August 18, 2023

Dear Quogue Residents,

We have certainly been blessed with a lot of rain the past couple of weeks.  Looking at the bright side, I have received fewer dire warnings from the SCWA about drought conditions in Suffolk County.  On a less positive note, many of our residents have had to deal with flooded streets.  While this is not exactly a new problem, we are always looking for ways to accelerate the dissipation of flood waters through improving drainage and, where appropriate, raising roadways.  Given the high water table in many areas of the Village, certain roads are extremely challenging, especially at high tide.

The Town of Southampton organized an informational meeting last weekend with an update on the FIMP beach renourishment project.  As I have previously reported, the Town is currently undertaking surveys of all of the beachfront properties in the project area.  For Quogue, this represents 47 properties running from just east of the Post Lane bridge (now reopened in case you missed the news) to the border with East Quogue.  The Town expects to have completed the survey work by the end of September, at which point the appraisers will do their calculations to prepare offers to the homeowners in order to obtain the required easements.  This work is expected to be completed by January.  If all the easements can be obtained by May, there is still a reasonable chance for the project to take place in the fall/winter of 2024/2025.  If the paperwork is not in place by then, it looks like the project will be delayed another year until the winter of 2025/2026.  Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

As in prior years, the Village is about to perform the annual “beach scraping” exercise to reinforce the dunes on the eastern stretch of Quogue. In the fall, beachfront homeowners will be contacted about installing new beach fencing where necessary.

An area of increasing concern is the growing use of electric bicycles in the Village.  While I applaud the use of bicycles as a general matter, e-bikes can be quite dangerous given their speed.  They are regulated by NY State and are not authorized to be used by children under the age of 16.  Helmets are required for 16 and 17 year-olds, and frankly should be worn at all times.  E-bikes are only allowed on streets with speed limits no greater than 30 mph, meaning that they should not be used on Montauk Highway or Route 104.  On the subject of helmets, they are meant to be worn – not carried in a basket or strapped to the handlebars.  Parents, please educate your kids!

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.  After a few days, our Highway Department will then sweep up the remaining loose stones.

On an environmental note, last week Nancy and I attended a fundraiser at the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Environmental Learning Center in Southold.  The event highlighted two important local initiatives: “Choose Local F.I.S.H.” (Fresh, Indigenous, Sustainable, Healthy) to encourage all to discover the variety of local fish choices Long Island has to offer.  The event was also sponsored by Slow Food East End, the local chapter of Slow Food USA and part of a global, grassroots organization founded in 1989 in Italy to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions, counteract the rise of “fast life”, and to combat people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, and how our food choices affect the world around us.  I encourage you to visit their websites to learn more about these great organizations:  www.slowfoodeastend.org and www.localfish.org.  The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Suffolk County is a non-profit community educational agency with the overriding mission of making Suffolk County a desirable place to live and work by preserving the county’s vast heritage, protecting our eco-systems, supporting families, and providing youth with opportunities for community service and research-based education in science, technology, engineering and math.  You can learn more by visiting www.ccesuffolk.org.

And now for a few upcoming events:

The Quogue Association has two upcoming events: its Annual Village Beach Party takes place this evening at the Village Beach from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  And on September 9^th, at 10:00 am, Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman will be delivering his annual State of the Town Address on the Village Green.  In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside the Village Hall. https://quogueassociation.org

The Quogue Junior Theater Troupe is concluding its 45^th season, presenting Annie Jr. from August 22^nd – 25^th.  You can purchase tickets at www.qjtt.org.

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is hosting their end of summer party next Friday, August 25^th, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.  While the party is primarily for the kids who attended the Summer Ecology Program and their families, all are welcome to join the fun. Their next full moon night hike is slated for August 29^th, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Please register at www.quoguewildliferefuge.org.

The final installment of the Library’s Quogue Authors in Conversation series will be on Sunday, August 27^th, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with Genevieve Crane in conversation with Paul Harding, who is the author of This Other Eden, followed by a Q&A, book sale and signing, and wine and cheese ($10 per person). The Art Gallery at the Library is continuing the exhibition of Bess Ratliff’s series of pastel works through August 29^th.  Katama Eastman Photography follows with black and white photographs on display from August 31^st to October 4^th, with an Artist’s Reception on Thursday, August 31^st, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. On Wednesday, September 6^th, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Lee McAllister, author of Hiking Long island: A Comprehensive Guide to Parks and Trails, will be leading a visual presentation and discussion on Long Island’s natural beauty. The next Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program is scheduled for Saturday, September 9^th, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, on the topic of Global Famine.  As always, consult the Library’s well-packed calendar to sign up for their rich offering of movies and programs of all types: https://www.quoguelibrary.org/

On Saturday, September 9^th, at 7:30 pm, Quogue Chamber Music presents the Balourdet String Quartet at the Quogue Community Hall, with a program including works by Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Hugo Wolf.  Tickets can be purchased at www.quoguechambermusic.org.

