HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/2020
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
th
Minutes of September 9, 2020
Members Present Members Absent Guest(s)
Chris Baiz John P. Sepenoski Melissa Spiro
Doug Cooper
Jim Glover
Karen Rivara
Scott Russell - Town Board Liaison
Anthony J. Sannino
John Sepenoski
Mark VanBourgondien
Opening:
The Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting was called to order at 7:15 pm on Wednesday,
September 9, 2020 on the online meeting platform Zoom.
Next Meeting (s)
- The next regular Agricultural Advisory Committee meetings will be held on the following
Wednesdays, September 23, October 7, October 21, November 4, November 18, December 2,
and December 16. The location when possible will be the Town Hall conference room, if not the
meetings will be via Zoom. Currently the public is not allowed to attend the meetings due to
COVID restrictions but can participate and watch the meetings via Zoom.
Minutes and Administration:
Acceptance of the minutes dated February 26, 2020 and March 11, 2020 is postponed to a future
meeting
Acknowledge the resignation of Cheryl Kaswell as secretary to the Agricultural Advisory
Committee.
Welcome and introduce new secretary Laura Arena.
Consider dividing into subcommittees to work on different topics to catch up on the past 5
months that were missed.
1 | Page
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
th
Minutes of September 9, 2020
Discussion of the effects of COVID-19 on the members operations:
- General Discussion involving all committee members on the effects COVID has had on
their business.
- Early spring was hard for most, but switching to online ordering and direct to customer
really took off. By the end of April and May things started to turn around.
- A big issue facing most was lack of help. Most members can not find the help they need
to be able to run at full capacity, some are behind in the season.
- Another issue is what to do for the coming year if the pandemic comes back like it was in
March.
Suffolk County Farmland Committee:
- A vacancy has become available on the Suffolk County Farmland committee since Steve
Mudd resigned. Currently there is no one on the committee to represent Southold.
- Invite Steven Mudd to a meeting to give an overview of what is entitled in becoming a
committee member and to give an update on the committee.
- Spread the word through the community to see if anyone would be interested in filling
Steve’s spot.
Update on Shellfish:
- Karen Rivara gave an update on Shellfish Aquaculture Lease Program in Peconic Bay
and Gardiners Bay
- Karen stated that the program is running smoothly
- One problem is Devon Yacht Club. They are causing issue about the cages. We need
letters of support for the cages in the bay.
- In the near future set up meetings with other AAC’s on the South Fork and Riverhead to
come together and work on these issues.
2 | Page
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
th
Minutes of September 9, 2020
Proposed Agricultural Revisions to Town Code:
- Jim Glover gave a brief refresher on where things left off with Land Preservation codes.
- Chapter 70 needs to be revised in particular,
- First priority is to begin working again on the revisions
- Jim Glover and Chris Baiz will send out copies on what work was done so far including
revisions and the code itself.
- A subcommittee should be formed to meet with Melissa Spiro and Land Preservations
lawyer to discuss changes once revisions are agreed upon.
- Doug Cooper stated that the definitions are the issue especially about what an easement
is. They need to be rewritten. The way they are written now hurt the agricultural
community.
- Once an agreement is reached the changes need to be brought before the Town Board.
Motion to move into executive session at 8:30pm by Tom Stevenson, seconded by Karen
Rivara, All in favor.
Item #1 – Melissa Spiro regarding proposed land purchase for preservation.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 9:07 pm by Tom Stevenson, seconded by Jim Glover, All in favor.
Minutes respectfully submitted by: Laura Arena
3 | Page