HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB-08/14/1996-FI,45
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
FISHERS ISLAND
August 111, 1996
1:30 P.M.
A Regular Meetln~ of the Southold Town Board was held on
Wednesday, August 14, 1996, at Fishers, New York. Supervisor Cochran
opened the meeting at 1;30 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Present:
Supervisor Jean W. Cochran
Councilwoman Alice J. Hussie
Councilman Joseph L. Townsend, Jr.
Councilwoman Ruth D. Oliva
Justice Louisa P. Evans
Councilman William D. Moore
Town Clerk Judith T. Terry
Town Attorney Laury L. Dowd
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I'm going to go over here and do introductions.
It Will take a few moments, but I feel it's important. If there's anyone
here from your local government, or from the County, and the State, that
you would like to speak with, who you have questions for, we would like
you tO know what they look like to go along with the names. Would you
please stand? We have Nancy Aiello, who is the 'Staff Assistant for
Honorable Michael Forbes. Any questions for Mike, that's the lady to see.
Alan Croce for the Honorable Patricia Acampora. We're pleased today
to have with us Supervisor from Southampton Vincent Cannuscio. Thank
you for joining us today. From the Suffolk Department of Planning, we
have Director Stephen Jones, and Betty Galla§her, and I believe Ed
Rich, also. Is Ed with us? Suffolk County Department of Health Services
Drinking and Water Bureau Paul Pontura. Thomas Martin and Peter
Akras from the Suffolk County Department of ttealth Services Drinking
and Water Bureau. From the Suffolk County Department of Probation we
have Lee Usher, and Director Vincent laria. From the Department of
Fire Rescue Emergency Services, we have Deputy Commissioner Fred
Daniels, and also, Resource Officer Brian Hassemann, Suffolk County
Department for Aging Robert Stanonis. The gentleman that takes care
of most of our Town insbrance is John Stype. We also have some fire
people, and i think .they are over at a meeting still, so we'll continue
down the list here. New York State Police Department, FiShers Island,
James Fagan, New York State Police Department Eugene Corcoran. We
spell our names differently but it's pretty much the same. We found that
out on'the boat coming over~, We have Robert Certs from the the Suffolk
County Department of Health Set.vices, Ken Bergman from the New York
5rate Emergency Management Office. James Baker, he is our Labor
Management attorney, Michael Carey for the Honorable Ed Romaine, the
County Clerk, Department of Citizens Affairs, William Baessler; Ray
Cowen, Regional Director of New York State DEC, we have Cathleen
St~igo, and Mary Carpentieri. We have Paul Szpara from Channel
27. We see him every two weeks. Connie Scheffer for Edward Petrou,
Regional Director of New York State Department of Transportation. It's
nice to have you with us. Janet VonBerg from the American Cross, and
John T, hatcher, you all know him from the Fishers Island Conservancy. We
have David Faulkner for,. the Honorable James Catterson, the D.A. We
have Janice Marlnor from the Suffolk County Department for the Aging.
! would llke to introduce to you from the Highway Department, Jamie
Richter. Jamie is our Engineer. From the Building Department we have
Tom Fisher here with us today, and John Boufls. From the Human
Resource Center we have Venetia McKelghan way in the back row.
From Community Development we have Jim McMahon. From the Police
Department we have our new Chief of Police, Chief Joe Conway. John
Raynor is here. He'll be on the program a little later. John is one of
ou~: , 'Radio operators~ and is my Deputy Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator. A special thanks to our custodial staff. John Jerome is
floating around here somewhere doing all the lugging, and making sure
we're, all happy as far as lunch, and on the boat is Concerned. Town
out ~
thin~
our
Rec,
Boar
Director,
Wiggin, Phyllis
Council, we h
King
have Mel
worklr
as
Brashich.
ShellfiSh
would ~ Ill
Secretary, w
She's on vacation. She is rafting up' in New
~ with us, though, the gentlemen ~that goes
are needed, as far assigns; and other
Recreation Department, we have
Coehrlnger;, Jim Dinizio, and Serge
Review, we have John SUllivan, Jonathan
Jess Wolf. CAC, Conservation Advisory
Loucka. From the Town Trustees we have Jim
Trustees. From the Planning DePartment we
of the Board,
Transportation
to his Tran,s
Bill Cremers,
sors we have Bob
we have Donald
hi thanks tO [~
straight and narrow,
and Rich
'is a hard
he serves
Neb
ve
,live i sa my
buddy, my gang, my group for last. We're all partners, in c~ime. On
far left Councilman, Ruth 3u cllwoman, Bill
Moore, woman of c~c~rs~e, Your
Louisa and out
Also, Surf Of
question
Social: Ser~
Oh, yes~
York
Mr. O'Conne the school
Tom~ Bushevi here at
Louisa set up very g
this time we have a very special honor th
behalf of the and the people of So
Annette Scott, )asr Councilperson,
Edwards, We would like
plaque on and I would
personal years that
was on Iwoman. Every once
off to slee him. I would give
would com~ Iinner, and he was
have there, ht something
get over island. I'm sure
people thl ar as your
concerned. 31ngs, every
you going? I'm ~le. so I
up there. Wi pecially
years that he the Town of
was appropr plaque, tha'
somewhere'h~ If I may
of Raymond In appreciation
of Southold, cilman, re[
January 1, 31, 199,3. It's
Town of 1~, 1996, and Annette !
and
and
ped
So. a~
,on
ask
~ai
~e
life
L to you.
AUGUST 14, 1996
ANNETTE SCOTT: I was very pleased when my niece asked me to accept
this. Ray and I were born in New London. We came to Fishers Island,
when we were two weeks old. That was over seventy years ago. Ray
loved Fishers Island; I don't think ever forgave our parents for moving to
New York City in the fall of 19tt2, but the government took over the boat,
and Dad's.job was gone, so he had to go.to New York City to run the
ferry bOats there. ~ay loved the islanc~. Ray loved his work with the
Town. Thank you very much.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: At this time we have one resolution for the
Isla at should be passed here today. As you are aware,~ just
I go on the market. As far as
housing, house is not yet available, but
id through County~ to the
recer
the
once there is
Town first,: but i
interested, in
difficult to ta
property owned~ by
it, or it w~
~roperty. Once it gets
So, if w.e pass this
Ernest. Middleton, i and the County
the CoUnty
makes .h to pass
resoJutJo someone to ~re&d
Moved by JL
record' in favor:
identified on 't
un
send
the
tax sale.
e
a
nciiwoman Hussie, it was
the Town of Southold hereby goes on
.~ County of Suffolk, the property
Mrs. Ernest
· the County due to
)ervisor Jean W. Cochran be au:thorized to
Real Estate indicating
the property before :it is effered for
JUSTICE EVANS: Can I explain a little bit? What lit is, we are trying to
keep.this house, so that it affordable house for a year-round
resident. It! wants to
it aln
throbg k
Vote of Ayes:
Coun :CoUncilman
Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution iwaS duly ADOPTED.
. This is
Councilman
Townsend,
ant to make
it be
in the. process.
Moore:, Justice Evans,
Councilwoman HussJe,
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: At this time, we try to develop the agenda
somewhat, as far as things .that might interest the people here on the
island. So, the first part of our program today is going to be Steve
Jones, who is Suffolk County Planning, and his co-worker,
Betty Gall to update you, and fill you 'in on the
Watershed So, at this time, Steve Jones and Betty, and
your are. more than v t~. use the podium, and .the mike up here.
STEVE JONES: Thank you very much, Supervisor Cochran, and members
of the Board. I've ibeen' here, I guess, the last couple of years talking
about the WaterShed protection Study, that...we are working with the
Fishers island ( and the Conservancy, and the Town of
Southold, and Health Department, to develop a set of
regulations· protect your water supply, and your
groundwater a( comes your drinking water over here.
We've reached a where we have developed a document, which is
a draft rules . and re?ulat!ons, which has. been
reviewed and Civ,c Assocmtior~, by the development
company, by the W; impany, and the Conservancy, and other
interested parties over here on the island. We have been going on a
course for a number of years of having this series of regulations adopted
by the New York State Department of Health, and then the Suffolk County
Health Department would work with the Water Company in implementing
these regulations. However, with the change in administration up in
Albany, ! have a .feeling that the State is trying to move away from
AUGUST 14, 1996
-49
additional regulations rather than embracing additional Statewide
regulations. It's our feeling in Suffolk County, anyway, that if we were
to continue on this course it's not likely that anytime soon these
watershed rules and regulations would be adopted into law going through
the New York State Department of Health. Therefore we're going to be
proposing a series of modifications to these regulations to involve the
local jurisdiction, the Town of Southold, in the implementation of theSe
regulations. This will done in a number of ways. These are proposals
that we will be providing to the Town of Southold for their consideration
in the coming months. One of things that we want to do is to provide the
Town of Southold with the means where they can review under their site
plan jurisdiction, which i,s given to them by the New York State
Constitution. They can review developments over here on the island with
respect to the amount of land, that is being .cleared for the development,
and t~he ,amount of the land ,that may be pu;~ into fertilized VegetatiOn, as
.and preserve the water suppl.y, in the
is the area around Barlow, Mdl pond,
Treasure Pond~ that are~ where the water supply is most important. In
additi~
of Southold
forms
sort
Thir~
seek
Suf[g
or
of SI
Code
want' to give some additional prospective to the Town
Board a review of subdivisions over here on the
some measure of development restrictions
drainage, positive drainages, or. other
;ets, that might need to
protect the water
we had pr who
res
cot
area
for
have
undo
commun
Corolla
the
a
in
Boar,
con
thir You!Ii
thelse les, When you sut
~Towri ~ mon~
~t~ion in the coming
SUPERVISOR C;OCHRAN= Thank you. Does anyQne have, any questions?
~Y,:
on her
Steve, would the hearings on this legislation be held
STEVE JONES: That would be for the Town of Southold to decide.
JOE .HENDERSON': Just so that everybody knows, there is in fact a Civic
Association committee, and what that tries to do is get information from
all the different agencies at a County and Town level, and when something
comes in, ask them then to, please, send that to, it could be the Civic
Association, t9 take that material, and then send it the Conservancy, so
everybodY/ knows about it. So, if you could remember that there is an
entity through which applications should be highlighted.
STEVE JONES: We have it in the past, been working through the
Conservancy, and Leslie Coss.
AUGUST 14, 1996
JOE HENDERSON: This is a specific committee. There are so many centers
off the island that. are making decisions, whether it's .building permits,
health matters, that' effect the Island, the residents on the Island, and
before it was not quite making a pass over, so there is, in fact, someone
here tries to do that. I would ask you, and other folks on those
committees to remember, that when you are called by somebody, who is
saying, I'm on the advisory committee, that what they're doing is planning
a group meet|ng.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: When you have input, would you please State
your name first for the record. Any other questions of Steve? If not,
we'll m, ht~ 'along. 'At this time'l would like to introduce the
Regl : New York 'State DEC Ra. ymond 'Cowan. He is
to tell' you a little bi~ about a project that is beginning ..re
on the island, and'before it moves along too far, we think it's important
that you know what ~is happening. It looks like a good .one. Ray, it's all
yours.
RAY COWAN: It Isn t qutte hterally an except onal ~dea, that we have.
Ducks Unlimited, which is'a conservation mln~led organization, which You
have ':a Chapter here on Fishers Island, it's working on habitat
improvement al tuber Of years now. They
way. states New ~I g one Of them~
very. bni. that fl'
belie
on
located behi
State
that I
will
you
but r
I'm
woulU
be ~
State
Sol
the Atlantic
pro j,
that ~hax
so~ What I
form~ ~it will
rk
!if
of
that
be
SOL
and i'
upgraded
ago, or r
'k in
of
!of
~g
we of ~hls project, ~Vhat~ We~re:!g0i~ expecth3g
these wetlands to be used for, and so forth, and we're goil ~!o that
first, and then get into some sort" of constructi th.ere to
enhance theses, wetlands. So, again, I: was j~ g today~t~e
concept is being, born, and we're loc for volunteers from the local
unit here; Perhaps,:'they can' even gi a What it
used to be 'HNe Over there, Is there I don[t know if
there is, or not, bu( 'if there is, that wou greatL~
JOHN THATCHER: John Thatcher from the Fishers Island Conservancy.
Ray, L was approached by the head Of DUcks Unlimited for Long Island a
few days ago. He mentiOned the project ~that you' just said. I toured the
area with him. We've done part of the preliminary research on it. There's
no question for those of in 'this. room who are familiar with the wetlands
just south of the movie theatre. There are two of them. One Of them is
actually to the left of that road that goes down to South Beach. That's
not the one that's an issue here. It's on the eastern side of that dirt
road. Weire talking about wetlands that existed for many, many years. I
took a look at the old 1880 map of Fishers Island. It's definitely there.
