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Port Jefferson Village Mayor Lauren Sheprow

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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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Photo from Lauren Sheprow

By Sabrina Artusa

In the Village of Port Jefferson, Mayor Lauren Sheprow retains her seat for a second term, defeating challenger Kathianne Snaden by 82 votes. Sheprow had 903 votes while Snaden had 821. 

Trustee Robert Juliano was also reelected for a second term with 1196 votes while newcomer Mathew Franco took the seat of Stan Louks with 911 votes. Julie Vitrano had 624 votes. 

John F. Reilly will serve as Village Justice. Unlike the mayors and trustees, the Justice has a term of four years. 

Sheprow wrote in a Facebook post from her campaigning account, “There is so much more work to be done, and I am ready to stay the course.” 

Addressing Snaden, she wrote, “Thank you for your continued enthusiasm in this Village and for your support of the school district.”

For the past two years, the Village Board of Trustees have been confronted with issues pertaining to the Port Jefferson Country Club, the persistent erosion of East Meadow Beach Bluff, parking, and flooding. Further, the decreasing revenue from LIPA continues to diminish the tax base of both the village and school district, which has experienced decreased enrollment over the past decade. Franco will now join the board in tackling these issues for the village.

Franco, the freshman candidate, said, “I congratulate Mayor Sheprow for winning reelection. Now we have to get to work for the people of Port Jefferson.” 

Running a grassroots, “policy-based” campaign, Franco said walking door-to-to–door was a “fun, amazing experience to reengage the community”, though he criticized the “acrimony” of the race. Among his chief concerns as trustee is the East Meadow Beach bluff and quality of life issues like noise pollution. 

Coming off of the intense months leading up to the election, Juliano is excited to continue as trustee, particularly in working to revitalize uptown and addressing bluff erosion and flooding.  

“It was a long haul,” he said, “but I feel truly honored and humbled to be reelected. There are still things that need to be done.” 

He added that although campaigning “got a little heated”, he knows the board will work collaboratively towards their common goal of improving the village. “That is why everyone does this,” he said. “To make Port Jefferson better.” 

In 2023, Sheprow won as a write-in candidate. This year, she had a spot on the ticket and won by 7% of votes. In 2023, she won by 9%. 

For the trustee race, there were 767 undervotes, meaning voters did not vote for two candidates, but either one or zero. There were 25 undervotes for the mayoral race. There were 73 absentee votes and one early voter submission.

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Willow + Harlow ribbon cutting. Photo by Rob Verbeck

The Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce (PJCC) hosted a ribbon cutting for Willow + Harlow Candle Company and Studio on May 23. Located at 208 East Main Street, the shop specializes in all-natural, non-toxic soy candles. 

Owner Christine Santos provides immersive experiences in candle making classes as well as other workshops that range from baking, stamping and painting. 

Pictured from left, Brett Sceravino (PJCC Director), Ron Schlumpf (PJCC Director), John Huber (PJCC Director), Nancy Bradley (PJCC Director), owner Christine Santos, her parents and her son, Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow, Port Jefferson Trustee Xena Ugrinsky, and Julie Vitrano (PJCC Member).

For more information, call 631-260-5473 or visit www.willowharlow.com.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

Kathianne Snaden for mayor

As a Port Jefferson village resident and longtime Long Island business owner and entrepreneur, I’m proud to offer my strong support for Kathianne Snaden in her campaign for mayor.

Kathianne understands firsthand the challenges faced by our business community, whether it’s retail, restaurants or service-based industries. Having grown up in a small family-run business, she brings a deep, personal understanding of what it takes to keep a business alive and thriving. She knows that without the support of local government, small businesses can struggle to survive, especially in an ever-changing economy.

Over the years, Kathianne has proven her dedication to Port Jefferson’s business owners. Her track record speaks for itself. She listens, she shows up, and she works side by side with businesses. Whether it’s helping to navigate local regulations, advocating for improvements to our village infrastructure, or simply taking the time to hear concerns, Kathianne has been a consistent and reliable ally. Her accessibility and responsiveness have been critical in helping face both everyday challenges and larger, unexpected hurdles.

