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METRO photo

By Peter Sloniewsky

Republican primaries for Smithtown’s supervisor election in November took place last week alongside Port Jefferson trustee elections the week prior. Because campaigning can be intense, especially mentally, both candidates in the Republican race for supervisor candidate — incumbent Ed Wehrheim (R) and challenger Rob Trotta (R, Fort Salonga) — and a newly elected Village of Port Jefferson trustee, Matt Franco, spoke to TBR News Media about the challenges of running for political office. 

Campaigning is a multifaceted endeavor, and Wehrheim elaborated on both the complexity of the process and the dramatic time commitment that it can present. 

“You’ll have your campaign headquarters set up, and you need to make frequent visits there,” Wehrheim said. “I carved out time … to go in and meet constituents at headquarters. We also carved out time to meet with specific groups that we targeted, and we also carved out time to go door-to-door and speak to the residents … It’s not an easy task to do.” 

Wehrheim, who is currently serving as supervisor, made it clear that balancing his incumbent role with campaigning has been straining. 

“You have to balance your time,” Wehrheim said. “If you’re the incumbent, you have a job to do … it will exhaust you.” 

Trotta also emphasized the intensity of his campaign schedule. 

“Campaigning and knocking on doors are sort of a dual purpose. I’m finding out what the people’s issues are, and I’m introducing myself,” Trotta said. “I can’t tell you how many people’s doors I’ve knocked on and helped with their problems.” 

Franco made the sacrifice required to campaign clear. 

“Campaigning is a major commitment, and it’s not something you do alone,” Franco said. “Running for office is not just a personal decision, it’s a family sacrifice … Their support wasn’t just helpful, it was essential. I’m grateful beyond words.” 

All three candidates described negative comments, hate and indecency around politics as a major source of the stress associated with campaigning. 

“It’s disheartening when you see your signs graffitied, stolen or even your house being stalked,” Trotta said. “Having been a cop, I’m prepared for these things, but I’m more concerned with my family than anything else.”  On June 23, the day before election day for the Republican primaries, Suffolk County Police arrested a man for stalking Trotta outside his home from the dates June 16 to June 18. 

Trotta also attributed some difficulties to the personalization of politics. 

“When you don’t have the facts, you attack the person,” Trotta said. “That’s what this campaign was about.”

Wehrheim described a similar degree of negativity surrounding the primary, and was also concerned about personalization. 

“If I had one thing to change, it would be that I wish politics weren’t so negative,” Wehrheim said. “If someone’s going to run for office, I wish that they would run on the merits — that they would campaign and run on what their plans are, how they’re going to support their constituency, things they would want to change.” 

Despite all of the stress inherent to campaigning, Franco was still clearly grateful for the opportunity to run and serve his community. 

“In the end, I genuinely enjoyed campaigning. It brought out the best in my team and reminded me why I ran in the first place,” Franco said. “Ignore the online toxicity … surround yourself with people who love you … stay focused on why you’re running … you can endure the noise and stay grounded in your purpose.”

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From left, Owen Timm, Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro and Matteo Gravinese. Photo from TOB

Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Daniel P. Losquadro recently awarded two local high school seniors with $500 scholarships from the Suffolk Country Highway Superintendents Association.

The recipients—Owen Timm, a Ward Melville High School senior, and Matteo Gravinese, a senior from Rocky Point High School—both plan to pursue careers in engineering and were selected as recipients of this year’s awards.

“Each year, the quality and quantity of applications we receive for the Highway Superintendents Association scholarship increases, making the selection process more and more challenging,” said Superintendent Losquadro. “Owen and Matteo have extremely impressive resumes and high school course loads. I wish them both all the best as they continue their education and hope they will return to Brookhaven to pursue their engineering careers and share their talents with us.”

