Dear Quogue Residents,
As the winter weeks roll by, we are continuing to experience cold and extremely windy weather. Unfortunately, groundhog Sam Champion saw his shadow when he visited Quogue earlier this month leading to a prediction of six more weeks of winter.
We learned on Friday that the Ponquogue Bridge will be closed until further notice to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic in both directions. The New York State Department of Transportation identified safety concerns last week during a routine inspection of the bridge. I have subsequently spoken with the Chief Engineer at the Suffolk County Department of Public Works who explained that they discovered signs of concrete degradation (“spalling”) in one of the bridge’s supports. They are analyzing the data to determine what corrective measures are required. Unfortunately, it sounds like the bridge may be shut down for several weeks, which may well increase traffic through the Village. Click HERE for the press release from the Town of Southampton. The Town will keep us informed once they have a projected timeline for the bridge’s reopening. If you have not already done so, I would encourage you to enroll in alerts from the Town via the “Notify Me” messaging system at www.southamptontownny.gov/2070/Town-of-Southampton-Emergency-Alerts
The Village’s online application and payment system to facilitate various administrative matters is now up and running. We encourage you to take advantage of our online features and create your account today. Sign up HERE
As you may have seen in the local press, Gabreski Airport recently broke ground on an expansion of its hangars and maintenance facilities. It is also nearing completion of an upgrade to the GPS navigation installation on the airport’s alternate runway, which may unfortunately shift some air traffic towards Quogue. A Gabreski Airport Noise Mitigation Working Group has been established and Quogue resident Stephen Farrell is the Village’s representative. Steve has also agreed to serve on the Gabreski Airport Conservation and Assessment Committee. The committee meets on an as needed basis to review airport license and lease applications which have a term greater than 30 days. The committee then provides a recommendation to the County Executive, County Legislature, and to the Council on Environmental Quality on the environmental, economic, and community impacts of an application.
Still on the topic of Gabreski, I have volunteered to serve on the Gabreski Airport Remedial Advisory Board (the “RAB”). The RAB was established last fall to review environmental investigation and cleanup activities at the Gabreski Air National Guard Base, including the investigation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The RAB will meet on a quarterly basis.
There will be a special election for the Quogue School Board next Wednesday, March 5th at the Quogue School from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Elizabeth (Betty) Crowley is running to fill the unexpired term of former trustee Jock McLean.
The Town of Southampton is also holding a special election on Tuesday, March 18th, to fill Tommy John Schiavoni’s seat on the Town Council following his election to the New York State Assembly. Early voting begins on Saturday, March 8th, and runs through Sunday, March 16th. Click HERE for a flyer with details of the times and locations to vote.
With the howling winds over the past few weeks, the Village has had several trees blown down, happily with minimal damage or disruption. This prompts me to remind you again please to have your landscaper or arborist check the trees on your properties. As a result of the scourge of the dreaded southern pine beetle, there are hundreds of dead or dying pine trees throughout the area. It is always better to be proactive and cull the dead trees to minimize the risk of damage or injury.
Here are a few upcoming events:
The Art Gallery at the Quogue Library has opened a new exhibit of “KID ART Inspired by Vegetables & Plants” by students at the East Quogue School, with an artist reception this Thursday, February 27th, from 3:15 pm to 5:00 pm. The exhibition runs through April 3rd.
On Saturday, March 8th, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the Library is hosting a program on Common Sense Landscape Tips for the Long Island Gardener with a talk by Master Gardener Mariah Whitmore.
As always, the Quogue Library has daily programs for all ages. Please consult their website to check out the packed calendar of exercise, tech and other types of classes, arts and crafts activities, book clubs, games, movies and more. quogue.librarycalendar.com
This Saturday, March 1st, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the Wildlife Refuge is hosting a Spring Poetry Reading: A Celebration of Nature’s Rebirth. The next full moon hike at the Refuge will be on March 14th, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. You can register on their website at quoguewildliferefuge.org
The Hampton Theatre Company’s 2024-2025 40th season continues with Boeing Boeing, written by Marc Camoletti, translated by Beverley Cross & Francis Evans, and directed by Catherine Clyne. The show is a 60s-era romp set in Paris about a self-styled Lothario juggling a trio of airline “connections”. The show runs from March 13th through March 30th. Tickets can be purchased at hamptontheatre.org
Spring is around the corner!
Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue