MINUTES OF: November 19, 2024 MEETING

PRESENT: Mayor: Bob Sandak, Deputy Mayor: Jacquelyn Gernaey

Trustees: James J. von Oiste, Michael Solo, Leza Di Bella

Others present: Clerk Treasurer Joanne Raso; Deputy Clerk Treasurer Barbara Sakovich

& Village Attorney Eileen Powers.

The board went into executive session before the public meeting to discuss a litigation matter. No action was taken.

MEETING CONVENED AT 8:10 pm

MINUTES: October minutes were accepted as read.
TREASURER’S REPORT: October Treasurer’s report were accepted as read.

III. CORRESPONDENCE:

Event permit application from Mather Hospital for annual Mather walk on Sunday 5/18/25

Letters requesting use of the Community Center:

Karen Esposito for a family Christmas party on Sat. Dec. 21
PJ High School for Varsity Football/Cheer Banquet Dinner on Mon, Dec. 2

MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Sandak reported how the Village funds are invested according to the rules of NYS and by investing in NYCLAS, which is specific for municipalities, we receive a better rate and our funds are liquid. Also, our State Association is working on these important legislative municipal issues: maintaining state aid, increasing highway funding, limiting the cost of the prevailing wage mandate and public safety considerations in bail determinations. Mayor Sandak also discussed the financial resolutions on the agenda.

LAW REPORT: No report

COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
BEACH: No report
BUILDINGS: Commissioner Di Bella reported that the new furnace at the Gatehouse was installed.
PARKS: Commissioner Solo reported that he is happy to see the increased usage in the park with young families. There are plans to add three additional exercise equipment stations which will be ordered in either the spring or summer of 2025 depending on the budget. A new pickleball bench will be ordered in the spring.
ROADS: Commissioner Solo reported that we continue to deal with the roadside erosion concerns in the Village. After the successful initial drainage project that took place on Sts Orchard Road, we continued the erosion project to 9 additional roads in the Village. All have been completed with the exception of a portion of Bell Circle which will be done shortly. New drainage has been added on Hemlock Path, Deer Path and Crooked Oak. The erosion and drainage projects will continue on an on-going basis. National Grid repaired the pavement on Cliff Road after their recent road opening work.

YOUTH PROGRAM: No Report
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Mayor Sandak reported that the recent Resident Party that took place at the Park was well attended.
HARBOR MANAGEMENT: Commissioner von Oiste reported that at the recent meeting, George Hoffman gave a presentation and the PJ Harbor water quality is good. The Town of Brookhaven will begin a dredging project in certain areas of the Harbor in the Spring
CODE REVIEW: Commissioner Gernaey reported that the Board will be reviewing the fence code with a future public hearing date to be scheduled.
CONSTABULARY: Mayor Sandak reported there were 36 calls for service in October.

VII: MOTIONS:

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee von Oiste was passed unanimously to approve for payment the abstract of audited vouchers in the amount of $58,749.18. Motion carried.

Motion by Trustee Di Bella, seconded by Trustee Solo to pass a resolution to amend Chapter A175 of the village code entitled “Fees” to add the revised fees for the computation of building permit fees adopted on July 16, 2024. Motion carried

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee Di Bella to pass a resolution accepting the bid from Suffolk Snow Services for snow plowing, salt and sanding of village roadways was unanimously approved.

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee von Oiste to pass a resolution giving the mayor the authority, upon the approval of the Village Attorney, to sign the Agreement with the Town of Brookhaven for highway work and supplying salt/sand through December 31, 2025. Motion carried

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee von Oiste to pass a resolution establishing an Unemployment Insurance Payment Reserve Fund to accumulate moneys to reimburse the State for payments made to claimants where the Village has elected to use the benefit reimbursement method. Motion carried.

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee Solo to pass a resolution establishing a Retirement Contribution Reserve Fund to accumulate moneys for the purpose of financing retirement contributions. Motion carried.

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee Di Bella to pass a resolution establishing a Snow and Ice Removal Reserve Fund to accumulate moneys for the removal of snow and ice, which removal is of a type not likely to recur annually or at shorter intervals, or for repairing and maintaining roadways to the extent damage to such roadways was caused by the removal of snow and ice, including but not limited to repairing potholes & other road surface maintenance, which repairs & maintenance are of a type not likely to recur annually or at shorter intervals. Motion carried.

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee von Oiste to pass a resolution establishing a Repair Reserve Fund to accumulate moneys for repairs of capital improvements or equipment, which repairs are of a type not recurring annually or at shorter intervals. Motion carried.

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee Solo to pass a resolution establishing a Capital Fund Reserve to accumulate moneys to finance the cost of land, buildings and building alterations. Motion carried.

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee Di Bella to pass a resolution amending the 2023-2024 Budget by authorizing budget transfers as to correct various shortfalls within departments by increasing the appropriated fund balance in the amount of $102,000. Motion carried.

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee von Oiste to pass a resolution acknowledging the current values of reserve funds as of May 31, 2024. Motion carried.

Motion by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee Solo to pass a resolution establishing a Capital Reserve Fund to accumulate monies to purchase a new constable vehicle. Motion carried.

MEETING OPENED TO THE PUBLIC:

A resident suggested instituting a memorial bench program in the Park, whereby benches can be donated in someone’s memory. Commissioner Solo discussed a combination tree/bench program and the Board discussed the current benches and seating throughout the Park. The mayor asked the resident to submit a photo of the bench that is made by the Hope House residents.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

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