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Town of Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth speaks about boat safety at a press conference on July 2. Photo from Town of Huntington Facebook

Large Boat Crowds Expected for Asharoken Fireworks

Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth, town maritime staff, and County law enforcement held a press conference on July 2 covering the essential rules to follow on the water this Independence Day weekend and highlighting the importance of abiding by each and every rule.

The Town will be implementing temporary 5 mile-per-hour speed zones to ensure safety in town waterways on July 4 from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Please refer to this link to view the zone map and their speeds.

Map courtesy of Town of Huntington

The Town of Huntington also warns boaters that there will be over 1,000 boats on Town waterways this holiday.  The Town and local law enforcement want everyone to be aware of the dangers that a wake from speedboating creates, as they can potentially destabilize a smaller or overcrowded boat – “caution is of the utmost importance as this exact scenario played out several years ago to Victoria Gaines” said Supervisor Smyth.

As a result of Victoria Gaines passing, who would’ve turned 21 this summer, Huntington initiated a Boating Safety Week each May, at the beginning of the boating season.

Town of Huntington reminds its residents, it is now state law that if you are going to be at the helm of a boat, classes are mandatory, as is a boating license.

The Town’s Harbormaster’s office will be out on the waters supporting the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau enforcing the following rules:

  • Speeding
  • intoxication
  • boat overcrowding

The Town would also like to remind boaters that Huntington’s Harbor Masters will be out patrolling the waters from 7:00 am until 1:00 am every day and on call 24-7, to ensure the safety of Town waterways.  Huntington also announced that boat capacity plates are on every boat.  These plates direct operators on how much weight is allowed on each boat.  The weight indicated on the plates include passengers and equipment/gear.

The Town of Huntington urge that every person on each boat is fitted with a life jacket.  The life jackets should be the appropriate size for each person – adult’s for adults and children’s for children. Adult sized life jackets do not protect children.

Supervisor Smyth and the Department of Maritime Services also announced there are now throwable life rings on all docks and ramps in Town in the case of an emergency.

The Town of Huntington emphasizes that it is extremely important that all citizens know that boating while intoxicated is just as illegal, dangerous, and as serious of a crime as driving while intoxicated. According to the NIH and the US Coast Guard, “alcohol consumption contributes to 18% of boating deaths in which the primary cause is known, making alcohol the leading known contributor of fatal boating accidents.”

Sergeant Peter Zotos of the Suffolk County Police Department stated “Alcohol and water are a dangerous combination. The sun, heat, and motion of the boat already impair your judgment and coordination to operate safely – adding alcohol or drugs already magnifies that effect.”

Supervisor Smyth sent a message to kayakers “I urge all kayakers to use common sense when you are on the water.  Stay out of the channels, stay close to shore, particularly this weekend, when there is a tremendous amount of boating activity.  Be smart about it.  Be safe.

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Village of Asharoken Fireworks Show
The Village of Asharoken’s annual fireworks show will take place at Crab Meadow Beach, Waterview St. W., Fort Salonga, on Friday, July 4 at 9:15 p.m.  Viewing is available from Crab Meadow Beach, James Street or Ocean Avenue in Northport. Boaters can watch the fireworks from Northport Bay or the Long Island Sound.

 

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Retiring Trustee Stan Loucks accepts a gift of thanks from village officials at June 25 PJ trustees meeting. Photo by Lynn Hallarman

By Lynn Hallarman

The Port Jefferson Board of Trustees passed several environmentally focused resolutions at its June 25 meeting, ranging from a ban on single-use plastics at the Village Center to a letter urging the governor to support the modernization of MTA rail infrastructure.

E-bike concerns

The meeting began with a report from Suffolk County Police Officer Casey Berry of the 6th Precinct, who addressed ongoing frustrations surrounding e-bike safety and the limited enforcement tools currently available. Berry cited an increase in unsafe riding by minors and pointed to a tangle of state laws that restrict what local police can do. 

“Our hands are tied in so many ways. We’re trying to ask ourselves, what can we do?” she said. 

