Full Transcript

Thank you.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Today is Tuesday, July 7th. It is 2 p.m. We're here for a town board meeting. I want to welcome each and every one of you. I hope you had a great Fourth of July. Before we go any further, we'd like to say the Pledge of Allegiance. And Councilwoman Waski, would you please lead us? Yes, thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much. Thank you. Councilman Rothwell, do we have someone for the invitation? Yes, we do. Once again, we are honored today to have Lieutenant Tugara here from the Salvation Army Riverhead Corps Community Center. So we'd appreciate it if you'd be able to come forward and lead us in our invocation, and thank you for joining us once again.

Good afternoon. Let us pray. God of all creation, we come together mindful of the responsibilities and trust in those who serve the public. As they begin this meeting, we seek your wisdom, humility and guidance. Having recently celebrated Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of this great nation's founding. We give thanks for the vision, courage, and sacrifices of those who laid the foundations of the liberty. We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and recognize that each generation is called to preserve those blessings. Inspire these leaders today to govern with fairness, wisdom, and foresight. May their decisions reflect not only knowledge but also compassion, help them to balance different needs with care and pursue solutions that strengthen the well-being of the entire community. Let this time be marked by thoughtful dialogue, mutual respect and a genuine desire to seek the common good. When challenges arise, grant patience. When opinions differ, grant understanding. And in all things, guide this body towards decisions that are just, honorable, and beneficial for all. We remember the people of this town, families, workers, first responders, educators, business owners, veterans, and those whose struggles may go unseen. May their needs be considered, their voices valued, and their hopes remembered in the work accomplished here. Bless this gathering with a spirit of unity and shared purpose. May the work accomplished here today contribute to a stronger, more connected, and more hopeful community. We begin this meeting with gratitude and intention, asking for your continued blessing upon this town and upon the United States of America. Amen. Amen. Thank you very much. Do we have any announcements today? I have a couple, but I'd like to offer it to our council people if you have any first. Sure. I have a couple announcements. Saturday, July 11th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Riverhead. There's going to be a no-cost lung cancer screening event. So that's this Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, which is on Northville Turnpike. That's one. The second one is a little further away. It's Sunday, July 26th. The Rec Department is having a rise-up car show at Stotchke Park. That's the 26th. That's 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's a great car show. It's amazing. Thank you, Councilman Kern. So just one announcement. I did work with the Planning Department in light of depending changes to the town site plan review procedure. So I just wanted to kind of make a statement. We've gotten a number. I think all of us have gotten a number of emails on concerns about how that's going to move forward. And relating to the pre-submission conferences, I want to advise that pre-submission conferences are held on Tuesdays and are held in 45-minute increments starting around 9.30 a.m. Pre-submission conferences and agendas are posted every Friday by the Planning Division on the Agenda and Minutes section of the Town's website. In the event no pre-submission conferences are scheduled, and agenda is posted indicating that there are none, just so that the public doesn't come and nothing is here. Additionally, the agenda contains the property address, tax map, zoning use district, proposed use as well as a contact person for the project. While pre-submission conferences are not required, they are a valuable first step in the site plan review process for the Town staff, applicants, and the public at large. Pre-submission conferences are and remain open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend and participate. So I would like the Planning Department to prepare an announcement or memo posted to the town website alerting the public of the pre-submission procedures. So these are just things and directives that we as a town board can do with the Planning Department to make certain that the public can be part of the process from the initial pre-submission all the way up to its final thing. So we just don't want anybody to feel like in any way there's any way limited public engagement. You can start, and the public can speak their mind, at the very first steps in the pre-submission hearings. Councilwoman, anything? I'm going to defer to Councilwoman Waski about the Jamesport fireworks and parade and carnival. Yes, this coming Tuesday, the Jamesport carnival begins. It's one of my favorite weeks of the year. So that's Tuesday evening, and then Wednesday at 7 p.m. is the kickoff for the parade, which is always a great event very well attended and then Saturday is the fireworks at 10 p.m. and they couldn't be seen all around Jamesport there are always a great show let's hope for good weather and I hope to see everybody there it's going to be wonderful and if you don't mind while I have everyone's attention I just wanted to thank everyone that participated this past weekend in in America 250. The parade was phenomenal. It brought me back to when I was a child going to the parade that used to be down Main Street for Fourth of July. And we were on a float that was built for us. And as we turned the corner and I saw all the people, I was like, wow, this is what it used to be like. And I remember being a kid and being so excited to go to the parade. We'd be in my mom's 1970 gold Dodge Dart, And I'd be standing in the back seat. You didn't have a seatbelt back then, nothing. And it was nothing but great energy going to the parade. And I felt that again this time. And the events down at the beach with the fireworks, it was phenomenal. That actually came from way back in October. Then Supervisor Hubbard and the committee and myself were discussing the fireworks in downtown. and Supervisor Hubbard and I said, God, remember what it was like when they were down at the beach, you know, way back when? And I was like, that's where they should be, and we both agreed, you know. Who wants to be on Main Street on the 4th of July? You want to be at the beach. So now the rest is history for that, and I really think that it was a great event, and I thank you for all that participated. And I really, really thank the employees of the town of Riverhead that volunteered their time to help with our float. they took time out you know outside of their their work schedule and the float was phenomenal so thank you to every employee that helped out with that and I think the float the the cake is going to be here at Town Hall is that right supervisor it is also gonna be in the you announce it where Joanne had a great idea to use to use that again in the Jamesport parade so we're excited to to do that so councilman wasky that was a good on you and it's really great and And again, yeah, thank you to so many people. You know, I think one of the issues, our sewer department, our water, B&G, right there at the beach, they came through tremendously. Obviously, after the fireworks were over, our PD and first responders did an excellent job getting to everybody, and we were lucky to have no injuries from all of that weather that we've had reported so far that we know of. So we are blessed as a community, and it was an amazing show, and what a great night, and I think it helped. thank you thank you to everyone who did that so I know that that's across the board and if I can just absolutely sure it's like during the fourth of July night I can't say enough of course our police department our men and women the response but just as you guys have said every fire department was just inundated with the volume of calls and our and our RVAC paramedics from RVAC and Wading River all four fire departments were just running and we it was hard to get to every call and trying to assign personnel to each one, but they did it, and they did a phenomenal job. I also must commend Mike Zaleski and the Highway Department. I mean, they have been working around the clock, and a lot of people have called us and asked, like, when is my tree going, and a lot of the trees have wires through them. And so there's a process involved where PSCG has to come and absolutely confirm the power is off and remove those wires before we can begin to clear the pathways. As we are aware, there are still streets in Wading River that are still blocked by trees, but they're doing a phenomenal job. They're working around the clock. Can't thank them enough for the work that they did, and thank God as the supervisor said, everybody was safe that night. But it's an ongoing process. We left the fireworks in these great smiles, and then suddenly the Lord had a different plan that night and how he was going to end that night. And then, of course, the rains have come. Rains were desperately needed for the farm fields, maybe not all at once in one shot, But just a great shout out to all the volunteers of all four of our fire departments, our police department, our highway department. They did a phenomenal job and continue to do it. And the volume of calls are still coming in today, still responding to downed trees because they're still weak out there. The grounds are very wet and saturated now. And some of those trees that were slightly leaning are still coming down and taking power lines with them. And we know people are out of power and we feel for you. And sorry, but everybody's doing the best they can. And with that, I just want to we just did a press release for it. and everybody up here had kind of chimed in on this. So this is a complete board. But to help with the disposal of individual residents, Storm Dupree, our yard waste facilities will be temporarily open to all residents beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, July 8th, through Sunday, July 12th. And this means that you do not have to have a yard waste sticker, but upon showing proof of your residency, you will need residency to the attendant, and you may dispose of your yard waste at either the north or the south. our normal B&G guys will be at the normal yard waste, and then highway is going to be manning the other one, I believe, on Young's Avenue. But the normal yard waste rules still apply, meaning single axle only, no dump trucks, and no commercial vehicles. So please make sure that you do that. We want to make sure that we're able to get the debris out of your yard, give you somewhere. And then our normal yard waste hours and regulations will resume on Monday, July 13th. 13th. I know Mike Zaleski worked with our team this morning along with Ken Testa, so thank you for making that a possibility. Thank you for each and every person up here that suggested that. I think that's great. So are there any other announcements? We've got to talk about a live on 25. Yes, yep. Keep going. Just follow up with the yard waste. You want to keep leaves separate because if everything is together, it becomes a problem. Yes, sir. Go ahead. So live on 25. It's okay. Oh, it's on here, but we're postponing July 9th on Alive on 25, and there is another day coming while we continue to do the cleanup and making sure that that event is successful as it can be because we want our residents to enjoy it thoroughly. And then just what certain vendors are still residents, certainly, and I know in Waiting River area the streets are down with power, so trying to prepare for Alive on 25 for the management company to go out there and to be able to spray paint mark out, you know, the specific spots in the pouring rain. It just was not working, and I just think we're all following a difficult hardship, and everybody's looking for time to go home and clean up their yards and other things. So just by postponing, it gives a little more time for preparations to make sure that at that time we're all back to our smiley faces and maybe out of the storm and can enjoy a good night out. And if you have a home that was damaged by the storm and you reach out to our building department, They're going to help you in that way. I believe they're working on something to help with the storm. And then also our recreation department asked me to announce, to advise that the recreation program updates and cancellations will be communicated via email and text messages. And so if you've opted into this communication, make sure that you're paying attention to that. But if you did not opt in, maybe you want to so you know where our programs are. So Ms. Merrifield, Councilwoman Merrifield, did you have one more? I just wanted to add one more thing about our float. I wanted to thank Mike Selesky and Dave Zabrowski. They did a phenomenal job. And there was also another person from the SUI department. I apologize. But that person did a great job painting boxes on there as well. It was just a beautiful float. I was so happy. I don't recall his name, though. Alex. Thank you, Alex. I believe so. It was terrific. Thank you. I thought Georgette was going to jump out of the cake. She did a great job as Grand Marshal, Georgette Case. She looked beautiful, and she was ear-to-ear smiles. I just regret that I haven't been able to see it. I haven't seen the parade. You can't watch it on Channel 22, right? Yes, you can. You can go back and watch it. Okay, with that in mind, I don't think we have any other announcements. We'll turn it over to our town clerk for correspondence, please. We can't leave? Do we have any correspondence? Just a few. We received several letters, some of an eminent domain, The Connick Hotel, some from, I'm sorry, I'm reading as we go along. I read them all as they come in. Chapter 301, temporary moratorium, a whole host, but I received a bunch of letters on the BES, which is the battery energy storage system. I got inundated with those letters towards the end of last week, and I'm not sure what prompted that, but maybe it's a planning issue at this point. and that's about it but all of those letters are posted and they are posted on the agenda so when you go on the town website to go under the agenda for this meeting you'll have to you can peruse through all of them and read them verbatim and that concludes that and under reports we received the receiver taxes total tax collection as of the june 18th at 195 million 973 thousand 714 dollars and 9 cents. The town clerk's monthly report for June was $12,023.25. And that concludes our announcement, our correspondence and reports. Thank you, sir. Moving right into our first public hearing, which was scheduled for 2-10, it's 2-16. It's to amend Chapter 289, the R4 parking regulations. And I believe Councilor Howard is going to Walk us through that. Yes. Thank you. This is a amendment to chapter 289 section 10 Areas where parking is prohibited. This came from the traffic safety committee It is going to be on both it is proposed to be on both sides of Sound Avenue from its intersection with to me Avenue Both east and west for a distance of 200 feet and then along both sides of to me Avenue with from the intersection with Sound Avenue south for a distance of 200 feet and this is just intended to improve sight lines and prevent any obstructions when people are turning from to me Avenue on to Sound Avenue okay with that what we'll do is we'll open this up our public hearing to public comment so we asked it when you come to the podium or online that you please say your name and your Hamlet and please keep your comments to this specific public yes sorry not to you words artists okay but yes a warm egg night Riverhead everybody knows that area especially in the fall and it's it's reminds me of of 58 and and the shopping centers it's just it's chaos and cars park all over the place so I you know it's the public safety I I think it's a good idea. And, you know, so is it going to be enforced? That's the whole thing. There's no parking in those areas. You know, that remains to be seen. I hope it is, and I hope people are aware of it, and they'll have to cope. And unfortunately, the businesses will have to accommodate them, and there's an overflow where you've got to say enough is enough. When something is sold out, it's sold out. So I think for public safety, it's worth it. Thank you, Mr. McKnight. Thank you for your passion for our town. Is there anyone online for this? Give people in our room a second longer to contemplate. Okay. I believe with that, we will keep this open for 10 days for public written comments. So that will be July 17th, and we'll close this portion of the public hearing. And with that, we will move into our comments on resolutions from the public. So if you're in the room and you have a comment on one of our resolutions, again, you'll have three minutes. We ask that you keep it centered around those specific resolutions. We will have open comment at the end, and if we don't respond, we are listening to understand. Sir. CHAIRMAN BRYANT LISERY. Good afternoon, Board, Supervisor. Just a minute. CHAIRMAN BRYANT LISERY. Could you just pull the mic up a little bit closer? I know we want to hear you really. Thank you very much. My name is Mario Carrera and I've been a resident in Riverhead for a long time. All my kids have been raised here and love this town and I love what you all are doing to actually make this such a good place to live. But the reason why I'm actually here in particular is in regards to some proposed legislation that might come down the pike. Lieutenant Devereaux reached out to me and it's in regards to duck blinds. Well, so others if you could wait you're gonna this is during these specific resolutions Okay, so after we're done with this and we we go through the resolutions that will have open comment and then you can so back No, that's totally understood and fine. So, okay happy Thank you for being patient with us and we'll look forward to your comments then. Thank you, sir Thank you for volunteering with the fire department

Sir Is there anybody online? John McAuliffe, Rolling Woods, Roanoke Landing. First I wanted to congratulate everybody that worked on the 250th anniversary. I thought that the whole array of things, we couldn't stay for the fireworks because we had dogs that would have gone nuts if we weren't with them. But the whole setup that took place, and I'm glad you survived the storm without difficulty. I have comments on two resolutions related to the town square, which is number four and I think number, it's almost the last one. Yeah, 52. 52, I think, is fine. Number four, I don't have any hope that you would do this, but I would encourage you to vote it down and not proceed with things that encourage the construction of the hotel. I sent a letter that is in the list, number 30, And I don't know if you had a chance to look at the letter or look at the renderings that I attached from the, that were made in a semi-amateur way from the GPT system that show what the square looks like with a hotel and without a hotel. I mean, I'll give you additional copies of it now and I will put copies here if anybody wishes to compare those two things. But at any rate, I think that this conversation will go on in a variety of forms, including when the issue goes to the IDA. But in terms of your agenda today, I just encourage you to vote down number four and vote for the recreational part. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. McCullough, for your comments.

Everybody else in our room that would like to speak on resolutions or anyone online? There's not. You can just give those to the clerk, sir. Okay, we're going to start with resolution. Sorry, he wants to. Did I get this already? Is this something new? Oh, it's what was in the attachment. Oh, so they already got it. Yes, sir. We received it. Yeah, John, it's in our packet. Yes, sir. All of us have it in color. All right. Yeah. The whole world got it. He said that. He said additional. Thank you, sir. Okay. Resolution number one, which is Resolution 633. Water District Capital Project number 82301, budget adjustment. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 634. Water Capital Project number 81851, USGS Test Wells closure. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waskey. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 635. Water District Capital Project 82605, National Grid Hydrant Relocation Mill Road Budget Adjustment. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? I just want to thank the Water Department for painting all the fire hydrants downtown. Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolutions 636. Water District Capital Project No. 82612, Peconic River Hotel, 127 East Main Street. Budget adoption so moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 637. Capital Project Number 52513-EWR 2025-2026 Highway Budget Adjustment. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 638. Budget Adjustment for Purchase of New Bucket Truck for Street Lighting Division. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 639. Ratifies budget adjustment for East Creek boat launch repairs. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. And thank you, Mr. Pagari, for bringing this to my attention. Thank you. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? I just want to say that I know it didn't have a chance to go before the CAC committee, which generally reviews things of this nature, but this was an emergency repair that had to be done right away. Apparently, there were like rebar that was coming out of it, and so in the interest of nobody getting hurt, it didn't have a chance really to go through the CAC first as emergency repair. However, you know, Greg Bergman from the planning kind of looked it over, and there's nothing out of the ordinary, you know, in terms of what was being used to repair and do that. So just wanted the CAC to be aware of that. I vote yes. Hoppin. Same. Yes. All of that. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 640. Suffolk County Water Authority Federal Pass-Through Grant for 2025 Budget Adjustment. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waske. Yes. Berryfield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. This does show that we can work together with the Suffolk County Water Authority to get clean drinking water to our residents up in Manorville. And that was a great project that came to fruition. And so absolutely, yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 641. Budget adjustment to pay down Town Square Bands. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 642. Budget adjustment to pay down 2018 Series B bond refunding. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Perryfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Alfin? Yeah, this is exciting. We're paying off that CPF debt, and so this is, yes, absolutely. That resolution is adopted. Resolution 643. Acceptance of donations from George and Janice Gabrielson family, June 2026. So moved. Seconded, and thank you. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes, thank you to the Gabrielson family for always being so good to the town of Riverhead. Merrifield? Yes, thank you very much. Kern? Yes, thank you. Rothwell? Thank you very much, yes. Halpin? Thank you, and yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 644. Accepts donation from the Riverhead Police Benevolent Association for the PAL Bike Rodeo Sponsorship. So moved. Second. Oh, please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? It's a great event, yes. Halpin? It was so much fun, yeah. Yes. It was so much fun. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 645. Authorizes purchase of Meals on Wheels truck for seniors department and approves budget adjustments. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Murrayfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 646. Sets the fees for showmobile usage. So moved. SECONDED. VOTE, PLEASE. WASKI. YES. MERRIFIELD. YES. KEARN. YES. ROTHWELL. YES. HUFFIN. YES, SIR. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED. RESOLUTION 647. AMENDS RESOLUTION NUMBER 2026-107 SETTING FEES FOR RECREATE, RECREATE, OH, SORRY, RIVERHAT SCAVENGER WASTE. SO MOVED. SECONDED. VOTE, PLEASE. WASKI. YES. MERRIFIELD. YES. KEARN. yes Roswell yes yes resolution is adopted resolution 648 appoints a student intern to to the engineering department so moved second vote please was key yes very few yes turn yes Roswell yes yes resolution is adapted resolution 649 points a student intern to to the engineering department So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 650. Appoint seasonal personnel to the Recreation Department. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 651. Appoints part-time court officers to the police department. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. methylpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 652. Ratifies the appointment of a part-time office assistant, so moved. Second. Vote, please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. methylpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 653. ratifies the appointment of a part-time office assistant. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 654. Appoints a senior Justice Court clerk. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 655. Appoints maintenance mechanic twos to the engineering department. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 656. Amends resolution 2026.605 appointing an automotive equipment operator. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 657. Appoints Amy Elias to the Emerging Technology Committee. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Larryfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 658. Appoints Salim Masood as chairman of the Anti-Bias Task Force. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted, Resolution 659. Reappoints Tom Nigen to the Veterans Advisory Committee, so moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted, Resolution 660. reappoints Kimberly Judd to the Veterans Advisory Committee. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waske. Yes. Berryfield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. So both Kimberly Judd and Tom Nijon have been so instrumental and constant work with the veterans and people have seen their banners up. They've seen so many of the projects we're doing. We did lose one veterans tree. We're gonna get that repaired for the storm. But they're just been a phenomenal and as well as Tom's wife. And so just you know, carry Nijon as well. And just so thank you to all of them, yes. Ann Halpin. Yes, sir. The resolution is adopted. Resolution 661. Ratifies the resignation of a minibus driver. Selma Lut. Seconded. Vote, please. Waski. Yes. Murrayfield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 662. ratifies the resignation of an automotive equipment operator. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 663. Authorizes town clerk to publish and post public notice to consider a local law to amend Chapter 289-17 of the Riverhead Town Code titled Parking Time Limited. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 664. Authorizes town clerk to publish and post notice to consider a local law to amend Chapter 289 of the Riverhead Town Code entitled Vehicles, Traffic, and Parking Regulations. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 665. Authorize this town. Did you want him to read it? The next resolution 665 is the one that I spoke about at the work session addressing docs under Chapter 293. That one was supposed to be pulled out. I wanted to have a work session discussion on it first and make a couple other changes to it. So at this point, since it's in the packet, my recommendation would be to put it on the table. Okay. and then we'll deal with that at the next meeting. Okay. So authorizes town clerk to publish and post public notice to consider a local law to amend Chapter 293 of the Riverhead Town Code, and I'll make a motion to table. Second. Vote please to table. Waski? Yes, to table. Merrifield? Yes, to table. Kern? Yes, to table. Rothwell? Yes, to table. Hoppin? Yes, sir, to table. Okay, that resolution has been tabled. Thank you, and I apologize for the confusion on that. It's okay. It's okay, thank you. You got it in time. Okay, we're moving on to Resolution 666. Adopts a local law to amend Chapter 301, Article 17 of the Riverhead Town Code, entitled Business F, Business F, Zoning Use District, Manufacturers Outlet Center, Overlay Zone. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske? Yes. Maryfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Albin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 667. Authorizes town clerk to publish and post notice to bidders for Q's Flexi Tracks C550C portable video pipe inspection camera or equal for the Riverhead Sewer District. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Maryfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 668. Ratifies authorization for the town clerk to publish and post requests for proposals for the redevelopment of the railroad street property designated as transit-oriented development, TOD. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 669. ratifies award for requests for proposals for buses for recreation departments summer day camp trips so moved seconded vote please Waski yes Merrifield yes Kern yes Rothwell yes Alpen yes resolutions adopted resolution 670 approves the special event chapter 255 application for the Chamber of Commerce concerts in the park so moved seconded vote please Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Three dates on there if you take note of them. Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 671. Approve special event chapter 255 application for Hallockville Farm Museum, Hallockville Hootenanny. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waski? Never thought I'd say Hootenanny in my life. But yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Alpen? Yes, sir. Wooten Annie. All right. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 672. Approved special then, Chapter 255, application for Iglesia Pentecostal Familia de Dios Press Service. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Alpen? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 673. Through fireworks application for Jamesport Fire Department, July 18, 2026, salute. Seconded. Vote please. Waskey? Yes. Murrayfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Huffman? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 674. ratifies approval of fireworks and designates alcohol vendor for the town of Riverhead, America 250, July 4, 2026 event at South Jamesport Beach. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 675. 5. CHAIRMAN BRYANT. AUTHORIZES ADDITIONAL DESIGNATED ALCOHOL SERVICE VENDOR TO SERVE ALCOHOL AT THE 2026 ALIVE ON 25 STREET FESTIVAL SO MOVED. NEW SPEAKER. SECOND IT. DO WE WANT TO AMEND THE DATES? NEW SPEAKER.

Yep, we sure can. We don't have to go back and vote a second date? That would be fine. Yep. Sure. How do you want to word that, counsel? So we can amend it to what's the other one is August 10th? August 6th. It is 6th. So August 6th and a second date to be determined. Okay. And if I could just give a brief explanation on why that date is to be determined. When that date was originally chosen as the rain date, it was several months ago, and the consideration of the Polish Town Fair and Festival was not thought about, and they do not want to have some big event right before the Polish Town Fair event in fairness. So they will be coming up with a new date along with the town of Riverhead. So do we also want to just strike out August 12th as well? Yeah, that's what I was saying. Both those dates, please? Yes. Counselor, I thought you took care of that. Sorry. Good catch. Good call. So should I reread that as amended? Sure. Authorizes additional designated alcohol service vendor to serve alcohol at the 2026 Alive on 25th Street Festival as amended. So moved. Second as amended. Vote, please. Okay. Waske? As amended, yes. Merrifield? Yes, as amended. Hearn? Yes, as amended. Rothwell? Yes, as amended. And Halpin? As amended, yes. Absolutely. That resolution has been approved. As amended, Resolution 676. Authorize the supervisor to sign a license agreement with Advanced Climate Resources, LLC. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes, this is the textile recycling bin that Joe Rutt had spoken about. This is part of our Climate Smart initiatives, getting us towards bronze. And this is going to be at the Young's Yard facility. This is not clothing that people will be wearing. This is clothing and shoes and such that you want to discard that can't be donated. This will be able to recycle these textiles, and actually the town will actually receive some income from it. So, yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yeah, and just as a note to Councilwoman Merrifield, working on getting to Bronze Star status, We do expect that maybe by the end of the year you might actually reach that goal, which is phenomenal because we are leading so many other towns throughout Long Island. So great work. Vote yes. And Halpin. I concur, yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 677. Authorizes the supervisor to execute an addendum to an agreement with LVF Landscape Architects, PLLC, for East End Arts Building. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 678. Ratifies authorization for the supervisor to execute stipulation with CSEA Local 1000 AFSCME AFL-CIO Riverhead Unit of the Suffolk County Local 852. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 679. Ratifies the authorization for the supervisor to execute stipulation with Riverhead Town Superior Officers Association, Inc. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Alpen? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 680. Ratifies authorization for the supervisor to execute stipulation with Riverhead Town Police Benevolent Association. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. This has to do with the incentives for retirement. Hearn? Yes. Rothwell? Should any of these past three, whether it be CSEA, police officers, superior officers, anyone should accept the retirement incentives, we would certainly wish them all the best of luck in the future. And so, thank you for everything, and we'll see how the finances of this play out over the next time, you know, over the next few weeks. So, vote yes. Help it. Absolutely, yes sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 681. Authorizes release of performance security for Overlook Homes Major Subdivision 72 Overlook Drive, Appalachia, New York, Suffolk County tax map number 600-86-1-33.3. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 682. Amends Resolution 2026-320 and authorizes the release of a letter of credit for Birchwood Major Subdivision Section 3. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 683. authorizes the supervisor to execute certification and point of contact information sheet with the Department of Navy loaned aircraft. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Berryfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? There was a lot of great work that was done on this, so I thank Ken Pesta. Just over the last year, about a year ago, we did a fully refurbishment and painting of that, and they worked in conjunction with the U.S. Navy to make sure that all the insignias and everything were exact and precise on that aircraft. And so it was a lot of time-consuming work. But, you know, when we display those fighter jets, we, you know, from their history of the Grumman aviation system, it was very important for the U.S. Navy to make sure that they are continuously displayed, just like the day they rolled off the line. So thank you for all the work that was put into it. And, of course, thank you to the U.S. Navy for continuing loading the aircraft to us. Yes. And help. Absolutely. What a joy for people to be able to see. Thank you to all those departments, our community development agency, everyone who makes it happen. What a great, great asset to our town and the people can come and see what up close. Yes. That resolution is adopted. Resolution number 684. Accepts H2M architect and engineer's proposal to prepare a map and plan for the town square splash pad. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield. Yes, I'm so excited about this. Turn. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Alpen. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 685. I'm catching up.

Pay his bills. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Turn. Yes. Rothwell. In that brief delay, we saved some money. We got additional interest. Yes. Yes, sir. That resolution is adopted. That concludes the resolution portion of our meeting. So with that being the end, we will open it up for comments on any subject that relates to our town. We do ask again that when you come to the microphone that you please say your name, your Hamlet. And then again, I just want to remind you that we all live in the same town and community. We look forward to your uplifting and kind comments with that said if we don't respond we are listening to understand John McAuliffe rolling woods Roanoke landing I'm gonna be up twice in this section But this is for the matter that I raised in letter number 28 It has to do with what happened on the two hundred seven thousand dollars that River had contributed to a legal suit that was actually a Republican Party engendered legal suit to try to reverse in federal court the state decisions about alternate year elections. I sent this to you and Mr. Howard, hoping there might be answers today, but if not in the future, I think it'd be very useful. One question is, and I assume that people when they passed this in the two increments, anyway, they were aware of that it was done in good faith and it was done with then some recognition that it had been a mistake. But I am interested in knowing who made the decision to withdraw Riverhead from the case because that was done, suddenly appeared as a news story, and I don't recall it being discussed, but maybe I missed it in a board meeting or a work session. Second, when and where that decision was made, and is there a public record of it and the reasons for it, and whether the coverage in the local that then had some echoes around the county was a factor and as inappropriately political and embarrassing use of public funds. The fourth question I asked is whether you will demand from the attorneys that received more than a million dollars, and it's hard to know how they could have spent so much money on this kind of case, but they did, from the towns. Interesting, the plaintiffs were Republican committees, but the money all came from towns and public authorities. At any rate, whether there's any effort that could be made to recoup Riverhead's $207,000 from that firm, since we obviously, I think it was inappropriate use of taxpayer funds. And then the last two points are made with a certain amount of tongue-in-cheek, I guess, but at least it's a provocation. One is whether if you can't get the money back from the law firm, you will bill the Republican Committee in Riverhead to reimburse the town for that $207,000. And the last point was whether, at a very minimum, whether those of us who are registered as Democrats and independents in Riverhead could get back some compensation for our portion of that $207,000. So if Mr. Howard or anybody has any comment on that, I'd love to hear it. But if not now, the issue will remain until the questions are answered. Thank you, Mr. McCullough, for your time and your passion for our town. I believe we have one online. I just want to see if there's two online. Let's see if we have anybody else in the room. Oh, yeah, you're just going to want to come to the podium. And you're welcome to form a line along the wall. And state your name and your hamlet, please. And then... Good afternoon. My name is Patricia Berry. I live in Wading River. And I am here today... Could you just do me a favor and pull that mic down? Thank you very, very much. Patricia Berry, Wading River. I sent a letter regarding helicopter noise. It's just been unbearable. I was at a Gabriski airport meeting on June 25th, and there were complaints that were listed with Gabriski from January to April 2026, 567 total. This was only from January to April. Eighty-three of them were from Wading River, and none of them were from me. I didn't even know how to file a complaint at that time. So there are people that are very unhappy about this. Just this weekend on July 5th at 10.58 a.m. in the morning, I had a helicopter over my house at 800 feet. I did report it to the FAA. I received a letter back this morning from them, and they want me to file a complaint with the dangerous helicopter department that they have because they're not supposed to be flying at that. A second example, and this is just out of maybe 20 to 30 that went over my house on the 5th, 1.59 p.m., 975 feet, that same helicopter came back at 7.46 p.m. at 1,050 feet, coming right over my house the same direction. The letter that I sent, I don't know if anyone was ever able to read it or not. I did send it to Gillibrand, to Schumer, to Lolota, Palumbo, Giglio, and Supervisor Halpin. I will read it to you. Helicopter noise in Wading River has become a constant drone over the past few years. Pilots are routinely ignoring the Federal Aviation Administration's mandatory New York North Shore helicopter route rule. Instead of following the mandate, they fly visually along Long Island Sound until they reach the shore and power plant. There they turn inland and fly directly over our residential neighborhoods using the former Calverton Grumman airstrip as a visual guide towards Gabreski Airport or East Hampton Airport or the South Hampton Heliport on Meadow Lane. The New York North Shore helicopter route explicitly requires civilian helicopters to fly one mile offshore over the Long Island Sound at an altitude of at least 2,500 feet. The North Fork residents successfully campaigned against similar disruptions further east in Jamesport and in Kutchog. Their efforts resulted in the FAA transitioning the North Shore helicopter route from a voluntary guideline to a mandatory rule on August 6, 2012. Unfortunately, private pilots have simply shifted their visual crossing point west to Wading River, entirely bypassing the regulation. failing to stay one mile offshore and they frequently fly over my residence and the neighborhood well below the 2,500 feet. On July 29th, there is a mandatory rule that's scheduled to expire with the FAA and they're going to try to decide whether or not they're going to continue the North Shore helicopter route, make it permanent, make it stricter, implement it as an all water southern route, I don't see any of that happening. I'm just asking the board if you would please help to mitigate this It's just it's becoming impossible the weekends are absolutely horrible in waiting River. Thank you very much The date is July what that's July 29th the expression I think I did receive your letter I did just see it this morning I was going through the letters to reread them and so we did have a there was a helicopter task force In my office we have had a discussion about, so we will be reaching out to you just to discuss some of your concerns and make sure we can kind of background them and then help push that up the line and see where it needs to go. So one of the things that, so I was, I'm the liaison to the Helicopter Task Force. John Cullen is right, sitting in the room too, is part of that task force and does a great job. We haven't, we just received your letter, Price, that we really hadn't got any other complaints. I did look into Suffolk County Police Aviation Unit. So the majority, a lot that we're seeing, and I'm not saying, but you're not, but there's a lot more usage of the police aviation unit that's going out just because of more density when we get into holiday weekends and oversight. And then the other issue, so the police are responding more and through training, through EMS and paramedic training, the Suffolk County Police Aviation Unit works with Stony Brook Hospital. the paramedics on board are you know working for Stony Brook Hospital in coordination with the Suffolk County Police Department they are really over the last few years promoting years ago people had a great hesitancy to call the police helicopter because they thought it came with this enormous cost and other things and now they're saying no it's here for you to use it it is being called out much more often so a lot many times a lot of helicopters that you're seeing up in the air are affiliated with Suffolk County Police Aviation there's There's definitely private ones out there. I have seen what you have seen as well. I think John Cullen is here. I think maybe we can reconvene the committee. And we can certainly, we've always done a great job in terms of reaching out to Senator Schumer to renew that ongoing thing. And I think sometimes that just brings it back to light, and it seems to settle down. I was informed too that many times during poor weather, a lot of helicopters are coming on land because they're using landmarks as travel, as opposed to being out on the you know out on the water a mile out so um but that's just whether they're flying by instrument or flying by visual um but we can certainly uh set up appointments i'll reach out to john who's sitting here in the room and we can reconvene the task force for you okay i'd just like to add one thing to that just so you know councilman rothwell i too live in waiting river and i believe that the police department they have their helicopters numbered underneath These that I see in my neighborhood. Also, there is no police On them there are a lot of them on the on so I'm just letting you know That there if they're police vehicles They would have their number or some sort of insignia on the underbelly of the helicopter and there aren't there isn't So I do see the uptick and even on the app it'll tell you if it's military if it's police No, these are these are taxi service. John does a phenomenal job with grids and reporting exactly how many are out there He's always kept us in great things, so I think it is time to reconvene. So thank you. We will follow up with you. Thank you. I also wanted to mention that the helicopter noise form that's on the website, on our website for the supervisors' website, it's from 2018. If someone would kindly update it, it would really, really be helpful. I took care of that two weeks ago. I sent a letter to him. Thank you. I sent it to IT. Here he is. John Cullen. I'll follow up on this. Sorry to cut the line, guys. I think it's important that Wading River gets some relief. I've seen what's going on over there. There's a site called ADSB, which is ADSB.com. It will show you every live flight that's in the area from leaving New York City out to beautiful East Hampton Airport where all the troublemakers are. It's 1% of the travelers to East Hampton, yet they disturb thousands and thousands of people for those helicopters coming through. I dealt with it in a hard way dealing with back with Laura Jen Smith, and we were able to have a meeting in the Old Town Hall, and we packed the room. And about six months later, they changed the route. I'm not sure if you were disturbed by the helicopters back about 10 years ago, but it was nothing. it was horrible and it's irritating and this is what Trish barrier is going through right now and I feel like I'm starting the program again I'm willing to work with Trish and the team here if Ken would be great to get to go with you and supervisor happen it might need me excuse me might need a letter from you but it's a lot of work dealing with all the different agencies and it's working with Jim Brunnage over at East Hampton Airport director, who's been very nice to me. I write him once a year. I let him know what's going on. He knows that these helicopters are going through Wading River to arrive at East Hampton. He told me, and I have in writing in my computer that I sent to Trish today, it will not happen anymore. Helicopters will not be going over the national cemetery, Calverton National Cemetery anymore. And the reason why he said that, And I'll just say right here to everybody, they're going over roots. And the helicopter company said, I think we should go over the graveyard over there because that's 200,000 people that can't complain. That should say it all. It should not be happening over the cemetery. Jim Brundage knows it. He's allowing it to happen now. I'll reach out to Jim and I'll reach out to Eastern Region Helicopter Council again and start the wheels rolling again. Thank you. Yeah, absolutely. That's what it takes, us working together. Thank you very much. Oh, it's your turn now. That's right. Thank you, sir. Thank you for being so patient. Let's talk about duck blinds. Once again, it's Mario Carrera. And once again, thank you for all you guys are doing. I appreciate it. Thank you. But the legislation, I guess it was a work session that was done in April, and the codes are 29340 and 29366. and I was made aware of it by Lieutenant Devereaux and he basically reached out and I read it and I read the stuff that's in it and it's draconian. It's definitely not something that Riverhead comes up with. It seems like they went to Southampton town, picked out the worst that they have worst in Mecox Bay and tried to put this into a legislation and it's really not needed for Riverhead. There is no issues with duck blinds. there are no abandoned duck blinds. It's amazing to me how it even reached this stage. But what I do want to say is, instead of just prolonging this, I just want to make myself available to meet with all you individually, if possible, to just discuss all the things that are in it. I've never seen something that actually had so much detail in Riverhead's codes. It's unbelievable when you look at this in regards to duck blinds that have never been an issue in a town of Riverhead. so I just wanted to make you aware of that. I'd like to reach out to all of you and try and set up a meeting with all of you to actually just share some of my thoughts with it, and hopefully we can put this to bed, because it seems like when people come and move out here from various locations, they really don't take into account the people that have lived here their whole lives and have taken part in the beauty and the specialness of Riverhead, especially when it comes to duck season and goose season. that moment in time when you're out on the water so I just wanted to just they they just don't like people that enjoy that for some reason but that's my understanding where it came from so I just want to try and address it all right Mario I think that this would be a good place for the wildlife committee to come back in and bring that legislation to them and you'd be able to have full discussion with them I don't know who the liaison is just contact me and then we'll get it okay it's called the Wildlife Management Committee my legislative aid David will be happy to and yeah counselor Pilo they will all work with you greatly and you were you're on the right track thank you very much and I would like to sit in on that meeting as well because I have heard a lot of feedback about it and concerns from you know from folks so many of us see how we can work it out so many of us that enjoy that part of you're not wrong about Southampton because I think that's exactly what happened you're correct on that so yeah thank you all right then thank you absolutely thank you sir thank you for your passion. Thanks, Mario. Warren, I think there was somebody in line. What was he saying? He was waiting. All right, come on up, sir. Thank you for watching. We know you're a gentleman and you'd want to honor that. Exactly. Bring the mic down a little bit. All right, okay, I'll get it right. Thank you. Warren McKnight, Riverhead here. I just want to, Supervisor Halpin says, if we all work together, community, the people here, there, and the town. Two weeks ago I went to this doctor's office, I'm not mentioning the names, I sent the letter handicapped Jim Wooten and of course I went to the doctor's office and the staff and the doctor said nothing we could do about it there was no path, the landscaping was out, it was you know people had to get ticks from the thing and he said there's nothing we could do about it so I sent the letter to Jim and then I called the town code enforcement and the fire marshal and I went back today and everything was made better. So I recommend that people, if they have a problem like this, go to the landlord and to the people in the building and if they don't do it, then And reluctantly, we should go to the town code enforcement fire marshal. And then, both departments were very respectful and attentive, and it's been done. That's one thing I wanted to get at. Okay, now this other thing I want to get at. The MTA. I've dealt with the MTA as a salesman. I used to sell them nuts and bolts. And the MTA tells God what to do. For instance, the MTA called me up. They said, we want 16,000 bolts specifications. You know, I gave them a sample. They said, fine. They got a PO, fine. Accepted. We never got paid. And then six months later, they called us up and they said, we don't want them anymore. And we want them out of here within a week. Otherwise, we're going to sell them for scrap. So they can do these things. So what I've done with just a simple thing, all the bathrooms, West Hampton, South Hampton, Babylon, Ronkonkoma, you name it, they all have bathroom facilities, right? But the federal government gives MTA $2 billion a year for funds, and they can't put a little bathroom over there? You know, something like that. So, and they won't listen to you. They won't listen to me. So I sent a letter to the New York ACLU. So maybe they'll take up the case, and we'll see what happens, and they'll get some bad publicity. I even sent a letter to the head of the, Johnny Lieb, the head of the MTA, but he probably laughed at it as far as that goes. That's all I have to say, except another thing. And this goes for the town board past, present, and future. All you guys here and girls here. It's very simple. Number one, I went on computer. You know what Riverhead's basic mission statement is? It's to help business expand and help new businesses come to Riverhead. That's the first mission statement. And the other mission statement is no tolerance zone. So I want to suggest a new statement that represents all of you on the town board. I think, Mr. Maynard, you are out of time. I'm sorry. Okay. But I think that also has to do with Bidma, the downtown area, the downtown district. I think those are the statements for that. Maybe I'm wrong, but I will look into that. Go ahead. But, you know, since you have those letters, they don't tell us anything else. I'd say the Riverhead Town Board, Riverhead is kind, it's caring, and it's courageous. And if we have this as our motto, along with no tolerance and everything else, without question, our town is a leading town in every house. It'll be the best town in the USA. And you all are kind, caring, and courageous. Thank you, Mr. McKnight. Thank you very much, Mr. McKnight. I hope we can live up to what you said. Thank you very much. We did meet, Councilman