56:08] something like that like to and they're still around to reinvest in in some uh

[3:56:14] true consultation about what our options >> almost like lobbying for us and kind of

[3:56:18] giving us a a playbook on what we should do. And um so and and Lauren's right,

[3:56:25] you know. Um >> what

[3:56:28] » can you say that again? >> Lauren is right.

[3:56:31] » Next is mayor's right. >> Mayor is right. Mayor Lauren is right.

[3:56:37] » Um but I'm not right. I mean it's what we learned at the meeting. You know,

[3:56:40] » you know, your presentation was correct and and it's it's you know, it's

[3:56:45] this this London um how would what would you call it, Lauren? They are

[3:56:50] » there they are. They're a lob they're a lobbying consulting group with expertise

[3:56:54] in >> power and Tom said that he would uh

[3:56:59] » jolof. Yeah. >> So he said that he would you know work

[3:57:02] with us on this which is you know that's that's a home run for for the for us.

[3:57:07] » Yeah. So with Bruce coming to the finance committee if the board approves

[3:57:11] Tom would consult. >> That'd be great.

[3:57:14] » Yeah. >> That's that's where that's

[3:57:16] » so thanks for bringing that up Bob. That was

[3:57:19] » Yeah. So it's an interesting art. So, if you can, I found it online. I don't know

[3:57:22] if it'll be in the paper tomorrow, but I have copies, so I can distribute copies

[3:57:26] of it as well to everyone. Um, and the last thing I want to bring

[3:57:30] up is we had talked at the last meeting about the um the board of governors and

[3:57:35] the edits that I had to the board of governor's um um

[3:57:41] » bylaws. Thank you. Um, and most of them, most of my edits were added into the um,

[3:57:50] bylaws that were approved on June 26, I think the date was. Uh, you know, a

[3:57:56] couple of things. Um, the idea was the same. They just changed

[3:58:00] the wording around, which I had no problem with. Um and you know the one

[3:58:06] couple of glaring things I had suggested that they emit

[3:58:12] article three. So they did that but then they in

[3:58:16] the current bylaws it goes from article two to article 4. So they don't have an

[3:58:20] article three. I don't know if it's a that's a big deal or not but I

[3:58:24] » think we can make one up.

[3:58:28] And um the only other things that

[3:58:34] were not or one other thing that was not included in my edit or my suggestion was

[3:58:39] that the president and vice president be um

[3:58:44] residents and that was not put into the uh to the bylaws. Everything else was it

[3:58:51] does say in the by in the current bylaws that were approved that the majority of

[3:58:55] the um of the board of governors have to be village residents. Um

[3:59:01] so I just wanted to get back to the board on that. You know we we had talked

[3:59:04] about it and um you know and the oh I had a question for actually

[3:59:11] for Dave. I had suggested that they put in some sort of a uh indemnification. I

[3:59:15] don't would that be >> indemn who would they indemnify

[3:59:19] » um themselves um the the board of governors now

[3:59:24] would that be necessary I don't >> I'm not sure how that would work so the

[3:59:28] board of governifies itself from what could you ordemnify yourself you

[3:59:34] demotential liability where the liability where is their liability

[3:59:39] » make decision >> if they make a if they make a decision

[3:59:41] at >> it's advisory it is for

[3:59:43] » okay that's Yeah. So, >> yeah, that was my that was my other

[3:59:49] suggestion that that they and they did not put that in, but they figured that

[3:59:52] would be illegal. So, since they're advisory, then we wouldn't need a

[3:59:58] indemnification. I I would also think that if they're as acting in a capacity

[4:00:03] by direction of this board or the mayor that they have qualified indemnity or

[4:00:09] some type of immunity as long as they're acting in their professional capacity or

[4:00:14] their volunteer capacity on behalf of the village.

[4:00:18] » And the other thing that >> I said a great thing and I didn't turn

[4:00:22] my mic. >> We heard you Dave. That's all that

[4:00:26] matters. M >> um they they talk about and you know la

[4:00:30] last part they talk dissolution if the if it's you know dissolved that the

[4:00:35] remaining authority and assets would be turned over to the village which it

[4:00:40] should be but I don't know what assets the board of governors would have. So I

[4:00:44] » it seems abs irrelevant obsolete

[4:00:49] » and therefore not necessary. >> There's no assets within that

[4:00:53] organization. We don't know that they could be taking

[4:00:56] money for a to buy coffee for their meetings. I don't know.

[4:01:01] » It's in there for a reason. >> Can't hurt.

[4:01:05] » Can't hurt. >> Okay.

[4:01:06] » Mhm. >> No one gets to walk away. Kitty

[4:01:09] » comes back to us. >> So membership fees for that.

[4:01:12] » Do you think we should address the residents as the president and and vice

[4:01:16] president? I mean that was one of my edits that I one of my suggestion that I

[4:01:20] had said that um you know >> so um how does the board feel about that

[4:01:28] » that it should be a a resident should be the president and the vice president of

[4:01:31] the board of governors >> I don't know if it's necessar necessaril

[4:01:35] necessary for the vice president but I would say for the president only because

[4:01:42] they have a um seat right on for the CCM MAC which is a village

[4:01:49] » advisory. So that would be where I would see

[4:01:55] » uh >> well the idea of the vice president was

[4:01:57] should the president step down then the vice president would take over. So

[4:02:00] » that's what I was just going to say. >> Okay. Sorry.

