A New Year Message
from MAYOR MARGOT GARANT

As we begin a new year in 2022, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on the year 2021. We as a community and Village came out of the pandemic with a strong rebound and had a very healthy and prosperous spring, summer and fall! We all enjoyed getting out of our houses to see each other, to celebrate life, and be together during the warmer months. I enjoyed participating in some of my favorite Village traditions that we had lost during the 2020 pandemic months. In particular, I enjoyed going to and seeing everyone at the farmers market, the LISEC boat build races at Harborfront Park, the Hill Climb, the Historical Society‘s annual antique auction on the lawn, the Dragon boat races, and of course, sailing in the annual Regatta to bring home the coveted “Cup” for team Port Jeff! Nothing, however, compares to dressing in full regalia to celebrate our 25th annual Dickens Festival - although I did top that by ending 2021 with a broken leg! 

Given all of the above, how can I not believe that 2022 will be our best year yet! Of course, we will work hard as we face many existing and new challenges - especially those handed to us by mother nature with her global warming and increased severity of coastal storm systems. Yet we are determined to persevere, to protect, and strengthen our beaches and our coastal resiliency. We will endeavor to play hard, work hard, and be kind to one another as we remember that the pandemic months have taken a toll. Since we know we must remain flexible and ready to adjust at any given moment to keep each other safe, the board of trustees will be holding zoom meetings through March - during these cold winter months to not only ensure the safety of our citizens but also to ensure their participation so that the important business of the Village can march forward. 

I want to thank everyone who has helped pull us together through a difficult time. I am committed to honoring our volunteers this year as well as welcoming our new residents with our traditional volunteer recognition night and new resident nights - so stay tuned; there’s lots to come!! Until then, my best wishes for a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! 
SAFETY IS JOB #1
Working together
Residents reached out to our Village administration with safety concerns about cars speeding in our neighborhoods. The administration did its due diligence keeping in mind all of the Village entities that stop signs will affect, and came up with a plan. Through these efforts of working together, we are now seeing the results. There are new stop signs on California Ave at the Hawthorne and Emerson intersections. Residents have reported that the signs have made a difference. Traffic flow assessments have been done, in unmarked cars, by our Village Code Department and Suffolk County Police department. The results are promising. But wait, there is more great news to share. Another stop sign is coming soon at the intersection of Landing Lane and Old Homestead Road.
We all have a higher quality of life when we drive safely in our neighborhoods.
FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME
View our Village meetings in your comfy clothes.
Our Village Public meetings are back on the small screen (your computer or any device with internet access). Governor Hochul extended virtual access to public meetings under New York State's Open Meetings Law, allowing New Yorkers to participate in local government meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic virtually. To participate in our public meetings, you will need to view them live on the official Port Jefferson YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/IncVillageofPortJeffersonOfficial, or you can go to our official website https://portjeff.com/virtualmeetings/ to get a link to the meeting on that page. 
You can view previous virtual meetings and other videos from exciting events in our Village on the official YouTube page. 

Please note - there is a date change for our next meeting. It will be held on Tuesday, January 18th @ 3:30 pm because of the Martin Luther King holiday. Our official website PortJeff.com has the most up-to-date information. Check out the calendar tab to see all of the upcoming meeting dates.
MORTGAGE TAX REVENUE
On an upswing!
Here's a little something that you will be happy about! The housing market in Port Jefferson continues to trend upward. This trend has translated into a higher amount of revenue received in tax payments on mortgages issued in Port Jefferson. The Village receives a proportionate share of the mortgage tax on houses sold in our Village. This revenue line in our budget helps keep our residential taxes lower. This year we budgeted $370,000 in Mortgage Tax revenue and have received $484,000 so far, with one more payment to come. This means more people are buying their homes in Port Jefferson. Our secret is getting out… Everyone is learning that Port Jefferson is a destination for a day or a lifetime!
from Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden
Happy New Year! I hope everyone got a chance to walk around the Village and take in all of the new holiday and seasonal decorations and additions around town. We added 16 new snowflake lights, multiple lighted wreaths, and a few new garlands across East Main and Broadway. Additionally, the street planters were filled with seasonal greenery, poinsettias, winter branches, and evergreens. This beautification effort will continue throughout the month. Be on the lookout for the icy blue lights to adorn the Dickens lanterns and more snowflakes on the poles as we approach the 2022 Ice Festival brought to you by the Business
Improvement District. I'd like to thank the BID for their contribution and partnership in this beautification effort! Additionally, a big thank you to Dave and the Parks Department for all their hard work in putting up and maintaining these decorations. Countless man-hours go into this effort, and it is much appreciated!  

On the parking front, I am happy to announce that paid parking in our lots is suspended for the season (however, timed on-street parking must still be observed.)

As we settle into the winter months, I wish you all a safe and healthy season.
 
