A scene from the Hands Off! rally in Port Jefferson Station on April 5. Photo courtesy Dee Hensen
A scene from the Hands Off! rally in Port Jefferson Station on April 5. Photo courtesy Dee Hensen
A scene from the Hands Off! rally in Port Jefferson Station on April 5. Photo courtesy Dee Hensen
A scene from the Hands Off! rally in Port Jefferson Station on April 5. Photo courtesy Dee Hensen
Some locals traveled to New York City to participate in a Hands Off! march. Photo by Michael Vincenti
By Sabrina Artusa
Port Jefferson Station was one of over a thousand across the country to participate in a “Hands Off!” demonstration on April 5.
The protest was organized as an objection to the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s involvement in government affairs. Residents stood along the intersection of Route 347 and Route 112 voicing their opposition to the Department of Government Efficiency, the sidelining of climate issues, cuts to veteran affairs, deportations and the increased tariffs.
The North Brookhaven Democratic Club was the main host of this arm of the “Hands Off!” movement.
Dee Hensen, president of the club since its inception 6 years ago, said this protest was the largest one she has ever attended.
“It was really energizing and it gives you a little bit of comfort knowing there are so many people out there with similar concerns,” Hensen said. “It is great to be a part of a big movement.”
The communal passion and dedication exhibited during the protest revitalized Hensen in her mission. “It gives you confidence that you can fight these things and make it better,” she said.
This protest comes after several protests across the Brookhaven, Smithtown and Huntington areas since President Donald Trump (R) took office. In March, there was a protest every weekend. Furthermore, residents have taken to demonstrating outside the offices of their elected officials. Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY1) has had two protests outside his Hauppauge office, with residents criticizing his lack of town halls and compliance with some federal initiatives.
Michael Vincenti, a Stony Brook resident who attended a “Hands Off!” march in New York City, said, “It was great to be surrounded by like-minded people. I was astounded to see so many people show up in the rain and stop traffic for miles.”
People don’t generally get married at 9 a.m, with an active, energetic and all-out party that follows immediately after the magical ceremony and that lasts until 3 pm.
No, big events like weddings, birthday parties and even smaller gatherings, like, oh, I don’t know, a pickleball tournament, sometimes start late in the evening and end some time after midnight.
Those are, as we all know, the typically festive party hours, when we welcome, as loudly as we can, the married couple for the first time to the dance floor, when we yell into each other’s ears standing feet from the trumpet and trombone players and when we cheer for the heartfelt sentiments of friends and family who share moving anecdotes about the people at the center of attention.
But what if, like me, you’re a morning person? What if, as the night goes on and everyone else becomes increasingly giddy, the inner child in you begs to go to bed because you know, no matter how hard you try to block out the morning light or to sleep in as late as possible, you will arise early the next morning?
For the past few incredible weekends, in which I visited my son in college where we played in a late night pickleball contest that ended around 1 a.m. and then traveled to celebrate a family wedding for a beloved cousin whom I’ve known since she was four, I have desperately tried to force my mind and body to push through the fatigue.
I recognize, of course, that people can’t and don’t sleep when their bodies and minds demand, such as when they are working several shifts or jobs to pay the bills, when they are taking care of someone late at night, or when an illness keeps them from getting the rest they need. These are clearly much harder and more real challenges than playing in a sporting event or celebrating with family.
I also realize that the academic and working world is geared towards morning people. Important tests and meetings can start as early as 8 a.m., when night owls would otherwise prefer to cruise into the final few hours of a restful sleep. Standardized tests also never started at 10 p.m. Someday, maybe some circadian scientist will offer to give tests at different blocks of time and see if scores improve for those who self select into their hourly wheelhouse.
I recall my first experiences with activities that extended well past midnight. Decades ago, I attended an all night dance to raise money for a worthy cause. I wasn’t sure how I’d do at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m., when my body demanded time to recharge and shut down.
Fortunately, my high school friends and I took cat naps and, once the sun appeared, my system came back to life.