This reporter spoke with several locals who are concerned about minors racing around the village without helmets, traveling the wrong way on one-way streets or failing to yield to pedestrians. New York State law requires minors to wear a helmet while riding. 

“I shared our concerns with Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D) to help us regarding state legislation regulating e-bikes,” said Trustee Kyle Hill, liaison to the safety committee.  

Low flying helicopters

Resident Barbara Sabatino voiced concerns about helicopters flying low during takeoff and landing at the Northwell Health’s Skyhealth Heliport at Mather Hospital. 

Sabatino described several incidences when the helicopters flew low over trees. The noise was so loud, in one instance, she had to pause a conversation with a neighbor.

“I would like to remind Mather that their helicopter service sits right in the middle of a residential area,” Sabatino said. 

Local aviation expert Robert Grotell explained in a phone interview that weather is often the reason for deviations from standard flight procedures.

“It’s not just rain— it could be wind, fog or low cloud cover,” he said.  

“We will be in touch with Mather Hospital’s Community Relations Office to convey your observations,” Mayor Lauren Sheprow said. 

Single-use plastics 

EcoLeague members Jennifer Vest and Holly Fils-Amie stand next to BYOC sticker displayed at the Secret Garden Tea Room & Gift Shoppe in PJ Village, Nov 2023. Photo by Lynn Hallarman

The trustees approved a resolution banning single-use plastic cutlery at rented events held at the Port Jefferson Village Center. The decision received cheers from environmental advocates, Myrna Gordon and Holly Fils-Amie, who led a two-year campaign for sustainable practices at municipal venues. 

‘Holly, I appreciate the kind of research that you did to make the business case. Thank you,” said Trustee Xena Urgrinsky, liaison to the village finance committee.  

Fils-Amie also highlighted the Port Jefferson EcoLeague’s BYOC (Bring Your Own Container) initiative, which promotes reusable containers at local eateries.  BYOC stickers identify establishments that have agreed to fill patron’s own container rather than use single-use plastics.  According to Fills Amie, village participating businesses— Southdown Coffee, Locals Café, Tiger Lilly Café, and the Secret Garden Tea Room & Gift shoppe display stickers in their windows.

“I think it’s a very good starting point for moving toward other green initiatives and marketing ourselves as a green community,” Fils-Amie said. 

Walkability efforts 

Janice Fleischman Eaton announced that Cynthia Brown, the Director of New York Coalition for Transportation Safety, will speak at the July 14 Port Jeff Civic Association meeting.

Walkability is increasingly a key factor in evaluating livability in U.S. communities. While Port Jefferson does not have an official walkability score, USA Today recently ranked New York City tenth nationwide, with Philadelphia taking the top spot.

“When you are using the crosswalks, make eye contact with the drivers, or wave to the drivers. If they don’t look like they see you, don’t cross,” Gordon advised.

LIRR electrification support

Trustees passed a resolution to send a letter from the board urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign New York State Assembly Bill A08560A, also known as the “Furthering Rail Transit in Suffolk Count Act.”  

The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman and former village trustee Rebecca Kassay, asks the state Department of Transportation to finalize a permanent access and construction easement for a 40-acre parcel at the Lawrence Aviation Industries Superfund site. The parcel would house a new rail yard essential for electrifying the Port Jefferson LIRR Branch. Trains would be shifted off of diesel fuel, eliminating unhealthy locomotive fumes.

The legislation mandates that the land deal be completed before a firm deadline of June 30, 2025 at a nominal cost of $10 to the MTA.  

“This legislation is important because it’s the linchpin to the MTA actually committing to electrifying the Port Jeff Rail,” trustee Hill said. “You can see the exhaust coming out of the current diesel trains.” 

The bill grants a permanent access and construction easement on property currently used for the Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail.

 “A small section of the Greenway trail will be rerouted just to the south. I wouldn’t support this legislation if it threatened our Greenway trail,” Kassay told TBR News Media.

