July 21, 2026 — Town Board

Town Board Meeting
100 min  ·  CivicClerk page

Summary AI

The Riverhead Town Board adopted roughly 30 resolutions covering parking rule changes, zoning amendments, RVAC's new ambulance facility lease, and several personnel and financial items. Public comment was dominated by debate over ICE enforcement practices and a local protective ordinance (OLA).

Key actions

  • The board adopted a local law prohibiting parking on the south side of Sound Avenue from Northville Turnpike east for 1,000 feet to address dangerous street-side parking.
  • The board closed a public hearing and immediately adopted a local law imposing two-hour parking limits (8 a.m.–11 p.m.) in the waterfront lots behind the restaurant currently known as Moonfish and along East Main Street toward McDermott Avenue.
  • The board adopted local law amendments to Chapter 301 (Zoning/Site Plan Review), removing certain fees from the code so the town board can set them by resolution, and streamlining the site plan process by eliminating a preliminary step.
  • The board approved a 75-year lease agreement (25 years plus five 10-year renewals) with Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps for a new facility at 1111 Osborne Avenue, with RVAC covering bond and interest costs from ambulance fees; the project is described as not requiring direct taxpayer funding.
  • A public notice was scheduled for the next town board meeting to conduct a Monroe balancing test hearing for the RVAC ambulance barn, which slightly exceeds height and square footage limits.
  • The board authorized the police department to apply for DHS/FEMA funding to purchase a high-speed rapid-response patrol vessel.
  • A public hearing was authorized on amendments to the town's animal sales ordinance (Chapter 207) regarding commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores.
  • Special event permits were approved for a canine competition at Veterans Memorial Park and for another event at the Acliro property.

Money

  • The receiver of taxes monthly utility report for June 2026 totaled $502,107.22; the building department monthly report for June 2026 was $107,462.
  • A $95,000 fund balance transfer was approved in the CDA meeting to cover additional legal fees related to the Triple Five litigation.
  • The town attorney noted that approximately $16 million of a previously awarded $24 million grant, plus $2 million from Suffolk County, is designated toward a downtown parking garage, with the balance intended to be funded from parking enforcement revenue.

Public hearings & comment

  • Both parking public hearings were left open for written comment until July 31; one hearing was subsequently closed by board vote so its local law could be adopted immediately.
  • Multiple residents and online speakers urged the board to adopt a local protective ordinance (OLA) addressing ICE operations; the board did not schedule a vote on OLA.
  • A resident raised questions about $207,000 paid to outside counsel for a lawsuit challenging the state's even-year election law; town attorney stated the town's withdrawal was strategic and that recovering the funds is unlikely given a signed contract.

Auto-generated from an unofficial, machine-made transcript. It may misstate names, figures, or votes. Verify against the agenda and the full transcript below.

Timestamped Transcript

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0:00All right, so our next appeal is appeal number 2026-014, Eugene Cook, 1397 West Main Street, Riverhead, Suffolk County Tax Map number 600-119-2-46.3,
0:16Riverfront Corridor Zoning for a proposed hair salon.
0:19Applicant requests variances and or relief from Town Code Chapter 301-164, where hair salons are not permitted within the Riverfront Corridor Zoning Use District.
0:30Okay, who's here?
0:34Good evening, everyone.
0:35Thank you very much.
0:37I do solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth,
0:40nothing but the truth, so help you God.
0:42So help you God.
0:42Please state your name and address.
0:46My name is Eugene Cook.
0:48My home address is 25 Arbutus Road, Greenlawn, New York.
0:53Okay.
0:55Thank you for coming out tonight.
0:56I appreciate it.
0:57I own 1397 West Main Street. It was a commercial building built back in the 60s from the family that I spoke to in regards to it. It was originally built for some commercial use. I don't know what it was. The property I think was originally industrial, light industrial.
1:20and from there they rented it to Newsday as a distribution center for a number of
1:28years when the tractor trailers coming in and trucks leaving early in the
1:32morning to deliver on the east end and who's day since then it's been a number
1:36of different rentals in there including retail there was a thrift store there
1:42there was a boat repair facility there was a engine small engine shop there
1:50with purchase almost that kind of thing and then there's a great white propane
1:59was there so it's had a number of different uses the building is 2,500
2:05square feet we want to take 1,250 square feet and make it into a small salon
2:08there beauty salon I submitted all the affidavits and what have you we have a
2:14letter from a neighbor that would like to see it happen and we have a petition
2:18of about 20 people or so that's I did saying they would like it we've seen no
2:23negative effects on it from anybody so what did you buy this property it's got
2:31That would be two or three years ago.
2:33When?
2:33Two or three years ago.
2:3424?
2:35Yeah.
2:35Okay.
2:39So when you bought it, I would assume you asked for CO's,
2:44certificates of pre-existing use, those kinds of things.
2:47Pre-existing use, yeah.
2:48And you had an attorney do that for you?
2:50I did.
2:51Okay.
2:51So you were able to secure all those papers?
2:54Well, I believe so.
2:55The attorney would have that.
2:57Have you talked to your attorney?
2:58I have.
2:59Okay.
3:00actually thought this was pretty simple since i when i came in i was this lovely woman here in
3:06zoning gave me all the back history of it so it was pretty diverse so and since his grandfather
3:12my assumption was that we we shouldn't have too much of a problem with it okay and and i know
3:18what happens when you assume so let me get that out of the way yeah if you wanted an opportunity
3:25to supplement the record i think the zoning board would permit you to do that
3:32that i believe the file indicates that the last certificate of occupancy for that structure on
3:41the property there's also a residence correct and that's occupied yes so i believe for the
3:50building we're speaking about tonight the last certificate of occupancy was 2008
4:03undertown code section 301
4:20Thank you.
6:20Good afternoon, everybody.
6:25Today is Tuesday, July 21st, 2026.
6:28We are here for a town board meeting.
6:30Before we go any further, we'd like to stand and say the pledge.
6:32And Councilwoman Waski, would you please lead us?
6:34Yes, Supervisor.
6:35Thank you.
6:35I 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.
6:48NEW SPEAKER Thank you very much.
6:50As we celebrate once again our country's 250th anniversary, it's awesome.
6:55So Councilman Rothwald, do we have anyone for the invocation?
6:58NEW SPEAKER We do.
6:59We are once again honored to have Lieutenant Esther Tugara here from the Riverhead Corp
7:04Center, the Salvation Army.
7:06So if you wouldn't mind to come forward to lead us in our invocation.
7:09We appreciate you joining us today.
7:11Thank you.
7:41all the wisdom. We thank you, Lord,
7:43for the administration, for
7:45our leadership, for our community.
7:48We keep asking your grace, your
7:49anointing upon each and every one, Lord.
7:51As we are here, Holy Spirit, you know
7:53what you're about to talk about, Lord.
7:55We just invite your presence that you could
7:57be amongst us. We share
7:59with unity, with peace
8:01and love, Lord. Continue to be
8:03with each and every one of us. We thank you.
8:05We place your name in Jesus' name, I pray.
8:07Amen.
8:10Thank you very much, Lieutenant.
8:11It's awesome.
8:14I just want to have a couple announcements.
8:17This Saturday, July 25th, our recreation has an open skate from 1215 to 145 at our incredible skate place, our ice rink.
8:26And so I want to make sure people are aware of that.
8:28Also, this Saturday, July 25th, we have the paddle battle at 915 a.m. down on the water on McDermott.
8:36And so does anyone else have an announcement they'd like to make today?
8:40Okay.
8:41I do. Yes, ma'am. I was going to make two announcements a little ahead of this.
8:46On August 1st, the cardboard boat race. So everybody, please get your applications into
8:52the Chamber of Commerce and the boats. The last year, it was a terrific event with all kinds of
8:57unique, very creative boats. And also on August 5th, I'm sorry, August 4th, Tuesday, National
9:06night out. The police department runs it. It's going to be a town hall in our parking
9:11lot this year. Last year it was a great success. It was down on the waterfront. There was free
9:16food. There was also ice cream. And I remember there was a display of what the canine dogs
9:24do. It was really a great night. It's an opportunity for members of the community to get to know
9:29the police officers and everyone just have a nice conversation with one another down
9:34there it's nice event so just remind everybody it's national night out August
9:394th here in the Town Hall parking lot this year thank you thank you so much
9:43for sharing that anyone else all right well with that said we'll move right on
9:48to our correspondence and reports with our clerk mr. Wood yes on the
9:53correspondence we received several letters from James Ford Civic John
9:57McAuliffe Emily Tuttle Ryan Carroll Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
10:04Climate Control, Federation of Labor, and Desmond Wong.
10:07And if you'd like to read any of those, we've added to the agenda.
10:11They're at the end of the agenda on the published letters, so you can read them in their entirety.
10:16They deal with July 4th fireworks, store conditions, budgets, and the chamber.
10:24Most of it deals with battery energy storage systems, ICE, and OLA.
10:29So that's it on the correspondence.
10:31ON THE REPORTS, WE RECEIVED THE RECEIVER OF TAXES MONTHLY UTILITY REPORT FOR JUNE OF
10:362026 AT $502,107.22.
10:40WE RECEIVED THE MONTHLY POLICE REPORT FOR MAY AND ALSO FOR JUNE OF 2026.
10:47AND THE BUILDING MONTHLY REPORT FOR JUNE OF 2026 WAS $107,462.
10:54AND THAT COMPLETES OUR REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENTS.
10:56NEW SPEAKER THANK YOU, SIR.
10:58This time we'll have our first public hearing.
11:00It was scheduled for 205 or 207,
11:03and it is to amend Chapter 289 of the parking regulations,
11:06and Councillor Howard is going to be helping us to lead that off.
11:11All right.
11:11Thank you, Mr. Supervisor.
11:12This is an amendment to Chapter 289, Section 10, parking prohibited.
11:16It adds to the list of areas where parking is prohibited.
11:20Sound Avenue on the south side from its intersection with Northville Turnpike
11:25east for a distance of 1,000 feet.
11:29And this is intended to address parking that's been taking place
11:33street side there to frequent people parking on the south side
11:40traveling across the street to the north side.
11:44And that creates a dangerous condition on the roadway,
11:46so we're looking to prohibit that.
11:48Thank you, Councillor.
11:49So if you have a comment on this public hearing,
11:52if you'd please come up to the microphone again,
11:53state your name and your Hamlet.
11:57And that would be good.
11:58We'll give you a moment to speak.
11:59We'll also see if anybody's online.
12:01We'll give you a second to think about that.
12:02Look it over.
12:05Before we close that
12:06and leave it open for written comment.
12:10I don't see anybody in the room
12:11that's making their way.
12:12I don't see anybody online.
12:13So we will leave this open until July 31st.
12:17But we will close this section
12:18of our public hearing.
12:19We'll move into our next one,
12:21which is to amend chapter...
12:22Chapter it was scheduled for 210 and we're ahead of schedule to wait to amend chapter 289
12:28There's 17 parking time limits and again councillor Howard if you would please lead us through that Thank You supervisor
12:34This is an amendment to as you said chapter 289. This is section 17 parking time limited
12:42Amends subsection C
12:44Which lists all the areas which are time limited to two hours this creates a two hour
12:50a long period of time longer than two hour prohibition in the 30 parking
12:56stalls that are located behind the restaurant that's currently moonfish
13:03there's 30 stalls that start at McDermott and continue west this is
13:11going to time limit those stalls to two hours between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11
13:16p.m. And then the Second Amendment is the parking of vehicles similarly for a
13:22period of time longer than two hours in the lot that starts at East Main Street
13:27and goes down past the shipyard building in the aquarium and in front of Turquoise
13:33west towards McDermott Avenue. And this will also prohibit the parking longer
13:40than two hours between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
13:46Okay, if anybody has a comment online or if you'd like to speak in this room on this public hearing you can come to the
13:51podium again
13:52Same question. We just ask that you state your name and your hamlet and you're welcome to speak on that so
13:58Lauren McNite, Riverhead
14:10how is this enforcement
14:12going to be carried out
14:14and be effective
14:16that's what I'd like to
14:17I have a question on that
14:19we have TCO
14:22officers that
14:23particularly go around to our parks, beaches
14:26recreation sites and they would be
14:28there for enforcement to write tickets for any violations. And they do this on a
14:32regular basis? Yes they do sir. Thank you so much.
14:41Anyone else want to add? Yeah they do an excellent job to answer that and this is a
14:47continuation of our you know rehabbing and repushing our parking to help the
14:52businesses, to help everybody in our community find equitable for all. So
14:56So that said, we'll be closing our hearing on that, leaving it open for written comment
15:00until July 31st.
15:01If you'd like to write in if you have a comment on that.
15:05And that will close our public hearing for today.
15:09And with that, we will move into our comments on resolutions from the public.
15:14And that is a timed thing.
15:16And so we ask that you adhere to that to the best of our ability.
15:20We want to hear you.
15:21We want to have you speak.
15:22Please state your name, your hamlet, and then also what resolution you're speaking on.
15:26That would be excellent for us.
15:27So I just want to myself comment on two particular resolutions that have been put into the packet.
15:34Both resolutions pertain to Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Services.
15:39There's a Resolution 701 that is to schedule public notice to have a hearing for a Monroe hearing.
15:46And basically what that is is just when we looked at all most cost-effective ways to build this building,
15:54It didn't make sense to try to do a secondary floor because of the height of the ambulance
16:00units that go in the garage and the garage door, you know, to try to make everything
16:04two stories.
16:05So a portion of it is one story for the garage area and then we're going three stories up
16:09where the office personnel is and bunk rooms and so forth, training areas.
16:16So the idea is this building will essentially exceed the height by a very small amount and
16:24AND IT MAY ALSO EXCEED THE SQUARE FOOTAGE, BUT IT'S WHAT'S NECESSARY FOR RVAC TO HAVE
16:29THE ABILITY TO HAVE A TRAINING AREA AND SO FORTH.
16:33SO THAT'S WHAT THE MOVEMENT IS.
16:35THIS IS TO SCHEDULE THE MONROE BOUNCING HEARING, WHICH IS GOING TO BE AT OUR NEXT TOWN BOARD
16:39MEETING.
16:40I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT OUT, ENLIGHTEN EVERYBODY ALSO, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO ASK AT
16:45THE CONCLUSION OF THE MONROE BOUNCING HEARING IN THE NEXT MEETING THAT WE ESSENTIALLY CLOSE
16:51out and then we move a resolution off the floor believe at that time to go
16:56ahead with the putting it out to bond as well and so there's going to be a number
17:01of resolutions that you're going to see be cream there's two today and there'll
17:05be multiple ones in the next town board meeting and essentially kind of
17:08concluding everything by September 1st really given our vac the ability to go
17:12ahead and start construction and get things underway the second resolution
17:16that also that I've put in there resolution 715 and that is that we are
17:24putting together a lease the basic lease terms for our back they are a non-profit
17:29individual entity of its own and the lease basically states that it is going
17:34to be initially a 25 year lease with five renewals of ten year spans giving
17:41them 75 years to occupy that building serving as our back they are covering
17:48all the costs of the building so in terms of what the lease dates in terms
17:51of what their monthly cost are is that they're going to cover the cost of the
17:55bond as well as the interest I want the general public to know this is extremely
18:00important that our back so far today has raised six point four million dollars
18:05for this project on their own doing their own events and and through some
18:10PRETTY INCREDIBLE GENEROUS DONORS.
18:12AND THE BALANCE OF THIS PROJECT
18:14IS GOING TO BE PAID OUT BY THEIR
18:16AMBULANCE FEES FOR THE SERVICE
18:18THAT THEY'RE DOING, MOSTLY
18:19THROUGH INSURANCE CARRIERS.
18:22AND SO THIS IS A PROJECT THAT IS
18:24AT THIS POINT IS NOT BEING BUILT
18:26WITH TAXPAYER FUNDS, WHICH IS
18:27PRETTY INCREDIBLE FOR US TO MOVE
18:29A PROJECT OF THIS MAGNITUDE TO
18:31BUILD AN ENTIRE NEW FACILITY TO
18:33FINALLY BRING THEM INTO THE
18:36CURRENT DAY AND AGE WITHOUT
18:38TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
18:39So I can't commend RVAC enough for what they've already raised, how they're going forward.
18:44I know I have the town's full support on this project, but you're going to see a number of resolutions
18:50because then we want to go out to bond on it as well.
18:54And then eventually we're going to incorporate them into the sewer district.
18:57That gives them a higher occupancy level to be attached to sewer as opposed to septic.
19:02It's more cost effective, a long one.
19:04And so you're going to see a lot of things, but we are in the full mode of keeping RVAC going forward for the new generation here.
19:10So it's some great things with RVAC.
19:12Absolutely.
19:12They do a great job, and they've raised a lot of funds.
19:15You know, the best thing is you just never know when you open your eyes and you see one of them standing there to help you.
19:21So they're great people.
19:22So absolutely.
19:23Thanks for sharing that.
19:24That's awesome.
19:25All right.
19:26So if anybody else has a comment on a resolution, you're welcome to come to our podium, or there's one online.
19:32We'll wait for that for just a second.
19:34Somebody in our room, if you just come up and again say your name, your Hamlet, and what resolution you're speaking of.
19:40And you'll have your three minutes.
19:41And we would love to hear from you.
19:43All right.
19:44We'll take that one online because nobody hopped up in our room.
19:49So we will wait anxiously.
19:54Great day to be inside.
20:04Ms. McGraw, we cannot hear you.
20:10Now can you hear me?
20:12Yes, ma'am.
20:13Okay, sorry about that.
20:14Kathy McGraw, Northville.
20:16I'm not certain of the number of the resolution,
20:20but it's the resolution that deals with the modification of the zoning law
20:25with respect to the building code or the zoning law with respect to site plans.
20:31I don't have the numbered resolutions in front of me.
20:37It should be the...
20:43It's 7-02.
20:447-02, sorry.
20:45Okay, thank you very much.
20:48I just had a question because there was a public hearing on this, and I know the group
20:53for the East End and Barbara Glass and a number of other people commented on these changes.
21:00And the comments included such things as requiring a pre-hearing submission and having a hearing
21:08earlier in the process.
21:11And I am curious to know what the thinking was, why the public suggestions were rejected
21:20in formulating the final code.
21:26And if anybody could help me with that, if the building, the planning department could
21:31speak to it, what consideration was given to those comments, it would be really helpful.
21:37Thank you.
21:38Sure.
21:39Mrs. Thomas is in our room, and I know Matt Charters was here last time to explain, and
21:43she's here, so I would ask if you would mind giving that example, or explanation, sorry.
21:49Thank you.
21:50The simple change to this code was just to eliminate the preliminary step.
21:56So there is no change to the process.
21:58The process remains identical other than the fact that we have made it simpler and easier
22:02to use.
22:04The public input remains the same.
22:06Nothing has changed.
22:07And so we felt that it was in the condition that we initially proposed it perfectly fine
22:15to continue in that mode.
22:18Thank you.
22:21Well, it does, without a pre-hearing submission conference, the first the public hears about this is when a hearing is posted on the change.
22:33And I realize it's worthless to talk about it anymore, but thank you.
22:38I think the public should have been involved sooner.
22:41Thank you very much.
22:41Kathy, if I can just state at the last town board meeting, I did read a statement saying that the pre-submission conference hearings would be listed on our website for the general public to see them.
22:53And that they are open to the public and that the public can come and comment on those pre-submission hearings.
22:59So you actually can discuss a project or ask questions about it right in its preliminary phases.
23:08But it's not required.
23:10It's not required, and those are not videotaped.
23:15So unless you're around at 10 in the morning to watch it, you have no access to it.
23:22It would be really helpful if that would become a regular thing to videotape those pre-hearing submission conference, pre-submission conferences.
23:33But as it is, they're held like at 10 in the morning, and the public can't really attend.
23:38Thank you.
23:43Thank you, Ms. McGraw.
23:48Anybody else online?
23:52Oh, yes, ma'am.
23:54Just anybody can come up to the...
23:55Hi, my name is Cindy McKinney.
23:59I'm here representing Resolution 711
24:02for the canine competition
24:04to be held at Veterans Memorial Park
24:07by the Peconic Ice Rinks.
24:09So I just wanted to introduce myself
24:11and say thank you for taking the time to, you know,
24:15allow us to apply to use the space.
24:19And if anybody has any questions,
24:21I'm here to answer any questions about it.
24:23Thank you very much.
24:24Thank you.
24:25Appreciate you identifying yourself.
24:26I think it's going to be a great event, so thank you.
24:28Thank you.
24:30I'm excited.
24:31Thank you very much.
24:33Okay, I just wanted to give everybody else an opportunity.
24:35I don't see anybody else with a comment.
24:37in-house or online for our resolutions. So with that said, we will move to our resolutions with
24:43our town clerk. Okay, we'll start with resolution number one, which is, this is really loud, 686.
24:51Water District Capital Project number 82517, Summer Wind Farm Subdivision Budget Adjustments.
24:58So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Murrayfield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rockwell. Yes.
25:05Yes sir.
25:07Resolution is adopted.
25:09Resolution 687.
25:13Seward District Capital Project 82613 Peconic River Hotel 127 East Main Street budget adoption.
25:21So moved.
25:22Seconded.
25:23Vote please.
25:24Waske?
25:25Yes.
25:26Merrifield?
25:27Yes.
25:28Kern?
25:29Yes.
25:30Rothwell?
25:31Yes.
25:32Halpin?
25:33Yes.
25:35Gratifies acceptance of donation of life ring for Grand Jebel Park.
25:38So moved.
25:39Seconded.
25:40Vote, please.
25:41Waskey?
25:41Yes.
25:42Murrayfield?
25:42Yes.
25:43Kern?
25:43Yes.
25:44Rothwell?
25:45Yes, and thank you.
25:46Alvin?
25:46This was a great event.
25:47The Key Club came out.
25:49They did this themselves.
25:50They designed themselves.
25:51Yes, and thank you.
25:52It was awesome.
25:53Resolution is adopted.
25:55Resolution number 689.
25:57Gratifies acceptance of donation from various local businesses for annual snapper tournaments.
26:03So moved.
26:03Second it. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes, and thank you to everyone. There were 71 donations. Thank you. Kern?
26:12Yes, and thank you.
26:14Rothwell? Yes, and thank you. And Halpin? You guys are all awesome. Thank you so much. What a great tournament.
26:20Resolution is adopted. Resolution 690.
26:23Authorize financial administrator to deposit funds for road restoration projects. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waski? Yes.
26:30Yes.
26:31Merrifield?
26:32Yes.
26:33Kern?
26:34Yes.
26:35Rothwell?
26:36Yes.
26:37Halpin?
26:38Yes, sir.
26:39Resolution is adopted.
26:40Resolution 691.
26:41Authorizes attendance at training seminar by deputy chief fire marshal.
26:44So moved.
26:45Seconded.
26:46Vote, please.
26:47Waskie?
26:48Yes.
26:49Merrifield?
26:50Yes.
26:51Kern?
26:52Yes.
26:53Rothwell?
26:54Yes.
26:55Halpin?
26:56Yes, sir.
26:57Resolution is adopted.
26:58Resolution 692.
26:59Appoint seasonal pump out boat operator.
27:00Murrayfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolutions adopted. Resolution 693.
27:08Appoints a mechanic, a maintenance mechanic 3. Havac? HVAC. HVAC. HVAC. Concentration. So moved.
27:21Seconded. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Murrayfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir.
27:29Resolution is adopted. Resolution 694.
27:32Appoints a water treatment plant operator trainee. So moved.
27:35Second. Vote please.
27:36Waske. Yes.
27:37Merrifield. Yes.
27:38Kern. Yes.
27:40Rothwell. Yes.
27:41Halpin. Yes, sir.
27:42Resolution is adopted. Resolution 695.
27:46Ratifies appointment of recreation superintendent and sets terms and conditions of employment.
27:53Congratulations. So moved.
27:54Second.
27:55Vote please.
27:56Waske. Yes.
27:57Merrifield. Yes.
27:58Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Congratulations, Ashley.
28:02Great things are coming. Yes. Resolution is adopted.
28:06Resolution 696. Authorizes the Riverhead Police Department
28:10to apply for DHS FEMA funding
28:13to support the purchase of a high-speed rapid response patrol vehicle. So moved.
28:19Seconded. I said vehicle. I meant vessel. Sorry.
28:22So moved. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes.
28:26Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes.
28:29Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is accepted.
28:33Resolution 697. Acceptance of 2025 Justice
28:38Court Audit. So moved. Seconded. Vote please.
28:42Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell?
28:46Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution
28:50698. Ratifies the resignation of a part-time code
28:53enforcement officer so moved second vote please
28:56Mosky yes, very field. Yes. Sorry to see him go
29:01Yes, yes
29:03Yeah
29:04Resolution is adopted resolution 699
29:08accepts the retirement of a police officer Michael Mowdy so moved
29:13second vote, please
29:15wasky
29:17Congratulations Mike and Christina Mike you had a fabulous career. Sorry to see you go but well-deserved
29:23now you have much more time to play pickleball.
29:26Yes.
29:27Maryfield?
29:28Yes, congratulations.
29:29Stern?
29:31Michael, miss you.
29:32Thank you.
29:33Yes.
29:35Yeah, Mike, congratulations.
29:36Thank you for all your years of service.
29:37Did a phenomenal job, and thank you, and God bless.
29:41I vote yes.
29:42And Halpin?
29:43Absolutely accept this, and Michael, you were a great softball player
29:47and a great man, so thank you very much.
29:49Resolution is adopted.
29:51He's all about the pickleball now.
29:52Is it a fickle ball?
29:54Good deal.
29:55Resolution number 700.
29:57Authorizes the town clerk to publish in post notice to bidders for replacement of HVAC
30:02system at George Young Community Center.
30:04So moved.
30:05Seconded.
30:06Vote please.
30:07Waskey.
30:08Yes.
30:09Merrifield.
30:09Yes.
30:10Kern.
30:11Definitely yes.
30:12Rothwell.
30:13Yes.
30:14Halpin.
30:14This is exciting.
30:15Yes.
30:15Resolution is adopted.
30:17Resolution 701.
30:19ratifies authorization for town clerk to publish and post public notice for public hearing for the purposes of conducting Monroe
30:27balancing test for Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps Ambulance Barn 1111 Osborne Avenue, Riverhead, New York,
30:36Suffolk County Tax Map number 0600-108-2-5.
30:42So moved.
30:43Seconded.
30:44Vote please.
30:44Walshke.
30:45Yes.
30:46Merrifield.
30:46Yes.
30:47Kern.
30:47Yes.
30:48Rothwell.
30:48We are on our way, yes.
30:50Halpin.
30:51Yes, sir.
30:52Resolution is adopted.
30:53Resolution 702.
30:56Adopts local law to amend Chapter 301, Zoning and Land Development,
30:59to amend the town's site plan review procedure
31:01and to remove fees related to certain land use applications from the town code
31:05to allow the town board to establish fees by resolution of the town board.
31:09So moved.
31:09Second.
31:10Vote, please.
31:11Waske.
31:11Yes.
31:12Merrifield.
31:13Yes.
31:13Kern.
31:14Yes.
31:14Rothwell.
31:15Yes.
31:16Halpin.
31:16Yes, sir.
31:17Resolution is adopted.
31:18Resolution 703.
31:21Hang on.
31:21Oh, 703.
31:23So adopts local law to amend Chapter 105, Boards, Commission, and Councils, Article 2, Appeals Board,
31:33the Appeals Board 105-9 filing fees.
31:37So moved.
31:37Seconded.
31:38Vote, please.
31:39Waskey?
31:40Yes.
31:41Merrifield?
31:41Yes.
31:42Kern?
31:42Yes.
31:43Rothwell?
31:44Yes.
31:44Halpin?
31:45Yes, sir.
31:46Resolution is adopted.
31:47Resolution 704. Adopts a local law to amend Chapter 219, Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas,
31:54Section 219 through 26, Fees for Permits and Appeals. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please.
32:01Waske? Yes. Maricu? Yes. Turn? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted.
32:08Resolution 705. Adopts local law to amend
32:13Chapter 295 Wetlands,
32:16295-6 Application for Permit, and 295-10
32:21Enforcement Penalties for Offenses. So moved.
32:24Seconded. Vote please. Waske? Yes.
32:27Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes.
32:31Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 706.
32:36sets planning division fees. So moved. Second.
32:40Vote please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes.
32:44Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolutions adopted. Resolution
32:48707. Adopts a local law to amend Chapter 289
32:53of the Riverhead Town Code titled Vehicles, Traffic, and
32:56Parking Regulations, Article 4, Parking, Standing, and
33:01Stopping. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waskey? Yes.
33:04Maryfield yes earned yes Rothwell yes yes sir resolution is adopted resolution
33:127 0 8 mr. Howard so yeah I think this this resolution adopts the local law
33:22that we had on for public hearing earlier in the meeting the supervisor I
33:27believe you left it open did yep until July 31 did so did you want to make a
33:33motion to close that? Yes. You did want that immediately? Yes. I'll second that.
33:37Okay. So we need a motion. So the motion is seconded. You'd have to make a motion to
33:41close that hearing altogether? Yes. Make a motion to close the hearing with
33:45regard to local law section. I made the motion. You did. So chapter 289 section 17
33:55parking time limited yes we need to vote on the motion yes Maryfield yes the
