September Message
from MAYOR MARGOT GARANT
As our summer wanes down and our children return to school, you will soon see the Village bustling with an array of Fall events which you can find on our Website www.portjeff.com. This is my favorite time of year as we “the residents” “take back our Village” and enjoy the cool evening strolls and sunsets at Harborfront Park together.
Currently, there are many large infrastructure projects underway in the Village, including the complete restoration of state road 25a, or west broadway by NY State, which includes new national grid gas lines and sidewalks. Although the project has been long and disturbing, the end result of a newly paved roadway will be here by the end of the month. We continue to work with the necessary agencies, including NYS DEC and the Federal Army Corps of Engineers, for final approval on the long-awaited and desperately needed East Beach bluff restoration project.
We continue to honor our servicemen and women and thank them for their heroism during the deluge of rain from Ida. I remain committed to acquiring any and all assistance from FEMA and SEMO to help remediate our stormwater run-off systems and soften our hardscape to help offset the rapid accumulation of surface water.
In closing, it is critical that we all keep in mind how very fortunate we are - to have family and friends - living in this beautiful Village as we recognize and honor the victims of 9/11 on this 20th anniversary of the event that would change the world forever. Please keep all those who serve our country and our Village in your prayers, and next time you see a firefighter, a code officer, or police officer - thank them for their tireless and selfless service to our country and community.
Be Well, and God Bless!
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ROAD CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
YES! Improvements are Happening!
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NYS Road 25A Project Update
The New York State Department of Transportation has advised the Village that road milling is expected to start the week of September 13th from 10 PM to 6 AM. The milling is expected to last six to seven nights and will start at CR97 and work towards the Village and end at Main St. Paving will immediately follow the milling and is expected to take five to seven days to complete. The paving will begin at Main St and work towards CR97. The paving will also be done at night from 10 PM to 6 AM.
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Verizon Construction Update
Verizon will also be installing conduits the week of September 13th on Main Street from Ralph’s Italian Ice Shop north to the intersection at East/West Broadway. Verizon’s work will be performed during the day from 8 AM to 3 PM. Their work is expected to take up to two weeks to complete. There will likely be traffic disruptions during the Verizon work, but flaggers will be onsite to direct traffic.
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We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during these large and needed undertakings by the DOT and Verizon, especially those who live close to these work areas. It is our expectation that all of this road work will be completed before the end
of the month.
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PORT JEFFERSON FIRE DEPARTMENT TO THE RESCUE
Well-trained professionals keeping us safe!
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The Port Jefferson Fire Department responded to multiple water rescue emergencies during tropical storm Ida’s flooding. In some cases, civilians were found on their disabled vehicles' roofs or trapped within a floating vehicle on Main St, Broadway, and the south side of the parking lot near Rocketship Park. The department’s high water vehicle could access multiple locations to save civilians from being trapped during the flooding.
Additionally, PJFD executed an emergency evacuation for approximately 12 residents of one building at the Fairfield Apartments due to an unstable landslide on Dark Hollow Rd, which left the road impassable. The Fire Department and the Village Highway Department worked together to clear the debris so that families could evacuate safely. Two residents of the apartments did not have a safe place to relocate. PJFD Chief Todd Stumpf reached out to Port Jefferson School District, who offered shelter for the night. Because the Fire Department building suffered extensive flood damage, they were not able to offer shelter.
"That's the one thing that's great about this Village. The Highway and Parks Departments always go above and beyond to help us to take care of the needs of the residents." Says Chief Stumpf. He also wants to thank the Terryville and Mt. Sinai Fire Departments for having their high water vehicles on standby for them and Port Jefferson EMS for being ready for anything. Fortunately, no injuries were reported through this flooding event.
Despite the extensive flooding that the fire department building received, our department remains in service, ready to respond to all emergencies.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, of the Fire Department.
Your heroic efforts do not go unnoticed!
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PORT JEFFERSON EARTHCAM
Live, right now!
Do your friends and family want to see what is happening in Port Jefferson? Give them the link to our EarthCam. Anyone can watch the harbor from your computer or mobile device from anywhere around the world. The Port Jefferson Village camera looks out over the harbor of Long Island Sound from the Village Center on Port Jefferson Harbor. You can also watch a live feed of many of the best Earthcams from all over the globe. See what is happening at Flying Skunk Chicken Farm in Tilsbury, MA, to the Canary Islands in Spain to a Safari in South Africa.
Watch our EarthCam Live link now!
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STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY SHUTTLE IS BACK
Creating less automobile traffic for the Village!
