Waiting, waiting, waiting for new entrance markers
Joann and Armin Olivieri, with son Matthew, want new entrance markers for their development
We are homeowners in the South Setauket Park development in South Setauket. For the past four years, the homeowner’s association has been trying to replace four unkempt, dilapidated brick walls at both entrances. The lack of progress has to do solely with the Town of Brookhaven.
After four years, “lack of progress” is an understatement, but after talking to town officials and the South Setauket Park Homeowners’ Association, we don’t think the blame rests solely with the town. Delays came with changed plans and personnel. A lot of time is still spent waiting for a consensus from the volunteer advisory board which makes decisions involving the 671 homes within the special park district that will pay for the new markers.
Delays and politics aside, here's where the project stands:
Town spokesman Tom Burke said three things need to be done to move the project forward: The board must approve final specifications for the design and the project has to be put out for bid. Most important, owners of four homes where the walls will go must sign easement agreements after a surveyor marks the areas.
Marie Berkoski, the town’s special districts coordinator, said the original walls were erected without the agreements but new ones can't be built without them. The advisory board “assured me there were easement agreements but they do not exist,” Berkoski said. She has been waiting a month for advisory board members Ted Nienburg and Steve Amato to give her the final OK on the plans, she said. The project can begin when everything is in place.
Nienburg, who is also president of the homeowners’ association and has been involved with the project since the beginning, said the new markers should be up by the end of the year. “We know exactly what we have to do,” he said. “We have everything in place to get it done.”
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