HomeMy WebLinkAboutLL #07 2025 STATE OF..NEW YORK.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
ONE COMMERCE`PLAZA
KATHY HOCHUL
99 WASHINGTON AVENUE GOVERNOR
AWANY,NY 12231-0001 WALTER T. MOSLEY
HTTPS:HDOS.NY.GOV SECRETARY OF STATE
August 5, 2025
Town of Southold .4
Town Hall
53095 Main Road
PO Box 1179 AUG 1 3 2025
Southold, New York 11971
RE: Town of Southold
To Whom it May•'Concern:
Local Law 7, and 8 of the year 2025 was filed with this office on 7/31/2025. The,
Department of State Local Law Index Number,7,,and 8 of the,year of 2025. The Local
Law number assigned by the Department of:State for indexing purposes may be
different from the Local Law number ascribed by the-Legislative Body of the Local
Government.
Department of State
Division of State Records
(518) 473-2492
www.dos.ny.gov
*The Local Law filing form has been updated as of.03/05/2026 in compliance
with Section 27 of thei Municipal Home Rule Law*
YORK Department
STATE of State
DENIS NONCARROW ��® �� Town Hall,53095 Main Road
TOWN CLERK ® P.O.Box 1179
Southold,New York 11971
REGISTRAR,OF VITAL STATISTICS ve
MARRIAGE OFFICER Fax(631)765-6145
� ®�' Telephone(631)765-1800
RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER ® �
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER www.southoldtownnygov
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
July 28, 2025
Priority Mail Express
RE: Local Laws No. 7 & 8 of 2025
Town of Southold, Suffolk County
New York State Department of State
State Records & Law Bureau
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue
Albany,NY 12231
Dear Sir/Madam:
In accordance with provisions of Section 27 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, I
am enclosing herewith Local Laws No. 7 & 8 of 2025 of the Town of Southold, suitable
for filing in your office.
I would appreciate if you would send me a receipt indicating the filing of this
enclosure in your office. Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Jennifer M. Mudd
Deputy Town Clerk
Enclosures
cc: Town Attorney
New York State
Department of State
DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS,
STATE RECORDS AND
UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12231-0001
dos.ny.gov
Local Law Filing
Pursuant to Municipal Home Rule Law§27
Local Law Number ascribed by the legislative body of the local government listed below:
7 of the year 20 25
Local Law Title: A Local Law in relation to Irrisation
Be it enacted.by the Town Board of the
(Name of Legislative Body)
County City Town Vitlage
(Select one)
of SOUTHOLD as follows on the attached pages:
(Name of Local Government)
For Office Use Only
Department of State Local Law Index Number: of the year 20
(The local law number assigned by the Department of State for indexing purposes may be different from the
local law number ascribed by the legislative body of the local government.)
DOS-0239-a-f(Rev,02-25) page 1 of 5
l
I.A new Chapter 164 of the Code of the Town of Southold is hereby adopted as follows:
A Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Irrigation"
II. 164-1 Legislative Intent.
The Town Board of Southold acknowledges that Southold Town's sole source aquifer system is a finite resource and
serves as the only water supply available to meet the needs of the Town's population. Approximately 70% of the water
pumped during peak demand hours is used for outdoor purposes, such as landscape irrigation.Unfortunately, up to 50% of
this water is wasted due to overwatering caused by inefficient irrigation methods and systems. The Southold Town Board
recognizes that water-efficient irrigation systems can help reduce overwatering and mitigate issues like soil runoff,which
is vital for maintaining and prolonging our Town's water supply,particularly during peak usage times. Therefore,this law
establishes requirements for residential and commercial lawn,turf, and garden irrigation systems to conserve and manage
our upper glacial aquifer,which is the sole source of drinking water in Southold Town.
164-2 Definitions.
As used in this law,the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM-An automatic underground, aboveground, or grade-level system that allows or
provides a means to apply controlled amounts of water to land for irrigation.
CONTRACTOR-Any person,business,firm, partnership, corporation, or any other entity of its agents or employees
having a Suffolk County Home Improvement Contractors License, depending on the scope of the proposed work, who
install, program, and maintain, or repair an irrigation system.
RAIN SENSOR-A low voltage electrical or mechanical component placed in the
circuitry of an automatic landscape irrigation system that is designed to restrict operation of a sprinkler controller in the
event of precipitation.
SMART CONTROLLER-An evapotranspiration-based ("ET") controller that calculates soil moisture from known
weather and related inputs.A Smart Controller:
a. receives and monitors weather data or on-site environmental conditions including, but not limited to, solar
radiation,wind speed,temperatures, relative humidity,rainfall, and soil moisture; and
b. calculates or determines the amount of moisture input to and moisture lost from the soil and plant; and
C. automatically creates or adjusts the irrigation schedule to apply only the amount of water necessary to maintain
adequate soil moisture.
SOLE SOURCE AQUIFER-An aquifer designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency("EPA") as
the sole or principal source of drinking water for the area above the aquifer and including those lands where the
population served by the aquifer live;that is, an aquifer which is needed to supply 50% or more of the drinking water for
that area and for which there are no reasonably available alternative sources should the aquifer become polluted.
164-3 General Requirements.
A. Sprinkler heads shall preclude water application on paved areas or areas not requiring irrigation.
B. During a period of extreme drought where the danger to Southold Town's Sole Source Aquifer is most significant,
the Town Board of the Town of Southold may pass a resolution preventing irrigation of all properties, except those
properties exempt from this Chapter. Each day such a violation shall continue shall be an additional violation.A violation
of this provision shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not exceeding$1,000 for each violation.
C. Smart Controllers shall be attached to all new Automatic Irrigation Systems and set to prevent irrigation after 1/2
inch of rainfall. After 1/2 inch of rainfall,the Automatic Irrigation Systems shall not apply irrigation for a period of 2
days.
164-4 Requirements for automated systems.
A. Premises with Automatic Irrigation Systems or other systems controlled by automatic time-controlled devices may
only irrigate on even-numbered days for those with even-numbered street addresses and on odd-numbered days for those
with odd-numbered street addresses. Daily irrigation is prohibited.
B. All automatic irrigation systems installed after the effective date of this chapter shall be equipped with a Smart
Controller and at least one Rain Sensor. The Smart Controller and Rain Sensor(s)shall prevent the automatic irrigation
system from applying water during periods of rain and/or periods during which soil moisture content is sufficient to
sustain plant life on the property. Any device installed pursuant to this section must be properly installed,maintained, and
operated in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
C. No more than 3 years after the effective date of this chapter, all Contractors and/or property owners who activate,
install, repair, or conduct routine maintenance on automatic irrigation systems shall not activate such system unless that
system is equipped with a Smart Controller and a minimum of one Rain Sensor. The Addition to the system shall prevent
the automatic irrigation system from applying water during periods of rain and/or periods during which soil moisture
content is sufficient to sustain plant life on the property.
164-5 Contractors who install,upgrade,or activate automatic landscape irrigation systems shall provide written
documentation to the system's owner stating that the system is in compliance with this chapter.
164-6 Exemptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to residential food production, land used in agricultural
production and agricultural operations, nurseries and garden centers.
164-7 Enforcement.The Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, Ordinance Inspector, or other official as
designated by the Southold Town Board shall all be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter.
164-8 Penalties for offenses.
A. A violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be issued only after notice of noncompliance and warning to
cease illegal operations has been properly served and an opportunity to cure, not to exceed thirty days,has been provided.
B. Any contractor or property owner violating the requirements of this chapter shall,upon conviction thereof, be
subject to a fine not exceeding$1,000 for each violation.
C. Any contractor or property owner violating the requirements of this chapter shall, upon the second or subsequent
conviction within five years of the first conviction, be subject to a fine not exceeding$2,500 for each subsequent
violation.
III. Severability.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this law or the application thereof to any person,
individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but
shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this law, or in its
application to the person, individual, corporation,firm,partnership, entity, or circumstance directly involved in the
controversy in which such order or judgment shall be rendered.
IV. Effective Date.
This Local Law shall be effective upon adoption by the Southold Town Board and filing with the Secretary of State.
P !
Local Law Filing
(Complete the certification in the paragraph that applies to the filing of this local law and
strike out that which is not applicable.)
1. (Final adoption by local legislative body only.)
I hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto ascribed as local law number 7 of 20 25 of
the(GG6Ia#Y)(Qty)(Town)(Village) of Southold was duly passed by the
Town Board on July 22 20 25 in accordance
(Name of Legislative Body)
with the applicable provisions of law.
2. , no dlsappFGval OF Fepassage after disapproval by the E!eGtiVe
Chief Cven-utiye Offirer* 1
I hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto, ascribed as local law number of 20 of the
(County)(City)(Town)(Village) of was duly passed by the
on 20 and was
(Name of Legislative Body)
(approved)(not approved)(repassed after disapproval) by the
(Elective Chief Executive Officer*)
on 20 in accordance with the applicable provisions of law.
3. (Final adoption by referendum.)
I hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto, ascribed as local law number of 20 of the
(County)(City)(Town)(Village) of was duly passed by the
on 20 and was
(Name of Legislative Body)
(approved)(not approved)(repassed after disapproval) by the on
(Elective Chief Executive Officer*)
20
Such local law was submitted to the people by reason of a (mandatory)(permissive) referendum, and received the
affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon at the (general)(special)(annual) election held on
20 in accordance with the applicable provisions of law.
4.(SubjeGt tG PeFMOSSIV8 Feferend-Urn and final adeption henause no valid petit en was filed Fequesting FefeFendum.)
I hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto, ascribed as local law number of 20 of the
(County)(City)(Town)(Village) of was duly passed by the
on 20 and was
(Name of Legislative Body)
(approved)(not approved)(repassed after disapproval) by the on
(Elective Chief Executive Officer*)
20 Such local law was subject to permissive referendum and no valid petition
requesting such referendum was filed as of 20 in accordance with the
applicable provisions of law.
Elective Chief Executive Officer means or includes the chief executive officer of a county elected on a county-wide basis or, if there be
none,the chairperson of the county legislative body,the mayor of a city or village, or the supervisor of a town where such officer is vested
with the power to approve or veto local laws or ordinances.
DOS-0239-f (Rev.02/25)
Page 4 of 5
Local Law Filing
5.
hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto, ascribed as local law number of 20 of
the City of having submitted to referendum pursuant to
the provisions of Section (36)(37) of the Municipal Home Rule Law, and having received the affirmative vote of a
majority of the qualified electors of such city voting thereon at the (special)(general) election held on
20 became operative.
6. (County IGGa laur concerning adoptiGn of Charter.)
I hereby certify that the local law annexed thereto, ascribed as local law number of 20 of
the County of State of New York, having been submitted to
the electors at the General Election of November 20 pursuant to subdivisions 5 and 7 of
section 33 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, and having received the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified
electors of the cities of said county as a unit and a majority of the qualified electors of the towns of said county
considered as a unit voting at said general election, became operative.
(If any other authorized form of final adoption has been followed, please provide an appropriate certification.)
I further certify that I have compared the preceding local law with the original on file in this office and that the same is a
correct transcript therefrom and of the whole of such original local law, and was finally adopted in the manner indicated in
the paragraph 1 above.
Clerk of the county legislative body, City,Town or Village Clerk or
officer designated by local legislative body
(Seal) JUL 2 5 2025
(Date)
DOS-0239-a-f(Rev.02-25) page 5 of 5
DENIS NONCARROW Town Hall,,53095 Main Road P.O.
TOWN CLERK Qir StTj Box 1179
Q Southold,New York 11971 Fax
631 `765-614S.Thone ele
REGISTRAR OF VITAL ) P 631)STATISTICS MARRIAGE OFFICER 765-1800
www.southoldtownY'gn ov
RECORDS.MANAGEMENT,
OFFICER-FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION OFFICER "OUT'Im'`�`
OFFICE OF TAE TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF,SOUTHOLD
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION,NO.'2025-513 WAS
ADOPTED AT THE.REGULAR MEETING OF THE SOiTTI30LD TOWN BOARD ON
.ULY 22,,2025:
Whereas-there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of Southold,-Suffolk County,
New York,,on the 281'day of May 2025.,a Local Law entitled;"A Local Law in relation.to
Irri ation7'�and,:
Whereas the Town Board of the Town of Southold held a public hearing on the'aforesaid Local
Lawzt whichtiine all interestedpersons were given an,'opportunity to be heard,new therefor be
it
Resolved that the Town Board of the Town'of:Southold hereby ENACTS the proposed T,ocal.
Law entitled,""A Local LaW in relation to.Irrigation"which reads as follows::
LOCAL LAW"NO. 7 of 2025,
I.Anew Chapter 164 of the,Code of the Town.of Southold: s hereby adopted'as follows:
A Local Law entitled, "A Local LaWin relation to Ifrigation"
H. 164-1 Legislative Intent:
The Town Boai d.of Southold-acknowledges that Southold Town's sole source aquifer
system is a finite resource and serves'as.the only water supply available to meet the needs
of the Town's`tiopulation.Approximately 70% of the Water liumped.during peak demand
hours is used for outdoor-purposes,such as landscape irrigation.Unfortunately, up to-50%
of this water is wasted due to overWatering caused.by inefficient irrigation methods-and
systems.°The Southold,Town Board recognizes,ihat water-efficient irrigation,systems can
help.reduce overwater`ing and niiti ate issues llke'soil runoff,Which is vital for maintaining
and prolonging oue`Town's water supA1V:parti'c'ularly during peakusage times:Therefore,
=this law establishes requirements for residential and commercial lawn..turf,and garden
irrigation systems to conserve:and manage=our upper glacial aquifer;which is-the sole.
."s'oufte of drifilangvAtefin Sduthold'Tdwn.,
164-1 "Derinitio' ns.
As used M4-Ahis law;the following'terms.gh2iH.haVe�the�nieviiiiiig indicated:
AUTONUTICIRRIGATION SYSTEM-An automatic underground,aboveground; or
gr:ide=le,v6l"svgtcifti�'t'hitt,Alows',or iorMdes.Ameaifts to apply controlled abiountg,of water to
labdIorlori�atl6n.
CONTRACTOR.-.AnYverson,business;-fifin,-partnership,tokporati6ji, of any other entity
of its agentsor employees having a Suffolk.County Home.Improvement,Contractors
LicenteAekjxdl"on the scope of the Ordpowd work,who,install,_program,and mam—tain.,
or.'repaijr an irrigation system.
RAIN-SENSOR-.A 16*-vblbke,eketikid ormechanical component elated
in ihe
eirtuitrV,bf an.automatic IAfidscAO6-4fkik2tf6n;system.that
-is'designed to fOStAet operation
m
ofa spriiikier controller in the event,of"prec iiitation..
SMART CONTROLLER-An evapotr.diigpiration-based,("ET")c6iftioller,that calculates
soffmoisture,from known weather.and related"Inpitik A Smart:Controller:
ai. receives and monitors wedih6ritata oi on" fte,environmental conditions includbig
but nbtllmftett:O,solar radiation; relative humidity .rainfall,
and soft moisture.-;-and.
b.' calculates.of determines}th-e amoun"t"of.moisture.'input to mid'mobturie lost:from the
soil'and plant;-:and
C. automatically creates or adi ts,theltrigAtioh schedule to apply only the amount of
water'hetesgafy to maintain adeguate goit.m' ciisturci.,
SOLE SOURCE AQUIFER=An agider designated.by the United States
"Environmental'Pr6teetidii'Ag6iaO-.("EPAII) ,as the sole orjp heipalsdiikee of drinking'
water'for the area aUt)ve.the,agulfer.:and."iiieludinE i6selan&where-thiD voiDulatiomserved
by the aquifer lire;-th;A N4-
Aii.atfulfei-'w-'hich.is-ii6id,6d-,to-iiiiipIY50.% (ii.inoteof'th'e'
drinking water forahat:area aftd,-f6k,whic,kthpirvate:no-reasonably AvAi lAb I le,alternAilve
sourcess oWdthe aquifer become;P611ifted.'
164.3 General_Requirements.
,A StjAnkl6r`h6ds shall preclude twater application on OAV6d ar6as"or-Ake'ls
not requiring irrigation.
B.. During-,a.;D.eriod of extreme:drought wherelhe..-danger to Southold Town's
S I ble.Soittice Agufferls mostsi�nificaiit,the Town gbard of the Town ofSouthold-may pass
a resolution preventingirrigation of allproperties,except those properties exempt from
thin ChaOter..Each'day` .siich,a violat
ion shall colitintie shall be an additional violation. A
violation.()f,:,thig!or()Vigion,shall,,lttuon conviction,thereof;b,io:siihieetto,i,fm6,,,not.exteedin
,S1;600"f6jr each violation.
-to all h6W-AutdifiAtkIft-tlkgMon Systems ithil
C. Smart Controllers shalfbe.�Athtich'e d- - st � t
s6f.to,preveniiii1gation after-i/lineh dfrainfal After VT-M' ch.of rainfall,the Automatic
.164.4 for automated systems:,
A. Premises-with.Automadc Irrigation,Systems or other.systems controlled'by
automatic time-controlled devices'may'only_irrisate.-oii even-numbered days forthose with
even-numbered street.addresses'and:on odd-numbered day&for those with odd-numbered
street addresses.. Daily'irrigation•is prohibited..
IK All=automati�.,irkigation-systems,'installe&aftef the,.effective date of this chapter`
shall be eguippedwithta Smart.Controher-and at.least one-Rain,Sensor. The
Smart Controller and Rain Sensors) shall prevent the automatic krigation_system
from applying water during periods of ranand/or periods during which soil
moisture:content is sufficient to sustain.plant.11fe;onlhe property.Any'device,
installed pursuant to this section must,be pr:operlyInstalled,maintained, and operated
in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
C. No'more than 3 years after the effective date i f'this-chapter;all.Contractors
and/.or:property-owners,who activate liastall,,repair, or:conduct.routine maintenance.on
automatic ii`riiatton"systems'shall not activate such system unless that.system is ectuipped
with::a Smart Controller and.a minimum-of one RainS'ensor. The Addition to the system
shall prevent-the+automatic irrigation system fi:om anuly ng'waier during Periods of ram
aAd/or'periods`.during which soil.moisture•conterit'is sufficient tolsustiihi plant life=on the
pro et
164-5 Contractors who install;upgrade,-or. activate'autoniatic landscape irrigation systems.
shall-provide written documentation,toAhe.system's owner stating..that,the system is in
compliance with`this chapter:
164=6 Exemptions:The provisions of thkehapter shaD ii6t apply to residential food
production;land-used.=in.agricultural production,.and agricultural operations,nurseries
and garden-centers.
16.4. 7 Enforcement: The I'i ilding.:Inspector,C'ode.Enforcement,Officer. Ordinance
Inspector;or other:official as:designated.bythe.Southold.Town Soar-ds-hall all Ue:
responsible=for;the:enforcement-of."this chapter..
1644 Pei aloes 4dt"6ffenses:..
A.. A violation.of the provisions::oY thin chapierahali belssued,only after notice
of noncompliance and.ivarning to`cease illegal ouerations`has Ueen properly.serveii and.an
opportunity to cure,,riot,to exceed thirty days,has'been provided.
B.. Any=contractor-or property owner violating the requirements of this chapter
shall,upon-.conAdion'thereof;be.suUiect to a Erne not exceeding$1,000 for each.violation.
C. Any;contractor-..or property,owner Aolatingah-e requirements of this chanter
shall.-upon "the second or subsequent-conviction withiii five years of the fast conviction,
l e:siiWect toxa•fine,.not:ezceedihZS2;560 for`each�subseguent°violation.
-III. Severability
If:any clause, septence,paragraph,subdivision,section, or;.part.of this:.law`or:the:application
thereof to any;persori individual,corporation;frm,partnership, entity,,'or circumstance shall''be
adjudged by any court of"competent jur sdiction,.to be:inyalid orunconstitutional, such order or
judgment,shall not affect„_impair, or uiyalidate,the,rem4 e thereof;but shall.be confined in its
operationwtolthe clause,.sentence,paragraph, subdivision, section,.orpartofthis law, or.in,its
application to the person,individual,corporation, firm,partnership, entity; or circumstance
directly involved in the controversy nwhich such order or judgment shall'be rendered.
IV. �Efftetive Date:
This Local Law-shall be effective.upon adoption by the Southold Town Board and filing with the
Secretatv'.of State.
DeniS:Noncarrow'
Soi thohl Town Clef k
RESULT:; Adopted
MOVER: Councilman Doroski
SECONDER: Councilman Mealy
AYES: Councilman Mealy,;.Councilwoman Smith, Cour cihmri DorosId,
Supervisor Krupsld; Jr.
NA YES': Councwoman,Doherly
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ENACTMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Southold held a public
hearing on the aforesaid Local Law at which time all interested persons were given an
opportunity to be heard, and
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Southold
hereby ENACTED the proposed Local Law entitled,
A Local Law in relation to Irrieation
A copy of this Local Law is available on the Town Website: www.southoldto=.gov or at the
Town Clerk's Office (631)765-1800.
BY THE ORDER OF THE SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
DATED: JULY 22, 2025
DENIS NONCARROW, TOWN CLERK
f'
Prepared Remarks of Jeff Szabo, Chief Executive Officer of the Suffolk County Water
Authority-"A Local Law in relation to Irrigation"
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Good afternoon. I'm Jeff Szabo, Chief Executive Officer of the Suffolk County Water
Authority.
SCWA is the largest provider of drinking water in Suffolk County. We serve 1.2 million
residents and supply more than half the population of Southold, with about 12,000
customer connections. No one knows the North Fork aquifer system better than we do.
Here on the North Fork, we operate 60 public supplywells and delivered over 1.4 billion
gallons of drinking water to Southold customers in 2024.
1 want to thank Supervisor Krupski and the Southold Water Advisory Committee for
advancing this critical legislation. SCWA has presented to the committee multiple times
over the last several years, consistently urging the Town to treat this issue with the
seriousness it demands. Today, I am here to support this legislation. Southold is in a water
supply crisis.And this bill, along with adding additional supply with the North Fork Pipeline
project, is part of the solution.
The core of the problem is simple. There simply is not enough water in the aquifer under
Southold to meet demand. During the summer months, SCWA's infrastructure on the
North Fork, though robust and modern, is overwhelmed by automatic lawn irrigation
systems in the overnight hours, when in-home water use is low.
Southold residents are using more water than ever before and that is evidenced by the
crisis we are facing today. Our wells are pushed to maximum capacity and still cannot keep
up.As a result, storage tanks like the one on Moore's Lane in Greenport drop to
dangerously low levels, sometimes just a few feet of water.
That creates a domino effect: insufficient pressure, reduced flow, potentially limiting
firefighting capability, and our inability to meet the water needs of hospitals and emergency
responders. That is the reality we're already living with—and the consequences of doing
nothing are dire.
Let me be as clear as I can: This is not a hypothetical. The aquifer beneath Southold is at
serious risk of saltwater intrusion. At times,we are pumping all our wells in the entire
township just to keep up with irrigation demand. If this continues, we run the risk of
drawing saltwater into the aquifer—a process that cannot be reversed. And once it
happens, the wells are done.You cannot flush the salt back out. The supply is lost—
permanently.
Unlike the other parts of Suffolk,where freshwater wells can be constructed up to 800
hundred feet deep and can supply up to 1,300 gallons per minute by pulling from deeper
aquifers like the Magothy, freshwater in Southold is limited to the Upper Glacial Aquifer.
These wells range from 50 to 100 feet deep and supply only around 50 gallons per minute.
Studies, such as the Hydrogeologic Framework of the North Fork done by the United States
Geologic Survey, discuss this sensitive system and indicate that the freshwater in this
region is a series of shallow isolated freshwater bubbles surrounded by seawater both at
the coastline and below.This region is sensitive to pumpage changes and over pumping
will result in the irreversible threat of seawater contamination.
We've seen this before. In Jamaica, Queens, the public water supply was shut down in the
1990s after saltwater contamination infiltrated the wells. Now, 30 years later, the U.S.
Geological Survey has found that the saltwater plume has not significantly diminished.
That's the future we face on the North Fork if we do not act.This is not a choice between
doing something or doing nothing. It's a choice between doing something—or damaging
the aquifer for generations.
The Town's proposed legislation is a serious and thoughtful attempt to confront this
problem. One provision stands out as the single most impactful change the Town can
make: the adoption and enforcement of an odd/even lawn watering schedule.
SCWA implemented this policy in 2023, but we have no authority to enforce it. Most
residents already water every other day—typically Monday,Wednesday, Friday—but that's
exactly the problem.When everyone waters at once, our system cannot recover. A well-
enforced odd/even rule would distribute demand more evenly and help maintain pressure
in our tanks and mains during peak periods.
We also strongly support the proposed requirements for smart irrigation controllers. SCWA
has issued hundreds of thousands of dollars in rebates to encourage the installation of
these water-saving devices. These devices have been shown to be effective at reducing
water use while keeping lawns healthy and lush.
SCWA has made an enormous-effort to make our customers aware of the importance of
water conservation and the best practices to achieve it.We have invested hundreds of
thousands of dollars into advertising campaigns to stress the urgency of the situation.We
have held community meetings on the North Fork.We have gone door-to-door, taking our
message directly with customers on how they can help. Through emails, phone messages,
text messages and bill inserts we are imploring residents to follow the odd/even lawn
watering schedule and install smart controllers for their irrigation systems. I wish I could
report that these efforts have been a unmitigated success and the problem has abated.The
truth is that we have seen only a small change in behavior.
We understand that conservation alone won't solve this problem. Adding additional supply
with the North Fork Pipeline project is the only surefire solution to ensuring the long-term
supply for Southold. But the situation has become so severe and every step must be taken
to urgently address this problem. Every additional gallon we draw now puts the long-term
health of the North Fork aquifer at greater risk.This is an aquifer we are supposed to be
protecting—not pushing to collapse.
The Suffolk County Water Authority strongly supports this legislation.We believe it will help
stabilize water use, preserve pressure and storage capacity and slow the march of
saltwater intrusion. It is a step we cannot afford to delay.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak and for your leadership on this issue. SCWA stands
ready to support the Town in implementing these changes—for the benefit of our
customers and the long-term protection of the region's only drinking water source.
Mudd, Jennifer
From: Noncarrow, Denis
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 1:38 PM
To: Mudd,Jennifer; Norklun, Stacey; Rudder, Lynda
Subject: FW:Water committee comments on Water Code
RECEIVED
Please print out for public Hearing
Denis Noncarrow JUL 2 2 2Q5
Southold Town Clerk.
Town of Southold, New York
www.southoldtownny.gov Southold Town Clerk
denisn@southoldtownny.gov
631-765-1800
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication with its contents may contain confidential and/or legally privileged
information. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception, review, use or disclosure is
prohibited and may violate applicable laws including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you are not the
intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of the communication.
From:Stype,John
Sent:Tuesday,July 22, 2025 1:37 PM
To: Noncarrow, Denis<denisn@southoldtownny.gov>; Krupski,Al<alk@town.southold.ny.us>; Doherty,Jill
<jill.doherty@town.southold.ny.us>; Smith,Anne<anne.smith@town.southold.ny.us>; Doroski, Greg
<greg.doroski@town.southold.ny.us>; Evans, Louisa <louisae@town.southold.ny.us>; Mealy, Brian
<brian.mealy@town.southold.ny.us>
Cc: Kate Daly<k8mdaly@gmail.com>; Stype,John <johnst@southoldtownny.gov>
Subject:Water committee comments on Water Code
Town Clerk and the Town Board,
The Town Water committee would like to have the latest draft of the new water code to include the
following,
Odd/even watering. This reduces water supply demand from residential and non agricultural business
irrigation by one half if followed by all. This is a measurable goal. SCWA should be able to provide feedback
to Southold on the level of participation rates after implementation of the town's irrigation legislation. These
metrics can then be used by town government to make future decisions about en forcement as response to
the law can be measured.
Prohibition of watering between 10 am and-4pm is to minimize water loss due to evaporation during.the
hottest part of the day.
Both of these conditions are already policies of the SCWA and would reflect a coordinated effort that would
be more easily understood by the public.
. 1
If there is anything else that you need from the Water committee, please let us know. Thank you.
John Stype
Deputy Supervisor
Town of Southold, New York
www.southoldtownny.gov
iohnst@southoldtownny.gov
0: 631-765-1889
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication with its contents may contain confidential
and/or legally privileged information. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient(s).
Unauthorized interception, review, use or disclosure is prohibited and may violate applicable
laws including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you are not the intended
recipient, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of the communication.
z
NOTES on WATER CONSERVATION LEGISLATION
Hearing on water conservation scheduled for June 24,2025 at 4:30 PM at Southold Town Hall on"A
Local Law in Relation to Irrigation:'
This is an important topic,as the irrigation of lawns has been a significant drain on the aquifer and
the Suffolk County Water Authority's(SCWA)infrastructure.Since we have a fragile,fresh water
supplythat is susceptible to saltwater intrusion,over-pumping can contaminate our drinking water
supplies,whether on wells or public water.
The proposed legislation is available at:A Local Law entitled,"A Local Law in relation to Irrigation"
Southold, NY-Official Website
COMMENTS:
First, I would like to applaud the Town for beginning to address the need for water conservation by
tackling the issue of the irrigation of lawns,the most wasteful use of water. I strongly support this
Legislation,although I have a few comments and suggestions for further amendments.
1. 164-4 A This rule is beneficial in its reduction of stress on the infrastructure or rate of
simultaneous pumping. However, it may not reduce overall water consumption unless a
limit of rate and/or time is included in the regulation.
2. Could 164-4-C clearly require ALL automatic irrigation systems to be updated to include
controllers and/or rain sensors?Also,please consider shortening the time period to two
years.
3. 164-4 D,this statute only requires notification regarding compliant systems.Wouldn't it be
more effective to require a registry of ALL automatic irrigation systems in the town? Data
could include whether the system is compliant,size,and estimated water usage.This way
conservation efforts could be targeted more efficiently.
4. 164-4 D.Will the Town maintain a list of qualified irrigation installers/maintenance
companies and require certification/education on proper irrigation practices that avoid
inappropriate use?
5. 164-5 is missing
6. 164.6 Under exemptions, please consider adding the production of food. Many
homeowners have vegetable gardens,which should be exempt.
I strongly support this legislation and hope that it is the first step in a more aggressive conservation
program. Future programs may consider pilots for industries using high quantities of water and
requirements for low-flow fixtures during building renovations.Swimming pools can double a
household's water usage and cause saltwater intrusion affecting nearby wells. Measures that
address swimming pool issues,such as the manner of filling them and/or use of covers that
mitigate evaporation could be considered.Shelter Island has strong regulations protecting the use
of the aquifer. I am grateful that the issue of water conservation is finally being considered.
Glynis Berry, PO Box 444,Orient, NY 11957 631 680 9656
• v.
1W1:�
FOR June 20, 2025 JUN 2 202S
Gro' UPTHE
Supervisor Al Krupski & U'h Old ��,wn cse��
East E n
Members of the Town Board
Town of Southold
Robert S.DeLuca P.O. Box 1179
PRESIDENT Southold,NY 11971
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Re: A Local Law in Relation to Irrigation
Katherine Leahy Birch
CHAIR Dear Supervisor Krupski and Members of the Town Board,
William Ryall On behalf of Group for the East End, I lend our strongest support to the proposed
VICE CHAIR
measure that requires water-efficient irrigation systems for both residential and
Susan Abdolla commercial uses. I thank you in advance for passing the proposed local law, which
Kimberly Allan will help protect Southold's fragile, finite water resources.
Lou Bevilacqua
W.Marco Birch The Suffolk County Water Authority recently shared that approximately 70% of the
Kristen Briner drinking water pumped throughout Suffolk County is utilized by irrigation systems.i
Andrew Goldstein Alarmingly,the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 50% of
Stuart Goode water used to irrigate lawns is wasted due to inefficient lawn watering practices.'