As always, don't hesitate to email me with any questions or concerns at any time. 
JACKPOT!
Grant monies for our roads.
GOAL MET! Thanks to proactive efforts by Treasurer Denise Mordente and her team, our Village has received $ 324,000 in CHIPS funding for road improvements. This allows us to know where we stand with paving funds before the fiscal year ends, allowing us to plan and make the most of our allocated funds. The Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) is a road improvement grant program. The treasurer's office does the paperwork required to receive the payment by the middle of the fiscal year. After the work is completed on the roads and we pay the vendor, the paperwork gets submitted right away. It is paid out quarterly, but we receive it all at once. If we do not use all of the funds within the year, it rolls over to next year. This is a big win for our Village!
WE DID IT AGAIN!
Our Dickens Magic dazzled them!
Long Islanders voted, and The Annual Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival wins the top prize for Best Annual Event/Festival in the Bethpage Best of LI Contest. The Festival is produced by the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council in cooperation with the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson. People from across the North East, from all 50 states and, and from around the globe gather annually to celebrate the beloved author as our quaint seaport village transforms into a living Dickens stage. Residents and locals spend months creating the wonderment that we enjoy. Thank you to the Arts Council and the Village for 25 years of bringing this beloved family event to life. Long Islanders appreciate the hard work, evidenced by our third win in this category! We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year and hope that you will help us keep this Festival a Long Island favorite for many years!
THE BEST SPACE FOR YOUR EVENT 
Yes, it can be this easy
Sometimes the best options are right under our nose, and when planning a celebration or meeting, don't forget to check out the room rentals at the Village Center. If you're looking for a venue for your next party or meeting, look no further. Whether you're hosting an intimate gathering, business meeting, or an extravagant affair, there is an ideal space for you at the Village Center. Go to our website https://portjeff.com/pjv-rentals/ and fill out the form to rent a space or call 631 802-2160 with questions. It's super simple!

Here is some helpful insight on our rooms:
Our Sail Loft Room is the perfect setting for any special occasion or celebration. With beautiful views and stunning sunsets, this 2,000 square foot room offers the ideal backdrop for your event. The Sail loft room can accommodate up to 100 guests for a sit-down dinner or 135 for a cocktail reception.
Our Wayfarer Room's north wall has stunning, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbor. The room is a perfect setting for celebrations, exhibits, displays, and lectures. The space is available for rental from mid-March to mid-November. The Wayfarer room can accommodate up to 100 guests for a sit-down dinner or 150 for a lecture or exhibit.
Our Harbor Cove Room is a beautiful setting for a smaller party or corporate meeting. This space can also be used as a classroom, presentation, or meeting room. It features a small galley kitchen and plenty of natural light. It can accommodate 50 guests for a banquet or 70 for a lecture.
Our Skipjack Room is the perfect setting for a studio classroom, a program, or a meeting. It is 1,100 Square Feet and is located on the first floor. It can accommodate 50 guests for a banquet or 70 for a lecture.
Whether you're hosting a wedding, celebrating a birthday, or planning a business meeting, we have a room to suit your needs right here in our beautiful Village!
ICE, ICE, BABY!
The Ice Festival is back.

Put your chores on ice as the Village transforms into a winter wonderland as the ice festival storms in for two days of fun. Join us for the 3rd Annual Port Jefferson Ice Festival on January 29th and 30th (rain date February 5th and 6th). Our popular winter festival is back and better than ever! There'll be live ice carvings, an interactive graffiti wall, horse-drawn carriage rides—and even Mac n' Cheese Crawl!
This outdoor festival will leave you filled with amazement at the live ice sculpting! Come and experience ice sculpture in a way you've never seen before by watching the masters at work. But the fun doesn't stop there; you can enjoy live entertainment on Saturday, play ice corn hole, and enjoy the winter characters roaming throughout the Village.
The amazing Mac n' Cheese Crawl is back! For more information, go to https://portjeffchamber.com/mac-n-cheese-crawl-2022/
When you are ready to bask in the deliciousness of the Mac n' Cheese Crawl, sign up on Eventbrite. CLICK HERE 
Sign up early, as the Crawl sold out last year.
So shut out those winter blues, come down to the Village, and enjoy the WINTER MAGIC!
Check in with the Port Jefferson BID Facebook page for more information.
from Trustee Rebecca Kassay
Happy 2022, neighbors! With the New Year comes endless opportunities
to further the joy, resilience, and peace in our community.

I have been working with resident and Mill Creek Steward Bob Laravie to identify issues and improvement plans regarding our historic Mill Creek. We met with representatives from the Long Island Sound Study, New York Sea Grant, and Seatuck Environmental Association to discuss how the Village can help the flora and fauna of Mill Creek. The group
also discussed our creek's potential to alleviate some of the Village's flooding issues, and how the Village can connect with grants to fund these efforts.

