HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB-11/14/2000
ELIZABETH A. NEVILLE
TOWN CLERK
REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS
MARRIAGE OFFICER
RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER
Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, New York 11971
Fax (631) 765-6145
Telephone (631) 765-1800
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
NOVEMBER 14, 2000
REGULAR MEETING
Work Session:
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, and Town Attorney Gregory F. Yakaboski.
Councilman John Romanelli advised that he will be meeting with CSEA President Lois Atkinson on
December I st with regard to computers.
9:30 a.m. Appointment with LIPA, Keyspan, and Thomas Maher, Dvirka & Bartilucci. Present
from LlPA were Bill Davidson, Mike Hervey, Matt Milhous, Adam Yablonsky, Vincent, Esposito,
Fred Vaudel, and Brent Cunningham.
On motion by Councilman Jolm Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Craig Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby enters into Executive Session at
9:25 a.m. for the purpose of discussing contracts.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was declared ADOPTED.
On motion by Justice Louisa Evans, seconded by Councilman Brian G. Murphy, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby exit from this Executive Session at 10:40 a.m.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was declared ADOPTED.
11:00 A.M. Appointment - (IV. 6 )James McMahon, Executive Administrator, Kim Tetrault,
Hatchery Manager at Cornell Marine Center, Cedar Beach, Southold, Re: SPAT (Southold
Project in Aquaculture Training) and several other representatives, Gregg Rivera, Mike
Patricio, Hatchery Technician, Mary Foster, PR & Media Specialist. Kim Tetrault said that they
have been talking about and planning these initiatives for years. They are now ready to open their
doors to an intensive community training because of their success. They will intensity their efforts and
information program beginning with a aquaculture test plot data collection program to make shellfish
more productive. A summer camp for interns to gather information and knowledge will be part ofthe
program, for which they will receive credits. Mr. Tetrault explained that they will start by setting up a
small model, then if it works well it will be used as an example for all shellfish. He will conduct once
a month training workshops, a master shellfish gardener program, test plot data collection projects for
school science classes, clubs, and community groups. He hopes also to initiate a shellfish transplanting
program into area local creeks. He stated that the reason that he is doing this is because he loves
teaching. This training initiative, if done properly and it works well, could overload itself each year.
He wants to make the public aware that they are now ready and have something to run with. He is
asking that all the groups pull together and use this tool properly. This year was almost equivalent to a
Brown Tide situation, so this program can't start too soon. The funding from the Town is already in
place. Supervisor Cochran appointed Mr. McMahon to be the town's representative on this.
Supervisor Cochran asked Kenneth Poliwoda if the Town Trustees are interested in this. He
responded that they are very interested and support the program. There will be an open house at Cedar
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Beach on December 13th to explain the program to all interested persons in the community. IV. 7.
Fort Corchaug -Downs Farm - Mr. McMahon advised that Town Engineer Jamie Richter has
inspected underneath the building which is set on locust posts The building is starting to settle and will
come apart unless a new foundation is put under it. A Fort Corchaug work day is set for Saturday
December 9th at which time they will get a dumpster and clean-up in and around the building.
11:25 a.m. The Town Board reviewed IV. For Discussion Items. IV. 1. Changes in Town Health
Plan. The Town Board must notify the CSEA of any changes to the town health plan. Justice Evans
said that the Board must decide what they want to implement before they go to CSEA. Councilman
Romanelli gave his opinion that the greatest savings in the long run would be in a plan similar to the
Empire Plan. Justice Evans stated that the Town would not actually go to that plan, but clone a plan
comparable to it. Further discussion was held for Executive Session, contracts, with Comptroller John
Cushman. IV. 2. Mosquito Program on Fishers Island. Justice Evans advised that they are trying
to get the County to cover the whole program. The issue is that they need a certified applicator on
staff. The county holds the permit, but the Town can't run it without an applicator. The Town Board
directed Assistant Town Attorney Mary Wilson to contact the County in relation to their taking over
the whole program. IV. 3. Request for refund on building permit. Building Department Head
Edward Forrester does not recommend a refund in this instance. The Town Board concurs with his
decision. IV. 4. Painting of the Human Resource Ceuter. Mrs. McKeighan was informing the
Town Board that she has asked Ray Jacobs to do the work and has the money in her budget for the
paint. The Town Board gave their consent of the project. IV. 5. Request from Assessors for
seasonal help. Resolutiou numbers 16 & 17 were placed on the agenda. IV. 8. CSEA Computer
Training. Councilman Romanelli will check on this to clarifY and update the Town Board before
accepting anything free. IV. 9. Fees. The Town Board is of the opinion that all fees should pay for
the cost of operating the department. This item will be further discussed in the future.
11:44 a.m. The Town Board reviewed Resolution Numbers 1 through 17 to be voted upon at the
7:30 p.m. meeting.
11 :46m. (2:00 p.m. Appointment) John Sepenoski, Technician II, Data Processing Department
appeared before the Town Board with regard to ACS and responsibility of the telephone system. The
Town Board said that these items should be discussed in Executive Session under contracts and
persounel.
On motion by Justice Louisa Evans, seconded by Councilman John Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby enters into Executive Session at 11:47 a.m. for the
purpose of discussing contracts and personnel.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was declared ADOPTED.
The Town Board recessed for lunch at 12:55 p.m.
The Town Board reconvened their Executive Session at 1 :45 p.m.
On motion of Justice Louisa Evans, seconded by Councilman Craig Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby exits from this Executive Session at 2:15 p.m.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
2:20 p.m. Appointment, Valerie Scopaz LWRP - Ms. Scopaz advised that she met with the Park
Districts, but has not received any feedback from them yet. The Town Board was given a draft intra-
office document to review. She explained that she underlined all of the changes in the text. Most of it
is at the end of the document. Ms. Scopaz reported meeting with several department heads, but so far
she has not received any negative comments. She referred to her November 8th memorandum and
reviewed the revisions with the Town Board. She asked them to have any comments ready by the
next regular Town Board meeting on November 28, 2000.
Supervisor Cochran advised that both of the propositions on the ballot went down on election day. She
spoke about her budget reflecting a 8.69 % increase, which is a very tight budget in light of the 16%
increase in medical costs
This work session ended at 3:25 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Southold Town Board was held on November 14, 2000, at the Southold
Town Hall, Southold, New York. Supervisor Cochran opened the meeting at 7:30 P.M. with the Pledge
of Allegiance 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 bills from November 14, 2000?
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the following bills be and hereby are ordered paid: General Fund Whole Town bills
in the amount of $34,222.18; General Fund Part Town bills in the amount of $723.18; Highway Fund
Part Town bills in the amowlt of $5,891.12; Open space Capital fund bills in the amount of $5,800.00;
Employee Health Benefit Plan bills in the amount of $38,129.00; Fishers Island Ferry District bills in
the amount of $30,897.93; Refuse and Garbage District bills in the amount of $2,930.86; Southold
Wastewater District bills in the amount of $7,796.21; Fishers Island Ferry District Agency and Trust
bills in the amount of$709.58.