High school ski trips also typically left the school parking lot some time around 2 or 3 a.m., which was tough on those who drove us to school, especially if they had early morning activities the next day. After greeting everyone at the bus, I slept against the window, waiting until the sun flicked my “on” switch back into position.
During the recent late night pickleball games and wedding, I did my best to rally beyond my daily routine.
The first few games of pickleball went well, as the excitement of competition and of spending time with my son more than compensated for my fatigue.
The toughest words that night were “let’s run it back,” which my son and his friends said after each game. That meant one more game which turned into at least five more. By the end of the night, I felt like I was playing on four flat tires and I was swatting helplessly at the ball. I definitely cost us the final game, which my son accepted with remarkably good nature.
Fatigue didn’t interfere noticeably at the wedding, particularly because I threw myself around the floor to some of the final songs, including Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”
The after party at the hotel, however, pushed my limit. When someone nearby lit up a cigar, the scent of which overwhelmed my system, I couldn’t continue to stay awake and ignore the smell.
While I didn’t hang out and chat in the lobby until the last moment of the post party gathering, I made it past 2 a.m., which is as late as I can get before closing my eyes for “just a second” turns into a few hours of much needed rest.
The cover of the first issue of The Village Times in 1976 by Pat Windrow
By Leah S. Dunaief
Leah Dunaief, Publisher
Two happy milestones have marked this week. My oldest grandson turned 30, which we celebrated in style, and The Village Times, the flagship of Times Beacon Record News Media, was started exactly 49 years ago.
First the details of the birthday bash.
It happened Sunday afternoon at the ballpark, Citi Field, the home of the Mets, or what we Old Timers used to call Shea Stadium. Now if you knew my grandson at all, you would know he is a fierce and utterly loyal fan of the Mets since his earliest years. You could gather from that bit of information, that he is mighty stubborn about his loyalties. After all, there have been many incentives to switch support to other, more winning teams, right? And who could blame him? But that is not his style. His loyalty is boundless. And of course, the Mets have gradually rewarded him for his patience.
Thus, it was no surprise that he wanted to share his special day with the Mets, and in his honor, they won the game. But I get ahead of myself.
It’s worth relating how beautiful Citi Field is, especially so for me, a die hard Yankee fan who spent many afternoons during my teens in concrete-riven Yankee Stadium.
Now admittedly, we did have a luxurious situation. The cost of a box at the park was shared. We entered from a designated parking lot, after waiting on a short line, and were guidedpast giant pictures of Met greats like Jerry Koosman and Tom Seaver, to a manned elevator that took us swiftly to the fourth floor.
We stepped out into a spacious hallway of patterned marble floors, paneled walls, high ceilings with recessed lighting and multiple wooden doors that led to individual suites. Overstuffed armchairs lined the walls. And you should see the bathrooms.
Staff greeted us all along the way and led us to our room, where more overstuffed seating, fruit and salad awaited us. At the far end was a sliding glass door leading out to cushioned balcony seats that accommodated most of the 18 of us as we watched the game.
Happily both suite and balcony had heaters, although the weather, while chilly, behaved nicely. The early morning rain had stopped. More ballpark food arrived throughout the afternoon, but it was hard to tear ourselves away from the balcony as the Mets won what turned out to be a pitchers’ duel, 2-1. I can hardly wait to see how we will celebrate his 40th.
As for our newspaper anniversary this past Tuesday, it came and went quietly as we enter our 50th year. We were busy putting out this week’s papers. But we will certainly whoop it up at various community events throughout the year until we reach half a century.
It’s easy to fall back on the well-used cliche, “time flies,” but it is astonishing to me and to those who were involved in the start-up, like our general manager, that we have reached almost five decades of publishing hometown news. So much has happened, so much has changed, but not the mission of the newspaper.
Our goals have always been steadfast. We strive each week to bring vetted news, information and even some fun to our readers, originally with newsprint, and now with the additional platforms of the 24/7 website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and the weekly podcast, The Pressroom Afterhour,which is also on Spotify.
We promise our staffers that, if and when they leave, it will be with more skills than when they arrived because we invest in our people. And the third and last part of our mission is to support and give back to our readers and advertisers in whatever ways we can, starting with working to create a sense of community.