Nestor Gounaris Many areas of Southold are facing the long-term impacts of over-consumption,
John F.Shea saltwater intrusion, and pressure problems in addition to contamination. The Town
Kimberly Smith Spacek of Southold's Comprehensive Plan 2020 states, "The potable water supply in the
Marisa van Bokhorst
Town is limited, and without conservation measures, the supply ofpotable water in
Mary Walker
Donna Winston the aquifer is strained, especially in times of drought" (6-3).
The use of smart devices such as irrigation controllers and rain sensors can
P.O.Box 1792 significantly reduce the amount of water required to irrigate turf,preventing
Southold,NY 11971 overwatering. Suffolk County Water Authority routinely urges customers to utilize
P.O.Box 569 this technology for water conservation and cost-saving measures. According to the
Bridgehampton,NY 11932 Environmental Protection Agency, "Replacing a clock-based controller with a
631.765.6450 WaterSense labeled irrigation controller can reduce an average home's irrigation
GroupfortheEastEnd.org water use by up to 30 percent and can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons of
water annually. "3
1 1 hMs•�/wwwscwa com/suffolk-county-water-authority-urges-water-conservation-this-
summer
2 https•-I/wwwepa gov/watersense/statistics-and-
facts#•—•text=As%20much%20as%2050%20percent 25%20000%20gallons%20of%20water
%20annually.
3 https•I/www.epa.gov/watersense/statistics-and-
facts#:—:text=As%20much%20as%20 5 0%20percent 25%2C000%20ga11ons%20of%20water
%20annually.
Protecting the nature of the place you love
Importantly,the Town of Southold Comprehensive Plan recommended the following
measures, which directly support the subject proposal:
Goal 1: Conserve Water Quantity (p.4-3)
Objective 1.1: Consider mandatory water conservation measures for residential
irrigation (p. 4-4).
A. Designate odd/even days for lawn irrigation.
B. Use rain meters to prevent automatic sprinklers from activating on rainy
days.
Given our reliance on a clean and plentiful source of groundwater for our drinking
water needs, it is incumbent upon the Town to require and enforce conservation
measures that will help conserve our water resources. This requirement is expressly
recommended in the Town of Southold Comprehensive Plan 2020 and is a common-
sense measure that will help achieve these necessary goals.
Thank you for taking the time to consider our comments. Please reach out should
you have any comments. I can be reached at(631) 765-6450 ext. 213 or at
bobnthegroup.org.
Sincerely,
Robert S. DeLuca
President
. .
Noncarrow, Denis
From: Jenn Hartnagel <jenn@thegroup.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:20 AM
To: Mealy, Brian; Krupski, AI; Evans, Louisa; Doroski, Greg; Doherty,Jill; Smith,Anne
Cc: Noncarrow, Denis
Subject: GFEE Letter of Support - Irrigation Law
Attachments: GFEELetterof5upportlrrigationLaw.pdf
Dear Supervisor Krupski and Members of the Town Board,
On behalf of Group for the East End, please review the attached letter of support regarding the proposed local
law requiring conservation measures related to irrigation practices throughout the Town. Thank you in advance
for supporting the proposed law, which will help protect our water resources.
Thank you,
Jenn Hartnagel
Jenn Hartnagel.
Director of Conservation Advocacy
Group for the East End
M:631-871-5632
thegroup.or�
Protecting the nature of the place you love
ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments or click on links from
unknown senders or unexpected emails.
i
. . y
Noncarrow, Denis
From: Jenn Hartnagel <jenn@thegroup.org>
Sent: Tuesday,June 24, 2025 11:20 AM
To: Mealy, Brian; Krupski, AI; Evans, Louisa; Doroski, Greg; Doherty,Jill; Smith,Anne
Cc: Noncarrow, Denis
Subject: GFEE Letter of Support - Irrigation Law
Attachments: GFEELetterofSupportlrrigation Law.pdf
Dear Supervisor Krupski and Members of the Town Board,
On behalf of Group for the East End, please review the attached letter of support regarding the proposed local
law requiring conservation measures related to irrigation practices throughout the Town. Thank you in advance
for supporting the proposed law, which will help protect our water resources.
Thank you,
Jenn Hartnagel
Jenn Hartnagel
Director of Conservation Advocacy
Group for the East End
M:631-871-5632
thegroup.org
Protecting the nature of the place you love
ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments or click on links from
unknown senders or unexpected emails.
i
63 84db5 8 sabrina.born@town.southoldnyus
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
The Suffolk Times
State of New York,
County of,Suffolk County,
The undersigned is the authorized designee of The Suffolk Times,a Weekly Newspaper published in Suffolk County,
New York.I certify that the public notice,a printed copy of which is attached hereto,was printed and published in this
newspaper on the following dates:
06/12/2025
This newspaper has been designated by the County Clerk of Suffolk County,as a newspaper of record in this county,
and as such,is eligible to publish such notices.
Signature
Christina Henke Rea
Printed Name
Subscribed and sworn to before me,
This 17 day of June 2025
Digitally signed DOUGLASWREA
by douglas w rea Notary Public•State of New York
Date: 2025.06.17 NO.OIRE6398443
13:46:14 +00:00 Qualified in Albany County
My Commission Expires Sep 30,2027
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN there
has been presented to the Town
Board of the Town of Southold,
Suffolk County, New York, on the
28th day of May, 2025, A Local Law
entitled, "A Local Law in relation
to Irrigation" and now therefor be
it
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER
GIVEN that the Town Board of the
Town of Southold will hold a public
hearing on the aforesaid Local Law
at Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main
Road, Southold, New York, on the
24th day of June, 2025 at 4:30
p.m. at which time all interested
persons will be given an
opportunity to be heard.
The proposed Local Law entitled,
"A Local Law in relation to
Irrigation" which reads as follows:
LOCAL LAW NO. 2025
I. A new Chapter 164 of the Code
of the Town of Southold is hereby
adopted as follows:
A Local Law entitled, "A Local Law
in relation to Irrigation"
II. 164-1 Legislative Intent.
A complete copy of this proposed
Local Law is available on the town.
website: www.southoldtownny.gov
or at the Town Clerk's Office during
normal business hours.
DATED: MAY 28, 2025
BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD
DENIS NONCARROW, SOUTHOLD
TOWN CLERK
t
Invoice rM
RVIEW
MEDIA GROUP
Invoice number DECO2879-0046
Date of issue May 30,2025
Date due June 11, 2025
Check payable to: Times Review Media Group
Client reference id Ch.164-Irrigation
Line count: 39
Times Review Newspapers Corp Bill to
7555 Main Road sabrina.born@town.southold.ny.us
PO Box 1500
Mattituck, New York 11952
United States
+1631-298-3200
Ibazata@timesreview.com
$57.72 USD due June 11, 2025
Pay online
Confirmation Id: 6384db58
Description Qty Unit price Amount
Publication date: 06/12/2025 1 $32.72 $32.72
QAC Affidavit 1 $25.00 $25.00
Subtotal $57.72
Total $5Z72
Amount due $57.72 USD
DECO2879-0046•$5Z72 USD due June 11,2025 Page 1 of 2
Check payable to:Times Review Media Group
Click this link for Ad copy:
https://gacmainstorage.blob.core.windows.net/notices/NY/The_Suffolk_Times/Suffolk-County/Publicnotice_6384db58.pdf
Ad Text:
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN there has been presented to the Town Board of the
Town of Southold, Suffolk County, New York,on the 28th day of May, 2025,A Local Law entitled,'A Local Law in relation to
Irrigation"and now therefor be it NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Southold will hold a
public hearing on the aforesaid Local Law at Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main Road, Southold, New York, on the 24th day of
June, 2025 at 4 30 p.m. at which time all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard. The proposed Local Law
entitled, 'A Local Law in relation to Irrigation"which reads as follows LOCAL LAW NO. 2025 I. A new Chapter Gq of the
Code of the Town of Southold is hereby adopted as follows A Local Law entitled, 'A Local Law in relation to Irrigation" ll.
