HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB-01/16/2001REGULAR MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Southold Town Board was held on January 16, 2001, at the Southold
Town Hall, Southold, New York. Supervisor Cochran opened the meeting at 4:30 P.M., with the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Town Clerk Neville.
Present:
Supervisor Jean W. Cochran
Justice Louisa P. Evans
Councilman William D. Moore
Councilman John M. Romanelli
Councilman Brian G. Murphy
Councilman Craig A. Richter
Town Clerk Elizabeth A. Neville
Town Attorney Gregory A. Yakaboski
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: May I have a motion to approve the audit of bills for January 16, 20017
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Moore, it was
RESOLVED that the following bills be and hereby are ordered paid: General Fund Whole Town bills
in the amount of $113,578.49; General Fund Part Town bills in the amount of $4,386.96; Community
Development Fund bills in the amount of $60,000.00; Highway Fund Whole Town bills in the amount
of $7,921.20; Highway Fund Part Town bills in the amount of $16,433.43; Capital Projects bills in the
amount of $1,000.00; Waterway Improvement Program bills in the amount of $179.52; Computer
System Upgrade bills in the amount of $650.00; Employee Health Benefit Plan bills in the amount of
$21,700.34; Fishers Island Ferry District bills in the amount of $34,124.07; Refuse and Garbage bills
in the amount of $2,440.64; Southold Wastewater District bills in the amount of $1,301.24; Fishers
Island Sewer District bills in the amount of $844.08; Southold Agency and Trust bills in the amount of
$3,997.08; Fishers Island Ferry District Agency & Trust bills in the amount of $380.78.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: To set a Special Town Board meeting Tuesday, January 23, 2001, at 9:00
A.M.
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that a Special Town Board Meeting will be held at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 23, 2001
at the Southold Town Hall, Southold, New York.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: To set the next regular Town Board meeting, Tuesday, January 30, 2001,
at 4:30 P.M.
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Murphy, it was
RESOLVED that a Regular Meeting of the Southold Town Board will be held at 4:30 P.M., Tuesday,
January 30, 2001 at the Southold Town Hall, Southold, New York.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: As you know the Town Board receives reports each month from different
departments or different committees. They are on file with the Town Clerk. They are available for
public information, so they are available if you are interested in any area of Town government. Betty
has everything on file, and you are more than welcome in and request what you would like.
I.REPORTS.
1. Southold Town Animal Shelter Monthly Report for December 2000.
2. Southold Town Budget Report through November 2000.
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3. Southold Town Recreation Department Report for December 2000.
4. Southold Town Recreation Annual Receipts and Disbursements for 2000.
5. Southold Town's Disabled Recreation Program for December 2000 events.
II. PUBLIC NOTICES.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Public Notices, over on Plum Island they are decommissioned two former
wastewater treatment plant lagoons and making it to create a freshwater wetland habitat, and written
comments to be received by February 16, 2001.That is the DEC. I had a letter from Barbara Baraci,
Suffolk County Board of Election congratulations on the election of Chairperson of Suffolk County
Supervisor's Association. A letter to Supervisor Cochran from Jill Schondebare. Jill is a young woman
that is going to college. She might possibly get into research, a kind of professional pathologist, or
whatever, and so I invited her to a meeting we had at Plum Island, and then introduced her, and she
went over to see the island, and talked to some people to see if this is her wish to go with her career
opportunity. We try to help young people as much as we can in lots of little different ways.
New York Department of Environmental Conservation Notice of Complete Application of US
Department of Agriculture to decommission two former wastewater treatment plant lagoons and
create a freshwater wetland habitat in their place on Plum Island, Town of Southold. Written
Comments by February 16, 2001.
III. COMMUNICATIONS.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I had a letter from Barbara Baraci, Suffolk County Board of Election
congratulations on the election of Chairperson of Suffolk County Supervisor's Association. A letter to
Supervisor Cochran from Jill Schondebare. Jill is a young woman that is going to college. She might
possibly get into research, a kind of professional pathologist, or whatever, and so I invited her to a
meeting we had at Plum Island, and then introduced her, and she went over to see the island, and talked
to some people to see if this is her wish to go with her career opportunity. We try to help young people
as much as we can in lots of little different
1. Commissioner Barbara Barci, Suffolk County Board of Elections congratulating Supervisor
Cochran on her election as Chairperson of Suffolk County Supervisors' Association.
2. Jill Schondebare with thanks for the opportunity.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
1. 7:30 P.M., on a proposed "Local law in Relation to Installing a Stop Sign at Fasbender Avenue,
Peconic, New York.
2. 7:32 P.M., on a proposed "Local Law in Relation to Changing an Existing Yield Sign to a Stop
Sign on Peconic Bay Boulevard in an Easterly Direction at the Intersection with Bay Avenue in
Mattituck".
V. RESOLUTIONS.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: As you know the Town Board has a policy that prior to passage of any
the resolutions if any of you would like to address the Town Board in relation to the resolutions we
would be very happy to take that information in just about one moment. At the end of the meeting is
also Town time allotted that anyone that wants to speak to the Town Board on any Town business we
would be very happy to entertain it. So, at this time before we begin the passage of any of the
resolutions, which are a result of much of the work that we did during the day today since 9:00 o'clock
this morning, we would be very happy to have your input. Is there anyone who would like to address
the Board on any of the resolutions? Mr. Carlin?
FRANK CARLIN: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the Board. Number 91, Senior Citizens
exemption, what is that going to mean now? Is that the new thing that Pataki added on? What does
that mean?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That is different. I think that is COSTAR.
FRANK CARLIN: I know, but what does this mean? You are talking about exemptions.
1/16/01 3
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: This is just an increase in the one that is already there.
FRANK CARLIN: Oh, you mean like the $26,000 or whatever a year there? Okay. That is a little hard
to figure out there. Number 93, I guess you are going to start reviewing and get input on the Town Hall
alterations?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Craig, can you answer that?
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: Ninety-three is for Town Hall expansion renovations, yes.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: A new current survey will be required before we take any other steps,
so that is the first step.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Testing soils, and such.
FRANK CARLIN: Being that now Feather Hill has been sold will that affect you renting space over
there for the future for awhile? I know you rent a building over there.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We have a lease.
FRANK CARLIN: You have a lease. How long is that good for?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: A total of two years, Frank.
FRANK CARLIN: So, you are all set for two years right now, huh?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We are almost through a year now.
FRANK CARLIN: You got one more year to go, so if you don't get this building done or whatever you
are going to have to look around for another space for that, right?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: You are right. Renew the contract.
FRANK CARLIN: I like to plan everything ahead of time myself. That is the only way I would
operate. This increase fee for fires at the Landfill $. 10 a pound, what was that $.05 before?
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: Seven.
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: No, 3.5 cents per pound to be exact.
FRANK CARLIN: But you say $.10 a pound here. That is one that got over me. I didn't know you
charged for taking tires in the landfill.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: Frank, it costs us money to haul them back out. In other words, when we
contract with someone to take those times, we can't bury them anymore, or do anything with them.
FRANK CARLIN: You don't sell them for recycling? You don't get nothing back?
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: They charge us to take them.
FRANK CARLIN: Oh, they charge you to take them?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We pay them. Yes.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: So, what this is doing is covering our cost to dispose of these tires that we
take in.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We are losing money, Frank.
FRANK CARLIN: Okay, fine. Thank you.
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SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyone else like to address the Town Board in relation to any of the
proposed resolutions? (No response.) If not, 71. We have a new numbering system now.
#71
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby grant permission to Recreation
Supervisor Kenneth Reeves to attend the 61st Annual New York State Recreation and Park
Society conference to be held from March 18-21~ 2001, at the Nevele Hotel in Ellenville, New York
and all necessary expenses for meals, lodging, registration, seminars and transportation using the town
vehicle shall be a legal charge to the Recreation 2001 budget, line A.7020.4.600.200 (Recreation
Administration, Meetings & Seminars).
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#72
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby accepts the letter of irrevocable
credit no. 001214 from the Suffolk County National Banlq in the amount of $199~836.60~
provided by Zoumas Contracting Corp. and Gendot Associates~ Inc. for Peconic Development
Corp. for the completion of roads, drainage, and other improvements in the major subdivision Harvest
Homes, Section Two, located at Southold, New York.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#73
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
WHEREAS, Frederick C. Barrett has completed ten (10) years full time service as a Captain for the
Fishers Island Ferry District and is eligible for a longevity wage increase of 4% effective November
9~ 2000 as recommended by the Ferry District; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby grants a wage increase to Captain
Frederick C. Barrett in the amount of 4%, effective November 9, 2000.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#74
Moved by Councilman Moore, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 25 and/or Chapter 6 (2% Community
Preservation Fund) of the Town Code the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby sets Tuesday,
January 30, 2001 at 5:00 p.m., Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main Road, Southold, New York as the
time and place for a public hearing for the purchase of development rights of agricultural lands under
for a certain for the purchase of development rights of agricultural lands for a certain parcel of property
owned by Reynold Blmn.
