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Introduction
This is Sands Point
How to Use this Book
Backflow Co-Op
Officers & Board Members
Who's In Charge Here
And Why
New Houses & Subdivisions
Your Home & Property
Your Neighbors
Special Events
Roads
Beaches, Wetlands, Waterways
Police
Drinking Water
Landmark Status
Village Elections
How New Laws are Enacted
Village Club
Port Washington Information
Acknowledgments
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The Incorporated Village of Sands Point is governed by the Mayor and four
Village Trustees, all of whom are elected to two-year terms. The terms are
staggered so the entire board does not turn over in any single election. The
Village Justice is elected to a four-year term.
Customarily, each trustee is appointed by the Mayor to a one year term as
either Deputy Mayor, Roads Commissioner, Water Commissioner, or Building
Commissioner. All four present trustees are Police Commissioners with one-year
terms. The Village Board of Trustees also serves as the Sands Point Board of
Assessors. Other Village officials appointed by the Mayor, subject to approval
by the Village Board, are: members of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning
Board, Environmental Conservation Commission, and Historic Landmarks
Preservation Commission; Village Clerk-Manager; Police Chief; Acting Justice
(Village Justice is an elected position); Treasurer; Village Attorney; Village
Engineer; Registrar of Vital Statistics; and Village Historian. None of these
officials are paid except the Village Clerk-Manager, Attorney, Engineer, and
Police Chief. Village employees include the Village Hall staff, hired by the
Clerk-Manager on the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees; assistant
building inspectors; police officers; Water Superintendent and two assistants.
Village officials, with a few exceptions, must be residents of Sands Point;
Village employees may not be.
MAYOR
Presides over, and is a member of, the Board of Trustees. Has one vote on the
board and if there is a tie, casts the deciding vote. Is the Village's Chief
Executive Officer, and takes many actions on behalf of the Village.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Made up of the Mayor and four Trustees, is the Village's legislative body. Meets
monthly in public, with the Mayor presiding, to discuss and act on Village
matters. Charged with providing good government and management to the Village,
the Board of Trustees organizes itself by establishing its own procedures, all
according to State and Village Codes. It preserves order, protects its property,
and provides for the health, safety, and general welfare of all Sands Point
residents. The Board originates and enacts Village local laws (see Section 15),
approves appointments, deals with municipal problems and votes to establish
solutions. The Board discharges its financial responsibilities by discussing and
approving expenditures and overseeing the preparation of the annual budget and
its eventual adoption (after public hearings). The Board of Trustees also serves
as the Sands Point Board of Assessors.
The Board may also create and abolish various Village offices and agencies
and delegate powers to those bodies, again as provided and regulated by State
and Village Law.
Beginning in 1992, the Board has scheduled most of its meetings for the
fourth Tuesday of the month, except for June, when it meets on the third
Tuesday, which is Election Day (see Section 14, Village Elections). Grievance
Day (see Property Assessment, p. 6-19) is in February. The Village calendar is
set at the July meeting, which is also the annual organizational meeting. All
meetings are open to the public and usually begin at 8 p.m. in the Village Hall.
DEPUTY MAYOR
Takes charge if the Mayor is absent or unable to act. Is also liaison with the
police, negotiates contracts (which must ultimately be approved by the Village
Board), answers administrative questions, and acts on police problems. Is
appointed by the Mayor.
ROAD COMMISSIONER
Is in charge of all Village-owned roads. These include all roads in Sands Point
except for Middle Neck and Cow Neck Roads, which belong to Nassau County, and
several private roads. Recommends road work to the Board of Trustees, which must
approve the expenditure, solicits and awards bids for all significant projects,
issues required permits, and supervises the actual work through the services of
the Village Engineer. Regular Village road work includes snow removal, cleaning
of gutters and catch basins, drainage, repairs and maintenance, road sweeping
and resurfacing, tree work, and removal of vegetation and leaves.
WATER COMMISSIONER
In charge of the administration of the Water Department and its staff. Carries
out this responsibility working with Water Superintendent, in consultation with
the Mayor and other Trustees. Sets the water budget, oversees its
implementation, and acts as liaison with federal, state, and county government
agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing, Education, and Welfare, New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Nassau County Health
Department. Is also responsible for current and long-range planning, including
maintenance of wells, improving and updating the system, monitoring the quality
and usage of the water, and providing information to residents and working with
them to resolve any problems with water supply or water regulations.
BUILDING COMMISSIONER
Reviews all applications for building permits to be sure they meet State and
Village safety codes and the Village Zoning laws. No Construction Permit is
granted without the approval of the Building Commissioner. Through Assistant
Building Inspectors, monitors ongoing construction to insure conformity with
codes, laws, and the approved construction plans, answers questions and explains
requirements to arrive at acceptable construction plans. As are all Village
officials, is charged with protecting the health, safety, and general welfare of
Village residents.
POLICE COMMISSIONERS
As Police Commissioners, the Village Board works with the Deputy Mayor in
general supervision of the Police Department. The executive administrator of the
department is the Chief of Police, a Village employee who is appointed and hired
by the Village Board.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
As the Board of Assessors, the Village Board hears appeals of those assessments.
