Indian Hills Country Club served up a grand feast to about 120 residents and guests at this year’s Brunch. Director Kevin Claus organized an exceptional event. Thanks to John and daughter Grace Heaphy’s contribution of instructors from the Grace Music School who performed a number of classics as a string quartet.

We were also joined by a number of officials who mingled and listened to the concerns of our community. They included Smithtown Supervisor and neighbor Pat Vecchio; Smithtown Highway Superintendent Glenn Jorgensen; and, from the planning department, David Flynn and Chair of the ZBA Adrienne Giannadeo. From the Huntington side of town we met Susan Berland and Mark Cuthbertson from the Town Council; Deputy Highway Superintendent Patricia Irving; and Chair of the Town Planning Board Paul Mandelick.

From the state, Assembly members Mike Fitzpatrick and Andrew Raia, as well as Senator John Flannagan were all on the scene. County Legislator Lynne Nowick also joined us.

FSA President Paul Graf began the program with some Fort Salonga trivia, including the question, “In June of 1691 legend has it that Richard Smith created the boundaries of modern day Smithtown as he rode on the back of a bull from sunrise to sunset. On that day, what did he have for lunch?” The answer was: bread and cheese!

Paul then introduced Congressman Steve Israel, who delivered a visionary presentation.

This was Rep. Israel’s first visit as the House Member representing all of Fort Salonga. Using the tragic attack in Boston as context, he spoke of the goal-oriented focus that American government must achieve to meet the challenges of the next decade. To this end, he illustrated that the Long Island Sound is an incredible financial engine, generating over $9 billion in economic activity annually and deserving of federal guidance through development grants. He also spoke of the most recent National Intelligence Council’s world projections for 2030. By that year there will be 1.2 billion more people on the planet, and the world’s population will trend “much older, much faster, as people live longer due to improved medical practices.”

The report, Rep. Israel noted, further states that in the next 17 years we will see a significant increase in the populations of cities, as the balance of people increases from a current 40 percent living in urban areas to 60 percent by 2030. This will explode the middle classes in China, Brazil, India, and South Africa, increasing competition for food, water, and energy. The good news is that by this time the United States will become the world’s leading supplier of energy. The report further acknowledged the advent of highly disruptive technologies, such as 3-D printers and increased use of robotics, as well as technologies we have yet to imagine, which will displace manufacturing jobs while increasing the skill level required by our work force. His remarks were fascinating.

The afternoon ended with Membership chair Tony Geraci selecting the winners of this year’s raffle. Congratulations to grand prize winner J. Gasser of Marions Lane.

Also winning raffle prizes were:

• P. Richards of Concord Drive
• P. Love of Sunken Meadow Road
• J. Ott of Breeze Hill Road
• J. Pisel of Fort Salonga Road
• J. Fry of Pebble Hill Drive
• E. Marlik of Northfield Drive

The FSA board and all the FSA members truly appreciate the efforts of Indian Hills Country Club General Manager Dina Bevilaqua and her staff for hosting this splendid event.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Spoke on local issues to Fort Salonga Association today. twitter.com/RepSteveIsrael…

— Steve Israel (@RepSteveIsrael) April 21, 2013

Dear Neighbors,

Sings of spring abound throughout our hamlet. Deer in the woods as far south as Orchard Drive, owls in the trees, foxes in the marshes and the return of songbirds throughout the community. It is among the many reasons we call Fort Salonga home. Hopefully, you will be finding the time to enjoy the properties we work so hard to own. When I talk to many of the newer residents and ask “What do you want from your Association?” the answer is clear. People just want to be left to the peace that their homes bring without concern of change both within and surrounding our community.

Egg Hunt – Thanks to director Ken Kraska and his family for their organization of this year’s egg hunt. Through the assistance of our directors, over 1,500 eggs and a number of stuffed bunnies were scooped up by a hundred happy children.

Brunch – Thanks to the coordination of director Kevin Claus, we experienced one of our best-attended breakfasts at the Indian Hills Country Club. A special thanks to Congressman Steve Israel for being this year’s guest speaker.

Geissler’s Beach Plans – Resident Bill Berg has been spearheading this effort with the involvement of the FSA. Director Joe Stolfi and I were joined by Huntington director of maritime services Ed Carr at a meeting with the folks along Makamah Beach Road to hear their concerns and promote positive changes to the site. These include improved signage, access, security and removal of the debris at the entrance to the beach. It is anticipated that the town’s environmental oversight group will be making a recommendation for funding in a few weeks. This is a great community resource deserving of attention from the Town of Huntington. However, larger questions loom regarding the changing outline of the coast and rising water levels in the marsh. The Crab Meadow watershed advisory group will be taking these into account at future meetings.

Membership – We thank the many of you who responded to our membership mailing and have sent in your dues. Membership chair Tony Geraci has been checking our mailbox regularly in an effort to keep our accounts straight. It is our hope that your status is accurately reflected on your newsletter’s label. Know that your contributions go directly back our community.

In the meantime, I hope that the season ahead holds much hope as we are finally past this endless winter. There remain many felled trees and debris that still require attention both here and along the North Shore that will be occupying the resources of many a homeowner. I hope that you will find time to enjoy a bike ride or hike as we prepare for the summer to come.

Onward,
Paul Graf
President

Back in the ‘70s, I remember hiking through Ward Melville’s Sunwood estate with friends along the Sound in Stony Brook and marveling at the stands of bamboo that were planted throughout the grounds. When we moved to Fort Salonga, the bamboo near the intersection of Bread and Cheese and Sunken Meadow Roads was equally/whimsically appealing.

Much has changed in suburbia concerning this species of flora. When allowed to grow freely without constraint, bamboo can be intrusive and damaging to the quality of life the towns seek to assure for their residents. When planted in proximity to a property line, bamboo is known to migrate from the owner’s property to the adjacent property, causing damage to the landscape design or natural habitat being maintained on the adjacent properties. Both Town of Huntington and Town of Smithtown have passed laws to manage the planting of bamboo on all properties.

The Town of Smithtown ordinance, passed in August 2011, reads:

No owner, tenant or occupier of property anywhere within the Town of Smithtown shall cause, suffer or allow bamboo to be planted, maintained or otherwise permitted to exist within 10 feet of any property line, street, sidewalk or public right of way.

The Town of Huntington ordinance, passed this April, reads:

The owner of property in the Town of Huntington having running Bamboo located upon it is responsible for either removing the Bamboo or taking reasonable measures to confine the bamboo to their own property and to prevent the encroachment, spread, invasion or intrusion of Bamboo onto adjoining or neighboring properties. Residents have the benefit of a six month moratorium to clear and/or contain their bamboo before any penalty provisions begin.

Essentially, both towns allow for the management of bamboo on one’s property. However, proximity to or encroachment onto a neighbor’s property becomes a problem for the homeowner.

Should you have questions regarding bamboo in your neighborhood, we suggest that you direct your queries to town public safety offices:
Town of Huntington: (631) 351-3167
Town of Smithtown: (631) 360-7553