A Message
from MAYOR MARGOT GARANT
Spring is almost here! You can smell it coming on a mild day - and watch the bulbs start poking their heads up from a winter's nap. The Village comes alive in spring which is the busiest season for our Parks Department. If you see our crew planting, digging, hauling, cutting - give them a friendly “honk” and a cheerful smile. I’m sure they would appreciate the uplifting gesture.
Rocketship Park bathroom renovation will be completed in time for spring playground activity. The upgrade provides heating in the building so the restrooms can now be open year round instead of winterized during the off-season. With the ever growing popularity of Rocketship Park, the Park is always open for families to enjoy some outdoor air and fun except for times of snow, ice, or equipment damage.
Some great news about one of our partners at Jeanne Garant Harborfront Park - the Explorium, formerly known as the Children’s Maritime Museum, has received its official New York State Museum designation!! This very important accreditation bolsters their ability to receive grants, including a new grant recently received from NASA !! If you don’t know “The Explorium” stop into their building at the Chandlery, the gateway, brick building at Harborfront Park.
The Board has approved moving forward with the repair and revegetation of the East Beach bluff. Unfortunately, work will take place during the summer months, but we are coordinating with the contractor to keep the east end of East Beach open for our residents. We continue to explore options to either preserve or retreat the upland assets. For more information on this important Village issue, please visit portjeff.com/eastbeachbluff.
I look forward to watching our beautiful Village "pop yellow" as we welcome spring and over 12,000 daffodil spring eternal throughout Port Jefferson.
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IMPROVED EMERGENCY FACILITY
Superior response resources
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A new Emergency Command Center is now operational. It will serve a critical role in every phase of emergency management, from being the hub for all coordination during an incident to facilitating and directing recovery/clean-up. The room will accommodate our partner emergency agencies if necessary. They can monitor the Village camera system to see updates in real-time.
In addition to its use in emergencies, staff can use this room in times of non-emergency. It is fully equipped with the resources that the Village uses to operate.
The Village was awarded a $450,000 DASNY grant to keep the cost as low as possible.
We hope we will not need to use it, but we are grateful that it facilitates any emergency incident.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
For your Information…
The Village will be holding a Public Hearing on March 21, 2022, at 3:30 pm to Authorize a Property Tax Levy in Excess of the Limit Established in the General Municipal Law §3-C.
Additionally, the Village will hold a Budget Hearing on April 4 at 6:00 pm at Village Hall.
All residents are encouraged to attend.
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from Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden
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Spring is right around the corner, and I've already seen our residents getting out and about more as the weather begins to warm up.
This month I'd like to remind you, the residents, of the many tools you can use to be heard in your Village and community.
For public safety issues that are not emergencies, please call the Code Superintendent on duty at (631) 774-0066. This number goes directly to the officer's cell phone. Emergencies, of course, are always 911.
Suffolk Police Department's "Coffee with a Cop" will be hosted at Starbucks,1251 Middle Country Rd, Selden, on March 18th from 11 am to 1 pm. Please feel free to stop in and speak to one of Suffolk's officers to voice a concern or just say hello and thank you!
This month our wonderful DPW is out fixing potholes. If you know of one in your neighborhood or in town that needs to be addressed, please call DPW at (631) 473-4733.
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Additionally, our Resident Portal is up and running and has been a fantastic tool for residents to get their issues sent directly to the correct department to be addressed. It can then be tracked for progress. Access our portal here https://portjeff.com/portal/
Our speed trailer will soon be ready for the season. Please email me directly at trustee-snaden@PortJeff.com if you think your neighborhood could benefit from this trailer being placed there.
Be on the lookout for new landscaping in front of Village Hall and plantings in the multitude of planters lining Main Street from the Ferry up to the train station. New planters will soon be installed uptown and filled with color.
Enjoy the warmer weather as spring greets us with open arms. Get out and enjoy! And as always, if you see something, say something!
Happy Spring!
Kathianne Snaden
Trustee
Deputy Mayor, Port Jefferson Village
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MEASURES FOR MANAGING SPEED
Coming to your neighborhoods
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Speeding is an issue that our Village has faced for a long time. It is a significant cause of accidents and injuries. For the safety of our residents and their children, it is imperative to use every tool we have at our disposal to minimize this issue.
