By Kristy O’Connell
The Village of Sands Point Board of Trustees on Tuesday postponed a decision on a proposed law that would ban the planting and growing of bamboo in the village.
The board did not have the chance to think through the feedback it had received on the proposal, moving trustees to hold off on further discussion until further notice, Mayor Edward A.K. Adler said.
“We had a public hearing on a bamboo law and we’re going to put this item … off for consideration until the next meeting,” Adler said.
A decision could come in February.
The draft law calls bamboo, an invasive plant species, “destructive to the natural environment.”
It would prohibit the planting of any new bamboo and require homeowners to confine existing bamboo on their properties.
Penalties for violations would start at $3,000.
The Town of North Hempstead passed a similar law in 2015 prohibiting new bamboo plantings and regulating existing bamboo in unincorporated hamlets.
Also on Tuesday, Frank H. Benzakour, general manager of the Village Club of Sands Point and a member of the Operating Committee, said participation in the club’s golfing services was lower than usual this year, though he expects improvement in the coming months.
The Operating Committee discussed the possibility of running a promotional special for 2017 to draw nonmembers to the club.
Benzakour said he does not believe a special is necessary, saying recent prospects for the pool, tennis and golf programs are promising.
“My concern is we just had a special last year, and two specials in a row might not send a positive signal about us, especially if we can make things balance out,” he said.
The board also approved resolutions Tuesday authorizing various water initiatives: the rehabilitation of Well No. 3; the engagement of P.W. Grosser Consulting firm with the Village Club’s Resident Well Program and Hydrogeological Study; the emergency repair of the tank gauge system at the Round Hill Lane pump station; and water bill charge adjustments for four local residences.
The board also accepted the retirement of Sands Point Police Sgt. James Polla and confirmed his termination payment.
Noah Manskar contributed reporting.
