Smithtown Boat Slips: Prepare To Wait A VERRRRRRY Long Time!

By Chad Kushins

Photos by Jennifer M. Klei

Photo by Jennifer M. KleiThere are specific images that always spring to mind when thinking of Long Island, not just to the frequent visitors and tourists, but also the many longtime residents who call the island their home.  As summer rolls around the corner, scenes of beaches, lighthouses, and – especially for the nautical-minded – boats drifting along Long Island’s numerous harbors and ports, are synonymous with a unique way of life. 

Here, in Smithtown, however, that latter idyll can come with a price – years of seemingly endless waiting to attain the necessary passkey to the town’s waters: the all-important boat slip.

When Hauppauge resident Andrew Szeglin purchased his first boat two decades ago, he never expected that the wait to house his beloved investment along his own hometown’s waters would stretch well into his senior years.  “I applied for the necessary boat slip over twenty years ago,” Szeglin told Smithtown Matters, chuckling at the frustrating scenario.  “Since then, my family and I have actually been through a bunch of different boats.  I ended up having to house that first one out east and I’ve had to trailer every other one since.”

Szeglin is far from alone in playing the waiting game to attain the needed town approval to dock in Smithtown’s public marinas.  According to the town’s official website, which makes all such requests public domain, there are nearly 3,000 residents still waiting for the needed boat slip.  The average wait to attain it?  In Smithtown, it’s 20 to 25 years.  Even the website itself carries the disclaimer, “Boat slips and moorings are in high demand by Town of Smithtown residents.”

“With a wait like that, I’ve known people who willed their slip requests to their children,” Szeglin continued.  He has even changed residences since filling out the original paperwork, yet stayed within Smithtown’s borders, keeping him eligible once his name finally comes up – not that that’s made a difference. 

Szeglin added, “I’ve been trailering my boat for so long, that it’s like second nature.  A friend of my son-in-law applied for the slip when he was a teenager.  He’s in his forties now, and is still waiting!”

In his practice of trailering his boat during the off-seasons, Szeglin is joined by the majority of fellow local boat owners. 

“We still have our boat, but we’ve usually had to trailer it,” said Saint James resident Donald Cantwell, another boat owner who has been on Smithtown’s list for close to eight years.  “I’ve also docked it out east and on the south shore.”

Cantwell continued, “I check in with the town’s waiting list regularly … I think I’m still about a decade behind many others.”  Cantwell added that while the town can’t possibly control the amount of water space available for boat owners, with a list that includes over 2,000 names, it should be necessary for officials to double-check and make sure all those waiting have remained eligible in the interim. 

“It would be interesting to see if all those people on the list are still even here in Smithtown,” Cantwell added.  “Time passed and people move, or maybe have forgotten that they’re waiting, if they even still have the boat at all.”

According to Smithtown Town Clerk Vincent Puleo, the practices in issuing both boat slips and mooring slips are run according to seniority.  “In general, we have a certain amount of slips to be granted and they’ve been full for years,” Puleo told Smithtown Matters.  “Unfortunately, many residents have to turn to private facilities to store their boats, find other locations, and – more often than not – trailer them at home.”

photo by Jennifer M. KleiAccording to the Town Clerk’s office, town code dictates that applications for the boat slip cost $55, with a minimum of 1,100 feet per boat; while some claim to have passed down” their spots on the list, the actual boat slip can only be issued to the person who first applied – a measure instituted to avoid any temptation to “lease” or sell a spot on the list itself, since the list is often viewed as a valuable commodity. 

As there is only an age requirement for mooring slips, one frequent practice has been for residents to attach their children’s names to the boat slip application while still in adolescence, knowing that the slip may not even be issued until the child reaches adulthood.  On a few rare occurrences, residents’ names have come up, yet having upgraded the size of their boats over time, the boat owner was “passed up” since the spot initially applied for can no longer accommodate the size of the new boat.

Puleo went on to state that, currently, 619 Smithtown residents are waiting for the possible 180 mooring slots, while only 178 slots exist to accommodate the 2,743 boat slip applicants.  For the 2011-12 season, over 100 residents have applied.  On public record, the longest current wait for a boat slip belongs to Smithtown resident Carl Superina, who first applied on March 5^th, 1991.  Although listed as number 97, when the 2013 list is updated, Superina will be the next in line for the slip.