Our speed trailer is one such tool that our Village uses to help stop speeding throughout the Village. Now that the weather is better, it will be put in strategic locations to help mitigate the issue. If there is a need in your neighborhood, email Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden to request the speed trailer be placed in your neighborhood. trustee-snaden@portjeff.com
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SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING WITH A TWIST
Pothole version
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With the arrival of spring, comes not only warm weather and blooming flowers but also pothole season.
Potholes are formed by water seeping into cracks in the pavement and freezing, causing it to expand. As the ice thaws, it contracts, weakening the pavement and eventually resulting in a pothole. Potholes can range from a few inches to several feet in diameter. Our Department of Public Works has begun fixing the damage that mother nature has caused over the winter.
- Then click on "Click here to visit our Self Service Portal"
- Once you are in the portal, fill out your information
- In the "What is the issue?" box, it says "What type of issue?" click on the space below, and a menu will appear.
- Next, select "Potholes" for your type of issue. This will allow you to fill out an electronic form describing the pothole's location and other relevant information.
If you would rather call, the DPW number is (631) 473-4733. They will take down the information to fix the pothole as soon as possible.
Thank you to the DPW for their ongoing efforts to improve our quality of life!
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PARKING EXPANSION
New spots for parking relief
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Parking is consistently an issue, especially in the warmer months. Well, we have some good news. The Village and the Gitto Group real estate development company have reached an agreement to allow 25 spaces in the CVS parking lot for Village parking. The CVS parking lot is at the intersection of Barnum Avenue and Main Street. Parking in these 25 spots will be free, and a Parking Logix counting system will be installed to notify drivers how many spots are left in the lot. These 25 new parking spots combined with the 47 spaces in the Barnum lot provide a total of 71 new parking spaces for the summer season.
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Spring is is right around the corner ( we all hope). With spring comes the opening of the golf season at the country club. Brian and his crew have been busy all winter making the course ready for the opening. The scheduled course opening is April 1st, that date is always dependent upon the weather. If we get a warm spell we can possibly open early.
As members return they will find a new driving range, a new stairway leading down to the 16th green, and the beginning of bunker renovations. We have put a long range golf course improvement plan in place and will be allocating monies each year to do some major improvements to the facility.
We all need to be aware of the bluff erosion as it has already affected our country club. We have lost our tennis membership and are now working to save the main building. Plans are in place to secure the bottom of
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the bluff and we are working on plans to
secure the building and save tennis courts 7 and 8. We will be doing a survey west of the upper parking lot to determine if we can find room for tennis, We are also looking at placing pickle ball courts on the southern portion of the upper courts.
In the interim, we have moved our summer tennis programs down to the Village courts. We are trying to accommodate everyone during this difficult time and appreciate everyone's cooperation.
We have introduced pickleball into our recreation programs. We are utilizing one-half of the Village basketball court on Sundays from 8:00 to 12:30 for pickleball use. We are using portable nets and will lay down lines that are removed when finished.
WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY SPRING!
Stan Loucks
Trustee, Port Jefferson
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KAYAK LOTTERY APPLICATIONS
Applications are live
We are excited to announce the kayak rack lottery to accommodate your prized water vessels is here! Each year the Village of Port Jefferson receives multiple applications for kayak storage. In order to be fair, we conduct a lottery and then notify applicants. So, be sure to get your application in for the kayak racks located at Centennial Park, East Beach, and Crystal Brook Hollow. Applications must be received by April 1st, and the lottery will take place during the first week of April. The number of available racks has been expanded, so we are hopeful that all applicants will receive a space.
These racks are for residents only and are an excellent part of the amazing recreation programs that our Village has to offer.
Here are a few rules to make everything run smoothly for all involved. Refer to the application for the complete listing of rules.
- Your vessels need to be placed only in your assigned spot and secured at all times while stored.
- You will provide your locking mechanism.
- The fee is $30.00 per vessel with up to 2 vessels per kayak spot.
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The storage period is from April 1st to November 1st.
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All vessels must be removed from storage on or before November 1st.
PLEASE MAIL YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION TO:
VILLAGE HALL, Kayak Lottery
121 West Broadway
Port Jefferson, New York 11777
Happy Kayaking!
