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PORT TIMES RECORD
The
P O R T J E F F E R S O N • B E L L E T E R R E • P O R T J E F F E R S O N S TAT I O N • T E R R Y V I L L E
Vol. 35, No. 50
November 3, 2022
The
November 2022 Edition
The Official Newsletter of the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson
Since taking office in 2009, I have been faced with many great challenges Hurricanes Sandy and Irene, National Grid shutdowns, tax certiorari lawsuits, Lawrence Aviation and the EPA’s super fund clean-up case, Master Plan adoption, and now global warming impacts combined with increasing state restrictions and mandates. In every challenge I have faced, the Village perseveres as we have made collective, sustainable decisions. We have the best tax glide path compared to all the other entities impacted by LIPA because we were proactive and realistic. We have a super fund water-quality treatment facility at Caroline Avenue to intercept contaminants and protect the toxic plume from leaching further into the harbor. We have a fortified sea wall at East Beach to protect our beach and parking lot for public access, and we are well underway to bringing long-term life back to upper Port.
A few more facts to consider: We currently receive $260,000.00, soon to be $360,000 in the year 2024, from the current licensee at the country club. If we demo the building - we will lose this revenue source and will have to work to plug this substantial hole in the budget. This loss of revenue needs to be factored into the retreat plan as well as the costs to demo the existing facility (estimated at $1 million dollars today) and rebuild. Rough estimates procured from an architect for an extension on the TURN building to yield new bathrooms and a 2,000-squarefoot restaurant space are coming in at approx $6 million.
During those 6 years of waiting for engineered costs and plans, we, of course, suffered more erosion. Specifically, we have lost the use of the upper 4 tennis courts, and the Port Jeff Country Club building now lies at risk close to the edge of the bluff. In fact, the building is so close that soon after we were awarded our permit for the lower wall, the engineers advised
in early 2021 that we now needed to build a second wall due to the loss of material above. That wall has since been planned, engineered, and put out to public bid - with costs coming in at approx $3.5 million. It now comes time for the Board of Trustees to review all possibilities concerning the “upland” options. Do we decide to build the upper wall? Defer to
There is much to consider and many parameters to be weighed while playing Russian roulette with Mother Nature’s ticking clock. At times like these, many laymen become experts offering sharply contrasting views and findings. And with projects like these - cutting edge and extremely complicated even experts can disagree on outcomes and probabilities. I get it. My job is to collect the data and make a decision that is in the best interest of this Village - as a collective whole.
Currently, the base wall and revegetation of the entire slope are underway. This work will not only protect the bluff from further erosion but will stabilize the beach line and roadway access to East Beach. Although somewhat controversial, the board of Trustees voted 4-1 to stabilize this bluff and also voted 5-0 to initiate the bond to procure the funds to pay for this work.
ELECTION 2022
The moment of victory
From the Mayor The Port Report
A18
Election Issue
For election results as they are posted visit
Photo by Bill Landon
I walked East Beach in 2015 when the aggressive erosion began - at my side were our coastal engineers from GEI and representatives from the DEC. Our paramount concern was the protection of the slope and the vegetation and the impacts on our assets above. Aside from the interruption of the global pandemic and resulting office shutdowns, it took 6 years to procure a permit from the DEC to build the lower base steel, concrete, and rock revetment “splash wall.” In all practicality, it’s an extension of the sea wall that already exists.
the public to vote “yes” or “no”? Decide not to build and instead “demo” the existing facility as part of a larger plan to “retreat” and rebuild a new clubhouse?
Royals defeat Babylon in straight sets, advance to county final — A22
tbrnewsmedia.com SAMPLE BALLOT inside
A5
New children’s book by Sarah Anker teaches stewardship
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Also: Photo of the Week, review of ‘Till,’ Audubon fundraiser heads to Setauket
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Photos by Rita Egan
A Message from MAYOR MARGOT GARANT A CANDID DISCUSSION ABOUT EAST BEACH BLUFF
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
P RT ereport
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