The second of the Quogue Historical Society’s Walking Tours: Preserving Quogue’s History in Headstones at the Quogue Cemetery is scheduled for Sunday, September 10^th.  Space is limited so please reserve in advance: www.quoguehistory.org

Labor Day is around the corner so enjoy these last days of the summer season, especially now that you can get to the beach without a detour!

Robert Treuhold

Mayor

August 17, 2023

Dear Quogue Residents,

With a sigh of relief, I am thrilled to report that the Post Lane bridge was reopened yesterday afternoon!   If the bridge had not reopened in time for the weekend, I was seriously considering leaving town.

I have expressed the Village’s appreciation to the Suffolk County DPW, and the primary contractors Hinck Electric and H&L Contracting, for working around the clock to complete the emergency repairs so quickly.

Please remember the Quogue Association’s Annual Village Beach Party is tomorrow evening beginning at 6:00 pm.  You can buy tickets at: https://quogueassociation.org/

Robert Treuhold

Mayor

July 28, 2023

Dear Quogue Residents,

I have received further details concerning the emergency repair work that needs to be done on the Quogue Bridge.  While I had very much hoped that this could be delayed until the fall, the Suffolk County DPW has now informed us that the repairs will begin on Tuesday, August 15^th, and they anticipate the bridge being out of service for three days.

The Quogue Bridge was built in 1938 and is the oldest moveable bridge maintained by Suffolk County. The bridge is a “double-leaf bascule” bridge with the original mechanical equipment. This is a fancy name for a drawbridge.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge) Certain electrical components were updated during the most recent rehabilitation about seven years ago, but the old equipment continues to be problematic given the original design of the bridge.

Currently, the steel angles that are holding counterweight blocks in place under the north bascule leaf have been pushed out to the point where they rub on the steel beams above when the bridge opens and closes. This leads to the bridge motors experiencing resistance to the point where the electrical system causes the motors to stop working until the system can be reset and the beams can finish their movement. The County authorities explain that this problem will only get worse as the summer heat sets in, which could cause the bridge to become inoperable both to vehicle and marine traffic.  In other words, if they do not perform the emergency repairs now, there could be a catastrophic failure that could lead to a much longer closure (think weeks or possibly months).

The current proposed solution is to support the counterweight blocks while the bridge is in the open position (or remove them temporarily) and install new steel angles in a position that will eliminate the rubbing. Unfortunately, this work can only be done with a complete road closure and a detour to traffic while the bridge remains open for the duration of the repair. The contractor estimates that the work will take a minimum of three shifts to complete, including working around the clock through Tuesday night, and the County anticipates a three-day closure to vehicular traffic as the bridge remains in the open position. This work will be done between Tuesday and Thursday when traffic is lightest.  If the work can be completed in three shifts, there is a possibility that the bridge would be reopened after two days.

The County plans to post numerous signs alerting drivers of the closure.  Our police and fire departments will of course be coordinating with Westhampton Beach to arrange for mutual assistance to ensure rapid response to any emergencies that might arise.  Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that the repairs can be accomplished quickly and the disruption to the Village kept to a minimum.

We know that this is going to be a huge distraction and inconvenience for all residents during our “high season”, especially all who live on Dune Road.

Robert Treuhold

Mayor

July 17, 2023

Dear Quogue Residents,

Today is the 27^th day of summer, which leaves us with 65 more days until fall – but who’s counting.

I wrote my first mayoral missive around a year ago and highlighted the unexpected (and unwelcome) visitation of a juvenile great white shark to the Village’s beaches.  Unfortunately, July has once again brought a bevy of shark sightings and a handful of actual shark bites.  I had hoped to put the references to Amity Island and Jaws behind us, but it would appear that having sharks in our waters has become the new normal.   While sharks have always been present, they now appear to be closer to shore because of the abundance of baitfish in the warmer shallow waters.  The Village Beach lifeguards are well-trained and are in regular contact with all of the lifeguards at the other local beaches to maintain a heightened vigilance.  We have also been coordinating with the Town of Southampton who are exploring the possibility of rolling out drones.  One complicating factor is that Quogue is technically a “no-fly zone” as a result of our proximity to Gabreski airport.  In any event, please use common sense and always follow the lifeguards’ instructions; avoid swimming in areas with schools of fish, splashing fish, and diving seabirds; and avoid swimming at dusk, night and dawn.

