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SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
JANUARY 11, 199~ ~
EXECUTIVE SESSION
9:10 A.M. On motion of Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva,
it was Resolved that the Town Board enter into Executive Session. Vote of the
Board: Ayes: Supervisor Wickham, Councilman Lizewski, Councilwoman Hussie,
Councilman 'Townsend, Councilwoman Oliva, Justice Evans. Also present: Town
Clerk Terry, Town Attorney Dowd.---The Town Board met with Special Counsel
Frank A. Isler to discuss the Stipulation of Settlement and Compliance Schedule of
the DEC with regard to the Landfill Lawsuit.
10:10 A.M. Warren Sambach Sr. and Roy Schelin met with the Town Board to
discuss Mr. Schelin's application for a Transfer Station Permit. Also present:
Senior Planner Valerie Scopaz and Head Building Inspector Tom Fisher." Mr. Schelin
explained that he will accept construction demolition, scrap metal, damaged cars,
refrigerators, stoves,-wood, aluminum - all recyclables, including glass and plastic,
and will truck it out of town. Mr. Sambach said an application has been made to
the DEC for a transfer station. Initially the Board thought this should be described
as a recycling and salvage facility, but the Town Attorney advised that transfer
station would be a satisfactory title. Resolutions 21 & 22 were placed on the agerr~,
to begin the SEQRA process.
10:35 A.M. - Tom Samuels, Chairman of the Stewardship Task Force, and membe'~
Michael Zweig and Greg I~alast, along with Planning Board member Mark 'McDonald,
and Senior Planner Valerie Scopaz, met with the Town Board to br_ing them up to date.
They advised the Board they will soon be presenting the Town Board with draft
recommendations on transfer of development rights, winery uses, transportation
plan, zoning code and map, and' signage control. They outlined recommendations
that are still in the discussion stage. Mr. Samuels advised that they plan to hold
five hamlet meetings over February and March to seek assistance from the hamlet
residents in identifying growth areas and preservation areas.---Mr. Palast then
presented to the Town Board proposed code changes to restrict fast food
restaurants. After a discussion of the proposal, it was agreed that Councilwoman
Oliva would work with Town Attorney Dowd to .draft a local law incorporating the
recommendations for the Town Board to review at the January 25th work session.
11:25 A,M. - Gerard GOehringer, Board of Appeals Chairman, accompanied by Head
Building Inspector Tom Fisher, appeared before the Town Board to bring to the
Board's attention at least two occasions the Building Department may have used an
old rule concerning an attachment between an accessory building and the principal
building, and the principles for setbacks, yard location, etc. Any attempt to
deviate from the zoning requirement will require the property owner to apply for
relief ~from the Board of Appeals in accordance with the rules of procedure
established in the zoning code. Mr. Goehringer had anticipated the appearance of
a resident who wished to request the Town Board to waive a filing fee for "~
appeal, but due to the absence of that 'individual was unable to proceed further w
an explanation of the problem. ~
JANUARY 11, 1994
11:55 A.M. Supervisor Wickham called for a discussion on Youth. He submitted
a list of seven general principals for discussion purposes, to guide the Town Board
as it develops policies in support of the youth of Southold Town. Also in
attendance: Detective Beth Wilson, DARE Officer, Recreation Director Kenneth
ReeVes, and Community Development Administrator Jim McMahon.---Supervisor
Wickham's first point: '!There is at present significant support toyouth through
various existing organizations and institutions, but that support has tended to be
u.ncoordinated and in many respects inadequate. Town support should be designed
to give those existing programs great impact, not to substitute for them."
Councilman Lizew~ki said that his number one objective is the creation of a new body
with leaders of all community ,sports groups as.members. Councilman Townsend said
he would like to see a ~oo~dir~ation of existing community activities, services and
facilities. Justice Evans said she will not be ready to move forward until she has
had discussions with professional people. Councilwoman Hussie said she would like
to find out what~ areas of need exist that are not addressed and covered by the
school districts. SuperviSor ~/ickham said he is in agreement with Councilwoman
Hussie, but also feels there is a need for the group Councilman Lizewski
proposes.---An agreement was reached for Councilman Lizewski, Councilwoman Hussie
and Supervisor Wickham to come up with a more explicit statement for the January
25th work session.
1:15 P.M. Town Trustees Krupski, President, Holzapfel, Albertson, Garrell, and
Wenczel met with the Town Board to discuss designation of creek dredging projects,
and the placement of spoil from the projects. The Town Board agreed that the Town
Trustees shoUld have the responsibility for developing the priority list, and spoil
placement should be in their jurisdiction, and they will submit to the Town Board
for the 25th of January, their recommendations.---The Trustees also asked the Town
Board to abolish the Shellfish Advisory Committee. They see this as a Trustee
responsibility should they wish to create one. The Board aqreed, and a resolution
to abolish will be placed on the January 25th agenda.---Thirdly, discussion was held
with regard to the progress of the Local Waterfront Revitalization, Program.
Councilwoman Oliva &-Trustee Garrell will call a meeting of the Advisory .Committee,
and invite a representative of-the Department of State.---Another item of~ discussion
was the litigation 'with the Department of State regarding the ownership ~f Hallocks
Bay, in the area of Long Beach, Orient. They would like to pursue th~ :litlgation
to determine jurisdiction based upon the Andros Patent.---Finally, discussion was
held concerning road runoff and the resurfacing of Route 25 to Orient Point. The
Trustees; ioined by Councilwoman Oliva, will formulate a plan and priority list and
arrange a meeting with the DEC to discuss remediation measures.
1:50 P.M. - Recess for lunch.
3:10 P.M. - For Discussion Items: (1) Youth matters discussed at 11:55 A.M. (2)
Reaffirm Policy Decisions to be held for January 25th work session. (3) Change
of Zone petition of E.M. Kontokosta (Southold Commons) - see resolution no. 23.
(4) Creation of a Commission on Taxes, Town Hall Space Management Committee,
and Groundwater Resources Committee was put on hold until January 25th. (5)
Councilman Townsend stated his proposal to engage a professional to conduct a
review of various Town departments in an effort to provide a better, more cost
effective Town goverment, and to improve the efficiency and service of the Town
departments utilizing the existing staffs. Councilman TOwnsend was authorized to
seek proposals.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
3:45 P.M. On motion of Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva,
it was Resolved that the Town Board enter into Executive Session to discuss
Assessors, Planning Board, litigation (Brooklyn Historical Society). Vote of the
Board: Ayes: Supervisor Wickham, Councilman Lizewski, Councilwoman Hussie,
Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Oliva, Justice Evans.---As a result of this
Executive Session, the follo¥~ing resolutions were added to the Regular Meeting
agenda: No. 24. To appoint Scott Russell as Chairman of the Board of Assessors.
No, 2~5. To declare the Planning Board seat to which Henry P. Smith has been
appointed as vacant. No. 26. To appoint Bennett Orlowski, Jr. to fill the vacant
seat on the Southold Town Planning Board.