Having someone in office that understands business is crucial. I have seen unnecessary roadblocks and hurdles for local businesses that need to be addressed, so we need leaders that will take action immediately. Kathianne’s unwavering support and hands-on approach have made a real difference in our village, and I have no doubt she will continue this level of commitment as mayor.

We need leadership that prioritizes the success and sustainability of our local economy. Kathianne Snaden is that leader. She has the experience, the dedication and the heart to ensure Port Jefferson remains a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work and do business.

I urge my fellow residents to join me in voting for Kathianne Snaden for mayor. Our businesses and our community will be stronger for it.

[The  election is on June 17 at Port Jefferson Village Center.]

Joe Dovi

Port Jefferson Village

Silly season returns: Port Jefferson deserves better

As we enter another mayoral election season, it’s important to remember not just of what’s at stake — but what we’ve already witnessed.

The so-called silly season is in full swing. Yard signs are sprouting across lawns, social media is ablaze and performances are taking center stage while real policy takes a backseat. But elections aren’t theater. They’re about leadership, vision, policy and results. Unfortunately, some candidates still haven’t gotten the message.

In the last election, the Snaden camp engaged in questionable behavior and sadly, it hasn’t stopped.

Let’s remember:

• Worked to kick Lauren Sheprow off the ballot;

• Used fake social media profiles — created and operated by “friends” and surrogates — to launch personal attacks and spread misinformation; and

• Behind the scenes, then-Trustee and Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden was making questionable decisions — most notably involving Maryhaven, a project with long-term consequences for our Village and no public transparency.

And we can’t forget one of her most visible policy failures: the PassPORT Taxi service. Snaden’s program cost the Village thousands of taxpayer dollars to subsidize local taxi rides — a plan that ended up being far more expensive and far less efficient than simply utilizing services like Uber or Lyft. What was billed as innovative transit became a financial burden with little to show in return.

It’s no wonder Snaden lost. Not because she lacked visibility or resources, but because her policy advancements were failures, and her leadership didn’t deliver for the people of Port Jefferson. Performance may win applause in the moment, but residents care about outcomes — and in that area, she fell short.

Now, two years later, they’re back — repeating the same tactics.

She’s now offering “ideas,” but let’s be clear: nothing she’s proposed addresses fiscal management, sustainability, or real forward-thinking policy. And much of what she mentions has already been done — by others. If these issues were truly urgent, where was her action in the intervening years? Why wait until campaign season to suddenly care again?

So let’s ask some hard but necessary questions:

• How is it ethical for a then sitting Trustee to be paid by the Village as a photographer during her term? That’s a clear conflict of interest, or behavior, at the very least that should have been avoided to dispel any appearance of conflict. Then, she and her surrogates spoke out against the village’s new ethics code. Hard to fathom.

• And why would a former Trustee, who prematurely announced her candidacy, remain disengaged from all meaningful Village work — sitting silently in the back of the room during meetings, offering no value, no ideas, no policy, no involvement?

And yet, it’s doubtful any minds will be changed in the village Facebook pages, where vitriol and echoes are all that matter. These digital echo chambers reward outrage over insight, loyalty over logic, and spectacle over substance.

Leadership is not seasonal. It’s not something you dust off for campaign season.
True leadership is built through consistent engagement, ethical conduct, and a genuine commitment to serving the community — not self-interest. If someone seeks your vote, they should have already been doing the work, not just appearing when it’s politically convenient.

Port Jefferson deserves better. It deserves leaders who show up, speak up, and stand up for this community — all year long.

Let’s remember the past, recognize the patterns, and vote for substance over show.
Keep Lauren Sheprow Mayor of Port Jefferson.

 Drew Biondo
Former Trustee, Port Jefferson

Why we need to reelect Mayor Sheprow

As a lifelong Port Jeff resident and former village trustee, I enthusiastically support Lauren Sheprow’s reelection as mayor.