The Six Acre Park Committee will have its third meeting this month- date and time TBA- to continue its work on researching, planning, and producing a recommendation to the Board of Trustees
for the use of this six acres of Village parkland. This Village parkland is located
along the north side of Highland Boulevard, just east of the Port Jefferson train station. Currently a field of invasive weeds and trees, this parkland will be transformed into usable green-space for
Port Jefferson Village's residents and visitors, as well as providing habitat for native and migratory wildlife. At this time, Residents with comments or questions regarding the Committee's work may email me- the Committee's Chair- at trustee-kassay@portjeff.com ; all
relevant notes will be brought to the Committee for review. There will be an opportunity for public presentation and comment as the Committee's research develops.

Finally, as noted with instructions here in the eReport, do not miss your opportunity to request a raised bed at the PJV Beach Street Community Garden! Our first year was an incredible success, and we'd love for you to be a part of year two. Visit
portjeff.com/communitygarden and send your application in by January
31st!
HERE COMES THE SUN!
It's time to think spring.
Got a taste for gardening? We're serving up fresh plots at the PJV Beach Street Community Garden! The raised garden boxes at the Beach Street Community Garden are ideal for first-time gardeners and seasoned gardeners alike. Community gardens are a great way to grow food, meet your neighbors, and connect with the land. We are fortunate to have 20 raised beds are available for rent, and the lottery is happening now! Now that you're excited to have your version of Farm to Table - Here is how you can enter the lottery.

How to apply:
2. Download and complete the lottery form
3. Mail or drop off your completed lottery form to Port Jefferson Village Hall by January 31st

Raised bed lottery winners will be notified via email by February 15th.

Our individual or family use raised beds are available for rent for $40/bed for residents | $75/bed for non-residents annually with four communal herb/flower beds for registered gardeners. All beds have timed drip irrigation and are surrounded by deer fencing. Four of our raised beds have higher sides for gardeners with different abilities.

DON'T HESITATE- SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY TODAY!
Build your garden from scratch and watch the seeds of friendship, neighborliness, and organic produce bloom into something beautiful.
2022 Summer Employment
It's not too soon to think about summer employment. Just drop-by the Village Center Recreation Dept. on the 2nd floor to pick up an application.
Call (631) 802-2160 with questions.
  • Camp Counselor positions
  • Lifeguard positions
CONTINUOUS ACCESS IS COMING!
Rocketship Park bathrooms will soon be open in the winter months.
It is happening! Rocketship Park bathrooms will have heat tracing technology installed on the plumbing lines so the bathrooms can stay open into the winter. The electrical upgrade was approved at the January 3rd public meeting. The electrical improvement is happening this month, and the bathroom upgrade will follow. We are excited about this electrical addition. Stay tuned for the rollout of our winter-friendly bathroom!
RENTER PARKING PERMIT
It's time to renew.
If you rent a home or apartment in the Village, it is time to renew your Parking Sticker. These stickers have a one-year term, so they have already expired on December 31st. Get them updated right away so you will still have access to park in municipal parking lots and/or beaches at no charge.
Renewing your sticker is very simple. 
  • Click on the colored "HERE" button
  • Click on "VIEW PERMITS"
  • Click on "RENTER PARKING PERMIT" and follow the instructions including uploading the appropriate documentation. 
Your sticker will be mailed to you.

Happy Parking!
from Trustee Stan Loucks
Both golf and tennis are now closed. Golf concluded one of its best seasons on December 31st. The last day brought 55-degree weather and over 140 golfers out to the course. It was a great way to end the season!

Membership renewal applications have been sent out to all present golf members. Sign up early. There are rate increases for those that sign up in the later months.

It is with deep regret that we will not offer tennis memberships for the 2022 season. The complexities relating to the repair of the bluff have created this conclusion. We thank the tennis membership and commend the tennis board. You have made our club into "THE CLUB" that everyone wants to join. We hope you will consider rejoining when we reach the end of these challenges. 

The skating rink has engaged over 10,000 skaters in just over one month. We are happy to provide this extremely popular activity to our residents. 

The following activities are offered at the Village Center; adult fitness classes, seniors meet every Wednesday at 10:00 am, and Ceramic painting classes.
Our recreation activities include; pickleball instruction, indoor kickball, adult and youth tennis programs, and more.

On the second floor gallery of the Village Center, please come view our newest archival history exhibit, curated by Chris Ryon, our Village Historian, "Wooden Ghosts of the Past. The emergence of the Port Jefferson ship building industry." which will be on display January 10 - February 28, 2022.

This past year was extremely successful. The club expanded its memberships with many new faces, both young and old. As we all look forward to the next season, I want to thank both memberships, our professional staff, the golf course crew, our membership administrator, and everyone who contributed to the many positive experiences in 2021. 

