HomeMy WebLinkAboutLP-02/22/2011LAND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Minutes & Discussion Notes from Meeting held
Tuesday, February 22, 20'1 '1 at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Also present:
John Sepenoski, Chairman
Maureen Cullinane
Ray Huntington
Monica Harbes
Chris Baiz,
Lillian Ball
Eric Keil (7:'15 p.m.)
none
Melissa Spiro, Land Preservation Coordinator
Melanie Doroski, Land Preservation Secretary
Stephen Searl, Peconic Land Trust
Barbara Schnitzler, New Suffolk Waterfront Fund Chair
Tom Wickham, New Suffolk Waterfront Fund Secretary
Alison Byers, New Suffolk Waterfront Fund member
Commencement:
· The meeting began at 7:05 p.m. with 6 LPC members present.
Adoption of Meeting Minutes:
· ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES FROM JANUARY 25, 2011 AND FEBRUARY 15, 2011.
MOTION made by Ray Huntington, seconded by Lillian Ball, to accept the LPC meeting minutes from
January 25, 20'1 '1.
Motion carried: 6/0/'1 (Monica Harbes abstained as had not been in attendance for the '1/25/20'1
LPC meeting)
Land Preservation Applications and Inquiries:
· SCTM #1000-117-8-18 (New Suffolk Waterfront Fund)
Appointment: 7:30 p.m. - Barbara Schnitzler
Barbara Schnitzler, Chairperson of the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund, along with Tom Wickham and
Alison Byers, reported that New Suffolk Waterfront Fund is now the owner of the New Suffolk
Waterfront property having recently purchased it from Peconic Land Trust with funding provided by
donations, fundraising events, and awarded grants. Now that the property has been acquired, they
are into the next phase of their operation, exploring options for controlled development and
preservation. They discussed with the Committee an opportunity for the Town to become part of their
future plan for preservation of open space on the waterfront, with potential purchase by the Town.
The New Suffolk Waterfront Fund is preparing a subdivision application to split the property into two
properties and plans to explore potential options, which are in keeping with their mission, for selling
one or both of the properties.
The New Suffolk Waterfront Fund will continue to keep the Town apprised of the on-going status of
the property.
SCTM #1000-102-2-16 (Edson)
Status Update
Melissa Spiro met with landowner, Lewis Edson, and his daughter on February 18, 2011, and verbally
presented LPC's purchase offer for a development rights easement on his properties (SCTM #1000-
102-2-16 & 6.6). Landowner is considering increasing the size of the proposed 2+ acre Reserve Area
to a 4+ acre Reserve Area around the existing residential home and agricultural structures. LPC
members agreeable to increasing size of Reserve Area to 4+ acres. All other aspects of the purchase
offer to remain the same.
Applications & Inquiries for Uses or Structures on Preserved Property:
SCTM #1000-63-1-25.4 (PLT North Fork Agricultural Center f/k/a Charnews Farm) and
SCTM #1000-55-5-2.4 (PLT f/k/a Hubbard)
Request for uses within Easement areas
Stephen Searl, acting on behalf of the Peconic Land Trust, presented two applications to the LPC for
review. PLT is requesting LPC approval for deer fencing and irrigation installation on SCTM #1000-
63-1-25.4 and an access farm road to be constructed within wooded acreage of SCTM #1000-55-2-
2.4, both properties being owned by Peconic Land Trust, Incorporated with development rights
easements held by the Town.
Melissa reviewed the easement on SCTM #1000-63-1-25.4 and found that LPC review and approval
is not required for deer fencing and irrigation installation as both improvements are allowed by the
recorded easement language without LPC review. LPC letter in response to application stating such
will be sent to PLT.
Melissa reviewed the easement on SCTM #1000-55-2-2.4 and found that LPC review and approval
is required for the construction of a farm access road on this parcel. Recorded easement language
allows for access roads.
MOTION made by Chris Baiz, seconded by Eric Keil, to approved the application submitted by
Stephen Searl on behalf of Peconic Land Trust, Incorporation, to construct a farm access road within
the easement area of SCTM #1000-55-2-2.4. LPC approval letter statin9 such in response to
application will be sent to PLT.
Motion carried: 7/0
Stewardship and Management:
· MONITORING (PROPERTY CONDITION) REPORTS:
SCTM #1000-63-2-6.2 Reinckens f/k/a Duffy (per John Sepenoski)
John Sepenoski reported that he found deer fencing and utilities had been installed within the
easement area. Such improvements had not been reviewed by LPC for approval. Melanie will
send letter to landowner with Request for Agricultural Structure Placement on PDR Lands
form for "as built" installation of deer fencing and utilities with instructions to submit
completed form to LPC for review and formal approval.