5:20 P.M. - The Board reviewed the resolutions to be voted on at the 7:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting. One additional resolution, no. 27, was placed on the agenda for
a budget modification regarding Tasker Park improvements.
5:25 P.M. - Work Session adjourned.
8.'4
JANUARY 11, 1994
REGULAR MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Southold Town Board was held on January 11, 1994,
at the Southold Town Hall, Main Road, Southold, New York. Supervisor Wickham
opened the meeting at 7:30 P.M., with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Present: · Supervisor Thomas H. Wickham
Councilman Joseph J. Lizewski
Councilwoman Alice J. Hussie
Councilman Joseph L. Townsend, Jr.
Councilwoman Ruth D. Oliva
Justice Louisa P; Evans
Town Clerk Judith T. Terry
Town Attorney Laury L. Dowd
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: I will hear a motion to approve the audit of ~the bills
dated January 11, 1994.
Moved by Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the followin9 bills be'~a, nd hereby ordered paid: General Fund Whole
Town bills in the amount of $140,478.22; General Fund Part Town bills in the amount
of $45,744.62; Nutrition Fund bills in the amount of $1,930.68; SNAP Program bills
in the amount $226.59; EISEP Program bills~in the amount of $27.40; Highway Fund
Whole Town bills in the amount of $11,16t.65; Highway Fund Part Town bills in _the
amount of $11,161.55; Tub Grinder/Stump Buster Cap bills in the amount of
$13,800.00; Employee Health Benefit Plan bills in the amount of $18,334.32; Fishers
Island Ferry District bills in the amount of'$13,904.81; Refuse & Garbage' District
bills in the amount of $~,'010.62;Southold Wastewater District bills in the amount of
$581.00; 'SoutholdAgency & Trust bills in the amount of $2,299.62; Fishers Island
Ferry District Agency & Trust bills in the .amount of $906.79,
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes of December
21, 1993.
Moved by Councilwoman Oliva, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it was
RESOLVED that the minutes of the December 21, 1993 Town Board meetin~ be and
hereby approved.
Vote'of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Would anyone like 'to move the next Town Board meeting?
Moved by Councilwoman Oliva, seconded ~y Councilwoman Hussie, it was
RESOLVED that the next re~tular meetinc~ of the Southold Town Board will be at
4:30 P.M., Tuesday, January 25,, 1994, at the Southold Town Hall, Southold, New
York.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilweman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
.I. REPORTS.
1. Southold Town
2. Southold Town
3. Southold Town
4. Southold Town
5. Southold Town
6. Southold Town
7. Sout hold Town
8. Southold
Community Development Monthly Report for November, 1993.
Program for the Disabled Monthly Report for December, 1993.
Recreation Department Monthly Report for December, t993.
Clerk's Monthly Report for December, 1993.
Clerk's Annual Report for 1993.
Building Department Monthly Report of December, 1993.
Justice Tedeschi's Monthly Repor,t for December, 1993.
Town Justice Price's Monthly Report for December, 1993.
9. Sou.thold Town Justice Edwards' Monthly Report for December, 1993.
10. SouthOld Town Planning Board Monthly Report for December, 1993.
11. Southold Town Board of Trustees Annual Report for 1993,
12. Scavenger Waste Treatment Facility Monthly Report for December, 1993,
13. Councilmen's Report.
Supervisor's Report.
15. Southold Town Community Development Monthly Report for December, 1993.
16. Southold Town Community Development Yearly Report for 1993.
17. Lawrence Healthcare CSEA Year End Report for 1993.
18. Lawrence Healthcare PBA Year End Report for 1993.
19. Southold Town Trustees Monthly Report on Fees for December, 1993.
II. PUBLIC NOTICES.
1. Corp of.Army Engineers~ ~lew York Districtf application of Raymond
Goodwin to construct a fixed pier, a hinged ramp and a float to be secured by two
dolphins. Project located in Little Creek, Little Peconic Bay, Southold Town, New
York.
I11. COMMUNICATIONS. None.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS. None.
V. RESOLUTIONS.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: We have tonight an agenda with some twenty-seven
resolutions. We have no public hearings scheduled. We're open to comments from
the audience. People, who are here, who would like to make any comments at this
time, regarding resolutions, that are before us, and to be taken up in this evening's
agenda. In addition, at the end of the meeting, if anyone in the audience has
additional comments they'd like to make on any other items, or these resolutions,
they're welcome to do that at this time. So, at this point, are there any comments
on tonight's resolutions on the agenda?
RAYMOND EDWARDS: Ray Edwards. Resolution number 9, rescind Resolution No.
25, adopted on September 21st, what is that resolution, please?
JUSTICE EVANS: It's the 911 with the call forwarding system.
RAYMOND EDWARDS: Call forwarding. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Any other comments on tonight's resolutions? (No
response.) If not, we'll move into the first resolution. If not, J.oe do you want
to start?
1.-Moved by Councilman Townsend, seconded by Supervisor Wickham, it was .
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby adopts the following
1994 Community Development Budget, and authorizes and directs Supervisor Thomas
Wickham to exceute the Project Description Forms for same:
Southold Town Housing Rehabilitation:
and Home Improvement Program:
Rehabilitation of private homes of
Iow/middle income families ................................ $90,000.
Family Self--Sufficiency Program:
Social worker and application .fees to support
the Section 8 Program (50 families) ....................... $10,000.
Housing Counseling Program:
Provide relocation, mediation, placement,
application and technical assistance ........................ $15.000.
Public Service Programs:
Rent and space cost for North Fork Housing Alliance
and support of the Emergency Food Pantry ................ $22,200.
Clinton Memorial Child Day Care Center:
General support to not-for-profit child day
care center, serving low-income families .................. $10,800.
Administration:
Administration of Community Development Program ....... $15,000.
Total Budget $163,000.
1.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
6 JANUARY 11, 1994
2.-MOved by Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Olive, it was
RESOLVED that ' the , Town Board of. the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and
directs Supervisor .Thomas Wickham to submit to the Suffolk County Community
Development Consortium the. following 1994 Community Development Competiti-ve
Grant(s) Program applications:
Tasker Park Renovation $20,000.
-- Add softball field, fenee-and bleachers to- ~-
an existing facility.
Foreclosure Assistance $50,000.
Foreclosure counseling and assistance to
8 - 10 families.
Clinton Memorial Day Care Center $50,000.
Financial assistance to child day care
Prog ram,
Community. Service Trainincj Office $50,000.
Section 8 Rental Assistance Office, Records
Office, LIFT Program, FSS Program.
Levera~ted Investments for Tomorrow Procjram $43,975.
Help disadvantage youths that have dropped
out of high school.
Renovation of Youth Service Center $41,400.
