HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB-09/10/2002GENERAL MEETING
September 10, 2002
4:30 P.M.
A Regular Meeting of the Southold Town Board was held on September 10, 2002, at the Southold
Town Hall, Southold, New York. Supervisor Horton opened the meeting at 4:30 P.M. with the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag.
Present:
Absent:
Supervisor Joshua Y. Horton
Justice Louisa P. Evans
Councilman William D. Moore
Councilman John M. Romanelli
Councilman Craig A. Richter
Councilman Thomas H. Wickham
Town Clerk Elizabeth A. Neville
Town Attorney Gregory A. Yakaboski
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Please rise with me and join in the Pledge of Allegiance. I do hope you all
took notice of our new national emblem, that our Building and Grounds personnel faithfully got for the
Town. It was a long time coming. We have as a policy of the Southold Town Board at public
meetings, there is an opportunity for the public to address the Town Board on the printed agenda-the
resolutions that will be voted on this evening-prior to the reading of the resolutions and I will make
that time clear. If there is Town business that you would like to address the Board on that is not in
regard to the printed agenda, there is an opportunity to address the Board after the reading of the
resolutions and again I will make clear that time as well. We have several reports on file at the Town
Clerks Office and communications, which are basically letters or notes that have been written to the
Town Board or Town departments, they are available at the Town Clerk's Office between 8:00 A.M.
and 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. I also wanted to note that tomorrow for Patriot's Day, there
will be a ceremony held at Griswold-Terry-Glover American Legion Post at noon. It will be a subtle
and probably quiet ceremony of reflection and honoring the nation as a whole and those who did lose
their lives on September 11. Please move forward.
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the following bills be and hereby are ordered paid: General Fund Whole Town bills
in the amount $538,737.35; General Fund Part Town bills in the amount of $26,442.63; Highway Fund
Whole Town bills in the amount of $8,996.01; Highway Fund Part Town bills in the amount of
$40,637.77; Capital Projects Account bills in the amount of $1,245,883.77; Landfill Cap & Closure
bills in the amount of $30,674.07; Computer System Upgrade bills in the amount of $70,171.51; New
London Terminal Project bills in the amount of $582,973.99; Employee Health Benefit Plan bills in the
amount of $7,443.28; Fishers Island Ferry District bills in the amount of $48,121.52; Refuse &
Garbage District bills in the amount of $107,152.81; Southold Wastewater District bills in the amount
of $1,208.49; Southold Agency & Trust bills in the amount of $4,193.18 and Fishers Island Ferry
District Agency & Trust bills in the amount of $603.74.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
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Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the next Regular Town Board meeting of the Southold Town Board be held Tuesday,
September 24, 2002 at 7:30 P.M. at the Southold Town Hall, Southold, New York.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
I. REPORTS
1. Leave Time Summary Report - July 2002
2. Town of Southold Budget Report - for month ended July 2002
3. Town Clerk Monthly Report - August 2002
4. Recreation Department - August 2002
5. Town Justice Court, Bruer - August 2002
6. Town Justice Court, Evans - August 2002
7. Town Justice Court, Price - August 2002
II. PUBLIC NOTICES
None
III. COMMUNICATIONS 1. Letter to Solid Waste Coordinator James Bunchuck from P.O. Jennifer Combs Quarty re
compliments to his staff especially John Goodwin.
2. Letter to Code Enforcement Officer Ed Forrester from Jo Pettit re thanks for cooperation.
IV. RESOLUTIONS
SUPERVISOR HORTON: I would like to take this time to offer the floor to the public if you have
questions regarding the printed agenda. That would be any resolutions that are on the printed agenda
that we will be addressing this evening.
JOAN EGAN: On this resolution #598, authorizing a lease agreement. Where is that located? It just
says NYS Route 25.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: That is the parking lot behind, it is now called 'Heidi and Harry's
Main Street Grill'. They are on Main Street, Southold.
JOAN EGAN: No, I don't know where that is. I don't frequent those places.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: It is sort of opposite Rothman's Department Store. But that is where
the parking area is.
JOAN EGAN: Oh, on the Main Road here, right?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Right.
