SEPTEMBER 2018 SETALKER
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HOA News and Information
For those of you who were unable to attend the HOA meeting held on August 16, 2018, this letter is to update you on the information. As of this date, due to a number of unforeseen expenses, there is a deficit of just over $100,000.00 in the HOA budget. As the community ages, things begin to break down. This is due to a number of issues. The STP plant continues to be a major expense. This summer, in addition to replacing the control panel, 18 cesspools and leaching lines had to be cleaned out and treated. In addition, while this was happening, water ran down the hill to the RR tracks where men were working. The Board of Health was called in and a berm had to be built to prevent further problems. The cost for this entire project was $25,000.00. Because of the extraordinary March storms, the snow budget was $18,500.00 over. Other unexpected issues included a new air compressor for the Clubhouse, major repairs for the indoor pool dehumidifier, and a broken SPA filter which resulted in a flooded basement. Though these unexpected expenses occurred, The Board is committed to maintaining and increasing the reserve money for future major issues, i.e. roads, roofs, etc. and were unable to contribute to the monthly reserve $60,000.00. As a result, in September, there will be a $700.00 assessment for each unit to make up these overages. You will be sent the necessary information by HPM. Another major topic of the meeting was the STP plant on our property. An STP plant is a sewer TREATMENT plant, NOT A SEWER. This means that anything thrown in the toilet has to go through a series of valves and pumps. When foreign articles (rags, diapers, Depends, knee hi stockings (yes, they have been found) and even ‘flushables’) are disposed of in the toilet, they CANNOT pass thru the machinery, thus causing valve and pump mal-functions. This past month, because of this problem, we spent almost $10,000.00 to fix a pump and valves. This money is an unforeseen addition to our budget and we all pay it! Please watch what is disposed of and alert Guests, Aides and Caretakers of the situation. Social Committee Update
by Ellen Silverman Here's what's happening at Setauket Meadows... AUGUST Sunday, August 26 Music for a Late Summer Afternoon ~ 4:00 ~ Clubhouse
Thursday, August 30 Launch of... The Setauket Meadows Whatever You Want to Read Book Club 1:00 in the great room SEPTEMBER Monday morning, September 3 Labor Day Brunch ~ 10:00-Noon
Thursday, September 27
Saturday, September 29
OCTOBER Saturday, October 6 Walking Tour with the Three Village Historical Society, Saturday, 2:00 (details in our recent email)
Tuesday, October 16
Thursday, October 25 Setauket Meadows Whatever You Want to Read Book Club 1:00, clubhouse Sunday, October 28 Denice Given Band ~ 4:00 ~ Clubhouse
NOVEMBER Saturday, November 10
Thursday, November 30 Setauket Meadows Whatever You Want to Read Book Club 1:00 ~ Clubhouse DECEMBER
Remember:
9/5 Edna Multer
9/5 Rita LoMonaco 9/15 Ed Bradin 9/20 Anita Sutherland 9/21 Eileen Duffy 9/21 Sal Mazzeo 9/22 Joseph Rasullo 9/25 John Weber 9/26 Dominick Livaccari 9/28 Linda Hasenmeyer 9/28 Kathy Holly |
Speaking of Sports
by Joe Polizzi My fan base has requested that I wax poetic on the current baseball season of our local teams, the Yankees and Mets. Mets have been a big disappointment. After an exciting opening 11-1 record the team took a nose dive and are next to last in their division. They had some key injuries and their 100 million dollar star, Yoenis Cespedes, has not played due to leg and foot problems. The Met front office solution has been to pick up veteran players (Jose Reyes, Jose Batista, etc) in the twilight of their career in hope of catching “lightning in a bottle”. It did not work. So gone is another season and what’s on the horizon? Their pitching staff is still solid with deGrom, Wheeler, Syndergaard and Matz. But let’s get some all-star players behind them and I don’t mean bring back David Wright and keep your fingers crossed that he doesn’t breakdown yet one more time. Next year’s free agent market is plentiful, so management has to spend some money and hope to land a Bryce Harper or Manny Machado or whoever else can bolster their “rag-tag” team. Met fans deserve a make over and start by opening up your wallet. The Yankees have the second best record in baseball but unfortunately their arch rival Boston Red Soxs have the best. By all measures this has been an excellent year. The Yankee farm system has collected numerous excellent players-Andujar, Torres, Bird, Sanchez, Judge and they just keep coming. That’s what a quality baseball program does. But it is also not afraid to spend money. Picking up National League 2017 MVP Giancarlo Stanton proves that. Bolstering