Frankly, we consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have survived almost 50 years, as we see hometown papers fall around us. Last week, while I was attending the New York Press Association Convention in Saratoga Springs, two more papers closed down, leaving their neighborhoods unprotected.
April is National Safe Digging Month, and PSEG Long Island reminds customers, contractors and excavators that the law requires them to call 811 before digging to ensure underground pipelines, conduits, wires and cables are properly marked out.
Striking an underground electrical line can cause serious injury and outages, resulting in repair costs and fines. Every digging project, even planting a tree or building a deck, requires a call to 811. The call is free and the mark-out service is free. The call must be made whether the job is being performed by a professional or a do-it-yourselfer.
“April’s warmer temperatures mark the time of year when people on Long Island and in the Rockaways begin outdoor improvements to their homes and businesses. Calling 811 ahead of time is essential for protecting underground utility lines and, most importantly, the safety of anyone digging,” said Michael Sullivan, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Electric Operations. “We thank customers for heeding our message. Last year there were nearly 195,000 mark-out requests in our service area, and so far this year, there have been more than 40,000 requests to 811.”
According to Common Ground Alliance, a member-driven association of nearly 1,800 individuals and 250 member companies in every facet of the underground utility industry, 40% of active diggers in North America do not call 811 because they think their project is too shallow to require it. All digging projects require a call to 811.
A free call to 811 in the service area automatically connects the caller to the local New York one-call center, which collects information about digging projects. The one-call center then provides the information to the utility companies, which send representatives to mark the locations of nearby underground lines with flags, paint or both. Once lines have been properly marked and confirmation from all of the utility owners is received, projects may proceed as long as caution is used around the marked areas.
Here’s important information to consider:
Underground gas and electric lines are everywhere, even on private properties. These facilities can be easily damaged if dug into, with the potential to cause serious injuries. Digging into these lines can also disrupt vital utility services, resulting in costly delays, expensive repairs and environmental or property damage.
Whether the job is a major home improvement project or something as simple as a fence or mailbox post, a call to 811 must be placed beforehand to determine where it’s safe to dig.
Call 811 at least two business days before the commencement of each job to have underground pipes, wires and equipment located. Each facility owner must respond by providing the excavator with a positive confirmation indicating that marks are in place where utility lines are buried or that there are no existing facilities in the area of the proposed work. This service is free of charge.
Be sure to wait until all of the utilities have responded. Don’t dig until lines have been marked or you have received confirmation that the area is clear of facilities.
Property owners must maintain and respect the marks. Always hand dig within 2 feet of marked lines to find the existing facilities before using mechanized equipment.
If gas lines are damaged or there is a gas smell when excavating, call 911 immediately from a safe area.
Calling before you dig is more than a good idea − it’s the law. Additional information, including a booklet on safe excavating practices and the protection of underground facilities, can be found on the PSEG Long Island website.
Alex R., who was demonstrating in support of President Donald Trump, talking to an anti-DOGE protestor. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Words matter, as we might tell a first grader in our home or a high school student struggling to share a thought without cursing.
The same holds true for adults, especially those who disagree.
Whatever any of us might think of the policy to make English the official language of the United States, having a way to express ourselves clearly and to be heard by people on the other side of any issue is critical.
We live in a deeply divided country, where one “side” delights not only in its successes but in the failures and the struggles of the other.
This isn’t a plea for everyone to sit around chanting together or to urge us all just to get along, much as that might increase the peace and lower stress and fear.
We don’t just need English: we need a common language. We need to hear each other and to understand what the other side suggests, proposes or believes.
In a country that celebrates rugged individualism, we should be able to listen to an idea, whatever it is and wherever it comes from, and consider its merits.
It seems like spectacular hubris on the part of either side to imagine that the best policies only stem from those with whom we agree.
Take efficiency. The benefits of being more efficient in everything we do is that we can use resources better. People invested in stocks, for example, want their companies to be efficient because executives use that money to build profits.
During protests, people make competing signs that emphasize a point. Many of those messages, however, rarely acknowledge the other side or reach beyond slogans.