JOAN EGAN: I see. Why would we be doing that with them?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: It is a continuation of a lease, a renewal of a lease, to offer off-street
parking for the business area of Southold.
JOAN EGAN: I see. Well then, I would tell you then to tell them to clean up their act in the back
because the driveway is very, very bad. Thank-you very much.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Thank-you, Mrs. Egan. Would anyone else care to address the Board on
the printed agenda. I will make an announcement on the behalf of Mr. Yakaboski, whose wife gave
birth to a baby girl this afternoon and he is attending to his family, as he should. We will commence
with #585.
#585
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs
Supervisor Joshua Horton to execute an agreement with the New York State Agriculture and
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Markets for the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Implementation Grant in the amount of
$1,350,000.00.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: If there are any questions as to the merits of our preservation, this 1.35
million dollars that has come down from New York State is indicative of what we are accomplishing
here in Southold Town.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#586
Moved by Councilman Moore, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs
Supervisor Joshua Horton to execute the filing of an amended site plan for the Fishers Island Ferry
District.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#587
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold, in accordance with Section 76-23 of
Chapter 76 of the Code of the Town of Southold, hereby determines that the Fishers Island Sewer
District rent owned by Thomas F. Doherty~ Jr. in the amount of $1614.38 for the year of 2002
which rent remains unpaid~ shall be levied against the real property of Thomas F. Doherty, Jr.,
and shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as Town taxes.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#588
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold, in accordance with Section 76-23 of
Chapter 76 of the Code of the Town of Southold, hereby determines that the Fishers Island Sewer
District rent owned by Susan & Kevin Connelly~ in the amount of $645.75 for the year of 2002
which rent remains unpaid~ shall be levied against the real property of Susan & Kevin Connelly,
and shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as Town taxes.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#589
Moved by Councilman Wickham, seconded by Councilman Moore, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby grants permission to the
Mattituck Lions Club to hold their annual" Fall Carnival" on October 19 & 20~ 2002 (Saturday
& Sunday) on the grounds of "Strawberry Fields Park~ north side of County Road 48~
Mattituck~ New York property of the Town of Southold and the County of Suffolk provided they
file with the Town Clerk Certificates of Insurance in the amount of One Million Dollars each to both
the Town and County and contact Lieutenant Flatley of the Southold Town Police Department at least
ten (10) days prior to the event for Police assistance.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#59O
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Moore, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby modifies the Fishers Island
Ferry District 2002 budget~ as follows.
To:
SM. 9901.9 Int erfund Transfers $175,000.00
From:
SM. 9730.6 B.A.N. Principal $175,000.00
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Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#591
Moved by Councilman Moore, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby requests the New York State
Department of Transportation to conduct a traffic survey on Rocky Point Road, East Marion,
New York for the purpose of lowering the speed limit.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: In regard to people interacting with the Town Board and coming to Town
Board meetings hoping to make a difference or have their issues addressed. This resolution is a result
of concerned residents coming to the Town Board and speaking up in regard to what they feel is a
safety issue on their road and in their neighborhood.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#592
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, 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 conduct a traffic survey on South Harbor Road, Southold,
New York for the purpose of lowering the speed limit.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#593
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby appoints Theresa L. Van Etten
to the full-time position of Account Clerk in the Southold Town Senior Services Department at a
salary of $29,822.70 per year, effective September 12, 2002.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#594
Moved by Councilman Wickham, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby approve that the status of
currently employed Freight Agent Paul Foley be changed from salaried to hourly, at an hourly
rate of pay of $15.00.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#595
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby appoints James S. Rogers to the
position of full-time Laborer for the Highway Department on Fishers Island at a starting salary of
$14.6578 per hour, effective September 26, 2002.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#596
Moved by Councilman Moore, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby appoints Frank V. Ingarra as a
part-time Maintenance Mechanic I for the Senior Services Program funded by the CSE
Residential Repair Grant, at a salary of $12.67 per hour, effective September 30, 2002.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#597
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby accepts the resignation of Jason
Petrucci from his position as iunior member of the Conservation Advisory Committee.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Jason has departed for college so we wish him the best.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Following up about Jason Petrucci, he is a special young man and he is
one of many and ! had in mind that if Jason wanted to continue on in the Conservation Advisory
Committee, he with his energy would be just as effective from his college campus as if he were here.
