HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/26/2022
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of January 26, 2022
Members Present Members Absent Guests
Tom Stevenson – Chairperson Jim Glover Katie Sepenoski
Chris Baiz Anthony Sannino
Doug Cooper John Sepenoski
Steve Schnee Mark VanBourgondien
John B. Sepenoski Jr.
Scott Russell (TB Liaison)
Opening:
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The Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting was called to order on Wednesday January 26 at 7:15
pm in the Southold Town Hall meeting hall.
Next Meeting(s):
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The next regular AAC meeting will be held on Wednesday February 9, 2022, at 7:00 pm in the
Southold Town Hall meeting hall and via Zoom.
Town Board meeting:
At the last TB meeting they did not add the AAC to the agenda because they feel a 15-minute
time window would not be enough time to explain Chapter 70 and the changes. Instead, they
would like to set up a meeting with the code committee. The board members will be at the
code committee meeting and the focus will be on Chapter 70.
The new town board members would like to educate themselves about the situation before
they meet with the AAC. They are bringing in Heather and Brian at the next meeting TB
meeting on 02/01/22 to discuss the comprehensive plan. At that meeting they will also
schedule the code committee meeting.
A suggestion would be to invite the board members to our next committee meeting on 2/9 to
explain what the AAC is working on. Also send a copy of the final draft of Chapter 70 prior to
the meeting for them to read through. (Please see attached)
Another suggestion would be to invite the Farm Credit and Farm Bureau to a future meeting to
help explain the issues.
The AAC should also review the comp plan, specifically Chapter 9 for agriculture. The comp
plan can be found at:
http://www.southoldtownny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7914/9_Agriculture?bidId=
Bulk Housing:
The new bulk schedule for housing is still moving forward. The committee is trusting that the
new bulk schedule will not affect farmworker housing as promised.
The new bulk schedule will not have the exception for farmworker housing, because there is
no definition agreed upon. If the exception is put in it has no meaning until the language is
there.
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Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of January 26, 2022
Kelp Farming Discussion:
Steve sent an email to the members of the committee to possibly send out to the Trustees and
Shellfish committee members to invite them to a future meeting to discuss Kelp farming.
The email reads:
The Agriculture Advisory Committee respectfully requests the opportunity to open a discussion to
promote aquaculture in Southold Town waters.
As you are aware, New York Governor Hochsul recently signed legislation to lease underwater
land in the Peconic Estuary for kelp cultivation.
Perhaps some of our cleanest town creeks can serve as shallow, easily accessible areas for oyster
farmer use in the winter months.
While recognizing the need to carefully balance the interests of all stakeholders, oyster farmers,
baymen and recreational boaters, the Town of Southold has the opportunity to take the lead by
promoting one of the North Fork’s potential crops in Southold Town waters.
Kelp is a great winter rotation crop. It can be sold for fertilizer, Japanese restaurants, vitamins,
and other uses. The money per pound depends on what it is being used for, typically $1 per
pound It has a high nutritional content.
The town should be encouraging new types of farming, not dissuading. NYS has been really
slow in this process, compared to Connecticut.
The Kelp farming could also have benefits to the bay, possibly even helping the shellfish.
The DEC will still have to be involved even if the Town supports it. They issue the permits.
The program is getting a lot of support, there have been no complaints from the boating
industry and the county did a great job reaching out to explain what it will involve.
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Adjournment:
MOTION to adjourn at 8:10 pm made by Chris Baiz, seconded by John Sepenoski, Jr., ALL in favor.
Minutes respectfully submitted by: Laura Arena
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