[4:02:02] » So yeah I believe it would have to be both.

[4:02:04] » Okay. >> Yeah.

[4:02:06] » Is that in the bylaws that the vice president takes the president's role?

[4:02:09] » Actually it does that is not in the bylaws. No. No,

[4:02:13] » I that that was my thinking when I when I put it in, but I

[4:02:16] » I thought I cuz I read through it and I thought I saw that if um there was any

[4:02:21] sort of a vacated seat, whether it was the president or the vice president or

[4:02:25] secretary or I mean whatever that I think the board would then just vote to

[4:02:31] reappoint somebody. I don't know if necessarily

[4:02:36] » one takes position of the other. I don't I mean I I read it I wasn't reading

[4:02:41] » I read it a long time ago. Does it give the um duties of the officers in the

[4:02:47] bylaws? Mhm. >> So then it would probably say, "Oh,

[4:02:50] duties of the treasur." >> Yeah.

[4:02:51] » Would it say vice president's duties,

[4:02:57] » duties of the vice president? Uh in the absence of the president, preside over

[4:03:02] the meetings, assume all duties of the uh assume all duties of the president in

[4:03:06] the event that the president is unable to serve.

[4:03:08] » All right. Well, there you go. >> Yeah.

[4:03:11] » Yes, it does. >> So, do we want to vote on that?

[4:03:16] Well, I know it comes down to do we have the authority to do Well, not

[4:03:21] the authority. Thank you. >> All right. So, let's vote on it.

[4:03:24] » I still think you're taking some um some of the what the membership wants

[4:03:34] away from the membership for reasons that you don't understand. like it that

[4:03:40] maybe the membership wants that decision for reasons you don't understand.

[4:03:45] So why not ask the members what the members want? Not the members of the

[4:03:51] board of governors but the members of the golf course. See what they want.

[4:03:56] It's it is a local organization that makes their referrals through the CCMAC

[4:04:05] which is a majority of u village residents. Not even a majority, it's

[4:04:10] like a super super duper majority of village residents. So um by code and the

[4:04:18] board of governors is not the board of governor's makeup is not in

[4:04:23] the code of the village of Port Jefferson. So I will still argue and I

[4:04:27] am arguing with our attorney right now that there is no legislative equivalency

[4:04:32] to dictate that by the board of trustees.

[4:04:36] » So how do you suggest we hear from the membership as to what they want to see

[4:04:40] in the bylaws? >> Talk to them.

[4:04:43] » I did everyone that I've spoken to honestly said that the board of

[4:04:47] governors should be dissolved. That was a good dozen

[4:04:52] members of the club for various reasons. So, I didn't even get to the ins and

[4:04:58] outs of the bylaws. >> Wow.

[4:05:00] » Yeah. I thought it was >> I thought it was

[4:05:04] » I talked to 200 members who are very happy with the board of governors. So,

[4:05:08] » so that's what we need. How do we How do we talk to 200?

[4:05:12] » Come to the Come to the um annual gathering

[4:05:16] » and see what they say. I I would think very scientific think the cleanest

[4:05:20] solution >> the cleanest solution is to modify the

[4:05:25] bylaws that that it's a I don't that I don't think the uh the members and by

[4:05:31] the way I know quite a few members myself uh I don't think anybody's going

[4:05:35] to be upset if a resident is the president and the vice president at the

[4:05:38] golf course. So I think what we should just do is modify it. Um uh that's why

[4:05:44] we made the modification to have a majority of residents on the board.

[4:05:48] There was that was the theme, you know, community involvement, community

[4:05:52] running, you know, or making suggestions. Um so I think the cleanest

[4:05:57] way of doing it is and I have spoken to quite a few uh members at the golf

[4:06:02] course staff and um I think this might be a way to an easy solution um and a

[4:06:09] clean solution just to move this progress forward. We've been talking

[4:06:12] about bylaws in the board of governors since before I ran for election. So this

[4:06:16] would be a nice put a bow on it. We're done with it. We don't have to discuss

[4:06:20] it anymore. >> March 2026.

[4:06:22] » That that that's >> so the way that the president of the

[4:06:25] board of governors >> was appointed was through an election

[4:06:30] » with no bylaws. >> But it was an election of that person.

[4:06:34] » Again, we've discussed this mayor. Um and we did it backwards. you know, they

[4:06:39] there should have been bylaws in place approved by this board, then an election

[4:06:42] held and but and they set the terms for their own elections. They they've been

[4:06:46] in office longer than we have. So again, I would say the cleanest way of doing

[4:06:51] this is to just it's it's nice to have residence on it.

[4:06:56] » I disagree, but >> the bylaws the bylaws say that they

[4:06:58] can't >> I think they can only serve two

[4:07:01] consecutive terms. >> Understood.

[4:07:04] » And the terms are three years. I I think but I think it should be residents

[4:07:08] controlling the golf course and the board of governor's recommendations to

[4:07:12] this board and non-residents can be on the board. It's not like they can't be

[4:07:15] there. I just think that those two positions should be held by residents.

[4:07:18] » I think you're taking the authority away from the people who are paying them

[4:07:22] money to pay to play golf there and to be a member there

[4:07:25] » to make recommendations. >> I think you're taking the authority away

[4:07:28] from the people who are actual members. >> So if that's what you want to do.

[4:07:33] » Yes. And and if you think you have a majority here, then there's no reason to

[4:07:38] discuss a further >> further. The board of governors doesn't

[4:07:41] appear on this list. Speaking I was looking for terms when you mentioned

[4:07:45] that, but it's not >> because they're elected.