As we move into 2022, we face many challenges. The repair of the bluff, the saving of our building, and the renovation of our tennis facility will be the major focus. I am confident that we will meet and overcome all of these challenges and make the future of our country club even better.

Wishing everyone a healthy, safe, and Happy New Year!
TECH TIP
It is that easy…. 

Have you ever seen an ad on your computer and wondered why you see an advertisement for cat food after searching for funny cat videos? Here is why - Google personalizes the ads you see based on your Google account's activity. 
 
Some might like that their ads are personalized. You get to see advertisements that are more relevant to you. On the other side, you might prefer that Google does not use your browsing data to target ads at all.

I have good news for you, no matter how you feel about it. You can change what Google thinks it knows about you, or you can turn off the personalization completely. **If you use multiple Google accounts on your devices, personalized ads are usually based on your "default account," it is the one you signed in with first. So make sure you're using your primary profile to see this information.
How to Manage your Personalized Ads on Google

  • Go to https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated
  • Change the toggle switch in the Ad Personalization box to on or off, to your preference.
  • If you chose OFF - You are done. Congratulations!
  • If you choose ON, you'll see a list of items under the toggle. This will include traits that you gave Google when you created your account (such as your age), advertisers whose websites or apps you've visited, and interests that Google has determined based on your account activity. To update a trait, click on it and press "Update." To remove one of the interests or advertisers, click on the item and press "Turn off." (Note: If you previously had ad personalization off and are just now turning it on, you may not see much in the way of interests until Google has had some time to witness your activity.) 
It is one quick way to control what is used for your advertisements!
Meet our team. Their stories are inspiring, and they provide excellent service to all who live here and visit. We will highlight a new professional every month and introduce you to the most amazing and talented individuals that make Port Jefferson Village so special. These are people who bring their experience and dedication every single day.  When they say it takes a Village, they’re talking about the people of Port Jefferson Village!

MEET STEVE GALLAGHER - We are proud to introduce you to our Village Superintendent of Public Works, Steve Gallagher. He is here to help! Steve is a hardworking and dedicated Superintendent with over 28 years of experience working within our Village. He has the benefit of history and knowledge, making it easier for him to make decisions and deal with day-to-day issues across his department. 

The Public Works Department is comprised of 11 full-time employees that respect his leadership. Steve and his staff are responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Village's infrastructure, including roads and stormwater drainage systems, as well as leaf and brush pickup, trash removal in BID District, sign installation, tree trimming and removal, and mowing. They also provide snow removal services to our residents. The protection of our assets is a great responsibility, and Steve gets the job done!

"Working with and helping residents is the best part of my job. While we may not be able to address  your concerns or complaints right away, rest assured that we will get to it." Steve reassures us. Navigating the complexities of working with third-party vendors and government agencies can slow things down, but the public works department takes their tasks all the way to fruition. Steve is always looking for new ways to improve everyone's experience in the Village. His goal is to make your experience with the Village a positive one.

Steve is very passionate about his position and extremely loyal to his staff. You can depend on him to be in the office and on a job site. He makes sure that every job he oversees is appropriately done. With his strong management and leadership skills, Steve can manage effectively and efficiently meeting deadlines while keeping costs low and maintaining a high quality of work. So in other words - He is the right man for the job!
Thank you for your hard work! This Village appreciates it! 
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
Protecting our streets and parks is a top priority. Our 'See Something - Say Something' campaign is designed to make you a part of the solution. Signs are being posted throughout Main Street, in both uptown and downtown areas. The phone number of the supervising Code Officer is prominently displayed on each sign. We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity or other hazards. If you see something unusual or witness any concerning behavior, call (631) 774-0066. The Code Enforcement Bureau will secure the scene immediately, investigate the situation and work with SCPD. Our Code officers have a well-established relationship with SCPD. Many of them are retired, active or auxiliary officers. We also have security cameras on our streets. SCPD’s real-time crime center is tied into our camera system and can monitor them when necessary. All crimes are reported to Suffolk County Police. It will take all of us to be proactive and diligent to continue with the good work that has already been established.
Village Officials
Mayor Margot Garant email: mayor@portjeff.com
Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden email: trustee-snaden@portjeff.com
Trustee Stan Loucks email: trustee-loucks@portjeff.com
Trustee Bruce Miller email: trustee-miller@portjeff.com
Trustee Rebecca Kassay email: trustee-kassay@portjeff.com

Upcoming Village Meetings
Tuesday, January 18, 3:30pm (virtual)
Monday, February 7, 7pm
Tuesday, February 22, 7pm

Port eReport
Editor-in-chief - Kathianne Snaden
Editor - Charmaine Famularo 
Graphic Artist - Sue Orifici
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