Serving Port Washington, Manorhaven, Flower Hill, Baxter Estates, Port Washington North, Sands Point
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Friday, September 8, 2023
Vol. 9, No. 36
PortWashingtonTimes Washington imes GUIDE TO FALL
SCHREIBER RANKED NO. 8 ON N. SHORE
CALL TO REMOVE POLS NAMES FROM COUNTY SIGNS
PAGES 23-38
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Boosting finance team
PORT’S NEW TEACHERS
Town appoints acting comptroller BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y North Hempstead Town Board Democrats approved a resolution along party lines to use Hilary Grossman, the former chief deputy comptroller of the town, for accounting services in the upcoming budget process. The board also unanimously appointed Finance Director Paul Wood as acting comptroller, temporarily filling a role in the comptroller’s office that has a vacancy in its top three positions. Council Member Veronica Lurvey, a Democrat, presented an amendment to the other six members of the town board that authorized any member of the town board to use Grossman’s services. Lurvey’s amendment authorized town board members access to Grossman’s services which include reviewing the tentative budget, which must be submitted by North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer Desena by the end of the month, preparing any changes or amendments to the tentative budget and reviewing the preliminary budget, among other things. DeSena, a Republican, said the “substantial” changes allowing the six other members to use Grossman’s services encroached on her role in creating the budget. Lurvey said DeSena has the authority to submit her budget, but it Continued on Page 50
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PORT WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Port Washington School District extends a warm welcome to its new teachers.
Manorhaven questions construction Residents concerned about 59 Orchard Beach after stop work order lifted BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Multiple Manorhaven residents said they were concerned about the continued construction of a property at 59 Orchard Beach Blvd. during the village’s Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday night, asking the village to explain why the stop work order was lifted and the legality of the ongoing construction.
The owners of 59 Orchard Beach Blvd. requested three variances: to build on 45.02% of the property when a maximum of 35% is permitted, to have the eaves extend 42 inches into the side yards when only 24 inches is permitted, and to instate an open side entry stair leading to the second floor on both the left and right side of the building while the code does not allow side entries to the second floor. The applicant amended its proposal on Jan. 30, 2022, no longer requesting the variances for the eaves and the side entries. They also adjusted the building area variance, requesting a diminished area of 43.4% of the property to build on. The variance was denied by the Board of Zoning Appeals in April
2022 as it was determined to be substantial and have a detrimental impact on other properties. Barbara Thermos, a resident of Manorhaven, said the applicant had 30 days to contest the decision made by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The board had 61 days to prepare a written decision if needed. She said the applicant did not file a lawsuit and the board prepared the written decision. The then incoming administration told the deputy clerk not to file the written decision, according to Thermos. Seven months later, Thermos said the former village attorney signed an agreement and stipulation with the property owners on Nov. 28, 2022. She said the owners should have
been fined for ”its many violations of building and flood toll regulations.” Thermos asked why the agreement and stipulation were necessary if there was no lawsuit contesting the Board of Zoning Appeal’s decision. Ken Kraft, a former Manorhaven trustee, said that while he is not against the building being established in the village, the concern is with the confusion of the stop work order and the continuation of the construction in recent months. Kraft said that the property has been an ongoing issue for years as the original site plans did not seem to match up with the final plans. Ed Mayourian, one of the owners of 59 Orchard Beach Blvd., asserted Continued on Page 49