[4:07:47] » They're elected. >> All of the members are elected.

[4:07:50] » By the membership, >> that's great. How it's done is again

[4:07:54] part of >> they're nominated. It's in it's in the

[4:07:57] board of >> Shouldn't that be added to this list?

[4:07:59] Just so we know who the members are. Silia, also the school district working

[4:08:03] group is not on here either. >> Do you need me to get you that

[4:08:07] information? >> Yes. And I would appreciate the schedule

[4:08:09] too that I had asked for. >> You got it. No problem. I'll take care

[4:08:11] of that for you. >> Thank you.

[4:08:12] » I was starting to look um and you may know without looking. Um I remember

[4:08:17] there was an issue with having a junior member on the board of governors. Was

[4:08:21] that put in the this last iteration of the bylaw?

[4:08:25] » No, that was taken out. It was taken out. Okay.

[4:08:28] » All right. So, uh motion to um Can I please

[4:08:33] » turn around? Have we ever been able to stop you?

[4:08:35] » I I think I I think the document's incomplete in that if if the it should a

[4:08:42] document that this board's voting on as long as I'm your counsel should not go

[4:08:46] from two to four without a three. >> So

[4:08:50] » at a minimum I think if that's if that well the last thing we heard I I didn't

[4:08:54] know that that decision had been made that yes, we do have the authority to

[4:08:57] vote on the bylaw. Now that I know that, I would like to take a deeper dive into

[4:09:01] what's there and maybe make some further suggestions like during like the mayor

[4:09:05] said, have the discussions with membership if you have a suggestion on

[4:09:08] how we can do that and maybe we have a public hearing or or a public

[4:09:14] » not necessarily a public hearing, but you could certainly invite whomever you

[4:09:18] want to give >> we notify it and give us information and

[4:09:21] we >> I think one time when we were looking

[4:09:22] for information from members, we put out some type of survey

[4:09:26] » to the members. I don't there's um there's a

[4:09:28] » number of ways to skin that guy. >> There's an annual meeting of the women's

[4:09:35] » Harbor Hills Tuesday tournament group HHTG

[4:09:38] in October. >> Say that one, Dave.

[4:09:40] » That would that would be a Mac. >> No, no, he's not he's not allowed to say

[4:09:45] that. He's not allowed to say that. Um that would be a good place to go and and

[4:09:50] uh just canvas the the the membership. And there's that's pretty much 5050. I

[4:09:55] would prefer maybe to call here is so we all kind of hear the same.

[4:10:00] » I think you go where they are. >> I disagree.

[4:10:02] » You go you go to where they are. And if you want to do a survey with them, well,

[4:10:05] you're not going to get a real >> I disagree. Just

[4:10:08] » you're not going to get people to show up. Look,

[4:10:10] » they can write, "Well, they didn't know they were here to talk about the board

[4:10:13] of governors and we have some >> anyway

[4:10:16] um >> if we promote it and say we are working

[4:10:20] on this document and we would love to hear from the members and promote it at

[4:10:24] the country club and >> that way we can all hear it real time."

[4:10:29] I mean, it's one thing to hear it or to say on the street or at a soccer club,

[4:10:34] you know, fundraiser when I'm talking to members and hearing their opinion. I I

[4:10:39] think we all should hear it from them directly versus, "Hey, Lauren, I spoke

[4:10:42] to so and so and this is their opinion." And you're like, "Well, no, I spoke to

[4:10:45] » You could put it in writing. You could put a survey like Dave said, you know,

[4:10:48] and and ask them if they >> I'm open to suggestions,

[4:10:51] » but are we are we asking to hear from members that are also residents? I mean,

[4:10:56] we're because I mean, that's where it could get a little

[4:11:00] » convoluted there. If you have non-residents are going to say, "Oh, we

[4:11:04] don't care if the president is good." Again, I I think um the cleanest way and

[4:11:09] I understand Dave, there's a three missing.

[4:11:11] » Yeah, >> I got it.

[4:11:12] » Article three. >> I I still think that we should make the

[4:11:15] make the correction and make this >> residents as the president and the vice

[4:11:20] president and we'll make the correction to three as we go along. But let's at

[4:11:24] least fix that one component of it before, you know, let's we've been

[4:11:28] talking about the board of governors. People have been coming here complaining

[4:11:31] about the non-residents on the board of governors for 2 years plus when they

[4:11:37] wanted to eliminate junior members. All this has been going on for two years. We

[4:11:41] finally have an opportunity now. Thank you, Attorney Moran, for uh clarifying

[4:11:46] that we can vote this. Let's vote. Let's make this one correction. We can fix

[4:11:51] everything else along the way. Let's make

[4:11:53] » My issue is My issue with your statement, Trusty Franco, is that it's

[4:11:57] not your document to correct. that your document to approve. So

[4:12:02] if either you approve the the if you're going to vote either you approve the

[4:12:06] document before you or you don't. >> So we can't make a correction to that

[4:12:10] document. >> You could suggest corrections and

[4:12:12] hopefully they take them to account when you adopt them. But I it's you're not

[4:12:16] the promagator or the author of that document. I didn't write it. We didn't

[4:12:20] have obviously this board didn't have any say in it. We don't

[4:12:23] » Well, no, we did have say in it. We all looked at that document. Bob, we we

[4:12:29] Trusty Hill, myself and Bob all made corrections to the document and

[4:12:34] » and I respected that process and that's the product of those meetings. Um I it's

[4:12:40] not the way I would do it. Either either we accept the document that that

[4:12:43] document is before you. That's the document that you either vote on or not.