The Board of Trustees will hold an organizational meeting July 9 at 5 p.m. on the second floor of Village Hall. 

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Poquott Village Hall

By Sabrina Artusa

Incumbents Jeremy Flint and Raymond Graham were reelected as trustees for the Village of Poquott, filling the two open seats. Flint had 61 votes and Graham had 60. 

Having just completed their first two-year terms in the village, both candidates decided to run again, happy to work for the village they love. 

Jeremy Flint

Flint moved to Poquott from his native Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2021 in an interesting reversal of recent trends. “When I first moved up, people asked me why. I told them ‘to get away from all the New Yorkers because so many move in the other direction,’” he said. 

He and his wife toured houses during COVID-19, when suburban homes were getting bought quickly as people emigrated from the city. When he and his wife toured their current home, they “immediately fell in love.” “It felt like home,” Flint said, and they put an offer in that very evening.

Flint owns his own business working in insurance, construction and consulting.

Galvanized to run after noticing how homes in his village were being utilized as rental properties, Flint ran for trustee in 2023, won and was appointed deputy mayor. Now, there are stipulations preventing residents or property owners from renting out their homes for short intervals. The village enforces a 30-day-stay minimum for rentals. 

Additionally, Flint is eager to continue working on improving the safety of Poquott roads, expanding community events, advancing village technology to “improve interaction with residents” and refreshing the 10-year master plan. 

He said his focus as trustee is respecting the balance of his unique community. “It is a combination of the inevitable moving into the future and working on the village and the upkeep,” he said 

Graham is also entering his second term. He works in the Kings Park Central School District as a middle school librarian. 

A Kings Park native, he moved to Poquott in 2019 and quickly became involved in the community volunteering, putting on fundraisers and embracing the community he called a “little slice of paradise.” 

It felt like a natural transition, then, when he ran for trustee in 2023 after the previous trustee moved. Like Flint, Graham is concerned about safety. 

“I want my roads to be safe,” he said. “I want my neighbors to be safe living here so I have been focusing my time on that aspect.” 

Indeed, the village has experimented with movable speed bumps as part of a PILOT program, which allowed the village to both gauge resident reaction and test where they would be more efficient.

Graham also said he is eager to continue fostering community unity through events like the annual summer barbeque. He is also floating the idea for a 5k run through the village as, he said, the local running community is growing. The scenic views and hilly roads provide a good combination of pleasurable views and a tough workout. 

Poquott beaches and infrastructures suffered damage in last year’s storm; Graham is eager to continue working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency “to try and restore the beautification of our village.” 

One beach particularly suffered from the 100-year storm, Walnut Beach. “At high tide you can’t even walk down the beach in that area because of the erosion,” Graham said.

For more information visit the village website: www.villageofpoquott.com.

Graham and Flint’s term will be three years as the village transitions to four year terms for trustees.

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Election primary at the Town of Smithtown. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) secures the Republican seat for town supervisor, winning the Republican primary alongside Lynne Nowick (R) and Thomas J. McCarthy (R) for the town board seats. 

Wehrheim, who has held the position since 2018, was challenged by current Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R) for the GOP candidacy for town supervisor. Wehrheim won 3,728 votes while Trotta had 3,059. 

Former director of the Smithtown Parks, Buildings & Grounds Department, Wehrheim campaigned on restoring Smithtown parks, revitalizing the downtown areas and maintaining the town’s fiscal health. According to Nowick, 70% of Smithtown parks have already been improved. 

An exuberant crowd of residents and Republican officials gathered at Napper Tandy’s Tuesday night as Wehrheim spoke, the live vote results projected on the screen behind him. 

Wehrheim said he endured a “very rough campaign,” with the last weeks having been “very negative from my opponent.” He commended his team for their dedication to his campaign.

Salvatore Formica won the primary for Suffolk County legislator representing the 13th district and will run for that seat in November. He beat Frank Black by around 15%.