Mayor Sheprow has been a careful steward of our tax dollars. When a forensic audit of the capital fund uncovered a $1.3 million deficit left by the previous administration, she immediately put a plan in place to address the shortfall. And she still managed to keep taxes low and not exceed the tax cap, both this year and last, something that hasn’t been achieved in over a decade.

She also acted quickly to solve a long-standing problem with the carrying of firearms by our Code Enforcement personnel. The mayor worked with a unanimous board to eliminate this liability for the village, given that there is no legal authority to use guns in our village code.

One of the most distinctive achievements spearheaded by the mayor has been the creation of the Make a Difference program. These volunteer committees are filled with some of Port Jeff’s most talented residents, all of whom are devoting their time and expertise to work on the many challenges we face.
Given how effective Mayor Sheprow has proven to be in her first term, I believe she deserves the opportunity to continue her good work. We have been well served by her diligence, her dedication and her love for this village.

Please join me in reelecting Lauren Sheprow as our village mayor!

Virginia Capon
Port Jefferson Village

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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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The new street sign is unveiled at the entrance of Harborfront Park in Mayor Robert Strong's honor on March 15. Photo by Luciana Hayes

By Luciana Hayes

Saturday, March 15, family and friends of former Port Jefferson Mayor Robert T. Strong gathered near the entrance to Harborfront Park to witness the dedication of the new road being named in his honor on the five-year anniversary of his passing. 

After passing in 2020, Strong was unable to have a proper memorial due to the rapid-spreading pandemic at hand.

Mayor Lauren Sheprow speaks of former Mayor Robert Strong on March 15. Photo by Luciana Hayes

Strong, born June 16, 1936, in New York City, was often described as being generous, kind and dedicated. He passed away March 15, 2020, after complications from lung cancer at age 83, but before his passing he lived a very fulfilling life. He attended SUNY Oswego where he met his wife of almost 50 years, Evelyn Strong. After graduating from Oswego, Strong became a middle school social studies teacher in 1958 in the South Country Central School District until becoming assistant principal in 1966. The Strongs, along with their two children, Robyn and Robert Jr., moved to Port Jefferson in 1968. In 1995 Strong was elected mayor with 835 votes after previously serving four years as a village trustee. He served as mayor for four years until 1999 and made lasting impacts that continue to benefit the Village of Port Jefferson.

Prior to Strong’s term as mayor, in the 1960s and 1970s, an oil company (now known simply as Mobil) existed on what is now known as Harborfront Park. The board of trustees of the Village of Port Jefferson attempted to purchase the land for $3 million, but the motion failed with a vote of 657 to 358. But Strong was determined to use the land for the good of the community. In 1997, the residents of Port Jefferson voted 738 to 131 to approve the village purchase of the Mobil property for $1.7 million. Following the purchase, Strong established a community-based volunteer group that further developed the land for the community and made it what it is today.

Mayor Lauren Sheprow led the dedication by explaining Strong’s impact on the community and his impact on his friends and family. Having known the Strong family growing up, Sheprow described her memories of Robert Strong. She said, “writing this history, this story of his work here in the village is really cathartic for me and I feel so fortunate to be able to do so.”

Father Frank Pizzarelli, the director of Hope House Ministries, led the blessing of the newly dedicated road. Having also known Strong, he contributed with a short and sweet speech about his friend, stating, “one of the things that impressed me about Bob was his dedication to service.” 

Strong’s children, Robyn and Robert Jr.,  also spoke briefly about their father. Robert Strong Jr. said, “you know people say ‘I had the best dad and my dad was the best,’ I know this is a cliche but I had the best dad.”

The event concluded with the unveiling of the new road sign that now reads “Mayor Robert T. Strong Way” next to the entrance into the park that Strong fought so hard to develop. While his term as mayor was short, his impacts on the community will last many lifetimes.

For more information visit the Village of Port Jefferson website (www.portjeff.com).

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Sal Filosa and Jenny Bloom cut the ribbon for the new Teen Center at 205 Main Street on March 14. Photo by Heidi Sutton/TBR News Media

By Heidi Sutton

It’s been 10 years in the making but it was all worth it when the doors to the new Port Jefferson Free Library Teen Center swung open after a ribbon cutting event on March 14. A large crowd, including Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow, New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, and Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, attended the celebration which continued into the evening and at an Open House on March 15. 

