ALWAYS CHECK THE BULLETIN BOARD FOR NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sterling Woods Newsletter Volume 12 #2 March 2014
The 12th
Annual Meeting Forty-two people attended the Annual Meeting on Monday, February 24, 2014 at the Comsewogue Public
Library. Our quorum, which requires that thirty-one homes be represented, was satisfied with the representation of
thirty-nine units either by the presence of the owner or by proxy.
Diane Venturini baked her extra special crumb cake for the coffee social that preceded the meeting. The recipe is
on the last page. After enjoying the coffee and cake, the meeting began with the reelection of Jeff Napoleon (pictured
on the left below with Charlie Haggist) to the board of managers. Immediately following the election, the Board
announced that they decided to continue the following positions: Rich Ciotta – President, Jeff Napoleon – Vice
President/Treasurer, and Pat Hanham – Secretary.
Diane’s cake is almost gone by 7:10 PM.
Sterling Woods Newsletter page 2
Call Camco The best way to insure a proper response to a question or problem Call Camco
After the election, Rich introduced the topics for
discussion.
Tax Grievance Update
We are currently grieving tax years 2008/2009 and
2009/2010. During 2013 the tax assessor planned to retire
and work slowed to a crawl. He changed his mind and the
department’s routine is getting back to normal (a faster
crawl). We expect that our case will be in conference
around midyear.
Most of you may recall that previously we
successfully settled on years 2005/2006 and 2006/2007.
Our attorneys expect a settlement on our current case,
however not as successful as previous.
As always, we will keep you updated.
Snow Removal Budget
A number of residents praised Mike of Discover
Landscaping for doing a good job with the snow removal.
We have an excellent contract, which, unlike other
communities, calls for the removal of snow on the
walkways, stoops, driveways, empty parking areas, and,
where possible, between cars in the parking areas.
Rich then explained that the snow removal budget was
already $3,500 over budget and that, if we have more
snow, we will be at least $5,000 over budget. Our contract
covers up to 15 storms and we already had 14 storms. A
storm is defined as any snowfall up to 9 inches. If the
snowfall is greater than 9 inches and less than 18 inches,
then it counts as two storms. If it is greater than 18 inches
but less than 27 inches than it counts as three storms. We
also have additional charges for the bobcat on a per hour
basis. Let’s hope that there is no more snow for the rest of
the season.
The Commons
Jeff explained that we now refer to the recreational
area that contains the pavilion and gazebo as Sterling
Woods Commons. He also stated that the Board plans to
purchase some tables and chairs and/or benches for the
pavilion. In addition to the aesthetic value that they will
add, they will have to be very heavy and bolted down to
help prevent theft.
Gutter Guards and the Committee
At the Budget Meeting last November, the topic of
gutter guards was discussed. Based on this, the Board
decided to form a Gutter Guard Committee to research the
feasibility of installing gutter guards. Because of his
interest and expertise in this area, the Board selected Bob
Sabatino as the chair. To fill out the committee of three,
the Board is asking for anyone who is interested to submit
their name to the Board. From this list, the Board will
select the two additional members of the committee. The
committee will do research to find out the pros and cons of
using gutter guards, what type of gutter guards are most
effective and on which buildings the gutter guards should
be installed if it is found to be appropriate.
One homeowner asked if the gutter guards would help
in her situation where pine needles are filling up the
gutters on her building. Another homeowner mentioned
that clogged gutters had caused water to gush down the
drain. The Board’s response is that it we want to eliminate
problems that occur under normal circumstances. The
Board also mentioned that if this gushing water was
causing a problem, the homeowner should notify Camco.
The Returning Geese
Jeff explained that a gaggle of at least six geese have
been sighted in Sterling Woods already this year and we
need to be extra vigilant in discouraging them from nesting
in Sterling Woods.
Volunteers are needed to join the Geese Patrol. This is
not a formal group, but just some residents who are willing
to use a long pole such as the yellow extension poles for
replacing light bulbs, and who simply walk toward them
while slowly swinging the pole back and forth until they
take off. This is more effective if at least two people work
on opposite sides of the gaggle and get between them and
the pond. Diane Venturini volunteered. More people are
needed.
Additional Meeting
The Board agreed to have an additional meeting
with the community at the pavilion during late spring or
the summer.
Garage Sale
Susan Muller will chair Sterling Woods’ third garage
sale, which is planned for late May or early June.
