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Disputes erupt over junior membership rates at Port Jefferson Country Club

by Peter Sloniewsky - January 23, 2025

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Port Jefferson Village Hall. Photo by Heidi Sutton 2023

By Peter SLoniewsky

Guidelines surrounding membership rates and a junior golfers program at the Port Jefferson Country Club is a recent topic of contention.

Because the country club is owned by the Village of Port Jefferson, the rates it charges to members require approval by the Port Jefferson Board of Trustees after they have been discussed by the club’s Board of Governors and approved by the club’s general manager and Country Club Management Advisory Council.

December 4 meeting

This year, the club introduced a membership rate proposal to the entire Board of Trustees at their Dec. 4 work session. This proposal contained two major differences: it gradually eliminated the junior members program for children 12-18 and proposed a new initiation fee. The website also states that members must be 19-29 on Apr. 1 to play golf. Junior members are not permitted as guests.

At the meeting, the club’s general manager, Tom Natola, advocated for removing the junior membership option on the basis that many members with junior memberships had parents who were members. Natola said that it made more sense to sell family memberships and eliminating the junior program would incentivize this.

He also said that there was a liability concern for juniors on the courses. At this meeting, both Mayor Lauren Sheprow and trustee Xena Ugrinsky discussed eliminating the junior program straightaway due to liability although they did not directly advocate for it.

Both at the meeting and afterward, parents provided significant blowback. Port Jefferson parent Nicole Connolly, whose son and daughter are both junior golfers, said there has been a pattern of policymaking that has eroded the program over the past several years. According to Connolly, negotiations two years ago included significant parent resistance against a CCMAC proposal to disproportionately increase junior membership rates.

CCMAC Chair Lisa Perry told TBR News Media that “the country club has always supported junior golfers and their families.”

She added that the Port Jefferson High School golf teams play for free at the club.

As a result of these controversies, the Board of Trustees requested that Natola prepare another proposal for their Dec. 18 public meeting.

Questions of CCMAC involvement

Complicating this, the process that led to the Dec. 4 proposal is unclear. Sheprow said, “[the Board of Governors] made recommendations to the country club manager, who reviewed the recommendations with the Country Club Management Advisory Council, also volunteers, after which the country club manager developed the recommendations he deemed appropriate.”

Perry said “The CCMAC reviewed the rates that were proposed by their general manager and agreed to recommend the rates to the board of trustees for their Dec. 18 meeting.’

CCMAC’s involvement in the process is enforced by Chapter 25 of the Village of Port Jefferson code. If it was not included in the process prior to the Dec. 4 rejection, the sourcing of that proposal is unclear.

CCMAC voted on a proposal on Dec. 17 that was then presented to the trustees at their Dec. 18 meeting. At this meeting, Sheprow expressed some regret for a lack of consideration of families and junior members throughout the processes that led to the Dec. 4 proposal, although she encouraged stakeholders to get involved earlier in the process. She also attributed a lack of communication to an effort to balance the budget, despite the requirement in the village code of CCMAC input.

The Dec. 18 proposal was largely similar to the Dec. 4 proposal but would further restrict juniors to times after 2 p.m. and increase the juniors’ fees by $1,000 — an increase that trustee Kyle Hill described as “insanity.”

The trustees voted to table the matter of junior membership and new limitations that it would place on junior members’ play times.

Resolution

This debate was cut short on Dec. 24 with a surprise announcement from Natola that “junior rates and playing and access policies will stay the same in 2025 as they were in 2024” and “there will be no further discussion at the Board of Trustees level related to the Junior Membership package.”

While this announcement was a win for the juniors, it brings back some questions about power in this process.

Natola requires approval from the CCMAC and the Board of Trustees to approve rates. His declaration in this memo that there would be no further discussion is not supported by the club’s governing rules.

Trustee Stan Loucks, who served as a liaison between the trustees and the club for eight years, told TBR News Media that he had no insights as to why the message was sent. He added that “[Natola’s decision] should most likely go back to the trustees for approval.

Whether a vote will be called is unclear, although Hill told TBR News Media that “it’s inappropriate for any village employee to say that a discussion among trustees is over” and “any Board of Trustee member can bring it up for discussion at a meeting.” He also noted that the Christmas Eve send date had stood in the way of discussion throughout the holiday season.