Said property is identified as SCTM #1000- 75-5-1. The development rights easement comprises
approximately 11.98 acres of the 14.81 acre farm. The exact area of the development rights easement is
to be determined by a town provided survey, acceptable to the Land Preservation Committee prior to
the contract closing. The purchase price is $13,500.00 (thirteen thousand five hundred dollars) per
acre. Said property to be purchased either outright by the Town of Southold, or acquired under the
Suffolk County Preservation Partnership Program whereby Suffolk County may appropriate an amount
equal to 50% of the total cost of acquisition; or under the Suffolk County Greenways Program whereby
Suffolk County may appropriate an amount up to 70% of the total cost of acquisition.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#75
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs Supervisor
Jean W. Cochran to execute an agreement with the following individuals for the winter 2001
recreation programs, all in accordance with the approval of the town attorney.
1/16/01 5
Lisa Baglivi (watercolor)
Carla Blasko (computers)
Thomas Boucher (guitar)
Eugenia Cherouski (folk dancing)
Martha Eagle (Aerobics)
East End Insurance Services (Defensive Driving)
Bob Fisher (computers)
Carol Giordano (Baton)
Mary Hewitt (creative scrapbooking)
Hidden Lake Farms (Horseback Riding)
Rosemary Martilotta (hatha yoga)
Jim Mikelbank (youth basketball)
Network Media Resources (computer classes)
Theresa Pressler (youth program)
Paine Webber, c/o Steve Guglielmoni (financial management)
Laurie Short (bodyworks class)
US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 18-8 (boating)
Yola Van Huele (ballroom dancing)
$25/hour
$25/hour
$25/hour
$20/hour
$30/hour
$30/person
$25/hour
$20/class
$20/hour
$175/person
$50/class
$20/hour
$25/hour
$20/hour
$20/person
$20/hour
$25/person
$25/hour
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#76
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Murphy, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby hires Keith P. Tirabassi as a full-
th-ne laborer on Fishers Island, at an hourly starting salary of $14.2251, effective January 18, 2001.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#77
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby reiects any and all the bids
received on December 7~ 2000 for supplyin~ food for the 2001 Calendar Year to the Nutrition
Program of the Southold Town Human Resource Center; and be
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk be and she is hereby authorized and directed to re-
advertise for bids for supplying food for the 2001 Calendar Year to the Nutrition Program of the
Southold Town Human Resource Center requesting bids for items at prices above the current market
price.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#78
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs Supervisor
Jean W. Cochran to execute an agreement with Island Group Administration for administration of
the Town of Southold Employee Health Plan for 2001 at a rate of $13.00 per enrollee per month;
said agreement subject to the approval of the Town Attorney.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#79
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby hires William Ferris IV as a part-
th-ne Scale Operator at the Solid Waste District at an hourly rate of $10.00, effective December 20,
2000, with a salary increase to $10.67 per hour effective January 1, 2001.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
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#80
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Moore, it was
WHEREAS Bruno Semon, provisionally appointed by the Town Board of the Town of Southold to
the position of full-time Building Inspector in the Building Department on June 12, 2000, has
successfully passed the open-competitive Suffolk County Department of Civil Service exam for that
title; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby permanently appoints Bruno
Semon as a full-th-ne Building Inspector in the Building Department effective January 16, 2001,
from the open-competitive Suffolk County Department of Civil Service exam for that title at his
current salary of $39,065.02.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#81
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold request the New York State
Department of Transportation to do a survey for a crosswalk on Route 25 in the village of
Southold.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#82
Moved by Councilman Moore, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold request the New York State
Department of Transportation to determine the most effective place and install signage on Route 25
in order to notify approaching motorists of a ban on through truck traffic on Love Lane in the village
of Mattituck.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#83
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold request the Suffolk County Department of
Public Works to provide assistance and counsel on the most effective place for signage on Route 25 in
order to notify approaching motorists of a ban on through truck traffic on Love Lane in the village of
Mattituck.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#84
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Moore, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby grants permission to Detective
Martin Flatley to attend the MAGLOCLEN (Mid Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law
Enforcement Network) Annual Conference at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania commencing March 19 through
March 23, 2001. Hotel accommodations and airfare to be paid by MAGLOCLEN. Registration Fee of
$140.00, meals, and additional travel expenses shall be a legal charge to the Police Department
Training 2001 budget.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#85
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby grants permission to Police
Officers William Brewer~ Jennifer Combs-Quarty~ and Henry Santacroce to attend the First
Annual Tri-State Child Passenger Safety Technical Conference at Fishkill, New York commencing
on March 13 through March 15, 2001. Conference registration fee of $150.00 ($50. per person) and all
1/16/01 7
expenses for accommodations, meals, and additional travel expenses shall be a legal charge to the
Police Department Training 2001 budget.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Number 86, purchase of development rights of properly owned by John
Elak, we are holding.
#87
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Murphy, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs Town
Clerk Elizabeth Neville to advertise for bids for one (1) 2001 4 x 4 Pick-Up for use by the Southold
Town Highway Department.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#88
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs Town
Clerk Elizabeth Neville to advertise for bids for one (1) 2001 Mid-Range Dmnp Truck for use by
the Southold Town Highway Department
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#89
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Moore, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby reappoints William Cremers as a
member of the Southold Town Planning Board to serve a five (5) year term of office, to expire on
December 31, 2005.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#9O
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes a refund to Anthony
Masshno for a variance application to the Zoning Board of Appeals in the full amount of $400.00
which application was withdrawn by the applicant before any processing commenced.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#91
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
WHEREAS, there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of Southold, on the 16th day of
January, 2001, "A Local Law in Relation to Senior Citizen & Disability Exemptions"; now therefore
be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby sets 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 13, 2001, at the Southold
Town Hall, 53095 Main Road, Southold, New York, as the time and place for a public hearing on this
Local Law, which reads as follows:
LOCAL LAW NO. - 2001
A Local Law in Relation to Senior Citizen & Disability Exemptions
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Southold as follows:
1. Chapter 85 (Taxation) of the Code of the Town of Southold is hereby amended as
follows:
1. Section 85-1 (Partial Exemption for Disability) is amended as follows:
A. Amount of Exemption
1/16/01 8
(1)
Up
$20
$21
$22
$23
$24
$25
$26
$27
$28
Real property owned by one (1) or more persons, each of whom is sixty-
five (65) years of age or over, or real property owned by husband and wife,
one (1) of whom is sixty-five (65) years of age or over, shall be exempt
from town taxes to the extent provided, subject to the following income
limitations
Extent of Exemption
Income
to $20,499. 50%
500. to $21,499. 45%
500. to $22,499. 40%
500. to $23,499. 35%
500. to $24,399. 30%
400. to $25,299. 25%
300. to $26,199. 20%
200. to $27,099. 15%
100. to $27,999. 10%
000. to $28,899. 5%
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#92
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby issues a refund to Joseph and
Dorothy Pfaff for a building permit on property located at 1145 Cardinal Drive, Mattituck, New
York~ in the amount of 50% of fee paid, $328.10, for voided permit at the request of applicant due to
change of plans and issuance of new permit.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#93
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs Supervisor
Jean W. Cochran to execute an agreement for a surve~ and professional services for a soil review in
relation to Town Hall addition/alteration.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#94
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
WHEREAS, Schembri Homes, Inc. has made application to the Town Board of the Town of Southold
to dedicate a certain road in Greenport, New York, known as Willow Drive and Drainage Areas
designated on a certain map entitled Homestead Acres, filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of
Suffolk on July 17, 1986 as Map No.8150; and
WHEREAS, the Southold Town Superintendent of Highways has inspected said highway and has
advised the Town Board that he inspected said highway and has advised the Town Board that he
determines and orders that said highways shall be laid out in the Town; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 171 of the Highway Law of the State of New York,
consent be and same is given to the Superintendent of Highways to make an order laying out the
aforesaid highways, to consist of lands described in said application as shown on certain maps attached
to said application; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk be and she hereby is authorized and directed to forthwith
cause the dedication, release, and deed to be recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County of
Suffolk, New York.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#95
1/16/01 9
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
WHEREAS the fee charged by the Town of Southold for accepting scrap fires has not fully covered
the Town's cost for disposing of them for several years; and
WHEREAS the cost to the Town for disposal of scrap fires has again increased substantially with the
2001 bid; and
WHEREAS the Town wishes to cover its disposal and handling costs through the fee it charges for
accepting scrap tires; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby establishes a fee of $. 10 per lb. for
disposal of scrap fires at the Southold Town Collection Center, effective February 1,2001.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That is it until the hearings. The hearing is scheduled for 7:30. We can
start late, but according to law you can't start early, so we have to wait for 7:30 for the hearing. I would
entertain at this time if the Town Board has anything they would like to report from any of their
committees.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: If it is all right I would just like to ask a question about that last resolution.
