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:
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Passcode: 741350
*A note that “This meeting has been locked by Host” indicates that the Committee has entered
into Executive Session.
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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)
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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