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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

skisusan@optonline.net 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

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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

RCIOTTA02@aol.com

45 Gettysburg Drive

Jeff Napoleon, Vice

President/Treasurer 473-5617

Jeffnap@aol.com

2 Gettysburg Drive

Patricia Hanham, Sec. 476-5979

sterlingwoods2003@yahoo.com

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

carolf@camcoservicesny.com

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)