Future plans

For the future, Loucks emphasized a more stringent relationship between the club and the trustees and said he would support the appointment of a liaison to the club to guide the process in the future.

Additionally, in an email to TBR News Media, Sheprow wrote that “it is imperative that rate structure considerations support a long-term strategic plan” and work on such a plan would begin “immediately” while reinforcing the roles of the Board of Governors, CCMAC and the trustees alongside concerns about the club’s budgeting.

The resolution of this situation is still unclear. The specifics of the junior membership plan are still unspecified and the trustees have not yet considered it. The Board of Trustees will meet next for a public meeting on Jan. 29.

For more information go to the Port Jefferson Country Club website: www.portjeffcc.com.

New ferry sails into Port Jefferson harbor

by Sabrina Artusa - January 10, 2025

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The Long Island. Photo courtesy of Fred Hall

By Sabrina Artusa

The Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company have added a new vessel to its fleet: the Long Island.

The 300-foot long, 53-foot wide ferry completed its first voyage to Bridgeport on Dec. 27. The boat features new amenities such as an updated interior and tier 4 engines, the highest standard for diesel engines. It can carry 1,000 passengers and up to 124 cars.

The Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company Vice President and General Manager Fred Hall was the second passenger on the first voyage of the Long Island. “It was a wonderful trip; it was great to see people oohing and aahing at the decor that they hadn’t seen before.”

Unlike the smaller Park City, the Grand Republic or PT Barnum, the Long Island has seating along the window, a counter with phone charging stations, two-seat and four-seat tables and a separate cabin for pets.

The speed is the same as the other boats, but the engine is of a higher standard and releases less carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbon and particulate matter emissions.

The addition of a fourth boat to the fleet allows Hall and the company to pursue ventures besides the simple transit to and from Bridgeport.

Hall said that years ago the company used to plan excursions to other locations, such as Playland Park in Rye, an overnight trip to Albany or a trip down the Connecticut River. With an extra boat, this now may be possible.

A fourth boat also alleviates the burden of demand. the company can only schedule three boats, but having a fourth reduces the inconvenience of delays in the case one of the others needs repairs or is out of commission.

Further, Hall is exploring the possibility of using the fourth boat as a shuttle. In other words, if there is a surplus of vehicles waiting to board, and the scheduled vessel is at capacity, the fourth can serve as a shuttle to transport the remaining cars.

“This is the huge benefit,” Hall said. “Everyone asks me when is your peak season. I’ve always said when the public schools aren’t in session.” He had meant summers, but has since realized that weekends are just as busy.

“Our goal is to provide three-vessel service every weekend of the year. It is not going to happen 100% of the time. If you have four boats you have a better chance of providing three-boat service on the weekends consistently,” Hall said.

Come down to the Port Jefferson Harbor and check out the new addition of the Long Island.

Ready to sail: New ferry arrives in Port Jefferson Harbor

by Press Release - December 28, 2024

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471327851_1221019306116086_9182342676668394081_n — Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company's newest ferry, Long Island

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) has announced the successful delivery of the LONG ISLAND (ESG Hull 228), a newly constructed passenger and auto ferry, to the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, a subsidiary of McAllister Towing on Dec. 20. The vessel, designed to provide seamless transportation between Bridgeport,CT, and Port Jefferson, across Long Island Sound, is the latest addition to the company’s fleet.

“This delivery is a proud moment for our team,” said Joey D’Isernia, CEO and Chairman of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. “It represents our strong partnership with McAllister Towing and our dedication to enhancing the infrastructure for Long Island’s residents and visitors. The LONG ISLAND will be a critical asset, delivering safe, reliable service and embodying our commitment to quality and innovation.”

The LONG ISLAND, a 1,000-passenger ferry with the capacity to carry 124 cars and measuring 302 feet in length, is engineered to accommodate both vehicles and passengers with state-of-the-art features, including EPA Tier IV-compliant main engines, increased crew capacity, and an upgraded furnishings package.

