Some Early Spring Updates

Dear Quogue Residents,

Spring is on the calendar, although definitely not in the air at the moment.  Be patient.  The real thing will be here in May sometime.  A few announcements, some relating to spring and some not:

Village Beach Stickers.  The Village Office will begin accepting applications for Village Beach stickers (and lockers) on Friday, April 1st.  Emails will go out to people on our email list at that time, and application forms will also be available on the Village website at www.villageofquogueny.govPlease follow the instructions carefully and take care to submit all the information that is required.  Please remember that applications may take up to five business days to process.   Pick-ups will be on Fridays only from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., commencing on April 29, and also on Saturday May 21, May 28 and June 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  You can also elect to have the stickers mailed to you.

April Leaf Pick-up. The Village Highway Department will begin picking up leaves on April 1.  Leaves must be on the shoulder of the street by April 30 in order to be picked up.  Do not pile leaves around fire hydrants or utility equipment.  DO NOT USE PLASTIC BAGS.  They will not be picked up, and you will have to remove them.  No brush, such as twigs and branches, or lawn cuttings will be taken away, and mixing this debris with leaves will result in the leaves not being removed.    Brush may be taken to the Town of Southampton recycling facility at 66 Old Country Road in Westhampton from April 15 to May 31. For more information go to https://www.southamptontownny.gov/334/Residential-Yard-Waste-Disposal-Policy.

Jessup Avenue.  If the weather cooperates to warm the ground sufficiently, we expect to have the final layer of asphalt placed on the road by May 1.

Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers.  The restrictions on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in Quogue enacted last year go into full effect on May 15.  After that date, the operation of those devices will be prohibited on Saturdays (as well as Sundays and holidays) until October 15.  Additionally, the only gas-powered leaf blowers that can be operated in Quogue when they are permitted (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays) between May 15 and October 15 must be rated to operate at a level not exceeding 65db(A).  Landscapers known to the Village have been notified several times of the restrictions, but enforcement will likely be difficult.  You can help by making sure that your own landscaper complies, speaking (politely) with your neighbors and reporting any violations in your neighborhood to the police.

Rentals.  For those of you who rent out your property, remember that the entire dwelling (not a floor or a room) must be rented, the minimum rental period is 14 days, and a rental permit is required from the Village irrespective of the time of year.  A well-intentioned New York State law enacted a couple of years ago threw some sand in the gears of the East End rental market by prohibiting the long-established practice of collecting in advance the entire rent for a multi-month seasonal rental.  A law enacted last fall by the New York legislature sought to legalize the past practice for seasonal rentals, but the requirements are very specific.  The lease must have three particular statements in it, the premises must be registered with the Village and the property may not be rented for more than 120 days in a year as a “seasonal use dwelling unit.”  The Village has an Addendum to its Rental Application (on the Village website) that spells out the requirements and refers to the appropriate section of New York law.   Landlords should consult it and comply lest a dispute with a tenant down the road makes non-compliance an issue.

Village Beach Food Concession.  The owner of the company that operated the Village Beach food concession for the past few years decided to take a step back and uncomplicate his life and so elected not to renew.  We are happy that the Quogue Market decided to expand its operation to the Beach and will commence operating there on Memorial Day weekend.  Please partake liberally of its offerings.

New Village Website.  A new Village website will launch (successfully, we hope) on April 1.

Hampton Theatre.  The Hampton Theatre Company’s production of Ripcord wraps up this week with the last show being a matinee next Sunday, April 3 at 2:30 p.m.  If you have not seen it yet, you should.  It has a very talented cast and is directed by Quogue’s own Andrew Botsford.  Your time will be well spent.  Go to http://www.hamptontheatre.org/ for tickets.

House numbers.  Remember to display your house number prominently.  It is the law, first of all, but more importantly it is for your own safety.  You don’t want an ambulance, police car or fire truck to be delayed looking for the correct house.

Car Thefts.  Theft of automobiles is an active illegal activity on the East End.  Do not ever leave your key fob in an unattended vehicle at your house or elsewhere.  That will help.

It’s coming.  Be happy; you live in Quogue.

Peter Sartorius
Mayor