[4:12:47] And as your counsel I say that docu that document is incomplete,

[4:12:51] » right? >> That's my advice. Whatever you guys do

[4:12:54] with that advice, I understand because I've been here too and I heard the

[4:12:57] iterations and I I worked I worked with Stan way before her on on on some

[4:13:02] bylaws, you know, three or four years ago.

[4:13:05] » Um, but that's that's my advice. I mean, >> and this this whole debate between, you

[4:13:11] know, who's more important, residents, non-residents,

[4:13:14] um, is is like, uh, a tale as old as time. Because you go back to articles

[4:13:22] from 1979, 80, 81, 82, 83, and all the way to 2000.

[4:13:30] The debate doesn't change. It's who's the non-residents say we make this golf

[4:13:37] course run because our fees are so much higher than yours. How dare you raise

[4:13:42] our fees by 40%. They need to go back. I just read an article about John Steiner

[4:13:48] saying the res the non-resident rates are too high. You need to decrease them

[4:13:53] and John who works there now, right? You know John Steiner, right?

[4:13:57] » Or no. >> Yes.

[4:13:59] » Okay. So, yeah. So, it just and he was a resident and he was a trustee at the

[4:14:04] time. So we can continue to argue and I like I

[4:14:09] think the board of governors without prejudice or without concern or

[4:14:14] I think they are doing the right thing and care about the golf course and the

[4:14:21] way the golf course conditions are um maintained.

[4:14:24] » I mean >> and I just I'm just like

[4:14:27] » just hearing what I'm hearing here and they're elected by the they elect each

[4:14:32] other. Isn't there remedy? If they don't like something, it's to run for the

[4:14:39] board the following year. Like, >> yeah,

[4:14:41] » I don't know. >> Every year that the president is

[4:14:44] reelected or not, is up for re-election. >> So, mayor,

[4:14:48] » now there are three seats open and they're all non-residents.

[4:14:51] » And if the board wants to codify it, codify it.

[4:14:55] » But, >> and if you don't want to codify it,

[4:14:57] which I wouldn't recommend. >> I wouldn't. Yeah. Not Not with that.

[4:15:00] » You know, it's easy. You know, you're either in or you're out. Well, are are

[4:15:03] you saying if we um if we vote to codify these bylaws with

[4:15:10] the uh uh amendment to it that the president and non and vice president

[4:15:16] have to be residents that could we could do that today?

[4:15:20] » No, he's saying >> when I meant cottify it, I mean put it

[4:15:22] in a code. >> I meant codify it.

[4:15:25] » I don't Well, that's what that's my point. This this is uh this is a

[4:15:30] subsection as a creation of something that's in the code already. So there's

[4:15:35] like three levels of hierarchy chain of command all

[4:15:42] » do you want to speak? >> You want

[4:15:43] » after you're done I'm just I'm just raise my hand because I want to be next.

[4:15:46] » Um so in my in my opinion yes you guys have

[4:15:51] a saying you have the right >> to

[4:15:55] participate in the bylaw process. Um,

[4:15:59] but it's from what I'm hearing is if there if

[4:16:04] they govern themselves, let them govern themselves. And if the

[4:16:09] residents who I I don't know the numbers, if there's more residents than

[4:16:12] non-residents, >> and if the residents

[4:16:15] » Oh, you mean general membership? >> General membership.

[4:16:17] » There's a little Is it just like 49 51? >> It's pretty close.

[4:16:20] » Yeah. >> So, why wouldn't they get equal

[4:16:22] representation on a board that participates? I mean, that's just my

[4:16:26] opinion. It sounds like the Mount Sinai school district problem with Porchev

[4:16:30] school districts school district Mounts broke away for poor chef because they

[4:16:34] wouldn't allow them any >> I'm gonna I'm going to say like

[4:16:38] » but I again I I and then I'll step out of the debate. I just just want to try

[4:16:42] and understand the issues. >> Um

[4:16:45] but from your from your council that document is not complete and I

[4:16:50] wouldn't recommend voting on it. And I I was just going to say that if

[4:16:57] something needs to be addressed, it's the code about it's chapter 25 in the

[4:17:02] code which is so so um it's like there's nothing in it.

[4:17:09] It's just this is what this is what you have responsibility for the CCMAC has a

[4:17:14] responsibility for for advising on finance on culture and social and um the

[4:17:21] the uh grounds and care care of the grounds. So, if we really wanted to get

[4:17:26] into something and make some improvements over what the roles and

[4:17:32] responsibilities are of the advisory council, I'm probably going to get my

[4:17:38] head handed to me for saying this, but we should probably look at that code and

[4:17:42] say, let's build it. Let's build some bylaws around what the CCMAC does if

[4:17:47] that's if there's a legislative need for that. unless it just serves the

[4:17:55] appropriate purpose as is.

[4:17:59] I always thought the CCMAC code was like directionless.

[4:18:04] So, um, again, I I don't mean to be redundant and I know it's getting late.

