HBCA Membership Meeting 7-27-15

Topic: Waterfronts Poised for Change: Restoring the

Ecology of Hampton Bays Series # 4 Coastal
Infrastructure
Speakers: Marc Fasenella, Andy Godfrey, Mary Wilson
Town Officials: Christine Scalera, Tiffany Taylor, Brad Bender, Jay
Schneiderman, Scott Horowitz, Alan Grossman
Andy Godfrey awarded our HBCA Scholarship Award to Alex Dubrowsky. He
read his essay Vision of Hampton Bays in 10 Years. This is the Civics 5 th year
awarding this scholarship.
This meeting was designed to have community members focus on the health of
our waterways and discuss immediate and long-term solutions. Marc discussed
these significant points and opportunities:

All L.I. and CT. waterways (oceans and bays) are one ecosystem and
interconnected.
Our waters are toxic, not just polluted, and we must consider more
progressive strategies that promote sustainability. We are currently
compromising the future generations ability to meet their needs.
In the long term, 75% of buildings are rebuilt or renovated in 30 years. We
must take the future into our own hands.
As we rebuild/renovate we need to make use of restoration ecology with
native plants that promote microorganisms and water filtering. Building
materials must be non-toxic. Design homes that are light on the
environment using solar, rainwater recycling, and filtering plants.
Enact legislation that regulate the following: septic systems requiring the
most state of the art systems, materials used on lawns and boat marinas,
and tree cutting. Water pollution is a town, county and federal problem that
needs to be addressed on all levels.
Construct Ponquoque Bridge using only the right type of biodegradable
materials and forward thinking design one that promotes ecotourism.
Establish a fishing and oyster educational program tied to the bridge.
Identify a non-profit that will collaborate with us to educate our citizens
about our waters. Police annex across from Tiana identified as a potential
may educational facility.
Encourage marsh restoration and oyster farms based on the concepts in
Tottenville, Staten Island.
Become an activist community and use the power we have as the largest
hamlet in the town.

Question and Answers:

Discussion of the causes of the recent bunker fish kill. John Bouvier, a
conservation board member, maintained that the fish died from lack of
oxygen caused by algae blooms. Numbers of crabs and seagulls are
diminishing a warning serious warning sign. They are working with
county to obtain approval for the right septic systems. Current
technologies have the answers to these pollution issues and are place in
Europe.

Kevin McAllister, of Defend H2O, maintained that we have exceeded the

pollution tipping point and that we must encourage the town to adopt local
laws to restrict nitrogen and begin to use state of the art septic treatment.
Kevin noted his request for monitoring wells at Canoe Place Inn. The
developers are currently not complying with the request.

Jay Schneiderman address the July 10 overflow at Meschutt Beach Hut.

Septic system overflowed was caused by an antiquated system from
1970. It does not have a true septic system and no system for disposal of
grease. His answer was to set up frequent monitoring and upgrade the
system. Hi is hoping the county will step up. We need to use less fertilizer,
organic or not, and not permit use of fertilizer 20 feet from the water.

Discussion of creation of a sewerage treatment plant.

Current ones in use in Suffolk County are old, not maintained and are
failing. The cost of upgrades is high. Sewerage treatment plants are tied to
large growth and density and we must be cautious in their use. Poor
zoning may negate the effectiveness of sewerage treatments plants.

Mary Wilson CPF Fund Administrator provide an update on the

accomplishments of her office.
Purchases include:
Hidden Cove Motel Plan is to turn it into natural wetlands
Several buildings across from old Neptune club on Dune road.
Neptune club building This building was at one time a Life Saving
Station. The plan is to do selective deconstruction and make part of it into
a museum to celebrate the work of the lifesavers as well as recognize the
black men who manned it from 1942-1944.
Scott Horowitz highlighted accomplishments of Town Trustees:
Clam racks area in Weesuck creek to grow spats
Removed derelict boat hauled out of water at no cost to town
Town engineers have reviewed restoration of the old Ponquoque bridge on
the south side for fishing, diving, and retention of habitat. They are in the

process of creating an RFP. Currently discussing how to handle the north

side, which has a very different habitat and type of marine life.
Results of the HBCA Charettes are noted below.