SC VILLAGE BOARD VOTES TO TRANSITION CLIFF WAY AND THE BOULEVARD TO ONE-WAY TRAFFIC ON APRIL 1

March 4, 2015 -- At the Monday March 2nd Village Board Conference, Mayor Bruce Kennedy and the four Trustees voted unanimously to authorize the implementation of one way traffic regulations on the Boulevard and Cliff Way from April 1 through September 30. 

Traditionally, the one way rule has begun on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and ended on Labor Day.  Over the past few years, the regulation has been extended to late September, after the Silly Shakespeare annual performance that is now held at the Performing Arts Gazebo at Sea Cliff Beach.  

The issue was first brought up publicly at the February Village Board Conference, when the Mayor, citing safety concerns, proposed the earlier transition to one-way.   At the Board meeting a week later, three residents who live on Cliff Way, the Boulevard and Foster Place respectively, spoke against the earlier transition. (see article below)

During Monday night’s discussion, Mayor Kennedy said that a couple of residents living along the one-way route had maintained that the one way regulation was an inconvenience.  He continued that he had driven the full loop several times, and going under the speed limit, it only took about two minutes. “Our primary concern,” the Mayor said, “is safety.”   

Trustee Kevin McGilloway said the other concern that was raised by residents was enforcement of traffic laws – that cars were parked facing in the wrong direction and that people were racing.  “I’m in support of the proposal,” he said, “but I think we need to try to have more enforcement.”  Mayor Kennedy said that the village could not enforce moving violations but that it was “about communication with the Nassau County Police.”  “But we can give parking tickets,” he added.

After a brief discussion of whether the angling of the parking on the Boulevard ought to be changed,  Mayor Kennedy asked whether it would be better to ease in the regulation by beginning on May 1 this year. 

Trustee McGilloway said that “If we really think it’s safer I don’t know why we wouldn’t do it April 1st - it’s the right thing to do.” 

Trustee Lieberman said that it can get crowded on weekend days in April and that he supported the transition to take place on April 1.

Trustee Villafane said for safety’s sake, she believed the change ought to be done on April 1 rather than May 1.

Trustee Carol Vogt also expressed her support for making the  change on April 1.

The board then voted unanimously to approve the resolution authorizing the earlier transition.

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RELATED ARTICLE

SEA CLIFF VILLAGE BOARD WEIGHS ONE-WAY PROPOSAL (February 11)

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BACK TO WEEKLY

OTHER HEADLINES FROM THE MARCH 2 VILLAGE BOARD CONFERENCE

- BOTH SEWER AND CHILDREN'S LIBRARY PROJECTS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED THIS MONTH
- NEW BEACH CLOSING RULES

SEWER PROJECT
Despite the frigid and snowy winter, Sea Cliff Village Administrator John Mirando reported to the Board that the Sewer Project that had begun in January should be completed by the end of March.  He said that over the next week, no new line would be laid, but that the workers would be installing connections to properties.  The final section, from Roslyn to Main Avenue, should go quickly he said because the digging required is shallower than in other sections.  The contractor, he continued, told him that the last two weeks of March would be spent re-doing the road.   

CHILDREN'S LIBRARY
Mr. Mirando reported that the finishing touches are now being put on the renovations to the Children's Library, with the bathroom completed, the track lighting installed, and the first coat of paint applied. The gas service will go in shortly, and the new flooring will be delivered this week and installed over the weekend.  The project should be completed by Friday, March 13. 


BEACH CLOSING RULES
Mr. Mirando reported that the Nassau County Department of Health has notified Sea Cliff Village that the Village, rather than the County, will now be making the call on beach closings after a heavy rain. Previously, he explained, when there was more than a half inch of rain, the County automatically closed the beach.  Now the county will conduct water testing, and leave it up to the Village to make the call regarding beach closings if the bacteria levels are acceptable for swimming.  If there is more than a half inch of rain and the Village decides to keep the beach open  then the Village would be required to post yellow signs warning swimmers that they are bathing at their own risk. There was a brief discussion over how the Village would handle their new authority.  If the water remained open, but the warning signs were displayed, lifeguards would have to be there, Village Clerk Marianne Lennon said. Ultimately the board came to conclusion that it was a liability issue and that the safest course, in terms of health and liability was to close the water if there was more than a half inch of rain.   

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