HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/2025 Town of Southold Water Advisory Committee— Meeting Minutes
June 5, 2025
Attendees: Committee members: Caroline Yates (virtual), Maggie Merrill, Kate Daly
Anne Murray, Anne Smith, Kariane Chew
1. Report back on May 20t" Irrigation Code Committee meeting
a. Public Hearings: Code online now. The Code Committee made several changes to
our draft. Rain sensors not moisture sensors. Smart tech recommended not
required. Watering times requirement removed. Tuesday, June 241" public
hearing. Anne will recommend they keep the comment period open until after
our July WAC meeting.
b. Next step: confirm date of our July hearing. Have Ben attend our July meeting.
Align on recommendations for draft. Pitch story to Suffolk Times to publicize
urgency of water conservation issue. Times covered today in Town Board
roundup. Maggie said Beth would do a story. Delay public hearing until after July.
2. Any new applicants for Committee vacancy? (Anne Smith)
a. One person Anne knows who is already on two other committees
b. Chad, the Fishers Island Waterworks Superintendent since 2007
i. Committee recommends he be an independent committee member
ii. Anne will review resume in executive session; Chad needs to alert the
Town Clerk's office of his interest and send them his resume
3. Update on June 2"d pipeline meeting: packed, 60 people in person 29 people online.
a. Louise Harrison gave great presentation on how to respond to the scoping.
b. Even-handed and informative discussion. You need to read the docs and submit
comments by June 251". Maggie circulated the recording to the Committee.
c. Caroline has reviewed parts 1 and 2 and has a comment that the document
largely ignores growth-inducing impacts from the operation of the pipeline. E.g.
Model is not calibrated to work for Southold. Maybe we should be working with
USGS on a saltwater intrusion study. Southold Town should consider running its
own independent EIS assessing impacts of development.
d. Phase 1: bring in water from Pine Barren; goal is to give every Suffolk resident
access to public water supply
4. City Planning request to coordinate efforts/enlist WAC expertise: Heather Lanza
requested: Water committee can help us by identifying whether there are any water
conservation and water quality regulations the Town would be able to enact and enforce in
its new proposed zoning code. Can be submitted over the next few months. WAC concern
we don't have resources or time, even though we do have lots of suggestions.
a. DWSP2 report recommendations could be fed into this request. But it's a lot of
work and would require teams and individual assignments.
i. Caroline flagged she needs access to the maps to complete
ii. Anne noted that Mark Terry should be involved as well—she will invite
him and others
S. Salt water intrusion study (convo with Fred Stumm): Caroline
6. Water conservation ad: any response from civics re a quote?
a. Put a pause on given there's so much going on, and it doesn't currently mention
the legislation. Revisit after Ben discusses with us.
b. Proceed with ad, but cut it down, too wordy. Town Board has to approve.
i. Request ads every other week June through August
FOR JULY AGENDA:
• Ben to be invited to discuss Irrigation Code revised draft
• Two Mattituck interns to present at July--Anne