February 22, 2023
Dear Quogue Residents,
Unfortunately, groundhog Sam Champion predicted six more weeks of winter when he visited the Quogue Library on February 2nd. As the saying goes, “the trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore and wrong too often for us to rely on it.” In any event, no winter lasts forever, and no spring skips its turn.
As we look ahead to spring, I wanted to share some great news about the concession at the Village Beach. Beth Dallesio of Beth’s Café fame has agreed to take this on for the coming summer. For those of you who are familiar with Beth’s offerings, you know that we are in for some tasty and quality treats in the warmer months.
As for the market, Dan Schmidt and his team are busy getting ready to reopen. He is now targeting a mid-March launch.
On the beach renewal front, I learned last week that the Town of Southampton has now engaged surveyors and appraisers to move the easement process forward. While the project appears to be moving somewhat glacially, Town officials believe that they remain on track to commence Phase Three, which includes the eastern section of the Quogue beachfront, in the winter of 2023/2024. I have asked for further details as to when affected property owners will be contacted, and was told that this will occur in the coming months. Stay tuned.
I am very pleased to announce that the Quogue Library has earned America’s 2022 “Five Star” Library Recognition awarded by the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. This year, 5,359 U.S. public libraries qualified to be rated; 258 received stars, 22 were in New York State, and our Library was one of only six in Suffolk County to be so recognized. Hearty congratulations to the staff of the Library, the many contributing volunteers, and the leadership of the Library’s Board of Directors.
As announced last month, the Scrub Oak/Jessup Project is up and running. The contractor Rosemar began preparing the site last week and will begin construction activities on Jessup next week to install additional drainage. The initial focus will be on the stretch of Jessup south of Montauk Highway down to the police station, with the goal of substantially completing that area by the end of March. They will then move north across Montauk and begin work on Scrub Oak. We hope to minimize any disruption and ask for your patience as we implement this important improvement to the Village’s infrastructure.
You may have noticed the addition of new stop signs on Lamb Avenue at the intersection with Midland near the post office. In the same vein of improving safety on this heavily trafficked street in Quogue, the Trustees voted this past Friday to prohibit parking on the south side of Midland between Jessup and Lamb, other than directly in front of the post office. The new signs will be installed in the coming days.
While it seems hard to ponder the need to address water shortages given the recent spate of rainy weather, the Suffolk County Water Authority recently adopted a package of new rules that would constrain lawn watering this summer. The SCWA Board last week adopted a new policy that orders lawn watering only on alternating days of the week, dictated by home address. A home with an odd-numbered address is required to water only on odd-numbered dates, and a home with an even-numbered address only on even-numbered dates. The new policy also dictates that no watering should be done during the middle of the day – between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Please speak with your landscapers and/or irrigation companies to ensure compliance.
And now for a few upcoming events:
The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is celebrating the beginning of spring (we hope!) on March 7th, with a Full Moon Night Hike, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The next day, on March 8th, the Refuge is organizing a zoom “virtual spring” on the dos and don’ts of helping wildlife. You can register for both events on their website at www.quoguewildliferefuge.org.
As always, the Quogue Library has daily programs for everyone of all ages. The Gallery at the Library is presenting a “BUGS!” Artist Reception on Friday, March 3rd, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. On March 15th, the Library is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Irish Dinner from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Please consult the Library’s well-packed calendar to sign up for their rich offering of movies and programs of all types: https://quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month
The Hampton Theatre Company’s 2022-2023 season continues with The Lifespan of a Fact, written by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell and Gordon Farrell. Performances begin on March 16th and run through April 2nd. Tickets can be purchased at www.hamptontheatre.org.
Looking forward to spring!
Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue
631-653-4498