Kern and I did meet with the MTA with Assemblywoman Giglio's office and we did ask for the bathrooms. It was presented. Your thing was addressed. Yes, ma'am. Ms. Lorraine Wilson. I live in Reeves Park. I'm not complaining about it. I just want to thank all of you guys. You guys have been great to us. I do have a question though. My house, the backyard of my home butts up against the 4-H camp. I've heard a lot of things going on, who's selling what, who's buying what, who's whatever. I would like to know if there's something definite that's going on back there. Behind my house I have some cabins and whatever. They've been working back there fixing the cabins up. The other day there were surveyors back there surveying the property. I just would like to know, I know the town wanted to buy some for preservation, but that was up by Sound Avenue. Then I heard Peconic Trust wanted to buy some, but that was sort of like in the middle, which leaves me, which is at the end of, by the beach part. I don't know what's going on. I'd like to know who's going to be in my backyard. Sure. So currently Peconic Land Trust is brokering all of that and they're working on it. They have asked us to partner with it. We have done an appraisal, but ours would be on the eastern side of that property. So the western side where you are, you can reach out to Peconic Land Trust and ask them where they stand with it and what exactly they're doing. Yeah, so I do believe that would be the best aspect. We could get you that information so you could be in direct conversation. So my deputy supervisor is in the back, or if you call up our office, we'd be happy to connect you with them. Perfect. Thank you. Appreciate it. Two online after Marty. GOOD AFTERNOON, MARTIN SONLUSKI, 215 ROANOKE AVENUE RIVERHEAD. JUST FOR DISCLOSURE, I'M ON THE RIVERHEAD PARKING COMMITTEE. I ALSO HAVE TWO PROJECTS THAT I'M WORKING ON IN RIVERHEAD, BUT I'M NOT HERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM. I'M JUST HERE WITH MY OWN PERSONAL COMMENTS. The negdeck for downtown development that was done in March of 25, about 16 months ago, and the MDA agreement for the hotel was in August of 25, about 11 months ago. Both included reference to the parking agreement for the hotel. I had foiled a copy to see if there was anything preliminary as far as a plan for that in May, I RECEIVED A REPLY IN JUNE WHICH WAS BASICALLY A COPY OF THE MDA AGREEMENT THAT JUST REFERENCES THE PARKING BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE A PLAN. THE CONSULTANT SAID AT THE HEARING LAST MONTH THAT A PLAN WAS BEING WORKED ON. SO MY QUESTION IS, HAS ANYBODY, YOU'RE THE TRUSTEES OF THE PARKING DISTRICT, HAVE YOU SEEN A COPY OF THE PLAN SHOWING THE AREA FOR THE HOTEL PARKING ON FIRST STREET? I THINK EMERY PRUDENTI ADDRESSED THAT IN THE FACT THAT WE WEREN'T DIVISING THE PARKING PLAN UNTIL WE KNEW THE PROJECT WAS GOING TO GO THROUGH. SO IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO INVEST ALL THIS TIME IF A PROJECT WASN'T COMING TO FORWISION. SO I THINK THAT SHE ADDRESSED THAT THE LAST TIME THAT YOU SPOKE AND THE IDEA IS THAT NOW THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DRAFTING A PRELIMINARY PLAN. IT WOULD BE SHARED WITH THE PARKING DISTRICT. JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY. KIND OF LIKE IT'S ONE STEP AT A TIME. JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY SINCE I HADN'T SEEN ANYTHING. I JUST TOOK A COPY OF THE PARKING DISTRICT'S PLAN OF FIRST STREET. THE GREEN ARE THE CHARGING STATION. SO IF YOU GO LITERALLY JUST FROM THE CHARGING STATION, YOU LOOP AROUND TO THE ENTRANCE OFF OF ROW NOKE RIGHT WHERE THAT LAST HOUSE IS, THE LAST BUILDING. BASICALLY THE ENTIRE BACK PARKING LOT ROW IS THE would be uh 83 spaces with them parking on smaller widths they could certainly get up to 96 spaces there uh their existing 342 spaces minus 383 would be 259. um i hope i just have a few extra seconds since i was addressed this way on my comments so it does fit obviously but it does take that entire back area um just as a thought and i'll email a copy of this for you just some brain work i put together as another thought with the same area being included for the parking lot for the hotel I indicated on red here some ways that the existing parking lot could be revised to gain an additional 14 cars on the west side and 19 cars on the east side that involves removing some islands restriping behind barks and on the east avenue knocking down 209 east avenue which is owned by the parking district and putting a new entrance there in there which in the future actually works with the parking garage and altering the parking in that area since you are the um trustees of the parking lot and since this is being negotiated um you're you have actually you're in a pretty strong position NEGOTIATING WISE YOU MIGHT WANT TO RECOMMEND TO THE DEVELOPER THAT THEY GO AHEAD AND DO THOSE APPROVEMENTS AND GAIN 33 SPOTS ON THE PARKING DISTRICT AS A PREREQUISITE TO THAT AGREEMENT I MEAN THEY'RE THE ONES THAT THEY NEED YOUR PARKING AND YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT IT'S A PLAN I'LL EMAIL A COPY AND IT COULD GAIN 33 ADDITIONAL SPACES FOR THE PARKING DISTRICT UH IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DO THAT AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT THANK YOU WHAT What about the two projects you're on? Are you willing to issue additional parking as well to help the development process for the two projects you're working on? I didn't... You have two projects going on downtown. Are you also saying that your developer, you're working for those two projects, would they be willing to participate in cost of funding? I haven't had that conversation. I'm really not representing them at the meeting. It was a sketch how you can gain 33 spaces on First Street. I only say that respectfully, and you do a lot of great work but it's just it one person doesn't solve the parking for everybody downtown you know I mean it's got to be a coordinated effort of course absolutely I mean you have an opportunity here though where you have a developer who you three developers you're two of them just saying right but no actually I will tell you initially that there is no interest by THE PEOPLE THAT I WAS WORKING WITH TO HAVE RESERVE PARKING. THE FACT IS THE RESERVE PARKING IS A PRIVILEGE OVER AND ABOVE WHAT THE PARKING DISTRICT PROVIDES BY CODE. SO THEREFORE, REALLY FOR, IT'S NOT SO MUCH FOR A CLIENT, THE HOTEL NEEDS 96 SPACES PRETTY MUCH FENCED IN AND CONTROLLED. OKAY? THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT THE PARKING. OKAY? SO IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO THAT AND THEY'RE GOING TO GET AN AGREEMENT TO HAVE A CONTROLLED AREA, IF WE CAN GAIN 33 SPACES AND DO IT ON THEIR DIME, I WOULD THINK IT WOULD gonna you have the negotiating position right now you're the you're the trustees you have the parking they want it say okay we'll negotiate agreement but do this for a starting point we ask your two projects to do the same thing because they don't have to they're not required to back code they can don't park anywhere they want in the parking lot the hotel could park anywhere but that would be a nightmare valet guys just going and finding an empty space somewhere in IN THE PARKING LOT THAT DOESN'T WORK THEY NEED A STRUCTURED VALLEY PARKING LOT AND THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER PERSON IN THE PARKING LOT GOING IN OPEN SPACE IT'S THE WHOLE IDEA SO FOR CLARITY FOR EVERYONE IT'S ALL THE BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN ARE IN THE PARKING DISTRICT TOGETHER SO IT'S A PLAN FOR EVERYBODY IT'S NOT THAT THAT IS ONE NEW DEVELOPMENT COMES IN AND IS EXPECTED TO TO BUILD PARKING FOR EVERYBODY CORRECT BUT NOBODY THAT IS IN THE PARKING DISTRICT gets reserved spaces that's not part of the code that's not part of it you're not allowed to have reserved spaces in the parking district when you lease that or do an agreement with a private owner to have parking in the parking district that is outside of the code of rivet that's a whole different animal it's a lease which by the way requires a public hearing and a plan to be put forth for that agreement is is ratified so it's just something to think of and so it's an idea to gain some additional parking it's a good idea no matter what if the town does it but you have somebody that's looking for a commodity that you have which is parking that they want to reserve for themselves so get 33 spots out of it if you can just a recommendation thank you thank you for your comment sir yes ma'am and then after you will We'll take those two people online. Thank you very much. Hi. Hi, Barbara, Toronto, Wading River. I just wanted to confirm what Trish Berry and Mr. Cullen had said. I heard the same helicopter on the 5th, as well as the other 20 or 30 that went by that day. They're out of control. For years, this has been happening and getting worse. In the beginning when I was writing to the FAA about it, I could actually read the numbers on the helicopter. They were saying, take a picture, read the numbers off. And I was doing that to no avail. So all I can say is it's gotten worse and it's terrible. It's just terrible. We will reconvene on it. Absolutely. Definitely been heard. All right. That's all I really needed to say. Thank you. Appreciate your speaking. We have two people online. If you're going to stand over there, yes, that would be, yeah. You could just wait in line.