This ferry joins two other Eastern-built vessels in the fleet: P.T. BARNUM (1999) and GRAND REPUBLIC (2003), solidifying ESG’s longstanding relationship with McAllister Towing, which has commissioned over a dozen vessels from ESG.

Buckley McAllister, the President of the ferry company, said “P.T. Barnum, the founder of the ferry, once said that the noblest art is that of making others happy. All of those who have worked to make the ferry service what it is today can be very proud of their role helping drivers on the I-95 and Long Island Expressway. Eastern Shipbuilding has provided our company with over a dozen high quality vessels and transformed the maritime services we can offer. We are very thankful to Eastern Shipbuilding and the D’Isernia family for the happiness this new vessel will bring to our employees and customers for generations to come.”

The addition of the LONG ISLAND ferry will enable a consistent three-vessel schedule during peak travel periods, enhancing the capacity and reliability of service across Long Island Sound. This delivery marks another successful chapter in ESG’s commitment to building high-quality, resilient vessels for customers across the U.S.

Port Jefferson Village Center presents Festival of Trees through Jan. 2

by Heidi Sutton - December 28, 2024

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Looking for something to do this weekend? Visit the Festival of Trees, beautifully decorated trees by local businesses, groups, and non-profits, on the second floor of the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson through Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This event is presented by The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by The Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson and is free to the community. For more information, call 631-802-2160.

Global Language Reads in Port Jefferson brings diversity and culture to its bookshelves

by Julianne Mosher - December 22, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

Inside Global Language Reads, the maroon-colored walls are home to shelves filled with different books. There are novels varying from classic writers like Charles Dickens to true crime, local authors and historical fiction. There’s a shelf of Oliver Sacks’ best sellers and a room dedicated to solely to children’s books in the back.

It just opened in November, but GLR is already a special oasis that brings the feel of a small, family-owned book shop to Port Jefferson village. But what makes this spot different compared to some other local bookstores is the variety of different languages and cultures they bring to the table. Owner Caterina Lemos Cunha said that many of the books on site are not just sold in English, but are also available in more than a dozen different languages.

Offering a many different services, classes and events, the goal of GLR is to bring readers together through game nights, language classes and debate teams, while creating an environment that welcomes everyone and anyone — no matter what you speak.

With her three children, Cunha was living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn working as a scientist specializing in neuroscience. Using her background in research, she decided to start writing children’s books surrounding different types of science with her (little) free time. Cunha would often interview women scientist, disseminate the information into simpler terms and create a story surrounding that science featuring the main character, Alicia (named after her youngest daughter).

Alicia has more than a dozen stories — she learned about rainbows, fireworks, spiders and mental health, and each book offers a science experiment or recipe that kids can do with their families when they’re done reading. Cunha wanted to break down science and make it easy to digest for kids.

“I try to highlight women because sometimes we get forgotten,” Cunha said. “And then we translate them and publish the stories in other languages.” Out of her 10 books, more than half are written bilingually to cater to people of all backgrounds.

Alicia’s adventures had Cunha writing for years and years with one end goal in mind.

“Our dream was always to have our own store to sell them and also sell other books,” she said. “But I was always very busy with research work.”

Cunha and her family decided to leave the city after her son, Gabriel, was killed last year and move to Port Jefferson.

“We needed a change and we kind of followed our intuition,” she said.

After visiting several empty store fronts, Cunha was introduced to 402 Main Street next door to Theatre Three. A former insurance agent, Cunha repainted the walls her late-sons favorite color and named the shop “Global Language Reads” — the same initials as his name.

“We got into the mindset of wanting to do things now in our life and not wait,” she said.

Since officially opening their doors Nov. 8, Cunha said her favorite thing so far is becoming part of the community. “So far we’ve met so many people and got to learn their stories,” she said. “That’s really the best part.”

Cunha, who was born in Portugal and raised in Germany, wanted to bring a sense of culture to her new store. While stocking the shelves with New York Times bestsellers and typical classics, she wanted to be sure to also showcase authors that other people might not know or who are not well-known in the United States.

And to cater to the rich, diverse local community, she decided to bring in authors and books in not just English but Hindu, Bengali, Arabic, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian, French, German, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin. Her children’s books are also written side-by-side bilingually, too. Some genres that can be found include young adult, nonfiction, independent study, historical fiction and some science-heavy reads.

