Public Meeting 4.24.24

Code Chief Introduces New Zone-Based Patrolling

Chief Andy Owen announced a new Zone-Based Patrol plan to improve security and increase Code enforcement’s presence throughout the Village. The plan, which has already been in effect for a month, divides the Village into six numbered sectors, to which shift Officers are assigned to do patrol checks. Owen explained that the new system not only allows Code to enact more targeted coverage, it also increases the Officers familiarity with all areas of the Village for increased response time.

Port Jeff Village Is Once Again Seawolves Country

With Trustees and several prominent representatives from Stony Brook University looking on, Mayor Sheprow presented SBU President Maurie McInnis with an official proclamation declaring that the Village of Port Jeff is once again Seawolves Country. The proclamation, which highlights the long-standing and mutually beneficial association between SBU and the Village, welcomes students, faculty and staff to “live, learn, work and enjoy all that the Village of Port Jefferson has to offer.” Accepting the proclamation, McInnis expressed her appreciation. “I could not be more excited to accept, on behalf of Stony Brook University, this great proclamation, and, ‘Go Seawolves!’”

Village Unveils New Managed Parking Program

Andy Freleng, Director of Building & Planning, unveiled the new Managed Parking Program. The program, which went into effect April 15, is based on recommendations from the recently reconstituted Parking Committee and represents a major shift in operations. Instead of parking being controlled by a single administrator, the new system takes a more efficient and collaborative approach, deploying Village resources from departments that interact and have parking-related responsibilities.  It also streamlines payment, minimizes sign clutter, and is driven by a constant input of data that continuously analyzes parking patterns, further optimizing operations and enabling smart parking management. Key components include:

• $1.50 per hour rate for all public metered parking, 12pm to 8pm daily; free parking for residents has been maintained

• Parking signage redesigned for clarity and consistency and branded with Port Jeff’s distinctive blue and white

• Greater Code Enforcement to monitor parking violations, increasing turnover that benefits local businesses
• Improved “Text to Park” and QR-code payment options

• Ongoing meter upgrades to improve user experience
• Informational posters and cards for downtown merchants to distribute, educating customers on the new procedures, like text/QR code payment

School District Presents Proposed 2024-25 Budget

Deputy Superintendent Sean Leister presented a proposed $48 million budget for the 2024-25 school year, representing a spending increase of 2.2% over the previous fiscal year. The projected tax levy increase is expected to be 1.24%. However, due to the Glide Path and the 75% reduction to LIPA’s value, the estimated tax rate increase will be closer to 11.1%, with the actual impact to taxpayers varying based on their property’s assessed value. Trustee Biondo asked if there were a working group between the School district and the community to discuss problems, like the declining enrollment. Mayor Sheprow replied that in response to resident feedback, the Village had created a school district interactive working group. She encouraged the School to “rev up” this dialogue in order to build trust with community members and “to show that you are listening to them.” There will be a public hearing on the budget May 14, and the budget vote will be held on May 21. Copies of the full budget proposal are available on the district’s website at www.portjeffschools.org.

Work Session 4.10.24

Treasurer’s Modified Tentative Budget Comes in Well Under State Tax Cap

In a clear and concise presentation, Village Treasurer Stephen Gaffga delivered the Modified Tentative 2024-2025 Budget. Despite several fiscal challenges, most notably in the form of a doubling in insurance-related costs coupled with a significant decrease in LIPA revenue from the Power Plant, Gaffga announced that the Budget would still come in well below the 2% Tax Cap allowed by NY State— for only the second time in the past decade. This was accomplished through strategic budget initiatives, such as the restructuring of several village departments, which fostered greater collaboration and a sharing of resources. These cost-savings measures not only helped decrease discretionary spending, which Gaffga explained is the spending “that is under our control,” but it helped increase operational efficiencies, as well.

Board Opened Public Hearing on Budget

At the close of Treasurer Gaffga’s presentation, the Board opened a Public Hearing on the Budget. Perhaps due to the clarity of the Treasurer’s report, there were no questions from the public in attendance. The Public Comment period, however, remained open until 5:00pm on April 20th. Anyone with questions or comments was invited to write to the Village Clerk at spirillo@portjeff.com. Should any changes to the Budget be made, the Board will have to adopt resolutions amending each individual change and then adopt the budget as amended at the next BOT meeting on April 24th. The Budget is available to view at portjeff.com/budget2425

New Managed Parking Pilot Introduced

Mayor Sheprow introduced the new Managed Parking Pilot, which is based, in large part, on recommendations from the reconstituted Parking Committee. Key components of the Pilot, which go into effect April 15, include:

• A more uniform fee structure of $1.50 per hour, for all metered parking
• A reduction in paid parking hours, which are now 12pm to 8pm daily
• Greater Code enforcement to monitor violations
• Enhanced and consistent parking signage
• Upgraded Meter/Pay Stations
• Improved “Text to Park” and QR-code payment options

For more about Managed Parking, go to: portjeff.com/parkingoperationsupdate

Mayor Proposes Deep Dive into East Beach Bluff and Erosion

The Mayor proposed creating a three-person panel of subject-matter experts and scholars to initiate a deep-dive analysis into both phases of the East Beach Bluff project design, as well as the circumstances surrounding the ongoing erosion befalling the bluff.  She also suggested that the Village establish a Citizen’s Commission on erosion to explore how other North Shore communities are protecting their properties and coastlines to help guide us on the best way forward.  The Commission, which would be comprised of residents, would operate much the same as the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council, in that there would be a Chair and a Recording Secretary and they would present their recommendations and findings to the Board for consideration. 

Public Safety Advisory Committee to be Reinstituted

Due to the number of requests the Board receives for stop signs and speed limits from concerned residents, Trustee Juliano announced that the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) is being reinstated and that the Village is actively looking for residents to join. The purpose of the Committee is to study and review the operation and administration of Village ordinances that involve public safety and welfare and advise the Board on any modifications or improvements they think will improve both safety and quality of life in the Village. Members of the PSAC will be appointed to three-year terms. Anyone interested in joining can go on the Make a Difference website portjeff.com/volunteer/#PubSafTaskForce to sign up.

New “Beach Box” Planter Project

Mayor Sheprow announced another new initiative, currently called the “Beach Box” project, to refurbish the planters lining the road down to East Beach, which also act as an effective retaining wall. The project will be coordinated with both the Conservation Advisory Council and the Conservancy and will offer residents the opportunity to own their own box for the cost of the plantings. To ensure all the vignettes created will be drought- and deer-resistant and otherwise resilient, each planter will be designed with the guidance of Assistant Labor Crew Leader Brian Rowe, from our Parks Department.