He will be deeply missed.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#598
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs
Supervisor Joshua Y. Morton to execute a lease agreement between Marry Giosasi and Meidi
Giosasi and the Town of Southold for the municipal parking lot on the north side of NYS Route
25~ Southold~ for the term of four (4) years, with the terms of annual rent as follows: May 1, 2002
through April 20, 2003 at $300.00 per month; May 1, 2003 through April 30, 2004 at $315.00 per
month; May 1, 2004 through April 30, 2005 at $330.00 per month; May 1, 2005 through April 30,
2006 at $345.00 per month; said agreement subject to the approval of the Town Attorney's Office.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#599
Moved by Councilman Wickham, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs
Supervisor Joshua Y. Morton to hire the firm of Nelsom Pope & Voorhis to conduct an
evaluation pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for the Town's
proposed leasing of the property known as the Terp Parking Lot.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#6OO
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Richter, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby grants permission to the
Mattituck Soccer Club to outline and set up a practice field on the Southold Strawberry Field
Fairgrounds, Route 48, Mattituck, subject to the required proof of insurance.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#601
Moved by Councilman Moore, seconded by Councilman Wickham, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby grants a refund to William J.
Smith III for a building permit in the amount of $697.95 (50% of the amount originally paid for
permit number 28205Z), as recommended by Building Department Head Michael J. Verity.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#6O2
Moved by Councilman Romanelli, seconded by Councilman Wickham, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs
Supervisor Joshua Y. Morton to execute an agreement between the Town of Southold and Smith~
Finkelsteim Lundberg~ Islet & Yakaboski~ L.L.P., for their professional services in connection with
the possible acquisition of the property currently owned by Richard W. Corazzini, Jr. and filed under
Suffolk County Tax Map #1000-84-1-P/O 26.002
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Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#6O3
Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilman Wickham, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes and directs
Supervisor Joshua Y. Norton to execute an agreement between the Town of Southold and
Nelsom Pope & Voorhis for an evaluation pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review
Act for the assessment of the property currently owned by Richard W. Corazzini~ Jr. and filed
under Suffolk County Tax Map #1000-84-1-P/O 26.002
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#6O4
Moved by Councilman Wickham, seconded by Justice Evans, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby appoints Patricia Finnigan to the
position of Assistant Town Attorne¥~ at an annual salary of $52~000.00 effective September 18,
2002, she is to hold such office at the pleasure and will of the Town Board.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans. No: Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
#6O5
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Moore, it was
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Southold shall hereby authorizes and directs
Supervisor Joshua Y. Norton to deny the appeal for disclosure of information made by Jod¥
Adams pursuant to Sections 87(2)(b) and 89(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Law.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: That is the conclusion of the printed agenda and what we will be voting on
this evening. I take this opportunity to offer the floor to residents that would like to address the Board
on Town business. In doing so, either microphone at the front of the room and there are directions as
to how to use the microphone for your benefit.
ROD NEUMANN: Good Afternoon, my name is Rod Neumann I live at 750 E. Mill Road, Mattituck.
The subject that I want to air this afternoon was a hot topic about 3 years ago and it slipped through the
cracks for reasons that actually Board members can assess. The subject is the burying of the Long
Island Power Authority transmission lines. You will recall that this subject was raised by the Long
Island Power Authority representatives beginning in March of 1999. They met with the Town Board
at that time to state that there was a need to upgrade the transmission lines from 23,000 volts to 69,000
volts. The need was urgent, both for the North Fork and the South Fork. At that time, the LIPA
representatives stated that the increased voltage would pass over the North Fork, cross Shelter Island
lines and into the South Fork. Most residents at that time objected to the idea that the North Fork
would be subjected to some inconveniences for the benefit of the South Fork. The inconvenience
would be as follows, in order to accommodate the higher voltage-the 69,000 volts-the current existing
structures, the support towers, would be dismantled and replaced by structures that would be
approximately 1/3 higher than the existing ones. So the thought was made to the LIPA representatives
that why not bury the transmission lines rather than dismantle the existing structures and replace them
with higher structures. Wouldn't it be better for the Town, certainly, to have them buried. The LIPA
representative stated that they were concerned about the cost of burying the line and when asked about
how much it would cost, they said they would get back to you. About a year went by, actually less
than a year, then there was an article that appeared in the paper without any word to the Town Board
that LIPA had indeed put in new lines on the South Fork, directly, not across the North Fork and that
they buried those lines at a cost of $7,000,000, where the money came from when they said they had
no money for the North Fork, no one seems to have explained to the Board to this day. That became a
rallying point for the residents of Southold and indeed everyone that was vocal about it expressed the
strong desire to have the lines buried on the North Fork. The petition circulated and was distributed to
LIPA representatives, bumper stickers were provided by the Suffolk Times, all to show support for the
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idea that the lines should be buried. Why should they be buried? Most people, myself included, said
that it was somewhat irrational to preserve open spaces as we all want to do and yet have these
preserved open spaces blighted by the existing structures and the tall structures would be more of an
eyesore. The other reasons for burying the lines, the overhead lines present a hazard. I live near
Mattituck Inlet, it wasn't too long ago when a sailboat came down the Mattituck Inlet and struck the
overhead power line. As far as I know, no one was hurt but there was damage done to the boats
electronics. The overhead power lines are a menace or a hazard to low flying aircraft, they are subject
to collapse during an ice storm or a hurricane, they also produce an electro-magnetic force, there was
disagreement as to medical research as to the effect of radiation from electro-magnetic forces. But in
any event, raising the voltage from 23,000 to 69,000 volts is going to generate more electro-magnetic
radiation. It is a perceived problem, not an actual medical problem. So there is a need, I think, to have
the lines buried. The LIPA people are still saying that it is too expensive even though they spent 70
million dollars on behalf of the South Fork. The latest correspondence that I have from Mr. Kessel is
that too many easements would be required across the North Fork. I don't think that is correct because
the power lines, as most of you know, pass over open fields mostly farms. Those people that, whose
property lines lie beneath the power lines have all expressed desire to have them buried. Everyone,
included the Board, was in favor. And then Mr. Kessel had a bright idea, he said to Supervisor
Cochran "Let's form a Committee and study this problem" and that was a stalling factor on his part. A
Committee was formed, Mr. Yakaboski was the representative from Southold and there was a
representative from Riverhead and two people from LIPA. I don't know if any of you know how
many meetings have taken place in that year and a half. The answer is zero. No meetings. No interest.
That brings us to today. The need is still there for the lines to be buried. I am hopeful that the Board,
with your clout that you have over LIPA will immediately open up a dialogue with Mr. Kessel and his
people and get something done. If you wait any longer what is going to happen is the need for
additional voltage will suddenly be very, very urgent. Even though it was urgent four years ago. And
then LIPA will tell you that they can't wait, we have to do it know, otherwise there will be brownouts.
So you have to act now and I hope that you will do so. Thank-you.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Thank-you, sir. Just to speak very briefly to that. I wasn't aware of this
Committee but I have taken it upon myself after seeing the LIPA STICKIT movement in Southold
Town, I actually met with Richie Kessel about a month ago, I took him aside after a meeting of other
matters and cornered him about that. I think that Committee being re-constituted or just plain
constituted and given a charge and taking action would prove to be beneficial and important. I don't
want to directly quote Mr. Kessel but more or less what he said was it is not happening on the North
Fork and I think that should give us all concern. I agree with you and actually I would like to get in
touch with you and have a brief conversation and pick your brain a bit about where the movement has
been and where to go from here. At the same time, I will put my feelers out to LIPA about what
happened to this Committee and why it hasn't met and discuss in-house with my own personnel to get
to the bottom of that. Mrs. Egan.
