UPCOMING MEETINGS and EVENTS

Please check with Village for the rescheduling of meetings and events for the remainder of November

Tues Nov 6, Election Day

Thursday Nov. 22

Thanksgiving

Friday Nov. 23

 Village Hall will be open 9:30am - 8pm until Tuesday Nov. 13 to address your questions.

A Message from Mayor Ryba

November 11, 2012

Dear Neighbors:

Thirteen days after Hurricane Sandy, the LIPA response to restoring power to our community continues to be unacceptable. While approximately 75-85% of Old Brookville residents have had their power restored, remaining residents without power continue to live in cold and darkened homes. Please be assured that the Village will continue to do whatever it can to assure that power is restored to all residents in the next few days.

During the past two weeks, I have taken time off from my regular job and have continuously remained in the Village as a full-time mayor to coordinate disaster recovery and power restoration efforts. Most recently, I have been advised by LIPA that it is their goal to restore power to all of Old Brookville by Monday evening, November 12^th.  Should you not have power restored by Tuesday evening , November 13^th, please send an Email to Village@OldBrookville.net with NO POWER in the Subject heading and your name and address in the body of the message. We will use this information to contact information to re-emphasize the specifics of your outage to our LIPA contacts.

At this time, while Village Hall has power, it still does not have phone or internet service (though we now have a work-around for email). We have set up an alternate phone number for messages: 516 629 6561.

Despite the problems with power restoration, I am pleased to say that our contractors controlled by the Village (ie; landscaping, debris removal) as well as the Old Brookville Police have done an outstanding job. While crime has not increased the Department will continue to maintain increased patrols throughout the Village until all power is restored. The Village’s contractors; Woody Tree Service, John McGowan & Sons and Pascarella Landscaping have provided excellent service and began their clean-up efforts immediately after the hurricane subsided. During this week's 6” snow event, John McGowan & Sons was ready to plow and salt our roads when called upon on short notice. Again, an outstanding job.

Next week, most of the clean-up work will be completed. Total storm clean-up costs will approximate $400,000 – $500,000. The Village will apply for reimbursement from FEMA (75%) and New York State (12.5%) shortly. These funds should be received by the Village in 8-10 months similar to Hurricane Irene.

I look forward to seeing the Village return to normal in the days and weeks ahead. As always, should you have any concerns, suggestions or comments, please contact me directly at mayor@oldbrookville.net.

Yours truly,

Bernie Ryba - Mayor

P.S.

We have been sending out updates through the Village Newsletter to 400+ email addresses signed up. If you haven't subscribed you can at www.oldbrookville.net, and click Email Sign Up. If you do not have access to the Village website, respond to this message with SIGN ME UP in the Subject heading your email address will be added to the Newsletter list.

Feedback   

If you have comments or news of interest to the community please contact Rick Shaper: 

rshaper@oldbrookville.net                                                                   

UPCOMING MEETINGS and EVENTS

Please check with Village for the rescheduling of meetings and events for the remainder of November

Village Office Closed:

Tues Nov 6, Election Day

Thursday Nov. 22

Thanksgiving

Friday Nov. 23

Beginning Wednesday Nov. 7, Village Hall will be open 9:30am - 8pm during the  restoration period.

The LIPA website reports the following customer outages for the North Shore Area as of this evening. 

Future updates can be viewed at:

http://stormcenter.lipower.org/report.html

Brookville                 756

Cove Neck               342

Lattingtown              594

Mantinecock            350

Mill Neck                1749

Muttontown              300

Old Brookville           447

Upper Brookville    1030

Township totals:

Hempstead              53,685

North Hempstead    31,524

Oyster Bay              32,409

Feedback   

If you have comments or news of interest to the community please contact Rick Shaper: 

rshaper@oldbrookville.net                                                                   

UPCOMING MEETINGS and EVENTS

Please check with Village for the rescheduling of meetings and events for the remainder of November

Village Office Closed:

Tues Nov 6, Election Day

Thursday Nov. 22

Thanksgiving

Friday Nov. 23

Dear Residents,

We have all suffered disruption and damage to varying degrees as a result of an event unprecedented in memory. We can only be thankful we are not located near the south shore. We hope and pray for the most unfortunate and unlucky of us whether in our Village or elsewhere.

For those receiving this Email message please spread this information to your neighbors and friends in the event they are not able to receive it.

