10-19-2016
Dear Homeowners:
I spent my Tuesday evening at the Town of Oyster Bay Meeting. I spoke to the Town Board regarding our roads, lighting and the general quality of life issues that are decreasing in the Town of Oyster Bay. I was introduced to Mr. John Bishop, the Deputy Commissioner of the Highway Department. He and I will be reviewing our road situation. I do not know if this will lead to improvements. It is clear that the Town Board is comprised of well-meaning individuals, but they are “over their head” in controlling what is happening in the Town of Oyster Bay. As the Roman poet Juvenal stated “Quis custodiet ipsos custodies”, which translates to who is watching the watchers. I will keep you apprised of my meetings.
Thank you,
Marc Herman
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10-10-16
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor’s Office
54 Audrey Ave.
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Dear Supervisor Venditto:
Our community, The Gates-Ridge Civic Association, would like your responses to the following questions.
- Is it possible to add street lights to dark areas within our community?
- Is it possible to bury the overhead wires?
- Is it possible to get speed bumps installed in our community?
- Do we pay any taxes for sanitation removal?
Thank you for your time and effort.
Sincerely,
Marc Herman, DDS
President, Gates Ridge Civic Association
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10/10/16
Dear Homeowners:
I hope the fall and the holidays find you well. I have several issues I would like to examine with you.
1. I have been frustrated and bluntly annoyed at the Town of Oyster Bay’s response to our request to permanently repair our streets. I drove around the community, quite frankly I only had to look at Orchard Court, and the conditions of the roads are deplorable. Not only is this a hazard to cars, but one can hurt themselves taking a leisurely stroll. The Town seems to have money for their escapades, but not for quality of life issues. Enough is enough. Our strategy must change. The direction should be to replace Council Members with individuals who recognize quality of life issues and want to restore the quality we deserve and our taxes pay for.
Our Town Board should be dedicated to improving quality of life for those who live, work and play in the Town of Oyster Bay community. Communication between homeowners and elected leaders, government professionals and the business community should be a two way street. Our views should be monitored to be certain the views of the Town’s residents are weighed in the decision-making process, not business as usual, predetermined closed door backroom deals. Evaluating proposed development to ensure compatibility with the neighborhood’s residential character is also an important function. The Town when involved with municipal planning and proposed zoning changes should ask for our input so we may convey our interests to the appropriate elected and appointed officials.
2. I would like to know your thinking on placing street lights. Please let me know if you want:
a) No change in street light placement.
b) Placing street lights on dark corners, such as the corner of Maple and Orchard.
c) Placing street lights on all of our streets
3. I will keep you abreast of the proposed changes from the sale of the property at the corner of Woodbury Road and Jericho Turnpike. Our concerns include: Does the décor fit with the neighborhood? Is it a good project for the community, not just will it infuse a few dollars into the system? Will it have a Minimum of 10-15 years without a change of usage? What does the site plan look like? What is the height of the project, it is on a hill, and so will they grade the property? Is it low level lighting? What is the density of the project?
Thank you. Please contact me at Herm57@aol.com. Please share this with your neighbors.
Warmly,
Marc Herman
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9/16/2016
Second Request
Councilman Chris J. Coschignano
Town Hall East
54 Audrey Avenue
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Dear Councilman Coschignano:
We understand that the property on the corner of Juneau Boulevard and Jericho Turnpike (the Tony Izzo property) has been sold. Please let me know if this is true and if there is a plan to rezone the parcel. Our Civic Association is vehemently against such downzoning.
Please also keep us informed of the status of the property on the corner of Woodbury Road and Jericho Turnpike (the Woodbury School).
Thank you for your time and effort.
Warmly,
Marc Herman, President
Gates Ridge Civic Association
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9/15/2016
Subject: Please share this with your friends and neighbors. Thank you
Dear Homeowners:
Last night I attended a forum by the Syosset Central School District regarding the potential sale of the Woodbury School on the corner of Woodbury Road and Jericho Turnpike. It was the second meeting regarding this property; the first one was in October, 2014. It appears that Basser-Kaufman Development Company wants to purchase the property and place a strip mall on the 2.4 acres. This would downzone the land from a residential construction (class I) to a commercial property (class 4). We were hoping for a bank, or a senior care facility which would have less impact on the traffic for the community and for the elementary school.
I presented the following concerns of the Gates-Ridge Civic Association and the Hunting Hills Civic Association, encompassing roughly 500 homes. I need to know how you feel about this project. Please e-mail me, Herm57@aol.com, your concerns, if any, so I know how aggressively we should oppose or embrace the development. Please remember, when a zoning change occurs, it is forever. The developer disappears; the school district and the community are left to live with the modification in perpetuity.
I have sent this letter to the Walt Whitman PTA and the Syosset Council of PTAs as well.
School Concerns:
1. The property abuts an elementary school, so its usage must be evaluated critically.
2. What is the traffic at the facility?
3. What type of use, not a 24 hour facility, not a strip mall, not a hotel, in other words, NB, neighborhood business, not GB, general business.
4. What is the landscaping, what does the buffer look like, is there a fence around the property?
5. What is the setback from the school property?
6. When will construction be done, not during school hours, or baseball hours?
7. Will they donate money to the district to move the baseball fields and/or add one, perhaps behind Walt Whitman Elementary School?
8. Will the grounds be tested for contaminants?
9. Perhaps a letter should be sent to Walt Whitman parents and the baseball league asking if any child has allergies, or other issues that will be affected by the construction.
10. Perhaps a presentation to the Walt Whitman PTA and/or Syosset Council of PTAs is in order, to explain the project.
Community concerns:
1. Does the décor fit with the neighborhood?
2. Is it a good project for the school district and the community, not just will it infuse a few dollars into the system?
3. Will it have a Minimum of 10-15 years without a change of usage?
4. What does the site plan look like?
5. What is the height of the project, it is on a hill, and so will they grade the property?
6. Is it low level lighting?
7. What is the density of the project?
Thank you.
Warmly,
Marc Herman, President
Gates-Ridge Civic Association
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August 7, 2016
Dear Homeowners:
I was just informed that that there is NO road paving going on in the Town of Oyster Bay at all. We are still on the list. Hopefully the Town will be able to start paving again soon.
Thanks,
Marc Herman
July 26, 2016
Dear Homeowners:
I would greatly appreciate your calling the numbers below and complaining about our road conditions.
TOWN PHONE NUMBERS:
Thomas Sabellico 516-624- 6192
Steven Marks 516-624- 6372
Ron Scaglia 516-624- 6366
Supervisor Venditto 516-624- 6309
Thank you,
Marc Herman
July 25, 2016
Dear Homeowners:
We are putting in new decorative street signs. This will significantly improve the appearance of our community. The Town is paying for the installation. For safety reasons, the Town has informed us that some of the new signs currently on utility poles may have to be located on a different corner. I have been in biweekly contact with the Town complaining about the street situation. There is no movement at this time. They are more than willing to repair any potholes.
Please call the Town with any potholes that need attention.
If you have any questions, please email me.
Thanks,
Marc Herman