Volunteers will be needed to help post signs a few days
before the sale and to remove them at the conclusion. If
you are willing to volunteer you should e-mail Susan at
[email protected] or call her at 631-476-3637.
Surrounding Community Projects
The following is additional information obtained since
the Annual Meeting.
Pt Jeff Station Commercial Hub Study
The one year process, started in March 2013, is
coming to its conclusion with the presentation of the 138
page report to the Brookhaven Town Board at its next
meeting at the Town Hall on March 4th beginning at 5 PM.
After the presentation, the Civic Association will request
the Town Board to accept it so it can go to the Planning
Department for implementation.
Charles F. McAteer, Chair of PJS Community Hub
Study, hopes to see community members at future
presentations planned by the Civic Association to see what
has been proposed.
Sterling Woods Newsletter page 3
Call Camco The best way to insure a proper response to a question or problem Call Camco
New U-Haul Facility
The new U-Haul facility that is proposed for the old 84
Lumber site will consist of renovations of the two existing
structures. Both structures are set back from the street, one
of them by approximately 150 feet. The designs are being
worked on with input from the Port Jefferson
Station/Terryville Civic Association.
U-Haul has 17,000 independent dealers nationally.
The proposed facility would be open 364 days a year and
would employ between ten and fifteen full and part-time
employees with benefits.
Enterprise Car Rental
Currently situated at the rear of the old King-
O’Rourke site on Rte 347, Enterprise is proposing to move
to the former GMA building on the west side of Route 112
at the corner of Rte 112 & Hallock Avenue.
The design for the renovation of the existing building
is currently being worked on with the civic association
including discussions of materials, signage, etc., similar to
the facility shown below.
Jefferson Meadows
This controversial project, on the site of the old
Corvette dealership on Route 112, is being re-proposed as
a “55 and over” rental community. It is no longer being
proposed as “work force housing”.
As we understand the proposal, it would consist of six
buildings containing 73 two-bedroom and 12 one-bedroom
apartments. The buildings would reach a height of 35 feet
with pitched roofs and there would 128 parking spots
provided. The proposal includes a pond and 20 foot high
berms around the property.
Developer Jim Tsunis, who made a presentation to the
Town Board on March 4, is scheduled to make a
presentation and answer questions at the next meeting of
the Civic Association at the library. We will keep you
posted as to date and time and encourage everyone to
attend this civic association meeting.
Walgreens
There is discussion of building a Walgreens behind the
new TD Bank at the corner of Route 347 and Old Town
Road. This is also a Jim Tsunis project. The discussion
revolves around whether there is enough room, possible
elimination of a tiny road off Broadway and closing off
part of Broadway.
Join the Port Jeff Station/Terryville Civic Association
As we have in the past, the board encourages all
homeowners to join the civic association and attend as
many of its ten meetings a year as you can. The dues are
ten dollars a year per family.
Learn what is going on in Port Jeff Station/Terryville
and surrounding areas, what is being planned or proposed,
get your questions answered and let you opinion be heard.
This is the best way to be an informed member of our
community and to have some influence over things that
affect us all.
Your Mother Doesn’t Live Here And as a result she cannot pick up after you. This is a
gentle notice for those of you who clean your car out in the
roadway or the parking areas and dump the garbage on
ground and do not pick it up. There is a word for these
type of people – slobs.
The photo above shows the contents of an ashtray that
someone cleaned out and left on the ground. The photo
below (taken last September) shows the results of tossing
out the debris left over from a McDonald’s meal.
Sterling Woods Newsletter page 4
Call Camco The best way to insure a proper response to a question or problem Call Camco
Diane’s Crumb Cake Recipe Duncan Hines Yellow (or Butter) Cake mix (needs ⅓ cup oil, 3 eggs, 1¼ cups water) Crumb ingredients: 3 sticks of butter (margarine) * 3 cups flour 1 cup sugar 3 teaspoons vanilla 3 tablespoons cinnamon Finishing: Confectionary sugar A few hours before making the cake, put the butter on the counter so that it will be room temperature when making the crumbs. Set oven to 350
0. Grease and flour 9” x13” cake pan.
Make the Duncan Hines cake and bake for about 20 minutes or until top is 95% done and brown. While the cake is baking, make the crumbs. In a large bowl mix the flour, butter, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Work crumbs together with fingers. You can make the crumbs as big or small as you like. When the cake is almost done, take it out and spread crumbs on top and return to the oven for 10 minutes for the butter in crumbs to melt. Let cake cool in pan. When the cake is totally cool, sprinkle confectionary sugar on top. * At room temperature, softened, not hard but not too soft – do not put in microwave.