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Stony Brook University is back in session, and the FREE shuttle is operating Thursday through Sunday, thanks to the Village of Port Jefferson, Stony Brook University, and the Business Improvement District of PJ. This benefits all of us in many ways. It is an eco-friendly way to bring shoppers and restaurant-goers to our Village. We have more people enjoying our Village without the automobile traffic that causes congestion and pollution.
To find out more information about this proactive program, check out www.pjshuttle.com.
SHUTTLE RUN TIMES
Thursday: 3pm - 10pm
Friday: 3pm - Midnight
Saturday: 3pm - Midnight
Sunday: 11am - 6 pm
SHUTTLE STOPS
• Stony Brook University - SAC Circle
• Stony Brook University - The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel
• Stony Brook University - Chapin Community Apartments Bus Stop
• Setauket - Stop and Shop
• Port Jefferson Village - Arden Place
• Port Jefferson (Uptown) LIRR station
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EDUCATION IS POWER
We are fortunate to have these educational opportunities
Volunteer + Learning Opportunities:
Get Hands-On Experience with Pollinator Gardens
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We know that nothing can thrive without our precious pollinators: bees, butterflies, other insects, and even some birds. Port Jefferson Village features a number of Pollinator Gardens- gardens full of plants that naturally attract, feed, and provide habitat for wonderful wildlife. Pollinator Garden experts will be working to improve PJV's Pollinator Gardens this autumn into next year, and YOU are welcome to join them.
Whether you're an avid gardener or this is your first time working with Pollinator Plants, we encourage you to join us for these hands-on working and learning sessions. This opportunity is open to volunteers 10 years of age +. Volunteers will learn about Pollinator / Native gardens and their ecological importance, as well as getting to know specific Pollinator Plants, how to care for them, where to source them, and more- all while pruning, weeding, digging, and making the Village's Pollinator Garden's look as attractive to humans as they look to wildlife.
The following opportunities are currently scheduled and will be held at the respective sites:
1) Friday, Sept. 10, 2:00 - 5:00pm - Harborfront Park Gardens with focus on Border.
Along Traffic Circle near Village Center.
2) Sunday, Sept. 26, 2:00 - 5:00pm- Harborfront Park Gardens, continued.
3) Sunday, Oct. 17, 2:00 - 5:00pm- Triangle Garden at High Street and Spring Street.
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PORT JEFFERSON HILL CLIMB 2021
A day of fun and celebration of our history…
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Behold the spirit of the past. There was an air of excitement as 60 cars and racers lined up at the bottom of the hill for the ceremonial re-enactment that celebrated the Automobile Hill Climb held in Port Jefferson from 1910 to 1925. The racers geared up for the challenge, and some donned clothes from the era of their automobile - from attire to gloves and goggles. There were cars from every decade from 1910 to 1970. These history and car enthusiasts retraced the original hill climb course while spectators enjoyed the vintage automobiles. |
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The event was sponsored by the Port Jefferson Harbor Education & Arts Conservancy, in partnership with the Village. In keeping with the history of Port Jefferson, it was a day of adventure and fun.
Watch the video of the hill climb
To complement the Hill Climb, there is a photo exhibit in the Village Center from September 8th to October 23rd titled "Gears, Goggles, and Grit" There are photos from the Port Jefferson, Bridgehampton, and Vanderbilt racetracks. Plus so much more! View these amazing photographs on the second floor of the Village Center.
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Congratulations to Team #2: Doug Santos and Chris Voorhis. Winners of the LISEC "Quick & Dirty" Boat Building Challenge. |
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PORT JEFFERSON COUNTRY CLUB EVENTS
• Monday, September 6th - Summer Lobster bake at The Waterview
• Saturday, October 9th - Goodbye Summer BBQ at The Turn
• Sunday, October 31st - Halloween Party at the Waterview
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Gardening
Bulb Season is Coming Soon!
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The easiest way to improve a landscape is by planting bulbs. Thanks to our Mayor, I have planted 11,500 bulbs in the last six years, and 7000 have been ordered for this fall! Bulbs bring much joy after a winter of limited color.
Bulbous plants consist of:
True bulbs- e.g., daffodils
Tubers- e.g., Peony
Corms- e.g., gladiolus
Rhizomes- e.g., Bearded Iris
Root tubers- e.g., Dahlia
Some bulbs are planted in the fall, others in the spring.
The quality of the bulb is important. If you want to shop locally, Kunz Greenhouse has great bulbs. If you would rather order by mail, Colorblends or White Flower Farm are two great sources.