218 Center Street~ Greenport.
2.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, 'Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
3.-Moved by Councilwoman Oliva, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby accepts the bid of
East Area General Contractors, Inc., Southampton, N.Y., in the amount of
$59,989.00,~for construction o:f a concrete block building to house storage and
restroom facilities at:the Robert W. Tasker Memorial' Park, Peconic Lane, Peconic,
N.Y., all.in accordance with the bid specifications; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs Supervisor
Thomas Wickham to execute a contract between the Town and East Area General
Contractors, Inc. for the aforesaid'project.
3.-Vote Of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
4.-Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby accepts, with
recjret, the resignation of Christine Schriefer, Student Intern in the Supervisor's
office, effective December 30, 1993.
4.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
5.-Moved by Councilman Lizewski, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby requests the New
York State Department of Transportation to establish a 25 mph speed limit on Sound
Beach Drive, in the Captain Kidd area of Mattituck.
5.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
6.-Moved by Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby ~rants permission
to Elizabeth A. Neville, Deputy Town Clerk, and Antonia S. Booth, Town Historian,
to attend a Grant Application Review Session for the I994-95 Local Government
Records Management Improvement Grant, sponsored by The State Education Depart-
ment, State Archives and Records Administration, on Thursday, January 13, 1994,
from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M., at the State Office Building, Hauppauge, and the
necessary expenses for ~unch, and travel, using a Town vehicle, shall be a legal
charge to the Town Clerk's and Town Historian's 1994 Budget.
6.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
7.-Moved by Councilman Townsend, seconded by Councilman Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes Lhe
following budget modification to the General Fund - Whole Town 1993 Budget to
appropriate November income from "Latch-key" child care program to cover
payi'oll and program expenses:
To:
Revenues:
A1310 Day Care Tuition $ 332.00
Appropriations:
A6055.1 Day Care, Personal Services $ 262.00
A6055.4 Day Care, Contractual Expenses 70.00
7.-Vote of the Town .Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, CouncilwOman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
8.-Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and
directs Supervisor Thomas Wickham to execute an agreement betweei~ the Town of
Southo d and the Nort.h Fork Animal Welfare League, Inc. for dog control officer
and dog shelter services for the period from January I, 1994 through December
31, 1994, at a sum'of $115,000.00, to be paid to the League in twelve equal
monthly payments.
8.-Vote of the Town BOard: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend.. Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
9.-Moved by Justice EvanS, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED
no. 25,
to exceed'
911 circuit
by Ju
a radio link
9.-Vote of the Town Board:
Townsend
This reso
'own Board of the Town of Southold hereby rescinds resolution
tember 21, 1993, "authorizing the expenditure of a sum not
D.00 to cover the cost of implementing the configuration of a new
Fishers Island, all in accordance with the proposal submitted
I W, ' Edwards, dated September 21, 1993; said proposal to include
~ in Southold, with antenna and hardline coax cable."
Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
ADOPTED.
10.-Moved by Councilwoman OI,iva, seconded by Councilman Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and
directs SuperviSor T~homas Wi:ckham to execute a Service Agreement between the Town
of Southdl~l and!iLawrence Hea.lthcare Administration Services, Inc., for process ng
all medical and managed Care benefit claims with respect to: t.he Town's self-funded
Health Care Benefit Plan, at a fee of $8.85 per employee per month for medical, and
an addition employee per month for a managed 'care program, for
the period[ 1994 through December 31, 1994, all in accordance with
the a Insurance Consultant William F. Mullen, Jr.
10.-Vote of the To~ Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsen¢ :Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supei'visor Wickham.
This resolution was deClared duly ADOPTED.
11 .-Moved by CoUncilwoman Hussie, s~econded by Councilman Lizewski, it was
RESOLVED that .the Town Board of the ToWn of Southold hereby authorizes and
directs ~s Wickham to execute an application to the Senate Insurance
Company'~ Insurance in connection with the Town of Southold's
self-fl Plan, a]l in accordance with the recommendation of
the Town"s Insurance"Consultant William F. Mullen, Jr.
11.-Vote of' own : Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, ~ie, Councilman [_izewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was d :lared duly ADOPTED.
12.-Moved bY Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva,
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Southold has designated several banks
for the deposit of T~)wn funds; and
WHEREAS, the General MUnicipal Law, §10 requires that all public fund's in excess
of the amount insu~-~d Under the Provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act
be secured; and
8 JANUARY 1~, 1994
WHEREAS, deposits of the Town in excess of the amount insured are secured by
eligible securities in accordance with General Municipal Law, §11); and
WHEREAS, the General Municipal Law, §10, requires that all securities pledged to
secure deposits be held pursuant to a written security and custodial agreement; and
WHEREAS, the written security and custodial agreements between the Town and the
depository banks specify that a custodian be designated; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Town Baord of the Town of Southold hereby appoints the
foii~wing custodians to provide safekeeping serVices to hold securities pledged in
a custodial account on behalf of the Town of Southold:
Chemical Bank
United States Trust Company of New York
Chicago Trust Company of New York
12.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, COuncilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
13.-Moved by Councilwoman Oliva, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby accepts the
resic~nation of John Holzapfel, member and Chairperson of the Southold Town
Conservation Advisory Council, effective January I, 1994 when he took office as a
Southold Town Trustee.
13.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOF~T. ED.
14.rMoved by Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby rescinds resolution
no. 21, adopted on December 21, 1993, appointing Debora L. Ginas as a Public
Safety Dispatcher I from the Suffolk County Department of Civil Service Certification
of Eligibles.
14.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, C;ouncilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
15.-Moved by Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Councilman Lizewski, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby rescinds resolution
no. 22, adopted on December 21, 1993, appointing Sheila M. K:los as a Public Safety
Dispatcher I from the Suffolk County Department of Civil Service Certification of
Eligibles.
15.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman LizewSki, Supervisor Wickham.
This _resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
16.-Moved by Councilman Lizewski, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Baord of the Tow.n of Southold hereby authorizes Planner
Melissa Sl~iro and Data Control Supervisor Jeanne Ruland to attend a meeting on
Janaury. 12, 199~, at-10:00 A;M., with the Suffolk County Planning Department, at
the Suffolk County Center, Riverhead, regarding use of computer-generated land-
use maps, with the use of a Town vehicle for transportation.
16.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Council'woman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, ~Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
17.-Moved by Councilman Townsend, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby rescinds resolution
no. 55, adopted on January 4, 1993, authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise for
resumes for a part-time Clerk Typist for the Supervisor's Office.
17.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
18.-Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Supervisor Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and
directs the Town Clerk to advertise for resumes for a part-time Clerk-Stenographer
for the Supervisor's Office, 17-1/2 hours per week, $7.25 per hour.
18.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman I~ussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
JANUARY 11, 1994
89
19.-Moved by Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes an
advance fee check for textbooks for the lifeguard training program; amount to be
determined once registration is complete; check payable to the American Red Cross;
charge to be made to A7320.4, Joint Youth. This program is to be held at the
Brookhaven National Lab Pool from January 15, 1994 through April 2, 1994.