According to a press release, the library purchased the 1812 Bayles house at 205 East Main Street 10 years ago with plans of turning the former “Scented Cottage” store into a Teen Center which had been operating out of a rental space across the street from the library.

New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay and Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich present certificates to staff of the Port Jefferson Free Library. Photo by Heidi Sutton/TBR News Media

A designated “Safe Space,” the new Teen Center features “multiple small rooms offering teens the ability to browse the library’s book, video and game collections, get homework and college application help, play board and video games, access craft supplies or participate in the busy schedule of program offerings,” according to the release. The Center, which is geared for teens in grades 6-12, also features a 3-D printer, homework stations and laptop computers. 

Working with BBS Architecture and Belfor Property Restoration, the library preserved much of the building’s charm, including 5 fireplaces, a beehive oven, the front “Dutch Door,” and the original pine floors. A covered front porch was added after Kate Von der Heyden of the Port Jefferson Historical Society shared historic photos which showed a previously existing Greek Revival-style porch. Amendments include a wheelchair lift and wider doorways.

“The reputation of this institution transcends the boundaries of the village. This is a draw for kids not just in this community but all the surrounding communities. I want to thank you for putting this together and for doing it in such a sensitive way that it maintains the streetscape and the look and feel of the village; it is such a great enhancement,” said Councilmember Kornreich.

“I am so grateful to this library board, to the leadership here and to the community for having the foresight to obtain this historic building, maintain it and renovate so that it can continue to be part of the beating heart of our library system and be a safe, wonderful and fun place for the teens,” said Assemblywoman Kassay.

“… So proud to walk through these doors for the first time and see what’s inside. I want to use it! There’s a nook and cranny for everything. I’m so glad that my nieces and my nephews and their friends will be able to use it as they come through middle school into the high school … It’s an incredible facility and what a great resource for them,” said Mayor Sheprow, who went on to thank Head of Teen Services Sal Filosa and Library Director Jenny Bloom for bringing the Teen Center to fruition.

“Growing from our one-room rental space to multiple rooms with a covered porch offers a variety of spaces for teens to relax, do homework, play games, or create art. We hope they consider the Teen Center to be their new ‘home away from home,” said Filosa.

“The restoration of the Bayles House and development of the new Teen Center has been the dream of a decade of Board Trustees, Staff, and community members, and the Library is very proud to welcome the community to the grand opening, and for teens for generations to come,” added Bloom.

The Teen Center is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 631-509-5707.

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Port Jefferson Village Hall. Photo by Heidi Sutton 2023

By Peter Sloniewsky

In the new year, the Port Jefferson Country Club’s governorship has remained an issue among the trustees and the public. 

Prior to the Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 29, Mayor Lauren Sheprow wrote to the membership of the country club that she was planning to introduce a resolution that would solicit a Request for Expression of Interest  to create a 10-year strategic plan for the club at a cost of no more than $50,000. An EOI is a competitive process used to get information from potential consultants about interest in a project and does not require any actual investment. 

Tom Natola. Photo courtesy of portjeffcc.com

This plan would include both capital and operations planning for the course and the campus and comes after a number of controversies stalled last year’s planning efforts. Debates over junior membership, initiation fees and other components of the membership package stretched across the month of December before being cut short by a surprise announcement by General Manager Tom Natola that rates, playing and access policies would not change between 2024 and 2025. 

At the Jan. 29 meeting, the trustees both debated Sheprow’s proposal and engaged with one another about resolving the current controversy of junior membership rates. After a recommendation from the town attorney, Sheprow removed the $50,000 number. 

Trustee Robert Juliano questioned why the club’s Board of Governors  or Country Club Management Advisory Council were not just asked to develop such a strategic plan. The town attorney stopped this discussion, stating that it was a non-public matter of “job performance.”  Sheprow later told TBR News Media that she “first requested that [Natola] develop a strategic plan in October of 2023” before coming “to the conclusion that professional assistance may be needed.” 