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: A motion to approve the minutes of October 30th, 2000, Special Town
Board meeting?
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Murphy, it was
RESOLVED that the minutes of the October 30, 2000, Special Town Board meeting be and hereby are
approved.
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: I have an additional one here the Board isn't familiar with yet, but a
Special Meeting Tuesday, November 21st at 12:00 noon. That will after our next Tuesday's Work
Session, and there may be some things we have to take action on.
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that a Special Meeting of the Southold Town Board be held at 12:00 P.M., Tuesday,
November 21, 2000 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 for November 28,2000,
4:30 P.M.
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the next regular meeting of the Southold Town Board will be held at 4:30 P.M.,
Tuesday, November 28,2000 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.
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SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Just a point of information while we are talking about setting different
meetings. The Town Board is looking at making the meetings for the evening moving it up from 7:30
to 7:00 with the winter months, and it getting dark earlier, and so forth. We would really would like to
get going at 7:00 rather than 7:30, so we will discussing that, and I think you can pretty much watch
for the change on that.
1. REPORTS.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: As you know the Town Board receives Reports from the different
committees and from the different departments each month. They are public information. They are
available in the Town Clerk's Office. Ifthere is a particular area you have interest in, and would like to
know more it please come in, and we will be able to share that information with you.
1. Southold Town Justice Bruer's Monthly Court Report for October 2000.
2. Southold Town Justice Price's Monthly Court Report for October 2000.
3. Southold Town Justice Evans' Monthly Court Report for October 2000.
II.PUBLIC NOTICES.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Public Notice, each month we receive public notices from the New York
State DEC. There is an application for maintenance dredging at Elizabeth Lane in Southold. Written
comments by December 8th. New York State DEC notice of application of Leslie Gazzola,
maintenance dredging Elizabeth Lane, Southold. Written comments by December 8th. New York State
DEC notice of complete application of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to operate two exit vacuum
autoclaves for the treatment of regulated medical waste and a shredder for the subsequent destruction
of regulated medical waste sharps generated on sit at Biolevel3 in Buildings 101 and 102 of the Plum
Island Animal Disease Center located at Plum Island. Written comments by December 12, 2000.
1. New York State DEC, Notice of Complete Application of Cheryl Hansen to maintain dredge at
Elizabeth lane, Southold Town (SCTM #10000-78-5-3). Written comments by December 8,
2000.
2. New York State DEC, Notice of Complete Application of Leslie Gazzola to maintenance dredge
at Elizabeth Lane, Southold Town (SCTM#1000-78-5-2). Written comments by December 8,
2000.
3. New York State DEC, Notice of Complete Application of U.S. Department of Agriculture to
operate two exit vacuum autoclaves for the treatment of regulated medical waste and a shredder
for the subsequent destruction of regulated medical waste sharps generated on site at Biosafety
Level 3 in Bldgs. 101 and 102 of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center located at Plum Island,
Southold Town. Written comments by December 1,2000.
III. COMMUNICATION None.
N. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
1. 8:00 P.M. on Views on Local Housing and Community Development needs to be met with the
Community Development Block Grant Funds (#148,000).
2. 8:05 P.M. on amending the Amount of the Bond Resolution for the Payloader for the Solid
Waste Management District.
V. RESOLUTION.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: As you know the Town Board has a policy that prior to the Town Board
adopting the resolutions that are on the agenda we would be very happy to have your input or any
comments you want to share with us. There is also time at the end of the meeting for any Town
business that you would like to bring before the Board. Before we go into resolutions, as always,
being Supervisor you get some privileges that are nice things to do, and one of the things we have
always done, which is tradition as far as hiring Police Officers, or promotions within the Department,
they always come before the Town Board to receive their badge that they will be wearing for their job
upgrade. So, at this time I would like to introduce Officer Perkins and his family, and Chief Cochran.
Congratulations.
#18
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Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Moore, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of South old hereby appoints Richard Perkins as a full-
time Police Sergeant in the Southold Town Police Department at a base salary of$81,430.00 per year,
effective November 15, 2000.
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: Would anyone like to address the Town Board in relation to any of the
resolutions? (No response.) Ifnot, number one.
#1
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Moore, it was
WHEREAS, each year Americans generate more than 217 million tons of municipal solid
waste. That's more than 4.4 pounds per person per day. While the nation has reached an overall
recycling rate of more than 28 percent, much more can be done, especially in closing the loop and
purchasing products made with recycled content; and
WHEREAS, to focus the nation's attention on the importance of recycling and closing the loop,
businesses, industries, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals have joined
together to celebrate America Recycles Day and are encouraging their employers, staff, customers,
membership, and all citizens to pledge to buy more recycled-content products starting on November
15; and
WHEREAS, participating in America Recycles Day is one way citizens can help raise
awareness about the need to reduce waste by reusing, recycling, and buying recycled products; and
WHEREAS theme of American Recycles Day is "For Our Children's Future...Buy Recycled
Today"; and
WHEREAS, state and community leaders need to spread the word about the excellent recycling
programs they have established, the growth of markets for recyclable materials, the importance of
buying recyclable materials, and the importance of buying recycled products; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board ofthe Town of South old hereby proclaims Wednesday,
November 15, 2000 as "AMERICAN RECYCLES DAY" in the Town 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.
#2
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of South old hereby grants permission to Elizabeth
Stathis to attend a New York State Archives and Records Administration Workshop on Grant
Application for 2001 at the Western Suffolk BOCES at Dix Hills, New York, on Wednesday,
November 29, 2000 and necessary travel and meal expenses shall be a legal charge to the Town Clerk
2000 budget A.1410.4.600.300.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#3
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby accepts the bid of Petro Heating
Services and Fuels, at a price of plus $.0629 per gallon over the Tosco Reseller Rack Price, for
supplying the Town of Southold with Gasoline for the 2001 Calendar Year, all in accordance with bid
specifications.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Moore, Justice
Evans, Supervisor Cochran. Abstain: Councilman Romanelli.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#4
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby accepts the bid of Petro Heating
Services and Fuels, at a price of plus $.0690 per gallon over the Tosco Reseller Rack Price, for
supplying the Town of Southold with Diesel Fuel for the 2001 Calendar Year, all in accordance with
bid specifications.