I urge everyone to plant bulbs this fall. The cost is minimal, and the rewards are great. Full sun and well-drained soil are all you need. When first planting bulbs, add bonemeal or superphosphate to the hole and work it into the soil. Plant bulbs individually or in clusters. You can stagger bloom times for early, mid, or late spring to have continuous blooms. Then when the flower is past the beautiful stage, you can prune it just below the stem, but please leave the green leaves; the bulb needs that for food. Do not cut the leaves until seven or eight weeks after flowering has stopped.
Here are some great bulbs to plant this fall:
- Daffodil
- Tulip
- Allium
- Peony
- Crocus
- Iris
One important tip for our area is that the deer eat TULIPS!
Caran Markson
Your Village Master Gardener, Certification through Cornell Cooperative Extension
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Animal Rescue
Raccoons-Rabies and Distemper…
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Raccoons are not primarily out during the day. They are nocturnal animals that hunt and feed at night. If you see a raccoon out in broad daylight, there could be something seriously wrong. Although raccoons carry rabies, there has not been a case of rabies on Long Island in probably close to 15 years. Distemper, however, is very prevalent. This is a common viral disease among raccoons. Signs that a raccoon may have distemper are eye and nasal discharge, rough or missing hair, emaciated appearance, “drunk like” behavior, tremors, and seizures. They may also appear to have an injured limb. This virus is usually fatal and is easily passed on to other raccoons and dogs.
What you should do if you see a raccoon out during the daytime:
- Do not attempt to approach the animal. Raccoons tend to lose their fear of humans when they carry this disease.
- If you own a dog, please contact your Veterinarian and ensure that your dog has been properly vaccinated for distemper. This disease is a canine disease and can very easily be passed onto your dog by a simple drink out of the same water source.
- Call a wildlife rescue center. Once they have determined that the raccoon has distemper, they will contact the Department of Environmental Conservation. They are trained to handle this species.
Lisa Jaeger
Founder of Jaegers Run Animal Rescue, NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
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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 ALEX BRYANT - It is our pleasure and honor to introduce you to Port Jefferson Village Code Officer - Alex Bryant. Because he is a retired Suffolk County Sheriff’s Corrections Officer with 30 years of service, CO Bryant brings a plethora of knowledge and experience to our community. But, that is not the biggest advantage that our Village gets with officer Bryant. He brings a PASSION for working with youth! He is one of our youth liaisons in the downtown area and on Main Street. After only a short period of time, Alex and several other officers have worked with teens in our Village to help them understand the inherent dangers of certain activities. This initiative has curtailed the majority of these behaviors this season. We have seen a distinct drop-off (recording only 10% of the teen/youth-related calls this year) compared to the average of the last three years. The statistics show an immense drop in these types of incidents within the Village.
Alex Bryant has distinguished himself as an integral part of the PJV Code Officer team that is determined to make a difference in the lives of others. He has been proactive in his work with teens reaching them through his relatability. That is his priority! "I want the community to know that they can talk to me and have fun with me. I want the kids to know that if they need me, I will relate to them, talk with them, play basketball with them, and have fun with them. I'm assigned to the bike unit, so I will also ride my bike with them. That is what community policing is about!" says Officer Bryant. "This shows how working together can have a positive effect on our community. It’s about ensuring that the kids are safe." He added. This philosophy is working. Multiple emails have been received regarding officer Bryant’s exemplary work. If you have the opportunity to have a conversation with CO Alex, you should take it because he will inspire you to be better.
Officer Bryant is the first person to say that all that has been accomplished is a team effort. The support he receives from our Village government, Chief Leute, and his fellow code officers is what creates success!
We can’t thank Officer Bryant enough for his exemplary work and exemplary character. He is smart and effective at his job. He has a great passion for what he does. He is truly an inspiration to all of us.
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Port Jefferson Village is full of unsung heroes: these neighbors don't wear capes, but their volunteer efforts make this Village the place that we all love to call home. Every month, we'll sing some praises, highlighting a Village resident who has made the extraordinary choice to donate their time, talent, and passion to our community.
The Village of Port Jefferson is grateful for each and every one of our local volunteers, each and every day. Want to nominate someone? Email trustee-kassay@portjeff.com to tell us about your nominee.
Coming soon: a 'Get Involved' tab at portjeff.com where you can explore local volunteer opportunities to suit your passions, curiosities, schedule, and abilities.
