Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners Assoc. 3.28.2007

On March 28, 2007, about eighteen people attended a meeting of the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners Association in the library of Wantagh High School. For twenty-five minutes, Nassau County Legislator Denis Dunne promised that he would fight any plan to process Suffolk County sewerage at the Cedar Creek Plant. He intimated that other Nassau County officials were in favor of the plan. Other topics discussed included:
1) The Neptune electric line along Wantagh Parkway and the restoration of the the bicycle path. Neptune is said to have promised repair work in early April, with completion some time before Memorial Day. Members explained that the repair work should be significant, not cosmetic, as the construction work has done much damage.
2) Again regarding sewerage, there was a discussion of the relationship of more dense residential construction and the sewerage volume. Someone pointed out that each added bathroom, each enlarged residence adds to the flow to Cedar Creek.
3) A question was raised about some vacant property in Seaford adjacent to Tackapausha preserve. Without variations from the 60 x 100 rule, the property is large enough for six houses. There seemed to be some proposal for purchase towards open spaces.
4) A cellphone company has proposed a tower near the southeast corner of Seaman's Neck Road and Jerusalem Avenue, close to the 7-Eleven. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 limits the ability of towns to forbid cell phone towers; instead of blocking the tower, one may offer a less intrusive location. However, the filing of intent does not have to be repeated if the new location is within a mile of the filed request. (All my notes are subject to dispute or revision.)
5) Arrowhead Place is a north-south street approached by Island Channel Drive and leading to the bay. Apparently, a marina there is looking for some sort of development. If it is home-construction, this is the second concurrent project in planning stages, the other being on the adjacent Ocean Avenue peninsula to the east.
6) The question of locked toilets at Cedar Creek Park and Wantagh Park was raised.

High Hill Beach

At the meeting of the Seaford Historical Society, 3.15.2007, Joshua Soren presented an excellent slide show about High Hill Beach, which was located just east of Zach's Bay and Zach's Inlet from about 1900 to about 1939. His slide show was based on old maps and the most helpful era of photographic postcards in early part of the twentieth century. (I distinguish between post cards made as photographic prints and those made by the halftone process. The former thrived just prior to 1910.) However, before I continue with this post, I must avoid repetition by referring to the following links: An article by Fred Schwab. and this view. Vacationers reached High Hill Beach by boat from Seaford or Bellmore. Mr. Soren showed a reproduction of an ad and schedule of the ferry service in 1928 from Bellmore to High Hill Beach, with one-way fare of 40 cents and return fare (British usage for "round trip") of 70 cents. At its peak, High Hill Beach consisted of 98 homes or hotels. Thirty-six were moved to West Gilgo Beach, where some can be seen today. Mr. Soren showed a photo taken a few days after the hurricane of September 21, 1938. One of the houses, noticeable because the roofs of the two dormers slope up and merge with the entire roof instead of being shaped as dog houses, can today be seen along Ocean Highway at West Gilgo Beach.

Seaford Historical Society Meeting 3.15.2007

The Seaford Historical Society met at the Seaford Firehouse, Southard Avenue, Thursday evening, March 15, 2007. This post will treat of several business items. A separate post will consider High Hills Beach, the subject of an excellent slide presentation by Josh Soren. Among the first topics of discussion was the need to apply on-line for funds from the Nassau County 2006 Environmental Bond Act, as on-line applications were due that very evening. With advice from helpful citizens, a member of the Historical Society promptly did this task at home and returned to the meeting with copies of the submission. David Deneberg, County Legislator, pointed out that several submissions have been made for work at Tackapausha Pond.
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The membership chair reported that the Society has grown to 65 members. Mr. Powell explained the work that has already taken place in carefully removing collected debris from the 1893 school house. An engineering report is on the way. I was much impressed by the expertise and willingness of the volunteers who reported what has been done by the Society over the past four months. Talent and enthusiasm are not lacking.
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If I heard correctly, the next meetings of the Society will be May 17 (John Hanse) and May 24, a general meeting for election of officers.