Oh, who's that?

Hey. Good afternoon. Desmond Wong, Reeves Park. I want to speak about the OLA public safety proposal and the next public step that the board should take So my July 1st letter and attachment A appear in the agenda packet at pages 54 through 62. Attachment A is OLA's May 29 draft, and so the board now has the current text in front of it. I'm not asking for an immediate up or down vote. I'm asking for a public works session where the text is compared with Riverhead's existing laws and written protocols. Earlier today, the board showed that this kind of process is possible. Supervisor Halpin responded publicly to Chapter 301 correspondence by explaining pre-submission procedures and asking planning to post a public memo. Resolution 665 was also tabled because the docking law needs work session discussion. I'm asking for the same procedural standard here. put Ola's text and Riverhead's claimed existing protocols on the same public table. For months, residents have asked for a public discussion. Ola met privately with Supervisor Halpin on June 22nd. That meeting is a start, but it's not a public answer. Councilman Rothwell said on June 2nd that Riverhead already has appropriate laws in place and that he is comfortable with the town's current position. If that is the answer, residents should be able to see the laws, policies, orders, or written RPD protocols that support it. If the protections are strong, publish the non-confidential portions and compare them with OLA's draft. If they are not designed for federal immigration enforcement incidents, the board should say that too. A FOIL-produced RPD field report from February 18 shows Homeland Security agents came to RPD headquarters after local investigations, reported being followed, and entered Riverhead's reporting system. I'm not asking the board to decide legal questions about that incident today. I'm saying that it shows why local intake documentation, notification and public safety rules should be written and public. So leaving OLA's current draft and correspondence without a work session, a timeline or protocol list is not an adequate public process. The public should not have to infer the town's answer from silence. So I have two direct questions. Supervisor Halpin, will you place a public work session on the calendar or direct staff to identify the existing laws and written protocols by title and citation.

Did you have more of a comment, sir? Did you have an answer to that? Just if you're out of time, but I'll give you another, because you said you had another thing, you're welcome to ask your question. My second question was to Councilman Rothwell, was since you said Riverhead already has appropriate laws in place, will you support putting those specific documents on the public record for comparison? All of our laws are on there. Yeah, all of our laws. You can FOIL anything you want. Absolutely. Sorry. But thank you. We did give you an extra 30 seconds. Thank you, Mr. Walner. Really appreciate it. We did give you for your passionate questions. So thank you for your comments today. Is there one more online? Thank you, sir.

We gave you a lot of announcements at the beginning, so rewind and watch it. It's worth it. Mr. Herrera, can you hear us?

Give you another second or two. Mr. Herrera, can you hear us?

There you are. Can you hear us, sir?

Yes, I can hear you. Okay. Ron Hariri of Aquabog. It's been a year since Joe Petruccelli was appointed master developer in connection with the Town Square project after years of negotiations. There was a representation that work would be starting in the spring. we're now in the middle of the summer. Mr. Rothwell previously represented in connection with a question I raised at a prior meeting that a closing of the property was imminent. Isn't it a fact that there's no closing that's been set, counsel?

The date of the closing has not been announced yet, but we are- No. THE DATE OF THE CLOSING IS COMING. JUST FOR THE RECORD, RON, I DON'T WANT TO USE UP YOUR TIME, BUT WE ARE GETTING RENT IN THE IN-TERM. SO THERE IS INCOME COMING IN FROM THE CURRENT LAND OWNER, SO TO SPEAK, OR RENTER UNTIL THE CLOSING. SO WE'RE STILL BRINGING IN INCOME UNTIL THAT CLOSING DATE, JUST FOR THE RECORD. AND WE ARE WORKING VIGOROUSLY AT GETTING IT CLOSED. So that answers your question. Thank you. And it's fair to say that there could be no closing absent a site plan, and there could be no site plan absent a parking plan, which is years potentially away. Isn't that true?

Well, we're going to go ahead and let you continue. You have no parking. We're going to let you continue to comment. You have no parking plan in place. And actually, I would really urge the town board prior to making any closing to examine very carefully the master developer's finances, which were not made publicly available and reviewed in camera by various officials in Tad Hill, none of whom have any financial expertise in connection with this matter. So just like you did with the Grimesian purchase at Calvert & Aviation, which has been another disaster, you called upon the Grimesians to provide financials. And I think you need to carefully review those financials to find out, A, whether this developer has the financial ability to close after a year that's been delayed. And B, can it close absent a proper parking plan for a major hotel that requires probably in excess of 100 spaces? Because quite frankly, I would be very surprised if Hilton or any other hotel entity would invest in a hotel that didn't have adequate parking for its guests. So just as you did with the Grimesians, it's important to re-look at their financials given these various issues. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you for your comments. If you would like to speak, you're welcome to. Dawn Zabrowski, Calverton. Mr. Howard, since you will not be taking notes today from correspondence that I am reciting verbatim, to which you have had access at any time since its delivery had you so chosen, you may want to pay closer attention than is your apparent habit. You might also mention to your colleagues serving on the so-called Labor Management Committee, Ms. Hurley, that I have had, wait for it, no response whatsoever regarding the actual identity of Neil DeMara, the so-called president of the CSEA. While it was encouraging to see that Ms. Waskey is capable of outrage at all, if not on behalf of this constituent, it is rather dismal that she reserves her righteous indignation for the constitutional expression of free speech, as in the recent case of the so-called comedian Tom Kelly, who apparently offended her. Hilarious. Speaking of jobs and being offended, her contempt for the area labor force residing in Riverhead and their critical contribution to the local economy, not least including the tax revenue generated by the properties they and their vehicles occupy is truly ignorant. She probably doesn't mind a landscape trailer parked in her neighborhood as long as it is attached to somebody mowing her lawn and trimming her bushes. Speaking as a former independent owner-operator who has seen this offensive BS show itself predictably every decade, might I suggest tabling this loathsome agenda until after the election, although I am beginning to realize that contempt for your constituents is a feature and not a bug for this town council. Speaking of upcoming elections, Mr. Rothwell will soon be hosting numerous area developers, donors, and Republican officials at his upcoming Friends of Rothwell event. Presumably, they share an enthusiasm for the eminently anti-constitutional practice of eminent domain and a powerful thirst for at least six Coors Lights. So as to avoid the unfortunate repetition of intoxicated area Republican officials careening recklessly through the quiet residential neighborhoods where they reside along hardworking taxpayers perhaps have designated drivers on standby. Would it surprise you, Ms. Merrifield, that I have had no response whatsoever to my April 12th correspondence? Ma'am, ma'am, ma'am, I just want to, I know you seem like your temperature is rising of your understanding. I appreciate your concern for me and I'd like to continue speaking. Well, no, it is a meeting that I'm running. And so I just want you, if you want to state things that are sure, but if you're just going to go down the line and do that and absolutely go after someone. Okay, you better get the handcuffs. You better get the handcuffs. Your utter failure to properly conduct yourself in your capacity as a council person in receipt of my original September 2nd complaint and also the liaison to the supposed task force in receipt of my April 12th complaint about my complaint is disgraceful. and superintendent the long the long ever metastasizing list of riverhead town elected officials town employees csea randos and various members what appears to be multiple sham committees of dubious service repeatedly damaging me what with what is either your collective ignorance your incompetence or some revolting combination of the two

