MINUTES OF: March 17, 2026 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.

MEETING CONVENED AT 8:12 pm

MINUTES: A motion to dispense with the reading of the February minutes was made by Trustee Solo, seconded by Trustee Gernaey and passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT: A motion to dispense with the reading of the February Treasurer’s Report was made by Trustee Gernaey, seconded by Trustee Di Bella and passed unanimously.

III. CORRESPONDENCE:

Alexandra Laudisio for a communion on May 2, 2026 from 12 to 6:00 p.m.
Event permit application from Mather Hospital for annual Mather Walk on Sunday 5/17/26 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Jason Intardonato for a Family Reunion on June 27, 2026 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Danielle Buonomo for a Code Course on Friday, March 20 from 7am to 3 pm

MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Sandak reported that the Comptroller’s office issues all Municipalities, School Districts and Fire Departments a Fiscal Stress Score that evaluates a local government’s budgetary solvency. The Village received a score of 3.3 which is great news and shows we are fiscally responsible.

Mayor Sandak also reported that there is conversation in Port Jefferson Village about the repowering of the Port Jefferson Power Plant, and while this can be a future long-term project, it potentially will affect Belle Terre with regard to taxes for the school District, fire department and library. The benefit to repowering is that the power lines are already in place.

COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:

BEACH: Trustee von Oiste reported that letters were sent to all current cabana owners to get their interest for this coming season as we do have a wait list. Also, the beach gazebo was lifted and repaired.

2. BUILDINGS: Trustee Di Bella reported that the Village board is in discussion with an engineer with regard to repairs to the community center.

3. PARKS: Trustee Solo reported that the village park looks good after the winter season and we will be moving forward with resurfacing the pickleball court.

4. ROADS: Trustee Solo reported that we completed a village wide cleanup of the drains and most all have been cleared off and we will be finalizing an inventory of the road damage due to the winter season of snow, ice and plowing. We will be restriping Cliff Road with both white and yellow lines, from the gatehouse to the circle, and the speed humps weathered the winter season well.

5. YOUTH PROGRAM: Mayor Sandak reported that we started registration for the Belle Terre Youth Program in February and we already have 42 campers signed up.

6. HARBOR MANAGEMENT: Trustee von Oiste reported that Harbor Committee meetings will resume in April.

7. CONSTABULARY: Mayor Sandak reported that there were 24 calls for service in the month of February.

VII: MOTIONS:

1. Motion to approve Abstract of Audited Vouchers for payment in the amount of $68,342.92. Made by Trustee Gernaey; Seconded by Trustee Solo and passed unanimously.

Motion to pass a resolution that the Village Hall at 55 Cliff Rd. be designated as the Village Polling Place. Registration Day has been abolished and Suffolk County Rolls will be used. Election Day will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 and the hours during which the polls shall be open shall be from Noon to 9:00 PM. Made by Trustee Di Bella; Seconded by Trustee von Oiste and passed unanimously.
Motion to set a public hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. on the proposed budget of $1,918,436.85 for the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 at the Vincent Bove Belle Terre Community Center, 55 Cliff Road. Made by Trustee Gernaey; seconded by Trustee Solo and passed unanimously.
Motion to accept the landscaping proposal from Anthony Montani Landscaping for the upcoming fiscal year. Made by Trustee Solo; Seconded by Trustee von Oiste and passed unanimously.
Motion to accept the proposal from Usher Plant Care for organic tic spraying at the park for the upcoming fiscal year. Made by Trustee Solo; Seconded by Trustee Di Bella and passed unanimously.
Motion to pass a resolution terminating the Retirement Reserve Fund pursuant to General Municipal Law 6-r(10) and transferring the remaining balance in the fund to the Snow & Ice Reserve Fund. Made by Trustee Gernaey; Seconded by Trustee von Oiste and passed unanimously.
Motion to pass a resolution supporting increased aid to municipalities & strengthening New York’s state/local partnership. Made by Trustee Gernaey; Seconded by Trustee von Oiste and passed unanimously.
Motion to add two additional walk-on motions made by Trustee Gernaey; second by Trustee Di Bella and passed unanimously:
Motion to add a resolution that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the mayor to execute a Stipulation of Settlement resolving its litigation with Long Island Waterfront Equities, LLC et al, filed under Index #627085/2024, over the unlawful use of the premises known as 157 Cliff Road, subject to the approval of the Village Attorney. Made by Trustee Leza Di Bella, seconded by Trustee Mike Solo. Motion carried.
Motion to add a resolution that the Board of Trustees authorizes the mayor to enter an agreement with Carl Moller in the amount of $6,550 (to be paid out of the Beach general fund) for the removal of the existing gate and installation of a new gate at John W. & Sheila Knapp Beach. Made by Trustee von Oiste; seconded by Trustee Solo and passed unanimously.