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CALLING ALL RESIDENTS AND FOODIES
Al fresco dining is on its way
There is nothing like enjoying a meal, snacks, or drinks while taking in the fresh air and watching the world go by. Outdoor dining is returning as soon as the weather allows. Permits have been sent to Village restaurants, so everything is in motion to spend our lunchtimes people (and dog) watching and our nights under the stars with good wine and great friends.
Keep a lookout because tablecloths, place settings, and sun umbrellas will soon be creating pops of color to add to the vibrant atmosphere in our beautiful Village. See you at one of our delicious eateries!
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MARCH and APRIL VILLAGE MEETINGS
Village Board of Trustees Meetings:
All Village Board Meetings are open to the public. The first Business Monday of every month at 5:00 pm, the BOT's meet in the conference room of Village Hall to conduct the business portion of the meeting. The public is welcome to sit in and listen only during this portion. The board then moves upstairs to the courtroom to conduct the public portion of the meeting and is open for the public to speak.
The Second Board of Trustees Meeting, is usually held on the third Business Monday of the month, is also open to the public, but it is a business meeting only, starting at 3:30 pm, downstairs in the conference room. The public is welcome to attend, but there is no public input.
Planning Board:
The Planning Board is charged with specific duties and responsibilities including: long-range planning; review of subdivision plans; holding public hearings and forwarding recommendations on proposed zoning changes; and reviewing major developments. Decisions made by the Planning Board are binding.
Zoning Board of Appeals:
The Board members review all applications based upon the Village Zoning Ordinances. All zoning designations are represented on a zoning map located at the Village Building & Planning Department, along with a detailed explanation of each designation within the Village Code.
6 Acre Park Committee
The 6 Acre park committee is tasked with developing recommendations for the six-acre parcel located on Highlands Blvd. between the train station and the Highlands at Port Jefferson condominium development. The committee is taking public input by emailing Trustee Rebecca Kassay. trustee-kassay@portjeff.com
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SCPD 6th PRECINCT COMMUNITY MEETINGS |
The Suffolk County Police Department holds community meetings on the second Tuesday of every month, alternating the meeting time to ensure maximum accessibility for all residents. The meetings are held to share information and answer questions from residents about our police department and the services they provide to the community. Residents are encouraged to speak with officers about any crimes or quality of life issues they may be experiencing in their neighborhoods.
The Next Three Meetings at the 6th Precinct are:
April 12th @ 10:00 am
May 10th @ 7:00 pm
June 14th @ 10:00 am
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from Trustee Rebecca Kassay
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While the weather outside is still quite frightful, we are continuing efforts for a most delightful springtime:
As the temperatures rise and we begin sprucing up our outdoor spaces, please call our Building Department to inquire about a permit when considering the removal of any tree from your property. Speaking of "sprucing up," keep an eye out for more information about our local Arbor Day "dollar tree" initiative, offering you a small White Pine or Red Oak sapling for only $1.00 so we can plant the next generation of mighty trees in our historic Village. Remember: having large trees in yards along streets increases a home's value from 3 percent to 15 percent!
On the theme of "mighty," this past Sunday was the opening reception for the "Celebrating Women's Suffrage and the Timeless Collection of Nan Guzzetta" show on the second floor of the Village Center. This empowering tribute to the extraordinary Nan Guzzetta and the work of suffragettes will be available for viewing throughout March during regular
Village Center hours. The antiques and
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costumes on display, the uniquely informative posters, and the intimate accounts of incredible women- both local and at large- left me with renewed gratitude for the passion and efforts of these women who paved the way to the fundamental freedoms we exercise every day. Many thanks to the Village employees, volunteers, and Guzzetta family members who made this show possible.
The Six Acre Park Committee continues its diligent research and conversations regarding the acreage of Village parkland along Highlands Blvd. The two most recent meetings are available for viewing on Port Jefferson Village's YouTube channel. As the Committee Chair, I invite any comments or questions regarding the project to be emailed to trustee-kassay@portjeff.com; the Committee reviews all public input at their monthly meetings. I am making efforts to work with individuals and groups to create connections and/or solutions to satisfy some of the recreational requests, even if the request isn't suitable for this particular parkland.
Looking forward to seeing you out in the sunshine sometime soon!
Rebecca Kassay
Port Jefferson Village Trustee
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The Village Planning Board is considering a 4 phase expansion project at Mather Hospital - a member of Northwell Health.
To learn more about this expansion project there are a few ways to get caught up.