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Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Moore, Justice
Evans, Supervisor Cochran. Abstain: Councilman Romanelli.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#5
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby accepts the bid of Petro Heating
Services and Fuels, Inc. at a price of plus $.12 per gallon over the Tosco Reseller Rack Price, for
supplying the Town of Southold with Heating Fuel Oil for the 2001 Calendar Year, all in accordance
with bid specifications.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Moore, Justice
Evans, Supervisor Cochran. Abstain: Councilman Romanelli.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#6
Moved by Councilman Moore, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby accepts the bid of International Salt
Company, Inc., in the amount of$44.80 per ton delivered, for 500 tons (more or less as maybe
needed) for Bulk Salt for Snow and Ice Control for the Southold Town Highway Department, for the
period of November I, 2000 through November I, 2001, all in accordance with the bid specifications.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#7
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Murphy, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board ofthe Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs Town Clerk
Elizabeth Neville to advertise for sale the surplus motor vehicles located at the Police and Highway
Departments.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#8
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of South old hereby accepts the bid
of Charles Greenblatt, Inc. to supply police uniforms to the Southold Town Police Department for the
calendar year 2001, all in accordance with bid specifications and 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.
#9
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of South old hereby accepts the bid proposal of East
End Cleaners for cleaning the uniforms of the members of the Southold Town Police Department for
the calendar year 2001, all in accordance with bid specifications and 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.
#10
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of South old has met at the time and place specified
in the notice of public hearings on the Preliminary Budget for the fiscal year beginning on January
1,2001, and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town Board of the Town of Southold does hereby
adopt such Preliminary Budget, as amended, as the Annual Budget of this Town for the fiscal year
beginning on the 1st day of January 2001; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that such budget as adopted by this Board be entered in detail in the
minutes ofthe proceedings of this Town Board; and be it
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FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk ofthe Town of South old shall prepare and
certify copies of said annual budget as adopted by the T own Board of the Town of Southold, together
with the estimates, if any, adopted pursuant to Section 202a, Subdivision 5 of the Town Law, and
deliver a copy thereof to the County Legislature of the County of Suffolk.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#11
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Southold has met at the time and place
specified in the notice of public hearings on the Preliminary Capital Budget for the fiscal year
beginning on January 1,2001, and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board ofthe Town of Southold does hereby adopt such Preliminary
Capital Budget, as amended, as the Annual Capital Budget ofthis Town for the fiscal year beginning
on the 1st January 2001; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that such capital budget as adopted by this Board be entered in detail
in the minutes of the proceedings of this Town Board; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk of the Town of South old shall prepare
and certify copies of said annual Capital Budget as adopted by the Town Board of the Town of
Southold, together with the estimates, if any, adopted pursuant to Section 202a, Subdivision 5 of the
Town Law, and deliver a copy thereofto the County Legislature of the County of Suffolk
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: We are going to hold 12, 13, 14, and 15, and they relate to the zone
change on Route 48, and w(~ have not heard from our Planning Board as of yet, and until we hear from
them we will change the zone.
#16
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby modifies the General Fund Whole
Town 2000 budget as follows:
To:
A. 1355,1,300. 100
Assessors, Personal Services
Temporary Seasonal Employ
$505.00
From:
A. 1355.4.500.200
Assessors, Fees for Services
Appraisals
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Richter, Councilman Murphy, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Cochran.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
$505.00
#17
Moved by Councilman Moore, seconded by Councilman Murphy, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of South old hereby appoints Christopher Westgate as a
seasonal Student Intern 1 in the Southold Town Assessor's Office at a salary of $8.00 per hour,
effective December 18, 2000 through January 15, 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: Number 18 is a resolution appointing Richard Perkins as a full-time
Sergeant in Southold, which we have already acted upon. There is one add-on in relation to
performance guaranteed agreement, Peconic Landing deposit of Performance Bond money, Suffolk
County Bank.
#19
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
WHEREAS, Peconic Landing is required to provide a letter of credit, cash, or other
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security satisfactory to the Town to serve as a performance guarantee for the total cost of furnishing,
installing, connecting and completing all of the street grading, paving, storm drainage and utilities for
the project known as "Peconic Landing, be it
RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of South old that the Supervisor, Jean W.
Cochran is hereby authorized to execute a Performance Guarantee Agreement whereby Peconic
Landing will deposit "Performance Bond" money at Suffolk County National Bank in the sum of
$3,964,216.00 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.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That is the end of our planned resolutions. We have one hearing at 8:00,
and one a 8:05. I think we will take input from the public for the thirteen minutes we have on the
clock, and then at 8 :00 o'clock I am going to have to stop taking input and recess for the public
hearings. If you would still like to address the Town Board we will go back to that, but when a public
hearing is scheduled for a specific time that is when we must do it. So, at this point is there anyone that
would like to talk to the Board on any given topic. Anna?
ANNA COSIMANO: Good evening. My name is Anna Cosimano. I am a resident of Southold and
President of the North Fork Animal Welfare League. In 1999 the North Fork Animal Welfare League
was asked to sign a three-year contract by the Town of Southold to provide a State mandated animal
care and control under Article: 7 of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for the
town. The League signed this contract solely and exclusively based on the Town's offer to finally after
fifteen years build a new facility on Peconic Lane. The League immediately went to work, and within
weeks James Richter from the Town's Engineers Department drew up plans at a preliminary cost
estimate of $538,000 for a 7,000 square foot facility. The League then met with Town officials, Jean
Cochran and John Romanelli to submit the preliminary cost estimates together with the site plans. At
this meeting Mr. Romanelli suggested the Town take a bond to cover the cost of a new facility. When
Town officials just recently released their Preliminary Capital Budget I was shocked that the Town
was not going to fully fund a new Shelter. Jean Cochran and John Romanelli never contacted the North
Fork Animal Welfare League to inform us of their Band-Aid approach to fix what only can be
described as a shelter that is hemorrhaging. These are just a few of the dangerous and hazardous
conditions at the facility, poor drainage systems, floors incorrectly cantered resulting in puddles in
kennels and perpetually damp floors, failed ventilation system, no system for air exchange, air
conditioning system basically nonexistent, ancient donated window units in four units of entire facility,
outdated and faulty guillotine doors on kennels, unsafe and inefficient, dog kennels deteriorating,
unsafe and unsanitary, no commercial washer or dryer, electric hookups inadequate and unsafe,
exterior stockade fencing is old and needs replacing, dogs escape, outside exercise impossible to
sanitize, dirt needs to be concerted. The North Fork Animal Welfare League will be meeting with the
Town officials at their request tomorrow, 11: 15, with the hope that this monetary issue can be resolved
once and for all. Jean, I have a question.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anna that is wrong.
ANNA COSIMANO: What?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I offered that we get together to develop a committee to begin the
process. There is $250,000 in the Budget to begin the first phase.
ANNA COSIMANO: Then why did I make an appointment for tomorrow?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That is what you are going to do. What I offered was that we form a
committee and begin to work on this. I assumed when I saw your name on my calendar that you were
coming in so that we could have some input from the Board and some of your people to form a
committee to begin the work.
ANNA COSIMANO: Oh, because I had my committee, and I thought you had yours.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: It is not your committee, my committee, it is our committee to solve a
problem.
ANNA COSIMANO: Fine, so now do I have to make another appointment?
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SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: No. Come in tomorrow, because first you form a committee, then you
form the agenda.
ANNA COSIMANO: Okay.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We haven't formed the agenda and what we want to address as this first
meeting.
ANNA COSIMANO: Well, you won't have all of your committee per se?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: No, not yet. We have to agree on a committee first.
ANNA COSIMANO: Okay.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That's what I thought you had made the appointment for.
ANNA COSIMANO: No. I thought we were going to sit down and talk tomorrow. Fine. I will see you
tomorrow.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Tomorrow morning with your committee. Hopefully by then we will
have ours and we can take it from there.
ANNA COSIMANO: Okay. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyone else like to address the Town Board? Yes, ma'am?
SALLY STERN: Hello. My name is Sally Stem. I am a resident of Greenport, and I don't quite
understand what you mean by agree on a committee. I don't understand what you mean by agree on a
committee. Are you going to negate someone from a committee because their personality or their
attitude does not agree with yours? I just simply want an understanding of the semantics you are
using. I didn't say agree with you. I said they don't agree with you. I would like to know what you
mean by what you had said. That is a simple statement. I would like a simple answer.
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: I think what the Supervisor is talking about is how many are going to on
the committee. I am sorry, Jean, I don't mean to talk for you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I believe that is what I said, how many, you have three, we have three,
what our agenda is going to be, how we are going to begin to try to solve the problem.
SALLY STERN: Okay. You didn't clarify, and I simple asked for a clarification. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: You are welcome. Anyone else like to address the Town Board? Mr.
Bitses, non-political, please. No demonstrations. No demonstrations, please, or we will recess again.
JAMES BITSES: No demonstrations. The reason she said is that because the last time we were here
the other day I was talking about hitting mules on the side of the head with a two by four. In any
event, of course no demonstrations.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you.
JAMES BITSES: The North Fork Animal Welfare League is the only agency of government that
contributes to the budget. We contribute about $150,000 a year, and how do we raise that money,
money that the taxpayer would normally have to pony up? We are man digging, we are beggars, we
go around town, and each year we raise $150,000 for the benefit of an agency oftown government, the
animal shelter. Now, why is the animal shelter an agency of town government? Because it supplies an
essential ingredient that is absolutely necessary for human life. Believe it or not. It supplies
unconditional love. It supplies unconditional love. There are children in Rumania and Hungary that
from the time of birth they are not touched, they are not picked up, they are not cared for, and by the
age of two or three they are destroyed as human beings. They become zombies. They are no longer
capable of learning. They are no more capable of interacting with other people. I cite that to indicate to
you the depth, the need, of the human mind for unconditional love, and that is what we sell. Whoop,
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we don't sell it. You can't sell love. You have to give it away. You have to give it away, and that is
what we are in business of doing. On behalf of the Town we take all the strays, and we try to find a
home for them, and this is the one unique, one unique shelter in this entire northeast area, and possibly
in the whole nation that operates on a no-kill basis. We don't kill our animals unless there is a vote of
the Board of Directors. That is a technicality, and occasionally a sick animal has to be put down. Now,
what is the effect of all our elIorts? The affect of all our efforts is that the Town of Southold pays very
little for this governmental agency. What we are asking for now is the minimum. Weare asking for
quarters in which to keep the animals that are fairly sanitary, and that will do away with the terrible
conditions that they live in now. We are asking for possibly $400,000, the price of a park, or the price
of three years effort by the North Fork Animal Welfare League, because that is the amount we put in
over a period of about two and a half or three years. So, again, I ask the Board, I ask the people of
Southold back us on this, and to help us on this, and let us build a new animal shelter that is worthy of
the animals that we have there, and is worthy of us as human beings, as purveyors of unconditional
love. Thank you.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Jean, can Ijust say something.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Yes, if you promise you will stay calm.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I promise I will stay calm. I just want to make everyone aware that
we have a contract that was signed August 23, 1999. It was three-year contract signed by Anna
Cosimano, President, and Jean Cochran, and it is notarized. This is signed last year, and it is a three-
year contract that is the subject of the conversation, and I just want to read one portion of it, so
everyone knows. It says Town duties, that during the term of this contract the Town will permit the
League to occupy and operate the Town owned shelter at Peconic, New York, for the purpose of
providing dog control office services and shelter services for the Town until the League constructs it's
own shelter on Town owned property. This was in the contract. We just didn't make this up. This was
in the contract that we signed last year, and Anna signed, so, you know so everyone knows where the
Town is coming from. We really were under the assumption that we had an agreement, and we are
putting a good step forward to make things even better, but this is the contract that is written, until the
League constructs it's own shelter on Town owned property, and it is here, and anyone can have a copy
of it. Anybody.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: If I may just point out also there is a second section of that contract on
page two we are talking about what they call the Town duties, where it says the League duties, and it
says, operate and maintain at it's own expense Town Animal Shelter on Peconic Lane, Peconic, New
York, as a shelter for all dogs seized by it's dog control officers for lost, strayed, homeless dogs. In
clause two, b and d of the contract shall terminate if the League constructs it's own shelter facility on
land leased from the town. The remaining terms of the contract shall continue in effect except that all
dogs will be kept in the league shelter instead of the town shelter. So, the gist of the contract that was
signed this year is that the North Fork Animal Welfare League was going to build a shelter. I mean,
this is your own agreement right here.
ANNA COSIMANO: Was it two years ago in December that the Town was not going to give us any
money, and we had a work session? You, Jean, were the last person to ask me if we were still going to
put a shelter up, and I said, absolutely not, the Town Board can't be trusted. Well, you put in the
contract again, saying it is the same contract, and yes, I signed that contract without even realizing it
was still in. At that work session I was very adamant about not putting a shelter up. Why? Because the
Town. Board couldn't be trusted, and that was two years ago. That was the time Alice Hussie was
talking about. Okay? So, I may have signed that legal agreement trusting the Town again, and I am
sorry.
TOWN ATTORNEY Y AKABOSKI: Anna, I got to jump in. I am sorry I have to jump in. That
contract was delivered to the North Fork Animal Welfare League prior to anyone coming in to sign
anything. If you didn't read it, please, do not accuse...I drafted that contract, and Mary Wilson in my
office. We did not sneak anything in.
ANNA COSIMANO: I know you didn't.
TOWN ATTORNEY Y AKABOSKI: It was delivered prior. I just took it from what you just said, I
just heard you, that something got snuck in without somebody having the ability to read prior to
signing it, and that is not what happened.
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ANNA COSIMANO: No. No. I take full responsibility.
TOWN ATTORNEY Y AKABOSKI: I heard it different. I apologize.
ANNA COSIMANO: Not reading the entire contract. I will take responsibility. I signed it without
reading fully.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anna, I don't think there has ever been a time that we were going to take
something away. We appreciate the job you are doing. We try to tell you that. Weare trying to solve a
problem here.
ANNA COSIMANO: Jean, you were giving us no money.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: No increase, Anna, not no money.
ANNA COSIMANO: Exactly, no increase.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Okay, that is different, but you were going to receive money.
