President’s Message
Message from the President: July 22, 2024
Dear Nassau Point Neighbors:
Last Saturday, following our Annual Membership Meeting, a record number of 248 members of the Association and guests had the opportunity to spend an enjoyable evening at the lovely home of the Thompson Family, who, for a second year, generously made their property available for the Association’s Annual Cocktail Party.
The evening allowed us to greet new neighbors and reconnect with old friends, and reminded us just how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful place. One need only look at the evening news to see that life on Nassau Point is a rare privilege.
Earlier in the day at our annual meeting, we heard from Al Krupski, our Town Supervisor, and Dan Goodwin, the Highway Superintendent, who addressed community concerns and the state of our roads.
As Supervisor Krupski mentioned, the North Fork is changing. We read about applications to construct new hotels, commercial establishments and residential developments, and the Town has been reevaluating its Town Code to address these issues. With the character of our community changing, it’s particularly important that we as stakeholders remain engaged.
While speaking of the changing character of our community, I should mention that two years ago, largely with the help of Nassau Point residents Dave Bergen and Keith Hughes, a group of us reorganized and reactivated the Cutchogue Civic Association, primarily out of concern over the development of “downtown Cutchogue”. We were able to breathe a sigh of relief when the sale of Sacred Heart Church and School (across from the Cutchogue Post Office) was announced, not to a commercial or residential developer, but to the Peconic Community School, a well-regarded private school formerly located in Aquebogue. Any Nassau Point resident interested in the future development of Cutchogue should consider joining the Cutchogue Civic Association. cutchoguecivicassociation.org/membership
Focusing even more locally, a drive around Nassau Point will quickly show numerous portions of roads in disrepair as well as stormwater drainage issues. Dan Goodwin pointed out that Nassau Point encompasses only 3.5 percent of Southold Town roads, and resources are limited. However, there is a variety of metrics that can be used in making an argument as to how Town resources should be allocated. There are few communities in Southold Town that have the concentration of residences that we have on Nassau Point in such a small area and that contribute a substantial amount of tax revenue to the Town. The NPPOA Board will continue to ensure that our community receives its fair share of Town resources.
In that regard, working with Dan and the Town Highway Department, the Association funded the resurfacing of Landing Road – the road leading to Fisherman’s Beach, and the Town resurfaced Haywaters Road leading to Landing Road. Dan also spoke about the upcoming road construction work on Wunneweta Road between Vanston Road and Broadwaters. This improvement will enhance the ability of first responders to address any emergency occurring along that road.
In closing, I would like to mention two Association programs that you can find on our website: “Adopt a Drain” and “Adopt a Right of Way”. We know all too well that given the topography of our community, stormwater runoff is a problem. Additional catch basins/storm drains are needed, and the Town installed one just recently on West Cove Road. The “Adopt a Drain” plan is simple: Find a storm drain near your home and periodically clear any leaves or debris that impede the flow of runoff into the drain.
Similarly, the “Adopt a Right of Way” program is intended to ensure that ROWs remain passable and accessible to residents. As indicated on the Association’s website, some residents periodically clear a ROW on their own, while others have engaged the assistance of a landscaper. The goal is to allow ready access to the waters around the Point.
In allocating available Association funds to ROW maintenance and repair, the Association reviews the extent to which neighbors are engaged in ROW usage and maintenance. When Arthur Browne brought the condition of the Carpenter Road ROW leading to the beach to our attention, it was the level of neighbor involvement in the upkeep of the ROW that was a determining factor in the Board’s decision to invest in the project.
Some of us recall the late Ron Gallagher whose waterfront property abutted a ROW. He had direct access to the water from his back door, and yet every year he routinely rode his mini John Deere tractor up and down a ROW that he otherwise never used, to ensure neighbors had easy access to the water.
Many neighbors have informally “adopted” a ROW. These neighbors bring to our attention any obstructions that impede access. Several board members and neighbors routinely go with electric saws, pruners and weed wackers to clear ROWs. We are all “volunteers” when it comes to keeping Nassau Point a special place on the North Fork.
And speaking of volunteers who are generous with their time and committed to our community, welcome to the new (and some returning) officers of the Association: Xavier Fleming, 1st VP; Noreen Fisher, 2nd VP; Keith Hughes, Treasurer; Susan Brewster, Recording Secretary; and Ken O’Brien, Corresponding Secretary; and Directors Jane Weiland, Carmine Arpaia, Bill Callas, and Barbara McCartney! Thank you all!
Have a safe and enjoyable summer, and we hope to see you at the Children’s Picnic / Family Day on Saturday, August 17, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Causeway Beach! And, as always, thank you for supporting NPPOA!!
Angelo Mangia
NPPOA President