19.-V0te of the Town Board: Ayes: JUstice ,Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski,' Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
20.-JVIoved by Councilwoman Oliva, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the. Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and
directs the Town Clerk to advertise for spring recreation instructors in The Long
Island Travele~-Watchman and The Suffolk Times; said charges to be made to A7020.4
Recreation Administration, Contractual Expenses.
20.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, CoUncilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
21 .-Moved by Councilman Townsend, seconded by Supervisor Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby declares itself lead
ac~ency in ~ec~ard~to the State Environmental Quality Review Act with regard to the
application of Roy A. Schelin for a Transfer Station Permit to construct a Transfer
Station for :construction demolition, scrap metal, damaged cars, dismantling with
shipping off site, refrigerators, stoves, wood, aluminum, parking of sanitation trucks,
trucks, said properl~y located at 8475 Cox Lane, the southwesterly
sic of Oregon Road, Cutchogue, New York.
21.-V( w:n Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman HusS~ie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
.... 22.-Moved by Councilman Li ',e~ seCOnc~ed by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
RESOLVED that the vn of Southold hereby engages the
services of tes,,at a cost not to exceed $500.00, to review
~ the Long ment Form with respect to the application of Roy A.
Schelin for a Tranfer Station Permit at 847B Cox Lane, Cutchogue, New York; said
review to inclu~ Part I, prepare a Part II and III, draft a proposed
declaration iinspection;; the cost of said review to be paid by Roy
A. $chelin p the commencement of the review.
22.-Vote of the To~wn Board: ~yes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, ,CoUncilwoman l+[uss';ie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham.
This'resolution was declared duly ADOPTE:D.
23.-Moved by Councilwoman OliYa, seconded by Councilman Townsend,
WHEREAS, the Town of Southold has considered the petition for a change of zone
from "R-80" Residentia) Low-Density District (2-acre minimum) to "HD" Hamlet
Density District on certain property of Emanuel Kontokosta (Southold Commons)
located on the ,west side of Boisseau Avenue, south of Middle Road, Southold, New
York, containing 32 acres of vacant land known on the Suffolk County Tax Map as
District 1000, Section 55, -Block 5, Lot 17; and
WHEREAS, the petition and map was the subject of a public hearing on the 10th day
of March, 1992, at which :time'a number of persons spoke against the proposal; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has no,t agreed to meet all the provisions of the Town of
Southold's Affordable Hou~i~g Ordinance (Town Code Section 100-56); and
WHEREAS, the proposed P~dject wou d place demands n excess of the capacity of
the therefore, it does not appear to be in the interest
of the and welfare to increase the density as proposed; and
WHEREAS, the ;To, of the Town of Southold finds that the density of the
proposed project is not n, for the public good at this time; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Town Baord of the Town of Southold hereby denies .the petition
of Emanuel Kontokosta for al'chanc~e of zone from "R-80" to "HD", without prejudice.
23.-Vote of the Town:Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend., Councilwoman HLtss'ie, SupervisCir Wickham. No: Councilman Lizewski.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
24.-Moved by Councilwoman Hussie, seconded by Justice Evans,
WHEREAS, ~Section 22B of the Town Law allows the Town Board of any town having
more than one Assessor to establish the office of Chairman of the Town Assessors,
who, in addition to his regular duties, shall perform such services to connection
with assessment and taxation of property for state, county and town purposes as
the Board shall direct; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that Assessor Scott A, Russel be and, hereby is designated to..hold thee
office of Chairman of th~ Board of Assessors until'.the 31st of D~cember, 1994, ati'
the pleasure of the Town Board, all in accordance with Section 22B of the Town
I_aw; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the compensation for such appointment be fixed at
$2,000~00 per annum, payable in regular bi-weekly payments.
24.-Vote of the-Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Olivar Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman' I~izewski~ Supe~rvisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: The next resolution is Number 25. I'd like to make a
couple of comments about first. I'd like to begin by saying that on December 7th
of last year~ the Town Board at that time undertook a precedented resolution to
appoint a member of the Pl~anning Board as someone who had not expressed interest~
who had not been interviewed, and in fact, who didn't even know he was under
consideration to the appointment that was made. At that time, I spoke against the
resolution~ and I asked the Board to take it back, and said~ that~ I Would do what
~ could to ~change it. We have this opportunity today to chang~ Et on a~'t~chnicalit~.
It's purely a;,~echnicality. I'll read the resolution to you in a moment.~ but I want
to indicate the reasons' for it, why ~we're doing it, and the fact ~ha~ the longer term
interests .of the Town~ and those people, who'n good faith.did, eXl~iress interest,
and were inter¥iewed~for the position, to protect ~their interests~ and the ~interest
of more peoPle .like them in. the future.
25.-Moved by Supervisor Wickham, seconded by Councilwoman Olvia,
WHEREAS~ ~ Henry' P. Smith was appointed to the Southold Town Board on Decembe~
7, ~1~93~ and ~as ~duly notified to t~at effect on December 8~ 1~9~3; and ~ /
WHerEAS, Henry P. Smith did not take his Oath of Office~ ~'i~h ~the 30 days follo~ ~g
notification as requirecl under Sect,ion 30 of the Public Officers ~LaW; now, 'therefo~'~~,
be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board of~the -~own of Southold hereby declares the Planning.
Board seat to ~h~ch Henry P. Smith has been appointed as~,~acant~
THOMAS SAMUELS: Mr. ~Supervis0r, ~may I speak~. I'm sorry that I was late, but
I'm somewhat handicapped, and I couldn't make it. I d like',~¥e~¥ much to have an
opportunity to speak on this issue prior to the ~ote. I ha~e no doubt, that it ~n't
infuence your decision, but I'd like to speak on the issue.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Has it been seconded? Okay, we'll have discussion, first~
from the Town Board. Anybody from the Board who would like to comment?
COUNCILWOMAN HUSSIE: Yes~ I have something to say. I had some time to reflect
on this. This was brought to us at about 4:30 this afternoon, which in a sense,
was almost as sudden as the appo'intment on December 7th. 1 have since had some
time to reflect, and my feeling is that two wrong don't necessarily make a right.
I voted against the appointment on December 7th not because I have anything against
Mr. Smith, but because the procedure was not followed that we had prescribed ahead
of time, and because the whole thing was done so suddenly, we didn't have a chance
to t~ink about it~ and between 4:30 and now, I feel that we haven't had any time
to think about this either. I don't think I can make an educated vote on this. _ ~
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Do you have any other comment, Alice?
COUNClI~WOMAN HU$$1E: That's about it for now.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Any other Board members wish to comment?
JANUARY 11, 1994 ·
COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND: Nothing, but what you said. I think that it's unfortu-
nate that things like that happen on a technicality. I guess it seems to be a fairly
strong provision of the law. In this instance, despite the fact that I know Henry
to be a public servant of long standing. I do believe, that the decision is made
for political reasons, and I have no doubt that this actual technicality to be a
political decision, but I do feel it's in the best interest of the town, and that's why
I support it.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Ruth?