SCTM #1000-115-2-9.3 Foreman f/k/a Sidor, Barney (Eric Keil/Melanie Doroski)
Eric Keil reported that he found that deer fencing had been installed within the easement
area. Such improvement had not been reviewed by LPC for approval. Melanie will send letter
to landowner with Request for Agricultural Structure Placement on PDR Lands form, for "as
built" installation of deer fencing with instructions to submit completed form to LPC for review
and formal approval.
o SOTM #1000-18-6-14.9 Ezair f/k/a Latham Farms (Maureen Cullinane)
Maureen Cullinane reported that no easement violations were found on this parcel,
o SCTM #1000-19-1-10.6 & 10.7 Latham (Maureen Cullinane)
Maureen Cullinane reported that no easement violations were found on this parcel,
o SCTM #1000-19-1-11.6 Webber (Maureen Cullinane)
Maureen Cullinane reported that no easement violations were found on this parcel,
o SCTM #1000-19-1-14.10 CW Francis & Son (Maureen Cullinane)
Maureen Cullinane reported that no easement violations were found on this parcel,
o SCTM #1000-20-1-2.2 Whitsit (Maureen Cullinane)
Maureen Cullinane reported that no easement violations were found on this parcel,
o SCTM #1000-20-1-3.2 Egan f/k/a Terry, Orville (Maureen Cullinane)
Maureen Cullinane reported that two neighbors along the easterly boundary of the subject
property are encroaching within the easement area. The neighbor bordering along LI Sound
has expanded his lawn to within the easement area. Another neighbor with a backyard pool is
discharging overflow through an expandable hose onto the easement area. Landowner has
had no success in contacting either neighbor and would like the Town to notify said easement
violators to cease and desist from encroaching into the easement area. Melanie will send
letters to both neighbors,
o SCTM #1000-20-3-5.1 Peconic Land Trust f/k/a Terry, Orville (Maureen Cullinane)
Maureen Cullinane reported that no easement violations were found on this parcel,
o SCTM #1000-52-5-59.10 Baiz f/k/a Cassidy (Maureen Cullinane)
Maureen Cullinane reported that neighbor is encroaching within the easement area. Ag
Structures (barns, etc.) were pre-existing and shown on survey to be straddling property line
at time of easement purchase, and was apparently acceptable to Town at that time. Since
purchase, debris field behind the ag structure buildings and within the easement area has
increased. Melanie will send letter to encroaching property owner to clean up debris field
within the easement area.
LPC TASK LIST STATUS (per John Sepenoski)
LPC Task List Memo was sent to Town Board and DPW months ago and LPC has received no
response to status/completion of tasks. The Committee raised questions about the status of
documents stewardship tasks. Since the Town Board liaison, Al Krupski, was not in attendance, it
was decided to wait until the next LPC meeting to again ask for such status from the Town Board.
Also, Laura Klahre, the newly employed Land Management Specialist, will have started employment
and will be involved in the Stewardship process.
SILVER EEL COVE OPEN SPACE PARCEL TASK LIST (per John Sepenoski)
LPC requests that task list work to be done at Silver Eel Cove on Fishers Island be completed before
August 2011 Town Board meeting being held on Fishers Island.
DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (per John Sepenoski)
LPC has not yet received official report on the 2010 Deer Management Program from Jeff Standish,
Program Manager.
John Sepenoski reported on his findings (including usage, signage, trails) when inspecting Preserves
and other Town-owned Open Space parcels during months of allowed deer hunting on Town-owned
properties.
Arshamomaque Pond Preserve
The first section of the trail from the parking area out to the pond is supposed to be open for
access to the pond during the hunting program as this is a very popular access point for shell
fishing. The signs were set up indicating that this section of the trail was only open to hunters
for the hunting days and they should be changed for 2011 to correctly note where the trail is
closed to the general public for the hunting program.
Tall Pines
He found that deer hunting sign was posted about 35' into the trail and about 10 feet high on
a tree and not noticeable to unsuspecting hikers. Would recommend that signs be posted in
middle of trail to be easily seen by anyone venturing into the Preserve during deer hunting
season.
Adamowicz
A trail from the County section of Adamowicz, which is open to the public but not part of the
deer management program, to the deer hunting area was mowed which creates an attractive
nuisance to hikers who, if they follow the trail end up within the hunting area. This trail should
no longer be mowed to prevent the attractive nuisance and potential conflicts with hunters.
Melanie had received complaints from a neighboring resident who was accessing the County
section of Adamowicz to walk her dogs and had encountered hunters. She was following
unmarked trails and had not realized that she was venturing into approved deer hunting
areas as she found no signs stating such. Both she and Jeff Standish responded to her
complaints and asked that she refrain from accessing this area during hunting season.
Hummels
A deer stand was discovered near Lighthouse Rd in the area behind the pond. If this deer
stand is in an area that meets the hunting rules and regulations it should be considered for an
additional location for the deer management program. If it does not meet the hunting rules
and regulations then the deer stand should be removed and the property posted accordingly.
If the property is made part of the deer management program the western section should not
be used since the adjacent Sepenoski farm is already actively hunted by multiple hunters.
General Land Preservation Items:
· EASEMENT LANGUAGE AND DEFINITIONS
Not discussed due to time constraints.
Next Regular Meeting:
o The next regular meeting will be held on March 8, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., in the Annex Executive Board
Room. Melanie Doroski will be unable to attend this meeting.
Lillian Ball will be unable to attend the March 22, 20'1 '1 LPC meeting as she will be out of Town.
Adjournment:
· The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m. by the seven attending LPC members.
Respectfully submitted by Melanie Doroski, Land Preservation Secretary