August 21, 2024
Dear Quogue Residents,
When it rains, it pours, or so the expression goes. The torrential rains we just experienced have created flooding headaches for many of our residents. I looked back at my resident letter from August of last year, and I had commented then about the spate of flooding throughout the Village. The problem is especially acute on Dune Road and we are working with the Village Engineer to develop a plan to improve drainage. As previously noted, when there is a huge influx of water (such as five inches of rain in a couple of hours) coinciding with a high tide there is simply no place for the water to go. The challenge is to identify areas to direct the excess water as the tide recedes.
As a result of the latest storm, the Village is now forced to delay the annual “beach scraping” exercise to reinforce the dunes on the eastern stretch of Quogue. The beach must be at least 100 feet wide in order to satisfy the DEC’s permit requirements. We remain optimistic that we will be able to meet this requirement in the coming weeks assuming we do not experience another major storm. Beachfront homeowners will be contacted later this fall about installing new beach fencing where necessary.
The Village is about to embark on our annual oil and stone maintenance. For many years, the Village has had an annual budget to maintain a certain number of roads each year on a rotating basis. The first phase should begin right after Labor Day, with a smooth layer of asphalt being spread to fill in holes and cracks, and to level the streets. The second phase will take place the following week (weather permitting), when blue stone gravel will be laid down with a liquid oil emulsion (hence the name “oil and stone”). This needs to be done in the early fall when the weather is still warm enough for the gravel to bind properly.
If you have driven recently on Dune Road, you will have noticed that the stretch heading west from the bridge up to the Surf Club has been dug up and filled with patches. The reason is that the Suffolk County Water Authority replaced the water main along this stretch. Once they complete all of the hook ups, which they have informed us should happen after Labor Day, the Village will proceed with repaving that stretch of Dune Road. At that time, we will also pave a stretch of Dune Road heading to the east of the bridge which we believe will ease some of the flooding issues. The Village will also be repairing/replacing the sidewalks on Post Lane on the north side of the bridge.
On the theme of traffic safety, the Trustees voted last week to approve the installation of a new stop sign on Jessup Avenue, heading north at the intersection of Scrub Oak Road. Stop signs will also be added on Midhampton Avenue at the intersection of Box Tree Road.
A friendly reminder that starting January 1, 2025, all operators of motorized vessels regardless of age must carry a “safe boating certificate”. This requirement was already in place this year for all operators born on or after January 1, 1978. I thought it might be helpful to remind folk while their boats are still in the water. There are many on-line courses available; here is a link to the NY State Parks and Recreation website which provides a list: https://parks.ny.gov/boating/safety-courses.aspx.
As we approach the end of summer, a reminder that the final weekend at the Village Beach is September 14th – 15th, and all lockers must be emptied out that Sunday.
And now for a few upcoming events:
The Quogue Association’s Annual Village Beach Party takes place this coming Friday, August 23rd, at the Village Beach from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tickets can be bought on the evening of the party and can also be purchased in advance at https://quogueassociation.org.
The Quogue Junior Theater Troupe is concluding its season this week, presenting Peter Pan Jr. from August 20th – 23rd. You can purchase tickets at www.qjtt.org.
The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is hosting a Live Birds of Prey! presentation this Thursday, August 22nd, from 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm. The next Full Moon Night Hike is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17th, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Please register at www.quoguewildliferefuge.org. The Refuge is also hosting a Plant Sale on Saturday, September 21st, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Fall is the perfect time for planting so please stop by the Refuge to purchase some native plants grown and sold by the Long Island Native Plant Initiative. You can learn more about what LINPI does by visiting: www.linpi.org
Our Police Department will be hosting a “Coffee with a Cop” event in front of Schmidt’s Country Market on Friday, August 30th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please stop by for an opportunity to have a cup of coffee and meet with members of our police force.
The Art Gallery at the Library is continuing the exhibition of Francesca Anderson: Natural History Illustrator through September 4th, with an Artist’s Talk and Reception this evening from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The Gallery will then present Between Us: paintings by Quogue resident Steve Alpert, on display from September 7th through October 9th, with an Artist Reception on Saturday, September 7th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. On Wednesday, September 4th, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Dr. Gary Hitzig, MD will be lecturing on regenerative medicine. The next Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program is scheduled for Saturday, September 14th, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, on the topic of the US-China Trade Rivalry. As always, 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
On Saturday, September 7th, at 10:00 am, Town Supervisor Maria Moore will be delivering her first State of the Town Address on the Village Green. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside the Village Hall.
Also, on Saturday, September 7th, at 7:30 pm, Quogue Chamber Music presents the Balourdet String Quartet at the Quogue Community Hall, with a program including works by Haydn, Mendelssohn and Smetana. Tickets can be purchased at www.quoguechambermusic.org.
On Sunday, September 8th at 10:00 am, the Village will hold a 9/11 commemoration at the Fire House.
Wishing everyone a wonderful last few days of the summer season!
Robert Treuhold
Mayor