Dear Quogue Residents,

Happy Cold New Year! Last January, the Village experienced one of the wettest months in history.  This January, we are experiencing one of the coldest months in recent times.

As you all know, the winter solstice took place on December 21st, the shortest day of the year. “Solar winter” is the period of greatest darkness, which runs from about November 5th till February 5th, when “solar spring” arrives.  The days are already getting longer (approximately two minutes per day), and we will learn on February 2nd what groundhogs Sam Champion and Al Roker predict for how many more weeks of winter we have before us.

The Village will soon be rolling out an on-line application and payment system to facilitate various administrative matters, including registering and/or renewing alarm permits, applying for rental licenses, and obtaining beach permits. More information will be posted on the Village website in the coming days. villageofquogueny.gov

I am proud to report that all Village employees are now CPR certified.  In addition, all of our police officers have for some time been EMT qualified.

Several residents have expressed questions and concerns about the dredge that has been operating in offshore waters near the Village. This is part of the FIMP project, and the sand is being pumped further west to Cupsogue, Westhampton Dunes and Westhampton Beach.  I have spoken with representatives of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the governmental entity that is running the project, to express the Village’s concerns about potential beach erosion since the dredge appears to be so close to shore. They provided assurances that the dredge is indeed operating in the approved “borrow area”, which is in waters sufficiently deep as to have no negative impact on our beach (known as the “depth of closure”). They actively monitor and log the location of the dredge and shared this data with me. The “borrow area” was established after a detailed environmental study undertaken by the Army Corps in coordination with the New York State DEC. While it appears to be very close to shore, the area is actually located approximately 0.65 miles offshore at its closest point. It is a rectangle approximately two miles long running east to west and 0.4 miles wide. Here is a link to a Google Earth map of the borrow area: Borrow Area Map.  Here is a link to the Army Corps’ Borrow Area “Investigation”.  For those who want to learn more, here is a link to the Army Corps’ FIMP Website.

As for beach nourishment in Quogue, the appraisal process is inching along. I do not have an update on timing.

Finally, work is continuing apace on the new building located next to Schmidt’s on Jessup Avenue. I just learned that a lease has been signed for the second floor with the owners of 7 Fitness, a physical fitness and training facility in Westhampton Beach. My understanding is that they intend to open a “high-end” Pilates and personal training studio in Quogue. They are optimistic that it will be operational in time for the summer season.

Here are a few upcoming events:

The Art Gallery at the Quogue Library is hosting a reception on Saturday, February 1st, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, with a talk by the Quogue Historical Society, presenting their exhibition: House Proud: Quogue’s Iconic Summer “Cottages”. The exhibition opened on January 10th and runs through February 20th.

As noted above, the annual Groundhog Day Festivities will take place at the Library on Sunday, February 2nd, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Join “Sam Champion” and “Al Roker”, the STAR Foundation groundhogs, as they make their 2025 prediction(s)! There will be guest speakers from the Quogue Wildlife Refuge and lots of activities for children, as well as hot chocolate and groundhog-themed treats, and a showing of the movie Groundhog Day.

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, January 25th, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the Wildlife Refuge is organizing a Guided Winter Hike to the Dwarf Pines. The next full moon hike at the Refuge will be on February 11th, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. They are also organizing a Light the Night Winter Trail Walk on Saturday February 15th from 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm. You can register on their website at quoguewildliferefuge.org.

Stay warm!

Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue

Dear Quogue Residents,

The holidays have arrived and our Village is bedecked with festive decorations. The season kicked off with a huge turnout on the Village Green for our tree and menorah lighting. Thanks to everyone for attending and to the Quogue Association for organizing the event.

A reminder that our local merchants are open and ready to fulfill your last-minute shopping needs. The Quogue Shop, Homespun, the Quogue Flower Shop, Jen Going Interiors, the Quogue Liquor Store, the Quogue Salon, and the SFA East Spa will all be open most days, as will the wonderful Schmidt’s Country Market.

I am pleased to announce that the Trustees designated Kimberley Payne as the Village’s 2024 Person of the Year.  Kim served as a Village Trustee for almost 18 years, having previously been a member of our Planning Board. He has also served in our Fire Department for decades.  Kim has been a dedicated public servant assisting in the administration of our Village in a multitude of ways, including in particular his many years supervising the Village Beach. Please join me and the Trustees in expressing our deep appreciation to Kim for his tireless efforts to improve the Village of Quogue throughout the years.

Another reminder that it is time to register and/or renew your alarm permit.  The renewal form can be accessed HERE or can be downloaded from the Village website.  Please complete the form and mail it back or drop it off at the Village office with your renewal payment by yearend.

The Town of Southampton property tax bills were mailed last week.  If you have not yet received it you can download a copy from the Town’s website: etax.southamptontownny.gov

And now for a few announcements of some of the events and activities happening in Quogue in the coming days and weeks:

Tomorrow, December 21st at 12:00 pm, the Westhampton Ambulance Volunteer Water Rescue Squad is organizing an ICE PLUNGE at Rogers Beach in Westhampton Beach to raise funds in support of their mission to “Waterproof Inlet to Inlet”.  You can register for the Plunge or donate to the Water Rescue Gear Sponsorship Program by visiting their website at westhamptonwaterrescue.org

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge will be celebrating the first full moon of the New Year on Friday, January 10^th, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm, with a guided hike through the forest up to the North Pond.

The Art Gallery at the Library is currently presenting the works of Allan Bridge, an American painter, sculptor and conceptual artist, whose work will be on display through January 9th.

On January 18^th, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, the Quogue Library is organizing a Defensive Driving program taught by MaryAnne Yutes, a certified instructor from the Empire Safety Council and accredited by the DMV.  You should be able to obtain a discount on your auto insurance premium if you complete the course.

As always, the 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, art and crafts activities, book clubs, games, movies and more quogue.librarycalendar.com

Hold the date of Sunday, February 2nd from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm for the Annual Groundhog Day Celebration at the Quogue Library.

Nancy and I extend our best wishes for the holidays and for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue