INCORPORATED VILLAGE

OF

UPPER BROOKVILLE

P.O. Box 548

Oyster Bay, NY 11771

Tel: 516-624-7715

Former Mayor Ed Fogarty

Upper Brookville has lost a good friend. Mayor Edward M. Fogarty passed away on August 1^st 2009. Ed’s service to the Village began in 1977 with his appointment to the Planning Board. He served in this capacity until 1979 at which time  he was elected Trustee where he held the position of Police Commissioner. In 1998 he successfully ran for Mayor and served as such until 2004. During his tenure in these capacities, there were many changes and pressures placed on the village. It bears repeating, as was noted in our Village records that “his wise council, leadership and tireless service as a Village official will always be appreciated and remembered by all the residents of the Village whom he served so unselfishly”.  When asked to recall memories of Ed, besides his love for his family and his many professional accomplishments, it is his quick sense of humor that those who knew him remember. A gentleman and good friend always.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Mayor, Board of Trustees and residents of the Village Upper Brookville

Results of the Village of Upper Brookville Elections

June 16, 2009

Mayor - Terry Thielen

Trustee - Carl Doerge

Trustee - Michael Schwerin

March 15, 2007

Lenice H. Hertweck, Mayor

Terry L. Thielen, Deputy Mayor

Antje Dolido, Trustee

Carl Doerge, Trustee

Francis Russo, Trustee

Dear Residents of Upper Brookville:

Nassau County has  reviewed residential property assessments again. Once more their formula has changed and the most recent assessment will be based on ¼% of the  value.  Last year it was based on ½% of the value.  For the Village, this means we must double the tax rate in order to generate the same revenue.   The County has also increased most property assessments in the Village. Most  of the real estate taxes paid by Village residents go to the school district.  The next highest amount goes to the county and the smallest amount goes to the Village.  Yet the Village provides more services to its residents than the County does. Any Village tax  increases will be kept to a minimum.

The Village will  provide the services it has always provided. However, the cost of these services has increased substantially.  Fuel costs for our service vehicles have doubled.  The cost of asphalt to repair our roads has increased 75%.  The Police Department has negotiated a 6% salary increase, comparable to the Nassau County Police increases. Their health and pension benefits are increasing more than 10%..  Fire Companies no longer base theirs rates on the number of residences  served but on the assessed value of the area covered.   East Norwich Fire Company has more houses to protect in East Norwich but assessments  are higher in Upper Brookville  Now our Village bears a larger  portion of the costs for Fire Protection. This is still less  costly than if we had to staff and equip our own Department. 

In previous correspondence I advised our residents that Federal and State mandates require the Village to institute measures for managing storm water run off and erosion control. The mandates are not funded by either State or Federal money and the Village has only until 2008 to comply with them. If the recent rain and ice storms in the Village are an indication of the severity of flooding and storm water damage, correcting the situation will put additional tax burdens on our residents, but we have no other options.

 The Road Commissioner and I have been working with the County Department of Public Works to get financial support from them on the County roads which run through the Village. Wolver Hollow Road, Wheatley Road, Chicken Valley Road, Piping Rock Road are among them.  Other major flood areas  include Mill River Road, Ripley Lane, and Planting Fields Road. Senator Marcellino  sponsored legislation so that the Village has access to $150,000 for work on Planting Fields Road.  Senator Marcellino was also able to get the Village multi-modal funds in the amount of $50,000 for work on Mill River Road.  This helps but our taxes will have to cover whatever  the balance of costs may be.

Much of our current flooding problems are man made.  The disturbance of slopes for building sites; raising the ground level to create artificial height for a residence; creating berms around properties; filling in land depressions; removing trees and brush; building circular driveways, tennis courts,  courtyards and other impervious surfaces, all contribute to drainage problems.  It has been necessary for the Village to amend the building and zoning codes to comply with the new mandates and protect the environment. If you  plan work which requires earth moving, please check the code.

We are also addressing the issue of  EXTERIOR LIGHT POLLUTION.  Most outdoor lighting is decorative and unnecessary.  Light pollution is lighting that is on when it needn’t be; lighting that’s excessively bright and unshielded; and lighting that spills over onto neighboring properties.. We need to reduce our wasteful use of electricity.

In our area, electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. The Sierra Club and other environmental organizations have done extensive studies on the environmental impact of  unnecessary lighting.  An individual home owner using as few as six 100 watt exterior lights, which remain on overnight, will generate the following emissions per year based on the kilo-watt hour of energy required:  3.33 tons of Carbon Dioxide;  43.54 lbs. of Sulfur Dioxide; and 26.56 lbs. of Nitrogen Oxide.  This is detrimental to the environment and adds to global warming.  The loss of true nighttime darkness also alters the growth cycle of trees and affects the behavior of nocturnal creatures.

What can all of us do to help?

1.  Eliminate light pollution on our own property.

2.  Reduce the watts in each outdoor light fixture and reduce the number of fixtures.

3.  Use light fixtures which have a cap or shield so stray rays will not be misdirected.

4.  Install motion-sensors which turn on only when activated and which save energy.

Many individuals feel that exterior lighting discourages trespassing. The U. S. Justice Department’s studies over a period of 30 years concluded that there is no meaningful evidence that exterior lighting affects the level of crime. The impact of motion sensors, which suddenly activate well- placed fixtures, can be more effective

Your trustees and I are trying to maintain the country-like ambience of  the Village of Upper Brookville and protect the environment.  To do this, we need the cooperation and dedication of all our residents.

 Sincerely,

Lenice H. Hertweck,  Mayor

August 15, 2006

Lenice H. Hertweck, Mayor

Terry Thielen, Deputy Mayor

Antje Dolido, Trustee

Carl Doerge, Trustee

Francis Russo, Trustee

Dear Residents of Upper Brookville:

Anyone who follows the news is aware of the global dimensions of terrorist and pandemic health risks.  Upper Brookville has proactively engaged in preparing for such emergencies.  The first response to any disaster is local so we need widespread community involvement. As part of this planning we are collaborating with other North Shore Villages and are looking for medically qualified individuals and others to serve as volunteers.  Ann Durban of Center Island, who has a comprehensive nursing background, has volunteered to coordinate this effort.  For more information, you can contact her directly by e-mail at ABDurban@aol.com or at (516)624-2106.

In the event of any disease outbreaks that result in the exposure of a significant number of people, large-scale distribution of preventive medication may be necessary.  The Nassau County Department of Health will train and support anyone in staffing vaccination clinics known as Points of Dispensing (POD).  At the POD site (yet to be determined), medications and/or vaccines will be provided to our residents.  In addition, these POD‘s will act as Points of Distribution in the event of a natural or man made disaster.  (See POD fact sheet on reverse.)

Emergency  Management Planning can be efficient and effective.  Together we can work to prepare ourselves in the best way possible.  If you can devote some time for a small number of planning and training meetings, and can participate in a mock exercise, we can use your help. In case of an actual emergency, Nassau County Department of Health will vaccinate you and your family first, will review your training and knowledge, and will assign jobs to you.  Volunteering to be part of this important initiative, whether or not you have medical training, is critical for the effective implementation of an emergency management plan.

If you are interested in volunteering, please send a written response, indicating your area of expertise or interest, to:  Emergency Management Planning, c/o Village of Upper Brookville, P.O. Box 548, Oyster Bay, New York 11771.

                                                                                               Sincerely,

POINTS OF DISPENSING (POD) FACT SHEET

Objective:          To provide medication/vaccination to residents at sites which are

                           Convenient, safe and comfortable.

Site:                   *  Easily accessible by more than one major road

                          *  adequate parking

                          *  Available within 8-12 hours notice

                          *  Adequate operation area for tables and chairs

                          * Additional room for storage

                         *  Air conditioned/heated space

                         *  Water and toilet facilities

                         *  Accessible to people with disabilities

                         *  Telephone availability

Staffing:          *  Provided by Villages

                        *   Approximately 50 staff / per 1000 people/ per hour

                        *  Nassau County Dept. of Health will train and support village employees

Volunteer

Source.           *  Village residents and village employees

                       *  Local colleges, high schools, religious institutions, civic associations, etc.

                       *  Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) #for positions requiring licensed health

                           Care professionals (LHCPs).

#  The Nassau County Dept. of Health encourages LHCP’s to become members of the MRC. The MRC provides health care professionals and others an organized mechanism through which they can volunteer their expertise and time strengthening communities’ emergency preparedness response capacity.  In addition,  according to the Nassau County Administrative Code, section 22-2.8, MRC volunteers are indemnified when activated by the  Nassau County Department of Health

POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION

Same as above for site, staffing and volunteers.  The Objective of the Distribution center is to provide emergency supplies of water, food, tarps, and temporary shelter, in addition to dispensing   medications.