ANNA COSIMANO: And what was it, four days before Christmas you finally came up with $3,000,
but you were adamantly against giving us this increase at the Work Session.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I don't recall.
ANNA COSAMANO: Well, I do, and that is when you asked me, are you still building your shelter?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: The newspaper reported on Thursday, September 15'\ that you were for
$250,000. You were going to build the shelter. Weare not here to argue back and forth, Anna.
ANNA COSAMANO: No, we are not.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We are here to solve a problem. We have never said we want to kill
dogs. We have never said you are not doing a good job, and like I explained to you at the budget
hearing there are some things that we have to do in piecemeal. We don't have money to do the whole
project all the time. Five years I have waited for a rug in that front hall. We have done one office at a
time. This is true. New cars, we buy two a year. I put money in the budget last year to paint the Rec
Center, but we had to forego that because we needed heat. The Town facilities have been neglected for
so long it was my thinking that this finally would start the process. I would like to have a quarter of a
million dollars. There's a lot I could do with it for the Town, but I think we should try to solve it
instead of bicker back and fi)rth.
ANNA COSAMANO: Fine.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I have to recess for public hearings.
BARNEY COSAMANO: Why do you stop and have a five minute recess? Are you afraid?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Barney, I am not recessing it.
BARNEY COSAMANO: You are afraid to oppose her because she knows the law.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: We are not recessing.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: You are out ofline. We will recess if this nonsense continues.
BARNEY COSAMANO: 1 generate a million dollars a year into this town in taxes, and you give us a
difficult problem for a lousy shelter. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Elected officers.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Yes, we are. Barney.
BARNEY COSAMANO: 1 don't talk to idiots.
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10
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Don't. Fine, it makes my life easier. What I said earlier is I have to recess
for a public hearing that has been advertised in the paper to be heard at this time. I said, I have one at
8:00 and I have one at 8:05, and we will come back after the public hearings to any input you people
may have. Now, I would like a motion to recess for the public hearings.
Moved by Councilman Murphy, seconded by Councilman Moore, it was
RESOLVED that this Town Board meeting be recessed at this time, 8:05 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.
Meeting reconvened at 8:12 P.M.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Is there anyone who would like to address the Board?
TERESE MCGINIS: Good evening, Terese McGinnis, I am the Vice-President of the North Animal
Welfare League. I think if ever a sentence could be used to describe this debate it would be that no
good deed ever goes unpunished, and I think what the residents and taxpayers of the Town of Southold
have to understand clearly that the North Fork Animal Welfare League is the only private non-profit
that will contract with a municipality to do all in animal care and control, and the reason why these
organizations will not participate with municipal governments is a textbook example. The example that
this Board has set this evening. An organization whose members get up each day, and do the work of
government with no salaries, and no benefits, and then they appear before their Board. Now, we came
before the Board in a meeting with Mr. Romanelli, Mrs. Cochran, and Jamie Richter. At that time Mr.
Romanelli suggested that a bond be taken to fund the full $500,000 for a new facility. We are at this
tragic and disgraceful impact, because Mr. Romanelli has failed to ever speak to anyone from the
North Fork Animal Welfare League to advise them that we were not going to get a fully funded
shelter. Is this an example of government at it's best? Mr. Romanelli, as liaison to the animal shelter
has never participated in the life of the facility. However, he is paid a salary to act as the liaison. The
members of the North Fork Animal Welfare League work each day with diligence and kindness, and
yet for all of their hard work what we have seen here tonight is an example of the disrespect that this
organization is given in this community, and I think it is really incumbent upon this Board to recoguize
the work that this League has accomplished in this community. You have a stellar reputation within the
business for operating with a private humane organization, and I think it would be incumbent upon Mr.
Romanelli to notify the members of the North Fork Animal Welfare League. You had between April
and November to notify the League that you were not going to bond for the full amount for a facility,
and I think that this is disgraceful conduct on the part of any elected official. Weare doing the work.
We want to continue to do the work in this community. We save the residents and taxpayers in this
community hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, hundred of thousands of dollars, so the
question before this Board is, are you right now interested in adding another layer of government to
this community? I think that the residents and taxpayers would say a rebounding no. We are not being
greedy. We only ask that you fully fund the cost for a new facility. Thank you.
FRANK CARLIN: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the Board. Frank Carlin, Laurel. I just
want to say a few things on this animal shelter again. You know this animal shelter was built over 31
years ago. It was desigued only for a temporary use, not a permanent use. Unfortunately for the past
fifteen years it had to be a temporary use. Also what this meeting here tonight reminds me of what is
going on in Florida, looking for technicalities. Let's stop the technicalities. Let's get the job done, and
give them the money somehow. Float another bond. You float bonds for all over this town. I have seen
in the budget. Oh incidentally I took this budget home. When I picked up last Thursday, November 9th
when I was at the shelter meeting, and I didn't come back in the evening because we had a long
afternoon, as you know. But, since then I reviewed this 32 page budget, and there is a lot of things in
there that I could question you on. I am going to question you on only two things tonight, but I will
catch it next year. You are allowing $250,000 for the Strawberry Patch on Route 48. Why would you
want to do that when it is in the process of being bought by the Suffolk County?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We are not spending $250,000.
FRANK CARLIN: That what you said in the budget here in the newspaper.
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SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: The County is buying it.
FRANK CARLIN: Then what are you doing spending the Town's money?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Wait a minute. You are talking about the development of the property.
The County buys the property.
FRANK CARLIN: But, what are you doing devoting $250,000 to a private organization to start with?
I will put it that way then.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: What private organization? It will become a Town park.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: It will be a Town facility.
FRANK CARLIN: What is a Town facility?
COUNCILMAN MOORE: That park will be a Town facility. The County will buy it.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: The County will be purchasing the land, and we will be developing it. It
IS ours.
FRANK CARLIN: They will give it to you?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Yes, indeed.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: Yes.
FRANK CARLIN: Then why the Strawberry Patch then?
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: It was just a name that was put on it, Frank. It could be named anything.
It could be called the Frank Carlin Park.
FRANK CARLIN: But, it is going to be used for activities, right?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Frank, it is a Greenway Program with the County, and it has to do with
recreation, and as you know we have always been park poor in the Town of Southold, and we have
tried to plan for the future in relation to parks, and the County purchases the land. They give it to the
Town, but it is the Town's obligation to develop recreational facilities on the land.
FRANK CARLIN: So, then you are going to develop recreational facilities, and the Lions will not be
able to use it for their Strawberry Festival, right?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Yes, they will.
FRANK CARLIN: How can you do it both ways? You want to have a park and Strawberry Festival.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: The used it on the school grounds for years.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: The Boy Scouts will be able to use it for the car shows. There will be
multiple uses for it.
FRANK CARLIN: You know about the County's Greenway Program, don't you?
SUPER VISOR COCHRAN: I think I know something about it.