[4:18:10] I believe that we should modify that document that the president and the

[4:18:16] non-resident are um

[4:18:20] » I apologize the president and vice president are residents and any other

[4:18:25] modifications that we need to make to that document going forward we'll make

[4:18:28] but at least let's get that one section cleaned up because I talked to quite a

[4:18:33] few golfers and staff and the the way the board of governors is constructed

[4:18:39] right now um it's they're they're difficult to work with is is an

[4:18:45] understatement. So I would like to um correct that right now. It was something

[4:18:51] that we put in place months ago. It should not have been taken out in the

[4:18:55] first place. Let's make that correction. Put it in so at least that section is

[4:18:58] corrected. So let's can we have a vote on that?

[4:19:02] » But what attorney Moran said is we can't make the corrections. You can make a

[4:19:05] suggestion back that this is not sufficient and can you change and

[4:19:09] reumber and add in resident versus >> are we allowed to modify that that kind

[4:19:14] that that agreement >> again in my opinion it's not possible

[4:19:18] Mike >> in my in my opinion

[4:19:22] » you didn't promate that document you didn't draft it so I

[4:19:26] » we did correct it Dave >> again you you

[4:19:29] » well we made suggested >> you didn't correct it my understanding

[4:19:31] is you made you made potential changes is they adopted some, they didn't adopt

[4:19:35] others. To me, that's the process in a document that you didn't formulate or

[4:19:40] promulgate. Now, again, if they don't bend to your will, which is you want

[4:19:46] this to say member members, vice president, and vice president, you have

[4:19:50] the right not to adopt the bylaws. >> But so,

[4:19:53] » but then what but what ramifications? >> But there's no board.

[4:19:57] » That doesn't make any that doesn't >> I appre I I I to me they govern

[4:20:02] themselves. They're they're advisory to an advisory board.

[4:20:06] » Dave, I just want to ask you a question. It's a simple question. If we vote today

[4:20:10] to say that the president and vice president have to be residents into that

[4:20:14] document, yes or no, does it go into that document?

[4:20:18] » It depends on whether or not >> Hold on, Kathy. Let Dave answer the

[4:20:21] question. >> From what I'm hearing in this

[4:20:24] discussion, they also have to vote to adopt the bylaws. So, I can't answer the

[4:20:28] question. >> Well, they'll only adopt they're going

[4:20:30] to adopt the bylaws that we approve. >> No. I I believe it's the other way

[4:20:34] around. >> You're going to adopt the bylaws that

[4:20:36] they approve. >> There are no bylaws. We send back our

[4:20:38] recommendations, including what you just said, and then they either give them

[4:20:42] back to us with those corrections or they don't. And if they do, great. We

[4:20:46] vote on them and they're done. If they give them back to us and say, "No, we're

[4:20:49] not going to put that in." We say, "We don't vote on them." And then we decide

[4:20:51] what to do with the board of governors without bylaws.

[4:20:53] » All right. These were already adopted June 26th

[4:20:57] » by the board of governors. >> But they have to be approved by you.

[4:21:00] » But they're not approved. And if you're if you're not inclined to approve them,

[4:21:02] and I'm telling you as your counsel, you shouldn't approve them because they're

[4:21:05] not >> numbered.

[4:21:06] » Complete. Yeah, >> they're not complete.

[4:21:08] » Or at least a page should be in there that says number three intentionally

[4:21:11] omitted some something. So in when when none of us are here, all a sudden page

[4:21:15] article three slides in, >> right?

[4:21:17] » That says everyone could be a non-member to exist. Um non-resident.

[4:21:23] Um, >> okay. We have to,

[4:21:24] » but that's the procedure I I would suggest is the right one

[4:21:28] if I'm understanding how it all works.

[4:21:33] » Motion to go into exact session. >> No, I think

[4:21:36] » Randy gets to go. >> We'll wait after exact.

[4:21:40] » Motion to eliminate Ry's report. >> I don't know.

[4:21:43] » Yes. Yes. Yes. Please, please. >> Please.

[4:21:46] » Well, thank you, Randy. >> Thankfully, most of the things, well,

[4:21:50] two things. Yeah, we were already covered. So power plant working group

[4:21:54] obviously meeting was changed to combine with budget and finance. I couldn't go.

[4:21:58] I had air conditioning issues. Uh historical society's meeting Tuesday.

[4:22:02] I'm very excited to go because that will be my first meeting with them. Uh we met

[4:22:06] parks and wreck. So, the beginning of our meeting, we um invited Janice Eaton

[4:22:12] to come because she uh if you remember, she had sent an email, I think a while

[4:22:18] ago, back in April um for Skull Racks at uh

[4:22:23] » Harbor Front Park. So, we invited her or I actually happened to see her at a

[4:22:29] school board meeting and um >> Centennial

[4:22:31] » Centennial. Thank you. Well, it's kind it was a little bit up for discussion

[4:22:36] where the location. Okay, >> we talked about that when she came.

[4:22:40] » Okay. >> Um,

[4:22:42] so she came to the meeting and we just had conversations cuz a lot of us

[4:22:46] weren't even familiar with what the skull bolt was. They're they're very

[4:22:49] large, bigger than kayaks. They're like 30 feet, I think. Oh, no. I'm sorry.

[4:22:54] » They're crew. They're crew, right? Like >> Yes. Yes. Um, so anyway, so our next

[4:22:59] step, you know, we had lots of questions. Um she had said that there

[4:23:03] were people that were blessing to build but obviously that would be an insurance

[4:23:09] issue for the village especially because of the length of these boats. So um I

[4:23:15] didn't know if that was something that we could look into. Um but the next step

[4:23:22] was we asked to just get some quotes for the skull uh for the racks.