34:06clothes mm-hmm yes yes needs to try to provide immediate relief to the
34:14businesses that are down there so yes this is their busy season so Eric I just
34:19like to ask we during that comment period we didn't have any comments
34:22during this time period, right? There were no comments.
34:25Okay. I just wanted to make that for the record
34:27on this time so people knew if they went back and watched it.
34:29My vote is yes. And to date
34:31I didn't see any comments come in
34:33written. There was not. I didn't
34:35check it before. Yeah. Okay.
34:37Thank you, Councilwoman.
34:39Okay. Motion has been accepted
34:41to close that hearing. Okay, so now we would
34:43Yes, now I move. Adopts
34:45a local law to amend Chapter
34:47289-17 of the Riverhead
34:49Town Code titled Parking
34:51time limited. So moved. Seconded. Vote please.
34:55Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. And as
34:58Councilman Rothwell had just said, both the Chamber of Commerce and also the
35:02Parking Committee had asked for this relief for the businesses downtown there.
35:07Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell?
35:10Yes. And Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted.
35:15Resolution number 709. Ratifies
35:18designation of alcohol service vendor to serve alcohol at the Polish Town Street Fair and Festival
35:252026. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waski. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Hearn. Yes. Rothwell. Yes.
35:34Halpin. Yes sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 710. Approve special event chapter 255 application
35:41for Daniel Cox.
35:43Acliro Property Events. So moved.
35:46Second. Vote, please.
35:48Waskey. Yes.
35:50Murrayfield. Yes.
35:51Hearn. Yes. Rothwell. Yes.
35:54Alpen. Yes, sir.
35:55Resolution is adopted.
35:57Resolution number
35:59711.
36:01Approved special end chapter 255
36:03application for Protection
36:05Sports Association.
36:07PSA canine
36:09competition. So moved.
36:11Seconded.
36:12Vote, please.
36:12Waskey.
36:13Yes.
36:14Merrifield.
36:14Yes.
36:15Kern.
36:16Yes.
36:16Rothwell.
36:17I'm going to keep you in suspense.
36:19Yes.
36:20Halpin.
36:20I think it's cool that you're 7-11.
36:22Always open.
36:23Yes, absolutely.
36:25Resolution is adopted.
36:28Resolution number 7-12.
36:30Pay his bills.
36:31So moved.
36:32Seconded.
36:32Vote, please.
36:33Waskey.
36:33Yes.
36:34Merrifield.
36:35Yes.
36:36Kern.
36:36Yes.
36:37Rothwell.
36:37Yes.
36:38Halpin.
36:38Yes, sir.
36:39Resolution is adopted.
36:40resolution 713 amends resolution 2026-673 approves fireworks application for jamesport
36:50fire department july 18 20 26 so moved seconded vote please waski yes
36:59maryfield yes turn yes rothwell can we amend this to remove the tornadoes
37:04Yes.
37:06Yes, sir.
37:09Resolution is adopted.
37:11Resolution 714.
37:15Authorizes town clerk to publish and post public notice to consider a local law to amend Chapter 207 of the Riverhead Town Code titled Animals, Article 4, Prohibition on Sales of Commercially Bred Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits in Pet Stores.
37:28So moved.
37:29Second.
37:29Vote, please.
37:31Wosky.
37:32Yes.
37:32Merrifield.
37:33Yes.
37:34Kern.
37:34Yes.
37:35Rothwell?
37:36Yes, I'm just going to talk a little bit about this before I vote.
37:39In the public statement, I had worked very closely at the time with Carol Scafani and
37:45our attorney at the time, Eric Howard, and we had outlined this original legislation
37:51that came before us in the town.
37:53And I think I'm certain that the town of Riverhead's code putting this forth guided and put the
37:59state of New York in a position where they needed to address this on a statewide level.
38:05And so the revision in this code so that the public aware does in no way relinquish the
38:12stringent requirements that we have, but it adds definitions. It adds us to match the general New
38:18York state business law. It does eliminate the sunset clause because we're already in the active
38:24legislation side of things requires businesses to set hours and not just work by appointments
38:31requires record keeping source certificates of veterinarian doctors and then name address
38:37phone numbers of all the individuals that are either buying selling or transporting
38:43and then it allows for any particular individuals for civil lawsuits to reclaim it allows them the
38:50The town to also take civil actions against any violations.
38:54It does also refund funds for anybody that purchased an animal and there is any violations.
39:02Maintaining all the records for the facilities for each animal.
39:07So there's a lot of things that our town is still expanding off of the New York State
39:13Code and keeping things stringent in case.
39:16more importantly I think by us moving forward and adjusting our code it's
39:22going to allow the DA's office and Suffolk County Beast Unit and other
39:26agencies ASPCA to move forward to as well with any legal anybody that should
39:32violate this law. So I thank Eric Howard for working on this. I also thank our
39:36attorney that was also assigned to this John Mayer for their work in this and so
39:42we're going to keep moving this along so I vote yes thank you. And Halpin. Yes sir.
39:46Resolution is adopted.
39:49Resolution number 715.
39:52Resolution to authorize and approve agreement with Riverhead Ambulance Corps
39:57subject to permissive referendum.
40:00So moved.
40:01Seconded.
40:02Oh, please.
40:02Waske?
40:03Yes.
40:03Mary Few?
40:04Yes.
40:05Kern?
40:05Yes.
40:06Rothwell?
40:07Again, very proud of ARVAC.
40:08I vote yes, but not only that, but this is going to give them 75 years ahead of us,
40:14and there already will be a resolution in the next town board meeting to hold another emt class so we
40:20we continue to provide future uh providers so thank you for everything you do yes absolutely
40:26this is a great great thing for everybody yeah that resolution is adopted and that concludes
40:32the resolutions for this meeting with the closing of our resolutions we'll move the part of our
40:37meeting uh to our open comments again we'll ask you to come to the podium and you have your three
40:42minutes on the clock we ask that you give your comments and you speak you say your name where
40:47you're from and then remember just because we don't answer you we might be listening just to
40:51understand warren mcknight riverhead i i wish to make known the fact that uh supervisor halpern
41:05Assemblywoman Jody Gisler's office met with the MTA, right?
41:13Yes, sir.
41:14And they discussed a number of things.
41:16But the important theme of this is to get anything done, you have to work with each branch.
41:25And this is a start.
41:26And at this time, at this time, I noticed Catherine Kent, a former town councilperson,
41:36former teacher of this town, and she's a legislative aide to Greg Dorosky.
41:43I was wondering, appealing to her if she can't do it, and to you, to ask her to come aboard
41:50to coordinate the betterment of our community because you have the least
41:56authority but more voices on the town level on the county level on the state
42:03level maybe on a federal level get things done as far as that goes so I
42:10think it's important I asked you to do that and of course it's important for
42:16people like citizens and what I'm doing to help in that situation I sent a
42:25letter to the American Civil Liberties Union telling of the situation and
42:30bringing forth the fact that the MTA receives two billion dollars a year from
42:40the federal government now I'm sure the MTA if their money was held in jeopardy
42:46jeopardy, they would put a bathroom in downtown and maybe some benches and stuff like that.
42:53But we need everybody to in concert, citizens, local town boards and so on and et cetera.
43:03I can't start that enough.
43:05And in order to achieve economic development, you have to have human development because
43:12what's going on down there. People are sitting in the sun across from the railroad station
43:20waiting to get food, necessary food, out in the hot sun. And we have a beautiful gazebo,
43:29John Lombardi, God rest his soul, down at the other place, you know where it is,
43:36by the Congregational Church, wouldn't it be nice if the whole community,
43:41not just the town board, Riverhead, and everybody else,
43:44could get a gazebo down there for those people to do it?
43:48Now, if you want economic development, you go down to Hampton Bays,
43:54and you go down to their railroad avenue, compare it with our railroad avenue,
44:00just do it. I'm not going to comment on it.
44:03So we all have to work together and the sad part is democracy is a participation event
44:15and because of the situations in this country not many people participate.
44:22So I hope more people get involved and that's all I have to say.
44:29Thank you Warren.
44:30Thank you.
44:31Mr. McKnight.
44:32By the way, a lady was sitting down.
44:36You have to come back up.
44:38I'm so sorry.
44:39Don't worry about it.
44:40Yes, sir.
44:42All right.
44:42Well said.
44:43Thank you.
44:44Good afternoon.
44:45Bob Kelly from Reeves Park.
44:47I'm also a member of our beach committee.
44:50We had a couple of questions within the community and our surrounding neighbors,
44:53and it's regarding the status of what's happening with the purchase,
44:58land acquisition of the 4-H.
44:59how far along is this process going, any financial
45:04commitments so far, if anything has been made
45:07and then on that is a map or a game plan we'll put together for the use
45:12of that property and of course
45:16we want to see for the preservation of the property and to keep it as open space
45:20as much as possible. Of note would be the east side
45:24particularly that borders the people of Reeves
45:28park that also borders where the land preserve already exists.
45:33So that would kind of tie in very well, keeping it as a continuous preservation there.
45:38And if there's anything been going on over there as far as any thoughts about that.
45:42As far as a campground coming in, again, it's rumors and stuff.
45:47People talked about doing a KOA or something similar to Wildwood in there.
45:52That would have a whole other set of issues.
45:55And that's a set of problems all in and of itself.
45:58beach access then also becomes a thing. As you know, Reeves Park, that has the one ramp that
46:03goes down to the beach. For us to have a permit to go on the beach, by and large, most people do.
46:09But I think if we did something down towards where the 4-H exists now, and folks realize that that
46:14was the ramp down to the beach, there'd be a lot more people out of town, so to speak, coming down
46:20and using the beach. It'd be a headache for the police department. They already got their hands
46:24trying to take care of things.
46:27So that's my question on the 4-H.
46:29And then just real quick, I just want to say thank you to you guys
46:32and the town and especially the Buildings and Grounds Department.
46:36For a number of years now, as Joanne knows,
46:38we're trying to get the steps fixed from the gazebo
46:43going down to the town beach.
46:44And I'm glad to see that it's actually happening.
46:48Miracles do exist in this world.
46:50And you guys were able to figure out a way to do it.
46:52And I can't thank you enough because we asked for a long time for that to happen,
46:57and the wheels are in motion.
46:59So baby steps.
47:00So thank you.
47:00So anything that you guys can comment on the status of the 4-H
47:04and if there's a game plan and if there's a financial commitment that's been made by the town so far?
47:09So we did get the appraisal back,
47:12and the Beconic Land Trust, Julie, who presented that to us originally was away,
47:17and so she's just gotten back.
47:19We put a call in to her today,
47:20and hopefully we'll be able to have her come into work session, see where they stand on it.
47:24The section of land that Riverhead would be taking over does, you know, have that passage all the way up.
47:32I do not have any plans for an RV park or camping there.
47:35It would be more just passive would be my thoughts.
47:38But, you know, together the five of us, along with our beach committee and our, you know,
47:43open space preservation would be where they are.
47:47But I am also planning on, as far as me, I'd like to ask the Peconic Land Trust to pay to have those buildings removed,
47:56have them do that, you know, because there's quite a bit of buildings on there.
47:59So we'll have to speak about that.
48:00But, you know, that's deteriorated.
48:02Yeah, yeah, yeah.
48:03So I think the wood would be great for a salvage company.
48:06So, you know, we can partner together on that, but I'd like to partner with them.
48:10So that's at least my take on where we stand as far as with Peconic Land Trust.
48:15So I don't know if anybody else wants to speak to that on their own.
48:17You haven't made a financial move yet?
48:20Yeah, I was bringing that on Thursday.
48:22That was coming on Thursday.
48:23So she's just waiting on Julie to get back.
48:25Anything going forward, if you could bring us to the table,
48:28people of the town would be appreciated on that.
48:30Yeah, so if you want to watch the work session on Thursday,
48:33we reached out to Julie.
48:34Hopefully she can make it there and was asking her to give us an update.
48:38All right, thank you.
48:39We'll keep an eye on that.
48:40Thanks a lot.
48:41Yep.
48:47John McAuliffe, Frohn Oak Landing in Riverhead.
48:58Two topics, and I'll start with one and then I might have to do the second after you have
49:03other speakers.
49:05The first is the one I wrote you about, you received this morning, and I'd written to
49:09you about two weeks ago, which is the question of asking for information about what's happened
49:16with the $207,000 that was given to a law firm for a very partisan legal case.
49:26The town did withdraw from that case.
49:29Maybe I missed it, but I'd be interested in knowing who made the decision when it was
49:35publicly discussed, the withdrawal from the case, and what the reason was for withdrawal.
49:42The second question is whether you have discussed any way of trying to get back that $207,000,
49:48whether clawing it back from the law firm or, as I said last time, and people laughed
49:55about it, but going to the Riverhead Republican Party, and since the case was very specifically
50:02partisan that you ask for them to return the money to the town and to the taxpayers.
50:07So that's the first topic.
50:10If there is a response from Mr. Howard or from anyone else, go ahead.
50:15So I'll respond.
50:17The town joined that case because we viewed the even-year election law as overreach by the state
50:25into the affairs of the local municipalities and interference with local elections.
50:30We made that very clear that we believed that pursuant to municipal home rule law,
50:35That was within our authority to determine when we're going to have those elections.
50:41So that was the basis of our participation in the lawsuit.
50:46The lawsuit itself initially proposed two claims.
50:49One was a First Amendment claim, and the second was a claim under the Voting Rights Act.
50:55Our withdrawal from the case was upon discussion with our outside counsel.
51:00It was both strategic and procedural.
51:01The reasoning, the determination was to narrow the group of plaintiffs and focus solely on the First Amendment claim because of changes to the federal standard of review for Voting Rights Act claims.
51:17Those claims will be subject to a separate subsequent action and reframed.
51:21It was also done because there was some concern that the municipalities may be vulnerable to the pending motion to dismiss on the basis of res judicata.
51:34So the withdrawal from the case doesn't represent any kind of representation by the town board that they lack faith in the case or that they're no longer interested in seeing even your election law be repealed.
51:48It just, it's strategic in the context of the federal case.
51:55But when was that withdrawal decision made?
52:00Who made the decision?
52:01And did I miss it being publicly reported or discussed?
52:05We wouldn't publicly discuss it because it's pending litigation.
52:09So you did publicly discuss the original money, but you didn't discuss withdrawing from the case.
52:15All right.
52:15When did we publicly discuss the original money?
52:19I don't want to take more time now with it because this is obviously, that was an extremely partisan, not an objective.
52:26Well, that's your opinion.
52:27That's your opinion.
52:29Okay, and I think that other people might suggest that the law itself was partisan.
52:34Well, no, I grant that.
52:36Both sides had partisan motives.
52:38There's no question about that.
52:40but the question is whether we should have used town money to join one part of that partisan debate.
52:46Well, again, to me, it's protecting our municipal home rule powers.
52:50However, however we get a repeal of that, in my opinion, would be a benefit to the town.
52:57Well, I think it would be, and therefore you're not making any effort to get the money back.
53:02We could make an effort to get the money back, but we would likely lose.
53:05We would likely lose.
53:07The money was paid pursuant to a signed contract.
53:09To have that money reimbursed would be, I mean, it just, I don't see the firm deciding,
53:18you know, we did all this work for you, but we're just going to give you your money back.
53:21Or the Republican Party in Riverhead reimbursing the town for its partisan interest.
53:25Well, I don't know that the town would have a claim against the party.
53:29No, but maybe from its goodwill.
53:31At any rate, do you want me to go on to the other stop and come back?
53:35No, sir, I believe you.
53:36Yeah, no, that's what I don't want to overstay.
53:38If you want to come back up if somebody else goes.
53:40I'll come back if somebody else goes.
53:42Because it's a whole different topic.
53:44Is there anybody else in the room that would like to speak?
53:47You're welcome to.
53:48If you want to make your way over.
53:54Cindy McKinney again about the canine competition.
53:56You can take your time.
53:57You don't have to hurry.
53:58You can take your time.
53:59I just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to review our event and approve us.
54:04and we're super excited to bring this event back to Long Island and this sport.
54:09So thank you all. I really appreciate it.
54:11Thank you.
54:12Riverhead.
54:16Another Cindy.
54:17Cindy Clifford, Riverhead.
54:20When cannabis stores were on the horizon,
54:22the attention paid to the danger of those businesses
54:24moved you to form a committee to study how to secure a safe environment.
54:28I believe we're here to serve this town and all its residents.
54:31then wouldn't it also be true that ICE operations should get the same or even any consideration?
54:37It should matter that children who live here feel unsafe
54:40and adults who live here are afraid of being swept up without any protections or defense.
54:45Being at risk extends beyond the immigrant community,
54:48onto those with legal residency, naturalized citizens who are born and raised here.
54:53It extends beyond those targeted.
54:55It's felt by others concerned that the peacefulness and safety of our neighborhoods
54:59and the well-being of our neighbors is threatened.
55:01If the OLA resolution isn't a fit, I just encourage you to form a committee and include
55:06Chief Frost in order to create some sort of policy that would offer some restrictions
55:11and a sense of protection.
55:13It shouldn't be a partisan issue, it should be about the good of our entire community.
55:17But partisanship keeps rearing its ugly head.
55:20While some of the Republicans on our board have made baseless accusations of partisan
55:25politics at one point or another, it's especially ironic to learn that you voted to use our
55:29taxes to pay $200,000-plus to fund this GOP-led lawsuit.
55:35I spoke at the Suffolk County Legislature recently.
55:38I wanted to address how audacious it was for Republican organizations in Suffolk, including
55:43the Riverhead Republican Committee, to fund this purely partisan effort with town funds.
55:48I can't imagine anyone in town believes this was a smart move, or serves the public, or
55:53at all fair or ethical.
55:55I made the point then and I make it again today.
55:57If I want to support Republican pursuits, I will certainly make a contribution.
56:01And that will be my choice.
56:02But this was not my choice to chip in on a GOP lawsuit against even-year elections,
56:08because as I understand it, Republicans are concerned it could hurt them.
56:12But if you're okay with a political party dipping into the town coffers to pay the bills,
56:17would you vote in favor of writing a check if the Democrats want a couple hundred thousand for town funds?
56:22And if the answer is no, then you know this is wrong and there's no justification.
56:26Cindy, I'm just going to say, I normally don't comment, but I'm going to say, oh, I'm sorry,
56:31you didn't finish. Excuse me. That said, if this GOP purely partisan lawsuit is so important to
56:36you, I say go for it. I'm not saying don't do it. I'm just saying it's irresponsible and
56:41indefensible to have my tax dollars, our tax dollars, the town tax dollars paying for it.
56:46I'd also suggest that the Riverhead Republican Committee reimburse the town the $200,000 plus
56:52that they've appropriated and finance this lawsuit with their own money.
56:56And if they're unwilling, then perhaps the candidate who most hopes to benefit from the
57:00lawsuit should donate the refund.
57:02Thank you.
57:04I'm just going to say this because I think it was made very, very clear by our attorney.
57:10This was about home rule.
57:12This is what this is about.
57:14And if you're going to ask what, and I don't know, you know, the GOP and all this other
57:18political stuff, then you need to ask yourself, what did the state pay in all their legal fees
57:24to even make this happen? I don't know the answer. That's your tax money as well. So, I mean, I don't
57:31know the answer, but this is about home rule. And the one thing that, whatever we, Democrats,
57:39Republicans, no town should give up home rule. And then you'll just be controlled by the state.
57:45And I know they tried to do it with bringing in housing and forcing us to take housing around the train station.
57:52We fought that as well.
57:54We didn't have the infrastructure to do that.
57:56So I'm going to leave it at that.
57:59Okay.
57:59I would just say if it's home rule and it involves every citizen in the town, that's different.
58:04But every single piece of media coverage on this referred to it as a GOP-led lawsuit.
58:10And if it was about home rule, then some of the Democrats at least would have been part of it.
58:14Well, the media needs to report correctly.
58:16The media needs to report correctly.
58:17If it's only Republicans and Republican committees going after this lawsuit,
58:22then I've got to say it leans a little right,
58:25and I just objected having our tax dollars without us having a say in it being part of this.
58:31Thank you.
58:33Two online, but we have someone else in the room.
58:36We'll let her have an opportunity.
58:39And then if you could queue up those people online as soon as this outstanding citizen
58:44is done we'll move to them hi lori racanello calverton i'm here as an integral member of
58:52the community for over 30 years to advocate for the passing of a public safety and accountability
58:56law that reflects our neighbors in east hampton town and east hampton village i am deeply aggrieved
59:03to see the loss of our so many friends and neighbors and colleagues and people that
59:08feel like they cannot be safe in their own environment. I work as a master
59:17gardener and have seen the effects of ice on my colleagues directly. I believe
59:22all of us are safer and benefit from a productive relationship with our police
59:26force. However, such a relationship cannot exist when our friends and neighbors are
59:30in constant fear for their lives. As a mother, as a scientist, and as an American,
59:35I oppose the tactics of fear imposed on all of us by the federal use of ice to surveil and bully our communities
59:42I love our town and I and my friends agree that a protection measure should be on the agenda
59:50I'm hoping that we might be able to get that on the agenda soon
59:56Thank you for your comments
59:59We have one online that we're gonna go to and if there's anybody else in the room if you'd like to make your way around
1:00:03to the
1:00:04Just the walls so we know I can be aware that would be helpful possible. Thank you guys
1:00:15Good afternoon. Oh you want to just wait one second here. Let's do this since he popped up
1:00:27Good afternoon, Desmond wall Reeves Park
1:00:29A July 16 letter is in the agenda packet, pages 163 through 165.
1:00:37It asks for a public comparison, not an immediate OLA vote.
1:00:44At the July 11th Sound Park Heights meeting with Supervisor Haldeman present,
1:00:51Chief Frost discussed RTD assistance during federal operations.
1:00:55He later identified Policy 414.
1:00:59I've since filed FOIL requests 261481 and 261482 to seek that framework and related operational records.
1:01:10Both remain pending.
1:01:13Chapter 55, Part LL, enacted by New York State on May 27th, addresses town procedures for non-public access requests and specified civil immigration agreements.
1:01:27And then separately, OLA proposes local reporting, consultation, and correction.
1:01:35FOIL requests can produce these existing records, but it cannot create the comparison.
1:01:43The published packet so far contains no town assignment, public output, process, or response date.
1:01:51Without that comparison, the earlier appropriate laws assurance remains publicly unverified and cannot reasonably close the issue.
1:02:04So, Supervisor Halpin, I respectfully request one public written response filed with the clerk and posted with the August 4th materials.
1:02:16It need not disclose privileged legal advice.
1:02:19and that response should identify three things.
1:02:23First, Riverhead Section 996A procedure and designated contact.
1:02:30Second, whether Riverhead or RPD has or had any agreement described in Section 170K,
1:02:39Subdivision 2, and which office reviewed that question.
1:02:43And third, who will compare Part LL, town procedures, Policy 414, the documented practice, and OLA?
1:02:54And through which public process and on what timetable?
1:03:00Supervisor Halpin, will you commit today to having that response filed with the clerk and posted with the August 4th materials?
1:03:07I appreciate your comments, Mr. Wong, and I didn't know if you had anything else to add.
1:03:15Well, if not, what public process and date would you provide instead?
1:03:20I really appreciate your comments today, and I just didn't know if you had anything else to add.
1:03:26Thank you very much for your comments.
1:03:27Okay, so then just for the record, no responsible office or written public output or response date has been identified today.
1:03:39Is that the, just asking again if that's the end of your comments for today?
1:03:44That's it. Thank you.
1:03:45Okay, thank you. Thank you for your passion for this town.
1:03:49Okay.
1:03:51Hi, everybody. Gary Lake with Red Ambulance.
1:03:54Yeah.
1:03:55with Pat, our district manager.
1:03:56He's going to ask you to pull the mic up a little closer to you.
1:03:58We want to hear you, Garrett.
1:03:59How's that?
1:04:01We'd just like to thank everybody,
1:04:06specifically the town board as a whole.
1:04:10This is a big project that we're embarking on.
1:04:13It's a lot of work.
1:04:15Our liaison to the town board, Ken Rothwell,
1:04:18our town attorney, Eric Herrod,
1:04:21and Jeanette, the financial.
1:04:23where the money's coming from.
1:04:26But these three people and Ann Marie have sat at countless meetings with us
1:04:31at all times of the day, sometimes leading into the night.
1:04:36It's just a lot of work, and your commitment to this project doesn't go unnoticed,
1:04:40and the entire membership of ARVAC appreciates it.
1:04:44And once again, thanks for the 75-year lease.
1:04:48That just takes a lot of stress off of us.
1:04:51It lets the membership know that their hard work doesn't go unnoticed.
1:04:55And it takes a lot of, well, thank you.
1:05:00Thank you for your service.
1:05:01Thank you.
1:05:03If I know you, Gary, you'll be back here in 75 years.
1:05:09Great work, gentlemen.
1:05:10Thank you, guys.
