ENCA Plans 50th Anniversary Family Event

Written by Dagmar Fors Karppi Friday, 31 August 2012 00:00

The East Norwich Civic Association (ENCA) is planning to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organization. At their Aug. 23 meeting, Pat Cohen volunteered to work on the anniversary committee. Marie Colvin and President Matthew Meng said they, too, would serve to help work on the event. Sean Rainey and Rob Brusca were appointed in absentia, to join the committee. Ms. Colvin said they were considering an event for families at Chelsea. It was where the community celebrated its 300th anniversary several years ago.

President Matthew Meng told the group that he talked to Dave Ross, the owner of the Patio.com corner and was told that TD Bank will be there by December. Last month the Patio.com building had been taken down and a dumpster and a piece of construction equipment were on the site. By Aug. 23, a construction fence had gone up but nothing else happened. In the meantime, TD Bank celebrated the opening of their new location in Syosset. The ENCA has spoken to TD Bank representatives on the design of the building which they were told would be in keeping with this 300 year-old hamlet. The civic association feels that the bank is the best use of that parcel of land and is looking forward to seeing it completed.

Caroline DuBois announced that a new parking place has been created on Yellow Cote Road for the Pulling Land Trust, between East Woods School and 25A. It allows access to the preserve’s fields. It is big enough for 10 cars and has handicap parking, and has a split rail fence. “It took the county two weeks to build it from scooping out the dirt, putting in new dirt, steam rollering the land, adding gravel and the fence.” Some local residents were surprised by seeing the parking lot go up and felt it was a bit large, at first sight.

Recalling the actions of the last board meeting, Mr. Meng said they elected the new board, as nominated. There were no contested positions and Mel Warren, as corresponding secretary, cast one vote for the slate. “We are still two directors short, according to the by-laws; is anyone interested in serving?” Mr. Meng asked. “Just give us your name,” said Mr. Warren. The 2012-13 board members are: Matthew Meng, president; Sean Rainey, 1st vice president; Joe Boorstein, 2nd vice president; Liane Guenther, treasurer; Rosemarie Colvin, recording secretary; Mel Warren, corresponding secretaty; and directors Craig Kamback, Gil Columbo, Laura McCue-Haigh, Bob King, Rob Brusca and Eileen Aliani. Mr. Warren said he will tweak their website and add the new names to it.

They reported on the group’s finances which included funds given to make the medians beautiful.

Code Complaince

The ENCA is still working on two zoning issues: the Chabad of Oyster Bay is again using the Johnson Court house for events, which is against town zoning laws. Houses of worship can be in a residential area, but must be on one acre of land. They had settled their zoning issues some time ago and moved to the former Downing property on 25A, but found out they couldn’t maintain the site.

The second case is the Woodstock Landscape company which rents land from Terrance Force, owner of the East Norwich Inn, now retired to Florida. The Woodstock property is zoned Neighborhood Business, but it was used to build docks for the Town of Oyster Bay, which is not considered a neighborhood business. Both cases have been reported to TOB Code Compliance.

Traffic Sign

Mr. Meng said he had received information from Ray Mataraddo saying that Senator Carl Marcellino is helping Syosset residents obtain a triangular sign on Split Rock Road as it enters 25A saying they are approaching a traffic light. The DOT is looking into it and the senator’s office said they will follow up on it.

A member said they have seen cars drive through the red light on 25A at night and is always cautious entering that crossroads.

The ENCA sent out 1,350 mailing pieces for its annual fund request to members. The brochure was revised for the occasion, and 1,500 were printed. Mr. Meng has already received more than $1,000 in dues and donations.

Ms. Colvin said she will contact Saratoga Associates for a copy of the final plan for the Muttontown Preserve.

Caroline DuBois brought up the need for traffic calming on West Shore Road. She noted that traffic in Bayille and Oyster Bay is 30 mph but West Shore Road’s traffic is allowed to go 35 mph since it is a county road. Correcting that might result in a slower, safer West Shore Road, she said in a telephone interview. [Other comments Ms. DuBois and others made at the meeting about West Shore Road are reported in the article about the road’s future on page one of this issue.]