[4:23:28] uh we disc oh so then the next part is we already discussed there's a lot of

[4:23:33] confusion still with where we stand with the basketball courts the misting

[4:23:36] station at uh at Rockship Park the resurfacing of Rocket Ship Park the

[4:23:43] splash pad um at Turtle Park obviously that area is a disaster it's like mud

[4:23:50] central um and yeah so we're still kind of waiting for quotes but obviously I

[4:23:57] think that may be handled. Uh and then still waiting for garden shed estimates

[4:24:04] um for the uh community garden on Beach Street.

[4:24:09] » So hopefully we're we had asked for those by the October meeting. So

[4:24:12] hopefully uh at the next meeting I'll have that.

[4:24:16] » And locks were were um planted. I think the beautifification committee actually

[4:24:21] um donated some or were going to donate some pollinator plants um to the

[4:24:26] community garden. Uh we had a discussion too kind of along the line with the

[4:24:31] skull boats because we talked about what happens when kayaks and um paddle boards

[4:24:39] are abandoned are left on the racks cuz we also talked about I'll circle back

[4:24:43] how to um kind of run the skull racks. It would be I'm assuming we if we went

[4:24:51] ahead with that project it would be similar to how we have um paddle boards

[4:24:56] and kayaks on the racks at the beaches. Um we have them at Crystal Brook, right?

[4:25:02] Crystal Brook. Yeah. So, we talked about that, but then it also led to us talking

[4:25:07] about the abandonment of uh paddle boards and kayaks. And there's

[4:25:13] apparently a lot like 20 to 30 abandoned kayaks and paddle boards that are I

[4:25:18] guess in a shed somewhere. No one's really sure where exactly they are. So

[4:25:22] that was a concern because these are massive boats. I mean I don't I don't

[4:25:28] estimate that we'll have as many um of these boats

[4:25:34] as as we do kayaks and and paddle boards. And I would imagine they're

[4:25:37] pretty costly. So I don't think that they would be something that would be

[4:25:40] abandoned, but it just, you know, sparked a conversation. So we also

[4:25:45] talked about what what is the village doing with the abandoned kayaks and

[4:25:50] paddle board. >> Oh, that's the question that keeps on

[4:25:53] coming back over year over year. But I I thought they were I thought we actually

[4:25:57] had a final disposition on those. >> Um, but that's a Dave Melio's question.

[4:26:02] » Okay. Yeah. I mean, we're like, can we can we have like a little

[4:26:06] » Thought they had talked about doing auction. They talked about an auction

[4:26:10] last year. I thought we had an auction on them last year.

[4:26:12] » I thought I thought I think we might have.

[4:26:14] » You remember, Sylvia? Did they do an au? I

[4:26:17] » don't think they formally did an auction. Did they?

[4:26:20] » No. No. And that was because I I was not aware that the number was that high.

[4:26:26] » I don't I mean, this is also a little bit of people are like, "Oh, yeah. I

[4:26:31] think there's about 20 to 30." I don't know if we know for sure. So, I think we

[4:26:35] would need to do some further investigation to find out where they are

[4:26:39] and how many there are. >> Yeah. I mean, parks can tell.

[4:26:43] » I'll see if we can get a definite number of how many

[4:26:48] » how many and where and location >> and where they might legal question

[4:26:52] would be if they were on our racks and abandoned, do we have contact number of

[4:26:57] the owner before we auction off someone's property? I believe that was

[4:27:02] worked >> over and over again.

[4:27:03] » Marissa's very >> I was just going to say we we made we

[4:27:06] made a very concerted effort. You said the exact same thing last time.

[4:27:11] » Consistency. Um >> isn't I'm sorry to jump in, but isn't

[4:27:14] there wording in the agreement? There is. Yeah. That if this then

[4:27:18] » Yes. Then you surrender. You basically surrender your property to the village.

[4:27:21] » There is. But we wanted to exhaust every option. And then I know that Marissa

[4:27:25] made a very concerted effort and at that time there were several people that did

[4:27:31] pick up their kayaks. So if that's >> I know somebody that

[4:27:36] admitted that they got multiple phone calls and still didn't go. So they were

[4:27:41] like, "Nope, you could do what you want with it. It's my fault." So So I do have

[4:27:46] confirmation that that is accurate. >> All right. I I'll ask DPW,

[4:27:50] give me accountant, where are they? >> Yes, exactly. At the very least, if we

[4:27:53] can't identify, we should publicize somewhere. Apparently, Facebook's a good

[4:27:58] idea. So, >> yeah. Yeah.

[4:27:59] » Um, >> it seems to be very popular.

[4:28:01] » We should publicize somewhere that if you have abandoned or left a blah blah

[4:28:07] blah blah for a period of time, the village will be just even even if the

[4:28:10] agreement says that we should still do some level of diligence.

[4:28:13] » The equivalent of a public notice. >> Yeah.

[4:28:17] » All right. So, moving on. We um discussed the uh 911 memorial. Uh mo a

[4:28:22] lot of us actually attended uh we we met at um Harborf Park to just survey the

[4:28:29] property just to see like locations. Uh but then at our parks and wreck meeting

[4:28:33] we just talked about uh the formulation of this committee uh potential

[4:28:37] fundraising plans and you know partner trying to partner with the conservancy.