We need to listen to each other, to search for common ground and to make persuasive arguments that everyone can evaluate.
We need to study and learn the foreign language of those on the other side of an issue and work to adjust those words, and the ideas behind them.
Language, reflects culture and ideology and, at its root, can help us improve our lives and the lives of our children, who move together from preschool to adulthood.
Living with a verbal impasse that demonizes the other side hurts others as much as it does ourselves.
Together, our society of individuals can become more successful, efficient and peaceful if we speak the same language and build from a common foundation. Making labels and hurling insults might feel good in the moment, but it doesn’t bring out the best in us.
Words, like technology, are not necessarily good or bad. The way they are used determines their impact. Most of the people we acknowledge in the community seem friendly enough and don’t deserve belittling labels. If we start with words designed to help coalesce, we might find ways to improve our lives while feeling proud of the way we communicate in front of our children.
A scene from 'Into the Woods'. Photo courtesy of Vandermeulen High School
A scene from 'Into the Woods'. Photo courtesy of Vandermeulen High School
A scene from 'Into the Woods'. Photo courtesy of Vandermeulen High School
A scene from 'Into the Woods'. Photo courtesy of Vandermeulen High School
A scene from 'Into the Woods'. Photo courtesy of Vandermeulen High School
A scene from 'Into the Woods'. Photo courtesy of Vandermeulen High School
A scene from 'Into the Woods'. Photo courtesy of Vandermeulen High School
A scene from 'Into the Woods'. Photo courtesy of Vandermeulen High School
A scene from 'Into the Woods'. Photo courtesy of Vandermeulen High School
Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in the Port Jefferson School District recently presented a production of Into The Woods from March 28 through March 30.
A Stephen Sondheim musical, Into The Woods debuted on Broadway in 1987 and intertwined the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, reimagining them as if they all took place at the same time. Vandermeulen High School presented the show through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
The Port Jefferson production, which was directed by Anthony Butera and narrated by Marlo Pepe, starred Gianna Vivano as Cinderella, Patrick Hutchinson as Jack, Albert Jack Peterson as the Baker, Rose Meliker-Hammock as the Baker’s Wife, Eve Cruz as Little Red Ridinghood, Victoria Snaden as the Witch, and Isabela Thornsen as Rapunzel.
“Into The Woods is a show that I am incredibly proud of, and I know the cast and crew are too,” said Anthony Butera. “It was extremely special to share all of our hard work with the Port Jefferson community.”
Optical Outfitters in Port Jefferson held a ribbon cutting on March 22. Pictured on left, chamber members Ron Schlumpf, Mary Joy Pipe, John Huber, Brett Sceraviao and Steve Munoz; pictured on right, Alan Paulus, owner Danielle Cossari Paulus (with scissors), Natalie Cossari, Anne Cossari, staffer Amelia Bass and Dr. Alfred Cossari.Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
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Optical Outfitters in Port Jefferson held a ribbon cutting on March 22. Pictured on left, chamber members Ron Schlumpf, Mary Joy Pipe, John Huber, Brett Sceraviao and Steve Munoz; pictured on right, Alan Paulus, owner Danielle Cossari Paulus (with scissors), Natalie Cossari, Anne Cossari, staffer Amelia Bass and Dr. Alfred Cossari.Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Optical Outfitters. Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Optical Outfitters. Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
The Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, celebrated new chamber partner, Optical Outfitters, with a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on March 22 at 158 E. Main Street & Arden Place, Suite 2 in Port Jefferson.
The new shop offers affordable quality prescription eyewear for children and adults with an added focus on specialty collections, quality sunglass brands and a gift section.
Upcoming events include Mother’s and Father’s Day Wishlist gatherings with a jewelry making demonstration and sunglass fittings to be announced on the shop’s website, opticaloutfitters.com. Operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and extended concierge appointment hours are available by calling 631-928-6401.
Port Jefferson Village Hall. Photo by Heidi Sutton 2023
By Peter Sloniewsky
At its Jan. 29 meeting, the board of trustees of the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson voted unanimously to appoint Kevin Cooper as code enforcement supervisor and Anthony Flammia as assistant supervisor.