Trustee Kyle Hill also moved to push this job to the BOG and CCMAC and showed a reluctance to spend money on such a plan whether that was the intention of the resolution or not. He also argued that the membership of the club had not been adequately consulted, and that there was a risk for “reputational damage” to the board of trustees as a result. Regardless, the EOI was passed 3-2 among the trustees, with trustee Stan Louks (who previously served as liaison to the country club) and Hill opposed. 

CCMAC Chair Lisa Perry told TBR News Media that CCMAC had not met to discuss the proposal of a consultant-driven strategic plan, but that Sheprow had mentioned her intention to take this approach. Sheprow also defended this approach to TBR News Media: “With the complexities of all the moving parts surrounding the property … I consider it my direct responsibility, for the best interests of all our residents/taxpayers, to take lead on this, and soliciting expressions of interest was the first step to help educate the Board of Governors and the CCMAC on what services are available.”

However, later public comment showed some discontent with this strategy. Resident Matt Franco called to disband the BOG and implement bylaws. Looking ahead, he also argued that the $50,000 for a strategic plan would have to come from a rainy-day fund, and that the goal of a general manager at the club should be to take lead on designing that 10-year plan. 

The trustees also unanimously certified a set of rules for the club for 2025 identical to the 2024 rules (as Natola’s announcement had promised) with the change of moving juniors start times from 2 p.m. to 10 a.m. 

Just two days later, in a surprise to the club’s members, Sheprow announced the resignation of Natola. Rather than immediately seeking a replacement, she wrote that a combination of the BOG, CCMAC and the return of   Louks as liaison to the club would lead its governance. Sheprow told TBR News Media that it is “a best practice for any country club to have a general manager” but stated faith in Louks to assist in managing the club for the time being. Perry also asserted to TBR News Media that, while the CCMAC had not yet met, she had faith in the club’s other management along with Louks to keep things running smoothly. 

In hindsight, Sheprow told TBR News Media “a bylaws document for the BOG is essential to define the makeup and roles and responsibilities of the BOG,” but also that this was “another long outstanding deliverable anticipated from the GM.” She also reflected that the BOG had done well in 2023 (when it was re-formed) but that, once controversies arose, “it became evident that a resident majority is important.” Alternatively, Perry claimed that she would “personally be in favor of the BOG having an equal number of residents to nonresidents,” but noted that it does currently have a resident majority. 

The Port Jefferson Board of Trustees will meet again on Feb. 26.

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Port Jefferson Village Hall. Photo by Heidi Sutton 2023

By Peter Sloniewsky

Village of Port Jefferson trustee Kyle Hill authored an open comment letter Sept. 6 to the Rockefeller Institute of Government in Albany expressing “our concern regarding any proposed amendments to the New York State Foundation Aid formula that may lead to reductions in funding for the Port Jefferson School District.” 

The letter was co-signed by all of the village trustees with the exception of Mayor Lauren Sheprow. 

The Foundation Aid formula, enacted in 2007,  is used by New York State to allocate a large portion of its education resources to school districts. Its calculations are based on a variety of different factors such as local contributions, student demographics and enrollment, and was used in the 2024-25 fiscal year to allocate more than $24.9 billion of the state’s $35.9 billion education funding package. 

As the current formula incorporates old data and statistics, researchers at the Rockefeller Institute are in the early stages of a study to rewrite the formula. This study was sanctioned in April’s state budget by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and legislative leaders in coordination with the state Education Department.

The existing formula contains a caveat that the state cannot provide less Foundation Aid than it did the year prior, regardless of changing factors. In practice, this means that school districts like Port Jefferson — with low or declining enrollment — would benefit. 

In the last state budget negotiations, Hochul recommended that this rule, entitled the “hold harmless” provision, be cut. As a result of this hypothetical cut, which was rejected by the Legislature, Port Jefferson schools would have suffered a massive 28% cut to their Foundation Aid. 

The Rockefeller Institute study will be presented to the governor and Legislature once completed. 