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SAY "HI" TO NICK ACAMPORA
There are people you meet in our community that quietly make a difference. But just because it is done quietly doesn’t mean that it isn’t done with less passion. Nick Acampora is one of those guys. Nick is an example of someone who embodies characteristics that make living in our community special. He never hesitates to lend a helping hand and contribute to the betterment of our community. He and his family have contributed endless volunteer hours! "I believe, and my family believes, volunteering is such an important way to spend your time as it is not only rewarding for others but for yourself as well. I would encourage anyone to get involved as much as possible; if you do something that is passionate to you, it is truly amazing what you can accomplish," says Nick, or should I say…First Lieutenant Acampora. He is currently the First Lieutenant of Suwassett Engine Company 2 at the Port Jefferson Fire Department. He joined the Department in 2010 and served as captain from 2017-2019 and then became First Lieutenant in 2019. "Joining the FD I felt was the perfect opportunity for me to be able to give back to the community," explains Nick. As you can see, giving back is a priority for him.
Nick Acampora is a leader in the community and will always go above and beyond what is expected. He is currently the President of the Port Jefferson Historical Society. His goal is to keep our history alive. "Due to the rich and long history that Port Jefferson has - starting with serving as a community for settlers in the 1600s through the Revolutionary War when local residents were involved with the Culper Spy Ring to its establishment as a major shipbuilding port through World War I and ultimately to a tourist destination. I believe it is very important to ensure that history is shared with the community. It is important that visitors understand the diverse history of our amazing town." says Nick. He also shares with us the many opportunities to volunteer at the Historical Society. Throughout the year, they have various events, including the Antiques & Garden weekend, the annual Auction, and other fundraisers. They also depend on volunteers to serve as docents at the museum during the season, who are responsible for leading the tours for the museum’s visitors. At various points throughout the year, we have clean-up days where volunteers can help with maintaining the museum’s grounds and buildings. At the clock museum, we have educational opportunities for individuals to learn about the maintenance and restoration of clocks, including those on display at the clock museum.
His volunteerism doesn’t stop there. He is also a member of a working group consisting of town, local, county, and state government officials and staff from Preservation Long Island on preserving and restoring the Tooker House on Sheep Pasture Road.
Many of you may know Nick and his family from his time spent helping build the senior prom. " My family and I thoroughly enjoy volunteering every year with the Port Jefferson High School senior prom. I first became involved with it when my oldest daughter graduated in 2009; ever since then, I have returned every year as it is an event I greatly enjoy and believe is very unique to our Village." Nick shares.
"I find volunteering a rewarding and social activity. I have definitely developed positive relationships within all the organizations where I volunteer. As a result, I truly feel my family and I are part of this community." Although every week differs depending on when he has monthly meetings, drills and events are scheduled, Nick volunteers, on average, between 8 to 20 hours each week. So in the morning, he could rescue you from a flood, in the afternoon teach you about the Culper Spy Ring, and then that evening build you a prom!
Thank you, Nick and your beautiful family,
for your dedication to our Village and its residents!
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TECH TIP
It is that easy….
I know I have said a few choice words at my computer because I accidentally closed a tab that I didn’t intend to. I hope you haven’t experienced that, but just in case you have… here are some easy ways to get that tab opened right back up.
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To reopen the most recently closed tab in Internet Explorer, right-click on a tab and select “Reopen closed tab,” or press Ctrl+Shift+T on your keyboard. Repeatedly selecting Reopen closed tab or pressing Ctrl+Shift+T will open previously closed tabs in the order they were closed.
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You can reopen a recently closed webpage by choosing the Recently Closed item from Safari’s History menu, then choose the webpage from a sub-menu that you want to reopen. Or, select the Reopen Last Closed Window menu option to quickly bring back the most recently closed Safari window along with all of its tabs. The keyboard shortcut for opening a recently closed tab is Command+Shift+T.
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To reopen the most recently closed tab in Chrome, right-click on the tab bar and select “Reopen closed tab” from the popup menu. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+T (or Command+Shift+T on Mac) on your keyboard to reopen the last closed tab. Repeatedly selecting “Reopen closed tab” or pressing Ctrl+Shift+T (or Command+Shift+T on Mac) will open previously closed tabs in the order they were closed.
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NOW OPEN
Give Kids Hope Thrift & Donation Center
1506 Main Street
Port Jefferson
631538-5287
Give Kids Hope is a nonprofit that provides assistance to less fortunate children and families on LongIsland. Their Main Street location is a thrift store where all proceeds raised go directly to continuing their mission.
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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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FYI
Village Officials
Upcoming Village Meetings
September 20th @ 3:30 pm
October 4th @ 7:00 pm
October 18th @ 3:30 pm
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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