1:05:11Thank you so much for your passion for the human beings in their houses and showing up
1:05:15when nobody else does.
1:05:16Two online.
1:05:17So we'll take the first one.
1:05:19Excuse me.
1:05:20Sorry about that.
1:05:21If there's anybody else in the room, if you just make your way over so we are aware, that would be great.
1:05:41Hi, I'm sorry, can you hear me?
1:05:43Yes, ma'am, we can.
1:05:44Okay, Carrie Flanagan, Riverhead.
1:05:46I'm just speaking today. There was a online social media thing in response to a Riverhead local post,
1:05:59and that one of the town board members, Joanne Waski, had requested that residents write letters to the town clerk, which I did.
1:06:06And I also wanted to read it. My letter was that Joanne Waski has publicly asked Riverhead residents to send letters to the town clerk
1:06:16regarding safety as a Riverhead resident since 1992. I could say that there is a fear from Riverhead
1:06:24residents that I know in the town of Riverhead due to the dangerous actions of federal agents
1:06:30who are not communicating with the Riverhead town police officers. Joanne has asked us to write
1:06:36letters of support, so I assume she means letters in support of the OLA proposed safety law during
1:06:42unprecedented time of ICE agents killing innocent people in our country.
1:06:46Some of the people killed recently in our country were not the targets of ICE
1:06:51agents, they were collateral damage. Joanne said that she has heard from the
1:06:55Latino community, which if that's true then she truly understands that what she
1:07:00has heard from them directly is their fear and uncertainty that they too
1:07:04could be collateral damage. Joanne said to trust our voices and to not be scared.
1:07:10Her public statement that we should use our voices and not be scared seems to me that she understands there is something to be scared of, but she's encouraging us to still use our voices and speak out.
1:07:24I hope Joanne is sincere and while she publicly states she supports the local ICE agency that
1:07:32considers its due process, she can also acknowledge that she fears or is aware of
1:07:37other fears for the dangers that the current actions of ICE agents create for people,
1:07:43including all the people at Riverhead, our police officers, and innocent bystanders.
1:07:49Thank you, Carrie.
1:07:50I will respond to that.
1:07:51I support all of the voices in Riverhead.
1:07:55Everyone that is here legally as a resident,
1:07:59I want to hear from all of you.
1:08:02We all have our own opinions.
1:08:04We're entitled to our opinions.
1:08:06My opinion is that I do not support OLA.
1:08:10I support ICE, our law enforcement, and rule of law.
1:08:14And that's all that I'm going to say about that.
1:08:17There's a lot of people out there.
1:08:18There are hundreds of people that were commenting
1:08:21on my piece that I put into Riverhead Local
1:08:24in support of saying that there needs to be something done,
1:08:31that we need to take care of our local legal residents,
1:08:38those that are trying to become legalized to be a U.S. citizen.
1:08:43That is important to many of us.
1:08:46So that was the intention of what I was saying.
1:08:50So I appreciate your letter, Carrie, and I know that there are people on both sides that are afraid.
1:08:58People are afraid to come out and speak up and say something.
1:09:02I run into people, even in the Latino community, that say that they are scared and they're here legally.
1:09:09They're afraid for their families.
1:09:11There's been fear put out there that a lot of them are not feeling, and we have to have a balance.
1:09:18So we can't keep coming out saying, rah, rah, rah, anti-ICE, and protect everybody.
1:09:25The people that are here legally in our community come first for me.
1:09:31And that is the message that I am putting out there.
1:09:36Okay. I would say that all the people in Riverhead, whether legal or not, should be considered in Riverhead Town Court.
1:09:42I'm not debating with you. I'm just telling you where I stand.
1:09:45I have been poked and poked and poked.
1:09:48But you said only legal.
1:09:48Excuse me.
1:09:49You said only legal.
1:09:50I have been poked, asked for an answer on where I stand.
1:09:53I gave out my answer.
1:09:55Certain people don't like it.
1:09:57That's too bad.
1:09:58I'm entitled to how I feel.
1:10:01Just because it isn't how you feel doesn't make it right or wrong.
1:10:05I still respectfully listen to you.
1:10:08I read all of your letters.
1:10:10I appreciate them.
1:10:11but the safety of the legal residents here in Riverhead are the people that come first and foremost for me.
1:10:21That's a shame because you're in charge of all of everyone who lives in Riverhead, whether they're legal or not.
1:10:29And all the town board members, you represent everyone here, not just if you're a legal resident.
1:10:35You're entitled to your opinion, Carrie. Thank you.
1:10:37It's not opinion. It's not opinion. That's a fact.
1:10:39A town board member is representing everybody who resides in Riverhead, legal or illegal, or not documented.
1:10:48Okay.
1:10:49Thank you for your time today.
1:10:51Thank you.
1:10:53Before we go back online, we will allow Mr. McKnight.
1:10:57This is your second visit?
1:10:58Yes, my second one.
1:10:59You get a frequent flyer, Miles, today?
1:11:01This is important.
1:11:02It has nothing to do with pros or cons.
1:11:04is the fact that Riverhead police are well trained.
1:11:10All the police are well trained,
1:11:12but I hear on the news broadcast
1:11:15that the ICE people are not well trained,
1:11:19that they do not have proper procedure,
1:11:22and in doing so, it puts people in danger.
1:11:29It's not right or wrong.
1:11:30They're being trained now.
1:11:32A lot of them are not trained that well as police officers.
1:11:36This is what I heard on the news.
1:11:39Not on the internet, on public radio and other sources.
1:11:45So with that comment, I'm speaking to you.
1:11:49I have no authority.
1:11:51But I did receive a letter from a congressman saying he's really training the police well.
1:11:59He's giving us money here and everything else.
1:12:02Maybe they should give more money to train ICE people, because it's important.
1:12:10Well, Warren, that's the federal government.
1:12:12Pardon?
1:12:12That's the federal government.
1:12:13Yes, exactly, but we all need help.
1:12:16He's not listening to us.
1:12:18He needs help from you and all of us to protect people when police procedure is not being followed by these ICE.
1:12:27This is what I hear.
1:12:29I don't see it.
1:12:29But I heard from other people, too.
1:12:31somebody went on somebody's property
1:12:34was looking all around on ice guy
1:12:36they said what are you doing here well we're looking for
1:12:38somebody here this is my private
1:12:40property you know what are you doing here
1:12:42so I think
1:12:43ice needs improvement
1:12:45and it's
1:12:47all of our jobs to protect the public
1:12:50you have the roughest job
1:12:52at all because you gotta hear
1:12:54us you know
1:12:55talk to you and
1:12:57that's the only place we can talk
1:12:59Like, Leota, forget about him.
1:13:02I can see his aides at the VFW every other Tuesday,
1:13:06and they brush me off.
1:13:10But, you know, maybe if they hear from, you know,
1:13:13maybe from you guys and other town officials,
1:13:17and if more people write letters,
1:13:20maybe Congressman Leota might wake them to take action.
1:13:26You know, it's very hard.
1:13:28the biggest thing is here
1:13:30you got
1:13:31New York City
1:13:35is all Democrat, out here
1:13:36it's all Republican. We need
1:13:38I would like to see at least
1:13:40two Democrats on the
1:13:42town board because
1:13:44democracy we need a
1:13:46consensus and we need a
1:13:48really two party system but getting
1:13:50back to that we need
1:13:52ICE is a problem
1:13:54that has to be trained and
1:13:56And here are all these people that they're not, you know, we can't ignore it.
1:14:01And it's hurting our citizens.
1:14:05All right, we're going to go to our three on Zoom.
1:14:07I think we have.
1:14:08So I'd like to make sure that they get an opportunity to speak.
1:14:16Again, if you are in the room and you'd like to speak, if you could just make your way to the right.
1:14:20Yes, sir.
1:14:21Thank you for being patient for a repeat.
1:14:23but if you can make your way to the right so we know
1:14:26can you hear us sir yes can you hear me yep yes thank you good afternoon this is kevin shay
1:14:37from beating hollow new york um thank you for letting me speak uh the town board uh i would
1:14:45like to add to the what the rest of the people were saying i think first of all i think it's
1:14:51great that we're having the dialogue uh as a retired firefighter dealing with public safety
1:14:57i think it's important to have this dialogue i'm really appreciate joan waski making a public
1:15:03statement about how she feels about it today when she did respond to uh carrie one of the speakers
1:15:10she mentioned i believe she supports ola i think that was probably a misstatement she probably
1:15:14doesn't support OLA's safety provisions. I want us all to consider the OLA safety provisions.
1:15:24The main reason why is we do respond to ICE operations on one of the drivers that goes
1:15:31there to document when incidents occur, and they are occurring in Riverhead. Last one I went to
1:15:37was on Roanoke Avenue. Six vehicles parked there. Some of them were actually rented with ICE
1:15:43operators inside once i showed up to document their license plates they uh fled not sure why
1:15:51could have been me could have been one other reason they did not uh display any warrant the
1:15:55group from from the people in the house so uh i left and went out of service at that point but
1:16:01there are operations at one point there will be um i guess a conflict conflict will cause some
1:16:08incident. I was one of the people at 9-11 which was caused by plane accidents,
1:16:16believe me, just take care of it's going to be related. One of the things that was
1:16:20not done, I would say we usually call it 9-10, was they were supposed to be bomb
1:16:24doors on airplanes. If bomb doors were on the airplanes, most of 9-11, the
1:16:30outcomes would not have occurred. So since I deal with a, it was in a job
1:16:35WHERE A LOT OF TIMES RULES AND LAWS AND ORDINANCES AND POLICIES
1:16:40WERE NOT CREATED UNTIL AFTER AN ACCIDENT OR AN INCIDENT OCCURRED.
1:16:44I DO PLEAD WITH THE TOWN BOARD TO CREATE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT
1:16:47KIND OF POWERS YOU HAVE THROUGH THE HOME RULE, TO WORK WITH OLA
1:16:51AND THEIR SAFETY DIVISIONS TO COME WITH SOME POLICIES THAT WILL
1:16:54ENSURE THE PUBLIC THAT THERE'S A POLICY THAT ARE TRANSPARENT,
1:17:00THAT ALLOWS US TO WALK AROUND THE STREETS SAFELY, WITHOUT
1:17:04risk. My comment is concluded. Thank you. Mr. Shea, just for the record, you're an FDNY retired
1:17:11firefighter. Appreciate your service, but 9-11 was not an accident. It was a terrorist attack
1:17:16against our country, just for the record. That was no accident. We usually call it an incident.
1:17:22I misquote it as an incident, and we do report it as incidents, and it was a terrorist act.
1:17:27It was an attack on our country. Any other comment? It was an act of war, and it was terrible,
1:17:31and this will be our 25th anniversary of that
1:17:35and we mourn the loss of every human being
1:17:38that died that day
1:17:39and the absolute horribleness that humanity showed
1:17:44and together as a community
1:17:46we should always remember those in that light
1:17:49and never whitewash it.
1:17:52So our next online person, please.
1:18:01Hi, Kathy McGraw, Northville, again.
1:18:21I think that it is pretty clear it's a fact that two people not targeted by ICE were recently shot and killed in this country by ICE agents.
1:18:36One in front of his three-year-old daughter.
1:18:41Ms. Waske, you say you unequivocally support ICE.
1:18:45How can you support these actions by ICE?
1:18:49Can you understand why people here legally or seeking to become citizens, as you described, are afraid, given the lawlessness of ICE?
1:19:02Could you each on the panel explain to the people of Riverhead why you will not sit down and talk to OLA, the organization that represents Hispanics, legal and illegal?
1:19:19because we know that everybody is at risk when an ICE agent shoots and kills
1:19:27people who are not targeted in their immigration crackdown. Any one of us
1:19:34could be caught in that situation and I would like to know why this town board,
1:19:40each of you, refuses to sit down and talk with OLA. Could you each explain to the
1:19:46people of Riverhead. Thank you very much.
1:19:53Is that your comment, Ms. McGraw?
1:19:56Oh, I think it froze, unfortunately.
1:19:59Is there another one online?
1:20:05It's not accurate.
1:20:16Good afternoon, this is Bob Ferry of Aqabag.
1:20:27I wholeheartedly support law enforcement at both a national and local level.
1:20:36Unfortunately, the reality is that various individuals, including people here legally and American citizens, were involved in tragic situations.
1:20:52and it's a rather trite
1:20:56unsophisticated comment I would expect of
1:21:00graduates of Riverhead High School and our preacher
1:21:03down by the junkyard to say we support ICE without understanding
1:21:09the complexity of the issues.
1:21:12And certainly when a former member of our state
1:21:16legislature has worked with OLA to draft
1:21:20legislation to address concerns of our entire community. It is reprehensible,
1:21:29irresponsible, and reckless for this board to refuse to have a dialogue. What our police in
1:21:37Riverhead should be doing is working with ICE, working with its community to assure that everyone
1:21:44is safe in our hometown.
1:21:48And it should not be merely an employment agency for
1:21:51friends and family members of the town board. Thank you.
1:21:57Is there anyone else online? Thank you for your comments, sir.
1:22:06All right. There's no one else
1:22:08online in the house. Mr. McCullough.
1:22:11John McAuliffe from Roanoke Landing.
1:22:15Before I say what I want to say, you've probably seen this picture.
1:22:20This is the young man, the Colombian man, who was killed in Maine last week.
1:22:26It could have been somebody from Riverhead.
1:22:29He looks just like a lot of people here in Riverhead.
1:22:31Mr. McAuliffe, I would just like to say,
1:22:34do you hold up a picture of any of the young girls that have been raped and murdered?
1:22:38By illegal aliens?
1:22:41I just ask you, sir, if you hold up pictures...
1:22:43And we have also the pictures of people who are hurt by American citizens.
1:22:49I mean, that's a false argument.
1:22:50It has nothing to do with what has happened right now and continues to happen.
1:22:56I'm sorry, Mr. McAuliffe, I'm merely pointing out the fact...
1:22:59As they say in Congress, not from my time. Please go ahead.
1:23:02I'm just, Mr. McAuliffe, with all due respect,
1:23:06you held a picture of an alleged illegal alien that was harmed by ICE.
1:23:11And I just simply ask if you have ever held a picture of any of the young women that have
1:23:17been murdered by illegal aliens in this country.
1:23:19Have you?
1:23:19Have you ever held up pictures of many other people who are killed by American citizens?
1:23:24It's really not a relevant argument.
1:23:27It actually is because you're referring to illegal aliens.
1:23:28People are killed all the time, and it's horrible.
1:23:31There's no question about that.
1:23:33But aliens, in fact, have a lower crime rate than U.S. citizens.
1:23:38So, I mean, it's a whole separate discussion, but let me go to what I wanted to speak to.
1:23:44The point of showing the picture is the human being is there.
1:23:47The human beings are all over Riverhead.
1:23:50I want to put a pin, Mr. Howard, on our earlier discussion.
1:23:54Was it your decision or the supervisor's decision or some informal process in the board that led to withdrawal from the case?
1:24:03It was ultimately my decision.
1:24:04I advised the town board.
1:24:05You advised the town board, but it did not come.
1:24:08We had discussion on it.
1:24:10But not in a work session?
1:24:11Not in a work session.
1:24:12It was in an executive session.
1:24:14Okay.
1:24:15All right.
1:24:15Just clarifying that.
1:24:17All right.
1:24:17Okay.
1:24:18No, I just wanted to be clear, sure I was understanding it.
1:24:20On the larger question that we were talking about, I had two letters in the packet, one
1:24:26having to do with the loss of temporary protective status, which, and my question is, do we have
1:24:33Haitians in Riverhead who will be affected by that? Do we have Ukrainians who have been affected by it?
1:24:39Is the board monitoring that question? The second thing I wanted to say is that
1:24:45we're talking about Representative Lolota's one letter. The other letter that he sent out
1:24:53that people may have seen was his justification of why, if you want to talk about home rule,
1:24:59his reaction to East Hampton adopting the OLA legislation
1:25:06was to say that he's not going to allow any other federal money go to East Hampton.
1:25:10This is certainly the model out of Washington,
1:25:14but it's not exactly a home rule model.
1:25:17So I think that the other thing is, again, to flag the danger.
1:25:24After the two killings, the head of Homeland Security
1:25:28that they're going to stop for at least a while, car stops.
1:25:34The president reversed that 24 hours later.
1:25:39So the danger continues, and it exists here as much as it does anywhere in the country.
1:25:45Thank you very much.
1:25:52Thank you for your comments, sir.
1:25:55Colin Tooker from Riverhead.
1:25:56I made a pledge today to not speak politics, and I don't intend to speak politics.
1:26:02I would like to make a public service announcement.
1:26:05We had scheduled for tonight, in front of Town Hall at 7 o'clock,
1:26:10a vigil in honor of all people murdered in this country,
1:26:15specifically including those murdered by people who are here undocumented.
1:26:23Unfortunately, the weather has not cooperated,
1:26:25so it's been rescheduled for next Wednesday at 7 o'clock.
1:26:31No politics, no signs, no talking points.
1:26:36We are going to honor everyone who has been murdered in this country,
1:26:41no matter who the murderer was.
1:26:47Thank you for your comments, Mr. Tucker.
1:26:49Who's that vigil?
1:26:51They're moving it to next Wednesday.
1:26:52Yes, it's what he said.
1:26:54Yes, sir. So we'll make sure that information is done. It looks like we have one online.
1:27:01That or the guys in the booth think we're all number one.
1:27:05I was told not to make jokes, but I did.
1:27:10Thank you. This is Ron Greer again.
1:27:13I got here a little bit late, but I did notice that on the agenda,
1:27:19there was some issues regarding a work regarding the Petrocelli Hotel and plans to be drafted by the sewer department.
1:27:37I just would like to clarify whether or not, as the supervisor and Mr. Rothwell previously represented,
1:27:46there is a closing date for any sale of the town property
1:27:51to Mr. Petroseli.
1:27:55At the last hearing, Mr. Supervisor,
1:27:59you said the town was working diligently
1:28:03to move toward a closing. It's been a year since Petroseli
1:28:07was appointed master developer. Can you clarify
1:28:10whether or not there is indeed a closing date?
1:28:14So I did ask that yesterday and our legal team is getting back with me the exact specifics and we will announce the exact date.
1:28:23But yes, it is imminent is what I'm asking for.
1:28:27And I think the town board hopefully is all agreed on that.
1:28:30But yep, so it's coming sooner within hopefully sooner than we can speak.
1:28:35But I don't want to say something and then you go, hey, that wasn't the date.
1:28:39They're tentatively trying to set it up for August 5th.
1:28:42There you go.
1:28:43Can you clarify whether a site plan has been approved for the project?
1:28:50It would be subsequent to a site plan.
1:28:52It's subsequent to a site plan. That's what I thought.
1:28:54So you anticipate that a site plan will be approved prior to the closing. Is that right?
1:29:03I anticipate that there will be a resolution for the town board to vote on which, if adopted, would approve the project.
1:29:11And that would happen within the next two weeks?
1:29:15It would need to happen at the August 4th meeting.
1:29:19Thank you very much.
1:29:22Those are the goals. Moving along.
1:29:27Anybody else in-house? All right. Well, I think that's the end of our
1:29:31open comments, and so we will ask for
1:29:34just a motion to close this meeting and move into a CDA meeting.
1:29:38So moved. Second.
1:29:41All in favor? Aye.
1:29:47Good afternoon.
1:29:48We have one resolution on.
1:29:51So we would take comments on that resolution.
1:29:54The resolution is to ratify the budget adjustment for EPCAL for legal fees.
1:29:59So are there any comments on that?
1:30:00Again, if you'd come up.
1:30:03Or CDA?
1:30:04Well, I'll just say by way of explanation,
1:30:06This is a budget transfer that is intended to cover further legal fees associated with the case against triple five. Yep. Thanks Eric
1:30:16Counselor sorry
1:30:18So we would ask for a motion in a second for
1:30:22to approve that resolution
1:30:25So second it Bosque. Yes, very field. Yes
1:30:31Kern yes, Rothwell. Yes
1:30:33Yes, ma'am resolution is adopted and then we would take comments on any matter
1:30:40relating to the Community Development Agency
1:30:49John McCullough fro in oaklanding I I think it would be helpful in this kind of resolution if you
1:30:56Said how much money was involved?
1:31:00And I actually tried to download it and couldn't.
1:31:04So that's why I'm...
1:31:05But there's no reason to interrupt the process,
1:31:07but it would be helpful for people to know what's involved.
1:31:11On the CDA, you've given me part of the answer.
1:31:17I wonder how that fits into the IDA consideration.
1:31:22Can you do the closing before IDA has responded to Mr. Petrucelli?
1:31:29You can?
1:31:31All right, because the content of his language was that he didn't want to go ahead with a closing unless he had the IDA money guaranteed.
1:31:42So that, I think, needs to get clarified.
1:31:44The other two smaller points is whether you have moved at all on resolving protecting the parking of people who are going to the theater and Maximus,
1:31:56or whether you want to give those spots over to the hotel.
1:31:59And finally, the other issue before you, the eminent domain issue for the Science Center,
1:32:06is there a time frame on when you're coming back to the board for the actual legal step
1:32:12and then going to court?
1:32:16Thank you, sir, for your comments.
1:32:18I think we have one online.
1:32:20They're giving me the high sign.
1:32:23It's Thomas.
1:32:23Sorry.
1:32:29NEW SPEAKER Yes, RON HARIRI AGAIN.
1:32:34IN CONNECTION WITH THE SITE PLAN FOR THE PETROSELA HOTEL, CERTAIN ISSUES WERE RAISED REGARDING
1:32:40PARKING.
1:32:43AND THE APPLICANT'S ATTORNEY REFERENCED A POSSIBLE RESOLUTION FOR A PARKING GARAGE.
1:32:52CAN YOU TELL US WHETHER A PARKING GARAGE IS ENVISIONED AND WHETHER THE TOWN IS IN THE
1:32:59PROCESS OF CONSIDERING AND OR PREPARING A RESOLUTION TO BOND A PARKING GARAGE AND WHAT
1:33:09THE ANTICIPATED COST OF THE GARAGE WILL BE AND TO WHAT EXTENT WILL OUR TAXPAYERS END
1:33:17up putting the bill for a garage to support a parking garage ultimately benefiting a private
1:33:26hotel project for Mr. Petrucelli, one of the Riverhead's Republicans' major donors over the years.
1:33:37Was it at me? Okay. Well, I can say that the parking garage, I think, has been discussed
1:33:45for well over a year at this point probably even closer to two and it was in fact part of our
1:33:53federal dri application uh that we were awarded about 16 million towards the construction of it
1:34:00so i don't think that there's any imminent plans developed for that for that project
1:34:05ms thomas can probably elaborate on that or if that's what the board wants absolutely
1:34:10I'd appreciate that. Thank you.
1:34:13And my question is, and we had a private conversation about this,
1:34:18is to what extent, and I assume that the
1:34:21grants receipt will cover only a small portion of the cost,
1:34:26which surely have gone up dramatically since
1:34:29the project was first discussed or considered.
1:34:33But again, my question is, will a resolution be needed
1:34:38and will the parking district members or the public end up putting the bill for this
1:34:45that was quite a few questions mr herrera wrapped into one so i would just give you the outline of
1:34:51the uh town's progress in developing the uh parking garage the town has been planning
1:34:59parking garage for at least the last five years we received a 24 million dollar grant in 2024
1:35:07a large portion of that grant approximately 16 million will be directed towards the development
1:35:12of a parking garage we also received two million dollars from the county of suffolk that will cover
1:35:17a large portion of it as you probably are also aware the town is working towards
1:35:23parking enforcement and paid parking and so the objective would be to fund the balance of the
1:35:30cost of that parking garage from anticipated revenue from those fees again we have not
1:35:36designed the garage we do not have a final cost and we won't have a final cost until the project
1:35:40is bid but in the meanwhile that project is moving forward and is intended to be completed without
1:35:47taxpayer uh funding well mr petroselli contribute um toward the use of parking spaces
1:36:00at the public garage do you anticipate that that's a that's a conversation that has yet to be had
1:36:07uh the garage is not designed yet and so once it's designed and sized and funded and built then we
1:36:15can have that conversation thank you thank you for your comments sir i think that's it i think we're
1:36:21online and in our room and so done okay so that would be the uh and by the way just to answer
1:36:28mr mccall's question the uh fund balance transfer was 95 000. the resolution is available online
1:36:33in case you wanted to look um we would just need a a resolution to close the meeting
1:36:40Motion motion. I'm sorry a motion to move the meeting second
1:36:45Mosky yes, Maryfield. Yes, Kern
1:36:48Yes, Rothwell. Yes, Alvin. Yes, ma'am. Okay. The meeting is closed. Thank you so much. Thank you everybody
1:37:10Thank you.
1:38:10And I am joined by my fellow town board members and the town supervisor as well.
1:38:22And we have decided to reconvene the Helicopter Noise Task Force just over the abundance of concerns,
1:38:30particularly as the summer has arrived here and additional helicopter flights are coming in and out of New York City.
1:38:36But if you don't mind, if we can just start by standing up just to say the pledge, if you don't mind, please.
1:38:40John Cullen, would you lead us in a pledge, please?
1:38:42I will.
1:38:43I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
1:38:47and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
1:38:57I'm just going to introduce the members of our helicopter task force who were summonsed to response to town hall,
1:39:05but I am surrounded by very knowledgeable individuals that have followed this for many, many years.
1:39:13And so just we do have John Cullen with us.
1:39:16Other members are Connie Carlin, Ken Dolan, Sid Bale, Elaine McDuffie, and Teresa McCaskey.
1:39:23So thank you all for joining us today.
1:39:27Basically, some people say, what exactly are they going to do, and what is that task force about?
1:39:32So just to kind of give you a little bit of a background, the FAA helicopter flight path rules were set for Riverhead a number of years ago.
1:39:40For several helicopters operating under visual flight rules along the Long Island's north shore, including the town of Riverhead here,
1:39:48from July 29, 2022 to today, to coming up July 29, 2026.
1:39:55So it's a four-year plan that the helicopters have to deviate from traveling over residential areas,
1:40:02and they're traveling currently on the, for our retrospective, the North Shore flight.
1:40:09And we can put that one graphic right up on the screen so everybody can see.
1:40:14But these are the flights that they're supposed to be routinely following.
1:40:17There's agreement that was created through the FAA.
1:40:20and flying between New York City and Orient Point along the shoreline.
1:40:24The route is designated to reduce low flying noise complaints from residents.
1:40:28Pilots must follow the published North Shore Helicopter.