Cunha added that when she opened up the shop, she wanted to bring in different programming for people of all ages. GLR hosts weekly book clubs, game nights and will bring in local authors to talk about their writing.

“I always liked teaching and when I went into research I preferred it,” she said. “Here, too, I want to get kids excited about this and in a small, independent setting you can just come in, learn and have fun.”

The shop is open daily from noon to 9 p.m. Call 631-314-9080 or visit glrbooks.com for more information.

Port Jefferson becomes a winter wonderland for annual Santa Parade

by Julianne Mosher - December 5, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

To prepare for the Christmas season, Santa Claus made his way down Main St. in Port Jefferson to ring in some holiday cheer.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, dancers from nearby schools dressed in their favorite holiday gear while they twirled, spun and danced to some favorite Christmas songs like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and marched from the Port Jefferson Rail Road up to the Village Center, for the annual Port Jefferson Santa Parade.

Brought in by a horse-drawn carriage at the end of the show, Santa was accompanied by local businesses, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Mayor Lauren Sheprow, who also marched down Main St. Special guests included Disney princesses, Donald Duck and Goofy, who pranced through the streets, waving to all the good little boys and girls, who eagerly anticipated the man in red.

The parade also included characters from the upcoming Dickens Festival, which is scheduled for next weekend, Dec. 7-8.

SCWA and Port Jefferson team up for major water upgrades and road restoration

by Press Release - December 5, 2024

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image001 (1) — From left, Steven Gallagher, Port Jefferson Superintendent of Public Works; Stephen Gaffga, Port Jefferson Treasurer; Mayor Lauren Sheprow; Sylvia Pirillo, Port Jefferson Clerk; SCWA Director of Construction/Maintenance Brendan Warner; SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz; and Jarrot Haffner, Port Jefferson DPW. Photo courtesy the SCWA

The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) and the Village of Port Jefferson marked the completion of three major water infrastructure projects with a ceremonial check presentation on Nov. 25. SCWA provided $473,000 to the village for road restoration, enabling curb-to-curb paving of affected roads at no cost to residents.

The upgrades, part of SCWA’s effort to modernize its system and enhance service reliability, included replacing outdated water mains, addressing failing water connections and improving fire protection. The projects aim to ensure more dependable water delivery and better infrastructure for the community.

“Modernizing our water infrastructure is essential, allowing us to deliver water our customers can trust and service they can rely on,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz. “This collaboration with the Village of Port Jefferson exemplifies how municipalities and utilities can work together to maximize benefits for the community.”

The completed work included replacing 3,500 feet of water mains on Old Post Road with durable ductile iron pipes, enhancing water distribution and fire protection. On East Broadway, 14 aging service connections were replaced to address recurring leaks caused by challenging ground conditions. Additionally, 475 feet of undersized cast iron water mains were replaced on Nicholas Street, improving water pressure and reliability.

With these upgrades complete, the village can now begin road restoration, fully repaving affected streets. By overseeing the road restoration, the village reduced costs and ensured the roads meet community standards.

“The Village of Port Jefferson places great value on its partnership with the Suffolk County Water Authority,” said Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow. “We now have upgraded water infrastructure and the village can fully and efficiently restore the roads for our residents. This collaboration demonstrates true teamwork in serving the public and we are grateful.”

Residents welcomed the improvements. “I live near Old Post Road and I drive it all the time,” said Peter Duran, a local resident. “It’s been a little bumpy but I knew it was just a matter of time before they paved this road. I think the village is doing a good job.”

About the Suffolk County Water Authority

The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under New York State law. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, SCWA operates on a not-for-profit basis without taxing power.

Rebecca Kassay defeats incumbent Ed Flood to represent New York State Assembly District 4

By Toni-Elena Gallo

After an extended vote-counting process, Rebecca Kassay has defeated incumbent Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson). Official results and certification are expected from the Board of Elections in the coming weeks. As of now, Kassay is leading Flood by 813 votes.