[4:28:41] So we talked about golf outing, maybe a steak dinner, poker night. Uh so we were

[4:28:46] just having just conversations about that. Um and then the last two things

[4:28:52] were um it was mentioned that uh we may be trying to bring recreation volleyball

[4:28:58] back. Uh I know it was there for a long time cuz I played when I was in like my

[4:29:04] 20s. Um and then during CO it actually uh went away and then the place in Mount

[4:29:12] Sai opened up a beach volleyball place and that kind of I think took a lot of

[4:29:17] people away from it. But now I think there's an interest to maybe bring

[4:29:21] recreation volleyball back to Spring Street, which I would appreciate. It's

[4:29:26] very expensive at the beach volleyball play. So,

[4:29:29] » uh, and then we also discussed um the softball netting

[4:29:34] um at the the softball field. Um, I guess the outer netting is pulled taut,

[4:29:43] but the netting that is I guess the foul ball netting is not. It's like swoops.

[4:29:50] » Yeah. And so I >> play softball also. And um it's not

[4:29:56] really serving its purpose. I mean it's serving its purpose because the foul

[4:30:00] balls are not going into the you know >> into the creek swamp as we call it.

[4:30:06] They are not, but they are not bouncing off the netting. They're getting stuck

[4:30:11] » in the netting because it's not taught. Right.

[4:30:15] » So, that was something we talked about. And I believe that netting is also um

[4:30:20] seasonal. So, I think it's supposed to be coming down.

[4:30:24] » Right. And I think it's it's supposed to be on some sort of a pulley system. So,

[4:30:28] I'm not sure >> I'm not sure why,

[4:30:32] » you know, there's a little bit. Yeah. So, I don't know if that's something.

[4:30:36] Sorry. I don't know if I'm feel like I'm pawning some things off on you, but

[4:30:40] » I'm not sure if that's something we can address also and just find out the plan

[4:30:45] for the netting in the winter when cuz I mean that would be terrible.

[4:30:48] » Do you have any concerns if Randy goes right to parks for these things?

[4:30:52] » Okay. Yeah. >> No,

[4:30:54] » you can copy him or whatever. >> All right.

[4:30:57] » Go directly to to Greg at I don't have a problem with that at all. Do you want me

[4:31:02] to ask about do you want me to handle then the netting at the softball field

[4:31:06] and then also just ask about the kayaks too? Okay.

[4:31:10] » So I'll I'll ask about those two things. Perfect.

[4:31:13] » And that is the end of my report.

[4:31:19] » Treasure Gaffka forgot about you.

[4:31:23] » Anything? You don't have a mic.

[4:31:29] » I'm just going to be quick. Um, I'm working with the grants

[4:31:33] administrator to try and get reimbursed for management costs for the hazard

[4:31:37] mitigation flood study and also all of the August storm uh FEMA uh all of the

[4:31:44] projects. So everything from grant costs to our engineering costs to try and get

[4:31:48] reimbursed. Uh so the I was informed by our intern uh Alexandra Weldon that her

[4:31:55] last day will be September 24th. >> Okay. So, a little ear, you know, she's

[4:31:59] a little earlier than anticipated, but uh she's been a great asset uh so far to

[4:32:04] the department, and I, you know, just want to say thank you for for her work.

[4:32:08] Uh we're getting close to the finish line with the audit. We're waiting on

[4:32:11] the capital asset valuation update and New York State Retirement still hasn't

[4:32:15] given hasn't produced the Gazsby 68, which is needed for our OPED report. So

[4:32:21] once we have that, we'll have a final report, but our auditors are prepared to

[4:32:24] begin working on the AFR upload to New York State now without it. And if we

[4:32:29] need to amend it, we'll do that, which is in process anyway.

[4:32:34] Um, Flushing Bank, uh, we passed this

[4:32:38] resolution a few months ago, but Flushing Bank is being transitioned to

[4:32:42] Ocean First Bank. So, uh, staff, we're all going through training on the new

[4:32:46] banking portal. Uh, one of the unfortunate things that we learned and

[4:32:49] we've been trying to work diligently to uh, avoid it is that we're we will not

[4:32:54] have our flushing history. Uh, once they transition over, we we're not going to

[4:32:58] have access to being able to go in and get check images and certain things.

[4:33:03] » Uh, it's >> What does the clerk have to say about

[4:33:06] that? The records officer >> we have we have gone through and

[4:33:12] downloaded. I'm working with I'm trying to work with Flushing and I've put in a

[4:33:16] request for them to to give us Aren't they required?

[4:33:19] » We have We have physical copies of the bank statements. We have physical I have

[4:33:24] downloaded as many statements as are available. So, we do have

[4:33:28] » DIC aware. >> We do have This is just part of the It's

[4:33:32] just what happens. >> Call the Treasury Department.

[4:33:36] » Drop a dime. >> I don't believe that's an acceptable

[4:33:38] response. >> No. that you're not going to have your

[4:33:42] history if you need it. >> Yeah.

[4:33:43] » Yeah. >> I mean, they has to I mean, the this

[4:33:47] local municipal corporation has a retention policy.

[4:33:52] » They must be governed by some retention policies even during transition.

[4:33:56] » Yes, I have I have already reached out to some of the higherups at Flushing

[4:34:00] Bank and and with Ocean First and I've already made a complaint and I'm trying

[4:34:03] to get workarounds in case there's just nothing we can do about it. Um problem

[4:34:10] is ocean first. >> If you get to the point where you

[4:34:11] believe there's nothing you can do, we need to elevate it.