Full Transcript

All right, so our next appeal is appeal number 2026-014, Eugene Cook, 1397 West Main Street, Riverhead, Suffolk County Tax Map number 600-119-2-46.3, Riverfront Corridor Zoning for a proposed hair salon. Applicant requests variances and or relief from Town Code Chapter 301-164, where hair salons are not permitted within the Riverfront Corridor Zoning Use District. Okay, who's here? Good evening, everyone. Thank you very much. I do solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God. So help you God. Please state your name and address. My name is Eugene Cook. My home address is 25 Arbutus Road, Greenlawn, New York. Okay. Thank you for coming out tonight. I appreciate it. I own 1397 West Main Street. It was a commercial building built back in the 60s from the family that I spoke to in regards to it. It was originally built for some commercial use. I don't know what it was. The property I think was originally industrial, light industrial. and from there they rented it to Newsday as a distribution center for a number of years when the tractor trailers coming in and trucks leaving early in the morning to deliver on the east end and who's day since then it's been a number of different rentals in there including retail there was a thrift store there there was a boat repair facility there was a engine small engine shop there with purchase almost that kind of thing and then there's a great white propane was there so it's had a number of different uses the building is 2,500 square feet we want to take 1,250 square feet and make it into a small salon there beauty salon I submitted all the affidavits and what have you we have a letter from a neighbor that would like to see it happen and we have a petition of about 20 people or so that's I did saying they would like it we've seen no negative effects on it from anybody so what did you buy this property it's got That would be two or three years ago. When? Two or three years ago. 24? Yeah. Okay.

So when you bought it, I would assume you asked for CO's, certificates of pre-existing use, those kinds of things. Pre-existing use, yeah. And you had an attorney do that for you? I did. Okay. So you were able to secure all those papers? Well, I believe so. The attorney would have that. Have you talked to your attorney? I have. Okay. actually thought this was pretty simple since i when i came in i was this lovely woman here in zoning gave me all the back history of it so it was pretty diverse so and since his grandfather my assumption was that we we shouldn't have too much of a problem with it okay and and i know what happens when you assume so let me get that out of the way yeah if you wanted an opportunity to supplement the record i think the zoning board would permit you to do that that i believe the file indicates that the last certificate of occupancy for that structure on the property there's also a residence correct and that's occupied yes so i believe for the building we're speaking about tonight the last certificate of occupancy was 2008

undertown code section 301

Thank you.

