HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/04/2019 Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of December 4, 2019
Members Present Members absent Guests
Chris Baiz Anthony J. Sannino Sarah Nappa
Doug Cooper John P. Sepenoski Adam Suprenant
Jim Glover John B. Sepenoski Jr. Michael Collins
Karen Rivara Councilman Bill Ruland
Tom Stevenson
Mark VanBourgondien
Opening:
The Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm on December 4, 2019 in
the Southold Town Hall conference room.
Next Meeting(s):
The next regular AAC meeting will be Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at 7:00 pm in the Southold Town
Hall Conference room.
Minutes and Administration:
Minutes of November 20, 2019 reviewed.
Motion made by Mark VanBourgondien to accept the meeting minutes of November 20, 2019,
seconded by Tom Stevenson. All in favor, motion passed.
Review Proposed Acquisition of Development Rights:
• No new proposed Acquisitions presented to the committee for review.
Discussion Led by Michael Collins, Town Engineer
• One-third of the Town of Southold has Suffolk County Water, Two-thirds have private wells for
water.
• Time of day for pumping water is the drain on the water system.
• Concerns about prior water studies that seem to use outdated statistics to prove points.
• Concerns that prior outdated water studies/reports could potentially be used to address water
policies.
• Discussion on primary water usage which is large residential irrigation rather than farming.
• Discussion on metering irrigation systems, rain meters, smart watering, irrigation licensing,
limits on water usage.
• Discussion on aquifer recharging, estimate of 125 gallons per person a day water usage by
Suffolk County water authority.
• Discussion of Agricultural parcels with high nitrogen content and acid rain including wetland
nitrogen pollution.
• Discussion of septic systems and their replacements which are cost prohibitive at this stage.
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of December 4, 2019
Proposed Agricultural Revisions to Town Code:
• Review of Standard (Fixed) Easement for Purchase of Development Rights on Town Lands for
future adoption into Town Code.
Review of Agricultural related Site Plan Applications/Sub-Divisions:
• Discussion and review of Croteaux Farm Vineyard &Winery parking area stipulation.
• Review of Four Crows Inc. d/b/a/Croteaux Vineyard's stipulation of settlement under Article 78
of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
• Review of ZBA Findings, Deliberations and Determination for Croteaux's article 78 filing.
Review Potential Agricultural District changes in Zoning:
• No Agriculture District Zoning changes presented.
Local, County, State and Federal Legislation related to Agriculture:
• Review of Mari/Aquaculture regarding shellfishing, closing of creeks, and the probability of the
elimination of shellfishing entirely in Southold Town because of government beaurecracy.
• FDA is the governing authority over shellfishing and has the ability to shut down shellfishing.
• Samples collected and data manipulation of samples results in illegal practices used to
determine creek shut downs.
Review Applications for structures related to Agriculture on parcels with Town /County owned
development rights.
• No new applications submitted regarding structures for committee review.
New Business:
• Wall Street Journal article discussed about Hemp processing and the difficulties associated
with obtaining licensing and loans.
• Soloviev has intention of growing Hemp on purchased properties in Southold Town or convert
properties to residential areas.
Adjournment:
MOTION to adjourn at 9:16 pm by Doug Cooper, seconded by Tom Stevenson ALL in favor.
Minutes respectfully submitted by: Cheryl Kaswell