FRANK CARLIN: (tape change.)That probably where they are getting it what is going on here. Do
you agree with me on that?
COUNCILMAN MOORE: That is correct.
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FRANK CARLIN: Do you agree with me on that? Good. Now I will go to the next question. Maybe I
will make a million dollars. How about the Peconic Lane Park, you started out you said, $250,000,
now you went up to $275,000, Peconic Park Park?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That is also being developed.
FRANK CARLIN: How long has the park been there? What do you mean, developed? I don't get
what you mean by developed. What are you developing there for $250,000?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Peconic Lane Park will be paid for over a five year period.
FRANK CARLIN: Where are you getting that money from?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: It will be through the taxpayers, tax revenues, but a five year phase-in
program. Isn't Peconic five? Three on Peconic. Fort Corchaug is five.
FRANK CARLIN: I still don't agree with you on this Strawberry property on Route 48, though.
COUNCILMAN MURPHY: What don't you agree with, Frank?
FRANK CARLIN: I just don't agree this town giving any money over there for that, when you look
for that kind of money for these poor animals here. If you had extra money, fine, but you claim you
can't put a rug on the floor but you are going to give out these $190,000 and $250,000.Let me go on to
another subject here. Last May Brooklyn Union Gas was putting in a pipe in front of my house, and a
couple of days later a woman stopped, and said, Mr. Carlin, boy, are we going to get water? It looked
like she didn't know it was gas line, you know. Are we going to get water here? I said, no, we are not
going to get water here, no such way. So, then when she drove off a light bulb struck and lit up in my
mind. I had public gas in my house since 1929. Public gas had been installed all the way along the
Main Road since the 1920's, and yet we can't get public water. Here we are 75 years after, which is
very important accessory and utility. It is amazing. Again, when I mentioned to Bill Pell back in 1982
the Town being in the Stone Age, fifty years behind the times. That is one of them. You see Greenport
incorporated village, 2,000 people they had their own city water for years until Suffolk County Water
Authority came and bought them out for three and a half million dollars. I was happy to see the people
at the landfill are finally going to get water. They should have had that two years ago, when we first
started in with Suffolk County Water Authority. One thing I want to get straightened out here. Suffolk
County Water Authority is not run by the County. It is a private organization.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: It is created by New York State.
FRANK CARLIN: It is not by Suffolk County. It is called Suffolk County Water Authority. It is not
run by the County. We knew about that water down there for years back as far as 1970 that area, and I
am glad to see these people, again, they should have had water before. I am going to bring up a point
here how we lag things in this town in this town, and maybe I can connect this with the animal shelter,
because we knew about that problem for years that they had bad water. In fact, it was investigated by
the DEC, and H2M Engineering back 1987, and they found the water was contaminated with
pollutants, oils and different chemical, and you know yourself a lot of your young people on the Board
here, but Madam Supervisor will follow me on this one also, that we had an open cesspool dump there.
For years we used to bring in raw sewage and dump it in there. Okay, here we go. Here's pictures of it
that had taken in 1984.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That was the lagoon.
FRANK CARLIN: All those years that was sinking into the ground causing this area to be
contaminated. Something was supposed to be done about it. So far I guess it wasn't. Oh, you can have
this copy. This is what I am talking about, what they come up with, and what they recommended. They
recommended for the Town to look into it. Not the pictures. That other one is yours. It is very
interesting. I hope you all read it. What I am saying is, why do we have to pay $350,000 to run a water
main down there when Suffolk County Water Authority is putting water all over the town? Why do we
have to pay to put it in there? Why?
COUNCILMAN MOORE: I will give you their answer.
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FRANK CARLIN: Oh, sure, you are going to give me their answer, but you should have an answer,
too, because you are the ones that pay the $350,000.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: I will give you their answer, then we are going to squeeze it. Their answer
is, that they can not just give a water supply system to a community if it can't sustain itself by terms of
hookups they get. That is their answer. We have the opportunity through Federal Funds to justify and
use Federal Funds through Community Development. That was the subject ofthe public hearing before
that Mr. McMahon referenced. There is a supply of Federal money we are allowed to use for this
purpose. That is exactly what we are doing. In the meantime we are going to go back and we are going
to squeeze those guys, the Water Authority, and say, listen we have come up with how much money
Mr. McMahon can squeeze out of the Federal govermnent side of the budget, and we are going to go
back to them and say, now, we have gotten this far, how much more can you carry now. Can you
justifY under you policies and procedures how much the cost can be carried? Just so you know two
years ago the cost was in excess of a million dollars. The water supply was going to be much farther
away, and we were all scratching our heads where is that money coming from? It was only a month
ago that the Chairman came back and said, hey, we have another possible site much, much closer. In
fact it is under Town control, and that is how it came to be that this thing came around much quicker
than we first expected.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: And a lot less than a million dollars.
FRANK CARLIN: Let me start again on the phase here. Here is a picture of 1997. Mr. LaGrande
sitting at a table with all the Town Board members here. Here is Joe Townsend. Here is Ruth Oliva.
Here is Planning. Here is the Building Inspector. He is sitting at the table with his map here, and
explaining how he is going to put the water in. Well, if! was the Supervisor at that time I would have
asked him this question. Are you capable of supplying all Southold with water, letting everybody have
a fair shake ofthe pie, and see what he would have said?
COUNCILMAN MOORE: He would have said, no.
FRANK CARLIN: Then I would have hesitated then.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: He may have said, I will try.
FRANK CARLIN: If he couldn't I would have made sure that the people who really needed it go it
before anyone else, and that would have been the landfill. I know Captain Kidd Estate needed, but he
is going to put water 200 feet back of my house into the golf course, twenty-nine home all of sudden,
isn't he? That is going to have water, right? I want to tell you something. The nearest hydrant on the
Main Road in Laurel.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: Frank, we are working on solving this problem.
FRANK CARLIN: Just listen to me, will you. Maybe it might help you a little bit. From Bray Avenue,
from the auto body repair shop there all the way down to the Laurel Post Office the nearest hydrant is
picked up by Riverhead at the mile and a quarter, and do people realize that if you live in a fire
district.. .this is only one example now. If you live in a fire hydrant area you get a reduction in your
house insurance from anywhere from $100 up. But, that is minor. The protection is what counts. We
don't have even a fire hydrant there. You see what I am talking about? That is what I would have said
to him. Nassau Point can get it, thought, right?
COUNCILMAN MOORE: Frank, I guess I am missing the point here. We are trying to get water
around the landfill. I am frustrated, Frank.