“The wait is probably about twenty years,” Puleo reiterated, adding, “It’s very unfortunate, but we only have what we have as far as space.”

All information in regards to boat and mooring slips for the Town of Smithtown, including the current list and downloadable applications, is available on their official website: http://www.smithtowninfo.com/TownClerk%27sOffice

National Weather Service Issues A Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch For Long Island

Weather services warn of possible fire hazards

Fire Weather Watch

By Chad Kushins

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), there was a “red flag warning” in effect Thursday, April 5^th. The NWS issued a Fire Weather Watch for Thursday evening and all day Friday, April 6^th.

The U.S. National Weather Service issues a “Red Flag Warning” when conditions are ideal for fire ignition and fire propagation.  Very dry, low humidity and winds are factors that can trigger a red flag warning.

 “The warning is in effect and it’s countywide,” Nick Kefalos of the Smithtown Fire Marshal’s office told Smithtown Matters.  “This time of year, it’s actually very common – especially lately, due to lack of rain.”

According to Kefalos, the threat of brushfires is usually heightened due to “human error”, as residents are unaware or forgetful of the most common dangerous materials.  “What we usually recommend to avoid starting what could become an actual brushfire,” said Kefalos, “is to keep an eye, particularly, on smoking materials – cigarettes that are discarded, matches, things like that.  Also, with the good weather, a lot of people are out doing yard work – but it’s important that they remember that many of those chemicals, especially mulch, are highly, highly flammable.”

Kefalos continued, “We’ve had incidents right here in Smithtown where people are outside and smoking while working on their yards – and that’s a possible fire right there.  With a lack of rain, like we’ve had this week, it’s an actual danger and it’s something to keep in mind.”

Today’s current “red flag warning” comes only one week after a similar countywide warning, issued on March 27^th for both Long Island and New York City.  That warning, which resulted in one reported brushfire, located in a wooded area near the Suffolk County Fire Academy and the Long Island Compost facility in Yaphank.  Thanks to its unique location near the fire academy, the fire was quickly extinguished.  The “red flag warning” was later lifted by 6:00pm that night. 

Although the previous warning was lifted in less than 24 hours, today’s “red flag” continues, “Similar conditions are expected tomorrow and Saturday.”

Information on brushfire warnings and emergency contacts are available on the Suffolk County Fire Marshal’s official website:

http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/FireRescueandEmergencyServices/FireMarshalsOffice.aspx

In addition, their office can be reached at 631-853-5593.

Update on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 7:03PM by .

Red Flag Warning
Fire Weather Watch
Coastal Flood Statement
Hazardous Weather Outlook

Community Quilt On Display At The Nissequogue River State Park

The Nissequogue River State Park Foundation hosted a well-attended reception Saturday, March 31 at the NRSP Administration Building as it opened a month-long display of its 1st Annual “Community Quilt”.

The non-traditional quilt display features tied-together 8 x 8” fabric squares individually decorated by local residents and community groups in a variety of ways, ranging from exuberant hodge-podges of memorabilia and found items, to painted pieces, mixed media, and mesmerizing blocks of color sewn together in traditional quilt patterns.

Long Island Region State Parks Deputy Director, Brian Foley, and the NRSP Foundation’s Community Quilt Coordinator, Karin Vanderveer, greeted visitors and congratulated award recipients who received prizes for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3d place entries.  Participants in this collaborative quilt project were urged to create unique artworks on anything that inspired them.  Tyra Porinchak, 14, earned First Place for her mixed media Night Scene with a Raccoon. Terry Pelkowski, a proud grandmother and quilter, earned Second Place with her fabric appliqué Seascape by Day.  Daniel Preisler, 9, was the Third Place honoree with his painted Hamburger, inspired by winning a hamburger-eating challenge held by American Roadside Burger restaurant in Smithtown.

The Community Quilt is on display in the Nissequogue River State Park Administration Building, 799 St. Johnland Road, Kings Park until the end of April.  Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to enhance and beautify the Park.