VILLAGE HALL and ELECTION, TUES. NOV 6

Village Hall will have a commercial generator and serve as a polling location for those who normally vote there.

Beginning Wednesday, Village Hall will be open for business from 9:30am through 8pm until further notice while restoration of power to the village is in process. Mayor Ryba will be at Village Hall each evening to receive residents' questions and work towards resolution of their problems and concerns. Note the normal holiday closures on the left panel of this message.

There will be heat, light and power to charge cell phones and laptops. Please charge only essential devices as we do not want to overload the circuits. Bring extension cords that provide additional outlets.

LIPA has advised Mayor Bernie Ryba that "...the Brookvilles will have power restored incrementally and could take a week or longer after Nov. 7 to complete the process..." Areas will be powered up according to what is possible, prudent, and efficient based on damage and the power grid layout. In addition a Northeaster with high wind gusts and heavy rain is predicted for mid week which has the potential for additional damage and disruption of recovery work. Please remain patient in this unprecedented emergency.

The Village commends the following for their expeditious assistance:

-Woody's Tree Service for the timely removal of trees blocking Village Roads. (Note that Rt. 107 and 25A are state roads, Chicken Valley and Piping Rock are county roads , and the Village does not and cannot maintain them).

-Pascarrella Landscaping for clearing the smaller branches and catch basins.

-McGowan and Sons for road clearing and traveling to Maryland to pick up the generator for Village Hall.

From the Mayor and Trustees:

Residents needing repairs to their homes due to damage by Hurricane Sandy will not be charged a permit fee; nevertheless, plans must be submitted to the Building Department for approval. The Building Department will issue approvals without waiting for monthly Trustee Meetings.

Tree removal related to storm damage may continue without permits until further notice. For all other tree removal, the usual permit process will be followed.

The cost to the Village for cleanup could run in the neighborhood of $400,000 based on the experience last year's Hurricane Irene. The Village will apply for FEMA reimbursement at a rate of 87.5% of approved costs which may take a year or more to receive. We have taken many pictures of the destruction for application to FEMA, and if any residents have compelling photos of the damage along Village right-of-ways please forward them to the email address below.

From the Old Brookville Police Department

VOB Police are on overtime during this crisis although there is no reported increase in criminal activity at this time. To contact the Police Department, call 626 1300.

Tree and line damage at Wishing Well Lane, Oct. 30

A crew from Buffalo working @ Wishing Well Lane, Nov. 4

Feedback   

If you have comments or news of interest to the community please contact Rick Shaper: 

rshaper@oldbrookville.net                                                                   

UPCOMING MEETINGS and EVENTS

Village Office Closed

Tues Nov 6

Election Day

Planning Board

Thurs. Nov 1, 7pm

Additional information and updates may be posted to the village site and calendar.  Go to oldbrookville.net for later updates.

How LIPA and National Grid are preparing:

• Closely monitoring the storm's progress on and around-the-clock.Coordinating preparation efforts with state, New York City, county and local emergency management organizations.
• Communicating preparations and restoration procedures with public officials.Ensuring that all LIPA and National Grid personnel are ready to respond.
• Securing additional utility and tree trim crews to supplement our existing workforce.
• Reinforcing all communication and information technology systems necessary to support our restoration efforts.
• Ensuring that all supply inventories and equipment are fully stocked to support restoration efforts.

Steps Customers Can Take As the storm approaches, customers should take the following steps to prepare:

• Never touch or go near fallen wires, even if you think they are safe. Parents can use this opportunity to remind children that wires are dangerous. If you are in a vehicle that comes in contact with a downed wire, stay in your vehicle until help arrives.
• Make sure you have a working, battery powered radio or TV and a good supply of fresh replacement batteries.
• Have flashlights available for all family members.
• If an electric pump supplies your water, fill spare food-grade containers with water for cooking and washing in anticipation of a possible power interruption.
• Make sure all motor driven equipment, such as garage door openers, can be operated manually.
• When using a portable generator, make sure all LIPA-powered equipment is disconnected. This will avoid severe hazards when reconnecting the power to your home or business.
• Have a first aid kit at home and check its contents to make sure they are complete and up to date. If you have family members with special medical needs, such as insulin or other prescription drugs, check to make sure you have an adequate supply.
• Do not use charcoal to cook indoors; deadly carbon monoxide gas can accumulate in your home.
• If you have an elderly neighbor, be a Good Samaritan and check on his or her status. Even a quick telephone call during a storm can provide much appreciated assurance that help is nearby if needed.
• Should an electric power interruption occur, all sensitive equipment, such as computers and TVs should be disconnected until service is restored. 