Everyone receives unsolicited newspapers, but not
everyone bothers to pick them up. It would behoove you to
pick them up and recycle them. Recently many people did
not bother to pick them up and the snow storms covered
the newspapers with snow. Then the newspapers in their
plastic bags were chewed up by the snow plow and the
snow blowers and thrown to the side. It doesn’t take much
effort to bend over and pick this stuff up. It will be more
difficult to pick up the chewed up mess when the snow is
all gone. Pride in our community is important.
Spring is coming – really! Missing the sight of a growing and flowering plant
outside? Just think of all of the benefits of this winter’s
snow cover. The blanket of snow has protected the roots of
our plants, prevented the heaving of bulbs, and killed
many garden pests. As the snow melts, the shrubs will be
well watered before the sprinklers are turned on.
St. Patrick’s Day marks the beginning of spring for
many of us. There are many ways of celebrating the day
including watching one of several parades that are being
held in nearby towns:
March 15: St James at 1 PM. The parade steps off along
Lake Avenue from Woodlawn Avenue to the viewing
stand in front of the gazebo ending just before St James
Elementary School, rain or shine. Scouts, dance troupes,
pipe bands, school bands, floats, fire trucks and antique
cars will be in the parade. Grand marshal is George
Powers, owner of Hitherbrooks Nursey.
March 16: Rocky Point at 1 PM. This is the 64th annual
St. Patrick’s Day parade. There will be floats, bands, Irish
dancers, fire trucks and more. The Quantico Marine Corps
Band, based in Quantico Virginia, will lead the parade.
Route runs east on 25A, starting at Harrison Ave. in Miller
Place and ending at the corner of Broadway in Rocky
Point. Grand Marshal will be Fr. Richard Hoerning of St.
Anthony of Padua, roads close at noon.
March 30: Patchogue at 12:30 PM. Begins with a 5k run.
Parade starts on Route 112 and East Main Street and runs
west to the corner of West Avenue and West Main,
featuring pipe bands, floats, baton twirlers, fire
departments, pipe bands and local officials, grand marshal
Patrick Moore.
Perhaps you might want start St.
Pat’s weekend by watching Joe
Cumia (#55) perform with his band,
2U, at The Emporium, 9 Railroad
Avenue in Patchogue. The
restaurant opens at 6 PM and the show starts at 8 PM. (21 & over
only) with drink specials from 6 PM
to 8 PM. (Reservations call:
631.627.8787) $10 admission with
free admission from 6 PM – 8 PM.
Need a flower fix? Head over
to the largest and most popular
flower show on Long Island at
Hick Nurseries, 100 Jericho Tpke,
Westbury. The Spring Flower &
Garden Show runs from 8 AM to 6
PM daily until March 23. Discover
the season’s most popular new
plants, while also rediscovering
past favorites among the creative
and beautiful flower and garden
displays. There is plenty of parking available and it is free.
The best way to insure a proper response to a question
or problem is to call Camco, 476-2100 ext 205.
Important Contact Information
Sterling Woods Condominium,
62 Gettysburg Drive
Rich Ciotta, President, 331-2197
45 Gettysburg Drive
Jeff Napoleon, Vice
President/Treasurer 473-5617
2 Gettysburg Drive
Patricia Hanham, Sec. 476-5979
33 Gettysburg Drive
Long Island Coverage 435-3200
(Condominium Insurance –
call for the insurance
certificate if your mortgage
company needs it.)
Maggio’s M & P Carting Service
696-6300
Camco Management
Carol Fishberg, Prop. Mngr
476-2100 ext. 206
For correspondence or
payments without coupon:
Sterling Woods Condo.
c/o Camco Services, Inc.
PO Box 990,
Port Jeff Station, NY 11776 For payments with coupon:
Sterling Woods Condo.
PO Box 5802
Hicksville, NY 11802
After Hours Emergency
Number: 476-2100, press1 and
then1 again (weeknights 5 pm
to 8 am and 24 hours Saturday,
Sunday and holidays)