Window Cleaning Business Premises & A Napa New Start

Cutchogue Residents Fear Crystal Clear Cleaning Will Disrupt Neighborhood: Mattituck-based window cleaning company plans to move from Route 25 location to mixed business/residential area just south of the Cutchogue Fire Department on New Suffolk Road. The owners of Crystal Clear Cleaning Corporation want to relocate from Mattituck to Cutchogue, but the proposed move has left some Cutchogue residents “astonished.” The Cifarelli family, owners of the window cleaning company, first applied to the Southold Town Planning Board for site plan approval this past July to renovate an existing two-story, 2,400 square-foot garage in limited business zoning at 1335 New Suffolk Road in Cutchogue. The renovation would accommodate company offices, which are currently located in hamlet business zoning at 13000 Route 25 in Mattituck.

The application includes the construction of turf-block parking area for the company’s work vans, but there are no plans to change an existing single-family dwelling on the site. Though other businesses, such as assisted living home Peconic Retreat and Freddy’s House, a bed and breakfast, operate among residential houses located on a strip of New Suffolk Road just to the south of the Cutchogue Fire Department, Cutchogue resident Elizabeth McGrath said she was astonished that the Planning Board would even consider approving a business like Crystal Clear in her neighborhood.

“Why would you approve something this commercial in a residential area?” she asked the board at a monthly public meeting on Monday night. “This is outrageous … every other building on the block is a residential house. My head is spinning about this.” Lisa Cifarelli (pictured) of Crystal Clear Cleaning said at the meeting that though her company has locations on the East End, California and Florida, the proposed Cutchogue office is hub for telephone calls and office work and that only eight vans will be parked at the location. “The fact is, this is limited business zoning, and there are pockets of limited business in the neighborhood,” she said. “The road is already highly trafficked — I am actually shocked about how many cars go up and down that stretch. I don’t think my business will have much of an impact.”

Cifarelli’s attorney Patricia Moore said that the vans would leave the location between 7 and 9 a.m. and that offices hours would be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as they are currently in Mattituck. Cutchogue resident Stacy Paetzel said at the meeting that she too did not think Crystal Clear Cleaning would be appropriate for the neighborhood on that section of New Suffolk Road. “I’m concerned about the intensity of the use — there has not been a traffic study,” she said. “This is at the end of the day a residential neighborhood, and we’re just trying to protect it.” The Planning Board closed the public hearing but will accept written comments for the next two weeks.

Comment on news site: The truth of the situation is that these properties are going to become multi-family dwellings to house the Cifarelli's workers , Already two families are in one house. The existing garage is to be expanded to accomodate their office and other space. The main house also has a garage that can be added to for more housing . This information is NOT speculation, Mr. Cifarelli has stated that he intends to house his employees here. I am sure he has more than two. This is clearly an investment property and I am sure they will want to maximize the potential of every square foot. Who could blame them ?

Jason Koch of Absolutely Clear Window Cleaning works on a window in Silverado Plaza. In his previous career life, Koch taught gymnastics.

Absolutely Clear Windows owner helps out: Jason Koch, owner of Absolutely Clear Windows, knows how to extend a helping hand to others. With more than 20 years of gymnastics experience under his belt, Koch (pronounced “cook”) worked as an instructor at Flip City and Tumble Town in Medford, Ore. before moving to Napa in 2005. Two years ago, Koch started his window cleaning business, specializing in services for real estate and local homeowners. True to his interests, he also runs Napa’s Best Kids Gymnastics, where youngsters can learn how to roll with life’s punches. “I’ve taught a lot of kids how to handle themselves and bounce up after taking a spill,” he said.

In March of this year, Koch learned that a member of his church, Carlos Samojluk (pictured), had passed away age 51. Samojluk had run a successful business, Wine Country Window Cleaning, in Napa for the past 16 years. According to his wife, Karen Samojluk, her husband had more than 250 business accounts in Napa and also serviced more than 85 homes. A fellow church member and family counselor, Tim Fredrick, suggested that Koch meet with Karen Samojluk to see if there was anything he could do to help her maintain her husband’s customers and provide some income. “Jason always had a good heart and I thought he could be of assistance,” Fredrick said.

After they met, Koch, along with Samojluk and her son, Nicholas, made joint visits to many of her husband’s customers to clean their windows and explain the new working relationship. One of those customers was Leilani Slack, owner of Bloom and Boom salons in Napa, who admitted she was “devastated” to hear about Samojluk’s death. “Carlos was always ready to listen and hear how I was feeling,” she said. “He was the sweetest, kindest man; an awesome window cleaner. Someone you could always depend upon for help or advice.”

Slack first met Koch when he came to her shop with Karen Samojluk to explain the new arrangement and was impressed with his thoughtfulness. “I knew Jason felt sympathy for the family and he went out of his way to help them. He is such a nice guy,” she said. Koch, a strong supporter of environmental issues, doesn’t drive a car. He covers his appointments on a bike, carrying his cleaning tools on a backpack and bike rack. “Carlos had many commercial accounts in Napa,” Koch said. “And, without exception, they loved his outstanding service and told stories about his friendly, caring personality. I worked hard to make sure they knew I was just as committed to them.”

The Carlos Samojluk story doesn’t end there. Karen still carries her husband’s death with a strong sense of loss and pride. She speaks of his commitment to his family, his customers and the community in general. She revealed that Carlos’ organs were donated after his death, including a liver provided to a woman in Northern California. “He will live on with them and with us,” she said. As for Koch, reports from old and new customers — including the kids he trains at his gymnastics center on Trower Avenue — conclude he has the character and balance to turn this latest hurdle into a smooth and safe landing on his feet. “I want to make Carlos proud,” Koch said.