The Point Lookout Civic Association held a General Public Meeting on Thursday, March 20th, 2025. See below for the complete minutes and photo’s from the event.
Point Lookout Civic Association
General Meeting
March 20, 2025
Rec Hall, Point Lookout.
50 members attending
President Tom Moran opened the meeting at 7pm and led in the Pledge of Allegiance and a
Moment of Silence.
Tom welcomed Natasha Drax of the Long Beach Public Library to speak to the membership:
Ms. Drax said the Library is here for you, not only for books but also lectures, digital books,
exercise classes. It is always willing to work on collaboration. There is even a homebound
service with tech training.
There was a member question about LIBBY, the library app for books and audio books.
Natasha said it was simple to upload and easy to learn, and that the Library was happy to
help anyone interested.
Mr. Moran thanked Ms. Drax and suggested that the Senior Center that meets at the Rec
Hall would also be interested in meeting with her.
Committee Reports:
a. Zoning Committee. Mr. Monasterio reporting:
Mr. Monasterio gave a brief history of construction in our hamlet, the need for variance due
to the size of the lots, and the Zoning Committee and its influence on the Town of
Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals. In short, immediate neighbors to a variance petition
have far more influence than the PLCA Zoning Committee, but the Committee will continue
to advise all parties, as well as try to post all pending variances on the PLCA website.
There was a member question about contacting PLCA Zoning Committee and Mr.
Monasterio said to reach out to the general email – info@pointlookoutcivic.org
b. Parks Committee. Mr. Wengler reporting:
Mr. Wengler began on addressing the Children’s Playground. The ground surface is made of
Fibar, which is basically mulch, and the PLCA is working with elected officials to replace
this. Certain materials are too expensive or inappropriate for the location, with some
estimates above $300,000. The Committee is looking at an astroturf surface that would be
safe and comfortable. We would also secure sunshades. This would be a 2026 budget item
for our elected officials but work on securing funds begins now.
There was a member question about upgrading equipment and making sure equipment
was fixed. Mr. Wengler said this was not in the current scope, but if there is anything broken
to please reach out to us at the general email (listed above)
Mr. Wengler then addressed the flooding issue in the Park, noting that we went from a very
wet year to a very dry year. The TOH, at our urging, tried several short fixes, including run o
pits, that didn’t work. The storm drains stop at Inwood Avenue; we need to have them
extended east. The TOH is applying for grants to raise the funds to address this
Mr. Wengler then addressed Native Planting. Along the Inlet Walk and especially along
Ocean Boulevard we are looking to remove invasive species such as knotweed and Tree of
Heaven and replace them with native plants such as Purple Haze, grasses, pitch pines,
beach roses, bayberries and beach plums. The Parks Committee has already worked on
addressing these, and they will be removed in the next two months. A test area for Native
planting along Ocean Boulevard has proven, in Mr. Wengler’s opinion, to be an aesthetic
and environmental success, and tree removal and planting work will continue
westward. The Parks Committee is working very closely with the TOH Dept of Conservation
and Waterways, who are transferring native plantings for our use and developing an
environmental strategy to address our Southern exposure (which had been damaged in
Hurricane Sandy) . Along the Inlet knotweed will be removed, and the TOH donated over 15
truckloads of sand, which were formed into berms and dunes, thus protecting further the
east flank of our community.
There will be a Beach Planting Day on April 5 at 9am. Please meet at the Ball fields.
Everyone – of all ages – is welcome. This will include planting along the Inlet and down
at Civic Beach.
There was a discussion about the Chinese Lanternflies, who favor the Tree of Heaven. This
is not the only tree they will infest.
A member recommended DYNATRAP, which she found effective in her back yard.
A member asked that the old Christmas trees which were to the south of the island
entering town be removed. Councilman’s Schneider will make sure this is done, Mr. Moran
said.
c. Lacrosse Fields. Mr. Moran reporting:
Mr. Moran said he had spoken to Councilman Schneider and had given a long list of
questions to be addressed. We are waiting for those answers now.
There a member question about the impact on EMS needs. Mr. Moran promised to add that
to our list.
There was a member question about a noise study. Mr. Moran promised to add that to our
list.
There was a question about light pollution affecting our town. Mr. Moran promised to add
that to our list.
There was a member question about when PLCA was informed. Mr. Moran said the PLCA
was informed of the lacrosse fields at the same time as everyone else. Liz Murdy, President
of the Lido Dunes Civic Association, who was attending this member as our guest,
confirmed that this was true for LDCA as well.
d. Environment. Mr. Warner reporting:
Mr. Warner reported first on Sewers. The Sewer Study is now complete and is with the
Nassau County Commissioner of Public Works. It is not available to the public. He said
there was $1 million spent on the study but no funds seem available for the work and no bill
pending. Mr. Warner also stressed that at this point neither the Pt Lookout residents nor the
PLCA have any legal say in whether sewers are installed or not. He looks forward to reading
the study when it becomes public.
He reported next on Wind Turbines. Although this had been approved a Presidential
Executive Order signed on 1/20/25 suspended all o shore wind turbines. There is no
timeline. Having said that Equinor has taken out a $3b loan and work continues on shore.
He reported next on the Bay Park Reconveyance. This would take effluents out of our bays
and transfer them to a treatment center, where they would be pumped two miles offshore.
The critical thing is not to have that effluent roll up on our beaches.
Last, he reported on the aquaculture issue. He said this is currently in public debate and
urged everyone to voice their opinion to the TOH website.
There was a member statement that said this is a way of selling our public waters to
commercial use and will restrict where boaters can go and how those waters can be used.
e. Beach Committee. Mr. Cunningham reporting:
The cesspool system at the beach is beyond service. If there are funds before the summer
to address this it will be replaced. If there are no funds before the summer the TOH will
provide an airconditioned trailer for men’s and women’s restrooms.
Mr. Cunningham also urged people to attend the Beach Planting on 4/5.
He reported that the chair room has been slightly enlarged, that boardwalks and mobi mats
will be restored to our beach
He further reported that there will be three large TOH concerts, one on 6/28, one at Labor
Day and one with a date to be determined. The June and September concerts will have
fireworks and the parkway will be closed. The other concert will not.
There was a member question about where the blue cans at the beach are? Mr. Moran said
he will ask for a couple to be replaced asap and then more will come when the summer
season starts.
The dog stations will also be replaced. They were removed because they were cleaned by
summer staff.
The Beach Tags will be given out Father’s Day Weekend, and the PLCA will be in touch with
the community. As before you will have to have a tax bill and proof of residency. Access to
the beach will be by tag.
f. Essay Prize. Dr. Manning reporting:
Dr. Manning said there would be a $1000 prize available to a graduating high school senior.
Information is posted by the Communications Committee and will be on our website.
g. Any Other Business:
Mr. Steiner of the PLLFD informed the meeting that the PLLVFD will host the 2nd Battalion
Parade on August 9. He asked for funds through 50/50 raffles, t-shirts, and donations.
There was a member question about Parking in the Street. The member was advised to call
the precinct. If it is a neighbor, please first speak to your neighbor.
There being no other business, Mr. Moran closed the meeting at 8:18pm
Respectfully submitted
Brendan Cahill
Secretary
