February 22, 2023

Dear Quogue Residents,

Unfortunately, groundhog Sam Champion predicted six more weeks of winter when he visited the Quogue Library on February 2^nd.  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 8^th, 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 3^rd, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  On March 15^th, 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 16^th and run through April 2^nd.  Tickets can be purchased at www.hamptontheatre.org.

Looking forward to spring!

Robert Treuhold

Mayor, Village of Quogue

631-653-4498

 

January 24, 2023

Dear Quogue Residents,

Gazing out my office window, I am thrilled to see a buzz of activity across the street at the market.  Dan and Karen Schmidt and their team are working away preparing to reopen.  They are currently targeting opening by March 1^st but there are still a few moving pieces.  If you are in town, I encourage you to stop by and say hello.

Please also stop by the newly reopened Quogue Flower Shop & Gardens and meet Edwin and Hilma Balcarcel, who are excited to bring their floral expertise to the Quogue community.

The Trustees held our monthly meeting last Friday and awarded the contract to Rosemar Construction Inc. for the “Scrub Oak Road and Jessup Avenue Roadways Reconstruction Project”.  Work is slated to begin in mid-February. This will inevitably lead to some inconvenience for us all, especially for those residing in the work areas.  The contractor has undertaken to coordinate the work in a fashion that will minimize the timing of any road closures and ensure access by all residents.  We will be working with the contractor in the next couple of weeks to finalize the detailed project timetable.  Once finalized, details will be shared with the affected residents.

In order to pay for this ambitious project, the Trustees opted to issue $3,000,000 of Public Improvement Serial Bonds with a final maturity of 2038.  In connection with the offering, we met with Moody’s to obtain a rating for the Bonds.  I am very pleased to report that Moody’s issued a press release on Friday upgrading the Village of Quogue (and our Bonds) to Aaa, the highest possible rating.  Moody’s stated that the upgraded rating “reflects a strong economy with a wealthy property tax base.”  They also cited the Village’s “strong governance driven by conservative budgeting and sound financial management leading to strong reserves and liquidity.”  What a remarkable and merited recognition of the exceptional stewardship of our beautiful Village by our former Mayor Peter Sartorius, our long-serving Board of Trustees, and our talented Village employees. Go Quogue!

You may have noticed some large orange trucks in the Village in the past couple of weeks. PSEG has contracted with the Asplundh Tree Expert Company to undertake a major tree pruning program.  Some of the work is also in preparation for the Scrub Oak project as several utility poles will need to be relocated.  This is the best time of year to perform tree work, and I would encourage you to speak with your landscapers or hire a tree expert to inspect the trees on your properties.  As you may have read, the East End is unfortunately experiencing a serious infestation of pine beetles.  Many of our native pine trees are dying.  This can become quite dangerous in the event of strong winds, etc.  For information, here is a link to a presentation on “24 Ways to Kill a Tree – and How NOT to Kill a Tree.”  https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/430/430-210/SPES-307.pdf

In the coming weeks, all patrolling officers in the Quogue Police Department will begin wearing body cameras.  This roll out has been in the works for some time.  The cameras will record all police activity and interactions with the public, which will add an additional level of safety and security for our officers and residents.

The Quogue Association recently sent around its winter newsletter with a wealth of local information and a reminder to renew membership for 2023.  The Quogue Association plays an important role in our Village.  The mission statement of the Association is “to foster the general welfare of the Village of Quogue and preserve its character as a desirable and attractive residential community, to support organizations that strengthen the quality of life in the Village and to acknowledge the accomplishments of individuals and groups whose actions have contributed to the welfare of the community.”  Fun events that have been organized by the Association include concerts on the Village Green, the Annual Duck Race, and the Annual Beach Party at the Village Beach.  I encourage you all to become members (or to renew) and to participate in the Association’s events.  Here is a link to their website www.quogueassociation.org

And now for a few winter events:

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is hosting a family friendly afternoon with Slow Food East End on January 28^th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.  SFEE is the local chapter of an international organization involving millions of people in over 160 countries.  You will have an opportunity to meet their board members and learn more about their organization while enjoying warm soup and cider alongside a toasty fire.  You can register on their website at www.quoguewildliferefuge.org.  Please remember to consult the Refuge website as there is a regular stream of educational and family fun events.