AUGUST 14, 1996
It's not man-made wetlands. It's natural wetlands. What has happened to
it is the ditches now drain it. As a natural wetland, that used to ex!st,
the Conservancy, although we have not discussed this as a Board, it's my
opinion that it would possible to provide that any shooting, that takes
place there, aims to the south, and not the north. But, the Conservancy
would be happy to work with the DEC, and the Town of Southold on this
issue.
RAY COWAN: I don't think shooting, or hunting, is the main issue
here. In fact, I'm .not even sure that the Ducks Unlimited is interested in
that. I think they are more interested in preserving the habitat.
JOHN'THATCHER: Well, the guy turned several shades of white when I,
in fact~ mentioned the possibility of gun fi~e there, but, again, I think
if it does occur, and we're talking about a wetland here, where ducks go,
then certainly any gun fire..
RAY COWAN: In those 'kinds of issues, as we discussed, are exactly
the kinds of' issues you would discuss at a local level.
JOHN THATCHER: I'm sure the Conservancy would be happy to
participate.
RAY COWAN: The beauty .of this particular area is that it's owned by
the Town of Southold, s~ it's in public ownership. You don't have to
worry about easements, and thlngs like that from a private owner, so it
looks like an exciting project to me. I look forward to forming a
partnership to get this done.
JOE HENDERSON: Joe Henderson. If the Conservancy wishes to get
involved there is also a DU Chapter here. There are also a private
sportsmen's clubs here, which probably provide a very high amount of
fodder for blrds~ ducks. We have three organizations.
RAY COWAN: We would 10ok to you to suggest organizations, that are
appropriate to join this task force. I would tell you to work through the
Supervlsor's Office to make your desires known to be involved in the
project; and we can all work together. We've done several of these
already. We~ve got some in other areas of Long Island, and they turn out
very well. That's about it.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you, Ray. I would just like to say that
I've been DU member for about fifteen years, and Secretary for Peconic
Bay, and Chairman two or three times, and I could never fire a gun, so
we really are interested in the preserving the habitat. I would just like
to mention that the harbor plan, the Town Attorney is presently reviewing
it before it goes to the Code Committee. Just so you know what the
status of that i:s. At this time I'd llke to ask John Raynor to join us.
John is Deputy Emergen.cy preparedness person for the Town of Southold.
We make decisions on snow storms, and everything else. As you may, or
may know we .were over. here several months ago. We feel it's very
important that the Town of Southold, County of Suffolk, and the State of
New YOrk. begin to develop an emergency preparedness plan for Fishers
Island.~ In the past it has been .part of the Connecticut plan, but it
becomes my responsibility to make decisions in relation to emergency on
Fishers, and I; think it's important that we have the support of our
County.~ and State, for any kind of an emergency on the island. It's even
more important, when we had the meeting with a gentleman from
Connecticut, who works with the Emergency Preparedness Plan there,
brought it to our attention more than once, that if something did happen
in relation to Millstone, that you are now dealing with, s~nce the plan
was written years ago, or a few years back, you are now dealing with
thirty or forty thousand gamblers a day at Foxwood. SS, there's going
to be a lot of who does what on the Connecticut shore if something does
happen. The present plan does not fully guarantee that the ferry would
come pick up people if you had to evacuate. If you did you would only
head back to New London towards the site of where everything was
happening. So, we're taking this very seriously. The State has begun to
AUGUST 14, 1996
work, and we have County people, and I've asked John to just update
you, as to where the status is, because this is something that we're going
to move along as quickly as we can. It takes awhile to develop a plan.
Mr. Daniels from the CoUnty, too, if you would like to add anything to
what John has to say, please, feel free. John?
JOHN RAYNOR: Mention was made earlier about utilizing the resources
on the island, and over the last few years we reversed four areas of
emergency on the island. One was the day to day emergencies. That was
the plan to bring you into:the Enhanced 911 System. We also had the
coastal storm and hurricane initiative. Just today we started a fire plan
initiative. In case there is. ever a serious fire on the island, and
outside resources are needed, right now there is no planning for that,
and as the Supervisor mentioned before, the most difficult one is a
nuclear. I would just llke to thank our island resource, that was really
overused, and that's my partner Alan Thibodeau. He's been a part of all
this,' and ! just. want-to' thank him. It's been most difficult, and nuclear
power scares people, and it's there, l don!t ,debate the pros .and cons of
it, but it's there. Right now all three lines are shut down due to
violations from '.the NSC. They are not .g01ng to stay. shut ~own
forever, and we really expect Millstone 3 to be back on llne' relatively
shortly. There is a plan .in place, as the Supervisor said, we started a
review of it this year. Many parts of the plant are adequate, and:some
conducted drills With the Federal government, and the last one , they
wanted Fishers i',lsland to evacuate to New London. New London 'had
already been evacuated two hours prior to that. ,ObviouSly you can!t go
into this kind of zone. If it's a~big enough ]ncldent to egac~uate: Fishers
Island, Connecticut is going to be in a state of panic. I think it's
going to be harder to convince people to get on ferry boats to head in the
general direction Of the plant, and listen :to people llke me, that
guarantee you five compass degrees to the east is going to guarantee you
safety. Then ~when y ,,ou' get: to New London What is going ,to hap .pen to
you? So, that i!s Why we want. toad.dress our plans. Every,commu, mty in
Connecticut that is affected by th~s plant has two, or three,escape
routes. That's what we want for the island. YoU are residents of Southold
Town, Suffolk County, New York State. The~ most logical thing that' we
have come up With in our planning, you are our responsibility, so our
number .one escape ,route~ would be the' Orient Point ferry. That :requires
boat transportation, and ~We're looking at that now. The Ferry District is
a- resource, but we~,r~ going tO need that. Second' ~sca route
is going to connectict~t; and we're of
Connecticut on that. They both have their )luses use
-you are going to have to decide~how great in ,thls
yea. r we started~ Worklng;,a~ lot of this ,and
training of the :TOWn; For that reason we nd
the State. We had.~our first meeting on F~s
Alan assembled all !agenCies, that. c
also discussed places. There might be t
profit to train the population~ and have a shelter
we've learned in the last tWo years in Suffolk County,
that we would have a, fire, that we wou d gain nationa
crash gaining national attention, .it makes think
there, it could happen.~ We really have for. it.
It's going to be a very. difficult,plan. It requires, ination
between many, man.y agencies. The S~perylsor of the
people, Ed' Burtoni is/ here ,from the 5tare today, . state
organization and ~Uffolk County, were going to stal and
plan the evacuatloh, centers in the coming Weeks, and talking
fire departmen~ over there, their persor~nel~ our County re! s, we'll
have enough resources to help, but you are going to be a lot
about this, and certainly,if anyone has any questions.
,We
When, t might
O~e. thin. g
~d
AUGUST 14, 1996
5,3
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Does anyone have a question of either myself,
or John? [No response.) We will certainly keep you informed of every
step, as we go along. I took a ride over to see the metal dump earlier.
It's certainly a lot different than when I was here before at the Civic
Association meeting. It's coming right along as they say. It's looking
good. Hopefully the fence will be put up soon, and we can finish it off. I
did notice there's some bunkers with doors missing outside. We have to
talk about sealing these places again.
JUSTICE EVANS: Jamie Richter, the Town Engineer, has been over,
and looked at it, and basically said that what we have to do to make it
safe now. If people would like to see what has been done, please, give
me a phone call, and I will take you up. We prefer people do not go up
by themselves, beCause of the liability ~ssue. What is happening '
now I $
it's been completely cleaned out. Everything has been taken off the
island, and we are in the process of filling the west bunker as much as
we can, it will be ~mo~e like a sloped valley there. The east bunker
has a : around. It,:. and it's hoped that sometime, not the inside
tunne the actual gun emplacement area can be used by someone, by
a a landsca to use the space for equipment. Hopefully
area, because even though there's fence up
dangers we don't know about. The~!DEC
visited tod; y have basically given us the final approval on it. You ail
will I 'that there was no hazardous materials. There were
thi but they were empty. They' did not have PBC
in them. There was Oil:, but it had not soaked throUgh, and it didn't
have eno h in it to it positive, and we hope the job is done. It
s Ii's. probably going to cost ~he taxpayers~ of the
p the site, but it's done, and I hope everyone is
~ that.
PAT KIBBE: I wanted 'to ask about what several suggested, a nature
trail. I know the Civic Association asked for ideas. I. iust wondered if
you were going to follow through with that?
JUSTICI
it was
and
what
FishE
youth
NS:
are many, many ideas submitted. At one point
; could put a park up there. People could go up
coming in. It was decided that, that was really not
Wanted, to encourage people up there. One for
and two, there' were plenty of places that people from
about; and people weren't Particularly interested in
~ up there, or parties at night. So, that's why
We had suggestions of making it into a
for that, and they just weren't practleal.
PAT KIBBE: Couldn't they make a nature trail, or something there?
'JUSTICE EVANS: This is my personal opinion, I 'm (tape change) that
the Town doesn't' want to be responsible for. If the Ferry District should
manage it, i don't ~hink the Ferry District, I can't speak for them, but I
don't think they want to be responsible.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Is the property out back conducive to a nature
trail along with the h~bitat? If you made that part of your nature trail,
it could also give you a outdoor lab for the school, in relation to a
wetland, and learn what ilt is all about. Is there anyone else who would
like to addressI the BOard with questions?
CAROL RIDGEWAY: Caro Ridgeway. I just have a question on the
Middleton property that :you had the resolution about. Is there a clear
title to that property, or does it matter? -
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN
Community DeVelopment.
County. Jim?
I'm going to throw that to Jim McMahon,
He takes care of acquiring these lands from the
AUGUST 14, 1996
JIM MCMAHON: We didn't look really at a question of whether or not it
was a clear title. What we were counting on, though, if the property
does become available, rather than have it go to tax sale we would prefer
to let them know we were interested in it, and under the provision that
the town would have first option to purchase it, if it does become
available.
COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND: ~ Jim, on that question, if the County does
take it, than the title will be clear. If the County takes it the
question is who is it titled to?
STEVE JONES: Perhaps I can answer that. The way the Suffolk County
Tax Act works is that after the taxes aren't pald after six months, the
deed go.es .to the ~ounty Treasurer. The owner has an absolute right to
redeem it in ~he first :'six ~months. A ye.ar after that the owner has the
right to petition the SUffolk County Legmla.ture .to redeem' the. property
for. the ~st and penalties. During that time, often
times, you' I ees, and. llen holders, and other people who
have pieces of the )s. Normally what the County doe~ is the
County .holds property= for, three more years before the title gets cleared
out~ but In an mstance~such as thru Is where a local Town Board petitions
the. Legislature lire th~ land, that the County could make it
available after the six months.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: IS there anyone else who would like to address
the;. Board?
PEGGY CLAVIN: Peggy Clavln. Jean, last year I spoke to you about
the piece of property that is on West Harbor, and the owner of the
property told me that he is having it appraised. It will possibly be for
sale. I'm hoping that the Town of Southold will appropriate money to
purchase that ProPerty. It's the only parking area for that beach.
JUSTICE EVANS: Peggy, I have since talked to the woman, not the
woman-who owns it, but her son, who was the one who was asking for the
appraisal. He verbally informed me that he would let the Town know
be~0re they put ]~ on the market. I have since talked with Jean, and a
couple of the Board members about the possibility of using some of th'e
Open Space Fund~. Frankly, once Fort Corchaug is purchased over in
Cutchogue on the: Island, there's not much left in the Open Space Funds,
and I haven't sppken since to the Civic Associatlon~. and I'm hoping to
talk to the Land TrUst about, maybe, getting contributions if they feel
it's a good piece of property to buy. Maybe it could be a joint purchase,
and perhaps thrOUgh the museum maybe the w.oman would be willing, if
she decides to sell tO do a Bargaln Sale type th,ng, to°, where she would
have some tax a~d~'antages. So, we have gotten things moving on that,
but my conversatmn w~th her son is she is not selling at this point;
PEGGY CLAVIN.; What about the Parks and Recreation, is there
anything in there?