JOAN EGAN: Joan Egan, East Marion. On the same subject addressed by that gentleman. I have
lived in New York, Texas, Louisiana and Massachusetts where there is lots of water, lots of snow and
lots of problems. Unfortunately I was in the community in Frenswood, Texas which is 25 miles north
west of Galveston. Now, the lines where buried there but in Galveston they are not because the water
table is much too low. When we had the flood there, now when we had this problem these lines that
were underground. (Inaudible) There can be just as much contamination underground as above ground
and the one underground can get into our water line. When there is a problem with the line above the
ground, they are almost always completely visible and they know exactly where the repair needs to be
done. As opposed to when the lines are underground. My own experience, which is quite vast, having
lived in places where there were lines above ground and below ground I think that maybe the poles
need to be replaced. I think a lot of this has to be done but I think on a whole we are much safer with
the lines above the ground and it wouldn't be as expensive for LIPA to do that job. Thank-you very
much.
JIM MILLER: Jim Miller, Southold. I would like to address the Board on a different issue. I would
like to talk about the proposal to have a moratorium by the Town Trustees with basically the specific
guidelines to ban docks in the Bay without any scientific data or back-up for that purpose. If we are
going to have a moratorium, I believe that all things should be on the table and we should basically
draw a line and say that things above the line that are more detrimental than docks in the Bay should be
banned and those things that are better should pursued. So I would suggest also that possibly there
should be a Citizens Committee to help advise the Trustees or the Town Board, whoever is going to
make the rules on this change of moratorium here and legislation.
VIOLA CROSS: Viola Cross, Cutchogue. It has been brought to my attention that the Town has a
Committee that evaluated the landfill. I don't know if that included our neighborhood and behind the
church. I also understand that there was only one that wanted to go along with the recommendation of
rezoning and that was our Supervisor. I really don't understand what the problem is. We are human
beings and I have all these signatures of over 500 people, that go along with the people saying it should
be rezoned. What is wrong with the Board? That they can't see the need to have it rezoned. It is just
going on and on and the problem is still there. It is going to be there. With the mosquitoes from
Church Lane where the water comes down, I have gone to the County and the County has said that
there has to be a drain through there. I have been bitten and I am bleeding now, I have not been feeling
well but this is mind boggling to think that a few people do not realize that people that live in this
locality, behind the church and near the landfill, are human beings. We have feelings like everybody
else. Just put yourself in our place when they are talking about turning it into light industrial and you
don't have to leave, you can live there as long as you want. Of course you can, the taxes are paid. Just
like everybody elses taxes. But to be comfortable where you live is the answer, that is what I feel that
if you are not comfortable with the idea of a warehouse coming into your neighborhood being retired,
disabled and everything in a package and then to think that a few people can say that it is not
important, it shouldn't be rezoned, it is mind-boggling. Thank-you.
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: Mrs. Cross, I would like to respond to you so you know where my
decisions come from. I am sitting here debating with myself. I want to let you know how I make my
decision, how my decision process goes. In the discussion of rezoning the area around the landfill
today, the amount of research and different things that I thought about in correlating my response or
my decision making process, I think that I would be doing a disservice to the people and I don't think
that it is correct to rezone there and please, I have all the respect in the world for you, the people
around the landfill. You say that we don't care, that is definitely not true, we do care. A couple of
things have come to mind in that process, the majority of that land that we are talking about was C1
prior to 1989, I don't have the map in front of me, I don't think that your particular parcel C1, I think it
was residential at the time. To me a few things have happened, one is as a landfill, more commonly
known as a dump years ago and now is being capped is a plus and in the favor of cleaning up that site
that the Town owns, I think that there should be another step that follows this later and I am sure that is
up for discussion and that is upgrading a transfer station. So there are no (inaudible). There should be
respect for you community in that area where it is kept neat and clean. In the process of capping, there
are going to be buffer zones, that is something that should be done and should be done with planning to
be respectful. The drainage problem should be addressed, I know both by the County and when we
spoke the other day when we met at the church whatever is coming from the landfill should be
addressed with the drainage problem in that area. Water has been a problem over the period of time
and now the residents have the ability to get water and you should have that. Those are all things that
have become pluses in the last few years. As far as the rezoning of that area, right now I believe that
there is only three people who want it rezoned. I know when it was first brought to us it was quoted as
a 5.7 acre parcel and I don't remember how many residents are on there. At that meeting, the residents
on Tuthill Lane do not want to be rezoned back to residential. They got up and spoke that they don't
want to change their zoning in there. When I say a disservice, I mean, I guess a few positives have
happened with the water, capping of the landfill, being more respectful which maybe the landfill has
not been over the years but should be and I am sure once the process is finished, will be. Value of
land, I think that the land is more valuable to you. Those are things that I think about and I also think
that that whole area that surrounds the landfill that has become LI and LIO made sense. The Town of
Southold does not have a lot of areas that have light industrial in it. It makes planning sense to me. So
please, when you say I don't care because when you address us as not caring, I do care. It is not an
arbitrary move that I make for that reason for not wanting to change it, I just think it makes sense to be
the way that it is. And that is my honest feelings. Thank-you.
