September 27, 2024

Dear Quogue Residents,

Fall has arrived and the hurricane season is still upon us.  So far, and with fingers crossed, we have been spared any major storm events since the exceptional rains we experienced in mid-August. Following that storm, I announced that the Village’s annual “beach scraping” exercise would be delayed.  We remain optimistic that we will be able to satisfy the DEC’s standards for a sufficiently wide beach and proceed with the scraping in the coming weeks.

I am pleased to report that the US Army Corps of Engineers is about to initiate a long overdue dredging project in the Quogue Canal. Beginning next week, the Corps will be dredging the stretch of the Canal by Ogden Pond and the stretch starting just east of the Post Lane Bridge and running most of the way to Penniman’s Point. They have indicated that the project should be completed by Thanksgiving.

While many residents have installed solar panels to generate a renewable source of energy, I wanted to bring to your attention a new opportunity to reduce your electricity bills. Through a sustainability initiative, the Town of Southampton has sponsored the North Sea Community Solar project capping a former landfill site. Southampton town residents with a PSEGLI account who participate can receive a monthly credit of up to 8% on their electricity bills. You can learn more about this project and enroll at https://www.meadow.energy/north-sea-solar.  There are limited spots available, so if you are interested please do not delay.

No letter would be complete without a public safety reminder.  The arrival of fall coincides with the start of the school year. Please pay special attention to pedestrians, especially at our crosswalks. Also, at this time of year the deer population increases, and they actively move around searching for food. Motorists should use caution and reduce speed on our roadways, especially areas that have posted signs warning of animal crossing activity. We have already had several car vs. deer strikes on Montauk Highway.

An early heads up about the annual fall leaf clean up.  The Village has decided to delay the start of the leaf pick up this year until November 15^th, and leaves must be placed on the street shoulders no later than December 15^th in order to be picked up.  The detailed instructions of what to do or not do are posted on the Village website.

And now for a few upcoming events:

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is hosting a guided bird walk tomorrow, September 28^th, from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, led by the Group for the East End’s Director of Environmental Education, Steve Biasetti.  The Refuge is an excellent stopping off point for south-bound songbirds, and there is a good chance to spot warblers and other migratory birds on their fall migration.

On Thursday, October 10^th, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, the Refuge is organizing a hike up to the ecologically rare Dwarf Pines in the northern part of the Refuge.

The next full moon night hike is slated for Wednesday, October 16^th, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

And finally, on Saturday, October 19^th, Sunday, October 20^th, and Saturday, October 26^th, each day from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm, the Refuge is organizing an Enchanted Forest Trail for children ages 2 to 7 (accompanied by an adult) to meet whimsical, fun, and educational characters on the forest trails.  Everyone is welcome to wear costumes. You can learn more about these events and register at www.quoguewildliferefuge.org.

Now through October 19^th, the Quogue Library will be collecting donations as part of The Great Give Back, an annual day of service where public libraries help out a foundation or charity.  This year the Library will be assisting the Southampton Animal Shelter and the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.  The actual Great Give Back Day will be held at the Library on Saturday, October 12^th, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, featuring a day of donation drives, live music, refreshments, and activities with the Quogue Wildlife Refuge and a Meet & Greet with adoptable rescues from the Southampton Animal Shelter. A complete wish list of donation items for the Shelter and the Refuge can be found at: https://quogue.librarycalendar.com/sites/default/files/2024-06/Donation%20Wishlists.pdf

Tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 pm, the Library is hosting John Melillo’s East End Perspective. John is a contemporary realist painter who grew up on the East End of Long Island and his art is inspired by his East End heritage.  A disabled Vietnam Veteran, Melillo paints for healing and solace.

The Art Gallery at the Library is continuing the exhibition of Between Us: Paintings by Steve Alpert on display through October 9^th. Their next exhibit will be of New Works by Quogue-based artist Margot Carr, on display from October 12^th through November 15^th, with an Artist’s Reception on Saturday, October 12^th, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

On Tuesday, October 1^st, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, the Library is hosting a virtual Author Talk with MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell as he discusses his new book Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story.

The next Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program is scheduled at the Library for Saturday, October 5^th, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, on the topic of Science, AI and Security Across Borders.

On Wednesday, October 16^th, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the Library is hosting an Oktoberfest Dinner with Chef Brian. Pre-registration is required.

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 .

The Hampton Theatre Company’s 2024-2025 season (their 40^th) kicks off next month with Now and Then, written by Sean Grennan and directed by Mary Powers, with a run beginning October 17^th through November 3^rd.  Tickets can be purchased at www.hamptontheatre.org.

Wishing everyone an enjoyable transition to the Fall Season.

Robert Treuhold
Mayor

QUOGUE VILLAGE LEAF PICKUP

 

The Village Highway Department will begin picking up leaves on November 15th.   Leaves must be on the shoulder of the street by December 15th 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 with branches up to 3” in diameter may be taken to the Westhampton recycling facility free of charge from November 15 through December 31.  For more information, go to www.southamptontownny.gov/216/Municipal-Works—Waste-Management.

In addition to the foregoing, property owners and landscapers who take leaves (only) from a Quogue property may make arrangements with the Quogue Highway Department to dump them at the highway yard.  That will avoid having piles in front of your property waiting to be picked up and blowing back onto your lawn.

Due to roadwork, residents on Bay Road and Heatherwood Lane are requested to have their landscapers take their leaves to the Highway Department’s yard rather than piling them on the shoulder of Montauk Highway.

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 14^th – 15^th, 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 23^rd, 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 20^th – 23^rd.  You can purchase tickets at www.qjtt.org.

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is hosting a Live Birds of Prey! presentation this Thursday, August 22^nd, from 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm.  The next Full Moon Night Hike is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17^th, 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 21^st, 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 30^th, 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 4^th, 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 7^th through October 9^th, with an Artist Reception on Saturday, September 7^th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  On Wednesday, September 4^th, 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 14^th, 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 7^th, 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 7^th, 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 8^th 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