Having worked as chief for the Commack Fire Department and as a detective for NYPD, Formica is “excited to get back to work to keep Suffolk County safe” by supporting the police and fire departments. He went on discussing the increased demand on fire districts and the plethora of stressors, including mental health, that weigh on law enforcement.

Nowick currently holds a seat on the Smithtown council and was previously a Suffolk County legislator and a tax receiver. She said, “I want to make sure we are very rigorous in getting the downtowns revitalized” and “maintain what we are doing now with parks, beaches, golf courses, concerts and athletics.” 

McCarthy said he campaigned “on the facts, the work, the job and doing the best for Smithtown.”

Nowick and McCarthy each won by around 29% of votes, beating challengers Robert Semprini and Joann Tiereny-Varello. 

The winners will be included in the Nov. 4 general election. 

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Smyth will be the GOP candidate for Huntington supervisor; Dr. Dave Bennardo and Greg Grizopoulos will run for council in November. Photo courtesy of Town of Huntington

By Peter Sloniewsky

Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth

On June 24, a combined slate of incumbent Huntington Town Supervisor Edmund Smyth, Councilmember David Bennardo and Councilmember-hopeful Greg Grizopoulos soundly defeated an opposition slate in the Huntington Republican primary. With all 185 districts reporting, Smyth earned more than 60% of the vote. Bennardo and Grizopoulos, in a field of four candidates with two winners, led with 31 and 29%, respectively. 

Smyth was first elected town supervisor in 2021 and previously served a term on the Town Board beginning in 2017. A lifelong resident of Huntington, Smyth is also a veteran and an attorney with four children. He defined his term as supervisor by improvements in fiscal stability, revitalization projects in parks, and improvements to the building permitting process. 

Huntington Councilmember Dave Bennardo

In Smyth’s reelection letter in March, he stuck by and reaffirmed the importance of his legislative record in office, noting his “record of strong fiscal management of your [sic] tax dollars, continued improvements to public safety, parks, beaches, roads, and garbage.” He also noted that he and his slate “ignore social media sensationalism and run a drama-free government through unspectacular hard work.” 

Bennardo, a Huntington resident of more than 25 years, has served as both a high school principal and as the superintendent of South Huntington schools. Bennardo is also a noted advocate of fiscal responsibility and has worked on water quality, shoreline quality, park enhancement and road paving since joining the town council in 2021. 

Grizopoulos, a former assistant district attorney, is a partner at the law firm Grizopoulos & Portz, P.C. and resides in Melville. Grizopoulos places significant importance on “preserving Huntington’s suburban character” alongside fiscal responsibility. 

Greg Grizopoulos. Photo courtesy of www.gpnylaw.com

The competitiveness of this primary arose from the legal and political backlash to last year’s approval of an “overlay district” in Melville, which could entail the construction of high-density rental apartments. Councilwoman Brooke Lupinacci, Smyth’s opponent, was the only town councilmember to vote against the plan. Lupinacci ran on a ticket alongside former Councilman Eugene Cook and former Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman John Posillico. 

In addition to the controversy surrounding this apartment project, Lupinacci accused Smyth of political retribution after an administrative reorganization plan resulted in the firing of all of her individual staff members in favor of a more selective “Town Call Center.” In February, Lupinacci said that she would “not back down or be intimidated by their actions,” and an automated email response from her office still notes that “the Supervisor and his Board terminated my staff members.” 

Smyth, Bennardo and Grizopoulos will run in the general election on Nov. 4.

