Dawn Ward

The Board convened a work session to discuss property maintenance laws and pending applications. The Board entered executive session for advice of counsel, during which no action was taken. Key business items included passing a resolution to publish a legal notice for a Budget Meeting scheduled for March 4, 2026. The Board reviewed the Tax Roll and Warrant, which reflected outstanding Village property tax of $14,533.73, but took no formal action on it. The Board unanimously approved the Abstract of Audited Claims for the General Fund totaling $96,812.65, and also approved the Abstract of Audited Claims for Baxter Beach Grant Reimbursement totaling $8,447.79. Finally, the Board authorized several budget transfers, including moving $15,000.00 from the Contingent Account to State Retirement.

The Tree Commission meeting involved the discussion and resolution of applications related to tree removal. The commission unanimously denied the application submitted by Joshua Speisman, owner of 3 Ridgeway Road. Conversely, permission was unanimously granted to Kathleen Reilly, owner of 14 Ridgeway Road, for the removal of two identified dying trees.

The Board conducted a work session discussing sign permits, property maintenance laws, and the Baxter Beach project. A public hearing was held regarding the 2026 Port Washington Fire Department Fire Protection & EMS Contract, which was subsequently approved for the amount of $132,785.13, plus an additional contribution to the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP). The Board also held a public hearing and then adopted Bill 3 of 2025 as Local Law 3 of 2025, amending Village Code provisions regarding residency requirements to allow eligibility for residents of counties abutting Nassau County. Further actions included approving contract renewals/extensions for Firefly Admin (LOSAP consulting), N2 Design, and Dr. Nina Cohen regarding their lease agreements in Village Hall, approving a proposal from Cow Bay Contracting for road cleaning services, and approving a payroll services contract with PBI Payroll, subject to counsel review. The 2026 Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule was accepted, and Abstracts of Audited Claims for the General Fund ($47,422.39) and Baxter Beach Grant Reimbursement ($27,871.48) were approved for payment/reimbursement.

The Tree Commission meeting addressed several applications for tree removal. One application, submitted by the owners of 10 Harbor Road, was unanimously denied. Permissions were unanimously granted for tree removals for the owners of 8 Sandy Hollow Lane (one tree), 6 Sandy Hollow Lane (two trees), and 205 Main Street (three trees). All granted permissions were conditioned upon the payment of applicable permit fees and deposits into the Village Tree Relief Fund.

The work session addressed resident complaints, the Baxter Beach Project, and Village rental agreements. A resolution was passed concerning the 2026 Village Election, moving the date to Wednesday, March 18, 2026, due to St. Patrick's Day, and detailing voter eligibility and inspector appointments. The Board resolved to introduce a local law amendment regarding residency requirements for certain Village offices, setting a Public Hearing for December 3, 2025. The Board also resolved to close Tianderah Road to vehicular traffic on a date to be determined by the Mayor after December 1, 2025. The Abstract of Audited Claims for the General Fund totaling $67,422.66 was approved. Budget transfers totaling $7,646.94 from the Contingent Account to Unallocated Insurance and Planning and Management Development were authorized. Public comments concerned the discontinuation of curbside leaf collection service.