The East Norwich Civic Association will host a public forum on Nov. 18, to discuss the pros and cons of incorporation. Matthew Meng, ENCA president said he plans to invite experts to form a panel discussion. Members of the East Norwich Civic Association and Committee for the Beautification of East Norwich attended a meeting on Aug. 13, at the Lynbrook Village Hall held by the Nassau County Village Officials Association. VOA President Victoria Siegel, mayor of Bayville has as her agenda, helping villages become incorporated. The VOA invited unincorporated villages to attend a forum featuring Mayor Siegel, Warren Tackenberg, VOA executive director and Donna Gilberto, Esq., representing the New York Sate Conference of Mayors. Mr. Meng is inviting those same experts to speak at the Nov. 18 meeting, as well as Muttontown Mayor Richard Murcott and recently elected Oyster Bay Cove Mayor Ralph Potente.

"This is a hot issue with Bayville Mayor Vicki Siegel," said Mr. Meng, she has taken on the issue of incorporation as a priority. "We want to use her resources to the maximum. She thinks in East Norwich, we could save $1.5 million in taxes," he added. Bayville has a budget of about $3.2 million and East Norwich pays about $5.5 million in taxes, although it is only one mile square.

Mayor Siegel received information from Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes James Stefanich. In addition Mr. Meng called Oyster Bay Director of Finances Bob McEvoy to see what debt obligations East Norwich residents would have to take over in case they decide to incorporate. Mr. Meng said there are a great many questions residents will ask. "Everyone first wants to know if their taxes will go up. They need someone to give the answers." He hopes to have a list of questions to ask the panelists during the meeting which will run from 7:30 to 10 p.m. and will be held at the Community Methodist Church of East Norwich.

Mr. Meng said he would like to see what the community thinks. "If no one is interested we'll get it off our agenda."

Another question to discuss is whether the area should be annexed to an existing village, such as Muttontown or Oyster Bay Cove, with which they share borders. Another issue was brought up by Mel Warren, ENCA corresponding secretary who said, if the area becomes a village it loses the ability to take part in a Town of Oyster Bay program for financial assistance to fix a home to serve the needs of age or disability. The board also brought up some interesting facts: the village has no sewers, but has to pay a small sewer tax; Dependable Sanitation has no contract with the village or town hall, although they pick up the refuse in the village and bill residents directly. They are viewed by the ENCA and the Committee for the Beautification of East Norwich as being responsive to the community needs. They provide dumpsters without charge, when needed by the groups for cleanups and they supported the 300 Anniversary celebration of the hamlet.

If the area is incorporated it still will not be able to have zoning powers. They were taken over by Nassau County in 1938. "There is a possibility that the present Legislature might be willing to promote that change with the current leadership," said Mr. Meng.

There will be a meeting of a subcommittee (to plan the Nov. 18 event) held at IHOP on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. "Any resident is welcome to participate," said Mr. Meng. There are a lot of details to work out to prepare for the November meeting.

Mr. Meng said that Supervisor Venditto was quoted in The New York Times article as saying incorporation adds another layer of government, but Mr. Meng said no, that they are replacing a layer of government. He said Mr. Venditto has been very responsive to constituents but added, "there can be a supervisor who is not as sympathetic."