JUSTICE EVANS: I think the Parks and Recreation. BUdget, and-actually
Jim McMahan is probably a better one to answer this, but I think that
probably for Fishers Island, doesn't that come from like, the fees from
subdlvisions?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: When you develop a subdivision, in lieu of Park
and Playground the developer is assessed a certain amount of money, and
this is on the one fund. As I went through~different attorneys, when I
was on. the Town Board, it was Bob Tasker who first said, the money
must be spent on the area from where it came from. Then along came Jay
5chondebare, and I said, look, my argument always was that if it's
serves the entire township, that it shouldn't have to go back through a
specific area. Say if it came from Bayview in Southold, it wouldn't go
back to Bayvlew. Why bother taking it? Let the fellow build the park on
his property. Then I saw through the years that it was used for money
for paying for dredging, to re-nourish the beaches. I think that is
stretching it a little bit. My feeling was the intent of the money was
always for acquisition and development, development of the sites, that
give recreation to p.eople. So, there have been ways that the funds have
^.oust 55
been spent through the years, that, I, as an individual, do not agree
with. Louisa is right. As far as the open bond is concerned there's just
about enough money to buy Fort Corchaug, as we have tried to
purchase that for many, many years. Park and Playground, Jim, what is
there, about $80,000 left in that, about $80,000 left in the Park and
Playground ?
JIM MCMAHAN: Does anyone have an estimate?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: You have any idea what the property is worth?
JUDY EDWARDS: The last estimate was $150,000. Also, I was wondering,
Louisa, is that property zoned commercial like the rest along?
JUSTICE EVANS: I don't know what the zoning is. It's more than
residential, but I can't remember what the exact business, or what
Id '
commercial zoning it has. It co.u increase the value of lt, yes. I'm
almost certain tl~at it is ~commercml. I'm just not sure which commercial
zone it's in.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyhow there is not too much money left in the
fund, but certainly if there is any way that we can help, and certainly
we'll look at it, when it's available. Sir?
JOE HENDERSON: This is on a different topic. Joe Henderson with the
Civic Association. I haven't been asked but I solicit on behalf of the
Civic Association your support for a resolution that will be brought to
you sometime in the future by Louisa establishing a buffer area, neutral
buffer area, around Fishers Island. There was legislation up in Albany
this. year that didn't get through. It is supported strongly by the Civic
Association as well as the Conservancy. I just want to say, we're behind
it. We hope that you all can participate, and put as much pressure on
Albany as possible.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We certainly will communicate with Pat
Acompara, and LeValle, as far as legislation up in New York State,
and the Board will also discuss this, and it certainly sounds like
something we should be supporting. Give us time to look at it, and come
back to you. John?
JOHN THATCHER: John Thatcher, Fishers Island Conservancy. Jean, I
just wanted to thank the Town Board today for a number of things. When
the Conservancy was first founded ten years ago one of our key aims was
the closing of all four dumps on Fishers Island, the final clearing out of
the auto dump, and closing of. the metal dump. That aim has been
achieved, and without the Town Board, without the Civic Association, I
don~t think it would have been possible. I don't think we could have done
it, certainly alone, so I wanted to thank each and every one of you for
that effort. It is going to be vastly appreciated by the people of the
island. I, also,, want' to thank you. I traveled to Southold as a lone
passenger .on . the 'Mannatawket this morning to address the Southold
Town Board, several members of it, on the possibility of Southold
contributing something to the: alliance of which they were part of that
which is currently allowing toxic dumping in the dump slte, between here
and Connecticut, and no, 'l~m not ~olng to ask for $150,000, $50,000, but
if the Board were to, in the 1997 fiscal year, consider a substantial
contribution we would just be overjoyed. Everybody tells me, John, don't
let Fishers Island do it all. Get our allies into a teamwork situation,
and that's exactly what I was trying to do this morning. I d|dn't mean to
buttonhole you, but the matter is urgent, and I just thank you for any
consideration you make.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We certainly as a Town Board discuss this, and
see if there are ways which we can support, and help. Thank you, John.
AUGUST 14, 1996
PETER BURR: My name is Peter Burr, and I'd llke to make two or three
comments. One, I would like to again thank the Board. Ed Dart, we
would like to thank you once again for the seven trees that we received
here, and over forty tha.t we ha. ye received so far. They are all doing
quite well. One information subject, tomorrow at It:30 several of us have
formed a meeting at the someone's home, to begin to work towards the
celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Fort Wright, which would be
October 22nd of 1998. We are beginning now to plan for that date. I
mentioned it in this: session, because we hope at some poin~ we can come
to the Town for some aid, whether it be financial or otherwise. There
might be some historic ,information, that might be available that we're not
aware ~, at this meeting that knows of,
us obtair fort, or know people who mig
inforn~ati0n, ~in tomorrow officially, and look forward to the
celebration in two ye~ 3ence. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRA:N: ' I received your invitatlon, and I was going to
ask you about you about it. Anyone else llke to address the Town Board?
