by Denise Wright
The September 14 meeting of the East Nassau Board of Trustees ran a little long this month to make up for not having a meeting during August.
The meeting began with a continuation of the public hearing on a Laier Minor Subdivision. The application is for a 2-lot subdivision of approximately 16.36 acres. One lot will be 5.06 acres, and the other will be around 11.30 acres. According to the surveyor, there is no construction on either lot, and the stream will be the boundary. There was some discussion about if the property was in a flood plain, but it ultimately was decided that this was a straightforward subdivision. The Board approved being a lead agency of this unlisted action after reviewing the SEQRA process.
After the hearing, the Board opened their meeting with the review and approval of the July/August bills/treasurer’s and July secretary reports. Historian and Trustee Tom Kernan talked about the process for the 7th annual cookie contest, which is scheduled at the Hoags Corner Firehouse on Sunday, November 13, at 1 pm. Presently, he is in the process of securing judges and getting items for the chance and silent auctions. During the competition, there was some discussion about having a naming contest for the new Village park, but it has not been finalized yet. If anyone has things they would like to donate for the auctions, please email Kernan at thomas.kernan@villageofeastnassau.org.
The Climate Smart Committee report began with the passing of the Solar Resolution, which is one of the Village’s final hurdles in completing its goals. This resolution was finalizing inspection fees and refining the process for installing rooftop and ground solar units in the Village. The Trustees reviewed the resolution and approved it. The Board of Trustees reviewed the Flood Preparedness Guide, but the Board discussed the topic of emergency parking for vehicles, boats, and RVs heavily. While they hope to have the guide finished so the Village can mail it at the end of the year, some Board members felt that this area needed to be refined before it can be approved and tabled the topic until October. The Committee has been finishing up gardens at the firehouse and has decided to drop the goal of having an EV charging station due to technology changing too rapidly.
The Building Department reported a new permit has been submitted for the demolition of a home on Webster Hill Road and is working on complaints that have been received for homes on State Route 66 and Dunham Hollow Road. The Highway Department has completed blacktop patching but is exploring purchasing speed humps for Hayes Road. There have been numerous complaints from Hayes Road residents about speeders going to the Community Forest. There were some questions about the liability and durability of the humps, so that Michael Dorr will continue some more investigation.
Items added to the agenda also involved traffic-related issues on Tayer Road and Garfield Road. The Board is still reviewing how to eliminate some of the tight matters in this area. There was some conversation about the feasibility of shifting stop signs in that area, but the Board did not decide. Dunham Hollow Road was also an intense topic of discussion. First, on the road, there is a widow maker tree hanging over the road, and Michael Dorr will call the County to see if they can remove it. The second item revolved around the collapsing hillside. Mayor Acquario has contacted the County to see if they can do something. The County has said it will be a significant project needing studies and potentially rerouting the road with a hefty price tag. The Board felt that more discussion would be coming on this topic.