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: I was here when that decision was sprung on us on Decem-
ber 7, 1993. I know there have been a number of very fine applicants that had
applied for the position. They were duly interviewed. Some had very excellent
resumes. Mr'. Smith had not applied. He had not indicated any interest in the
position. This is nothing against Mr. Smith, who I think has served admirable,
when he was on the Trustees, but I do feel that it would be a disservice to the
people that were interviewed, and sent in their resumes, not to go back to the origi-
nal subject. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR.WICKHAM: Anybody else? Joe:
COUNCILMAN LIZEWSKI: I think it's a disservice not to re-interview. I think it's
a disservice to wait until 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon to receive this kind of infor-
mation beiog on the Town Board. I don't remember ever in the last two years of
my term on this Board, being asked 1~o make this kind of decision in the middle of
the day, ~o'r at the end of the day. This information was always given to me early
enough in the day, where I could think about it, or have the opportunity to sound
ne out on ~a decision. I don't ever remember being given this kind of
with this kind of shock, at that late a point at a meeting. I don't think
on. people, who actually came into office claiming open meetings,
and. 0p~ over~nment.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Anybody else on the Board? Louisa'?
JUST'ICE EVANS: I'd like to say, that I don't really know either of the people
discussed here. I don't know Henry Smith very well. I don't have anything against
him, but I feel in principal the way he was appointed was wrong, when people came
and interviewed for the position. I'm sorry that we have to do it on a technicality,
but~l'd like to do it so that is legal, but it's really on the principal that I will make
my vote.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM:
make a comment?
Anybody else from the Board? Henry, do you wish to
HENRY SMITH: You say a technicality. I have a letter here.. Resolved the Town
Board of the Town of Southold hereby appoints Henry P. Smith as a member of the
Southold Town Planning Board for a five year term affective immediately through
December;.~31, 1998. It's got the Town seal on it'. You say, this is a technicality,
but I was~. notified on December 8, that I had to be sworn in. I was not notified
on December 8th. !' have no letter. Anything with that stature should have been
sent to mei by registered mail, or at least hand deliv.ered, or something like that.
So,. that is'a~ big technicality, because you did not notify me. I went to your swearing-
In ceremolny on Peconic Lane. There was no mention of it. I'm sure there must have
been i~eo~ple on this Board, that knew t'hat I had to be sworn in. Nobody said
anyth!~ngi My name was not put on it, so this is your mistake, not my mistake.
Now, you say a technicality. It's a technicality, maybe that you have, but it's
certainly not my technicality, and I don't know why I should take the force of the
brunt of this. I mean, I've served the Town well for fourteen years, and I expected
to serve the Town well on the Planning Board. That was my whole idea. I love this
town. I was born here. I was raised here, and I want to serve this town. When
I was appointed to the Planning Board, it was a great honor to me, and I really was
touched by it, and I accepted it, and now you're coming to me with this technicality,
that, you know, this is something wrong here. Like Alice said, two wrongs don't
make a right. Now, you're going to take two wrongs to make a right by this techni-
cality? That's not right. This Town Board went along, and did that, I'd be
ashamed of'you. I really would. If you say, you want to start a clean slate. You
want to have everything out in the opening. This is the new Town Board. The
openness, and everything, and boom, here ! am. You have a technicality. You
parade a technicality. Here's your chance to correct it. I mean, I'm sorry, I just
can't..This is your technicality. I did everything I was supposed to. What else can
I say?
'JANUARY 11, 1994
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: I'll entertain one more speaker from the .floor at this time.
THOMAS SAMUELS: Tom Samuels. I come before you primarily as a citizen of the
Town of Southold. I've known the Town Board members, with the exception of Mrs.
Evans, for years. ,l've known Tom for a long time. I've known the Supervisor.
Excuse me,Mr.Supervisor. I should call you that. The appointment of the so called,
Lame Duck committee members, is not a novelty in government, as you all know.
I~ have not'hing against Benny OrloWski, who I number as one of my friends, ~'S I ~
do Henry. I'm familiar with Henry's government service for many, many years. He
served well, and faithfully. The issue, as to whether he was properly appointed,
or not, is a legal question, and I'm' certain that Our Town AttOrney investigated ~
that position, but surely, if it were in an illegal appointment, she would have spelled
it out. If I'm wrong, Counselor,. please inform me so. Did you in 'fact, or am I
al owed to ask the question~ I won't ask the question. I,don't want to appear to
be unnecessarily, ad~erse- in this matter. Mr. Supervisor, I've known you ~for many
years. I'm sure your values in most areas, as you well know. What Was done here
with this last minute thing is reprehensible, and for those~ in the audience who don't
realize what the word is, I believe you should look it up. You professed, and likely
so, I suppose in your mind, and those of your supporters, to be an advocate of
open government, above board. My assumption is that your supporters, and the
majority of the people that elected you felt the same way. I think that, this taking
this tack almost at~'an initial' Town Board' meeting casts a pall on your ~administration.
I had hoped and prayed that wo~uld not be standing at this microphone for at least
a year, and that Was mY intent. I believe you should the opportunity to accomplish
what you think is I~est :for the Town Of S°uthold. This' is something 'which will set
a pattern in people';s miniJs, increase s~ur~eilance of ever~/ activitY. ~i cari~'t recall
how many times ~0u comPlained to me abo~tl the agendas ~f Supervisor, Ha~:ris being
.nadequate and late~. ! can t recall how many t~mes Mrs. O va to me about
the very same issue. There's something wrong. Why did it ~e this
day at 4:30~. Why did I have to find out about it at 5:00 o'clock? Why did Henry
Smith have to find out about it, when I called him.~ In addition, it is ,my belief, and
strong belief, ~hat at the ' Inauguration someone~ should have is~id to ~enr¥, you're
to be sworn in. I don'.t know if it should be the Town Clerk, or the Supervisor,
or a member of the Planning~ Board. Have, in fact, other~ .members of the,' Planning
Board been sworn in? I don't Know. Have you searched the records. I don t know. ~
But, there's a failure here ii~ fairness, and it should not'l~aPpen~ Now, you have
a Planning Board, which is on record as supporting your, positions unanimously.
Henry has never denied;any of those positions. He ~asn'~ sPoken to. them. He has
been as unpolitical as possible. The only political act he made,in the whole campaign,
was standing in front of King Kullen with myself on a cold day in November. So,
you don't that he's going to' be against these positions. Y6U don~t know what he's
going to do. He happens to be a very effective Town official. I have nothing against
Benny, but why do this? Why set a tone for your administration, and-this goes
beyond anything that I can recall n the four ),ears, that ! have been active in this
th~nk there s another precedent, where, at 4:30
area. It goes beyond it. I don't I
in the afternoon, this happened. Now~ if in fact, it happened with:1~l~e Henry Smith
appointment, if in:fact it did, did you justify that? If y~u did not justify {hat, a
moment ago you were complaining about his appointment,' Y~u've don~xa~tly th~
same thing. So, Mrs. Hussie is correct. Two wrongs don't make a right. I ask you
to reconsider this position~ and I'd like very much to have the Town Clerk research
the issue, as to whether other Planning Board members have, in fact, 'been appointed,
and I'd I ke very much, if possble, for the Town Attorney tO give us. an opinion~
· as to whether the actions of', the Town Board, the fo~-mek~ ~own Board;;~; Wei-e in fact
legal, when they appointed Mr. Smith to his office. Plea}se, reconsid~ items not fair.