On February 2^nd at 3:30 pm,  please mark your calendars to join the Quogue Library’s 4^th Annual Groundhog Day Celebration.  Join Tim, the Master of Ceremony, and Sam Champion, STAR Foundation groundhog, as he makes his 2023 prediction. Visit https://www.quoguelibrary.org to register.

On February 4^th at 1:00 pm, the Library is holding a “virtual” talk with author D.T. Max who will share an intimate portrait of Stephen Sondheim based on conversations and interviews over the final years of his life.  Again, visit  https://www.quoguelibrary.org to register; a link will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.

 

Robert Treuhold

Mayor

631-653-4498

January 6, 2023

Dear Quogue Neighbors,

I wanted to share some exciting news that is hot off the press.  I just learned that the Quogue Market will be reopening next month under the new banner of the Schmidt’s Country Market.  As many of you may know, the Schmidt family have run a country market in Southampton for some 43 years.  They lost their lease last fall and were forced to close in October.  I reached out to Daniel Schmidt and introduced him to the DellaFera family who own the Quogue Market.  Happily for us all, they have now reached agreement and we will once again have a market in our Village.   Please welcome Daniel, his wife Karen, and their family to Quogue and be very supportive of their new venture.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Robert Treuhold

Mayor, Village of Quogue

631-653-4498

 

December 20, 2022

Dear Quogue Residents,

The holidays have arrived.  I sincerely hope that you and those with whom you are celebrating manage to avoid the various viruses currently in our midst.

While going about your last-minute shopping, please remember to support our local merchants who are open and ready to help you find that perfect gift, get ready to host or visit family and friends, or add something special to your own enjoyment of the holidays.  The Quogue Shop, Flowers by Rori, and Jen Going Interiors are open every day this week.  The Quogue Liquor Store and the Quogue Salon are also open and ready to help you get in the holiday spirit.

It is with sadness that I pass on the news that Rori has decided to retire and has sold her store as of year end.  We thank her for her beautiful contributions to the Village and wish her good health and happiness in the years to come. You might want to stop by and wish her well and take one last opportunity to browse her beautifully curated items and make a purchase (or three).  On a positive note, the new owners intend to keep the flower store open.

The Trustees voted this past Friday to install stop signs on Lamb Avenue at the intersection with Midland near the post office.  This intersection will now be a “four-way” stop, which many residents have assumed was already the case.

The Village is moving forward on the reconstruction of the stretch of Jessup Avenue north of the Police Station across Montauk and all of Scrub Oak to Route 104.  The bids are due today with the intention of awarding the contract in January and beginning construction in mid-February, weather permitting.   More details will be forthcoming in January.

While we are entering a relatively quiet period in Quogue, there are a few upcoming events to keep you entertained.

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is celebrating the first day of winter tomorrow, December 21^st, with a Sunset Solstice Hike, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.   On January 6^th, the Refuge will celebrate the first full moon of the New Year with a guided hike through the forest.  You can register for both events on their website at https://quoguewildliferefuge.org/

The Quogue School Chamber Choir will be caroling around the Village on Thursday morning, December 22^nd, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, beginning at the Library and then strolling up Jessup Avenue.

As always, the Quogue Library has daily programs for everyone of all ages, as can be seen from their well-packed calendar of exercise, tech and other types of classes, art and crafts circles, book clubs, games, movies, and more.  Please make a habit of frequently consulting their website at https://quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month

I extend my very best wishes for festive and healthy holiday celebrations and for a Happy New Year!