Also may grant exemptions to Village taxes, such as those for veterans. The
Village uses assessments established by Nassau County.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
A quasi-judicial body established under the New York State Village Law, charged
with maintaining the integrity of the Village Building Zone law without unfairly
restricting the rights of property owners. It considers requests for relief from
the laws and hears appeals of building and zoning decisions, usually those of
the Building Department. Has original jurisdiction over requests for permission
to build tennis courts, docks and satellite antennae. Grants variances from
zoning laws. Reviews site plans for home additions which will increase the size
of an existing house by more than 50% and for new construction. It is generally
the lead agency on environmental issues. In addition, it hears appeals for
relief from Coastal Erosion and Flood Plain Management Laws. Usually meets on
the third Wednesday of each month in open public sessions. Announcements of
meetings and public hearings on appeals are published in the official Village
newspaper and posted on bulletin boards in Village Hall and other locations in
the Village. Residents’ questions regarding any specific application and the
review process itself should be directed to the Village office. Has five members
, one of whom is the chair, all appointed by the Mayor to staggered three-year
terms. The Mayor may also appoint an alternate. The presence of three of five
members constitutes a quorum. Three yes votes or three no votes are required to
grant or deny an application. Village law permits as few as three members on
this board. Village Trustees are prohibited from being members.
PLANNING BOARD
Major responsibility is making sure land development conforms with Village
zoning law and State codes. Preserves the natural terrain; protects the
environment and vegetation; plans for road and land use safety and for esthetic
continuity. Also controls impact on neighboring properties. Purview includes
subdivisions, lot size and shape, roads, drainage, and environmental
considerations as mandated by Federal, State, and Village law. Conducts
preliminary hearings on plans for development, in consultation with the Village
Attorney. There are five members of the Planning Board, one of whom is the
chair, and all are appointed by the Mayor for staggered three-year terms. The
Mayor may also appoint an alternate. Usually meets on the second Tuesday of each
month in open public sessions.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Major responsibility is advising Board of Trustees on matters concerning the
environment, including providing an inventory of environmentally sensitive sites
within the Village. There are five members of the Commission, one of whom is the
chair, and all are appointed by the Mayor for three-year terms. Meetings are
scheduled as needed.
Not presently active as no members have been appointed in recent years.
Environmental issues are handled by the Planning Board or the Board of Zoning
Appeals, as appropriate.
HISTORIC LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Is charged with nominating sites for designation as Landmarks by the Board of
Trustees and protecting sites and structures of architectural and/or historic
significance in Sands Point. Designation of a structure as an Historic Landmark
under Sands Point's Historic Preservation Ordinance provides both recognition
and protection against haphazard alterations or modifications of the exterior
and unwarranted demolition. The Commission has five members, including a chair,
a vice-chair, and three commissioners, all appointed by the Mayor for staggered
three-year terms. Usually meets on the third Monday of each month.
ALTERNATE BOARD MEMBERS
Attend meetings but do not have a vote except in the absence of a regular
member. May be appointed by the Mayor to any board or commission except the
Village Board of Trustees.
VILLAGE CLERK-MANAGER
Administers most Village Office services, which include initiation of Village
actions, billing, maintaining Village records, and serving residents’ needs in
the Village office. Also keeps a record of written notices of defective roads
and is responsible for reporting them to the Board of Trustees. Is clerk of all
Village boards. Is also the deputy treasurer, and prepares all bills and checks,
oversees investments with the advice and consent of the treasurer, and, at the
direction of the Village Board, collects taxes and orders the treasurer to pay
claims. Oversees and directs the other employees of the Village office.
POLICE CHIEF
Is the administrative head of the Sands Point Police Department. Reports to the
Chief Police Commissioner, who is a Village Trustee. The department constantly
patrols the Village, giving special attention to empty houses, cooperates with
residents in crime prevention and reporting, investigates non-felony crimes,
enforces parking and speeding regulations within the Village, and works with
Nassau County police in investigating felony crimes in the area.
VILLAGE JUSTICE
Presides over the Village Court, which holds regular sessions usually on
Thursdays twice each month, one night for arraignments and one night for trials.
Is elected for a four-year term. Hears violations of Village laws and traffic
violations (except for Driving While Intoxicated or Impaired). Has the full
authority of any court of law, and is part of the N.Y. State court structure. An
Acting Village Justice may be appointed at the discretion of the Board of
Trustees for whatever term it deems appropriate, usually one year. The Acting
Justice serves in the absence or inability of the Justice.
TREASURER
Is chief fiscal officer of Village, in charge of Village funds. Keeps accounts,
deposits funds, issues checks, and prepares the annual financial reports. Also
assists in budget preparation, reviews and signs Village bills, and signs
checks. If the treasurer is unavailable to sign checks, they may be signed by
the deputy treasurer, or Mayor and one trustee, or any two trustees.
VILLAGE ATTORNEY
Represents the Village in legal matters and provides legal advice to the Mayor,
the Board of Trustees, and other Village boards and commissions.
VILLAGE ENGINEER
Consults with Village boards and other Village officials and employees on
engineering matters.
ASSISTANT VILLAGE BUILDING INSPECTOR
Consults with Village boards, the Building Commissioner, and other Village
officials and employees on Building Department matters; makes inspections of
projects under construction and reviews building permit applications and plans.
REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS
Is appointed to a four-year term, and is in charge of issuing blank birth and
death certificate forms; reviewing, keeping track of, and transmitting
certificates after filing; and filing burial or cremation permits.
VILLAGE HISTORIAN
Documents the history of the Incorporated Village of Sands Point. This post is
an annual appointment by the Mayor.
OFFICIAL VILLAGE NEWSPAPER
Is the Port Washington News.
CURRENT OFFICE HOLDERS
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