(No response.) If not, is there anyone on the Board, that would like to
address Fishers Island]?
COUNCILWOMAN HuSSIE: I think I would. You know you all looked
forward, and you all ;breathed a sigh of relief of the final emptying and
clearing of the Metal Dump. You have nothing in appreciation of
happiness, that:it's; al! over, like I do. I recall four years ago, when I
lightly sald, two weeks; The wheels of government, I find, ride slower
than I thought, join with you in great happiness. I now feel
like Ican come ow and not hide.
RUTH OLIVA: I'd like to say it's always a pleasure for me to come over
here.~ I've enjoyed .eVery vlsit, and enjoyed meeting so many people here.
I do want to thank the members of the Harbor Committee for all the~hard
work, that they have'put into that Harbor Management ,Plan, and as Jean
has said, Laury.is .re'vieWing it. We're going to be .talking to Les. lie, and
with Louisa, to try tO finalize something. We're going to'send it up to
the Department of State for a little consistency, and hopefully by the end
of this year we'll have something in the Code, and some pohcy .dec~slon
for you, and the whole matter will be brought to a rest. Thank You sO
much for all your help.
COUNCILMAN TO.W. NSEND: I'd like to just thank you for the
opportunity to visit ~ith you again. It's always a pleasure to-visit with
you again. It's i a pleasure, and it hasn't lost any of it's charm,
and beauty. I did speaking at some length with John Thatcher this
morning about the 7, and I think it's a very important issue, and I
think the Town Board will address it seriously. I think what we have to
do is to not only see what has to be done, as far as the next phase of
.their dumping, but also in terms of what the effect of the existing
dumping is. If there's' anyway that we can monitor it, I certainly would
support that. There a. rea lot of groups on the east end of Long Island I
think would supl~orti' it. I noticed that one of our sister towns, the
second oldest town on Long Island, is here, and he may well be par.t of a
Supervisor's group, that would help create some funds, and some interest
in monitoring what's going on, jusC on our border, and over our border.
It's a serious issue, and I know this Town Board takes it seriously.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you, Joe. Bill, would you like to greet
Fishers Island.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: I just want to say, thank you for your hospitality.
My lovely wife, Pat, and I, opted to not come by boat, but fly over, and
I'm happy to meet all of you. I look forward to visiting again, and,
please, come visit us. You are part of our town, and we'd love to have
you come visit us as well. Thank you for your hospitality.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Louisa, do you have anything else to add?
AUGUST 14, 1996
JUSTICE EVANS: Just to thank everyone for coming, and thank the
people that helped organize thls, the Civic Association, and all. I hope
everyone enjoyed the shorter boat trip thls year. I thank the Ferry
District for arranging that.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN:
Southampton ?
Vince, would you like to say, hello, from
VINCE CANNUSCIO: Sure. Thank you very much for inviting me over
today. Thls is the first tlme I've been on Fisher Island. You have a
beautiful area. Keep it that way. I'm there in Southampton Town. Any
burning issues, that could effect us both, Jean, I'm happy to help out in
any way that I can.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you. ! had a woman speak to me earlier
about the Cans for Kids for Program. Please, tell her to give either
myself, or Jim, a call. Is there anyone else who would like to address
the Town Board? Yes, representing Mike Forbes?'
NANCY AIELLO: Thank you for the wonderful tour. I didn't catch your
name, the gentleman over here. I'm sorry.
PETER BURR: Peter Burr.
NANCY AIELLO: Mr. Burr, I'm the Congressional liaison for
Congressman Forbes. I do have some access to archives, so I can
perhaps obtain information for you on Fort Wright. Please contact my
office. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Is there anyone from any of the other
agencies, that came over today, that would like to say something to
Fishers Island? (No response.) If not, we thank you for inviting us. It
was our pleasure. We look forward again to next year, and Bill said, come
on over, and visit us once in awhile. You are always welcome. "['hank you.
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it was
RESOLVED that thls meeting be and hereby is adjourned at this time,
2:35 P.M.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Moore, Justice Evans,
Councilwoman Ollva, Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussle,
Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
· T '.y .(/
Southold Town Clerk