Feedback   

If you have comments or news of interest to the community please contact Rick Shaper: 

rshaper@oldbrookville.net                                                                   

Village of Old Brookville 
Newsletter - September 2012

  Copyright © Village of Old Brookville. All Rights Reserved.

Village of Old Brookville 
Newsletter - August 2012

  Copyright © Village of Old Brookville. All Rights Reserved.

Village of Old Brookville 
Newsletter - July 2012

  Copyright © Village of Old Brookville. All Rights Reserved.

Village of Old Brookville 
Newsletter - June 2012

  Copyright © Village of Old Brookville. All Rights Reserved.

Village of Old Brookville 
Newsletter - May 2012

  Copyright © Village of Old Brookvi

Village of Old Brookville 
Supplemental Newsletter - April 2012

  Copyright © Village of Old Brookville. All Rights Reserved.

Village of Old Brookville

Supplemental Newsletter March 10, 2012

Decommissioning of Glenwood Power Plant  ---

-- N.S. School District Lost Tax Revenue

The decommissioning of the LIPA/National Grid power facility on the harbor in Glenwood Landing, expected by 2013, will result in an enormous tax loss for the North Shore School District and and other tax entities that have jurisdiction over this property. 

The lost tax revenue from the plant, estimated at as much as $8-14 million in school tax revenue alone, could result in an estimated $2000 increase in individual school tax bills for the average $750,000 home in the district. The newly formed citizens’ Legislative Action Committee (LAC) was appointed by the School Board recently to represent the community in regard to issues involving government policy and action.

LAC and the Board are lobbying our local representatives in Albany in an attempt to have legislation enacted which would require National Grid at least to phase in the tax consequences over a ten year period, so that the impact on local residential taxpayers would not be as dramatic and devastating as it might otherwise be.

LAC is targeting the current state budget cycle taking place this Spring, so that the School Board and other affected municipalities can reliably budget for the next year.  In this regard, members of the Board and LAC will be in Albany next Wednesday to speak with our local State Senator Marcellino, who is apparently committed to drafting legislation, and Assemblymen Montessano, Lavine, and Senator Martins. 

As part of this effort, Old Brookville residents may join in by contacting our representatives Marcellino and Montessano through individual residents' letters. Their addresses and sample letters are included below.

Prior to this recent initiative by LAC, last summer Mayor Ryba discussed this issue at length with Carolyn Genovese, Chair of the North Shore Schools Board of Education who promised to keep our village advised as discussions between the school district, LIPA and the State of New York progressed.

Last fall, Bruce Kennedy, Mayor of Sea Cliff, representatives of our local legislators and Mayor Ryba attended a public meeting at North Shore HS that was also attended by about 200 residents, where the Mayors were recognized for their support for the N.S. Board of Education's efforts.

On November 18 Mayor Ryba, Trustess Matt Schamroth and Michael Degarabedian participated in the Viking Foundation's kick-off reception at the North Shore Country Club, in support of N.S. Schools. Speaking to School Superintendent Melnick about the status of the discussions with LIPA and the State of New York, Mayor Ryba was advised that our local State Legislators were all very supportive and were doing what they could in order to phase in over a 10 year period the tax effect of shutting down the LIPA / National Grid facility.

These efforts will be aided greatly by a public campaign of letters by residents to our representatives, as suggested by LAC.

Sample letters below may be used or paraphrased:

Senator Carl L. Marcellino

Room 811

188 State Street

Legislative Office Building

Albany NY 12247

Dear Senator Marcellino:

I am writing to express my great concern over the closing of the LIPA/National Grid power plant in Glenwood Landing and its likely impact on the North Shore School District and its residents.

For decades this community and other power plant communities across Long Island have tolerated in their backyards the enormous brick buildings, towering concrete smokestacks, expansive steel power- line stanchions, and the environmental harm that such plants potentially pose, only with the understanding that the utility takes on a portion of the community’s tax burden.

The loss of a large portion of the $14 million tax dollars that LIPA/National Grid contributes to our schools will create a tremendous hardship for our outstanding district and its residents. Already districts across Long Island have been forced to make significant cuts due to the tax levy limit, and in anticipation of courts upholding the repeal of the County Guarantee. Our district will be forced to make even deeper cuts, greatly harming students as class sizes will surely rise and programs are eliminated.