Look for the Planning Board meetings.
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Residents can view a copy of the expansion plans at the Building Department located at 88 N. Country Road, Port Jefferson.
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Virtual Planning Board meeting Thursday April 7th at 6:30pm, is a public hearing where Mather/Northwell will present any updates to their plan and the public may speak. Go to portjeff.com/virtualmeetings to view and/or comment.
The planning board will accept public comments until April 7th. Email your comments to csuarez@portjeff.com.
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SBU TO PORT JEFFERSON SHUTTLE
The shuttle returns!
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Less traffic, we benefit from less traffic starting March 18th when the Stony Brook University Shuttle to Port Jefferson Village returns. The shuttle will run Fridays and Saturdays from 3:00 pm to 12:00 am. SBU students can ride the shuttle for free. This initiative is free for Village residents. Please visit the SBU website for more information, including the pickup locations at Stony Brook University and Port Jefferson Village.
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2022 Port Jefferson Village Adult Volleyball Champions
Fantigrossi Team...Congratulations!!
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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
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from Trustee Bruce Miller
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Hello Port Jefferson,
A quick update on my activities as your Trustee.
First, if you are not aware, the bluff between East Beach and West Beach is eroding rapidly. This is an issue of parkland and cost for all residents. It has already been approved to build a rock wall at the base of the bluff, and further work may be approved in the immediate future – stay tuned to this website and public meetings.
As a Trustee, I have been a member of USGBC-L.I. (U.S. Green Building Committee). The Long Island sub-committee has a green transportation focus. (I am helping the cause by driving
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a Tesla.) In the context of green
transportation, we are beginning to organize a green transportation demonstration – possibly in Port Jefferson. I will continue discussions with Port Jefferson leaders and merchants aimed at bringing this event to our Village.
I continue work with energy, repowering, and LIRR electrification. National Grid is responding to a LIPA Request for Proposal to award contracts for battery storage at the Port Jefferson plant site. The batteries will be utilized to harden the grid in case of storms and will be particularly useful when wind power from the Atlantic comes online. This should help with tax revenue if it comes to fruition.
Best to all,
Bruce Miller
Trustee
Port Jefferson
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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! |
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MEET RITA DIOGUARDI
Imagine that you have the opportunity to create a checklist of the perfect employee/coworker/peer/friend. The list would undoubtedly include...
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These are all qualities identified when describing Rita Dioguardi by those who have the pleasure of working with her. Rita is an Office Assistant with Code Enforcement. She is a liaison between the residents and code enforcement. Rita is also highly proficient at the varied clerical work that her position requires. She efficiently oversees the equipment that personnel needs and effectively communicates with our court clerks.
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When Rita describes her position, she focuses on the strength of the team. "I work with 40 officers and enjoy working with every one of them. I see each officer has something positive to bring to our department, and each comes with their own skill set. I learn a lot from all of them. I always try to lead with a smile, and I strive to keep a positive attitude. I feel fortunate to work with such nice people and can say I enjoy coming to work and being part of a team." Says Ms. Dioguardi. (Characteristics are getting checked off √ )
In two and a half years with the department, Rita has had a lasting impact. "Rita is one of the most hardworking, kind, and sincere people I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Whether you are a coworker or a resident, she will go above and beyond to find the answer to your question or connect you with the right person." Explains Court Clerk Elizabeth Kidney. "She frequently deals with people who are in stressful situations, but she never ends a conversation without having made their day a little bit brighter." She continues. (Check √)
Chief Leute trusts Rita completely. "Rita is an amazing part of our team. She is tough when she needs to be, has a great sense of humor, and is a tenacious worker with an excellent skill set. I find that she goes above and beyond in almost everything she does. She is in my confidence, and I trust her with all matters at all times." (More of those characteristics getting checked off √ )
Rita is the person that residents call regarding safety concerns. This could include weather, vehicles, animals, suspicious people, downed signs, and road hazards. Ms. Dioguardi is solution-oriented. Her philosophy is -"There is no better feeling than seeing a problem through and putting someone's mind at ease when they feel no one is listening or if they don't know where to go to get the help they need. If I can't help them, I always try to put them in touch with someone who can." Rita's tip for our residents is to call the supervisor's phone (631) 774-0066 between 10:00 am and midnight if you have any safety concerns. It is a great resource that is available to us. (Check √, Check √, Check √)
"I find everyone wants to feel validated in their feelings, and everyone wants to be heard. Listening to someone's problem can sometimes be all that they need." Rita is patient and empathetic, and if she can't find an answer to the problem or concern, she will always put them in touch with someone who can. We are grateful that we have such a hardworking, sincere, detail-oriented, kind, energetic, trustworthy team player with outstanding skill sets to represent our Village and our Code Department.