Good afternoon, everybody. Today is Tuesday, July 21st, 2026. We are here for a town board meeting. Before we go any further, we'd like to stand and say the pledge. And Councilwoman Waski, would you please lead us? Yes, Supervisor. 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. NEW SPEAKER Thank you very much. As we celebrate once again our country's 250th anniversary, it's awesome. So Councilman Rothwald, do we have anyone for the invocation? NEW SPEAKER We do. We are once again honored to have Lieutenant Esther Tugara here from the Riverhead Corp Center, the Salvation Army. So if you wouldn't mind to come forward to lead us in our invocation. We appreciate you joining us today. Thank you. all the wisdom. We thank you, Lord, for the administration, for our leadership, for our community. We keep asking your grace, your anointing upon each and every one, Lord. As we are here, Holy Spirit, you know what you're about to talk about, Lord. We just invite your presence that you could be amongst us. We share with unity, with peace and love, Lord. Continue to be with each and every one of us. We thank you. We place your name in Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. Thank you very much, Lieutenant. It's awesome. I just want to have a couple announcements. This Saturday, July 25th, our recreation has an open skate from 1215 to 145 at our incredible skate place, our ice rink. And so I want to make sure people are aware of that. Also, this Saturday, July 25th, we have the paddle battle at 915 a.m. down on the water on McDermott. And so does anyone else have an announcement they'd like to make today? Okay. I do. Yes, ma'am. I was going to make two announcements a little ahead of this. On August 1st, the cardboard boat race. So everybody, please get your applications into the Chamber of Commerce and the boats. The last year, it was a terrific event with all kinds of unique, very creative boats. And also on August 5th, I'm sorry, August 4th, Tuesday, National night out. The police department runs it. It's going to be a town hall in our parking lot this year. Last year it was a great success. It was down on the waterfront. There was free food. There was also ice cream. And I remember there was a display of what the canine dogs do. It was really a great night. It's an opportunity for members of the community to get to know the police officers and everyone just have a nice conversation with one another down there it's nice event so just remind everybody it's national night out August 4th here in the Town Hall parking lot this year thank you thank you so much for sharing that anyone else all right well with that said we'll move right on to our correspondence and reports with our clerk mr. Wood yes on the correspondence we received several letters from James Ford Civic John McAuliffe Emily Tuttle Ryan Carroll Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Climate Control, Federation of Labor, and Desmond Wong. And if you'd like to read any of those, we've added to the agenda. They're at the end of the agenda on the published letters, so you can read them in their entirety. They deal with July 4th fireworks, store conditions, budgets, and the chamber. Most of it deals with battery energy storage systems, ICE, and OLA. So that's it on the correspondence. ON THE REPORTS, WE RECEIVED THE RECEIVER OF TAXES MONTHLY UTILITY REPORT FOR JUNE OF 2026 AT $502,107.22. WE RECEIVED THE MONTHLY POLICE REPORT FOR MAY AND ALSO FOR JUNE OF 2026. AND THE BUILDING MONTHLY REPORT FOR JUNE OF 2026 WAS $107,462. AND THAT COMPLETES OUR REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENTS. NEW SPEAKER THANK YOU, SIR. This time we'll have our first public hearing. It was scheduled for 205 or 207, and it is to amend Chapter 289 of the parking regulations, and Councillor Howard is going to be helping us to lead that off. All right. Thank you, Mr. Supervisor. This is an amendment to Chapter 289, Section 10, parking prohibited. It adds to the list of areas where parking is prohibited. Sound Avenue on the south side from its intersection with Northville Turnpike east for a distance of 1,000 feet. And this is intended to address parking that's been taking place street side there to frequent people parking on the south side traveling across the street to the north side. And that creates a dangerous condition on the roadway, so we're looking to prohibit that. Thank you, Councillor. So if you have a comment on this public hearing, if you'd please come up to the microphone again, state your name and your Hamlet. And that would be good. We'll give you a moment to speak. We'll also see if anybody's online. We'll give you a second to think about that. Look it over. Before we close that and leave it open for written comment. I don't see anybody in the room that's making their way. I don't see anybody online. So we will leave this open until July 31st. But we will close this section of our public hearing. We'll move into our next one, which is to amend chapter... Chapter it was scheduled for 210 and we're ahead of schedule to wait to amend chapter 289 There's 17 parking time limits and again councillor Howard if you would please lead us through that Thank You supervisor This is an amendment to as you said chapter 289. This is section 17 parking time limited Amends subsection C Which lists all the areas which are time limited to two hours this creates a two hour a long period of time longer than two hour prohibition in the 30 parking stalls that are located behind the restaurant that's currently moonfish there's 30 stalls that start at McDermott and continue west this is going to time limit those stalls to two hours between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. And then the Second Amendment is the parking of vehicles similarly for a period of time longer than two hours in the lot that starts at East Main Street and goes down past the shipyard building in the aquarium and in front of Turquoise west towards McDermott Avenue. And this will also prohibit the parking longer than two hours between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Okay, if anybody has a comment online or if you'd like to speak in this room on this public hearing you can come to the podium again Same question. We just ask that you state your name and your hamlet and you're welcome to speak on that so Lauren McNite, Riverhead how is this enforcement going to be carried out and be effective that's what I'd like to I have a question on that we have TCO officers that particularly go around to our parks, beaches recreation sites and they would be there for enforcement to write tickets for any violations. And they do this on a regular basis? Yes they do sir. Thank you so much.

Anyone else want to add? Yeah they do an excellent job to answer that and this is a continuation of our you know rehabbing and repushing our parking to help the businesses, to help everybody in our community find equitable for all. So So that said, we'll be closing our hearing on that, leaving it open for written comment until July 31st. If you'd like to write in if you have a comment on that. And that will close our public hearing for today. And with that, we will move into our comments on resolutions from the public. And that is a timed thing. And so we ask that you adhere to that to the best of our ability. We want to hear you. We want to have you speak. Please state your name, your hamlet, and then also what resolution you're speaking on. That would be excellent for us. So I just want to myself comment on two particular resolutions that have been put into the packet. Both resolutions pertain to Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Services. There's a Resolution 701 that is to schedule public notice to have a hearing for a Monroe hearing. And basically what that is is just when we looked at all most cost-effective ways to build this building, It didn't make sense to try to do a secondary floor because of the height of the ambulance units that go in the garage and the garage door, you know, to try to make everything two stories. So a portion of it is one story for the garage area and then we're going three stories up where the office personnel is and bunk rooms and so forth, training areas. So the idea is this building will essentially exceed the height by a very small amount and AND IT MAY ALSO EXCEED THE SQUARE FOOTAGE, BUT IT'S WHAT'S NECESSARY FOR RVAC TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE A TRAINING AREA AND SO FORTH. SO THAT'S WHAT THE MOVEMENT IS. THIS IS TO SCHEDULE THE MONROE BOUNCING HEARING, WHICH IS GOING TO BE AT OUR NEXT TOWN BOARD MEETING. I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT OUT, ENLIGHTEN EVERYBODY ALSO, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO ASK AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MONROE BOUNCING HEARING IN THE NEXT MEETING THAT WE ESSENTIALLY CLOSE out and then we move a resolution off the floor believe at that time to go ahead with the putting it out to bond as well and so there's going to be a number of resolutions that you're going to see be cream there's two today and there'll be multiple ones in the next town board meeting and essentially kind of concluding everything by September 1st really given our vac the ability to go ahead and start construction and get things underway the second resolution that also that I've put in there resolution 715 and that is that we are putting together a lease the basic lease terms for our back they are a non-profit individual entity of its own and the lease basically states that it is going to be initially a 25 year lease with five renewals of ten year spans giving them 75 years to occupy that building serving as our back they are covering all the costs of the building so in terms of what the lease dates in terms of what their monthly cost are is that they're going to cover the cost of the bond as well as the interest I want the general public to know this is extremely important that our back so far today has raised six point four million dollars for this project on their own doing their own events and and through some PRETTY INCREDIBLE GENEROUS DONORS. AND THE BALANCE OF THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO BE PAID OUT BY THEIR AMBULANCE FEES FOR THE SERVICE THAT THEY'RE DOING, MOSTLY THROUGH INSURANCE CARRIERS. AND SO THIS IS A PROJECT THAT IS AT THIS POINT IS NOT BEING BUILT WITH TAXPAYER FUNDS, WHICH IS PRETTY INCREDIBLE FOR US TO MOVE A PROJECT OF THIS MAGNITUDE TO BUILD AN ENTIRE NEW FACILITY TO FINALLY BRING THEM INTO THE CURRENT DAY AND AGE WITHOUT TAXPAYER DOLLARS. So I can't commend RVAC enough for what they've already raised, how they're going forward. I know I have the town's full support on this project, but you're going to see a number of resolutions because then we want to go out to bond on it as well. And then eventually we're going to incorporate them into the sewer district. That gives them a higher occupancy level to be attached to sewer as opposed to septic. It's more cost effective, a long one. And so you're going to see a lot of things, but we are in the full mode of keeping RVAC going forward for the new generation here. So it's some great things with RVAC. Absolutely. They do a great job, and they've raised a lot of funds. You know, the best thing is you just never know when you open your eyes and you see one of them standing there to help you. So they're great people. So absolutely. Thanks for sharing that. That's awesome. All right. So if anybody else has a comment on a resolution, you're welcome to come to our podium, or there's one online. We'll wait for that for just a second. Somebody in our room, if you just come up and again say your name, your Hamlet, and what resolution you're speaking of. And you'll have your three minutes. And we would love to hear from you. All right. We'll take that one online because nobody hopped up in our room. So we will wait anxiously. Great day to be inside.

Ms. McGraw, we cannot hear you. Now can you hear me? Yes, ma'am. Okay, sorry about that. Kathy McGraw, Northville. I'm not certain of the number of the resolution, but it's the resolution that deals with the modification of the zoning law with respect to the building code or the zoning law with respect to site plans. I don't have the numbered resolutions in front of me. It should be the... It's 7-02. 7-02, sorry. Okay, thank you very much. I just had a question because there was a public hearing on this, and I know the group for the East End and Barbara Glass and a number of other people commented on these changes. And the comments included such things as requiring a pre-hearing submission and having a hearing earlier in the process. And I am curious to know what the thinking was, why the public suggestions were rejected in formulating the final code. And if anybody could help me with that, if the building, the planning department could speak to it, what consideration was given to those comments, it would be really helpful. Thank you. Sure. Mrs. Thomas is in our room, and I know Matt Charters was here last time to explain, and she's here, so I would ask if you would mind giving that example, or explanation, sorry. Thank you. The simple change to this code was just to eliminate the preliminary step. So there is no change to the process. The process remains identical other than the fact that we have made it simpler and easier to use. The public input remains the same. Nothing has changed. And so we felt that it was in the condition that we initially proposed it perfectly fine to continue in that mode. Thank you. Well, it does, without a pre-hearing submission conference, the first the public hears about this is when a hearing is posted on the change. And I realize it's worthless to talk about it anymore, but thank you. I think the public should have been involved sooner. Thank you very much. Kathy, if I can just state at the last town board meeting, I did read a statement saying that the pre-submission conference hearings would be listed on our website for the general public to see them. And that they are open to the public and that the public can come and comment on those pre-submission hearings. So you actually can discuss a project or ask questions about it right in its preliminary phases. But it's not required. It's not required, and those are not videotaped. So unless you're around at 10 in the morning to watch it, you have no access to it. It would be really helpful if that would become a regular thing to videotape those pre-hearing submission conference, pre-submission conferences. But as it is, they're held like at 10 in the morning, and the public can't really attend. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. McGraw.

Anybody else online? Oh, yes, ma'am. Just anybody can come up to the... Hi, my name is Cindy McKinney. I'm here representing Resolution 711 for the canine competition to be held at Veterans Memorial Park by the Peconic Ice Rinks. So I just wanted to introduce myself and say thank you for taking the time to, you know, allow us to apply to use the space. And if anybody has any questions, I'm here to answer any questions about it. Thank you very much. Thank you. Appreciate you identifying yourself. I think it's going to be a great event, so thank you. Thank you. I'm excited. Thank you very much. Okay, I just wanted to give everybody else an opportunity. I don't see anybody else with a comment. in-house or online for our resolutions. So with that said, we will move to our resolutions with our town clerk. Okay, we'll start with resolution number one, which is, this is really loud, 686. Water District Capital Project number 82517, Summer Wind Farm Subdivision Budget Adjustments. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Murrayfield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rockwell. Yes. Yes sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 687. Seward District Capital Project 82613 Peconic River Hotel 127 East Main Street budget adoption. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Gratifies acceptance of donation of life ring for Grand Jebel Park. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Murrayfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes, and thank you. Alvin? This was a great event. The Key Club came out. They did this themselves. They designed themselves. Yes, and thank you. It was awesome. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 689. Gratifies acceptance of donation from various local businesses for annual snapper tournaments. So moved. Second it. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes, and thank you to everyone. There were 71 donations. Thank you. Kern? Yes, and thank you. Rothwell? Yes, and thank you. And Halpin? You guys are all awesome. Thank you so much. What a great tournament. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 690. Authorize financial administrator to deposit funds for road restoration projects. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waski? Yes. Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 691. Authorizes attendance at training seminar by deputy chief fire marshal. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskie? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 692. Appoint seasonal pump out boat operator. Murrayfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolutions adopted. Resolution 693. Appoints a mechanic, a maintenance mechanic 3. Havac? HVAC. HVAC. HVAC. Concentration. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Murrayfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 694. Appoints a water treatment plant operator trainee. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waske. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 695. Ratifies appointment of recreation superintendent and sets terms and conditions of employment. Congratulations. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waske. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Congratulations, Ashley. Great things are coming. Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 696. Authorizes the Riverhead Police Department to apply for DHS FEMA funding to support the purchase of a high-speed rapid response patrol vehicle. So moved. Seconded. I said vehicle. I meant vessel. Sorry. So moved. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is accepted. Resolution 697. Acceptance of 2025 Justice Court Audit. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 698. Ratifies the resignation of a part-time code enforcement officer so moved second vote please Mosky yes, very field. Yes. Sorry to see him go Yes, yes Yeah Resolution is adopted resolution 699 accepts the retirement of a police officer Michael Mowdy so moved second vote, please wasky Congratulations Mike and Christina Mike you had a fabulous career. Sorry to see you go but well-deserved now you have much more time to play pickleball. Yes. Maryfield? Yes, congratulations. Stern? Michael, miss you. Thank you. Yes. Yeah, Mike, congratulations. Thank you for all your years of service. Did a phenomenal job, and thank you, and God bless. I vote yes. And Halpin? Absolutely accept this, and Michael, you were a great softball player and a great man, so thank you very much. Resolution is adopted. He's all about the pickleball now. Is it a fickle ball? Good deal. Resolution number 700. Authorizes the town clerk to publish in post notice to bidders for replacement of HVAC system at George Young Community Center. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waskey. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Definitely yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. This is exciting. Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 701. ratifies authorization for town clerk to publish and post public notice for public hearing for the purposes of conducting Monroe balancing test for Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps Ambulance Barn 1111 Osborne Avenue, Riverhead, New York, Suffolk County Tax Map number 0600-108-2-5. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Walshke. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. We are on our way, yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 702. Adopts local law to amend Chapter 301, Zoning and Land Development, to amend the town's site plan review procedure and to remove fees related to certain land use applications from the town code to allow the town board to establish fees by resolution of the town board. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 703. Hang on. Oh, 703. So adopts local law to amend Chapter 105, Boards, Commission, and Councils, Article 2, Appeals Board, the Appeals Board 105-9 filing fees. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 704. Adopts a local law to amend Chapter 219, Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas, Section 219 through 26, Fees for Permits and Appeals. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske? Yes. Maricu? Yes. Turn? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 705. Adopts local law to amend Chapter 295 Wetlands, 295-6 Application for Permit, and 295-10 Enforcement Penalties for Offenses. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 706. sets planning division fees. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolutions adopted. Resolution 707. Adopts a local law to amend Chapter 289 of the Riverhead Town Code titled Vehicles, Traffic, and Parking Regulations, Article 4, Parking, Standing, and Stopping. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waskey? Yes. Maryfield yes earned yes Rothwell yes yes sir resolution is adopted resolution 7 0 8 mr. Howard so yeah I think this this resolution adopts the local law that we had on for public hearing earlier in the meeting the supervisor I believe you left it open did yep until July 31 did so did you want to make a motion to close that? Yes. You did want that immediately? Yes. I'll second that. Okay. So we need a motion. So the motion is seconded. You'd have to make a motion to close that hearing altogether? Yes. Make a motion to close the hearing with regard to local law section. I made the motion. You did. So chapter 289 section 17 parking time limited yes we need to vote on the motion yes Maryfield yes the clothes mm-hmm yes yes needs to try to provide immediate relief to the businesses that are down there so yes this is their busy season so Eric I just like to ask we during that comment period we didn't have any comments during this time period, right? There were no comments. Okay. I just wanted to make that for the record on this time so people knew if they went back and watched it. My vote is yes. And to date I didn't see any comments come in written. There was not. I didn't check it before. Yeah. Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman. Okay. Motion has been accepted to close that hearing. Okay, so now we would Yes, now I move. Adopts a local law to amend Chapter 289-17 of the Riverhead Town Code titled Parking time limited. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. And as Councilman Rothwell had just said, both the Chamber of Commerce and also the Parking Committee had asked for this relief for the businesses downtown there. Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. And Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 709. Ratifies designation of alcohol service vendor to serve alcohol at the Polish Town Street Fair and Festival 2026. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waski. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Hearn. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 710. Approve special event chapter 255 application for Daniel Cox. Acliro Property Events. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waskey. Yes. Murrayfield. Yes. Hearn. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Alpen. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 711. Approved special end chapter 255 application for Protection Sports Association. PSA canine competition. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. I'm going to keep you in suspense. Yes. Halpin. I think it's cool that you're 7-11. Always open. Yes, absolutely. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 7-12. Pay his bills. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. resolution 713 amends resolution 2026-673 approves fireworks application for jamesport fire department july 18 20 26 so moved seconded vote please waski yes maryfield yes turn yes rothwell can we amend this to remove the tornadoes Yes. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 714. Authorizes town clerk to publish and post public notice to consider a local law to amend Chapter 207 of the Riverhead Town Code titled Animals, Article 4, Prohibition on Sales of Commercially Bred Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits in Pet Stores. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Wosky. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell? Yes, I'm just going to talk a little bit about this before I vote. In the public statement, I had worked very closely at the time with Carol Scafani and our attorney at the time, Eric Howard, and we had outlined this original legislation that came before us in the town. And I think I'm certain that the town of Riverhead's code putting this forth guided and put the state of New York in a position where they needed to address this on a statewide level. And so the revision in this code so that the public aware does in no way relinquish the stringent requirements that we have, but it adds definitions. It adds us to match the general New York state business law. It does eliminate the sunset clause because we're already in the active legislation side of things requires businesses to set hours and not just work by appointments requires record keeping source certificates of veterinarian doctors and then name address phone numbers of all the individuals that are either buying selling or transporting and then it allows for any particular individuals for civil lawsuits to reclaim it allows them the The town to also take civil actions against any violations. It does also refund funds for anybody that purchased an animal and there is any violations. Maintaining all the records for the facilities for each animal. So there's a lot of things that our town is still expanding off of the New York State Code and keeping things stringent in case. more importantly I think by us moving forward and adjusting our code it's going to allow the DA's office and Suffolk County Beast Unit and other agencies ASPCA to move forward to as well with any legal anybody that should violate this law. So I thank Eric Howard for working on this. I also thank our attorney that was also assigned to this John Mayer for their work in this and so we're going to keep moving this along so I vote yes thank you. And Halpin. Yes sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 715. Resolution to authorize and approve agreement with Riverhead Ambulance Corps subject to permissive referendum. So moved. Seconded. Oh, please. Waske? Yes. Mary Few? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Again, very proud of ARVAC. I vote yes, but not only that, but this is going to give them 75 years ahead of us, and there already will be a resolution in the next town board meeting to hold another emt class so we we continue to provide future uh providers so thank you for everything you do yes absolutely this is a great great thing for everybody yeah that resolution is adopted and that concludes the resolutions for this meeting with the closing of our resolutions we'll move the part of our meeting uh to our open comments again we'll ask you to come to the podium and you have your three minutes on the clock we ask that you give your comments and you speak you say your name where you're from and then remember just because we don't answer you we might be listening just to understand warren mcknight riverhead i i wish to make known the fact that uh supervisor halpern Assemblywoman Jody Gisler's office met with the MTA, right? Yes, sir. And they discussed a number of things. But the important theme of this is to get anything done, you have to work with each branch. And this is a start. And at this time, at this time, I noticed Catherine Kent, a former town councilperson, former teacher of this town, and she's a legislative aide to Greg Dorosky. I was wondering, appealing to her if she can't do it, and to you, to ask her to come aboard to coordinate the betterment of our community because you have the least authority but more voices on the town level on the county level on the state level maybe on a federal level get things done as far as that goes so I think it's important I asked you to do that and of course it's important for people like citizens and what I'm doing to help in that situation I sent a letter to the American Civil Liberties Union telling of the situation and bringing forth the fact that the MTA receives two billion dollars a year from the federal government now I'm sure the MTA if their money was held in jeopardy jeopardy, they would put a bathroom in downtown and maybe some benches and stuff like that. But we need everybody to in concert, citizens, local town boards and so on and et cetera. I can't start that enough. And in order to achieve economic development, you have to have human development because what's going on down there. People are sitting in the sun across from the railroad station waiting to get food, necessary food, out in the hot sun. And we have a beautiful gazebo, John Lombardi, God rest his soul, down at the other place, you know where it is, by the Congregational Church, wouldn't it be nice if the whole community, not just the town board, Riverhead, and everybody else, could get a gazebo down there for those people to do it? Now, if you want economic development, you go down to Hampton Bays, and you go down to their railroad avenue, compare it with our railroad avenue, just do it. I'm not going to comment on it. So we all have to work together and the sad part is democracy is a participation event and because of the situations in this country not many people participate. So I hope more people get involved and that's all I have to say. Thank you Warren. Thank you. Mr. McKnight. By the way, a lady was sitting down. You have to come back up. I'm so sorry. Don't worry about it. Yes, sir. All right. Well said. Thank you. Good afternoon. Bob Kelly from Reeves Park. I'm also a member of our beach committee. We had a couple of questions within the community and our surrounding neighbors, and it's regarding the status of what's happening with the purchase, land acquisition of the 4-H. how far along is this process going, any financial commitments so far, if anything has been made and then on that is a map or a game plan we'll put together for the use of that property and of course we want to see for the preservation of the property and to keep it as open space as much as possible. Of note would be the east side particularly that borders the people of Reeves park that also borders where the land preserve already exists. So that would kind of tie in very well, keeping it as a continuous preservation there. And if there's anything been going on over there as far as any thoughts about that. As far as a campground coming in, again, it's rumors and stuff. People talked about doing a KOA or something similar to Wildwood in there. That would have a whole other set of issues. And that's a set of problems all in and of itself. beach access then also becomes a thing. As you know, Reeves Park, that has the one ramp that goes down to the beach. For us to have a permit to go on the beach, by and large, most people do. But I think if we did something down towards where the 4-H exists now, and folks realize that that was the ramp down to the beach, there'd be a lot more people out of town, so to speak, coming down and using the beach. It'd be a headache for the police department. They already got their hands trying to take care of things. So that's my question on the 4-H. And then just real quick, I just want to say thank you to you guys and the town and especially the Buildings and Grounds Department. For a number of years now, as Joanne knows, we're trying to get the steps fixed from the gazebo going down to the town beach. And I'm glad to see that it's actually happening. Miracles do exist in this world. And you guys were able to figure out a way to do it. And I can't thank you enough because we asked for a long time for that to happen, and the wheels are in motion. So baby steps. So thank you. So anything that you guys can comment on the status of the 4-H and if there's a game plan and if there's a financial commitment that's been made by the town so far? So we did get the appraisal back, and the Beconic Land Trust, Julie, who presented that to us originally was away, and so she's just gotten back. We put a call in to her today, and hopefully we'll be able to have her come into work session, see where they stand on it. The section of land that Riverhead would be taking over does, you know, have that passage all the way up. I do not have any plans for an RV park or camping there. It would be more just passive would be my thoughts. But, you know, together the five of us, along with our beach committee and our, you know, open space preservation would be where they are. But I am also planning on, as far as me, I'd like to ask the Peconic Land Trust to pay to have those buildings removed, have them do that, you know, because there's quite a bit of buildings on there. So we'll have to speak about that. But, you know, that's deteriorated. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I think the wood would be great for a salvage company. So, you know, we can partner together on that, but I'd like to partner with them. So that's at least my take on where we stand as far as with Peconic Land Trust. So I don't know if anybody else wants to speak to that on their own. You haven't made a financial move yet? Yeah, I was bringing that on Thursday. That was coming on Thursday. So she's just waiting on Julie to get back. Anything going forward, if you could bring us to the table, people of the town would be appreciated on that. Yeah, so if you want to watch the work session on Thursday, we reached out to Julie. Hopefully she can make it there and was asking her to give us an update. All right, thank you. We'll keep an eye on that. Thanks a lot. Yep.