As for taxpayers in the North Shore community, L LIPA/National Grid’s obligation will be shifted to them, costing individual homeowners thousands of dollars each year, and the likely decrease in their property values. Not only will residents take a significant hit in the short term, but, for the foreseeable future, the district will have an enormous hole in its tax base as environmental and other issues will have to be worked out before the land can once again be developed. LIPA’s financial commitment to the district should not be allowed to end as quickly as it takes to decommission a power plant.

I greatly appreciate all the work that you have done in the past fighting for the interests of your constituents who live in the North Shore School District. I urge you and the state legislature to take quick action to lessen the devastating financial impact that the decommissioning of the Glenwood Power Plant will have on this community.

Sincerely,

Assemblyman Michael Montesano

Room 633

188 State Street

Legislative Office Building

Albany NY 12247

Dear Assemblyman,

I write to you requesting your assistance with a serious matter facing our community. As a member of this community, a homeowner and a parent to school age children, I am deeply concerned about the closure of the National Grid building at the end of Glenwood Road on Hempstead Harbor. The tax loss from the closing of this facility combined with the tax levy limit would be devastating to our schools and our community. We are a small community with a mixture of old and new families who may be forced out due to an excessive and immediate rise in their taxes. I have heard about Senator Marcellino’s bill to require the power company to gradually withdraw its tax obligations over time. I urge you to support these efforts and help us preserve our schools and our community for the present and the future.

Sincerely,

If you have comments or suggestions about the

Old Brookville newsletter please contact Rick Shaper: 

rshaper@oldbrookville.net      

UPCOMING MEETINGS and

EVENTS

Village Office closed: Dec. 26

Architectural Review Board -Dec. 8, 9am

Village Court- Dec. 14, 7pm.

REVISED MEETING:

Zoning Board of Appeals- Dec. 19, 5pm

REVISED TIME:

Board of Trustees - Dec. 19, 7:00 pm

Planning Board- Jan. 5, 7pm

Additional information and updates will be posted to the village calendar.  Go to oldbrookville.net, click Calendar, and click on a meeting in the calendar to see the agendas (when posted).

Fire Protection Contract - Village Continues to Hold the Line

At a public hearing for the 2012 Glenwood Fire Department contract with the Village, the Board of Trustees was advised by the Fire Department that there will be a slight reduction in year over year expenses for 2012.  This marks the third consecutive year that the Village will experienced either no increase or a slight decrease in the cost for fire protection and ambulance service.

Meet your Police Department

 Lieutenant James "Jim" McCarty

James B. McCarty was recently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and is designated as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the Police Department. Lieutenant James “Jim” McCarty has been a member of the police force for 26 years and prior to his promotion held the ranks of police officer (1986-1999), detective (1999-2001) and detective sergeant (2001-2011). As the deputy commanding officer of the Department. Lieutenant McCarty routinely provides administrative support to the Chief of Police and during the Chief’s absences assumes responsibility for all operational issues. Jim is married and has two children.

Outline for Building Permit process

During our residency in the village most of us will want to make
 some changes or renovations to our property. The permitting 
 and review process may be unfamiliar to those residents not 
 involved in village governance. Below is a quick outline of what
 occurs. A building permit application is required for any 
 structural construction on your property, change of grade, 
 driveway (pavement or gravel), or any impervious surface 
 (preventing natural drainage). The Building Inspector reviews
 the plans for proper construction practices and against the 
 Zoning Code. The village is tasked to protect residents from
 their own as well as their neighbors' construction projects. 
 The Planning Board reviews the plans for aesthetics, impact,
 and suitable site design. If the plans violate any zoning 
 provisions, an application to the Zoning Board of Appeals for 
 relief of the constraint will be required, which may or may not 
 be granted. Finally, for any visual building construction 
 (including fences) an appearance at the Architectural Review 
 Board is required. All village boards are staffed by volunteer
 residents who have an appreciation for residents' needs and
 an interest to serve our community. This year a committee of 
 board members will meet to address and improve the permitting
 process. If you have comments or suggestions please direct
 them to my email address at the bottom of this newsletter. 
 
 For more detailed guidance for your particular project please
 contact the village office.

If you have suggestions about the Old Brookville Newsletter please contact Rick Shaper:  rshaper@oldbrookville.net

Newsletter November 2011