For more information about the NRSP Foundation or to make a donation visit: www.ourstatepark.com

Intel Finalist Rachel Davis Inducted Into LI Technology Hall Of Fame

left to right: Maria Zeitlin Trinkle (Smithtown East Research Coordinator), Rachel Davis, Dr. Miriam Rafailovich (Stony Brook University)Smithtown East is pleased to announce that Rachel Davis, a 2012 Intel STS finalist from the East Science Research Program, was inducted into the Long Island Technology Hall of Fame at a dinner reception at the Garden City Hotel on March 7, 2012. According to Larry Waldman, Chair of the LITHF Selection Committee, “the LITFH bestows well-deserved honors and recognition upon executive, entrepreneur and inventor honorees…and seeks to encourage the next generation. The students reflect the caliber of high quality education Long Island continues to provide to ensure seeding its future in technology.”

According to Ms. Zeitlin Trinkle, the Smithtown East Science Research Coordinator, “Rachel has embodied the passion necessary to encourage the STEM initiate here on Long Island.  She seeks to investigate engineering methods and bring useful ideas to the market with her work on Biodegradable, Flame Retardant Polymers studied in the lab of Dr. Miriam Rafailovich at Stony Brook University.”  Last December Ms. Zeitlin Trinkle attended the STEM Summit held at Farmingdale University and hosted by STEM Hub Steward Brookhaven National Laboratory, in hopes to coordinate efforts with leading institutions and businesses. According to the website for the LI Regional STEM Hub, “there will be a focus on preparing students for the Long Island workforce through enhanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experiences for students and teachers. Academic relevance will serve as the major theme by making it easy for businesses to engage with school and university systems, and integrating non-academic settings such as museums, research labs, and not-for-profit programs. It is envisioned the Hub will promote workforce development that stimulates economic growth and the vitality of the region.”

Rachel has just returned from the Intel Science Talent Search competition in Washington, D.C. where she presented her project titled, “Flame Retardant Biodegradable Polymers,” to professional scientists and Nobel Laureates.  Additionally, Rachel had the honor of meeting President Obama in the White House.  According to Rachel, “the experience was amazing.”  When asked what was the best part of the Intel contest she replied, “the people. I will keep the friendships I made for life.”

Editorial - Accolades For The Town Board

Accolades go to Smithtown’s Town Board for trying to find a compromise between the residents who live on Brilner Drive and the owners of Insignia Prime Steak And Sushi on Nesconset Highway. 

The nightspot has emerged as the “place to go ” for people who are looking for a nouveau contemporary setting and who can afford pricey drinks and fine food.  People (including myself) who have visited the premises cannot help but be impressed by the restaurant’s décor and services, which include valet parking.

The restaurant, located at the site of the former Boulder Creek restaurant, has had tremendous success resulting in an increased need for parking spaces.

Therein lies the problem.

In an effort to create additional parking for its patrons, the restaurant owners intruded on a buffer (or scenic easement) that was part of a covenant placed on the property in 1998.  The buffer, between the restaurant and the homeowners living on Brilner Drive, was removed and a parking area was created. 

The “scenic easement,” was not a merely a promise made to homeowners, it was a legal document. The document, filed with Suffolk County, pledges to the homeowners that the buffer zone cannot be disturbed without their written consent.  The document ensures homeowners that the covenant creating the buffer zone is binding for current (1998) and all future owners of the property on which Boulder Creek restaurant is located.

The Town assigned Planning Director Frank DeRubeis the task of finding a resolution to the problem. In other words, make the problem disappear. 

The Town also issued a summons to the owners of Insignia for failing to get the appropriate permits required before constructing a parking lot.  The hearing for the summons was adjourned.  One homeowner requested that parking not be allowed on the contested area until an agreement as to how and where parking will be permitted is reached.  A Town attorney agreed to ask the owners to suspend the parking.

Meanwhile the clock is ticking on how much time the planning department is spending trying to find a resolution.  (Why are permits so expensive?)

Mr. DeRubeis met with homeowners and explained his plan, which will legitimize Insignia’s parking expansion into the “scenic easement.”  The plan calls for a ten-foot earth berm to be created to act as a sound barrier and a light barrier for the residents.  The earthen berm is expected to mitigate water problems that might arise in the high water table area. The parking area will be porous allowing water to seep into the ground.  In addition, Insignia restaurant will soundproof areas of its facility that back up on Brilner Drive.

If this proposal is acceptable to both parties involved, a document will be created explaining the stipulations and the compromise will be implemented. 

There will be a sigh of relief.  

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result” Albert Einstein

Pat