Cooper is a state-certified code enforcement official and building inspector. A resident of Baiting Hollow, he attended Dowling College and Empire State College before spending more than three decades as an officer for the New York City Police Department and New York City Transit Police. In those roles, Cooper was primarily focused on the New York City subway system. After his retirement from the NYPD in 2020, he became the director of ordinance enforcement and animal control for the Town of East Hampton.
Flammia is a former officer of the New York City and Centre Island police departments across a 40-year career and possesses a master’s degree in professional studies in homeland security from Penn State University alongside an undergraduate degree in criminal justice and human services from Empire State College. Since 2023, he’s worked as an armed security operative for Arrow Security on Renaissance Technologies’ East Setauket campus.
In a recent public meeting of the Port Jefferson Civic Association, Cooper presented his plans for Port Jefferson code enforcement. These plans include increased accessibility through an online complaint form, promoting visibility in part through expanded service hours, and broader changes to the division’s mission statement and policy lines between code enforcement and police. Cooper also displayed openness to expanded hiring and clarified his perception of the role of code enforcement as “about education and compliance, not about writing tickets.”
“I want to help in making the village an enjoyable place to live in and visit,” Cooper said. “I pride myself on being responsive and if I cannot address a concern a resident might make me aware of, I will guide them to the agency or department that will help solve the problem or issue.”
In a statement to TBR News Media, Port Jefferson village Trustee Xena Ugrinsky detailed the context of this selection process as well as faith in Cooper to improve the village’s code enforcement.
“This has been an 18-month effort of the current administration when [Mayor Lauren Sheprow] was elected. It was focused on modernizing and improving the village’s approach to code enforcement,” Ugrinsky told TBR. “[With Cooper and Flammia] the village is now well-positioned to implement a professional and purpose-built code enforcement unit. Both individuals bring deep experience in law and code enforcement and are working closely with Suffolk County Police to ensure clear coordination and a distinct delineation of responsibilities between the two bodies.”
Ugrinsky also detailed concerns related to private firearm ownership among code enforcement personnel and outdated village regulation on code enforcement.
Sheprow also emphasized the importance of the new hirings in a statement to TBR.
“The training and educational aspects of this professional and cultural shift are significant, and we are grateful to Supervisor Cooper for taking this on,” Sheprow wrote.
“He has the knowledge and awareness to help shape priorities, and the more time he spends working in the village, the more he will understand where the best opportunities for education and improvement exist.”
For more information visit the Port Jefferson village website (www.portjeff.com).
Destruction to Phase 1 work to the East Beach Bluff face as of March 2025. Photo from the Port Jefferson Village website.
By Lynn Hallarman
A community informational forum about Phase 2 of the East Beach Bluff stabilization project was held by village officials at the Port Jefferson Village Center on March 27.
Audience in attendance at the forum held at the Village Center.Photo by Lynn Hallarman
The forum aimed to update residents on the current status and finances of the upper wall project, summarize the next steps and review the work of Port Jefferson’s Citizens Commission on Erosion.
Mayor Lauren Sheprow presided over the meeting. The board of trustees, village attorney David Moran, village treasurer Stephen Gaffga and clerk Sylvia Pirillo were present.
Project summary
Phases 1 and 2 of the East Beach Bluff stabilization aim to halt bluff erosion and prevent the Village of Port Jefferson-owned country club from collapsing down the slope.
Phase 1 was completed in August of 2023, with the construction of a 358-foot wall of steel and cement at the base of a steep bluff, about 100-feet-tall, facing north toward the Long Island Sound. Terracing and plantings installed along the western portion of the bluff were destroyed in a series of storms shortly after the project’s completion.
Phase 2 involves installing a steel barrier driven into the bluff’s crest, just a few feet seaward of the country club. This upper wall is intended to stabilize the area landward of the bluff and reduce the risk of structural failure.
As part of Phase 2’s preconstruction, GEI Consultants of Huntington Station—the engineers for Phases 1 and 2—will be engaged to update the land survey, analyze drainage options, reevaluate wall design for cost efficiency and monitor construction. Village officials will then prepare requests for proposal documents to solicit bids for the upper wall’s construction.