It's not right. It's not Southold. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: I think you've had plenty of opportunity to speak, Henry. ~-~
HENRY SMITH: Well, I'd just like to say, you know, I have been non-i~olitical about
this. The last time I was elected on the Trustee Board, I said, Jay, let's have an
open this year. I'll step down as Vice-President. Put Al in. He's a Democrat.
I said, let's be bi-partisan on this Board, so we did that. Everybody thought it
was great. When I came up here the other day, and got my proclamation, Al Krupski
sat up there, and said, Henry Smith and Jay Bredemeyer taught me what good
government is all about, and all I'm doing is asking the Town Board, come on, show
me what good government is about.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM:. I'd just like to speak for myself. I haven't spoken since
the motion was on the floor. I just want to reinteratew and I believe I speak for the
rest of the Board. Not one of us is doing this with any pleasure, and not one of
us is doing this in any sense directed to Henry Smith. I'm ready to move the
motion.
HENRY SMITH: It's a technicality he's telling me. It's a technicality, that I wasn't
notified. That's a technicality.
25.-Vote of the Town Board:~ Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, SuperVisor Wickham. No: Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman LizeWski.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
26.-Moved by Supervisor Wickhamf seconded by Councilwoman Oliva,
WHEREAS, the Town Board has received expressions of interest from residents
interested in service on the Southold Town Planning Board; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has interviewed said candidates; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby designates Bennett
Orlowski, Jr. to. fill the vacant seat on the Southold Town Plannin~ Board, effective
immediately ~ through December 31, 1998.
26.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Supervisor Wickham. No: Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewski.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
27.-Moved by Councilwoman OliYa, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes the
rollowin~ budget modification to the General Fund - Whole Town 1994 Budget to
approorate Park & Recreation funds for completion of Tasker Park project; balance
of costs to be borne by Community Development Block Grant Funds:
To:
Revenues:
A2025 Special Recreation Facilities $ 9,396.00
Appropriations:
A7110.2 Parks, Equipment $ 9,396.00
27.-Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Lizewskiw Supervisor Wickham.
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: That takes care of our resolutions for tonight. Are there
additional people in the audience, that would like to have some comments for the
record? Yes, sir, could you give your name, please?
ROGER CLARK: My name is Roger Clark. I'd like to present to the Town Board
a zoning issue, that I've encountered. It's concerning future construction. Evidently,
there was meeting scheduled this morning, at which I was to be given an opportunity
to address my problems with the Town Board, and the Zoning Board, but unfor-
tunately, because of a mixup somewhere I wasn't notified of this meeting. So, I'd
just like to present my case to you, and get this off my chest~ if I could have just -
five minutes of your time. I'll say, good evening to Mr. Chairman, and the Town
Board membersf and congratulations, also, to the Southold team. My name is Roger
Clark. I presently live in East Marion. My wife and I presently reside in East
Marion. You'll have to excuse my notes. I'm not good at public speaking. We
presently live in East Marion with our tw.o daughters ages one and a half and four.
We're in the process of finally building our home at High Point Meadows in Southold
after waiting patientl¥~ sometimes impatiently for four yearst while we gathered funds,
and hammered out exactly what we wanted 'for our home. Upon filing for a building
permit, we ran into a snag, regarding our proposed breezeway. Apparently there
is a interpretation of the Zoning Laws, that states that any accessory in a sideyard
must be attached to the main structure with an enclosure. Now, to compile this
interpretation, we basically have three options. One is to spend an additional
$1,300.00 to expand our foundation, enclose our breezeway, which would also require
sheetrock in the garage on one wall of the garage to meet Town Code. The second
option is to spend ~400.00 or $500.00 to screen in the breezeway, which we have
been told would comply with the current interpretation. However, both of these
options could seriously change the' effect of having an open breezeway with railing,
etc., that we have painstakingly tried to acheive. Our third option is to spend the
same $400.00, and go to the Zoning Board of Appeals to request a variances, so that
we can construct this breezeway, as originally planned. One problem with this, as
you can see.~ I have pictures here, if you'd like to see them. One problem with this,
as you can see by the pictures we present to you, there are several homes in the
same development with very similar, or exact setups, and a's far as we know, none
of th~se homowners have found themselves in our present situation. Please keep in
4 JANUARY.II, 1994
mind, that there are many other homes in Southold Town with similar, or exact,
designs. We understand that there are curcumstances beyond our control with a
new Town Board, changes in the Building Department, and so forth, regarding
enforcement, and it's interpretation. We ask that you, please, review our case with
all fairness, and"consider a waiver of the $400.00 administration fee required to
appeal this interpretation. We feel that because our breezeway is attached with a
roo,f and railing, it should meet ~$pecifications, and we are asking for nothing more
than what other homeowners have acheived without any additional financial hardship ~-~
involved. (tape change.) Please, take note that we have spoken to at least one
homeowner of one of the homes in these pictures, and their breezeway was approved, ~.~ J
and inspected last year by the present Building Department personnel. Thank you
for your time.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: I'm sorry that somehow notice didn't get to you. we did
have you on our agenda l~his morning at, I believe, 11:00 or 11:30 this morning,
and I'm sorry that there, was snafu somewhere.
ROGER CLARK: I was notifed after the meeting to the fact, wondering where I
was. I was not notifed. I wanted to get it off my chest~
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: I'd like to make two comments. The first, and maybe other
members of the Board would like to comment. MY first.comment is, that to my
knowledge I'm not aware of. any time when a Zoning Board application fee has been
waived by this Board.
ROGER CLARK: I kn'(~w. Excuse me, please. But then, again, there has never
been anybody in our predicament before, either.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: My second commen~ is, if you could put it in writing, or
even just a reference, a note, to this affect, address it to the Board. The Board
would take it up, and consider it, and give it due consideration.
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: Mr. Clark, I spoke to you on the telephone, and I said ~
if I could keep those pictures, that I would try and research that with the Building ~
Department, and then go back to the Zoning Board of Appeals, and check with them,
and did receive a note late this afternoon from the Chairman of the Zoning Board
of Appeals stating that, if you would like to meet with them, they are meeting tomorrow
night.
ROGER CLARK: I have been notified of that.
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: You have been notified. It's 7:20, if you would care to
explain this. I will do some research tomorrow morning, and I'll call you, and I'll
see what I can come up with.