I1A,-1 Legislative Intent. A complete copy of this proposed Local Law is available on the town website
www.southoldtownny.gov or at the Town Clerk's Office during normal business hours. DATED MAY 28, 2025 BY ORDER OF
THE TOWN BOARD DENIS NONCARROW, SOUTHOLD TOWN CLERK
DECO2879-0046•$57.72 USD due June 11,2025 Page 2 of 2
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN there
has been presented to the Town
Board of the Town of Southold,
Suffolk County, New York, on the
28th day of May, 2025, A Local Law
entitled, "A Local Law in relation
to Irrigation" and now therefor be
it
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER
GIVEN that the Town Board of the
Town of Southold will hold a public
hearing on the aforesaid Local Law
at Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main
Road, Southold, New York, on the
24th day of June, 2025 at 4:30
p.m. at which time all interested
persons will be given an
opportunity to be heard.
The proposed Local Law entitled,
"A Local Law in relation to
Irrigation" which reads as follows:
LOCAL LAW NO. 2025
I. A new Chapter 164 of the Code
of the Town of Southold is hereby
adopted as follows:
A Local Law entitled, "A Local Law
in relation to Irrigation"
II. 164-1 Legislative Intent.
A complete copy of this proposed
Local Law is available on the town
website: www.southoldtownny.gov
or at the Town Clerk's Office during
normal business hours.
DATED: MAY 28, 2025
BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD
DENIS NONCARROW, SOUTHOLD
TOWN CLERK
S
1
STATE OF NEW YORK)
SS:
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK)
Lynda Rudder, Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of Southold,New York being duly
sworn, says that on the 3011 day of May, 2025, a notice of which the annexed printed
notice is a true copy was affixed, in a proper and substantial manner, in a most public
place in the Town of Southold, Suffolk County,New York, to wit: Town Clerk's
Bulletin Board, 53095 Main Road, Southold,New York and the Southold Town
Website: www.southoldtomM.gov
PH—6/24/2025—Ch. 164 Irrigation
Lynda Rudder
Deputy Southold Town Clerk
Sworn to before me on the
30th day of May, 2025
Notary Public
SABRINA M BORN
Notary Public,State of New York
No.011306317038,Suffolk Cou
Commission Expires Dec.22,20,�,2
Born, Sabrina
From: Born, Sabrina
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2025 10:28 AM
To: Doherty, Jill; Doroski, Greg; Evans, Louisa;Johnson, Benjamin; Krupski,Al; 'Lisa Finn
(lisaahfinn@gmail.com)'; McGivney,Julie; Mealy, Brian; 'Paul DeChance';'Reisenberg,
Lloyd; Schlachter, Amy, Smith, Anne; Squicciarini,James; Standish, Lauren;Tomaszewski,
Michelle;Tomaszewski, Zachary
Cc: Mudd,Jennifer, Rudder, Lynda
Subject: AMENDED Legal-Ch. 164-Irrigation
Attachments: Ch. 164-Irrigation.doc
Importance: High
Please use this Legal Notice.
Thank you,
Sabrina M. Born
Deputy Town Clerk & Sub-Registrar
Senior Account Clerk
Southold Town Clerk's Office
53095 Route 25
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
Ph: 631-765-1800 ext. 1226
Fax: 631-765-6145
From: Born,Sabrina
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2025 10:05 AM
To: Doherty,Jill <jill.doherty@town.southold.ny.us>; Doroski, Greg<greg.doroski@town.southold.ny.us>; Evans, Louisa
<louisae@town.southold.ny.us>;Johnson, Benjamin <benjaminj@southoldtownny.gov>; Krupski, Al
<alk@town.southold.ny.us>; 'Lisa Finn (lisaahfinn@gmail.com)' <lisaahfinn@gmail.com>; McGivney,Julie
<juliem@southoldtownny.gov>; Mealy, Brian<brian.mealy@town.southold.ny.us>; 'Paul DeChance'
<pauld@southoldtownny.gov>; Reisenberg, Lloyd <Lloyd.Reisenberg@town.southo Id.ny.us>; Schlachter,Amy
<amys@southoldtownny.gov>; Smith, Anne<anne.smith@town.southold.ny.us>; Squicciarini,James
<jacks@southoldtownny.gov>; Standish, Lauren<Lauren.Standish@town.southold.ny.us>;Tomaszewski, Michelle
<michellet@town.southold.ny.us>;Tomaszewski,Zachary<zact@southoldtownny.gov>
Cc: Mudd,Jennifer<jennifer.mudd@town.southold.ny.us>; Rudder, Lynda <lynda.rudder@town.southold.ny.us>
Subject: Legal-Ch. 264-Irrigation
Importance: High
Good Morning,
Please see attached Legal Notice.
i
Thank you,
.�a.�nuza7?2�on�
Sabrina M. Born
Deputy Town Clerk &Sub-Registrar '
Senior Account Clerk
Southold Town Clerk's Office
53095 Route 25
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
Ph: 631-765-1800 ext. 1226
Fax: 631-765-6145
2
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of
Southold, Suffolk County,New York, on the 281h day of May, 2025,A Local Law entitled, "A
Local Law in relation to Irrigation" and now therefor be it
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Southold will
hold a public hearing on the aforesaid Local Law at Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main Road,
Southold,New York, on the 2411 day of June, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. at which time all interested
persons will be given an opportunity to be heard.
The proposed Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Irrigation" which reads as
follows:
LOCAL LAW NO. 2025
I. A new Chapter 164 of the Code of the Town of Southold is hereby adopted as follows:
A Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Irrigation"
II. 164-1 Legislative Intent.
A complete copy of this proposed Local Law is available on the town website:
www.southoldtownny.gov or at the Town Clerk's Office during normal business hours.
DATED: MAY 28, 2025
BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD
DENIS NONCARROW, SOUTHOLD TOWN CLERK
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of
Southold, Suffolk County,New York, on the 28th day of May, 2025,A Local Law entitled, "A
Local Law in relation to Irrigation" and now therefor be it
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Southold will
hold a public hearing on the aforesaid Local Law at Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main Road,
Southold,New York, on the 241h day of June,2025 at 4:30 p.m. at which time all interested
persons will be given an opportunity to be heard.
The proposed Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Irrigation" which reads as
follows:
LOCAL LAW NO. 2025
I. A new Chapter 164 of the Code of the Town of Southold is hereby adopted as follows:
A Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Irrigation"
II. 164-1 Legislative Intent.
The Town Board of Southold acknowledges that Southold Town's sole source aquifer
system is a finite resource and serves as the only water supply available to meet the needs of
the Town's population.Approximately 70% of the water pumped during peak demand
hours is used for outdoor purposes, such as landscape irrigation. Unfortunately, up to 50%
of this water is wasted due to overwatering caused by inefficient irrigation methods and
systems. The Southold Town Board recognizes that water-efficient irrigation systems can
help reduce overwatering and mitigate issues like soil runoff,which is vital for maintaining
and prolonging our Town's water supply, particularly during peak usage times.Therefore,
this law establishes requirements for residential and commercial lawn, turf, and garden
irrigation systems to conserve and manage our upper glacial aquifer,which is the sole
source of drinking water in Southold Town.
164-2 Definitions.
As used in this law, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM-An automatic underground, aboveg"round, or
grade-level system that allows or provides a means to apply controlled amounts of water to
land for irrigation.
CONTRACTOR-Any person, business, firm,partnership, corporation, or any other entity
of its agents or employees having a Suffolk County Home Improvement Contractors
License, depending on the scope of the proposed work,who install, program, and maintain,
or repair an irrigation system.
RAIN SENSOR-A low voltage electrical or mechanical component placed in the
circuitry of an automatic landscape irrigation system that is designed to restrict operation
of a sprinkler controller in the event of precipitation.
SMART CONTROLLER-An evapotranspiration-based ("ET") controller that calculates
soil moisture from known weather and related inputs.A Smart Controller:
a. receives and monitors weather data or on-site environmental conditions
including, but not limited to, solar radiation,wind speed, temperatures,
relative humidity, rainfall, and soil moisture; and
b. calculates or determines the amount of moisture input to and moisture lost
from the soil and plant; and
C. automatically creates or adjusts the irrigation schedule to apply only the
amount of water necessary to maintain adequate soil moisture.
