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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLP-05/11/2021 LAND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes & Discussion Notes from Meeting held Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will be held virtually via the Zoom online platform. Pursuant to Executive Order 202.1 of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in-person access by the public will not be permitted. This is a public meeting and the public will have access to view and listen to the Regular Meeting as it is happening via Zoom. If you do not have access to a computer or smartphone, there is an option to listen in via telephone. Comments from the public may not be solicited nor received without an appointment. The Land Preservation Committee may add or remove applications from the Agenda upon its discretion, without further notice. Applications may not be heard in the order they appear on this Agenda. It is expected that the Committee will enter into Executive Session* after the Regular Meeting for the purpose of discussing applications regarding proposed acquisitions of real property where publicity would substantially affect the value thereof. The public is not allowed to view or listen to Executive Session. Options for public attendance:  To join via computer: Click Here https://zoom.us/j/99919379416?pwd=T0pWNjZYdjBjVTJQblJHcFQrMisvUT09 Passcode: 741350 *A note that “This meeting has been locked by Host” indicates that the Committee has entered into Executive Session. Or Online at the website zoom.us, click “Join a Meeting” and enter the Meeting ID: 999 1937 9416 Passcode: 741350  Join by telephone: Call 1 (646) 558 8656 Enter Meeting ID and passcode when prompted (same as above) Members Present: Sam McCullough, Chairperson Anne Murray Kimberly Krupski Will Lee Doris McGreevy John Simicich (7:18 p.m.) Members Absent: Eric Keil Also present: Melissa Spiro, Land Preservation Coordinator Melanie Doroski, Land Preservation Secretary Bob Ghosio, Town Board Liaison Zoom Attendees: Noah Berry, Eagle Scout – 7:00 p.m. appointment Holly Sanford, Peconic Land Trust Program Manager – Executive Session appointment Commencement  The Open Session of this meeting is being recorded. All “Attendees” will be dismissed from this meeting upon the Committee’s Motion to enter into Executive Session.  The meeting began at 7:07 p.m. with five LPC members present. Committee Minutes and Administration  Acceptance of LPC meeting minutes from April 27, 2021 MOTION made by Sam McCullough, seconded by Anne Murray, to accept the 4/27/2021 LPC meeting minutes. Motion carried: 5/0 (LPC member John Simicich not present at time of vote)  Next Regular LPC Meeting Date The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Inquiries for Uses or Structures on Preserved Property  NOAH BERRY, EAGLE SCOUT 7:00 P.M. appointment to present request to construct mountain biking trail Noah Berry, a Life Scout for Troop 6 in Southold, presented his Eagle Scout Project to the committee. He would like to create a mountain bike trail for public use:  To provide a safe place for bikers to ride rather than on public roadways  Beginners to intermediate riding skills with banked turns, dirt rollers  Trail built using small power tools, chainsaw, rakes & shovels to clear pathway  Minimum maintenance required. C.L.I.M.B. has offered to help maintain trail and organize group rides.  Minimal impact to environment as trail would be a single lane path, 2 to 3 feet in width; 1-2 miles in length with twists and turns  Small parking area may be necessary  Will be an asset to the community and promote tourism  A petition he started shows community support for proposed bike trail  Estimated time for completion: 2-5 months and would like to start by summer 2021 Noah suggested Town preserved lands off North Bayview Road (Zoumas), Goldsmith Inlet, or Sound View Dunes Park. Although several LPC members expressed support for this project, concerns were raised regarding:  Legal interpretation of “passive recreation” within Town-owned preserves  Town liability issues  Organized groups and events  Trail maintenance  Signage as location choice may conflict with hikers and deer management program LPC suggested several potential alternative locations (properties that were not purchased for purpose of passive recreation) for a mountain bike trail for Noah to look into. LPC thanked Noah for his well- presented and informative presentation. LPC will advise Town Board to refer this matter to the Town Attorney for interpretation of “passive recreation” and other legal issues that may relate to this proposed Eagle Scout project. General Land Preservation  NYS AGRICULTURE & MARKETS Round 18 Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG) th Information from April 13 Webinar Land Preservation Coordinator Melissa Spiro gave update on State Grant webinar. Several current farmland preservation projects indicate that although the farmland may be eligible, the circumstances (such as subdivision component) make the projects ineligible for grant funding. Melissa will continue to evaluate pending projects for grant funding opportunities. Addition to Agenda at Request of LPC member Doris McGreevy  FORMAL THANK YOU TO JOHN PRATNICKI, PSEG LONG ISLAND LPC gave consent to send formal thank you letter to Mr. Pratnicki for his expert oversight regarding solar installations on preserved land and his presence during the April 12, 2021 LPC meeting. LPC secretary instructed to send out such thank you letter. Land Preservation Applications & Potential Applications  EXECUTIVE SESSION MOTION made by Kimberly Krupski, seconded by Sam McCullough, to enter into EXECUTIVE SESSION – Proposed Acquisitions of Real Property Where Publicity Would Substantially Affect the Value Thereof Motion carried: 6/0 The LPC members entered in EXECUTIVE SESSION at 7:55 p.m. Meeting locked and recording stopped.  Land Preservation Coordinator gave updates on inquiries, new applications, appraisals and current applications. MOTION made by Sam McCullough, seconded by John Simicich, to end Executive Session. Motion carried: 6/0 EXECUTIVE SESSION ENDED at 8:55 p.m. Adjournment: MOTION made by Anne Murray, seconded by Sam McCullough, to adjourn this meeting. Motion carried: 6/0  The meeting ended at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Melanie Doroski, Land Preservation Secretary