Flower Hill trustees question Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee role; dues decision delayed after abstentions

At the March 3 meeting the Mayor of Flower Hill criticized the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee for declining to opine on a Roslyn waterfront project that abuts village property, saying the committee told the village it would not comment on member-village projects unless specifically asked. The Mayor said she was "not a fan of them right now" and questioned whether the committee is fulfilling its harbor-protection mission.

Trustees discussed potential conflicts of interest after a board member noted that a committee member appeared to have ties to the Roslyn project. Some trustees urged continued engagement with the committee to resolve concerns rather than immediate withdrawal. The Mayor asked the committee's representative, Eric, for documentation showing how the committee protects the harbor; trustees said that information should be provided before the village commits dues.

A motion to pay the annual Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee dues was moved and seconded; multiple trustees announced abstentions during the vote. The transcript records trustees saying they would abstain because they had not received adequate answers about the committee's role and a possible conflict. The chair then instructed that the committee be told it did not have enough votes at that time and asked for documentation or for the committee representative to attend a future meeting. The board then unanimously approved rejoining the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, which trustees said has a stronger record of active protective projects (oyster plantings, litter removal) and charges a modest fee.

Trustees asked staff to notify the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee that the village is withholding final approval pending additional documentation about how the committee evaluates and responds to waterfront projects and to report back at a future meeting.