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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/26/2007Minutes of the Hamlet of Greenport Stakeholders meeting Monday, November 26, 2007 5:30 p.m. Peconic Landing, Greenport, N.Y. Attendee Stakeholders: Don Leslie, Jr., Chairman Victor Brown Mariel Dobler, Co-Secretary Jill Dunbar Diane Gilmore Sylvia Holtzberg Melanie Norden, Co-Secretary Peter Russo Ural Talgat Absent: Tanya Padmore Nelia Purnhagen Guests: John Sepenoski, Deputy Town Supervisor Mark Terry, Senior Planner, Town of Southold Michael Acebo, President, Greenport Business Improvement District Jim Dreeben, owner, Peconic Paddler, Riverhead Douglas Murphy, Owner, Eagles Neck Paddling, Southold Don Leslie chaired the meeting. The group reviewed and approved the minutes of the 11/12/2007 stakeholders' meeting, and welcomed guests --- John Sepenoski, Deputy Town Supervisor; Mary Terry, Senior Town Planner; Michael Acebo, President, Greenport Business Improvement District; Jim Dreeben, owner, Peconic Paddler, and Douglas Smith, owner, Eagle's Neck Paddling, Southold. Mark Terry told the group about the Environmental Protection Fund grant program and the Town's funding request for 2007-2008. Mark explained that the Town is now in receipt of the recommendations of each of the stakeholder groups and that their shared priorities include traffic calming measures, gateway signage, design standards/site plan requirements for new construction, and affordable housing. Some of the monies to implement those recommendations have been applied for in the EPF grant application. In addition, the Town has folded those recommendations into a spreadsheet, and will refer them to the appropriate Town departments. AHamlet Study Implementation Panel will be established, members of which will include, but not be limited to, Jamie Richter, John Sepenoski, Jim McMahon, and various Town department heads and/or committee chairs, such as the Chair of the Transportation Committee. The group's kayak/walking trail "project" was met with enthusiasm by Mark Terry and John Sepenoski. John presented a detailed map for review. Among many sub-topics, the group discussed with Mark and John various locations which might require easements over private property; the Village of Greenport's progress on its own nature trail project linking Clark's Beach and Moore's Woods; the best way to route trails through environmentally sensitive areas; the Village's avowed preference to link kayak/walking/bike trails to Mitchell Park; access areas in Sterling Basin; the likelihood that the Town would grant overnight parking permits in public lots to kayak trail users; that a walking/bike trail can function as one; parcels that are slated for preservation in the Pipe's Cove area; that Orient State Park is very "friendly" to kayakers; whether composting toilets could be constructed along trail routes (they can), and Mark's doubt that the Town would approve overnight camping in any location, particularly on Squirrel Island, since it is slated for preservation (Mark suggested that it might be possible to "cut a deal with the trailer park or the KOA). Mark stressed that the kayak/nature trail project could possibly be funded through seaway trail monies available through New York State. He stressed that the project, and particularly the kayak race, should be viewed as a "break-out" project and recommended that a sub-committee of the Greenport group be formed to oversee the project and organize the race (later in the meeting that Committee was established with Ural Talgat as chair, and Victor Brown, Mike Acebo, Doug Murphy and Jim Dreeban as members). Mike Acebo presented a possible 6-8 mile or so kayak race route, together with sample enrollment forms for race participants. The group briefly discussed corporate sponsors; a barbeque at the end of the race at Mitchell Park (with local bands); race fees; whether rain dates were necessary; safety/observation boats (Mariel volunteered her husband and boat); a poster contest for the race (which might be funded by the Greenport Business Improvement District); the involvement of local harbor masters/Village's pump-out boat; the need to check tides for various dates; how to publicize the race, etc. Mark stressed that the Greenport group should hold its public meeting as soon as possible. The group discussed with Mark the success and formats of the public meetings already held by other stakeholder groups; the best day, time and place to host a meeting; how and when to advertise (Channel 22; The Suffolk Times; the Floyd Memorial Library newsletter; the Peconic Landing newsletter; the Town's website; and posting flyers); possible meeting agendas/formats; the need to firmly chair the meeting; specific meeting locations (Peconic Landing or Greenport school were recommended); an RSVP email address (Mariel Dobler volunteered to set one up for the group); etc. Mark thought it was a good idea to make sure that Mayor Nyce could attend the meeting. The group discussed January 5th or 12th as possible dates. Peter Russo recommended a breakfast meeting, at 10:00 a.m., with coffee, bagels, etc. to which the group agreed. Since Don Leslie will be out of town on those dates, Peter Russo agreed to chair the public meeting. Sylvia Holtzberg agreed to check on the availability of Peconic Landing and its catering costs. Jill Dunbar agreed to call David Nyce to be sure he was available on the 5th, and to find out about the Greenport School as a meeting site. Stakeholders decided that the focus of its next meeting, on December 10th' would be the planning of the public meeting. Respectfully submitted, Melanie Norden, Co-Secretary