Concerns of the Citizens Commission on Erosion
David Knauf, chair of the Citizens Commission on Erosion, speaks at the forum. Photo by Lynn Hallarman
David Knauf, chair of the Citizens Commission on Erosion, presented the benefits and concerns of various approaches to stabilizing the country club at the bluff’s edge.
The CCE serves as a volunteer advisory group to the village on erosion-related issues.Members are not required to have specialized expertise.
Among the advantages, Knauf noted that a portion of Phase 2 costs will be covered by a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant, reducing the financial burden on local taxpayers.However, the committee expressed concerns about the reliability of FEMA funding.
“If they are withdrawn, that is going to put us in a heap of trouble fiscally,” he said.
Key concerns include the unknown long-term costs of the overall project beyond the Phase 2 wall installation. These include a drainage plan, repairs to damage sustained during Phase 1 and ongoing maintenance expenses.
“All of us on the committee are taxpayers, and we’re concerned about getting value for money spent,” Knauf said. “The bluff wall project is not something that you just do and you’re finished. It’s going to have responsibilities and obligations for the village in perpetuity.”
Knauf outlined alternative approaches to building the upper wall, including:
●Rebuilding the clubhouse inland in conjunction with bluff restoration and drainage improvements.
●Implementing a partial wall and drainage plan, followed by the eventual relocation of the clubhouse.
“It is the opinion of the committee that detailed plans for the whole project — including Phase 1 repairs, drainage and Phase 2 — are completed so an accurate assessment of final costs can be presented to the village taxpayers,” Knauf later told TBR News Media in an email.
Comments from GEI
Following Knauf’s presentation, GEI licensed professional engineer Adon Austinexplained the steps necessary before construction can begin on the upper wall.
The project is designed as a “two-part system [lower and upper wall] working in combination to control bluff erosion,” Austin said.
“Once we have the design reconfigured and a drainage plan, all of this will go to the New York State arm of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for review,” he added. “FEMA will then revise the cost estimates, the scope and the grant, to align with what the current scope of the project would be.”GEI will then issue a final design along with construction documents.
GEI has recommended that the village evaluate the current risk to the building’s foundation in response to written questions from the Citizens Commission on Erosion.
Laura Schwanof, senior ecologist and landscape architect for GEI, commented on possible contributing factors to the current erosion of the bluff face:
“ We were only allowed [by the state Department of Environmental Conservation] to put terraces up six rows — nothing more.” Schwanof said. “ We were prevented from doing any structural work on the western end beyond the golf course. As far as failure of the system, we worked within the confines of the regulatory agency requirements.”
Treasurer outlines project costs
Village treasurer Stephen Gaffga presented an overview of the financial history related to the East Beach Bluff stabilization project.To date, the total amount spent so far for Phases 1 and 2 is approximately $6.02 million.
Phase 1 was funded through borrowed money as part of a $10 million bond resolution passed by the board of trustees in 2021. The resolution was approved by a permissive referendum, meaning it did not move to a public vote. Of the $10 million, “$5.2 million was spent on Phase 1,” Gaffga said.
According to a fall 2024 audit by CPA firm, PKF O’Connor Davies — previously reported by TBR News Media — Phase 1 exceeded its original budget by approximately $800,000. This overage was not discussed during the forum.
“The overage on Phase 1 was paid for in past years with taxpayer funds out of the general fund balance,” Gaffga wrote in an email..
Gaffga estimated the combined costs to individual taxpayers for Phases 1 and 2 at approximately $77 per year over a 15-year period. However, he noted this estimate may need to be revised once actual costs for the wall construction and other related projects are known.
”We don’t know what the costs are going be until we actually go out to bid on the construction of the project, and we’re not there yet,” Gaffga said.
Additional expenses — including a drainage project, repairs to the bluff face and ongoing maintenance costs to the bluff — were not addressed at the forum.