ELEANOR LINGO: I am Eleanor Lingo, a resident of Southold Town. I understand that the Town
Board has asked for a study and they got the reply today. The recommendation was to rezone that
area. I am wondering why this Board is so adamant, if it was in your backyard would you be as happy
as you seem to be because it is in somebody else's backyard?
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: Ma'am, I am not happy.
ELEANOR LINGO: I am just saying, if your recommendation has come from your study and they are
telling you to rezone, why are you and the Board being stubborn about it? Can't you go back and just
discuss it among yourselves? Mrs. Cross has all those signatures of citizens in the Town that are for
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the rezoning. And if you asked for a study, why don't you go along with the study? I just can't
imagine why the Board is sitting there with their minds made up and won't go along with the study.
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: The study that we received was this past week, and it was a draft, two
weeks ago? We received that and I read the study over and in all honesty, my opinion is that he didn't
do the research, it was correct where the study came to.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Our own Planning Board made a recommendation not to change the
zoning. The Planning staff and Planning Board stood behind decision to .... our own Planning Board
made a recommendation before this study came through to not change the zone or leave it as is. They
wanted to stand by the reasoning for the zone change back in 1989 to leave your industrial uses on
Route 48 and around your landfill. That was the decision made in 1989, the Planning Board just
recently was asked to give their opinion, they still feel and I agree with them, that those decisions were
made with sound planning in mind. And that is the reason for not changing the zone back to
residential because from a planning standpoint, it just doesn't make sense to make it into residential
area.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: I have some opinions on this and since my colleagues have taken the
opportunity to speak and elaborate, I would like to do the same briefly for a moment. I have said it
before and I will say it again, that this issue extends beyond race, it extends beyond that there is a
church in the neighborhood. In the bigger picture, what we don't have in Southold Town are housing
opportunities for the long term for moderate or low-income families, which are one of the backbones,
one of the staples, one of the mainstays of this community. I also firmly believe that sometimes
planning has recommendations and we need to listen to them and I also believe very firmly that as
legislators or elected officials, we have to also rise above that from time to time and take it upon
ourselves to think with a strong sense of humanity and realize that perhaps what is in the textbook and
all the planning jargon that is out there sometimes doesn't necessarily speak to the best interest of
people and my concern is that in 1989 when that rezoning took place, I think it states in the report, it
was anticipated at the time of the comprehensive zone changes that ultimately these uses would be
phased out (referring to the residential uses) and converted to industrial uses. However, this has not
been the case and approximately 14 years later the non-industrial uses remain. To say that another
way, the neighborhood is still intact and I believe that it is incumbent on this Board from a social
standpoint, from an environmental standpoint to ensure that this neighborhood remain intact. I believe
that the way to do that is to rezone that property. I would like to offer a motion to direct the Town
Attorney to draft a Local Law rezoning the Church Lane neighborhood from Light Industrial to R-40
utilizing the report from Nelson, Pope and Voorhis as supporting documentation. I will go on record
that I did not get a second for that motion. I don't know how this Board is going to handle that
situation from here on out. I can only hope that that neighborhood remains intact as it has shouldered
the burden of the landfill and now is set to shoulder the onset of industrial development. Not to the
north or to the south but smack dab in the heart of a neighborhood in which people live. I don't know
if any Planning Board can speak to that issue in a fashion that justifies allowing industrial uses in a
residential neighborhood. Would anyone else care to address the Town Board?