Thank you, Rita! You are an asset to our Village and to everyone you meet!
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SAY HI TO BRIAN HOERGER
Brian Hoerger is one of those guys that all positive quotes apply to -'A friend to everyone.' ‘Will give you the shirt off of his back.’ ‘Goes above and beyond.’ and ‘He has never met a stranger’ So to sum it up - ‘He is one of the good ones!’
He grew up in Port Jefferson and credits his parents for his desire to volunteer. “My dad was a Scoutmaster with Troop 45, and my mom was involved with the Suwassett Garden Club and volunteered at St. Charles Hospital,” Brian explains. Their altruistic pursuits chartered the path, and Brian took the ‘bull by the horns’ to create an impressive resume of helping others. Brian is involved with many local organizations serving on the Board of Directors at Theatre Three, member of the Port Jefferson Historical Society, volunteers for PJHS Senior Proms yearly, worked with St Charles and Mather hospital gathering iPads so sick patients would be able to see and talk to their loved ones, serves on the board of “Julia and Jack’s Photo Shack'', a nonprofit in North Carolina that runs photography programs at summer camps serving Pediatric Cancer patients and their siblings (A fellow ELVHS alumni started it in memory of her daughter and father), and his primary focus for the last few years has been working with the food pantry at Infant Jesus Church which saw a considerable uptick in client needs during the pandemic.
Let’s dive deeper into Brian's work since the pandemic started. “ I was home, feeling helpless, and started seeing stories about more and more people in need. The spark that got me started was a post about how local hospitals were looking for used iPads so patients could interact with their loved ones as no visitors were allowed. Having just lost my dad, I knew the joy that my iPad brought him, giving him the ability to communicate with his cousin in Florida. I arranged to drop mine off at St. Charles, and they were so grateful. I decided to do more but had to watch my spending since I was recently out of work because of Covid. I posted about it on Facebook, and in just a few hours, I raised over $2000 because of the generosity of my friends. The outpouring of support continued, and by the time it was over, I was able to purchase 15 refurbished iPads for St. Charles and Mather Hospitals.” Brian shares. After being in lockdown, his first food drive was born out of a desire to see his friends. He hosted a Food drive / Socially distant happy hour / Birthday celebration in his driveway. It was so successful that he organized more food drives that got bigger and bigger until he teamed up with Jeffery Sanzel and Vivian Koutrakos moving them to Theatre Three. He now hosts the food drives right at the pantry for logistical reasons, and they continue to thrive. Join him on April 3rd from 9 am-12 pm at 110 Hawkins St for his next food drive.
His career is another fulfilling part of his life. “I’ve had a fun and interesting career working in television and directing corporate events for Fortune 500 companies. I started with MTV networks in 1986, working on “Double Dare” for Nickelodeon as a Production Coordinator, but I always enjoyed doing lighting work. I worked on “Iron Chef” for ten seasons and recently installed lighting for a new studio at the MLB Network. Other recent projects have been with the NY Jets, the NBA, News 12, ESPN, and CBS Sports.” Brian works as hard on his career as he does serving others.
“Brian is a loyal, caring, selfless friend that is always the first one to say - How can I help?” expresses Margot Garant. “His work to help the underserved populations goes above and beyond.”
Brian started a business called Call Brian. He provides handyman services for seniors, although he also finds himself working for lots of non-seniors. Making people happy has carried over from a lifetime of service. He enjoys the satisfaction you get from working with others and donating your time to something you care about. “There is no greater feeling, especially when someone takes a moment to thank you for your efforts.” shares Brian.
Brian is a pillar of our Village and as humble as they come. But mostly, Brian makes a difference!
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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. |
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Village Officials
Port eReport
Editor-in-chief - Kathianne Snaden
Editor - Charmaine Famularo
Graphic Artist - Sue Orifici
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Submit your photo for the newsletter
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