Special counsel hired to address town lawsuit

At last week’s work session, mayor Maureen Veitch announced Bellport Village was in the process of hiring special council in response to Brookhaven Town’s announced lawsuit against the village regarding the use of Ho-Hum Beach (also H2O Water Taxi’s use of the marina). “Trustee [Mike] Young has been helpful in identifying [the right attorney],” she said. “The person is a former judge of the New York State Appellate Division. He’s authorized hundreds of New York State opinions. We selected him because of his expertise.”

The attorney, Robert A. Spolzino, is executive partner at A/F Abrams Fensterman, LLP, based in White Plains. He’s practiced as an attorney for 35 years, serving more than eight years as Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, with five of those years as Justice of the Appellate Division. His related practice areas include appeals, business and commercial litigation and environmental, land use and zoning and government relations, litigation, strategy and representation.

“What the village government pays for is under attack,” added trustee Young. “We need to protect home rule.”

Updates:

HUD – Mayor Veitch said a meeting with VHB took place just a couple of hours before and that costs had spiraled. “We asked for a value engineering plan, and it looks like the reason for this grant is for safety vessels. The wave attenuator is the most important and dredging is second, as well as fixing the middle dock on the north side,” she said. The village would like to do more but, has to stay within the grant parameters. “VHB’s job is to look for additional funding.”

FEMA – The village just received $42,611 for Osborne Park reimbursement. DASNY provided $50,000. A motion from assemblyman Joe DeStefano originally for a code officer car wasn’t eligible because the car would be leased, but DASNY awarded the money for a garbage truck.

GEI Consultants– Odone Austin was hired, who is working with Mike Foster to piece together work on the Howells Creek Resiliency Project, along with Peter Sarich and Katie Mehrkins. “If I had to give an estimate, it may take two to four weeks,” Veitch said.

Brown’s Lane/Shore Road Drainage Garden - Behind the guard rail, planting and grasses are planned, with grasses planted hopefully this fall. There is no walkway behind the guard rail, but blue stone will be placed, which can be walked on; Veitch said these actions were based on suggestions from the environmental committee, the highway department and beautification committee.

While trustee Young was disappointed, Veitch suggested a walk-through with Department of Public Works superintendent Jason Crane.

Solar panels -   As previously reported, LIPA funded $75,000 upfront for the $150,000 solar panel project (the rest is funded upon completion). The village piggy-backed off a county contract, Eldor Contracting, which wouldn’t guarantee work on the old frame. They will address the project; Veitch said they should be able to complete the project by the end of the year.

Village Hall – The shingling is completed; next on the agenda was to paint the woodwork. After getting bids of $8,000, $12,500 and $16,000, the village will utilize the Department of Public Works to address the woodwork, of which a lot has been completed. Regarding shutters, a quote of $15,000 from the Timberlane Company for five sets of shutters prompted a discussion of appealing to the Bellport Village Program Fund for possible help.

MS4 Public Stormwater Management Awareness Training – This is an unfunded mandate that requires three reports. After getting quotes for $25,000 to $30,000 to complete them, the village hired Brian McCaffrey, an engineer himself, for $500 to start and $8,000 moving forward.

Yacht Club Lease and Sailing Foundation – Veitch said last year 130 youngsters were given space via the Sailing Foundation and there were limits on how big the foundation can get. Veitch wants the number of slips and spaces on the pad to be in the lease to ensure the village has the insurance it needs. “We’re giving a 501(c)3 use of an attractive part of the village, and it gets really crowded there.”

Ferry ridership – Numbers are being assembled.

Sanitation Sunday summary – It’s been 11 people per week (July 7 to Sept. 8), 29 bags each week with 40 participants north of South Country Road, seven participating south of South Country Road, Veitch said. It costs $2,100 to run all summer and the program can enable village employees to be placed on other projects as it takes man hours when garbage is left out after a weekend.

Permits update – Thanks to work by Mary Lou Bono, here are the numbers. In 2022, permits issued were 102 with pools at19; in 2023 permits issued were 109 with pools at 29; in 2024, permits issued were 33 with pools at six. Out of $181,500 permit fees, $78,000 has been collected.

Fire Inspection – A floorplan has been sketched out for every building. A proposed estimate of $25,875 for a fire alarm system at the Country Club has been pitched. Expenses will be billed by percentage for the men’s locker room, Country Club, and Peter’s on the Green. 

Also discussed - possible open space partnership

Under consideration is a joint purchase with Post-Morrow for a possible open space parcel at 223 South Country Road.

Veitch said the village board needs to learn more and talk to Post-Morrow vice president Tom Williams, but that the property was appraised at $28,000. It is just north of a home and borders a creek behind The Gateway. It was discussed as unbuildable.