John McAuliffe, Frohn Oak Landing in Riverhead. Two topics, and I'll start with one and then I might have to do the second after you have other speakers. The first is the one I wrote you about, you received this morning, and I'd written to you about two weeks ago, which is the question of asking for information about what's happened with the $207,000 that was given to a law firm for a very partisan legal case. The town did withdraw from that case. Maybe I missed it, but I'd be interested in knowing who made the decision when it was publicly discussed, the withdrawal from the case, and what the reason was for withdrawal. The second question is whether you have discussed any way of trying to get back that $207,000, whether clawing it back from the law firm or, as I said last time, and people laughed about it, but going to the Riverhead Republican Party, and since the case was very specifically partisan that you ask for them to return the money to the town and to the taxpayers. So that's the first topic. If there is a response from Mr. Howard or from anyone else, go ahead. So I'll respond. The town joined that case because we viewed the even-year election law as overreach by the state into the affairs of the local municipalities and interference with local elections. We made that very clear that we believed that pursuant to municipal home rule law, That was within our authority to determine when we're going to have those elections. So that was the basis of our participation in the lawsuit. The lawsuit itself initially proposed two claims. One was a First Amendment claim, and the second was a claim under the Voting Rights Act. Our withdrawal from the case was upon discussion with our outside counsel. It was both strategic and procedural. The reasoning, the determination was to narrow the group of plaintiffs and focus solely on the First Amendment claim because of changes to the federal standard of review for Voting Rights Act claims. Those claims will be subject to a separate subsequent action and reframed. It was also done because there was some concern that the municipalities may be vulnerable to the pending motion to dismiss on the basis of res judicata. So the withdrawal from the case doesn't represent any kind of representation by the town board that they lack faith in the case or that they're no longer interested in seeing even your election law be repealed. It just, it's strategic in the context of the federal case. But when was that withdrawal decision made? Who made the decision? And did I miss it being publicly reported or discussed? We wouldn't publicly discuss it because it's pending litigation. So you did publicly discuss the original money, but you didn't discuss withdrawing from the case. All right. When did we publicly discuss the original money? I don't want to take more time now with it because this is obviously, that was an extremely partisan, not an objective. Well, that's your opinion. That's your opinion. Okay, and I think that other people might suggest that the law itself was partisan. Well, no, I grant that. Both sides had partisan motives. There's no question about that. but the question is whether we should have used town money to join one part of that partisan debate. Well, again, to me, it's protecting our municipal home rule powers. However, however we get a repeal of that, in my opinion, would be a benefit to the town. Well, I think it would be, and therefore you're not making any effort to get the money back. We could make an effort to get the money back, but we would likely lose. We would likely lose. The money was paid pursuant to a signed contract. To have that money reimbursed would be, I mean, it just, I don't see the firm deciding, you know, we did all this work for you, but we're just going to give you your money back. Or the Republican Party in Riverhead reimbursing the town for its partisan interest. Well, I don't know that the town would have a claim against the party. No, but maybe from its goodwill. At any rate, do you want me to go on to the other stop and come back? No, sir, I believe you. Yeah, no, that's what I don't want to overstay. If you want to come back up if somebody else goes. I'll come back if somebody else goes. Because it's a whole different topic. Is there anybody else in the room that would like to speak? You're welcome to. If you want to make your way over.

Cindy McKinney again about the canine competition. You can take your time. You don't have to hurry. You can take your time. I just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to review our event and approve us. and we're super excited to bring this event back to Long Island and this sport. So thank you all. I really appreciate it. Thank you. Riverhead.

Another Cindy. Cindy Clifford, Riverhead. When cannabis stores were on the horizon, the attention paid to the danger of those businesses moved you to form a committee to study how to secure a safe environment. I believe we're here to serve this town and all its residents. then wouldn't it also be true that ICE operations should get the same or even any consideration? It should matter that children who live here feel unsafe and adults who live here are afraid of being swept up without any protections or defense. Being at risk extends beyond the immigrant community, onto those with legal residency, naturalized citizens who are born and raised here. It extends beyond those targeted. It's felt by others concerned that the peacefulness and safety of our neighborhoods and the well-being of our neighbors is threatened. If the OLA resolution isn't a fit, I just encourage you to form a committee and include Chief Frost in order to create some sort of policy that would offer some restrictions and a sense of protection. It shouldn't be a partisan issue, it should be about the good of our entire community. But partisanship keeps rearing its ugly head. While some of the Republicans on our board have made baseless accusations of partisan politics at one point or another, it's especially ironic to learn that you voted to use our taxes to pay $200,000-plus to fund this GOP-led lawsuit. I spoke at the Suffolk County Legislature recently. I wanted to address how audacious it was for Republican organizations in Suffolk, including the Riverhead Republican Committee, to fund this purely partisan effort with town funds. I can't imagine anyone in town believes this was a smart move, or serves the public, or at all fair or ethical. I made the point then and I make it again today. If I want to support Republican pursuits, I will certainly make a contribution. And that will be my choice. But this was not my choice to chip in on a GOP lawsuit against even-year elections, because as I understand it, Republicans are concerned it could hurt them. But if you're okay with a political party dipping into the town coffers to pay the bills, would you vote in favor of writing a check if the Democrats want a couple hundred thousand for town funds? And if the answer is no, then you know this is wrong and there's no justification. Cindy, I'm just going to say, I normally don't comment, but I'm going to say, oh, I'm sorry, you didn't finish. Excuse me. That said, if this GOP purely partisan lawsuit is so important to you, I say go for it. I'm not saying don't do it. I'm just saying it's irresponsible and indefensible to have my tax dollars, our tax dollars, the town tax dollars paying for it. I'd also suggest that the Riverhead Republican Committee reimburse the town the $200,000 plus that they've appropriated and finance this lawsuit with their own money. And if they're unwilling, then perhaps the candidate who most hopes to benefit from the lawsuit should donate the refund. Thank you. I'm just going to say this because I think it was made very, very clear by our attorney. This was about home rule. This is what this is about. And if you're going to ask what, and I don't know, you know, the GOP and all this other political stuff, then you need to ask yourself, what did the state pay in all their legal fees to even make this happen? I don't know the answer. That's your tax money as well. So, I mean, I don't know the answer, but this is about home rule. And the one thing that, whatever we, Democrats, Republicans, no town should give up home rule. And then you'll just be controlled by the state. And I know they tried to do it with bringing in housing and forcing us to take housing around the train station. We fought that as well. We didn't have the infrastructure to do that. So I'm going to leave it at that. Okay. I would just say if it's home rule and it involves every citizen in the town, that's different. But every single piece of media coverage on this referred to it as a GOP-led lawsuit. And if it was about home rule, then some of the Democrats at least would have been part of it. Well, the media needs to report correctly. The media needs to report correctly. If it's only Republicans and Republican committees going after this lawsuit, then I've got to say it leans a little right, and I just objected having our tax dollars without us having a say in it being part of this. Thank you. Two online, but we have someone else in the room. We'll let her have an opportunity. And then if you could queue up those people online as soon as this outstanding citizen is done we'll move to them hi lori racanello calverton i'm here as an integral member of the community for over 30 years to advocate for the passing of a public safety and accountability law that reflects our neighbors in east hampton town and east hampton village i am deeply aggrieved to see the loss of our so many friends and neighbors and colleagues and people that feel like they cannot be safe in their own environment. I work as a master gardener and have seen the effects of ice on my colleagues directly. I believe all of us are safer and benefit from a productive relationship with our police force. However, such a relationship cannot exist when our friends and neighbors are in constant fear for their lives. As a mother, as a scientist, and as an American, I oppose the tactics of fear imposed on all of us by the federal use of ice to surveil and bully our communities I love our town and I and my friends agree that a protection measure should be on the agenda I'm hoping that we might be able to get that on the agenda soon Thank you for your comments We have one online that we're gonna go to and if there's anybody else in the room if you'd like to make your way around to the Just the walls so we know I can be aware that would be helpful possible. Thank you guys

Good afternoon. Oh you want to just wait one second here. Let's do this since he popped up

Good afternoon, Desmond wall Reeves Park A July 16 letter is in the agenda packet, pages 163 through 165. It asks for a public comparison, not an immediate OLA vote. At the July 11th Sound Park Heights meeting with Supervisor Haldeman present, Chief Frost discussed RTD assistance during federal operations. He later identified Policy 414. I've since filed FOIL requests 261481 and 261482 to seek that framework and related operational records. Both remain pending. Chapter 55, Part LL, enacted by New York State on May 27th, addresses town procedures for non-public access requests and specified civil immigration agreements. And then separately, OLA proposes local reporting, consultation, and correction. FOIL requests can produce these existing records, but it cannot create the comparison. The published packet so far contains no town assignment, public output, process, or response date. Without that comparison, the earlier appropriate laws assurance remains publicly unverified and cannot reasonably close the issue. So, Supervisor Halpin, I respectfully request one public written response filed with the clerk and posted with the August 4th materials. It need not disclose privileged legal advice. and that response should identify three things. First, Riverhead Section 996A procedure and designated contact. Second, whether Riverhead or RPD has or had any agreement described in Section 170K, Subdivision 2, and which office reviewed that question. And third, who will compare Part LL, town procedures, Policy 414, the documented practice, and OLA? And through which public process and on what timetable? Supervisor Halpin, will you commit today to having that response filed with the clerk and posted with the August 4th materials? I appreciate your comments, Mr. Wong, and I didn't know if you had anything else to add. Well, if not, what public process and date would you provide instead? I really appreciate your comments today, and I just didn't know if you had anything else to add. Thank you very much for your comments. Okay, so then just for the record, no responsible office or written public output or response date has been identified today. Is that the, just asking again if that's the end of your comments for today? That's it. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Thank you for your passion for this town. Okay. Hi, everybody. Gary Lake with Red Ambulance. Yeah. with Pat, our district manager. He's going to ask you to pull the mic up a little closer to you. We want to hear you, Garrett. How's that? We'd just like to thank everybody, specifically the town board as a whole. This is a big project that we're embarking on. It's a lot of work. Our liaison to the town board, Ken Rothwell, our town attorney, Eric Herrod, and Jeanette, the financial. where the money's coming from. But these three people and Ann Marie have sat at countless meetings with us at all times of the day, sometimes leading into the night. It's just a lot of work, and your commitment to this project doesn't go unnoticed, and the entire membership of ARVAC appreciates it. And once again, thanks for the 75-year lease. That just takes a lot of stress off of us. It lets the membership know that their hard work doesn't go unnoticed. And it takes a lot of, well, thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you. If I know you, Gary, you'll be back here in 75 years. Great work, gentlemen. Thank you, guys. Thank you so much for your passion for the human beings in their houses and showing up when nobody else does. Two online. So we'll take the first one. Excuse me. Sorry about that. If there's anybody else in the room, if you just make your way over so we are aware, that would be great.