Kassay released a statement on her Facebook page Tuesday, Nov. 26, declaring victory in the race for New York State Assembly District 4. She wrote, “After a spirited campaign, I am declaring victory in the race for New York State Assembly District 4, having secured an insurmountable lead over my opponent, Ed Flood. Official results and certification are expected from the Board of Elections in the coming weeks.”

Kassay added, “I am heartened by our community’s trust in me to bring public service back to politics. It will be a great honor to represent District 4 in the New York State Assembly and to deliver resources to our communities. As discussed during civic debates and at residents’ doors throughout my campaign, I will serve with a community-up approach — one that prioritizes transparency, communication and meaningful action on pressing issues.”

Assemblywoman-elect Kassay has already begun laying the groundwork to ensure she and her team “hit the ground running and serve the district effectively on day one.”

“Throughout the coming weeks, I will be meeting with civic groups, school district representatives, nonprofits, first responders, local government officials and other community stakeholders to collaborate on the important work of shaping the projects and policies that will guide the district forward,” the statement continued.

Kassay invites residents or groups to connect with the incoming District 4 Assembly team by emailing [email protected].

Plans for vacant Gap building in the Village of Port Jefferson slowly move forward

by Sabrina Artusa - November 21, 2024

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By Sabrina Artusa

The closed-down Gap building in Port Jefferson was purchased in 2023, and plans for the space are starting to take shape.

The Gap store at 100 Arden Place operated for 27 years before closing in 2019, amid a wave of closures by the clothing company due to changes in demand.

A buyer purchased the property in January 2023 for $2.6 million. Although Port Jefferson residents have many ideas about what businesses would thrive in the 10,400-square-foot space, a definitive announcement has not been made by the Port Jefferson Building and Planning Department.

The buyer has not yet submitted an official application and is still in conference with the Port Jefferson Building and Planning Department over their pre-submission, sources say. The pre-submission allows them to propose their business plan informally and receive feedback before submitting a formal application.

The zoning at 100 Arden Place is C1: central commercial, which allows for a variety of retail and personal service stores.

Details have not yet been disclosed by the buyer, the Port Jefferson Building and Planning Department or the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

The potential uses of a property zoned as C1 are wide, and could include anything from a restaurant to a laundromat.

Port Jefferson Village, a destination filled with independent shops, restaurants and bars, is a tourist hotspot. Many Connecticut residents cross the Long Island Sound to enjoy its attractions. The Gap location is in a prime spot, just in front of a parking lot that is usually full on weekends.

Additionally, several apartment buildings have been built in Port Jefferson and Port Jefferson Village in recent years, providing another customer base that could potentially benefit from a new business in this location.

This story is still developing as the property owner and the Port Jefferson Building and Planning Department continue the submission process. They did not respond to our request for comment as of Nov. 20.

Incumbent Ed Flood and challenger Rebecca Kassay release statements amidst continued counting of votes

Web_Photo_Editor — Left: Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-PortJefferson). Right: Rebecca Kassay. Courtesy Ed Flood and Rebecca Kassay for NYS Assembly's Facebook page

By Toni-Elena Gallo

In the wake of last Tuesday’s election, the race for NYS Assembly District 4 remains to be called.

With mail-in ballots still being counted, there is no exact timeline for when results will be in.

Rebecca Kassay released a statement last Thursday, saying, “We knew that the race for the NYS
Assembly seat in District 4 would be one of the most competitive races in New York State, and as of Wednesday, November 6, I hold a 211 vote lead. In a race this close, results will not be determined until the affidavit ballots and final mail in ballots are counted. This might take until late November, so in the meantime, our team is reflecting on our gratitude for the incredible individuals and community groups who we’ve connected with and built stronger relationships with during the journey of this campaign.”

“There is so much work to be done here in our district, our town, our county and our state, and I hope to have the opportunity to serve you as your Assemblymember,” Kassay continued.

TBR requested comment from Assemblyman Flood and his response was as follows: “As we await the final numbers, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has supported me throughout this campaign. I remain deeply committed to representing, advocating for and listening to our community. This dedication is not new; it has always been the foundation of my work and will continue to guide me moving forward.”

“Serving our community is an honor, and I am committed to ensuring that every voice is heard and every concern is addressed,” he continued.

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