ROGER CLARK: You have a copy of our plans, too?
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: Yes. This is the copy. 'l have your number, and I will
call you.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: -Are the:re any other comments fr, om the floor?
RAYMOND EDWARDS: Ray Edwards, regarding Resolution 25. I'm going to ask the
four incoming elected officials, starting with Judge Evans. Have you been sworn in?
JUSTICE EVANS: Yes, I have.
notified you of the swearing-in ceremony, by letter or verb~-~
RAYMOND
EVANS:
Who
/
sUPERVISOR WlCKHAM: I did, didn't 17
JUSTICE EVANS: I think I heard from all the other Town Board members.
RAYMOND EDWARDS: Councilwoman Oliva, have you been sworn~in?
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: Yes, sir.
RAYMOND EDWARDS: Who notified you of the swearing-in ceremony?
COUNCILWOMAN OLIVA: Tom said we were all going to get together, and I just
happened to be at the Town Clerk's Office, and [ signed the documents.
JUSTICE EDWARDS: Councilman Townsend, do you get sworn in?
COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND: Yes.
JUSTICE EDWARDS: You were notified by whom?
COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND: I was in. the Town Clerk's Office, and I walked in, .and
spoke to the Town Clerk, and she mentioned to me that..
JUSTICE EDWARDS: She mentioned. Okay, that's four.
COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND: I received: no notice in the mail.
JUSTICE EDWARDS: Mr. Smith was not notified. Okay, now, Ray Edwards repre-
senting the Fishers Island Civic Association. I spoke with the President today,
Leslie Goss, and I'm directing this to the Board, and especially to the Southold
Attorney~ We want to keep on record, that the people on Fishers Island are very
serious about the overnight fishermen, and parkers, the out-of-staters, that come
down on Race Point, and we're very concerned about that. We spoke about some type
of license, or permitting, where we could eliminate some of these overnight campers,
and parkers. I just want to reinterate. The Civic Association is going to follow this
up to the Town Attorney, and I think Justice Evans can fill the Town Attorney on
any of this. Thank you.very much.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Thank you, Ray. It's nice to have you with us, again.
Are there other comments from the floor?
COUNCI!rMAN LIZEWSKI: I voted on the Jem Commons, and the reason I voted for
it is, because the Jem Commons does not have to be acted upon at this time, and
it meets the criteria of both Master Plan..Southold Commons, I'm sorry, and the
SteWardship Task Force, which asks for an increased density in the hamlet areas,
both within'a half mile of the post office. The ci~iteria for these things are both
in the Stewardship, and our Master Plan. It did not have to be acted upon at this
time, even though there was need for the project, and could have been negotiated
with covenents and restrictions, once again, with the people who have done it, and
I don't like the idea of changing things in midstream, and I know the TDR's take
the place-of this, but I have a worry about this ever coming up again, or anybody
wanting to do this with the cost of putting in for a subdivision, and the time that
it takes to do so. So, I hope that maybe someday economics will permit somebody
to continue with the ideas in the Master Plan, and what the Stewardship Task Force
is about, when it comes to development in the hamlets, but I don't think this needed
to be ~ejected at this time.
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Are there other comments from the floor? (No response.)
Anybody from the left hand section? -(No response.) if not we'll move to the Town
Board. Does anybody on the Board wish to make any comments? Alice?
COUNCILWOMAN HUSSIE: I would like to clarify something. Resolutions number
14 and 15 rescinded the appointment of two Public Safety Dispatchers, and I just
wanted to let everyone know, that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the
dispatchers, but there was something wrong with the process, and so we're going
to fix the process.
SUPERVISOR W1CKHAM: I'd like to make just a few comments tonight. First of all,
I'd like to compliment the Board. It was our first regularly scheduled meeting, apart
from the Organizational Meeting, and despite the difficulty of some very controversal
resolutions, that I don't think any of us were happy with, I was very pleased at
the way the Board worked smoothly together. I'm not papering over differences among
us. Those differences clearly are there. Will continue to be there, but there was
an understanding that I find a pleasure to work with. I'd like to comment tonight,
very briefly, about Robins Island. I've been quoted from time to time. I've made
comments from time to time that have been picked up, and 1 think I would like to
speak directly to the people of the Town, so that people here have an understanding
of what is being said, and what is developing in Robins Island. l'd like to introduce
the subject a little to say, that I have met in the last several weeks with the County
Executive, with the Supervisors of other East End towns, and with the man, one
Mr. Bacon, who recently bought the island, and I'd like to go back, and look a little
bit of the history of the island, and the families, that have owned it since it was
intially granted as a patent to one Mr. Sterling back in Colonial times. The Wickham
6 JANUARY 11, 1994
family owned it for awhile, the Tuthills in the 1800's, the Robins Island Club, which
was basically a shooting preserve in the late 1800's, the Lane family, which built
a large manor house in the early 1900's, and more recently John W. J~.~ackie, who
owned it from the mid 1950's to the mid 1970's. Each one of these families, who's
owned it, and there are many others who've owned it in between, but these are sort
of dominant families, who have owned it for periods of time, have preserved it quite
ef~fectively during their period of time. They've. used it in different ways'. The
Tuthill family operated a brickyard on it. Other families have taken timber from it,
and more' recently it's been operated .asa :shooting preserve-for people., who like
to do that kind of thing over there. There have been periods of upheavel, and
turmoil, and the ownership in recent years has been characterized by speculation,
and people trying to develop it, and that's not only in recent times. There's been
other periods. As a matter of fact, if you look historically, whenever there is sort
of ~ depression, or major economic change in the world, that's when the ownership
of Robins Island tends to turn, and the threat of development becomes much greater.
So, starting'about 1970, when'John Mackie sold it; there's been an upsurge of interest
in trying to preserve the island. This has come at a time, when different owners
have bought'it attempting to develop it, and there's been a series of proposed plans
to deve op 'the island from time to time; the most recent one being the Robis Corpora-
tion Plan following Mitt meyer. . Together there have been a number of people, some
of them in this room, and a number of organizations, tha~t have tried to prevent it
from being developed, who :have stood for :the preservation of the island in a more
or less natural state, ,that it is now. So, with that introdUction, I'd like to summerize
briefly a caUPle of rec~ent meetings, that I've had on it~ and where I think the island
seems to be going, based on these meetings I've been to. First of all, I'd like to
refer to a meeting between the County Executive, and the Supervisors of the various
East End townS, in about the second week in December, and that was a meeting of
over two hours spent acquainting with Robins Island, and two or three things immersed
from that meeting. One was a preference on the part Of the County Executive to
promote the~intereSt of Robis, and the development of 22 luxury type homes on the
island for the Robis people, and clear reluctance on his part, and [ don't think it's
just the County Executive. I think he's reflecting, and he said he was reflecting
a large number of 'legislators, who's votes would be needed in subsequent vote at
the Legislature, a clear reluctance to affectively tie up the island in any form of
preservation~ Since that time, as you may know, the man who came in and purchased
the island, a Mr. Bacon, has: been over to Robins Island. I accompanied him on one
of those trips, together with a number of~ other people, and he subsequent to that
has actually purchased the island. There's ia few contingencies still not totally sewn
up.. He is not n full possesiOn of the deed;, but the acquisition is largely, I think,
in hand. H~ would lii¢e to'operate it as a ishooting preserve, as John Mackie did..