On the topic of safety, it is once again time to remind everyone in the Village to exercise caution when walking, running and biking on our streets.  The protocol is to walk and run against the traffic and cycle with the traffic.  Please stay close to the edge of the road and do not walk/run/ride multiple people abreast.  Please also remind your guests and children of these common-sense rules of the road. I am constantly amazed when I see residents running or walking down the middle of the street.  The old adage of “sharing the road” applies both to drivers and to pedestrians/cyclists.

You will have noticed that additional road work was recently performed by the Suffolk County Department of Public Works (SCDPW) at the intersection of Quogue Street and Montauk Highway.  A new guardrail was installed with the intent of tightening the intersection and improving visibility.  The work is not yet complete and further paving and marking will be accomplished in the coming days/weeks to create a safer and wider bike and pedestrian path along the south side of the highway.  I have been in regular contact with the SCDPW expressing the Village’s concerns about the current situation and they have agreed to address this in the near future.

On the subject of road work, SCDPW just informed me on Friday that they need to perform emergency repair work on the Post Lane bridge.  While I do not have all the details, apparently the counterweights on the north side of the bridge are now chafing against the girders supporting the span when the bridge is opened and closed.  The repair work has become urgent and will take the bridge out of commission for two or three days.  I have asked that the work be deferred until after Labor Day, but the County fears they may have to accelerate the repairs to early August to avoid further damage.  I will of course provide further details as soon as I have them.  The County understands how disruptive this will be for everyone and has committed to working around the clock to minimize the time that the bridge will be out of commission.

On a more positive note, our Village Dock will soon be hosting a second “Flupsy” oyster nurturing system.  A Flupsy is a “floating upwelling system” that houses hundreds of thousands of baby oysters (spats) that are then seeded throughout our bays to help clean the water.  A mature oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day.  The agreement with the Moriches Bay Project (www.morichesbayproject.org) to add the second Flupsy has been made with the understanding that all of the oysters from the new one will be seeded in Quantuck Bay.

And now for a few upcoming events:

Fresh off their successful Summer Kick-Off on July 8^th, the Library continues to host a plethora of activities.  A few notable events include a discussion of the works of Donatello this Thursday, July 20^th from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm presented by Quogue resident Giuliana Castellani Koch, PhD.  The next Quogue Authors in Conversation talk will be on Sunday, August 6^th from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm with Marin G. McGuinn, presenting his book, From Swampoodle to Mellon Bank CEO: An Irish-American’s Journey, in a conversation with Quogue’s own Andrew Botsford. The following Sunday, August 13^th, also at 5:00 pm, former Mayor Peter Sartorius will be in conversation with Admiral Philip Dur, USN Retired, author of Between Land and Sea: A Cold Warrior’s Log, recounting his 30-year experience in the US Navy. The Banjo Rascals will perform in an outdoor concert on Friday, August 4^th at 7:00 pm. The next Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program is scheduled for July 22^nd from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm on the topic of China and the US.  Another Great Decision program is slated for Saturday, August 5^th at the same time on the topic of Economic Warfare.  Participants can join by zoom or attend in person.  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 Quogue Association’s annual Duck Race will take place on Friday, July 28^th, starting at 4:00 pm at the Quogue Bridge with festivities at the finish line at the Village Dock. Please remember to buy your ducks! Their annual Village Beach Party will be on Friday, August 18^th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. https://quogueassociation.org/

The Quogue Historical Society is organizing two Walking Tours: Preserving Quogue’s History in Headstones at the Quogue Cemetery.  The first is scheduled for Sunday, July 30^th, at 3:00 pm, with the second scheduled for Sunday, September 10^th.  Space is limited so please reserve in advance. The QHS annual art show will be held on the Village Green on Saturday, August 12^th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  QHS will also be hosting an Art Talk Benefit and Cocktails also on the Village Green on Friday, August 11^th from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.  Tickets can be purchased through the QHS website: www.quoguehistory.org

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge’s next full moon night hike is slated for August 1^st from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Please register at www.quoguewildliferefuge.org.

The Quogue Junior Theater Troupe is celebrating its 45^th season, and they will be presenting Into the Woods from August 1^st – 4^th, and Annie Jr. from August 22^nd – 25^th.  The annual QJTT Annual Benefit is being held on Friday, July 28^th. You can purchase tickets at www.qjtt.org.

Our Police Department will be hosting a “Coffee with a Cop” event on the Village Green on Saturday, August 5^th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.  Please stop by for an opportunity to meet with members of our police force.

The next day, Sunday, August 6^th, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, is the Fire Department’s annual Open House.  Please come one and all to support our volunteers and have fun while learning about fire safety!

Hope you are all enjoying the summer season!

Robert Treuhold

Mayor