MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
April 5, 2013

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR - April 2013

IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL DEBRIS, PLEASE CONTACT A LOCAL CARTER AND HAVE IT TAKEN OFF ISLAND.

Our village continues to look better every day now that the Army Corps has finished the massive task of debris removal. They did a great job but now that they're gone, it’s up to each individual homeowner to call a private carter if they have additional garbage to be removed. Please do not put anything outside your house except household trash in a garbage can unless you have made specific plans to have it removed.

The passenger boat continues to dock at the end of Dehnhoff Walk while work continues on the ferry boat basin. The north dock will be completed by the end of this week (April13th) and the contractor will then move to the west side of the basin to continue repairs. I would like to thank everybody with Fire Island Ferries Freight Dept (especially Don) for their co-operation and patience as we continue to develop a solution for freight.

The Dept of Public Works, under the guidance of Superintendent Kevin Schelling, continues to amaze. Not only do they do the most important job in the village, keeping the toilets flushing and the water flowing, but they are responsible for countless other projects in the village. Kevin and his crew are working on the repair and restoration of The Village office (we will be moving back in soon), repairing the Fire House, renovation of the post office, overseeing the repair to the well, repairs to the sewer plant and many more projects that keep our village operating smoothly and looking great.

Our Police Dept has been very busy as a result of the increased activity in the village. With an extra forty vehicles and two hundred laborers, Ocean Beach feels like Times Square. Chief Hess and his officers are keeping things under control and keeping traffic moving safely. A temporary trailer for the Police Dept has been placed at the ferry terminal while a modular building is being designed and built. This new police building is expected to be installed at the original site on Bayberry by the end of May.

The office staff, under the guidance of Steve Brautigam, continue to work from the temporary offices in Islip. They continue to operate at the highest level of proficiency and are getting the job done despite difficult circumstances.

The "trap bag" system has been installed on the beach. It's not the answer to our prayers but will protect us from storms until a new dune project is approved.

We continue to talk to Verizon, DirecTV, Hughs Net and several other providers to develop solutions to our communication woes after Verizon announced they will no longer service copper lines on Fire Island. We are considering all options and will continue to keep you informed as we develop a strategy for phone and Internet service in Ocean Beach.

Every home and business in Ocean Beach must have an electrical inspection and provide the village office with an Electrical Inspection Certificate. This is the only way we can be sure we keep the threat of fire to a minimum. Please, for your own safety and that of you neighbors, you must have this done before returning to your home. A list of qualified inspectors can be found on the Village web-site at www.villageofoceanbeach.org or by calling the Village office directly.

The budget for 2013/2014 is being worked on now. Sandy damage is estimated at about $5 million. Factoring insurance and FEMA benefits and a five-year fiscal plan, the board hopes to make this as painless as possible. However, this year you can expect a double digit tax increase.

Work in the commercial district continues day and night. Castaway is open and Mermaid and the Albatross will open in the next week or so and the rest are not far behind.

It's been nearly six months since the storm and the amount of work and determination by everyone to put O.B. back together again makes me very proud, thank you all.

Jim


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Here is an important update from the Ferry Co.:

• There is NO warehousing of freight in Bay Shore. Items FI Ferries receive are being shipped to Ocean Beach either the same day or the next day. No storage.

• In Ocean Beach - there is also no storage. Anything that is shipped MUST be picked up the day it arrives.

• Ocean Beach and surrounding community homeowners (Summer Club, Corneille Estates etc.) who need to order new household goods, from bedding, furniture, appliances, etc, as we are sure many will need to, we request that you do not ship them to us, until your homes are repaired and you can take immediate possession.. We are not able to warehouse goods. Please arrange to have your freight picked up on the day it is delivered.

You MUST notify the folks at the Ferry Co. - Freight ext 324 or 345 that you will have your items picked up in Ocean Beach. If you have any questions please call 631-665-5045 ext 324 or 345.

• There is no freight house as of 2/9/2013. The Ferry Co. would much prefer that nothing is shipped right now, and that we hold off on sending stuff - but on that they are not insisting. Their insistence is on the notification and the pick-up in OB.

• Please share this information.

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TO APPLY FOR BUILDING PERMITS:


Please see Building Inspectors; Louis Santora from 11:00AM to 2:00PM at the North entry (sliding glass door)to the Village Office for all Building Permits as we restore Ocean Beach following Hurricane Sandy.

It is required that the Village Of Ocean Beach have a current Suffolk County Consumer Affairs License, Liability and Workers' Compensation Insurance on file for all contractors.

Please note checks will be accepted as the ONLY form of payment (no cash, please).

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SEE LETTER FROM LIPA