FRANK CARLIN: Why didn't these people have number one priority, because they live by the
landfill? And don't give me this about what they say, well, we have 50%. See? And don't say that my
water is, hope you are not going to be another Tom Wickham. Don't say that my water, my house, by
the park is good, because I want to give you a facts here. I want to give you fact here now. That they
drove a well when they put the information center up there, and that was in '87. Kreiger had to go back
last year, and go drill down 130 feet to get them good water, because the water was no good. It was so
bad the toilet water was brown, and the sprinklers plugged up. I spent $1,000 already on one filter to
soften my water, and now I am told I need another $1,000 to take the acid affect out of the water that is
eating up my pipes. So, don't let nobody tell you that we have beautiful water there, either, because we
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don't have it there. You can't tell me if you can run a pipe, a line, in the field at the golf course because
it is only 500 feet from our Main Road someway a line couldn't be run, not under the bridge to make it
easy, but somewhere along. In fact, I will give them permission to run under my property to the Main
Road to continue down there to let everybody have the water, and don't use this 50% jazz, because
everybody should have water. Again, living in the Stone Age fifty years back, these are utilities that
you need. By golly, if we can have gas for 75 years along the Main Road we should have had water by
now. This looks like the same example as going on with the animal shelter. My father always told me,
never put off what to do today for tomorrow. That is what you did for fifteen years for these people on
the animal shelter, also. You can't let grass grow under your feet. You should take a lesson from
Kapell, Mayor Kapell, he don't let grass grow under his feet, and I give him credit for a lot of things he
does there, but he came a long way for a little town like that. There is no reason why you people can't
do it either.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you. Anyone else?
SETH MCCARTHY: Hello, I am Seth McCarthy from East Marion. This week I learned about
politics, and what I have seen really makes me glad that in five years I will be able to vote, and make a
difference. Last year Supervisor Cochran came to our classroom. Our classroom was helping the dog
shelter doing what we could. We had a blanket fund, and planted bulbs at the shelter. We all felt good
doing what a sixth grader c,m do. Mrs. Cochran, you told us it wouldn't make a difference but it did to
us. We love the animals, and making the place pretty in the spring helps the people that work there,
and all the people that volunteer. Please follow through on your words, and give us the animal shelter.
Thank you.
DEBORAH DOTY: I am Deborah Doty. I live in Cutchogue. I would suggest to the Town Attorney
regarding the language in the contract that, that language has been in that contract possibly for seven or
eight years, so it is not new language as far as the Town is concerned regarding building the animal
shelter. Mr. Carlin said, don't put off tomorrow what you can do today. I was talking to Bill Zitek last
week, who is a vet in Southold, and he said, ten years if the Town had provided assistance they could
have built a shelter for $100,000. Gary Strang had donated architectural plans, but some reason the
Town never followed through on it. I know of another set of architects who also donated plans about
seven years ago. Nothing has happened. We have a problem here, and it seems like its turned into a
political football, and the animals are in the middle of it, and I would prefer to see the animals taken
care of, because I don't want any of my pets up there. Thank you.
LORRAINE ANDRADE: Hi, my name is Larraine Andrade, and I am a taxpayer in the Town of
Southold. I live in Mattituck. I have been looking over this budget, and I don't want my tax dollars
going to the New Suffolk Beach bathroom, $60,000.00, Peconic Lane Park and Improvements,
$274,000, the Strawberry Patch Park, $190,000, Town Hall, $1,500,000. I am sure some of this money
could be going to the shelter. I want my tax dollars spent at the shelter.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you. Anyone else like to address the Town Board?
NANCY SAW ASTYNOWICZ: Good evening. I am Nancy Sawastynowicz, and I live in East
Marion. This is all very simple. This town has to provide for stray animals by New York State Law a
shelter, so the Town has been talking about the shelter since the 80's. That is a waste of money, and a
lot of time for everybody here, and people that come to the meetings. So, that could have saved us a lot
of money right there. The League raises enough money that this town is saving money with running a
kill shelter, if the League leaves, and the Town takes over it will cost the taxpayers a lot more money,
and nobody really want to know what a kill shelter is like. Go to Riverhead and take a look. It is very
sad. People always react to the word higher taxes, so if they start to hear that the Town will be doing
the kill shelter, I think that will cause really a big problem. That $60,000 for the bathroom in New
Suffolk Beach, let's put the shelter first, and then worry about them peeing down there. We can get a
port-a-potty.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That is all controlled by the Health Department, and you have to have a
proper facility for people to go to the bathroom.
NANCY SAW ASTYNOWICZ: How about a port-a-potty? Isn't that there?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Or we can not open it. Once we build one it lasts for quite a few years.
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NANCY SAWASTYNOWICZ: We are talking about man's best friend here, so let's stop wasting so
much time, and just do it. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you. Anyone else like to address the Town Board that has not
spoken?
CORA STOLL: My name id Cora Stoll from Southold, and I have been attending these Town Board
meetings for longer than I can remember always pleading the cause for the animals. I wouldn't be here
for anything else. The faces have changed, most of them up here. There cooperation has not. I stood
here maybe fifteen, twenty year ago, and I talked about the deplorable conditions up there. I think
Supervisor Cochran knows that, and has heard me orate before, and I was told by a member of the
Board at that time those dogs are in Utopia. Well, I went out of here like a wild woman because I had
left there on a cold winter day. The dogs are urinating on the walls. It was freezing as the urinated. I
had my husband and a friend go up with plastic and tack up on the windows because the snow was
coming in. Now, we are talking fifteen, twenty years ago. Okay? I could go on and on. Then we were
told, have some fundraisers. We have had fundraisers. We have had yard sales. How many fundraisers
can you have? How many cocktail parties? How many dinners? How often? I think it is great to have
senior citizens, I have become one since I have been pleading for the dogs, I think it is great. I think
our kids are great. I think it is nice we celebrate our youth. I think it is nice we honor our seniors, like
myself. I think give away dinners are nice. I think all these things are great, but I think we don't have
our priorities straight here. Weare talking about dogs languishing up there in dire straits, and the faith
that you people are wanting and willing to give them is just despicable, and I have lived in the town all
my life, and paid taxes, and my parents, and grandparents before me, and they would turn in their
graves if they ever knew what we have elected. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyone else like to address the Town Board?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Ma'am, do you understand that this Town Board is giving $250,000
towards the shelter?
CORA STOLL: Yes.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: When was the last time that happened?
CORA STOLL: I don't understand why you can't float a bond the same as you do for all these other
activities. I just don't get through my head why they are low on the totem pole. I think I know why
they are. If you ever took money out of the budget for the youth programs, if you ever took money out
for senior citizens you would have them lined up to Orient Point, but we are here. I want to tell you
something else. We had a petition, and think Supervisor Cochran might have been here that time, we
had gotten like 500 signatures on that, and we had only passed it around for like two days, and if we
had more time we could have gotten more. What happened to it? I go around to the stores for the
canisters to collect money, and thank goodness the merchants are cooperative, and everybody has been
very good about putting in the canisters, but Alice Hussie at one point it came back to me, she wanted
to actually deduct the money that we took in per month from what you people gave to us. Now, I have
never heard of anything.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: No one on this Board is looking to do anything along those lines.
