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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/09/2022 Town of Southold Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 9, 2022 Members Present Members Absent Guests Tom Stevenson – Chairperson Chris Baiz Karl Novak Doug Cooper Anthony Sannino Katie Sepenoski Jim Glover John Sepenoski Marty Sidor Steve Schnee Scott Russell (TB Liaison) John B. Sepenoski Jr. Mark VanBourgondien Opening: th The Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting was called to order on Wednesday February 9 at 7:10 pm in the Southold Town Hall meeting hall. Next Meeting(s): th The next regular AAC meeting will be held on Wednesday March 9, 2022, at 7:00 pm in the Southold Town Hall meeting hall and via Zoom. Meeting Minutes: thth Motion to Approve the January 12 and January 26 meeting minutes, made by Steven Schnee, seconded by John B Sepenoski, ALL in Favor who voted. Discussion on Progress of Code Committee and Farm Worker Housing:  As previously discussed, some of the board members wanted to meet with Heather and Brian from the planning department to go over the comp plan before setting up a code committee meeting. Heather Lanza and Brian Cummings will be making their presentation at the 2/15/22 TB meeting., which afterwards a code committee meeting will be discussed.  Supervisor Russell will also have the definition of farm worker housing to bring to the board at the meeting.  The AAC will be contacted with possible dates for the code committee meeting after the TB meeting.  Possibly send an email to the Supervisor and Board members thanking them for including the definition. Tom recommends going to the meetings instead to voice opinions if possible.  The committee would like the farm worker housing definition finalized before the Bulk housing schedule goes through and since there is no draft of the new housing schedule it may be a possibility.  The other problem is everyone’s busy season is about to start at the same time these meetings are getting going, which is frustrating.  Tom recommend the AAC members go over the agriculture part of the comp plan. The plan is very favorable to agriculture. And has some good recommendations that should be implemented. Farm Labor Overtime: Page 1 | 2 Town of Southold Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 9, 2022  Karl Novak gave a summary of the most recent for farm labor overtime recommendation.  He said they are now recommending a 10-year phase in starting in 2024 of 56 hours, and then every 2 years it drops by 4 hours up until 2032 where it will be 40 hours. (i.e., 2026=52 hours, 2028-48 hours, etc.)  There was a big turn out by the farming community with a lot of testimony asking to leave it at 60 hours. But the testimony did not have any impact it appeared. There was a lot of talk about discrimination and racism in the farming community. Even though it gives opportunity to people that they would not have in their own country.  Not what was expected, hoping they would drop it to 50 hours and leave it there and then re- valuate.  Karl Novak also recommended that everyone send an email or call the governor’s office to voice their disapproval of the new recommendations. Progress with Doug’s Property  Doug had a meeting with Heather today and will probably be moving forward with subdividing his property into 3 parts.  In the past Doug was told once the property was subdivided into three, it could not be subdivided again.  Heather said there is a way to do re-subdivide the property and Doug will be meeting with her again to discuss and then going to the planning board.  Doug would still like to move forward with the Ag PDD. But there has not been to much progress on that yet. Other Topics Discussed:  Brief discussion on lack of affordable housing.  Discussion on new plans for Greenport Sewer and the water tables. The village wants to put a leech field under the polo grounds for treated sewage. But Greenport has a very shallow Aquaphor.  Brief discussion on Kelp farming and inviting the Trustees to our next meeting on 03/09/22. . Adjournment: MOTION to adjourn at 8:00 pm made by Tom Stevenson, seconded by Steve Schnee, ALL in favor. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Laura Arena Page 2 | 2