Do you mind? My name is Benjamin Schwarlz. I am a resident of the Town of Southold. I know the
resolution is already passed, but I am curious if the Town is charged by the pound when they dispose
of the tires, and is that why the charge is by the pound, because it seems like it might be more work in
an administratively way? I am curious how an ordinary fire, a passenger tire, weights? Do you know?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: There is different weights. I know they talked today about the great big
truck tires, how heavy they are. But, see we have a scale, and they are able to go over and then it is
fair.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: That makes sense.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: The tire dealership brings them in a truck.
JUSTICE EVANS: Most of the fires are coming in from dealers and gas stations.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: Okay. That is a good answer. I am just curious as to what a passenger tire
weights.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: Roughly 30 pounds.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: Thirty pounds each. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: You are welcome. Does the Town Board have anything to add at this
point? If you have something from any of your working committees we would be very happy to have
you share it with us.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I will, because I know there is a lot of people out here interested in
the animal shelter, so I will just give an update on our last meeting we had with a couple of directors
from the shelter, and their attorney, and our side. We have site plan and proposal written out for some
renovation and alterations to the one existing structure at the animal shelter. We went back and forth a
little bit with two sides, and the members of the animal shelter thought we were missing a few rooms, a
vet room, an isolation room, and a few other things on the alteration. At that meeting we elected to go
back to sit back down with the Town Engineer, add the couple of items, you know, reposition of the
structure, and then get back with the people from the animal shelter. We didn't set a deadline on it. We
had the meeting just last week, so no new meeting set up yet. We have sat down with the Town
Engineer, Jamie Richter, drew another site plan. We are in the process of actually of getting numbers
together, estimate together for the next proposals. So, that is where we are at this point.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you, John. Louisa, do you have anything to report from the great
island of Fishers? Nothing. Everyone is well over there. They are surviving the winter. Mr. Moore,
anything from the Code Committee you would like to share with us?
1/16/01 10
COUNCILMAN MOORE: We have been working on a number of things, the small, the unimportant,
the important, in-between. That is from my prospective, but all important to somebody at some point.
We had a good meeting this last one, where we focussed on one topic, and that was the Historic
Preservation Law. We have a rough draft on that, which is in a very rough form, and the papers
covered that with a good article last week, so you can read about those and catch up on them. We meet
again shortly to continue because there is a lot of topic of conversation on that issue. The
small ones come and go but that is the big one right now.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you. Craig?
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: Along with John on the animal shelter I think progress is being made
there, and we should have something by the end of the month. On Town Hall extension and
renovations of Town Hall we had a meeting this past week, and we are in the process of starting design
concepts of Town Hall. As you see we passed a resolution to get an updated survey of Town Hall and
it's properly. Also we are going to do some soil testings, so we start the design concept we know what
kind of barrier we need. That is about it.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: We had an update on the development rights and open space acquisitions
for the Year 2000, and what is coming up, and the year 2000 we acquired development rights easement
for roughly 79 acres, and fee title for open space of 29 acres, which gives us roughly 108 acres
preserved. This sounds like a low figure, however there was quite a number of contracts that came into
being towards the end of the year of 2000 that will close in 2001, and will show acquisitions very
shortly for somewhere over 300 acres. So, we are moving along quite well, and we have other things
coming into the hopper, so we are trying to preserve as much as we can as fast as we can.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN see you all have been busy. It has been a very busy time of year. Usually
this time of year it lets up a little bit, it is quiet, no such luck. It is interesting. We still have many
people that are coming over the weekends. The south side says the same thing when I talk to the
Supervisors over there that many residents come out year round. So, more and more summer places are
made year-round. We have about two minutes.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: Has there been any progress for the swimming pool in town? Have you
heard anything from Mayor Kapell?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: The only thing I said last week was Bill mentioned the swimming pool,
and I said, gee, that is really something we should check on. No. Nothing more than that.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: Haven't heard from the Village?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: No.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: Since we have a little time I have been wondering about the Town
website, if there are any plans to update that, or do anything with that in the year 2001, or what the
current status is?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I think it is. Isn't it, John?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: That needs a little updating. What has been happening in the town
we have more going on. That is one of the things on our list that by the end of this year. We are aiming
for a more interactive website. I would hope by the end of the year. There is a lot of computer stuff
going on. We really have to catch up to speed here, and we have come a long way, but I would like to
see a little bit of interactive website, where you could possible get a beach permit. You know, if we do
a lot of that stuff over the Internet.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: It sounds like big plans. I do web development. That is my business, and I
wonder if the Town Board would be interested in hearing from me if I came in at a work session, or
something, if we could schedule time.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I am actually going to have a computer meeting next week. I would
love to give you a call, and get your information. I will bring it up at the computer meeting. We have
two computer people on stafl} both pretty capable, but it might be something that we use outside
1/16/01 11
sources somewhere down the line, because we have so much on our plate we can't always get to
everything. At the end of the meeting leave me your name and number.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: A lot of work is being done in that area. Not only are we upgrading we
are also giving a great deal of training. We have sessions where our staff is learning about what we
have, so the machines are no good unless the people know how to run them. Okay, it is 7:30. May I
have a motion to recess?
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Murphy, it was
RESOLVED that this Town Board meeting be and hereby is recessed at 7:30 P.M., for the purpose of
holding public hearings.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
MeetinR reconvened at 7:40 P.M.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: As a result of no input at the public hearings we have resolutions to pass
in relation to making a stop and yield sign.
#96
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Richter,
WHEREAS there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of Southold, Suffolk
County, New York, on the 3rd day of January, 2001 a Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in Relation to
installing a Stop Sign At Fasbender Avenue, Peconic, New York", by amending the Code of the Town
of Southold, Chapter 92, Vehicles and Traffic; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on this Local Law on the 16th day of January, 2001 at
which time all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard, thereon, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby ENACTS the following
Local Law:
LOCAL LAWNo. 1 of 2001
I. Chapter 92 (Vehicles & Traffic) of the Code of the Town of Southold is hereby
amended as follows:
1. Article III, Section 92-30 (Stop & Yield Intersections) is hereby amended by
adding the following:
Direction At Intersection Location
Stop Sign on of Travel with (hamlet)
Fasbender Easterly Mill Road Peconic
II. Severability. If any section or subsection, paragraph, clause, phrase or provision of this law shall be
Judged invalid or held unconstitutional by any court of competent Jurisdiction, any Judgment made
thereby shall not affect the validity of this law as a whole or any part thereof other than the part or
provision so adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional.
III. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
· Underline represents additions
· Strikethrough represents deletions.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#97
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Richter,
WHEREAS there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of Southold,
Suffolk County, New York, on the 3rd day of January, 2001 a Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in
Relation to changing an existing yield sign to a stop sign on Peconic Bay Boulevard in an easterly
direction at the intersection with Bay Avenue in Mattituck", by amending the Code of the Town of
Southold, Chapter 92, Vehicles and Traffic; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on this Local Law on the 16th day of January, 2001 at
which time all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard, thereon, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby ENACTS the following
Local Law:
LOCAL LAWNo. 2 of 2001
1/16/01 12
II. Chapter 92 (Vehicles & Traffic) of the Code of the Town of Southold is hereby
amended as follows:
1. Article III, Section 92-30 (Stop & Yield Intersections) is hereby amended by
adding the following:
Direction At Intersection Location
Stop Sign on of Travel with (hamlet)
Peconic Bay Blvd Easterly Bay Avenue Mattituck
II. Severability. If any section or subsection, paragraph, clause, phrase or provision of this law shall be
Judged invalid or held unconstitutional by any court of competent Jurisdiction, any Judgment made
thereby shall not affect the validity of this law as a whole or any part thereof other than the part or
provision so adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional.
III. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
· Underline represents additions
· Strikethrough represents deletions.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Now, is there anyone that would like to address the Town Board on any
Town business? Mr. Carlin?
FRANK CARLIN: This is only my pre-warm-up for tonight. This is not my main issue. Back about
these fires being weighed. What kind of scale you using for that? The driveover scale?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Yes.
FRANK CARLIN: Man, here we go again now. Remember a year ago? Don't you remember what
happened to me?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I remember.
FRANK CARLIN: I was overcharged 20 pounds. I had 18 pounds. I went across the scale, had a few
plastic things in truck, and they charged me 40 pounds. I was over at least a dollar, and we were
supposed to find out a way that we could measure these small items more accurately. Another thing is
that scale is in 20 pound increments. So, it is not accurate when you start weighing. It is in your favor
sometimes if you start weighing small items. Now at that time, Madam Supervisor, said she owned me
a dollar. In fact in a year's time at 5% that is a dollar five, but that is alright. Put that towards the
animal shelter. So, what can we do to be more fair about that weighing there. You can't use that scale
for small stufl~
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: Frank, it would be cheaper if you put it in the yellow bag.
FRANK CARLIN: That you got to pay for a yellow bag a $1.50.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: Right, but not $3.00 at a time.
FRANK CArLIN: Now, you want another $1.50, plus ten cents a pound, or whatever.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: We can't put a digital scale there, and have a man stand there.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I will give you a dime, and I will owe you interest.
FRANK CArLIN: Forget it. Forget it. Put it towards the animal shelter I told you. You can have a
scale. Any people are not that busy that they can't weigh small stuff that comes over, not everybody
brings over small stufl~ Most who go over that scale are in a truck or a pickup. So, you can't tell me
they don't have enough time down there that somebody can't throw a little package on the scale, even
has them in the building there to check his permit. He can't put that thing on the scale for one fire, or
whatever, and measure it, or a package or whatever, whatever he wants to weigh for small items, and
going across that scale, and like I said, in twenty pound increments, it is accurate only in twenty
pounds, where it is a potato scale, you know what a potato scale is? A potato scale is within tenths of a
pound accurate. Now, I told Alice Hussie when she was on the Board that time that in Northern catalog
you can buy these kind of scales for less than $200.00.
1/16/01 13
COUNCILMAN MOORE: When you are lined up with cars stacked up.
FRANK CARLIN: Not everybody lines up there, Bill, all day long like they parade in Washington.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: They will stack up, Frank. What you are saying, they jump out the scale. It
is worth doing that for an occasional dollar five?
FRANK CARLIN: Is it worth doing that or charging people extra, and every dollar adds up. Which
one do you want to do here?
COUNCILMAN MOORE: People come through, and they come in with 47 pounds, they get charged
20 pounds because it didn't register right. It works both ways.
FRANK CARLIN: If it doesn't register right then there is something wrong with that scale. If you can't
trust that scale, if you come in with 40 pounds, and it only weighs 20 you are driving yourself in a well
here.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: It balances, Frank.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: We are talking about a truck scale.
FRANK CARLIN: I am just telling you, 20 pounds. Something is not right here.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: I understand. The question is, is it worth hiring someone and having the
Town taxpayers pay that to save somebody a buck? That where you have got to balance it.
FRANK CARLIN: I will look into it more. I just heard tonight about the pool being mentioned again.
God, let's start not worrying about no pool. Let's drop the pool, and before we do anything let's first
give priority to getting this animal shelter built, then we worry about a pool. Forget the pool. Don't
start me on the pool.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyone else like to address the Town Board?
MARILYN SAWASTYNOWICZ: Good evening. Marilyn Sawastynowicz, Cutchouge, head of SOS,
Save Our Shelter. Tonight I have 545 more signatures in support of a new shelter bringing the total to
4,145. I would like to hand them in. In response to a statement made by a Board member a couple of
meetings ago on the assets of the League I went and got some information myself, so I want to share
with the Board my findings of the assets and liabilities of other local humane non-profit organizations
with similar purposes as the League. These are from 1998 the most current. The asset base of the
League $453,715. The asset base of Kent $3,560,301. The asset base of Bide-A-Wee $30,101,274. The
annual expenses of the League, $267,511. Kent's $473,798, annual expenses of Bide-A-Wee
$6,620,717. This shows that North Fork Animal Welfare League spent 58% of their total asset base,
while Kent spends 13%, and Bide-A-Wee spent 21%. So, concluding these facts show that the League
is not a wealthy organization, and the assets and the donations are necessary to insure that the League
can continue to do it's humane work. This is very interesting I thought. So, I hope the League can
continue to do their humane work for Southold Town at the animal shelter. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Do you have the number of dogs?
MARILYN SAWASTYNOWICZ: The number of dogs? That is not in there. It breaks it down to
contributions, government grants, services, investments, special event sales, and other. It doesn't
mention any.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: How many dogs. Thank you. Anyone else like to address the Town
Board?
ANNE PHILLIPS: Good evening. My name is Anne Phillips, and I am a taxpayer of Cutchogue. Mr.
Romanelli, could you please tell me how you made the recommendation to your fellow colleagues of
the $250,000 for the Animal League?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: We did it during budget time, when we were trying to determine.
1/16/01 14
ANNE PHILLIPS: What was the determination?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: The total Budget, the total Capital Budget, and the other expenses
that are throughout the town.
ANNE PHILLIPS: Correct, but what did you want to do with this money, the $250,000?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Make improvements to the shelter.
ANNE PHILLIPS: You didn't have any data. You didn't have any articles.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: We had some data. We had some idea of construction cost.
ANNE PHILLIPS: You said in the Traveler, November 16th, that you had $250,000 in the year's
budget, and that is a promise. It is in print. Did you say that in fact?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Yes.
ANNE PHILLIPS: Okay. What I would like you to explain to me is how on April 7th a Mr. James
Richter wrote that it would take $468,000 to build a shelter. Is this funny? I didn't think it was funny.
And you had recommended $250,000, and now a week ago it is down to $100,000. Is next week going
to be $50,000.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: We just don't know. The bottom line is, and we will go back four
meetings to catch up to speed on this, is that the $700,000 or whatever you got in your hands there,
again, and we said it many times, there is more than one way to come up with a solution to a problem.
The one item that you have in your hand was the first.
ANNE PHILLIPS: This item? The one of Mr. Richter?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Right. Back in April sometime? Again, number one that was the first
schematic drawing estimate.
ANNE PHILLIPS: But he must have had an idea, when he put this as a new shelter. He must have
obviously felt that we were in need of a new shelter.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: It not a matter of having feel that it was a new shelter, or felt that we
need a new shelter. It was the first blueprint drawing to a solution.
ANNE PHILLIPS: So, it was out of the sky. You just decided that this is what they were going to do.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: That was if you wanted soup to nuts, top of everything. That is the
way he did it. Like we said, again, many meetings you know back months now we were talking about
this, I will say it again, that was the first drawing, the first conceptual plan, the first idea. Again, you
could come up with five or six different solutions to a problem. We didn't really didn't have an
itemized list of problems at that time from the shelter, except knowing that there were some items that
needed to be repaired. Since then we have meetings, we have got a list of items that need repair,
specific items from the League. Some changes have been made.
ANNE PHILLIPS: Changes? What changes?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: We are moving forward in a really positive manner, and I almost
hate to have this conversation of going backwards now in almost an antagonistic matter to find out
what is going on. I really do believe that the two sides, the two committees, have had enough meetings
now, and enough discussion where we got a good solid grip on what some of the solutions are, and
what it is going to cost, and we are heading in a direction of being able to solve it, so you know to keep
going back to this first page solution that came out months ago, and hang your hat on it. It is wasting
everybody's time.
ANNE PHILLIPS: I would just like to say that, what solutions have you given for this structural
problems and hazards? How has this improved?
1/16/01 15
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: At the last meeting, like I was talking about earlier, we did a
complete inventory of the current structure.
ANNE PHILLIPS: Right here, I have that.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: We came up with estimates on basically gutting the inside of the one
building, and you know replacing the doors, replacing the system.
ANNE PHILLIPS: What about the insulation, the floor? Are you going to take all the floor and put in
heating so that the dogs aren't in water?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: We are not going to take all the floors out. The estimate was to
recontour the floors, put new mechanicals.
ANNE PHILLIPS: What is new machanicals? Is that the heat?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: That would be heat, insulation.
ANNE PHILLIPS: You know that when the dogs are in the shelter, and they come in at night that the
floors are wet. They are constantly wet. Excuse me.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Again the estimate was for recontouring the floors.
ANNE PHILLIPS: So, this would eliminate that?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: To renovate the inside, to give new guillotine doors going in and
outside.
ANNE PHILLIPS: I am not talking about that. I am talking about the fact that the dogs are in water,
and when they are in water.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: We are talking about the same thing.
ANNE PHILLIPS: But the guillotine doors have nothing to do with that.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: They are part of the list of improvements. I will slow down if you
want, if it helps you.
ANNE PHILLIPS: It isn't a question of slowing down. You are not giving me.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Recontoured floors.
ANNE PHILLIPS: You would be putting new heating elements in?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: We would put a new heating system in. Recontouring the floors we
would repitch the floors, so they wouldn't puddle.
ANNE PHILLIPS: But that is not the point. The point is there is no ventilation and there is nothing,
and the point is that when the floors are wet the dogs have blankets there and that is absorbed, and the
dogs are laying on wet blankets. This is not right.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Again, the proposal that we put together was to solve those problems
of the existing shelter.