CORA STOLL: Ijust have to tell you. This is a free country and anybody can speak.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: This is the first Board since 1987, according to Mr. Carlin, that is
putting any large capital money towards a budget.
CORA STOLL: But learn from what the sentiment is here. Okay?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: I think we have by the fact that there is that kind of money even put
forward for the first time since 1987.
CORA STOLL: I hope so, but let's try to do a little more. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyone else like to address the Town Board that has not spoken?
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HARRY KELLER: I am Harry Keller, and I deal with Rottweler, Doberman, and German Shepard
rescue. I have dealt with the local shelter out here on occasion. I also dealt with canine enforcement for
Suffolk and Nassau County, and SPCA sometimes, and the money can raised and stuff. I mean it is not
a big issue to be raised if you pull maybe a couple of grants from here, a couple of grants from here, a
couple thousand from here, that will add up. Give a fundraiser from the town, and have money raised.
Also, I am not looking to stir up trouble, I am getting weird faces from everybody up on the stand over
there, and stuff. I don't want to start any trouble, but I am just saying that.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: People can make donations to the town. Everybody in this room can
make donations.
HARRY KELLER: I was away. I am only 24. I am young. I notice there is a lot of police cars, and a
lot of fire engines coming in every year. Fire engines at two quarter million, half a million a pop, and
stuff, and there is also a lot of police cars that run $25,000,and $30,000 a year. If we were to just cut
back on maybe one or two police cars, maybe an engine or a ladder, that might cover it. I know there is
more than enough equipment out here that God forbid there was a fire at a school or something like
that.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Fire department is another jurisdiction taxing district. We have nothing
to do with it, or schools.
HARRY KELLER: Just trying to help out the issue here. I mean that is pretty much it. At one time
one of my Rotwellers got had gotten out when I was away, and they took the dog. I know none of you
if your dog had to spend a week in the kennel there when the cesspool was backed up you wouldn't be
very happy when you came back, and you were told that we have your dog, but sorry the cesspool
backed up into the kennel, and couldn't leave the dog out in one of the main cages, because the dogs
dig under the fence. Who would be happy with that? It is humane that they took the dog in. Most kill
shelter hold your dogs from one week, and then, bye, see you later, nice knowing you. If you were
away on vacation, and God forbid one of your friends, like me, let my dog out, and the dog was a
leash, and just let the dog out. I would have came home, I had no dog after fifteen years. I mean it is
kind of harsh, plus when you are at an age like he is at, so that is basically it. That is basically all I
wanted to say.
JOANN TAMIN: My name is Joann Tamin. I live in Southold. I just wanted to say I hope that
everyone can remember it is not an us and them thing. We all have hearts, and we all in this for the
animals, so let's just try to work it out. Thanks.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyone else like to address the Town Board before I call on Mr. Carlin?
STEVE GRUBER: Hi. My name is Steve Gruber. I am a resident of Greenport, and I just wanted to
say that I think that perhaps after fifteen years this Board is a courageous board in putting forth
$250,000. What I would suggest is that they be really courageous and go for the whole amount, and
end the problem.
BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ: Hello. My name is Benjamin Schwartz. I am a taxpayer, a resident, and
someone that loves the Town of Southold. I think one thing that everybody seems to agree on here is
the North Fork Animal Welfare League has done a fantastic job of running the shelter for a long, long
time for the Town of Southold. The Town of Southold has not been involved in the day-to-day
running, and the operations, and working in the facility, as it is. I don't think anybody here would
disagree that the facility should be replaced. The only issue seems to be the money. Now I looked
through the budget, and there were a lot of items there. I didn't understand everything, but some things
I see. I see they are buying a new boat for the Marine Police. A new boat costs $28,000, but the Town
Board put $28,000 in the budget, not $14,000. This toilet on New Suffolk Beach is going to cost
$60,000. I hope it doesn't end up like the toilet at the end of Pequash, which is a concrete block
structure right on the bluff. It blocks the whole view of one of the most beautiful views in the world in
my mind from the majority of the park. I don't know what kind of a toilet they are building there. For
$60,000 I think, you know, we could probably build a pretty nice toilet, but could we build one for
thirty? We would have another thirty to put in toward the shelter. Whatever it is if you are really
supporting the shelter, the proposal right now is for a half a million dollars. The offer by the Town
Board is a quarter of a million dollars short. I would just like to hear from the Town Board where the
think the other quarter million dollars is going to come from, ifthey are behind this project? It seems to
me they are waiting for someone to give the money to the Town. I don't know if they have done any
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publicity searching for donors or whatever, but we have a proposal for a half of a million dollar shelter.
We have an offer of a quarter of million dollars. Where is the other quarter million dollars going to
come from?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyone else like to address the Town Board?
CRYSTAL FIEDLER: My name is Crystal Fiedler. I am from Greenport. I guess I don't understand.
Is the $250,000 in the budget, or are you floating a bond for that amount?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: A bond will have to be floated.
CRYSTAL FIEDLER: Then why don't you float a $500,000 bond and let the people decide? Why are
you putting a limit on how much we can give?
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: It was felt that was what we could afford this year, and we try to do the
project in phases, so the project can be done.
CRYSTAL FIEDLER: I know. Please, don't speak down to me.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I'm not.
CRYSTAL FIEDLER: Yes, you do. I just want to say that I think you are putting a cap on what you
think you can afford when there is abundance everywhere. You don't need to have this arbitrary cap
that we can afford this amount of money. I just don't understand that at all, and I think if you open
your minds to that, and do what Joanne says, which is think of the animals. This has become like Gore
and Bush. You just focus OIl the animals, the cats and the dogs that need our help. If you could see the
way you are sitting up there. You don't even listen to the people that are talking. We pay your salaries.
I see you are getting defensive'. I am just saying, you work for us.
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: I am not getting defensive. You just told me I don't listen.
CRYSTAL FIEDLER: I anl the taxpayer. You work for us. You are supposed to rise above this. You
are supposed to listen to me, and say, okay, this is how you feel, and see what you do? See if you get
elected next time after all this horseshit.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you for your comments. Anyone else like to address the Town
Board? Mr. Carlin will be the last person I call on. Anyone else want to? Frank, it is all yours.
FRANK CARLIN: I think what the young fellow was try to say was, and I will give you one example
before I wind it up. There is a like an example like a year ago we spend money for that new trailer at
the Landfill. I think we floated a bond. I am not sure on that though, and a new trailer and there was a
dump truck involved there, $187,000. It is sitting there now, a brand new trailer sitting there, and now
they are complaining that they don't like it, the workers, because the room is not big enough for them
to take a break in. Now, it is still sitting there. But, while listening to all this, this evening, all this
evening, another bulb came into my head and lit up, how we can get that money.
SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: That is scary.
FRANK CARLIN: For Frank Carlin it is. How we can get that money. All the years on the Board
should call up Regis Philbin and go on Who Wants to Be a Million, and you can raise the $500,00,
because you people seem to know all the answers.
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Southold Town Clerk