Motion by Supervisor Horton,
RESOLVED that the Town Attorney be directed to draft a Local Law rezoning the Church Lane,
Cutchogue area from Light Industrial to Residential.
Motion LOST due to lack of second.
JOAN EGAN: Mr. Horton, what has been done in regard to getting security on our buildings? Outside
security, ADT whatever. Has anything been done in that regard?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Since the Board meeting two weeks ago, no.
JOAN EGAN: No, that is wonderful. Now, what has been done about spraying for mosquitoes, the
West Nile?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: That is a situation that Suffolk County Vector Control is in charge of.
JOAN EGAN: So there has been nothing done. That is beyond your control.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: To answer your question...
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JOAN EGAN: How many deaths are they going to need to do something?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: ! don't know, Mrs. Egan.
JOAN EGAN: Well, it should only have taken one. Alright, well where are these white buses that
used to be back there?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: They are in service.
JOAN EGAN: They are in service, in what regard. Excuse me, ! am speaking to Mr. Horton, Mr.
Romanelli.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: In active service delivering meals and transportation for senior citizens that
are involved with our Senior Citizen Program in Mattituck.
JOAN EGAN: ! see. How does one in the winter, when ! like to come to a meeting and ! don't want to
drive my vehicle. How do ! get to be picked up, the people East of Greenport?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: If you don't like to drive to Town Board meetings, there is public
transportation available my means of the S92. ! would always be happy to pick you up, Mrs. Egan.
JOAN EGAN: Do you have a helicopter?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: No.
JOAN EGAN: Get one. Now, has anything been done about the Recreation Center for our children
and our adults?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Could you elaborate on your question?
JOAN EGAN: Has anything been done about that?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Are you referring specifically to the Peconic Recreation Center or the
onset of a new site?
JOAN EGAN: Well, we have the Peconic on Peconic Lane and of course, that place is a mess. It
needs a new roof, it needs a new, a new, a new. It should be torn down and it should be the Police
Station. But has anything been done to fix that up, has anything been done for our children.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Yes.
JOAN EGAN: Can you elaborate on that?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Yes, ! have established a personal Youth Advisory Council comprised of
youth throughout the Town of Southold in which ! work closely and personally.
JOAN EGAN: Very good. Now, Mr. Romanelli, how are you? Now, what have you done in regard
to noise control? The answer to that is everything or nothing.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: ! have kept them quiet all summer long.
JOAN EGAN: You have been quiet?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: There has been very few complaints except for an area down near
your house.
JOAN EGAN: Oh, no. ! call you quite frequently.
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Yes, you do.
JOAN EGAN: You told me ! would be in a lot of trouble if! did that, so ! called the Town Supervisor
and told him about those big lawnmowers, Chris Mohr, he is in my area for an hour and a half. And
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you know what that means? I can hardly use my telephone and you know what that does to a lady.
Correct? And what have we done about that, Mr. Romanelli?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: We have done nothing to address the lawnmowers.
JOAN EGAN: No, you have done nothing about noise control, correct?
COUNCILMAN ROMANELLI: Yes.
JOAN EGAN: So what have you been doing (tape change) have you gotten out any literature, Mr.
Horton in regard to familiarizing people with the Child Protection Agency?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: No.
JOAN EGAN: This is very important. Very, very important because they are stealing our children. A
lot of people don't report it, they don't want to report it maybe because of a divorce, maybe these
people coming from the islands, Mexico, have many children and some of them maybe don't know
how many they have.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: The answer to your question is no.
JOAN EGAN: The mandatory, at the present time I believe, it is only a strong suggestion that you
water, if your house number is even you do it on an even day. Is anything been moved in that regard
that you don't water and if there will be any penalties involved. Is that from Suffolk County of from
you?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Suffolk County.
JOAN EGAN: You can't do that yourself for the Town of Southold?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: ! don't know the answer to that.
JOAN EGAN: What do you think I am going to say next?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: When will ! have an answer for you?
JOAN EGAN: That is correct.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: As soon as I can.
JOAN EGAN: Okay, that is wonderful. Now, I gave a letter to your lovely secretary today, have all of
you noticed that school is open? Do you all know school is open.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Joan, for the record, she is not my secretary, she is my assistant.