He would lille to retain it in-it's preserved state, provide limited access to .t, rather
like Marshomack P(reserve on'Shelter Island. He would like to restore the original
manor home. He's quite a restoration buff~himself. He's restored the home he's living
in, quite an elaborate restoration,and this looks like quite a challenging activity to
him. He would like to build ultimately One .home, he says, or one unit, for his
familY to live in from time to time, when he's out here summers or vacations. There
are a lot of.questions, tha't remain to be .put in place. One of them, of course, is
how does one combine a shooting preserve with a limited excess nature preserve~-
I'm not sure how that's going to happen, but clearly that's one of the things available
at this time. In the discussions more recently about how Mr. Bacon is going to
proceed with this, he has done two things; One of them is, he has made a grant,
or he is committed to making a grant of 1.1 million dollars ~n an endowment for
management fund. The proceeds of which would be used to manage, and care for,
and look after Robins Island. Robins Island has actually deteriorated somewhat in
the last twenty some years, as there has been a succession of proposed developers.
The management plan wouid retain the natural qualities, would look after the manage-
m nt to kee eople off, except through channeled, and limited excess for research,
~ ~=, .... IP~.P. rn&ses t woL~ld, also, presumable pay for some of the intrastructure~
needed to su port that, hke roads, or tra.ls, necessary for that purpose. The Natu
Conservancy Ph[as been selected as the organ,zat.on, who would help the owner carry ~
out this plan, and the Conservancy ha~ agreed to do it, and- in the process has
also dropped out of supporting the County's counterplay to acquire the island,
according to an earlier contract. There are several conclusions that I've come to,
and that I'd like to share with you, because these are conclusions that I have
occasionally discussed publicly, and I just want people here to have an understanding
of where I'm coming from, and where I think other people are. The first comment
of a general nature I'd like to make is, that in the last twenty years or so, there's
a tendency to equate preservation with public acquisition. That is the expenditure
of taxpayer's money to buy land, and open space, for the public good. I think we
have maybe lost track of the role that private ownership can play in genuine
preservation, and all one has to do is look back on the history of Robins Island
JANUARY 11, 1994
97
and on many other parcels of land here in Southold Town, and see the continuing
stewardship that concern families can play, and continue tO play. I think Mr. Bacon
is that kind Of person. He is not a developer. He has no plans to build, or to
speculate with it. Second conclusion, that I'd like to leave with you tonight, is
that in many ways the management plan for an island, or a preserved area, is more
important than the acquisition itself. How it will be managed, and the people behind
it, the ideas, and the planning for it, are very important. One of the, t would say,
failures of other plans, including the County plan up until now, has been they have
not been willing to address a management plan, much less the financing for a manage-
ment plan. The man, who recently bought the island, has committed himself to that,
and I believe he is sincere, and I think it's reflected in. his selection of the Nature
Conservancy to help do that, Thirdly, I think where possible it's desirable to leave
preserved lands on the tax rolls, and not remove them totally from the tax rolls.
I think that people in New Suffolk, and in the town will benefit to the extent, that
they do remain on' t~ rolls. Finally, there are people, and I'm one of them,
who wonder Wha term guarantees in private ownership? What is the
long term g nd, in fact, will not be developed~. At this point,
I don't think we se guarantees. I can only say, that Mr. Bacon has pledged
himself to be working l~owards them. He's committed. He understands what the issues
are, and in good faith is exploring them. In due time he says they will 'be in place.
That basically brings us up to the present day. I understand that ~oday, or tomorrow,
the County will make a decision, whether or not, to appea! ,the purchase that Mr.
Bacon has made. There's been some discussion about whether they would do that,
and I don't have. the most recent information, but I would not be surprised if the
County concludes that the preservation goals, that Mr. Bacon has articulated for
the island are consistent with it's own preservation interests, an appeal may not be
necessary. I leave you with this information, because utimately Robins Island is
very important for the future of Southold Town. The Town should play a role. We
have a responsibility in protecting, and preserving, the future of this town, and
Robins Island i.s an important part of it. I have offered these comments in terms of
trying to keep people .up to date with what's happening, and with establishing, to
some extent, a'dialogue, and a discussion on it. Are there any comments, or
questions?
LINDA LEVY: I'm Linda Levy. I didn't realize you were going to bring up Robins
Island tonight, and I would like to make a couple of..actually I have a question
regarding what you just said. I think that we pretty much recognize that the
County has shown that they have never had a real intention to purchase the island,
and while some of us may feel that public acquisition would be the best solution,
certainly that's not the best solution in this case. We haven't seen an evidence of
it from the County. The big concern that, I know I have, and I believe that the
North Fork Environmental Council has, along with other environmental groups, is
this issue of guarantees, and it would seem to me, that one way in which we could
insure that while it's under private ownership, we would never have to worry that
if something goes bad for this guy, and he has to sell it, that somebody else could
buy it, and develop it the way that Robis was planning to do, that if the Town Board
would consider upzoning the island', or creating a sending zone, when we do TDR's,
or in some way setting up the zoning on that island to insure that no one can ever
develop it with twenty houses, or in fact, forty houses, as it's currently zoned.
I think that it would put a lot of people's minds at ease. As far as Mr. Bacon's
concern, which I understand is that he needs to have a certain value set, because
as anyone in his position would, wants to have some kind of tax relief after if he
does, you know, either donate his development rights, or whatever he may plan to
do, it would seem to me that a house on ten acres is going be, which what he might
get now, is not going to be of any greater value than a house on forty acres. So,
it wouldn't harm him, if we upzoned the island, because the value is still there,
because it everybody knows it cost a lot more to get forty acres of land, than it
does to get ten acres of land, and so, my question is, whether the Town Board
would consider, as part of this whole package, and working really in conjuction with
the stated goals~ of Mr. Bacon to preserve the island, whether the Town Board would
consider either upzoning, or some mechanism that would guarantee us in the town,
in the futUre, that if Mr. Bacon ever stops owning this island, that we can rest
assured that it would not be developed?
8 JANUARY 11, 1994
SUPERVISOR WICKHAM: Thank you, Linda. We've had a lengthy meeting. Are
the any additional comments? (No response.) 1'11 entertain a motion to close.
Moved by Councilwoman Oliva, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board meeting be and hereby is adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman
Tgwnsend, Councilwoman :Hussie, Councilman Lizewski, Supervisor Wickham. r_
This resolution was declared duly ADOPTED.