As Hill wrote in the trustees letter, “When Long Island schools like Port Jefferson School District, do not receive adequate funding from Albany, it further agitates the preexisting pressure on municipalities like ours to hold the line on taxes as the cost of living has become unmanageable for far too many of our constituents.” 

Hill also noted that the Long Island region receives less in state funding than in other areas, such as transportation and infrastructure. 

According to Port Jeff Board of Education President Ellen Boehm, “The numbers are skewed due to a few high-wealth residents in a small geographic area. … Our participation rate [in reduced lunch benefit programs] has grown. … This proves that we have residents that are facing economic hardships.” 

In Port Jefferson schools specifically, Foundation Aid makes up approximately 6 percent of the total budget — a modest but important percentage, especially considering the area’s high taxation rate, large special-education program and increasing volume of English as a New Language students. 

Boehm and Hill alike do not deny that the state’s Foundation Aid formula has flaws. 

The BOE president told TBR, “The formula the state currently uses simply needs to be reconsidered — not just the ‘hold harmless’ clause. … The overall cost of operating [on Long Island] is just far higher than in other areas of the state and should also be taken into consideration.” 

In a press release, Hill said, “Albany continues to look at Long Island like its piggy bank.” He also reminded policymakers that “Long Island sends more revenue to Albany than it gets back, and local villages and towns have to pick up the slack.” 

Hill added in the trustees letter that the discussion of equitable school funding “should be in the broader context of how resources are allocated across New York state.” 

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Port Jefferson Village Hall. File photo by Heidi Sutton

By Peter Sloniewsky

The Village of Port Jefferson Board of Trustees met on Aug. 28 to hear testimony from the public and vote on a number of resolutions. 

At the beginning of the meeting, the trustees heard the accounts of a number of people involved in the Citizens Commission on Erosion. Those present reported that they had voted, 9-2, in support of a Coastal Technologies pilot program. This program would contribute to reforestation along the East Beach Bluff at a cost of $27,560, as well as begin permanent infrastructure construction with the installation of 580 cliff-stabilizer devices. 

Photo captured from the BOT meeting’s livestream. Courtesy Inc. Village of Port Jefferson YouTube page

Both Mayor Lauren Sheprow and trustee Kyle Hill spoke against rushing into the agreement before there was a unanimous vote to table. Sheprow said, “We can’t approve this without understanding what the cost of installation will be,” and also stated that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation was in the process of revising the village’s permit for work along the bluffs. Hill had other concerns. “It would be helpful to know … what is the metric for success in the pilot program?” he asked. He did display confidence that he “can get to yes,” but wanted more specifics on the project as a prerequisite. 

The chairperson of the Citizens Commission spoke against the resolution at the beginning of the meeting for two reasons: First, he felt it required an all-village referendum and, second, the village should wait for an update from the Federal Emergency Management Agency due to the “change of scope in work on existing plans.” Another meeting member was concerned about the perceived vagueness of the proposal, asking, “Is this going to be reviewed by perhaps someone with contracting experience and clean it up?” and describing it as “extraordinarily loose and vague.” 

Not all of those present agreed. Another member of the commission described the gradual destruction of the bluff as a “domino effect,” and that, while this pilot program wouldn’t be the “overall solution,” he thought “the majority felt that it was worth a trial.” He dissented from the chairperson’s idea of a referendum because he thought previous actions taken by the trustees had been successful — specifically, he referenced the upland wall built under Mayor Margot Garant’s tenure, and because time was an important factor. 

In addition to the unanimous tabling of the Long Island-based Coastal Technologies proposal, the Board of Trustees approved some other initiatives: clearing streets for the Sept. 27 homecoming parade and for the Oktober Harvest Festival, as well as accepting appointments to and resignations from various village boards. The board also enacted some proposals to support village landscaping and content creation, briefly discussed the future of the power plant as a renewable energy plant, and rejected proposals for sidewalk repair and concession operations. 

The Board of Trustees will meet for a work session on Sept. 11 before a formal public meeting on Sept. 25.

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