ANNE PHILLIPS: This is a guarantee that what you are going to do it.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Like I said earlier the last meeting that we had with the League
representatives and our representative we put proposals on the table, and I will say again, the League
came up with some different options, and different ideas, that they thought were missing in our
proposal. We hashed it out. We talked about it. We are willing to go back to our Engineer, add a few
things that they were requesting, you know, make some changes, look at the numbers, but it was a very
1/16/01 16
positive meeting on both sides. I think we are really moving forward in a positive direction. I don't
believe it is going to be...
ANNE PHILLIPS: So, in other words, are you reneging on the $250,000, or where are you going?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: No. I don't why you want to keep on trying ....
ANNE PHILLIPS: Because it came out in the paper that you are doing $100,000 of repair.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: That is on the one structure. I will say it again, that the meeting was
positive, and that $100,000 was basically one structure, and if you look at it was for new fencing, it
was for some site preparation work, and again I will say, the League had some other options that they
wanted, and felt that they needed. Again, I will say that we were willing to go back to the drawing
board and look at the other items that they brought forward, and they are not in that $100,000, so if we
were do them, go with them, we would have to spend more than $100,000. So, no one is reneging on
anything. We are working together, and I really do believe we are at a positive point now, and if you
just give us a little more time I do believe that we are going to come up with something that I think that
all sides involved are going to be happy with.
ANNE PHILLIPS: And that also will take in the cesspools?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: That is on that list right there under the $100,000. Septic and
drainage was in that proposal right there.
ANNE PHILLIPS: I don't see it. Oh, yes. It is only for $500.00?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Septic is not $500.00. I don't have it in front of me.
ANNE PHILLIPS: Okay, because you know I just think that every time that we come here, or every
time that we face the Board you are coming with less and less money.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: In relation to $250,000, each year Board members submit to me, as the
Chief Fiscal Officer, their budget for the year. Part of that submission in John's budget for the year he
earmarked $250,000. Okay? Now, it comes to me. It is my budget. I looked at that, and I said, it has
been many years and not too much has been done up there, and I think it is time to begin the process.
So, I left John's recommendation, as Chairman of that committee, in the budget. That money is in the
budget. It is in the Capital Budget. It has not been touched. It has not been moved. It will be there until
we need in relation to the dog shelter. Okay? No one can touch that money, except the Board, and then
we will bond for it, and spend it to try and do some of these things.
ANNE PHILLIPS: Okay. Mrs. Cochran, how long have you been on the Board that, you know, that
you know about these problems?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I have been on the Board for five years, and I served as a Councilwoman
for five years, and I was a Trustee for one year.
ANNE PHILLIPS: Because I think now you have the opportunity and the support of the community to
go ahead and commit to a new dog shelter, so that you can fulfill your fiscal requirements, so that we
would be able to go ahead, and have something that we can be proud of. Okay. Thank you.
FRANK CARLIN: Frank Carlin, Laurel. I don't like doing this either, but I will be glad when it is
over with. I am going to have to multi-address you, John, because you seem to be on the committee, so
you are the one I am going to addressing tonight.
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: I am on there, also.
FRANK CARLIN: I will take on both. Let's get ready to rumble like the say in WCW wrestling. To
remodel a building like that, the shape it is in, to me is like trying to take an old car that is 25 years old,
rusted and deteriorated, and put a new engine in it. It just don't work.
COUNCILMAn ROMAnELLI: Frank, answer a question for me. What happens to cement? What
happens to cement over twenty years?
1/16/01 17
FRANK CARLIN: Really, nothing.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Okay. The building is made out of cement.
FRANK CARLIN: So, what does that mean? That is not even one quarter of the building.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: That is the whole building. It is cement slab with cement block
walls.
FRANK CARLIN: Come on. Don't give me that, John. You are talking to me now.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: What is it made out of, Frank?
FRANK CARLIN: Anything made out of concrete but it is the whole structure I am talking about.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: It is cement block walls.
FRANK CARLIN: You know yourself, John, the cost of material now. When you start repairing stuff
it is going to cost you more money than you thought.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Sometimes it can.
FRANK CARLIN: Sometimes it can. You are not going to guarantee that it doesn't', right?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Sometimes it is cheaper to repair, sometimes cheaper to build.
FRANK CARLIN: In this case my opinion looking it over, because I know that shelter, too. Looking
it over it is cheaper to put a new one up being that you already got the foundation, like you already
said, you already said that. The foundation is there.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Not the foundation, the floors and the walls.
FRANK CARLIN: Well, if the floor and the walls are there then do it over new instead of patching, or
putting a window in there, some wires here.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Frank, move on with your presentation.
FRANK CARLIN: Wait a minute, now, wait a minute, Madam Supervisor. Don't pull this you pulled
on last week where he wanted to speak, and you cut him ofl~
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: No. Frank, we made a motion to adjourn, he had been up at the mike.
That was his fourth time.
FRANK CARLIN: What do you say in your agenda here? Can speak on any subject. That is what I
am speaking on. No. This is my opinion. I don't care. Your opinion is your opinion. This is my
opinion. To remodel something like that it isn't worth it. It is cheaper in the long run to go ahead and
do the job, and get it over with. To me what you are trying to do, and I will be honest with you, you are
trying to look for a quick fix, because it is election year, and you want to get the thing out of the way.
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: That is out of bounds, Frank.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: What do I think of that one? How do I like it? I think it is a stupid
comment.
FRANK CARLIN: No, it ain't. I think it is a true comment, because you are looking for a quick fix
because this is getting too much on you here.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Frank, I am not looking for a quick fix. If you want to stand there,
and point fingers, and make comments like that, I am going to say something to you. It is asinine.
FRANK CARLIN: That is tough. I care less.
1/16/01 18
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: It is a stupid comment to make, I do not even care about how it looks
for an election. It never even entered my mind. Okay, and you are sitting up there making comments.
You tell me, while do you have a TV on you, how many years experience do you have in the building
trade, that you could make this comment? How many?
FRANK CARLIN: I don't have to be in the building trade to know what material cost now a days, and
how much it cost, and how much labor cost. I compared that to a 1986, in '86 what it would cost, and
what it would cost now. As far as the TV camera goes, John.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I have never had to use this gavel before.
FRANK CARLIN: Let me continue, though.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: May I say something? I would like to believe that this Town Board can
sit and discuss things, and from the beginning we have been called names, we have been yelled at, and
that is not how you solve problems. You look for options, and you reach conclusions. I don't like to
see you two guys going back and forth. That is why I tried to stop you. This doesn't solve a darn thing.
We thank you for your input over the past several months, and we have reached a point where we are
looking at the final drafts in different options, and in the next couple of weeks we will be able to
present that to you, but the input of all these people has been important and valuable.
FRANK CARLIN: I understand that, Madam Supervisor, but this is my opinion.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: It is not the way we do things.
FRANK CARLIN: It is an old building. It isn't going to work.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Would you please state your case.
FRANK CARLIN: I am stating my case. I am going to state my case more now. I understand our
Town Attorney went to visit the animal shelter in Riverhead. Is that true?
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: Yes.
FRANK CARLIN: What did you find there?
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: In terms of what, Mr. Carlin?
FRANK CARLIN: The conditions. Did you go to compare it to Southold shelter?
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: I found out from the inspector, the Ag and Markets Inspector,
that the last inspection done by Ag and Markets Riverhead passed all 37 points just like Southold.
FRANK CARLIN: Fine.
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: I, also, found out they had a spay and neutering program.
FRANK CARLIN: Do they have a veterinarian?
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI They have a vet tech come in. I found out they give the five and
one shot, and the rabies shot, and I think they spay and neuter every animal that leaves. They also have
a contract with Kent for the spay and neutering program. They have, I think, ten indoor kennels, five
outdoor kennels. They are looking to add additional kennels. I found the individuals that work there
highly motivated, very caring. I found out they have over three times as many dogs as the Town of
Southold for less money.
FRANK CARLIN: They put them to sleep, some of them.
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: A few of the dogs they have. I also found out that there is no
such thing as a no-kill shelter in the United States. I found out that every single shelter, including our
1/16/01 19
own, is a limited euthanasia shelter. What that means is after the primary sheltering phase, which is an
initial ten or twelve days, after that point the animal becomes the property of the town. The town at
that point has options under the law of euthanasia or adoption. Every dog at that point can be
categorized either adoptable or non-adoptable. Certain dogs are categorized as non-adoptable. For
example, a good example is a viciousness problem, or a biting problem. Those dogs are put down. That
is what happens. Then they work things out for their adoptable dogs. They have Kent come in to try
and take some of their adoptable dogs. I found when they have adoptable dogs, which are a good dog,
they try to keep that dog as long as possible. They will double up in that type of thing. I found it to be
a very clean, clean shelter when I was there myself on that particular day, and very responsive, and
very helpful. I, also, found out that for less money their two employees are on call twenty-four hours
seven days a week.