Community questions focus on costs, property use
Most audience questions centered on the project’s cost to taxpayers, technical aspects of the stabilization effort and how the property is used by residents. The golf membership currently includes“3 percent of village residents,” according to Moran.
Moran responded to a question about holding a public referendum on whether to proceed with construction of the upper wall or rebuild the facility inland.
“During that permissive referendum vote back in 2021, no petition was received [from the public within 30 days] as required for a public vote. Bond counsel to the village advised that there’s only one way to call for another vote— the trustees would have to rescind that initial bond resolution. This would mean the loss of FEMA money.”
Village resident Myrna Gordon said in a statement to TBR News Media:
“Residents who own the facility should be the ones that determine through a referendum how best to resolve its use, function and future — of both the building and bluff that is so greatly compromised.”
The meeting closed with comments from members of the board of trustees:
“Phase 2 is a way to ensure that we protect the bluff so that we buy time. To decide how to deal with the building.Maybe we retrieve the building; maybe it gets moved — who knows?” trustee Xena Ugrinsky said.
“ If you have strong feelings about this issue, I highly encourage you to email the board,” trustee Kyle Hill said.
The Citizens Commission on Erosion can be reached at: [email protected].
Port Jefferson Village Hall. Photo by Heidi Sutton 2023
By Lynn Hallarman
The March 26 meeting of the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson Board of Trustees was marked by public comments on communication policies, a resident complaint and an emerging capital improvement plan for parking.
Resident calls for dialogue
Longtime resident Myrna Gordon called for “improved transparency and communication” from the board of trustees. She expressed concern that the trustees were no longer responding to basic questions during public comment, describing it as a frustrating shift in practice.
“We used to have a conversation,” Gordon said. “Now we’re told — make an appointment.”
Mayor Lauren Sheprow responded:
“Let’s keep that conversation going. Come and visit me any day.”
Village resident Matthew Franco speaks during public comment. Photo by Lynn Hallarman
Gordon countered: “I’m talking about here at the podium, which is important.”
Village attorney David Moran clarified that the change in policy was intended to “protect trustees from being put on the spot or answering inaccurately in public without adequate preparation.”
“We have been very polite. We have been very orderly. We ask questions because we want answers now — not silence,” Gordon said.
Village resident and declared 2025 trustee candidate Matthew Franco alleged that during a meeting held earlier in March in Sheprow’s office, the mayor made “disparaging and false remarks about him [Franco] and his son,” in connection with an unspecified incident involving golf course fees incurred by his son.
Moran urged Franco to submit a written complaint, noting a more specific and detailed account would allow the board to assess the allegation.
Parking fees
The meeting shifted to a proposal from the Village Parking Committee, which recommended a three-year freeze on parking fees to provide more consistent rates for visitors.
“You can’t keep charging our customers more and more money every year and keep raising the rates. I mean, you’re killing businesses down here. You can’t just keep taking and taking and taking,” parking committee chair James Luciano said.
Trustee Kyle Hill proposed an amendment to omit the rate freeze.
“Parking revenue is tremendously important for the village’s budget, while we all want stability, we need to leave room to adjust based on performance given the experimental changes to the rates,” Hill said.
In the final vote, the board retained the committee’s recommendation for a rate freeze. The suggestion will now be considered as part of a parking capital plan being developed by the village treasurer Stephen Gaffga.
Beginning on April 16, a $1.00/ hour parking fee will be enforced from Monday to Thursday and a $3.00/ hour fee from Friday to Sunday. There will be no minimum parking time.
Two percent tax cap
Later in the meeting, the board approved a procedural tax cap override. This measure gives the village the option to exceed the 2% New York State tax cap if necessary.
Gaffga emphasized that adopting the override serves as a financial “insurance policy” in case of unforeseen costs before the next budget cycle starts at the beginning of May 2025.
Prom dress donation
Anthony Flammia, assistant code enforcement supervisor, announced a community-wide prom dress donation drive organized under the banner of Codes Care. Gently used dresses and accessories will be collected through April 25 at the Port Jefferson Village Center. Free try-on events are scheduled for April 26 and 27.
Visit the village website for dates of upcoming meetings: www.portjeff.com.
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