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Pictured from left, Past Commodore and Treasurer Eileen Kelly, Past Commodore Bill Dick Jr., Rear Commodore Bill Dick III, Commodore Peter Parks, Vice Commodore Janet Rossi, Father Patrick Riegger, MSYC Chaplin Charles Glover, and Councilwoman Jane Bonner.
On Sunday, June 22nd, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner joined members of the Mount Sinai Yacht Club and the local maritime community for the 20th Annual Blessing of the Fleet, a yearly tradition honoring Long Island’s boating community.
The event was held at the Mount Sinai Yacht Club, and included club members, clergy, and residents to celebrate the start of the boating season. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the event, which has become a tradition of the Mount Sinai community’s summer calendar.
“It is always a pleasure to take part in this community tradition,” said Councilwoman Bonner. “The Blessing of the Fleet is not only a celebration of our coastal way of life, but a reminder of the importance of safety, community, and stewardship of our waterways.”
Councilwoman Bonner commended the Mount Sinai Yacht Club for two decades of dedication to the event and expressed her appreciation to all who make the Blessing of the Fleet a special occasion year after year.

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Route 347 and Nicolls Road overview in Stony Brook.

By William Stieglitz

The New York State Department of Transportation, in cooperation with local officials, is considering multiple design proposals for an overpass bridge at the intersection of Nicolls Road and Route 347, including  a new “preferred alternative” design that is distinct from the two designs previously made available to the public.

These previous proposals, explained Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook), included a diamond design and a clover design. The diamond design, similar to the intersection of Nicolls Road and Middle Country Road, would have an overpass providing straight passage for one road, but would require a traffic light for the perpendicular road underneath. “It would only solve half the traffic problem, not all of it,” said Kornreich.

The proposed clover shaped design. This rendering portrays ramps and would not require traffic lights. Photo courtesy Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich

The clover design, similar to the intersection of the Long Island Expressway and Nicolls Road, would feature looped ramps and no traffic lights. However, this would require more space, placing the ramps directly behind some homes. 

“It would affect a small number of people in a negative way,” said Kornreich. “However, for the vast majority of people, the thousands and thousands of people who use that intersection every day, by having the full clover leaf, now there are no lights at that intersection.”

The “preferred alternative” design, explained NYS Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay (D–Port Jefferson), was initially shown to her in May when she met with the DOT. The new design, she was told, “resulted from internal DOT conversations about design feasibility and traffic needs.”

Since that meeting, she has emailed the DOT with a list of questions regarding details of the design and plans to engage the public with updated information.  She asked if there is statistical data to support one design over the other two as well as accessibility differences for ambulances and commuters. 

She advocated for sound walls to prevent residents and businesses from being impacted by additional traffic noise, as well as landscape installations that could help drainage, water quality and beautification. Furthermore, she requested visual references of designs of other NYS DOT bridges for community consideration.

“My office has been coordinating closely with residents who have worked for many years to keep this intersection clean and welcoming for our community,” said Kassay. “I am grateful for the passion they have for our community and their willingness to go above and beyond to care for Nicolls Road and Route 347.”

Three Village Civic Association President Charles Tramontana said that while the DOT has been in contact with Kassay and Kornreich, the DOT had not been meeting with them regarding this phase of the project, and that they are awaiting updates. “We definitely have questions,” he said, referencing how he’d want to know how the chosen proposal would affect the clearing of woods and its aesthetic ramifications. 

Tramontana said the lack of communication presented a problem, citing as an example the DOT recently removing trees from the north side of the intersection, without the association being told it would happen beforehand. Tramontana said, “In everything, we always strive to have good communication so that there’s no surprises, there’s no rumors, everybody knows exactly what’s going to take place. That’s what we’re looking to facilitate as a civic association.”

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Port Jefferson Village Hall. Photo by Heidi Sutton 2023

By Lynn Hallarman

The Village of Port Jefferson board of trustees held its June work session addressing several key topics, including recommendations by the Citizens Committee on Erosion regarding Phase 2 of the East Beach Bluff Stabilization Project. Trustee Stan Loucks was not present.

Infrastructure projects

The board reviewed major infrastructure investments funded in part by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other grants. Trustees allocated $85,798 for storm drain cleaning, with 35 problematic drains identified so far and $322,000 for Sand Lane culvert repairs following damage sustained during the August 2023 storm.  