Thank you.

yeah so yeah you can come up thanks hi John Cullen smuggler just wondering how we're doing with those signs to be taken down I spoke about a month ago about the same issue no parking signs that were put up on my street I just want to know where do I go next I think you mentioned a work session if If there's one coming up, you have to have it before this is done. Just let me know. I'll be there. Okay. Thanks for your time. Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you're watching, we do want to just apologize for that disturbance and let you know that we are thankful for all of your patience among us, and that was not taken lightly, and we do not cause alarm. But we also, every person sitting up here has a family, and just like you, we all live in this lovely and beautiful town together, and we want to work together. While we may have disagreements about where we stand, each and every one of us is a proud American and proud resident of Riverhead, and the people sitting next to me fight hard for this town and stand for it, and they really do work for you. So thank you for your understanding, and we're sorry that that had to take place. Yes, ma'am. Grace Swift, Calverton. Mine is really serious. It's about lawnmowers. I have a dead lawnmower. It worked on two batteries. When you had the recycle at the town, they took the batteries with no problem, but left the body. They will not take a lawnmower. The garbage pickup will not take a lawnmower. The town won't take a lawnmower. I can't come up with any idea to decorate it enough to put it in the lawn. And you know what this means? People are going to be throwing them in the woods. Somebody started to tell me what to do with the lawnmower. I'll help you. We'll take it to Gershaw Recycling in Riverhead for you. Gershaw? Yes. It's plastic. They recycle everything. They take plastic. We'll help you. I know they take metal. They do. We'll help you. The engine has probably had some metal in it, so they will. Yeah, he's correct, and he'll help. So thanks, Grace. We'll help you. We'll make sure. So if I manage to get that in my car, Gershaw will take it? I'll help you, but I'm not gonna let you drive because you drive race cars

That's true he's not well, I sure watching at home I'll talk to you. We've got it. Thank you. Sure. Thanks. Thanks for brightening our day grace Mr. Tucker Do have any more online Colin Tooker from Riverhead. Mr. Tooker, before you speak, I did get your email. I was away. I will respond to you. Thank you. I will relieve you of what I'm addressing here. I would also like to acknowledge Mr. McKnight because he said in three words what I'm going to spend three minutes saying, which is kind, caring, and courageous. Much better job than what I'm going to do. For 64 years, I've watched this town grow. I've watched it change, and I've watched it face real challenges. But today, we're facing something that's unprecedented. Armed federal agents are routinely patrolling our neighborhoods, and this board refuses to talk about it. You refuse to acknowledge the safety issues that this presents to Riverhead, just as you fail to address the liabilities we now face. The conservative majority of this board talks frequently about fiscal responsibility. Let's look at the fiscal reality. Under recently enacted state legislation, if Riverhead police officers are pulled into civil immigration issues where there is not a signed judicial warrant, the town faces direct civil liability. The responsibility for fiscal oversight belongs right here in this building and with this board.

Your refusal to discuss the matter brought by ICE's presence is a failure of that oversight. Each of you also speaks proudly about your love for this town and its residents, yet you are stonewalling to avoid a conversation about one of the most important moral issues of our time. I'm curious if you believe like I do that the lives of everyone who lives in our town are valued, regardless of nationality or immigration status, because your continued silence is a clear message to the immigrants who live in this town. You don't belong here. We don't care what happens to you. and the safety and well-being of your children or not are concern. I'd like to know how you plan to address the situations that have never occurred in this town before, but are foreseeable and likely to occur given how ICE operates. What is your plan if an ICE action takes place outside Pulaski Street School at dismissal time? Who takes lead responsibility for the safety of those children? Who decides if they should be rushed back into the school? Should Riverhead Police respond to protect the children? Or should they stay away to avoid interfering with federal agents? As our elected leaders, it's time for each of you to uphold your accountability for public safety and fiscal responsibility. Perhaps you believe that unquestioned loyalty to a political cause justifies handling the safety of our town over the federal authorities. I disagree. Your continued avoidance is a matter of public record. As a lifelong resident of Riverhead, I will make certain that our town members remember exactly who chose to stay silent during these historic times. when Riverhead needed leadership and you weren't there. We have one on line. Thank you for your comments, Mr. Tooker. We do have one on line before you, Mr. McCullough.

Ms. O'Brien, can you hear us?

Ms. O'Brien, are you able to hear us? Give you another second and then we'll... Can you hear me? Yes, ma'am, we can. Hi, how are you? Colleen O'Brien, Aquabog. I'm going to go on and say something that I think needs to be said to every town board member in the town clerk. I'm going to exclude the town attorney because he's always exhibited very professional behavior. I can't hear you. You people, you elected officials, mock residents and taxpayers. You're rude and disrespectful. I'm going to suggest that maybe you all take professional development classes because you better remember who pays your salary and we get an election year this year and I believe another one next year. Please take my comments as they're intended. You need to check your attitudes because it's really just not right to see how disrespectful you are. Thank you. Mr. McCullough, thank you for your comments. Ms. O'Brien? John McCullough, Frohn Oak Landing. Quickly on the closing questions, it would be useful to know what the relationship is to an IDA decision, and whether that has to happen before closing. My understanding, as it was read, is that the East End Arts Council buildings had to be moved before closing could happen, but maybe it's just intention to move them. But the final thing I'd say is don't just look at my renderings or the architect's renderings for the building. Have Mr. Petrucelli build a model, physical model for you, and look yourselves at what the hotel is going to do to the town square and what it would look like without a hotel. Just a very simple, straightforward step. I wanted to come to the migration or migrants question quickly. One is appreciation for Mr. Halpin's meeting with the head of OLA, and people ought to read the letter that she's written in response it shows up as a letter to the editor and today's Riverhead local so I think that's an important step forward by itself your dialogue just for updating what's going on nationally if you followed the news you know that all of a sudden ice is moved from 1,000 a day to 2,000 a day pickups which is the standard they're aiming for that's going to be felt in riverhead as well as other places in the country the other big news is what happened on temporary protective status um haitians i don't know whether there is any haitian community in riverhead but 300 000 more than 300 000 haitians lost their tps status last week which means they can no longer work and pay taxes and function as normal citizens and are vulnerable to ice pickup the other big category that may that obviously is of more relevance to riverhead is ukrainians there's a very large ukrainian tps group some have lost their status some have not but i think that that the town board ought to stay on top of how many ukrainians in Riverhead have TPS status and what's going to happen to them? I think this is not a theoretical question. I just, as I was sitting there, I said to all of you through the clerk an article about TPS that if you have a few minutes to read it, I think you'll find it helpful to understand what's happening in the country. And we're a part of that country. Thank you very much. David M. Thank you, Mr. McCullough. believe we don't have any more online if anybody doesn't if there's any more comments from the public so with that said we want to close our time for public comment I'll ask for a motion to adjourn our meeting today as we don't forget all the stuff we want to remind you that our our disposal sites are available at our had our waste center that you don't need a yard waste sticker and that will be from July 8 through Sunday July 12 and you just show your proof of residency and both of those sites will be available to help with our cleanup. It's again, the same rules apply. So it will be a single axle, no dump trucks, no commercial vehicles. We ask that you do that. We ask that you, you know, have your patience. We thank all of our departments that are working so hard to get our town and get the debris cleared and your yards and all that wonderful stuff. With that said, please can I have a motion?