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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC-10/08/2025 �o��g1�FF0(�.cpG Carol Brown,Chairperson y Town Hall,53095 Route 25 Lauren Standish,Secretary P.O.Box 1179 • '� Southold,NY 11971 y�jpl �a0�' Telephone(631)765-1889 Fax(631)765-1823 Conservation Advisory Council Town of Southold MINUTES Wed., October 8, 2025 4:30 PM Conference Room and Zoom Online Platform A meeting of the Southold Town Conservation Advisory Council was held Wed., October 8, 2025 in the Town Hall Conference Room and via Zoom. Present were: Carol Brown; Chairperson Inga Van Eysden, Member Nancy May, Member Burke Liburt, Member Barbara Friedman, Member Brian Mealy, Town Board Liaison Liz Gillooly, Trustee Liaison Lauren Standish, Secretary Guests: Anne Murray —Via Zoom Alexa Annunziata Trevor Fitzgerald Absent: Maggie Merrill, Member Yan Albaladejo, Student Member CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Carol Brown called the meeting to order at 4:30pm. ANNOUNCEMENTS Carol Brown introduced Alexa Annunziata, Director of Outreach for the Peconic Bay Keeper and Trevor Fitzgerald, a student at Mattituck High School to the committee. They . have expressed interest in joining the committee. 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Barbara Friedman, seconded by Inga Van Eysden, to Approve the Minutes of September 10, 2025. REPORTS Nancy May attended the Board of Trustees meeting held on Wed., September 17th. There were a number of applications that the Trustees did not take action on due to the lack of an LWRP determination. The Town Board approved the appointment of an LWRP Coordinater at their meeting held on October.7th. The reviews will be completed in a timely manner moving forward. Nancy reported that the application to construct a dwelling on Duck Pond Road was withdrawn by their attorney. CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES PROGRAM-UPDATES Inga Van Eysden submitted pledge element write-ups that were reviewed by Andrew Mannitt and forwarded to Gwynn for review. She has not received a response. Brian shared the pledge elements with Nick Krupski and expects to have his feedback soon. Carol Brown attended-a Coastal Resiliency meeting and shared materials with the other members. CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS • Letter to Town Board re: Police Headquarters — Barbara Friedman contacted Michael Collins to review the preliminary-plans. There is a proposed flat roof however, no solar panels proposed at this time. A conduit will be installed for future electric vehicles, and a gas generator. • Reuse/Repair Cafe proposal for Spring 2026 — May 2"d? Carol Brown presented her idea of coordinating with other communities and have the events on the same day, and to rename as an "Environmental Fair". Inga and Barbara suggested the events not be held on the same day. After speaking with Nick Krupski, he suggested the event not include paper-shredding as the line of cars tends to be very long. Trevor Fitzgerald will share this information with his Botonny Club. • Leaf Blowers — Carol invited Shawn Droskoski from Ecologix, Inc., a North Fork zero-emissions, organic landscape service, to speak with the CAC about gas- powered leaf blowers and how to make the transition to battery operated equipment work financially. Shawn was unable to attend, however he shared :a pre- recorded video with Carol. The focus of the video was to share his experience with battery-operated landscaping equipment, including the cost of equipment, how long leaf blowers last between charges, and to explain the advantages and disadvantages of battery-operated equipment. Overall, they are not making a lot of money because of the cost of the equipment and the batteries. Barbara Friedman has been conducting research and reached 3 out to several local contractors, however her questions were not well-received. It's a very expensive ask. The NYS electric landscaping equipment rebate program continues to be reviewed at the State level. Carol will e-mail the video to Councilman Mealy and Trustee Liz Gillooly. Carol suggested sending a letter on behalf of the CAC to the Town Board requesting the Town switch to battery-operated equipment as a role mode. Brian said he would talk to the Town Board. • Planting natives in front of Town Hall — Re-Wild has opened up their grant application for 2026 projects. It was suggested that a native garden be planted in front of Town Hall, as a model. Currently there are annuals, which were donated and planted by Laura Blume. Inga will draft an e-mail to Councilman Mealy and Liz Gilloolly will further discuss with the Board of Trustees. • Resident Guide — Carol and Barbara will continue to work on finalizing the guide. Yan Albaladejo has done a lot of work on the guide. Once finalized, they will present to the Town Board.. r • Amendments to Ch. 275-Wetland & Shoreline - 'A public hearing was held on Tues., October 7th at 4pm. Carol attend the hearing and read the letter from the CAC into the record. The hearing was held open until Tues., November 5th at 7pm. • Review discussions with Jade Blennau from PEP re: 2026 Work Priorities — Carol invited Jade Blennau to the November 5th CAC meeting to work on a 2026 Work Plan. • NYSACC Conference —The NYSACC Annual Conference will be held on October 24th and 25th in Kingston, New York. Carol will attend virtually. UPDATES ON OTHER TOWN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEES Anne Murray— Land Preservation: The Town Board approved a County Request for Partnership for 2955 Albertson Lane, Greenport and 11535 North Bayview Road, Southold. Anne Murray - The Water Advisory Sub Committee is drafting a memo requesting aquifer overlay protections be included in the Zoning Update. The CAC can send their comments to the Planning Board after the Water Advisory Committee send their memo. Nancy May will attend the Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for Wed., October 15, 2025. 4 The next meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council is scheduled for Wed., November 5, 2025 at 4:30PM in the Conference Room. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM. Respectfully submitted by, Lauren M. Standish, Secretary Conservation Advisory Council