FRANK CARLIN: Is the building in better shape than the one in Peconic, or the same?
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: Frank, that is not my field. I can tell you it is a cement block
building, it appears to be similar to building number two, which Councilman Romanelli was talking
about. There was two buildings in Peconic, building number one, which has about nine kennels,
building number two, which has twenty-four kennels. Building number 2, which Councilman
Romanelli was talking about is a cement block building. Mr. Carlin, did that help answer your
question? I wasn't sure what you were driving at.
FRANK CARLIN: It has helped me in a way, but I don't understand why you went down there. Why
couldn't you go down there, Councilman Romanelli? (tape change.)
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Doing some research for the committee. Does it matter if I went
there, or he went there?
FRANK CARLIN: Yes, because you are on the committee. You make recommendations. Did you
transfer the communications to John?
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: Absolutely.
FRANK CARLIN: Okay, that's good. Relax, John, relax. I am not here to get you stirred up.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I don't have to sit here from eight o'clock at night to listen to some
man make accusation at me, and I am going to say stupid accusations.
FRANK CARLIN: I should have said the whole Town Board then.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: It doesn't matter, Frank. It doesn't matter, because you stand up there
and as far as I am concerned... It is my son's birthday and I want to go home.
FRANK CARLIN: All I know is, it adds up to this. Fifteen years we haven't go nothing done, and I
will give you this much credit. I hope that what you have planned it will work out, because if it isn't I
am going to be back here again.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I do, too. But you know what? I am so fired of people like you
standing up there, when I got my heart and soul trying to do the right thing, and I got to hear some
stupid comment out of your mouth saying that I am doing it only because it is an election year is just
wrong, Frank. It is just wrong, because I would never even think of insulting anybody like that in
public or private. That is not the way I do business, and for me to have to sit here and take it. Do you
think because I got elected I have to sit here and be insulted like that? I don't have to. Okay? And if it
means I don't run again just so I don't have to hear those kind of stupid comments I will not, because it
doesn't really matter to me. I want to do the right thing for the shelter, and the people of this town. It
has nothing to do with being reelected. That is just don't even bring it up to me again. Don't even talk
to me about it, Frank, please.
FRANK CARLIN: What I am saying is here is you are trying to look for a quick fix, and I still say the
same thing. You trying for a quick fix, because you had all this time to do it. You had four years to do
this. You had four years to do this, John. This should have been done by now. I only have one more
thing. It has nothing to do with the shelter, but maybe this will explain what I am trying to say. Back
1930 in the depression it took them a year and a half to build the Empire State Building. It was open in
1/16/01 20
May in 1931, 103, five stories a week. Here we can't build an animal shelter in fifteen years. We ought
to ashamed of ourselves, and if you think this is getting you excited, John, wait until that special
message I have to announce to youse all like I said the last Town Board meeting, so you better be
prepared.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I'm waiting, Frank.
FRANK CARLIN: You better be prepared, and I will tell you one thing. I give these people at the
shelter a lot of credit. They went out and they got 4,000 signatures on that petition. I thought I was
doing good with the Laurel bridge when I had 3,000, Catherine Simcik and I did. If you don't mind I
am talking, John, and we got 3,000, but we had to do ours in a week and a half. I give them a lot of
credit, and I still them a lot of credit for the job they are doing. One more question. The question last
Board meeting was raised about a torch to melt the ice. Did anybody do anything about that?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I called the Superintendent of Highways, and he was going over to look
at it.
FRANK CARLIN: In my Northern catalog home you can get one for $34.00. Do you know if he done
anything about it yet?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: It is not our responsibility to shovel the sidewalk over there. That is
part of the contract with the League. The League is supposed to shovel their sidewalks.
FRANK CARLIN: But they have to have something to shovel the ice with. We came up with last
week, somebody said here, to use a torch.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: That's right. Do we know if they melted it? No, we don't know if
they melted it.
FRANK CARLIN: How can they melt it without the torch?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That is enough. That really is enough. Thank you for input, Frank.
FRANK CARLIN: I had enough of you people for forty-six years.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Frank, you are way off base.
FRANK CARLIN: John, you want to debate me any time TV one on one I will take you. I will take
anybody on the Board. Anybody on the Board, let's go. I am not afraid of you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I am getting angry. I have had it. We have sat here and been abused. We
are trying to do the best job possible for the Animal League. We don't like the insults. Verbal abuse.
John has worked hard as has Craig. These people are doing a good job on that committee. Hopefully,
as I said a few minute ago, within the next two weeks we are going to have something positive to
report to you people, but good God, give them a chance to operate, and reach, and accomplish, and do
some of the things we are trying to do. Now, you have the mike next.
ANN PHILLIPS: I just wanted to ask you, yes, Mr. Yakaboski, I am sorry. I read articles that the
Riverhead that people's dogs were picked up on Fridays, and they could not get in, near, anything to
get their dogs out of the shelter. This is what I read in the local paper. I wondered, and several dogs
were frozen last year, so I just wondered is this so?
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: I am not familiar with their hours. It is on the sign, I think, eight
to four. I can't remember.
ANN PHILLIPS: I am just asking. I know the people were very upset because they couldn't get their
dog, and there was no way that they could get it, and everything was locked.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I don't think Greg would have that information.
ANN PHILLIPS: I was just wondering because you seem to say that it was such a good place.
1/16/01 21
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: I can only tell you what the Ag and Markets Inspector said.
ANN PHILLIPS: But that is a baseline. That is not criteria, the Ag and Markets.
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: Ag and Markets is the independent regulator, who goes to every
one and evaluates.
ANN PHILLIPS: It is a baseline. It is not a criteria.
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: I can only tell you what I know.
ANN PHILLIPS: It is nothing. It just says, if you have windows and you open them, you get
ventilation. Thank you.
CORA STOLL: Cora Stoll from Southold, and I just have a couple of things I wanted to share with
you people this evening. One is something I cut out back in 1985. Okay? Mr. McMahon had said, it
has been determined that the present dog pound structure, which was not originally designed as a
kennel, was not in a salvageable condition. It was decided instead that the prefab honeycomb structure
should be torn down and a second building constructed for administrative purposes along with the
necessary dog runs he added. When completed a U-shaped structure will be on the site on Peconic
Lane, and that was in 1985. Then back in '91 Town Highway Superintendent Ray Jacobs agrees that
the League service saves the town thousands of dollars that would be added to tax bills if the Town
were to run the shelter. The Town is saving a lot of money having them run it said Jacobs. If they had
to do they would have to pay double what they are paying. But the most important thing to me is,
further repairs to the cardboard building are out of the question, Jacobs said. It is a piece of junk, said
Jacobs. It should have been torn down years ago and replaced. This is our Town Superintendent of
Highways saying this, and I just wanted to share with you, and then I just want to say, the people have
spoken. You see that from your petitions, and I just hope you are listening, and Mr. Moore, I know it
was in the paper that you said we are passionate when we come here. We are. I am. I am emotional. In
this article it tells about a woman who went to the shelter and wept, and said she would rather let the
dogs lose, and run the streets, and that was me. We are passionate. If I came here for a swimming
pool, ifI came here for a variance, I wouldn't go out of here upset and in tears. I really wouldn't, and I
am not ashamed about passionate for these animals. I am glad I am. Thank you.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I want to clarify something. There is one building on our site plan
that we agree with wholeheartedly. We are not going to put any repairs into it. It is wood structure. It is
rotted out. We know it doesn't pay.
CORA STOLL: I realize that this is before the seconded on that is cement. I realize that, but I wanted
to share this with you. I have been holding on. They are yellow with age.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: I just want to make comment. I hope you didn't understand in my
comment to be anti-passionate. That was not the point at all. I respect and admire anybody who has
passion over anything, and I respect the passion. What I hear when I listen to all this back and forth is a
complete and extreme frustration by those of you who have all history and memory of all the various
comments that have gone back, and Frank, read the clippings. If you read the clippings, so that over the
course of the last fifteen or twenty years there is complete disbelief, and no trust, and no expectation
that anything is going to happen. From our prospective you have got six people sitting here who are
trying to do something, and I will speak personally, but the frustration that I think the Board members
share is that we are having committed a quarter of a million dollars to try and do something, and we
being pummeled by folks, and the passion, and the disbelief, and the frustration has built up over all
these years, and Craig has said it numerous times, and John has said it numerous times, and now I will
say, we all want to go from here and more forward, and we have looked at, and tried to find solutions
whether it is $250,000, or less, or more, and try and work with that. I started here in 2001 with a
budget saying, we are going to do something, and so I guess we have gotten personally tired of being
banged around, and having the history, we believe, we believe, we believe. We know the place has to
be fixed, redone, whatever, and we are working on that. So, the Board is extremely frustrated. We have
a budget, and we are moving forward, and we would love to have the comments go here forward. I
think John has relayed several committee meetings were positive input, solution, you know, we work
on solving problems, and coming to solutions. It is not always a pretty process, and it is not always a
quick process. I can tell you other things that are important to people in this town that have taken as
long to do. We have an opportunity to get lots of State money for a bunch of projects that are of a
1/16/01 22
similar type of importance, and we are struggling to get the paperwork done, to get the stuff up there to
Albany so it can get approved. Many, many, many things are going on, but when you have six of us
up here, and a staff, you got Jim McMahon, you got the Town Attorneys working hard to try to take it
and go positive. We get real tired of just getting bashed over the head, because you what? We are
human beings, and we live in the community, and we are your neighbors, and that is where our
frustration comes from. We are trying to go from here, and go forward.
