Ocean Beach Winter Update

The following winter update was brought to you by information from The Board of the Ocean Beach Association


GEOTUBES UPDATE:  According to a letter from Assemblyperson Ginny Fields, the Park Service granted a Special Use Permit to the Village to repair the geotube.  The use of the Permit is underway with Land Use, Inc., the Village?s consultant on this matter.  At the November 5, Village Trustee Meeting, a  Storm Damage Report stated that the dune fencing was lost in the storm. Dune sand was washed away leaving the Geotubes exposed. Jet ski docks were damaged beyond repair. Five village vehicles were heavily damaged. In addition, concern has been expressed that the jetties are partially responsible for beach damage. It has been suggested that they be removed.  Jetties come under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers, not a local government.


BREATHE EASY: At the  September 10 Ocean Beach Trustee meeting, the Mayor reported that in concert with the Fire Island National Seashore and the Great South Bay Baymen?s Association, the Village successfully thwarted Suffolk County?s attempts to spray the entire Island for mosquitoes.  According to the Mayor, in the absence of a clear threat to public health, such spraying was unnecessary.  She also reported that plans are proceeding to apply for a DOT grant to redo the boathouse, the ferry dock and the marina.  If the proposal is successful, the grant would pay for 80% of such costs, and the Village
would pay the remaining 20%.  Also, the Surf overpass to the beach is closed because of severe erosion at the west end of the Village. Finally, the Trustees approved the creation of an Architectural Review Board. The ARB will be composed of members of the Planning Board.  The jurisdiction of the ARB will be limited to the Commercial Zone, and to those commercial properties outside the business district.  New buildings, as well as those undergoing substantial change in their exterior appearance will be subject to review by the ARB.

NEWS from the Ocean Beach Trustees meeting of November 5, 2005:

Service Contracts:  Emergency Fire & EMS service contracts were renewed for Ocean Bay Park and Point O? Woods. There was some discussion regarding the additional occurrence of alarms that go off due to the expansion of emergency services to outer areas. Additional alarms should not be heard during the weekends.

Trash Collection & Recycling:  The village has exercised the option with Stang to collect trash & recyclables in Ocean Beach through 2006. Next year, Ocean Beach will establish new specifications and put out bids for a new contract.

Environmental Commission Tree Preservation:   New Construction: Trees over 6? tall that are indigenous to the island and have been removed to
allow for construction, must be replanted or replaced unless there are five such trees remaining on the property. Non-Construction: 50% of all
trees must remain on the property and plans must be submitted to the building inspector prior to tree removal.

Sergeant George Hesse has been appointed Deputy Chief of Police for Ocean Beach performing all the duties of Chief. Congratulations. Chief
of Police, Ed Paradiso will be on indefinite disability leave.


NEWS from The Board of Trustees Meeting, December 3

The Mayor also reported that LIPA informed the Village of a pass-along to its customers of roughly $130 million because of their increased
fuel costs. Also, LIPA is continuing to offer rebates on energy efficient appliances, so if you are replacing major appliances in the near future, it would be worthwhile to check for details at: http://www.myenergystar.com/rebates.aspx.

During the Public Hearing, The Board discussed a new category of Village license, Market/Specialty Food Store. In the future, any establishment that sells food or beverages to be consumed off-premises must first obtain a license (as do restaurants, for example) and pay a specified annual fee.  In addition, the Annual License Fee for Rooming Houses was set at $100 per room.

A new schedule of Permit Fees was approved.  Although most fees remained unchanged, several were increased for the coming year in an
attempt to repay expenses incurred by the Village.

Finally, in accord with the recommendations of the Environmental Commission, it was agreed that a minimum of five mature trees must be
retained or replanted on a property on which construction or landscaping is planned.

Also:
Block Captains: The OBA is looking for block captains, one for each upper and lower street in our village. This is your chance to get
involved.  Block Captains will oversee the distribution of OBA-generated information to residences and businesses in Ocean Beach
and where possible, to get to know persons who reside on their assigned blocks.  Block Captains must reside within the Village. If you are
interested, please contact Johnny Parham at 212-865-0637 or parham122@copper.net.

Bocce Beach and Flair House have completed their facelifts. More extensive for Bocce, the restaurant now will enjoy outdoor dining
facilities, an increased bar, and new ultra-modern kitchen. (Kudos Fazio!)

UPCOMING:
Don?t Forget: Please join the Ocean Beach Association?s Annual Winter Membership Meeting on Tuesday, March 7 at 6:30 PM at All Soul?s Church 1157
Lexington Avenue @ 80th St. NY (Enter through the garden on Lexington Avenue).