March 2021-End of Winter Newsletter

With some wishful thinking, I am calling this the "End of Winter Newsletter".  The Village is beginning to get back to normal.   As of  April 21st,  in person Village Court will resume. Below are some of the projects we are working on.

Grants                                                        

NYSERDA has commenced a second round of multi year  grants for Villages based on specific energy cost and  sustainability milestones.   In the first round, Oyster Bay Cove  was one of the most successful small villages.   We achieved Clean  Energy Community status and earned $50,000 in cash grants.   The good news is the second round grants piggybacks off of first round achievements.   We are currently analyzing the next milestones, but believe we can earn an additional  $20,000 in grants and potentially more over time. 

Additionally, with assistance from Senator Gaughran’s office, Oyster Bay Cove has been approved for a $50,000 Grant to be used for the purchase of a much needed Public Work’s Vehicle and a new Police Car.

Snow Plowing                                                 

We are pleased with the performance of our new village street snow plowing contractor.  With this winter's snow storms, they were put to the test. 

 Vacant Homes  

During the pandemic, we have received many complaints and inquiries about vacant homes.   The Village maintains an up to date list of vacant homes and monitors them regularly.  These homes are put into two categories.

  1.  Houses with violations are pursued aggressively, including legal action and potential condemnation, in accordance with our local laws, which address abandoned and dangerous buildings.

  2.  Houses without violations but are unkept, as disconcerting as this may be, we cannot legally pursue these homes .  We continue to monitor them for changes in their condition. 

Community Police Policy 

Pursuant to New York State Executive Order 203, the Oyster Bay Cove Police Department has drafted a Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Document . The policy is on the village website under News and Notices.   We welcome constructive comments. It is important to realize our police department operates in more of a patrol function and refers most crime and investigative work to Nassau County.  We are endeavoring to make more of the non police social support programs visible to our residents. 

Budget Challenges  

We are being subjected to higher police retirement and health care costs charged back by New York State.    Unfortunately, the Village has no control over these costs .  The police retirement pension increase was a result of the states use of a pension asset actuarial valuation that was severely depressed when Covid first hit.  This  cost should smooth downward, if current stock market values hold at the next actuarial measuring point.   

New Homes

The Village has  new homes in construction and a high volume of project permits in process.   This is a sign that Oyster Bay Cove continues to be a desirable community.  I would remind you all that we have expedited permitting for Solar P.V. and E.V. charging stations. 

Lastly,  I would like to thank our Police Department  and Village Clerk’s  office for coping with a very difficult year due to the pandemic.   Like many in our community, both departments had members and their immediate families contact Covid.  However, despite this difficult set back, they still persevered and got their jobs done. 

Best Regards, 

Charles R. Goulding
Mayor