SOLE SOURCE AQUIFER-An aquifer designated by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency ("EPA") as the sole or principal source of drinking water for the area
above the aquifer and including those lands where the population served by the aquifer
live; that is, an aquifer which is needed to supply 50% or more of the drinking water for
that area and for which there are no reasonably available alternative sources should the
aquifer become polluted.
164-3 General Requirements.
A. Sprinkler heads shall preclude water application on paved areas or areas not
Requiring irrigation.
B. During a period of extreme drought where the danger to Southold Town's Sole
Source Aquifer is most significant the Town Board of the Town of Southold may
pass a resolution preventing irrigation of all properties, except those properties
exempt from this Chapter. Each day such a violation shall continue shall be an
additional violation.A violation of this provision shall, upon conviction thereof, be
subject to a fine not exceeding$1,000 for each violation.
C. Smart Controllers shall be attached to all new Automatic Irrigation Systems and set
to prevent irrigation after 1/2 inch of rainfall.After 1/2 inch of rainfall, the
Automatic Irrigation Systems shall not apply irrigation for a period of 2 days.
164-4 Requirements for Automated systems.
A. Premises with automatic time-controlled underground irrigation systems or other
systems controlled by automatic time-controlled devices may irrigate on even-
numbered days for those with even-numbered street addresses and on odd-
numbered days for those with odd-numbered street addresses. Daily irrigation is
prohibited.
B. All automatic irrigation systems installed after the effective date of this chapter shall
be equipped with a Smart Controller and at least one rain sensor. The Smart
Controller and Rain Sensor(s) shall prevent the automatic irrigation system from
applying water during periods of rain and/or periods during which soil moisture
content is sufficient to sustain plant life on the property.Any device installed
pursuant to this section must be properly installed, maintained, and operated in
accordance with manufacturer specifications.
C. No more than 3 years after the effective date of this chapter, all Contractors and/or
property owners who activate, install, repair, or conduct routine maintenance on
automatic landscape irrigation systems shall not activate such system unless that
system is equipped with either a Smart Controller or a minimum of one Rain
Sensor. The Addition to the system shall prevent the automatic irrigation system
from applying water during periods of rain and/or periods during which soil
moisture content is sufficient to sustain plant life on the property.
Y
164-6 Exemptions.The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to residential food
production, land used in agricultural production and agricultural operations, nurseries and
garden centers.
164-7 Enforcement. The Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, Ordinance
Inspector, or other official as designated by the Southold Town Board shall all be
responsible for the enforcement of this chapter.
r r
164-8 Penalties for offenses.
A. A violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be issued only after notice of
noncompliance and warning to cease illegal operations has been properly served
and an opportunity to cure, not to exceed thirty days, has been provided.
B. Any contractor or property owner violating the requirements of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be subiect to a fine not exceeding$1,000 for each violation.
C. Any contractor or property owner violating the requirements of this chapter shall,
upon the second or subsequent conviction within five years of the first conviction, be
subiect to a fine not exceeding$2,500 for each subsequent violation.
III. Severability.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this law or the application
thereof to any person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance shall be
adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or
judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its
operation to the clause, sentence,paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this law, or in its
application to the person, individual, corporation, firm,partnership, entity, or circumstance
directly involved in the controversy in which such order or judgment shall be rendered.
IV. Effective Date.
This Local Law shall be effective upon adoption by the Southold Town Board and filing with the
Secretary of State.
I
EWIS a Y .lij�t
�, o
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of
Southold, Suffolk County,New York, on the 281h day of May, 2025,A Local Law entitled, "A
Local Law in relation to Irrigation" and now therefor be it
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Southold will
hold a public hearing on the aforesaid Local Law at Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main Road,
Southold,New York, on the 201 day of June, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. at which time all interested
persons will be given an opportunity to be heard.
The proposed Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Irrigation" which reads as
follows:
LOCAL LAW NO. 2025
I. A new Chapter 164 of the Code of the Town of Southold is hereby adopted as follows:
A Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Irrigation"
H. 164-1 Legislative Intent.
The Town Board of Southold acknowledges that Southold Town's sole source aquifer
system is a finite resource and serves as the only water supply available to meet the needs of
the Town's population.Approximately 70% of the water pumped during peak demand
hours is used for outdoor purposes, such as landscape irrigation. Unfortunately, up to 50%
of this water is wasted due to overwatering caused by inefficient irrigation methods and
systems. The Southold Town Board recognizes that water-efficient irrigation systems can
help reduce overwatering and mitigate issues like soil runoff,which is vital for maintaining
and prolonging our Town's water supply, particularly during peak usage times. Therefore,
this law establishes requirements for residential and commercial lawn, turf, and garden
irrigation systems to conserve and manage our upper glacial aquifer,which is the sole
source of drinking water in Southold Town.
164-2 Definitions.
As used in this law, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM -An automatic underground, aboveground, or
grade-level system that allows or provides a means to apply controlled amounts of water to
land for irrigation.
CONTRACTOR-Any person, business, firm, partnership, corporation, or any other entity
of its agents or employees having a Suffolk County Home Improvement Contractors
License, depending on the scope of the proposed work,who install, program, and maintain,
or repair an irrigation system.
RAIN SENSOR-A low voltage electrical or mechanical component placed in the
circuitry of an automatic landscape irrigation system that is designed to restrict operation
of a sprinkler controller in the event of precipitation.
SMART CONTROLLER-An evapotranspiration-based ("ET") controller that calculates
soil moisture from known weather and related inputs.A Smart Controller:
a. receives and monitors weather data or on-site environmental conditions
including, but not limited to, solar radiation,wind speed, temperatures,
relative humidity, rainfall, and soil moisture; and
f 1
b. calculates or determines the amount of moisture input to and moisture lost
from the soil and plant; and
C. automatically creates or adjusts the irrigation schedule to apply only the
amount of water necessary to maintain adequate soil moisture.
SOLE SOURCE AQUIFER-An aquifer designated by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency ("EPA") as the sole or principal source of drinking water for the area
above the aquifer and including those lands where the population served by the aquifer
live; that is, an aquifer which is needed to supply 50% or more of the drinking water for
that area and for which there are no reasonably available alternative sources should the
aquifer become polluted.
164-3 General Requirements.
A. Sprinkler heads shall preclude water application on paved areas or areas not
Requiring irrigation.
B. During a period of extreme drought where the danger to Southold Town's Sole
Source Aquifer is most significant the Town Board of the Town of Southold may
pass a resolution preventing irrigation of all properties, except those properties
exempt from this Chapter. Each day such a violation shall continue shall be an
additional violation.A violation of this provision shall, upon conviction thereof, be
subject to a fine not exceeding$1,000 for each violation.
C. Smart Controllers shall be attached to all new Automatic Irrigation Systems and set
to prevent irrigation after 1/2 inch of rainfall.After 1/2 inch of rainfall,the
Automatic Irrigation Systems shall not apply irrigation for a period of 2 days.
164-4 Requirements for Automated systems.
A Premises with automatic time-controlled underground irrigation systems or other,
systems controlled by automatic time-controlled devices may irrigate on even- '
numbered days for those with even-numbered street addresses and on odd-
numbered days for those with odd-numbered street addresses. Daily irrigation is
prohibited.
B. All automatic irrigation systems installed after the effective date of this chapter shall
be equipped with a Smart Controller and at least one rain sensor. The Smart
Controller and Rain Sensor(s) shall prevent the automatic irrigation system from
applying water during periods of rain and/or periods during which soil moisture
content is sufficient to sustain plant life on the property.Any device installed
pursuant to this section must be properly installed, maintained, and operated in
accordance with manufacturer specifications.
C. No more than 3 years after the effective date of this chapter, all Contractors and/or
Property owners who activate, install, repair, or conduct routine maintenance on
automatic landscape irrigation systems shall not activate such system unless that
system is equipped with either a Smart Controller or a minimum of one Rain
Sensor. The Addition to the system shall prevent the automatic irrigation system
from applying water during periods of rain and/or periods during which soil
moisture content is sufficient to sustain plant life on the property.