[4:34:15] » Understood. >> Like tomorrow.

[4:34:18] » Yeah. And we can't we're not the only village that uses flushing. So

[4:34:21] » No. No. And and I was not the only one to complain about this. So um but our

[4:34:27] staff has been trying to be careful and we've gone through and downloaded our

[4:34:31] statements, downloaded as much information as humanly possible.

[4:34:35] » Yeah. >> Just to be safe. So to make sure we have

[4:34:39] access to it just to be safe. Um you know a lot of times with software

[4:34:44] transitions you lose stuff. We lost stuff when we transitioned from KVS to

[4:34:47] to Edmonds. It was not clean. It wasn't smooth.

[4:34:50] » But that you weren't here when that happened.

[4:34:52] » I was not here. No. >> So but now we're here. The government is

[4:34:56] here to help. >> Yes. Mayor.

[4:35:01] » So I'm working I'm just I'm actively working on it. I just want to I thought

[4:35:03] it was important enough to bring it to the attention. I I had I had this

[4:35:07] conversation today, so it's I didn't even have a chance to really, you know,

[4:35:10] get too far into it. >> When's the transition complete?

[4:35:13] » September 18th. >> That's a week away.

[4:35:16] » Yeah, I know. >> Come on. No,

[4:35:17] » this is they gave us that amount of time. They got an alert that said you're

[4:35:20] everything's changing. >> Stephen,

[4:35:23] send it to >> Dave. I will re we'll convene about this

[4:35:27] tomorrow. Um, deputy treasur is going to Nikon. I

[4:35:32] don't I don't know if anybody else from the board is going. So Michelle will be

[4:35:36] going to the Nikon and and she found out today and I just want to I thought it

[4:35:39] was important to recognize she's going to be receiving her certification for

[4:35:43] CMF CM. >> So I thought that you know she went

[4:35:48] through all of the she had enough credits

[4:35:50] » CFM >> CFML CFM.

[4:35:54] » That's awesome. Yeah. >> Yes. So, uh, something to be proud about

[4:35:58] and, you know, hopefully I won't be too far behind since I didn't even realize

[4:36:02] that it existed prior to coming here.

[4:36:08] » That's a where we were issue, not a >> where I am issue.

[4:36:13] Um and uh just an update updated the leings

[4:36:17] report and we received 27,700 or we will be receiving $27,746

[4:36:24] for August. Um so from June to August we were up to 94,474

[4:36:30] in revenue and unless there's questions I'll stop

[4:36:34] there. >> What did we get from Liberty? What do we

[4:36:36] what's our what are our numbers from Liberty Clipper? I

[4:36:39] » I haven't gotten a report for August yet.

[4:36:46] Okay. >> We had gotten 6,000 uh a little over

[4:36:50] 6,000 for when they were here in June, but they were not here all of July. So,

[4:36:56] now I'll get the number for August and update the board as soon as possible.

[4:37:01] » Okay.

[4:37:05] Attorney Moran, do you have anything? Okay.

[4:37:10] Do we have a motion to go into executive session?

[4:37:12] » Before we do that, do we our next meeting are we changing the date?

[4:37:17] » Oh, >> uh I I checked. I'm unavailable.

[4:37:20] » Okay. >> So, no, because we will not have a

[4:37:24] quorum.

[4:37:29] » Second for exec. >> So, so at this time we have a motion to

[4:37:34] enter into executive session at 9:42 p.m. Motion. I motion

[4:37:40] » second. >> Move.

[4:37:41] » All in favor? >> I

[4:37:42] » I

[4:37:58] » It's 10:04. >> 10:04. Okay. Uh, all in favor?

[4:38:03] » I I >> Okay. Um, Trusty Snen has left the room.

[4:38:08] So, there's four of us left. And we have two two resolutions, Sylvia, out of

[4:38:14] executive session. >> Yes, Mayor. There are two. They are

[4:38:18] resolution numbers 10 and 11, respectively. Resolution number 109926

[4:38:26] is a resolution authorizing Mayor Shepro to sign the order on consent and waiver

[4:38:30] of formal hearing per docket number ENF2600759E

[4:38:37] on behalf of the village of Port Jefferson and authorizing the payment of

[4:38:40] the corresponding $425 penalty to the Suffach County Department of Health. May

[4:38:45] I have a motion? >> Motion.

[4:38:46] » Second. >> Second.

[4:38:47] » All in favor? >> I. Resolution number 11 99926 resolution

[4:38:52] approving the below amendment to the existing department heads and

[4:38:56] non-represented employees employment policy which reads as follows. Employees

[4:39:00] who are called into work outside of their regular work hours will receive a

[4:39:05] minimum of three hours of compensatory time or an amount equal to the number of

[4:39:10] hours that they worked whichever is greater. Earned compensatory time may

[4:39:14] not be used until an employee has worked for 6 months on a full-time basis. May I

[4:39:19] have a motion? >> Motion.

[4:39:20] » Second. >> Thank you.

[4:39:21] » All in favor? >> I

[4:39:23] » I >> Good job. Motion carries.

[4:39:29] » Do we have a motion to adjurnn?

[4:39:32] » Motion. >> Second

[4:39:35] » at 10:05 p.m. >> All in favor?

[4:39:37] » I >> I motion carries. Good night.

[4:39:40] » Good night, everyone.

09-09-2026 - Board of Trustees Work Session

Transcript