their bullpen with top players shows they want to win now-a Steinbrenner tradition. Their primary concern is their injuries and starting pitching. Judge, Gregorious, Sanchez, Sabbathia, and maybe Chapman are all on the Disabled List mending from something. As far as starting pitchers go, we can use one “stud” but will opponents relinquish them or at what price, money or minor leaguers. Regardless, I am confident that by mid-September the team will be at full strength rested and ready to give the Soxs a run for the American League title. Go Yankees. Now for some news from the Setauket Meadows Men’s Golf Club(SMMGC). Being a group of senior golfers we prefer driving golf carts when playing a round rather than walking. And driving can be hazardous at times. You might remember my reporting in the June 2012 Setalker of a SMMGC member flipping his golf cart when he did not properly set the brake on a downhill at the 16th hole at Great Rock. Well another driving mishap happened this year at Middle Island GC on the 5th hole of the Spruce Nine. After finally hitting a fairway a member misjudged his second shot and pulled a 6 iron to the left of the green. After an exhaustive 5 minute search ( USGA rule) the player assessed himself a one stroke penalty for a lost ball, chunked a chip shot then three putted for an ugly snowman (8). Furious by his poor play he slams his putter into his bag, jumps into the driver’s side of the cart, throws the cart into reverse and without looking steps on the accelerator and then the unexpected happens. He drives into another golfer and knocks him to the ground. Silence comes over the group as they see a SMMGC member motionless on the ground. Will he get up? Did he suffer a major health issue? But slowly the member rises to his feet while the driver frantically checks for breaks or bruises. None to notice but some minor scratches. Now another member, a former Suffolk County Police Officer, jumps into service. He pulls out his all purpose first aid kit from his golf bag and administers medical assistance. Cleaning the affected area and putting a “muppets band aid” on the wound. The following group of golfers are approaching the green and not to hold up play we proceed to the next tee and continue our round. Nothing of the incident is mentioned until the round is over and then the injured golfer says: “Hope to see you next week-CRASH”. PS. Aside from embarrassment the reckless driver’s golf cart driving privileges were suspended until further notice. As always, stay healthy, drive carefully and Hitt’em straight…Joe Polizzi Auto Advice
by Joe Sarro In previous years when we were looking at new cars, power was a major concern. Not that it is not today but manufacturers are now reaching new heights when it comes to performance and economy. Back in the 50's and 60's everything was about cubic inches and horsepower. To make the cars go faster the manufacturer just made engines bigger. With today's technology and gearing, the vehicles of today's performance is achieved by matching transmissions with smaller engines. It will be very hard to find a good old American V8. Now we have 10 speed transmissions and turbo 4 cylinders that get much better gas mileage and achieve the same performance if not better. So my tip of the month is when looking for a vehicle, don't dismiss the 4 cylinder until you drive it. They get much better gas mileage and perform even better than the trustworthy V8. Real Estate News
by Phyllis Colby Keeping Your Property Beautiful 7 Water-Saving Tips for Your Yard Looking for a lush, gorgeous yard, but not happy about guzzling tons of water? The following tips can help you keep your yard stunning and your water consumption low.
Recipe of The Month
by Pat Dawson CHICKEN SALAD-STUFFED TOMATOES This is a fun, lower-carb take on a classic. Makes the most of ripe summer tomatoes. Great for a light luncheon meal. Serve with a light white sangria with summer fruit. Ingredients:
Step 1: Cut thin slices off tops of the tomatoes. With small spoon, scoop out insides, leaving walls intact. Season tomato cavities with salt and pepper. Divide arugula among cavities of tomatoes. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, lemon juice and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper. Step 3: In a food processor or blender, pulse the croutons until fine crumbs form. Divide the chicken salad among the tomatoes, stuffing into cavities. Top with croutons and chives. Computer Tip of The Month
by Ray Dawson Do you own a cell phone? Of course you do. If you have noticed your cell phone slowing down over time, there's a few things you can do to delay the cell phone blues. Bad Habits That Slow Down Your Cell Phone
9/10 Larry & Joan Becht
9/15 Richard & Lisa Justman 9/18 Robert & Joan DeMaio 9/25 Robert & Elaine Hansen |