D Contractors who install, upgrade, or activate automatic landscape irrigation
systems shall provide written documentation to the system's owner stating that the
system is in compliance with this chapter. The same written documentation shall
be provided to the Town of Southold and shall be evidence of compliance with this
chapter.
164-6 Exemptions The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to land used in
agricultural production and agricultural operations, for nurseries and garden centers.
v �
164-7 Enforcement. The Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, Ordinance
Inspector, or other official as designated by the Southold Town Board shall all be
responsible for the enforcement of this chapter.
164-8 Penalties for offenses.
A. Aviolation of the provisions of this chapter shall be issued only after notice of:
noncompliance and warning to cease illegal operations has been properly served
and an opportunity to cure, not to exceed thirty days, has been provided.
B. Any contractor or property owner violating the requirements of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not exceeding$1,000 for each violation.
C. Any contractor or property owner violating the requirements of this chapter shall,
upon the second or subsequent conviction within five years of the first conviction, be
subject to a fine not exceeding$2,500 for each subsequent violation.
III. Severability.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this law or the application
thereof to any person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance shall be
adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or
judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its
operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this law, or in its
application to the person, individual, corporation, firm,partnership, entity, or circumstance
directly involved in the controversy in which such order or judgment shall be rendered.
IV. Effective Date.
This Local Law shall be effective upon adoption by the Southold Town Board and filing with the
Secretary of State.
DATED: MAY 28, 2025
BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD
DENIS NONCARROW, SOUTHOLD TOWN CLERK
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RESOLUTION 2025-432
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ADOPTED DOC ID: 21348
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION NO. 2025-432 WAS
ADOPTED AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD ON
MAY 28,2025:
WHEREAS there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of Southold, Suffolk
County,New York, on the 281h day of May, 2025,A Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in
relation to Irrigation" and
WHEREAS the Town Board of the Town of Southold will hold a public hearing on the aforesaid
Local Law at Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main Road, Southold,New York, on the 24th day of
June, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. at which time all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be
heard.
The proposed Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Irrigation" reads as follows:
LOCAL LAW NO. 2025
I. A new Chapter 164 of the Code of the Town of Southold is hereby adopted as follows:
A Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Irrigation"
II. 164-1 Legislative Intent.
The Town Board of Southold acknowledges that Southold Town's sole source aquifer
system is a finite resource and serves as the only water supply available to meet the needs of
the Town's population.Approximately 70% of the water pumped during peak demand
hours is used for outdoor purposes, such as landscape irrigation. Unfortunately, up to 50%
of this water is wasted due to overwatering caused by inefficient irrigation methods and
systems. The Southold Town Board recognizes that water-efficient irrigation systems can
help reduce overwatering and mitigate issues like soil runoff,which is vital for maintaining
and prolonging our Town's water supply, particularly during peak usage times.Therefore,
this law establishes requirements for residential and commercial lawn, turf, and garden
irrigation systems to conserve and manage our upper glacial aquifer,which is the sole
source of drinking water in Southold Town.
164-2 Definitions.
As used in this law, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM-An automatic underground, aboveground, or
grade-level system that allows or provides a means to apply controlled amounts of water to
land for irrigation.
CONTRACTOR-Any person, business, firm, partnership, corporation, or any other entity
of its agents or employees having a Suffolk County Home Improvement Contractors
License, depending on the scope of the proposed work,who install, program, and maintain,
Resolution 2025-432 Board Meeting of May 28, 2025
or repair an irrigation system.
RAIN SENSOR-A low voltage electrical or mechanical component placed in the
circuitry of an automatic landscape irrigation system that is designed to restrict operation
of a sprinkler controller in the event of precipitation.
SMART CONTROLLER-An evapotranspiration-based ("ET") controller that calculates
soil moisture from known weather and related inputs.A Smart Controller:
a. receives and monitors weather data or on-site environmental conditions
including, but not limited to, solar radiation,wind speed, temperatures,
relative humidity, rainfall, and soil moisture; and
b. calculates or determines the amount of moisture input.to and moisture lost
from the soil and plant; and
C. automatically creates or adjusts the irrigation schedule to apply only the
amount of water necessary to maintain adequate soil moisture.
SOLE SOURCE AQUIFER-An aquifer designated by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency ("EPA") as the sole or principal source of drinking water for the area
above the aquifer and including those lands where the population served by the aquifer
live; that is, an aquifer which is needed to supply 50% or more of the drinking water for
that area and for which there are no reasonably available alternative sources should the
aquifer become polluted.
164-3 General Requirements.
A. Sprinkler heads shall preclude water application on paved areas or areas not
Requiring irrigation.
B. During a period of extreme drought where the danger to Southold Town's Sole
Source Aquifer is most significant the Town Board of the Town of Southold may
pass a resolution preventing irrigation of all properties, except those properties
exempt from this Chapter. Each day such a violation shall continue shall be an
additional violation.A violation of this provision shall, upon conviction thereof, be
subiect to a fine not exceeding$1,000 for each violation.
C. Smart Controllers shall be attached to all new Automatic Irrigation Systems and set
to prevent irrigation after 1/2 inch of rainfall.After 1/2 inch of rainfall, the
Automatic Irrigation Systems shall not apply irrigation for a period of 2 days.
164-4 Requirements for Automated systems.
A. Premises with automatic time-controlled underground irrigation systems or other
systems controlled by automatic time-controlled devices may irrigate on even-
numbered days for those with even-numbered street addresses and on odd-
numbered days for those with odd-numbered street addresses. Daily irrigation is
prohibited.
B. All automatic irrigation systems installed after the effective date of this chapter shall
be equipped with a Smart Controller and at least one rain sensor. The Smart
Controller and Rain Sensor(s) shall prevent the automatic irrigation system from
applying water during periods of rain and/or periods during which soil moisture
content is sufficient to sustain plant He on the property.Any device installed
pursuant to this section must be properly installed, maintained, and operated in
accordance with manufacturer specifications.
C. No more than 3 years after the effective date of this chapter, all Contractors and/or
Property owners who activate, install, repair, or conduct routine maintenance on
Updated: 5/30/2025 10:27 AM by Lynda Rudder Page 2
Resolution 2025-432 Board Meeting of May 28, 2025
automatic landscape irrigation systems shall not activate such system unless that
system is equipped with either a Smart Controller or a minimum of one Rain
Sensor. The Addition to the system shall prevent the automatic irrigation system
from applying water during periods of rain and/or periods during which soil
moisture content is sufficient to sustain plant life on the property.
Updated: 5/30/2025 10:27 AM by Lynda Rudder Page 3
Resolution 2025-432 Board Meeting of May 28, 2025
D. Contractors who install, upgrade, or activate automatic landscape irrigation
systems shall provide written documentation to the system's owner stating that the
system is in compliance with this chapter. The same.written documentation shall
be provided to the Town of Southold and shall be evidence of compliance with this
chapter.
164-6 Exemptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to.land used in
agricultural production and agricultural operations, for nurseries and garden centers.
164-7 Enforcement.The Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, Ordinance
Inspector, or other official as designated by the Southold Town Board shall all be
responsible for the enforcement of this chapter.
164-8 Penalties for offenses.
A. A violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be issued only after notice of.
noncompliance and warning to cease illegal operations has been properly served
and an opportunity to cure,not to exceed thirty days, has been provided.
B. Any contractor or property owner violating the requirements of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not exceeding$1,000 for each violation.
C. Any contractor or property owner violating the requirements of this chapter shall,
upon the second or subsequent conviction within five years of the first conviction, be
subject to a fine not exceeding$2,500 for each subsequent violation.
III. Severability.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this law or the application
thereof to any person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance shall be
adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or
judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its
operation to the clause, sentence,paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this law, or in its
application to the person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance
directly involved in the controversy in which such order or judgment shall be rendered.
IV. Effective Date.
This Local Law shall be effective upon adoption by the Southold Town Board and filing with the
Secretary of State.
Denis Noncarrow
Southold Town Clerk
1
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jill Doherty, Councilperson
SECONDER:Brian O. Mealy, Councilperson
AYES: Mealy, Smith, Doherty, Evans, Doroski, Krupski Jr
Updated: 5/30/2025 10:27 AM by Lynda Rudder Page 4