JOAN EGAN: Oh, wonderful.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: We work very closely.
JOAN EGAN: Good, how much does she make?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: $46,000.
JOAN EGAN: She is worth $100,000 as opposed to people who make $25,000 and do nothing. Okay,
we have school openings, in the written notice that ! gave you today. Last year, ! spent one and one
half hours on the telephone getting the schools open sign. Southold was a big winner in that because
we were the first ones to get them. To the best of my knowledge, there are still no signs. You should
have kept the ones you had here at Town Hall and saved the DOT, which you know ! call the
Department of Trash, the money. They were all thrown away, of course, of course. So now our
children and these people coming out to Foxwoods and all over, they go through the school zone ....
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Joan, ! will place a phone call about the schools open signs.
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JOAN EGAN: Pardon?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: ! will place a call about the signs and ! thank you for bringing it to my
attention.
JOAN EGAN: I will cut you a deal, Josh, I will try to do it on Thursday. Now, I would presume that
Mr. Harris has called the Department of Transportation in regard to getting the signs saying 'Speeding
Zones' and what have you.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: You have to contact Mr. Harris about that.
JOAN EGAN: I do that and every time I call it says his phone is out of service.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: You know where it is.
JOAN EGAN: Now, ! have also heard that because we are moving so far along here in the Town of
Southold that there is a very strong possibility that we will have a reassessment on our homes to get
more taxes for people to earn money. Is this a viable rumor or is it just a rumor?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: You should check with the Chairman of the Assessors, Bob Scott.
JOAN EGAN: Bob Scott, very good man, he works for a living. Mr. Richter, ! purchased a copy of
the (inaudible) what is happening to our Town? On the front of your jacket here, now you have two.
You have one from Judge Bruer and one from Judge Price. ! would suggest...
COUNCILMAN RICHTER: Excuse me, three, Judge Evans, too.
JOAN EGAN: You are correct, very good, you do read the jackets. Now, ! do want to congratulate
you for some of the initial things, this was wonderful that we find a new what we were talking about.
Now, ! presume that Mr. Yakaboski has given you his report in regard taping, to being alerted when
you call the Police Station or anyone else that you are told immediately. Southold Police Department,
! am being taped and then you have to alert, by law, every 30 seconds that you are being taped. Have
you received any of the reports that ! requested in May. So that is June, July, August, September, so
that is five months.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: No.
JOAN EGAN: No, may ! ask how much Mr. Yakaboski earns?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: In the neighborhood of $70,000.
JOAN EGAN: My goodness, and for that as far as I know and I am concerned, he ain't done nothing.
Now, Mr. Moore, what have you done to deserve.., and he makes $25,000 also?
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Joan, if you have specific questions for the Board, there are other people in
the audience that would perhaps like to address the Board.
JOAN EGAN: Mr. Moore, have you done anything in regard to my situation and ! don't want to hear
that you sent me a letter, have you done any homework in going into the files to see what Town Board
did wrong? The answer to that Mr. Moore, is yes or no.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: No. We went down this road eight years ago. You ask me the identical
question every 2 weeks. ! am tired of the question, Joan.
JOAN EGAN: You have done nothing for me. Thank-you very much, Mr. Moore.
COUNCILMAN MOORE: You are welcome, Joan.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Would anyone else care to address the Town Board?
JOAN EGAN: Oh yes, ! have one other thing quickly. ! think the book you should all read this
weekend is The Tale of Two Cities because that is exactly what you are turning the Town of Southold
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that was a beautiful, rural town into a city. And our population is going up by the second. Mr.
Yakaboski did it today. Thank-you very much.
SUPERVISOR HORTON: Would anyone like to address the Town Board on town related matters?
(No response) With that being said, that brings us to the conclusion of this public meeting.
Moved by Councilman Richter, seconded by Councilman Romanelli, it was
RESOLVED that this Town Board meeting be and hereby is adjourned at 5:3 5 P.M.
Vote of the Town Board: Aye: Councilman Wickham, Councilman Richter, Councilman Romanelli,
Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Supervisor Horton.
This resolution was duly ADOPTED.
Elizabeth A. Neville
Southold Town Clerk