“I’m so excited about this,” said Trustee Kyle Hill. 

L.K. McLean Associates, a Brookhaven-based engineering firm, is assisting the village in flood prevention efforts. Work is underway, including drone-based topographical mapping and meetings with local stakeholders, such as the Port Jefferson School District and fire commissioners. 

“They’ve hit the ground running,” said Mayor Lauren Sheprow. “There’s real potential for design solutions that make a difference.”

Public safety 

Hill updated the board on enforcement activities and public safety. He proposed extending noise ordinance protections to include federal holidays and suggested relocating a speed reader to East Main Street to address speeding complaints. 

Financial oversight  & technology

Treasurer Stephen Gaffga reported $1.9 million in golf club membership revenue and discussed preparations for the fiscal year 2025 audit. A finalized capital asset valuation report has resolved a decades-long material weakness flagged by auditors.  

The village is also implementing new software to enhance cybersecurity as it prepares to transition to a .gov domain. 

Single-use plastics

Trustees Bob Juliano and Hill reviewed a draft proposal to ban single-use plastics for renters at the Village Center.  The proposal emphasizes known environmental hazards linked to fossil-fuel-derived single-use plastics. Once discarded, these plastics are often incinerated at high temperatures, a process that requires hundreds of millions of gallons of water from Long Island’s aquifers, according to local experts cited in the proposal. 

The Port Jefferson=based Eco-League has offered to create an appendix listing sources for compliant cutlery and cups. The Main Street business, Simple Good, has volunteered to act as a local preferred vendor for eco-friendly alternatives, according to Hill.

Village residents Myrna Gordon and Holly Fils-Aime championed the initiative. Gordon rushed to Village Hall during the work group session to personally thank the board for moving forward with the initiative. The board will take a final vote at the next trustees public meeting. 

Bluff report

Residents Flemming Videbaek and Bob Laravie of the Citizens Commission on Erosion delivered a presentation on the East Beach Bluff Stabilization Project.  Chair David Knauf was unable to attend. Videbaek provided an overview of the commission’s interim report on Phase 2.

Sheprow formed the volunteer commission in the fall of 2024 after residents raised concerns that the multi-million-dollar, multiphase stabilization project lacked sufficient community input. 

The commission’s report evaluates plans for Phase 2, which includes installing a 545-foot-long, 47-foot-deep steel barrier along the bluff’s crest, just seaward of the Port Jefferson Country Club. The wall is intended to stabilize the club building and prevent it from collapsing onto the shoreline. 

“The main focus of the report is to analyze Phase 2, look at alternatives, assess the pros and cons of each option and conduct a risk analysis,” Videbaek said.

He stressed the importance of conducting a full cost-benefit analysis, including consideration of rebuilding the clubhouse to a less vulnerable inland site before moving forward with the Phase 2 wall build. 

“A detailed fiscal analysis of the total project cost and options should be presented to the taxpayers before construction begins,” he said.  “It must be emphasized that at some point the relocation of the building will be necessary.”

Laravie focused his comments on drainage issues at the bluff’s crest and the importance of coordinating plans with Lessing’s Hospitality Group, the newly contracted catering company for the country club, which is planning a “plantings beautification project” in the area affected by drainage problems. 

Hill commented on the importance of smart landscaping in this area, suggesting the use of native plants instead of nonnative ornamentals. 

“Native plants need to be watered less— I’m imagining we would not want to be running sprinklers right there every day” Hill said. 

The mayor did not comment on the commission’s request for comprehensive cost analysis including a possible retreat plan, but reiterated her goal is to develop a master plan for the country club that includes the future of the club building. 

“We need a master plan,” Trustee Xena Urgrinsky said. “I would love to see more reasons for nongolfers to visit. I’d also like to see a design for the green spaces.” 

To view the full report, visit the village website and search for “Citizens Commission on Erosion.” 

The next public meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for June 25 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.

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