Monthly Archives: September 2013

More Spending – Another Bond For North Shore Schools ?

Posted on by
Reply

Posted on  September 24, 2013

The North Shore School District is seeking to issue new bonds to raise funds for the purpose of upgrades and improvements to the school facilities. The district wants to obtain $19.6 Million Dollars for this purpose.

DISTRICT CLAIMS EXTENSIVE REPAIRS AND UPGRADES ARE NEEDED.

The district has provided some information about their request. I have reviewed their 72 page engineers report (which is available on the NSSD website.) The scope of the proposed work includes:

Roofing replacement, HVAC (Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning,) flooring replacements, brick re-pointing, waterproofing, flooring replacement, electrical upgrades, auditorium upgrades, gym upgrades.

REVIEWING THE NECESSITY OF THIS WORK

I am reviewing these proposals to understand the need of the requested work. I have requested further information from the district, and have requested the sites be made available for visual inspection. Incidentally, I am a commercial property manager and hold professional licenses for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, so I have the ability to review these issues.

DISTRICT SPIN – SPEND NOW TO SAVE LATER

The district is already spinning this spending request by claiming that doing this work now will be cheaper than waiting. They base this concept based on two factors. 1- Interest rates are low now, hence the bond can be obtained at a low cost. 2- Contractors will theoretically charge more in the future.

I can already tell you this logic is faulty. While it may be true that interest rates may rise in the future, and inflation will cause costs to rise over time, that is not a compelling enough reason to replace infrastructure while it still has usable life. By the district’s own admission in its documents, the infrastructure cited still has 5 – 10 years of lifespan left. By starting replacement now, the district is throwing away building components with usable life. Interest rates may rise in the future, but large increases seem unlikely. Furthermore, the infrastructure can probably be replaced with small repairs and maintenance instead of replacement.

ANOTHER DISTRICT REQUEST FOR MONEY FROM TAXPAYERS

I was hoping we wouldn’t have to discuss money issues with the district until early 2014 for the 2014-2015 budget proposals. Unfortunately, we now have to deal with another significant NSSD spending issue under the backdrop of the pending 19% tax increase. I find it disconcerting that the district is seeking to embark on a large spending program in the midst of a fiscal crisis without first finding significant cost savings for taxpayers.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • Attend the meetings listed below and let your voice be heard by addressing the Board of Education.
  • Inform friends & family in the community about the issue.
  • If you are not getting our emails, get on our mail list to stay informed about this and other important issues affecting our community. Sign up at https://seacliffpoc.org/
  • Facebook users: Like our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/seacliffpoc

IMPORTANT DATES

Community Meetings on the Bond Proposal
October 1 : 7:30 PM  NS HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
October 28 7:30 PM GLENWOOD LANDING SCHOOL LIBRARY
December 1 BOND VOTE

Next Regular Board of Education Meeting:

September 26 NS HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY

Dates and times subject to change, please check with the NSSD website.

Public Hearing on Sea Cliff Tree Ordinances

Posted on by
Reply

Important Meeting for Sea Cliff Residents.

On Monday, September 16 at 8 PM, the Village of Sea Cliff will be holding a public hearing over the restrictive tree ordinances previously instituted in the Village. At stake is the issue over whether or not to reverse these laws.

SCPOC Fights Overbearing Village Regulations

The SCPOC has vigorously fought against these tree regulations in the past at public hearings both in the Village of Sea Cliff and the Town of Oyster Bay. We have demanded that the Village revert back to the “old tree law,” when property owners were entitled to remove one tree per year without interference. Most notably, SCPOC Director Anthony Losquadro was interviewed on camera in August 2012 by FOX5 News on the tree ordinance issue. While Losquadro appeared on camera, no Village officials agreed to be interviewed on camera. FOX5 News ultimately interviewed Village Attorney Brian Stolar over the phone. Ominously, the dispute over tree laws was just months before Hurricane Sandy wrecked destruction in the Village with downed trees.

History on Sea Cliff Tree Regulations

In years past, property owners could remove one tree per year without any approval from the Village. The Village later moved to regulate tree removal of trees over 6″ in diameter. The Village then increased the tree size to 8″ diameter or greater. The updated regulations added sections 121-301/302; 121.501 through 121.505 and 121.701/121.702 to the Village Code.

New Regulations Create the “TREE COMMITTEE”

The regulations give the Building Superintendent and his “Tree Committee” practically full control over the trees on your property. The Committee consists of the Building Superintendent, one member of the Board of Trustees and one resident. In order to do a routine tree removal, a resident has to relinquish his privacy to this group of village officials. Additionally, it subjects property owners to the whim of the Building Superintendent by granting him overbearing authority.

For instance, the Building Superintendent can force a property owner to pay a professional arborist for an evaluation about the advisability of removal or the viability of a tree. He can also demand that replacement trees be planted, he can specify the type of tree. These demands not only add significant costs to the job, but may be against the wishes of the property owner.

Current Tree Ordinances Harm Property Owners

These restrictive tree regulations have diminished the rights of property owners, and were an attempt by the Village to micromanage your property. The regulations were written to discourage and delay tree removal, which can leave potentially dangerous or hazardous trees standing for too long. Our homes are vulnerable due to severe storms that can hit our area. Climate change is making these storms more frequent and intense. Falling trees can cause severe damage to homes, injure or kill persons caught in their path, and knock out the delicate LIPA power grid.

Take Action

SCPOC urges all Sea Cliff Residents to attend the Hearing and voice their opposition to the current tree regulations. Property owners should demand the right to manage their property without Village interference be restored.

SCPOC is not suggesting that people be given the right to “clear-cut” a property.We are saying the property owners have the right to remove one tree per year without Village approval.
Town Hall Meeting, Monday, September 16th at 8p.m.