CORA STOLL: One last thing, you bring up a quarter of a million, and I keep hearing these, and it
sounds fantastic, but, you know, today a quarter of a million isn't a heck of a lot when you see the
salaries people are getting. When I worked in the County $5,000 department heads, today what?
$80,000, $90,000?
COUNCILMAN MOORE: Not in Southold.
CORA STOLL: A quarter of a million is not all that much now. You know that.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: Hopefully this committee will make $250,000 go a long way.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyone else like to address the Town Board?
THERESE MCGINNESS: Good evening. Therese McGinness, Vice-President of the North Fork
Animal Welfare League. I would just like to possibly clarify just a few things, and Mr. Moore, it is
interesting your sense of stating frustration. I think everybody in the community, not only the League,
not only the Board, not only the residents and taxpayers are frustrated, but with equal understanding
this all started happening in April, and at that time in April we worked on the process, and came up
with a roundabout figure, and then Mr. Romanelli, as the liaison to his colleagues recommended
$250,000 for the Capital Budget, and I think what has happened is at the last committee meeting what
was offered to the League we came back and stated, was completely unacceptable, because at that time
what was offered to the League was $100,000 only. At that time we stated to Mr. Romanelli and the
committee what has to be included was examination rooms, isolation rooms, grooming rooms, cat
rooms, and an office, and so possibly, hopefully, at the next committee meeting all of these issues will
be addressed, but at the last committee meeting none of those issues were addressed. The only thing
that was addressed at that time, at the committee meeting was the renovation of 24 kennels, which does
not address the need to provide a workplace that does not do anything in any way promote unsafe,
hazardous conditions for our stafl~ So, I think, Mr. Romanelli, when you stated there were a few
things, it was more than just a few things so we are looking forward to the next committee meeting at
which time we fully hope and expect that more than what was presented of just a renovation, I
understand Mr. Moore everyone's frustration, but what was presented at the last committee meeting
did not address in any way shape or form the other issues that we had, so that we are hoping, we are
hoping, that this next committee meeting all of the issues will be addressed
COUNCILMAN MOORE: Let me just clarify one thing, and it was made clear by the President of the
League. Probably four weeks ago, maybe six weeks ago now, Mrs. Cosimano said that this was a
Town shelter, we are under contract with the League to operate it, which made it abundantly clear that
it being a Town facility it was the Town's decision of how and what we shall do as corporate landlords
for this operation. The League is going to provide and hopefully provide valuable input on how to best
make this facility operate, but the bottom line is the decision on what that shelter will be, how big it
will be, how many runs it will have, how many rooms it will have, is the Town Board's decision. It is
not a function of, we are presenting this to the League, and saying, is this acceptable to you or not. It is
not how it is going to run. It is not how it is working. It is the Town's facility. We have a contract with
League to operate this facility, so we can't sit and engage in some kind of swordsmanship of saying,
well, it has to have this, or we want. We won't do something like that. It is a Town facility, and we
will provide a Town facility.
THERESE MCGINNESS: I understand that, and that has been the League's position, but it is very
interesting that for two decades the elected officials of the Town of Southold have requested to
contract with private individuals to run animal control for the Town. So, it has never been a question,
but I think what is most important for this Board to recognize is that you are asking a private
organization to contract with you to provide a service, and as I think every Board member will agree is
that it has fallen into a state of tremendous disrepair, and if it hadn't been for the League there would
still be no place, isolation room, or office, because what we operate out of now is a mobile home that
was donated to the League. So, I think we have fulfilled our duty above and beyond any capacity, any
1/16/01 23
other private humane organization that do not do this work, so it has never been a question, but I think
what is most important, and I think what is missing is the fact that what is it that the League needs to
operate, and I think that at the last committee meeting it was just talking about renovation of twenty-
four kennels, but it did not address the other issues, so I am hoping that at the next committee meeting
the other issues of the examination room, the isolation room, I mean the Town has a responsibility I
think morally, I think ethically to provide a safe workplace. We are talking about dangerous, hazardous
conditions here.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I think that is how we left the last committee meeting of okay, you
made your point of what you really thought was missing out of the puzzle, and that is how we left it. I
didn't even argue on some of the points. I think a lot of us said, okay, you have some reasons for a
room this big, and that big, and we left it, let's back to the drawing board, and let's sit back down with
the Town Engineer, do another site plan, and another drawing to add to the dimensions that we were
talking about. I wrote them all down. We left it in that manner.
THERESE MCGINNESS: I mean that is basically what I am hoping for.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I felt that we left there in a positive tone, that we were going to take
what you and Gillian gave us.
THERESE MCGINNESS: About what we needed to operate.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Let's go back to the engineer, put them down on paper, rework it,
rework numbers, rework some of these rooms, that you brought, and do it one more time, one more site
plan. We must have three or four different site plans on it. I took it as, okay. We got more reports, let's
go back and add to it. I really believed I walked out of there feeling positive. We made some great
steps forward when I walked out of that meeting.
THERESE MCGINNESS: I am hopeful that after addressing, because I really believe that what has
been neglected by the town for more than a decade is the health and safety of the workers, that are
employed by the North Fork Animal Welfare League, and that is something that is most important to
us, is that it is not acceptable to have isolation room, to have sick, incoming animals in the same place
where employees are working. So, I think that the Board has a moral obligation not only to just address
what you are talking about in so far as kennel space, but talking about the health and safety of workers,
and I think that has been left out, and that I am hoping that will be addressed. I just wanted to make a
very quick comment to Mr. Yakaboski about when comparing shelters, and what not. Basically the
difference is that the North Fork Animal Welfare League by the Town contracting with the North Fork
Animal Welfare League. The North Animal Welfare League spends approximately about $55,000 a
year on veterinarian expenses and food that is not being done at any other facility. The average amount
of veterinarian expenses is roughly about 1% of the budget of any animal shelters, so there is really no
comparison in so far as care and treatment of the animals, and I think it is the community that sets the
standards for it's animal shelter. Ag and Markets only sets minimum requirements. They do not set the
standards. It is the public, and it is the community that sets the standards, so I think that hopefully the
Board will look at this, and I think, Mr. Moore, I think you know people are passionate, and I think
that rightfully so. But, I think what is most important to me when I am there, and I see the hazardous
conditions that the employees work under, I think they are unacceptable, and I am hoping that they will
be addressed at the next committee meeting.
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: Therese, just one comment on the money. That is not an apples
to apples comparison. As you know in the field there are two types of sheltering, a primary and
secondary sheltering. A prime example of long term secondary sheltering is Kent and ARK, Bide-a-
Wee, North Shore League, and what is happening at the shelter, and I hope you have taken the time to
explain to your members, is really a dual role. There is the Town role of what is mandated under the
law, you know pick a dog control officer, and the initial primary sheltering, and then after that what
has been taking place, is a secondary sheltering role, which is in essence there is a Town shelter out
there, and in addition to that the equivalent of a Kent or an ARK out there. That is two separate distinct
things, which is taking place.
THERESE MCGINNESS: I would also like to clarify that in that those private humane organizations,
they select and they choose. The North Fork Animal Welfare League takes in the old, the sick, the
disabled. We do not pick and chose the animals that come into our facility, and interestingly enough
other towns have been asking the private humane organizations to contract with municipalities because
1/16/01 24
of the example that the North Fork Animal Welfare League has set in the Town of Southold, we have
set the highest standards within the humane community.
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: What towns?
THERESE MCGINNESS: The Town of Southampton.
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: Any other towns?
THERESE MCGINNESS: Recently the Town of Glen Cove had just gone private. They use no more
municipal workers. They have asked private organizations to do their animal control, and I think that is
what is happening within the humane community, is that they are recognizing the cost of municipal
employees, the cost of vehicles, and the cost of care. You can operate a facility at bare minimum
standards, but I don't believe that in anyway shape or form that those would be the standards of the
residents and the taxpayers of the Town of Southold. That is why the League is here, because without
the League you could have a bare minimum shelter, but that is not what the residents and taxpayers of
this community want. They want veterinarian. They want the best food. They want these animals seen
immediately, and that does not take place, I can tell you that does not take place at any municipal
facility. You look at the dollars, and look at the expenses. Ninety percent of every municipal budget it
goes usually for salaries and expenses. It doesn't go to help the animals, and so there is a very big
difference. Kent, ARF and Bide-A-Wee, all those organizations they select and they chose the best to
go to their facilities. The North Fork Animal Welfare League does not select.
TOWN ATTORNEY YAKABOSKI: Actually you do.
THERESE MCGINNESS: I am talking about there is a difference between what we do, and what they
other... I just wanted to clarify that. I am just clarifying the difference. There is a very big difference.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We appreciate your input. The Board will begin to make its decisions,
and hopefully we will move along in a positive way that will be pleasing to everyone. Okay? We thank
you for your input. Anyone else have any input? I am going to shut this down pretty soon. Yes,
ma'am?
CORRINE DONOPRIA: Corrine Donopria, resident of Southold. Bill, I appreciate your comment very
much. One suggestion, and I would like your reaction to it is it seems to be that the debate as you see
here goes on forever. I am sure at the committee meetings it is going on forever, on, and on, and on.
Time such a priceless commodity this day and age. You understand, right, John? So, you could help
the League supporters by giving us, and I know it is a very hard assignment I am asking you to do, but
some conception of what you see as regards time, how much time are you going to allocate for these
committee meetings to continue, and these discussions here tonight to continue. As you already said,
we have waited so long, that it would help the community, and it would help you guys, too. So, could
you give us some idea, John, of what is out there?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I propose a deadline of January 31st, the end of this month to have,
hopefully, a final site plan, final proposal on paper with numbers, prices, everything done. That is our
proposed deadline put on ourselves.
CORRINE DONOPRIA: Ourselves meaning the committee and the Board?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: The Town Board to have the final recommendation.
CORRINE DONOPRIA: Then could you go on from there tonight, just moments, to describe what the
scenario would be after that, thereafter, so, when this is set, and it is public information then what do
you see coming in March, or whatever?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: If any construction happens I would imagine it would happen in the
warmer months because, you know, you have to go to bid, so there is a bid process. In realistic terms
you are probably not talking to see actual construction or renovations of some sort until the warmer
months of this year. The money is budgeted for this year, 2001. We have twelve months to use that
money, so I mean this year.
CORRINE DONOPRIA: That would help a lot of frustration. Thanks. Happy New Year. Good luck.
1/16/01 25
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: I have prepared a written statement. It won't take too long. Earlier in the
meeting, John, though just to clear up three quick things, earlier in the meeting you had said that you
had no deadline at this point, and then in the paper last week it was reported that January30th was the
deadline, but it is a real deadline? You said you didn't know when the next step was going to be.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I made this comment to the Board in the past week, January 31st was
the deadline we put on ourselves to have it done, so, yes, there is a deadline.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: January Mst is still good. Mr. Yakaboski, I wanted you to hear, too. I had
a little accident when I first adopted my dog. She likes to just get on the road and run, and she got lost
one day in South Riverhead. Believe me, it wasn't easy finding her. I made several trips to the
Riverhead shelter. All day I tried to contact somebody there, and I couldn't get hold of anybody. I was
not impressed. I understand they are trying to improve it, and they have just instituted a spaying,
neutering program, but I don't think they have had that very long. The last item I would like to clear up
before I read this is just, you know, I know you are people, and I hope you can get home to your son's
birthday soon. I will try to make this quick, but all dog lovers have certainly not be insulting the Board,
and that is just the way from our side it sounds like when attack one of us it sounds like you are
attacking all of us. I mean, petition, people signing petitions, is that disrespectful, Jean?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I have no problem with that. When someone says we made a promise.
That is not really what happened.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: Well, maybe you should address it, so that the people could hear your side
of the story. I think you have the ability.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I made no promises.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: Let me just read this one page, if I could read it without interruption then
we will get through it faster, and please, relax. I spent all weekend working on this. I know you spent
all day working on your resolutions. A lot of people think I am crazy. Sometimes I wonder myself.
Most people think I am smart, but sometimes I catch myself doing dumb things. I love dogs, but I do
try not to be dogmatic. I do listen when people criticize me, and I am always ready to rethink my ideas,
and ifI find a mistake I will admit ifI am wrong, and try to change my position to set right. That is my
introduction. I see some heads shaking already. I hope you are going to listen to this, because I think
this will help the Board move forward. There may be some negative things in here, but I hope they are
minimal. The Southold Town Animal Shelter is more than a doghouse. Yes, it is currently home to
three dozen dogs, but it also a workplace for seven people, two part-time, five full-time. For over a
quarter of a century the Southold Animal Shelter has operated out of a temporary facility. Yes, the
animals are well cared for, but that is being accomplished by extraordinary efforts on the part of the
North Fork Animal Welfare League employees. Not only would a permanent shelter make their jobs
easier, their jobs would be healthier, safer. Operating costs such utility bills, repair bills would be
lowered. A permanent shelter would free up funding and allow the staff of the shelter to better serve
the purposes for which the League and the Southold Town Animal Shelter exists. There is one shelter,
and I hope we are all on the same page here, but unfortunately I hear, you the Town Board taking the
position that the goal of the shelter is to comply with the minimum requirements of State Law, and that
was set forth in the position paper that was presented at I think it was two or three Town Board
meetings ago. That position reveals a total lack of understanding, and a lack of respect, for the goals
and programs of the North Fork Animal Welfare League, which operates the Southold Animal Shelter
to help prevent cruelty to animals, and to extend humane education. The staff of the Southold Animal
Shelter regularly go above and beyond the call of duty. State Law requires towns to provide shelter for
lost dogs until their owners claim them, or if no one claims them for two weeks or so until they are
killed. That is what is required. The Southold Animal Shelter, not just the North Fork Welfare League,
but the Southold Animal Shelter cares for lost and homeless animals by providing shelter, food,
grooming, exercise, medical treatment, by looking for the owners of the lost animals, and looking for
homes for homeless animals. In connection with placing animals for adoption each animal leaving the
shelter is wormed, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered depending which type they are. Southold
Animal Shelter assists and educates pet owners to better care for and enjoy their pets, benefiting the
pets, the owners, and the community. On a weekly basis the Southold Animal Shelter takes dogs to
nursing homes to provide companionship to elderly residents as a form of pet therapy. Southold Town
does have the resources to provide an appropriate facility for this organization. The Southold Town
Board has demonstrated by its actions, what it says is fine, but by its actions it has demonstrated it
1/16/01 26
doesn't have the will. In response to pressure put on the Board to assign a liaison to the Shelter to
represent the Town Board to understand the problems, and work to help the Shelter. The Board formed
a special committee to plan the future of the animal shelter. The Board also appointed as co-liaison a
Town Board member who demonstrated in public an antagonism toward the North Fork Animal
League. The Board appointed the Town Attorney to the committee apparently as an attempted neutral
member. I don't know. You know, maybe I am wrong. Is there a member on the committee who
supports the goals and needs of the shelter? I have been to every Town Board meeting in recent
months, and I have spoken at length on issues related to the Town Animal Shelter. Nobody asked me if
I would be interested in joining the committee. Very little more here. From the draft plan developed
by the committee it is clear that the Town Board is not just considering repair rather than replacement
of the shelter, the draft plan calls for an elimination of kennel space and other essential parts of the
facility. In connection with other Town functions, such as land preservation, police protection,
highway maintenance, to name only a few, Southold Town strives and succeeds to provide services far
superior to minimum legal requirements. The residents of the Town of Southold have overwhelmingly
made it clear by signing petitions in great numbers, and speaking at Town Board meetings
unanimously, that they want a humane shelter. Does this Board really want to lower the Town's
standards to their compliance with minimum legal requirements? I understand your point that there are
two functions operating there, but when I go there I see one shelter, and I hope that this Town Board
can come together with the North Fork Animal Welfare League, and that, you know, whether or not
some of the people who have come before the Board have said things that have insulted various
members of the Board I would hope that the Board members would refrain from.., you know what I
mean. Thank you for listening.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you for your comments. We give your recommendations to the
committee. I selected three people, and it was Anna's responsibility was to select three people, so she
selected the people from the Animal League. Anyone else want to address the Town Board before I
call on Frank? Are you going to finish this up, Frank?
FRANK CARLIN: I will always say when I made a mistake I made it, and I want to apologize to the
Town Board and to John for the statement I made about election year. My conscience told me it wasn't
right, and I want to apologize, but after saying that I think that after when this all is done that the
outcome will prove who is right or who is wrong. Thank you very much.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That is very true. I will call for a motion to adjourn.
Elizabeth A. Neville
Southold Town Clerk