Hi, I'm sorry, can you hear me? Yes, ma'am, we can. Okay, Carrie Flanagan, Riverhead. I'm just speaking today. There was a online social media thing in response to a Riverhead local post, and that one of the town board members, Joanne Waski, had requested that residents write letters to the town clerk, which I did. And I also wanted to read it. My letter was that Joanne Waski has publicly asked Riverhead residents to send letters to the town clerk regarding safety as a Riverhead resident since 1992. I could say that there is a fear from Riverhead residents that I know in the town of Riverhead due to the dangerous actions of federal agents who are not communicating with the Riverhead town police officers. Joanne has asked us to write letters of support, so I assume she means letters in support of the OLA proposed safety law during unprecedented time of ICE agents killing innocent people in our country. Some of the people killed recently in our country were not the targets of ICE agents, they were collateral damage. Joanne said that she has heard from the Latino community, which if that's true then she truly understands that what she has heard from them directly is their fear and uncertainty that they too could be collateral damage. Joanne said to trust our voices and to not be scared. Her public statement that we should use our voices and not be scared seems to me that she understands there is something to be scared of, but she's encouraging us to still use our voices and speak out. I hope Joanne is sincere and while she publicly states she supports the local ICE agency that considers its due process, she can also acknowledge that she fears or is aware of other fears for the dangers that the current actions of ICE agents create for people, including all the people at Riverhead, our police officers, and innocent bystanders. Thank you, Carrie. I will respond to that. I support all of the voices in Riverhead. Everyone that is here legally as a resident, I want to hear from all of you. We all have our own opinions. We're entitled to our opinions. My opinion is that I do not support OLA. I support ICE, our law enforcement, and rule of law. And that's all that I'm going to say about that. There's a lot of people out there. There are hundreds of people that were commenting on my piece that I put into Riverhead Local in support of saying that there needs to be something done, that we need to take care of our local legal residents, those that are trying to become legalized to be a U.S. citizen. That is important to many of us. So that was the intention of what I was saying. So I appreciate your letter, Carrie, and I know that there are people on both sides that are afraid. People are afraid to come out and speak up and say something. I run into people, even in the Latino community, that say that they are scared and they're here legally. They're afraid for their families. There's been fear put out there that a lot of them are not feeling, and we have to have a balance. So we can't keep coming out saying, rah, rah, rah, anti-ICE, and protect everybody. The people that are here legally in our community come first for me. And that is the message that I am putting out there. Okay. I would say that all the people in Riverhead, whether legal or not, should be considered in Riverhead Town Court. I'm not debating with you. I'm just telling you where I stand. I have been poked and poked and poked. But you said only legal. Excuse me. You said only legal. I have been poked, asked for an answer on where I stand. I gave out my answer. Certain people don't like it. That's too bad. I'm entitled to how I feel. Just because it isn't how you feel doesn't make it right or wrong. I still respectfully listen to you. I read all of your letters. I appreciate them. but the safety of the legal residents here in Riverhead are the people that come first and foremost for me. That's a shame because you're in charge of all of everyone who lives in Riverhead, whether they're legal or not. And all the town board members, you represent everyone here, not just if you're a legal resident. You're entitled to your opinion, Carrie. Thank you. It's not opinion. It's not opinion. That's a fact. A town board member is representing everybody who resides in Riverhead, legal or illegal, or not documented. Okay. Thank you for your time today. Thank you. Before we go back online, we will allow Mr. McKnight. This is your second visit? Yes, my second one. You get a frequent flyer, Miles, today? This is important. It has nothing to do with pros or cons. is the fact that Riverhead police are well trained. All the police are well trained, but I hear on the news broadcast that the ICE people are not well trained, that they do not have proper procedure, and in doing so, it puts people in danger. It's not right or wrong. They're being trained now. A lot of them are not trained that well as police officers. This is what I heard on the news. Not on the internet, on public radio and other sources. So with that comment, I'm speaking to you. I have no authority. But I did receive a letter from a congressman saying he's really training the police well. He's giving us money here and everything else. Maybe they should give more money to train ICE people, because it's important. Well, Warren, that's the federal government. Pardon? That's the federal government. Yes, exactly, but we all need help. He's not listening to us. He needs help from you and all of us to protect people when police procedure is not being followed by these ICE. This is what I hear. I don't see it. But I heard from other people, too. somebody went on somebody's property was looking all around on ice guy they said what are you doing here well we're looking for somebody here this is my private property you know what are you doing here so I think ice needs improvement and it's all of our jobs to protect the public you have the roughest job at all because you gotta hear us you know talk to you and that's the only place we can talk Like, Leota, forget about him. I can see his aides at the VFW every other Tuesday, and they brush me off. But, you know, maybe if they hear from, you know, maybe from you guys and other town officials, and if more people write letters, maybe Congressman Leota might wake them to take action. You know, it's very hard. the biggest thing is here you got New York City is all Democrat, out here it's all Republican. We need I would like to see at least two Democrats on the town board because democracy we need a consensus and we need a really two party system but getting back to that we need ICE is a problem that has to be trained and And here are all these people that they're not, you know, we can't ignore it. And it's hurting our citizens. All right, we're going to go to our three on Zoom. I think we have. So I'd like to make sure that they get an opportunity to speak. Again, if you are in the room and you'd like to speak, if you could just make your way to the right. Yes, sir. Thank you for being patient for a repeat. but if you can make your way to the right so we know can you hear us sir yes can you hear me yep yes thank you good afternoon this is kevin shay from beating hollow new york um thank you for letting me speak uh the town board uh i would like to add to the what the rest of the people were saying i think first of all i think it's great that we're having the dialogue uh as a retired firefighter dealing with public safety i think it's important to have this dialogue i'm really appreciate joan waski making a public statement about how she feels about it today when she did respond to uh carrie one of the speakers she mentioned i believe she supports ola i think that was probably a misstatement she probably doesn't support OLA's safety provisions. I want us all to consider the OLA safety provisions. The main reason why is we do respond to ICE operations on one of the drivers that goes there to document when incidents occur, and they are occurring in Riverhead. Last one I went to was on Roanoke Avenue. Six vehicles parked there. Some of them were actually rented with ICE operators inside once i showed up to document their license plates they uh fled not sure why could have been me could have been one other reason they did not uh display any warrant the group from from the people in the house so uh i left and went out of service at that point but there are operations at one point there will be um i guess a conflict conflict will cause some incident. I was one of the people at 9-11 which was caused by plane accidents, believe me, just take care of it's going to be related. One of the things that was not done, I would say we usually call it 9-10, was they were supposed to be bomb doors on airplanes. If bomb doors were on the airplanes, most of 9-11, the outcomes would not have occurred. So since I deal with a, it was in a job WHERE A LOT OF TIMES RULES AND LAWS AND ORDINANCES AND POLICIES WERE NOT CREATED UNTIL AFTER AN ACCIDENT OR AN INCIDENT OCCURRED. I DO PLEAD WITH THE TOWN BOARD TO CREATE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF POWERS YOU HAVE THROUGH THE HOME RULE, TO WORK WITH OLA AND THEIR SAFETY DIVISIONS TO COME WITH SOME POLICIES THAT WILL ENSURE THE PUBLIC THAT THERE'S A POLICY THAT ARE TRANSPARENT, THAT ALLOWS US TO WALK AROUND THE STREETS SAFELY, WITHOUT risk. My comment is concluded. Thank you. Mr. Shea, just for the record, you're an FDNY retired firefighter. Appreciate your service, but 9-11 was not an accident. It was a terrorist attack against our country, just for the record. That was no accident. We usually call it an incident. I misquote it as an incident, and we do report it as incidents, and it was a terrorist act. It was an attack on our country. Any other comment? It was an act of war, and it was terrible, and this will be our 25th anniversary of that and we mourn the loss of every human being that died that day and the absolute horribleness that humanity showed and together as a community we should always remember those in that light and never whitewash it. So our next online person, please.

Hi, Kathy McGraw, Northville, again. I think that it is pretty clear it's a fact that two people not targeted by ICE were recently shot and killed in this country by ICE agents. One in front of his three-year-old daughter. Ms. Waske, you say you unequivocally support ICE. How can you support these actions by ICE? Can you understand why people here legally or seeking to become citizens, as you described, are afraid, given the lawlessness of ICE? Could you each on the panel explain to the people of Riverhead why you will not sit down and talk to OLA, the organization that represents Hispanics, legal and illegal? because we know that everybody is at risk when an ICE agent shoots and kills people who are not targeted in their immigration crackdown. Any one of us could be caught in that situation and I would like to know why this town board, each of you, refuses to sit down and talk with OLA. Could you each explain to the people of Riverhead. Thank you very much.

Is that your comment, Ms. McGraw? Oh, I think it froze, unfortunately. Is there another one online?

It's not accurate.

Good afternoon, this is Bob Ferry of Aqabag. I wholeheartedly support law enforcement at both a national and local level. Unfortunately, the reality is that various individuals, including people here legally and American citizens, were involved in tragic situations. and it's a rather trite unsophisticated comment I would expect of graduates of Riverhead High School and our preacher down by the junkyard to say we support ICE without understanding the complexity of the issues. And certainly when a former member of our state legislature has worked with OLA to draft legislation to address concerns of our entire community. It is reprehensible, irresponsible, and reckless for this board to refuse to have a dialogue. What our police in Riverhead should be doing is working with ICE, working with its community to assure that everyone is safe in our hometown. And it should not be merely an employment agency for friends and family members of the town board. Thank you. Is there anyone else online? Thank you for your comments, sir.

All right. There's no one else online in the house. Mr. McCullough. John McAuliffe from Roanoke Landing. Before I say what I want to say, you've probably seen this picture. This is the young man, the Colombian man, who was killed in Maine last week. It could have been somebody from Riverhead. He looks just like a lot of people here in Riverhead. Mr. McAuliffe, I would just like to say, do you hold up a picture of any of the young girls that have been raped and murdered? By illegal aliens? I just ask you, sir, if you hold up pictures... And we have also the pictures of people who are hurt by American citizens. I mean, that's a false argument. It has nothing to do with what has happened right now and continues to happen. I'm sorry, Mr. McAuliffe, I'm merely pointing out the fact... As they say in Congress, not from my time. Please go ahead. I'm just, Mr. McAuliffe, with all due respect, you held a picture of an alleged illegal alien that was harmed by ICE. And I just simply ask if you have ever held a picture of any of the young women that have been murdered by illegal aliens in this country. Have you? Have you ever held up pictures of many other people who are killed by American citizens? It's really not a relevant argument. It actually is because you're referring to illegal aliens. People are killed all the time, and it's horrible. There's no question about that. But aliens, in fact, have a lower crime rate than U.S. citizens. So, I mean, it's a whole separate discussion, but let me go to what I wanted to speak to. The point of showing the picture is the human being is there. The human beings are all over Riverhead. I want to put a pin, Mr. Howard, on our earlier discussion. Was it your decision or the supervisor's decision or some informal process in the board that led to withdrawal from the case? It was ultimately my decision. I advised the town board. You advised the town board, but it did not come. We had discussion on it. But not in a work session? Not in a work session. It was in an executive session. Okay. All right. Just clarifying that. All right. Okay. No, I just wanted to be clear, sure I was understanding it. On the larger question that we were talking about, I had two letters in the packet, one having to do with the loss of temporary protective status, which, and my question is, do we have Haitians in Riverhead who will be affected by that? Do we have Ukrainians who have been affected by it? Is the board monitoring that question? The second thing I wanted to say is that we're talking about Representative Lolota's one letter. The other letter that he sent out that people may have seen was his justification of why, if you want to talk about home rule, his reaction to East Hampton adopting the OLA legislation was to say that he's not going to allow any other federal money go to East Hampton. This is certainly the model out of Washington, but it's not exactly a home rule model. So I think that the other thing is, again, to flag the danger. After the two killings, the head of Homeland Security that they're going to stop for at least a while, car stops. The president reversed that 24 hours later. So the danger continues, and it exists here as much as it does anywhere in the country. Thank you very much.

Thank you for your comments, sir. Colin Tooker from Riverhead. I made a pledge today to not speak politics, and I don't intend to speak politics. I would like to make a public service announcement. We had scheduled for tonight, in front of Town Hall at 7 o'clock, a vigil in honor of all people murdered in this country, specifically including those murdered by people who are here undocumented. Unfortunately, the weather has not cooperated, so it's been rescheduled for next Wednesday at 7 o'clock. No politics, no signs, no talking points. We are going to honor everyone who has been murdered in this country, no matter who the murderer was. Thank you for your comments, Mr. Tucker. Who's that vigil? They're moving it to next Wednesday. Yes, it's what he said. Yes, sir. So we'll make sure that information is done. It looks like we have one online. That or the guys in the booth think we're all number one. I was told not to make jokes, but I did. Thank you. This is Ron Greer again. I got here a little bit late, but I did notice that on the agenda, there was some issues regarding a work regarding the Petrocelli Hotel and plans to be drafted by the sewer department. I just would like to clarify whether or not, as the supervisor and Mr. Rothwell previously represented, there is a closing date for any sale of the town property to Mr. Petroseli. At the last hearing, Mr. Supervisor, you said the town was working diligently to move toward a closing. It's been a year since Petroseli was appointed master developer. Can you clarify whether or not there is indeed a closing date? So I did ask that yesterday and our legal team is getting back with me the exact specifics and we will announce the exact date. But yes, it is imminent is what I'm asking for. And I think the town board hopefully is all agreed on that. But yep, so it's coming sooner within hopefully sooner than we can speak. But I don't want to say something and then you go, hey, that wasn't the date. They're tentatively trying to set it up for August 5th. There you go. Can you clarify whether a site plan has been approved for the project? It would be subsequent to a site plan. It's subsequent to a site plan. That's what I thought. So you anticipate that a site plan will be approved prior to the closing. Is that right? I anticipate that there will be a resolution for the town board to vote on which, if adopted, would approve the project. And that would happen within the next two weeks? It would need to happen at the August 4th meeting. Thank you very much. Those are the goals. Moving along. Anybody else in-house? All right. Well, I think that's the end of our open comments, and so we will ask for just a motion to close this meeting and move into a CDA meeting. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye.

Good afternoon. We have one resolution on. So we would take comments on that resolution. The resolution is to ratify the budget adjustment for EPCAL for legal fees. So are there any comments on that? Again, if you'd come up. Or CDA? Well, I'll just say by way of explanation, This is a budget transfer that is intended to cover further legal fees associated with the case against triple five. Yep. Thanks Eric Counselor sorry So we would ask for a motion in a second for to approve that resolution So second it Bosque. Yes, very field. Yes Kern yes, Rothwell. Yes Yes, ma'am resolution is adopted and then we would take comments on any matter relating to the Community Development Agency

John McCullough fro in oaklanding I I think it would be helpful in this kind of resolution if you Said how much money was involved? and And I actually tried to download it and couldn't. So that's why I'm... But there's no reason to interrupt the process, but it would be helpful for people to know what's involved. On the CDA, you've given me part of the answer. I wonder how that fits into the IDA consideration. Can you do the closing before IDA has responded to Mr. Petrucelli? Yes. You can? Yes. All right, because the content of his language was that he didn't want to go ahead with a closing unless he had the IDA money guaranteed. So that, I think, needs to get clarified. The other two smaller points is whether you have moved at all on resolving protecting the parking of people who are going to the theater and Maximus, or whether you want to give those spots over to the hotel. And finally, the other issue before you, the eminent domain issue for the Science Center, is there a time frame on when you're coming back to the board for the actual legal step and then going to court? Thank you, sir, for your comments. I think we have one online. They're giving me the high sign. It's Thomas. Sorry.

NEW SPEAKER Yes, RON HARIRI AGAIN. IN CONNECTION WITH THE SITE PLAN FOR THE PETROSELA HOTEL, CERTAIN ISSUES WERE RAISED REGARDING PARKING. AND THE APPLICANT'S ATTORNEY REFERENCED A POSSIBLE RESOLUTION FOR A PARKING GARAGE. CAN YOU TELL US WHETHER A PARKING GARAGE IS ENVISIONED AND WHETHER THE TOWN IS IN THE PROCESS OF CONSIDERING AND OR PREPARING A RESOLUTION TO BOND A PARKING GARAGE AND WHAT THE ANTICIPATED COST OF THE GARAGE WILL BE AND TO WHAT EXTENT WILL OUR TAXPAYERS END up putting the bill for a garage to support a parking garage ultimately benefiting a private hotel project for Mr. Petrucelli, one of the Riverhead's Republicans' major donors over the years.

Was it at me? Okay. Well, I can say that the parking garage, I think, has been discussed for well over a year at this point probably even closer to two and it was in fact part of our federal dri application uh that we were awarded about 16 million towards the construction of it so i don't think that there's any imminent plans developed for that for that project ms thomas can probably elaborate on that or if that's what the board wants absolutely I'd appreciate that. Thank you. And my question is, and we had a private conversation about this, is to what extent, and I assume that the grants receipt will cover only a small portion of the cost, which surely have gone up dramatically since the project was first discussed or considered. But again, my question is, will a resolution be needed and will the parking district members or the public end up putting the bill for this that was quite a few questions mr herrera wrapped into one so i would just give you the outline of the uh town's progress in developing the uh parking garage the town has been planning parking garage for at least the last five years we received a 24 million dollar grant in 2024 a large portion of that grant approximately 16 million will be directed towards the development of a parking garage we also received two million dollars from the county of suffolk that will cover a large portion of it as you probably are also aware the town is working towards parking enforcement and paid parking and so the objective would be to fund the balance of the cost of that parking garage from anticipated revenue from those fees again we have not designed the garage we do not have a final cost and we won't have a final cost until the project is bid but in the meanwhile that project is moving forward and is intended to be completed without taxpayer uh funding well mr petroselli contribute um toward the use of parking spaces at the public garage do you anticipate that that's a that's a conversation that has yet to be had uh the garage is not designed yet and so once it's designed and sized and funded and built then we can have that conversation thank you thank you for your comments sir i think that's it i think we're online and in our room and so done okay so that would be the uh and by the way just to answer mr mccall's question the uh fund balance transfer was 95 000. the resolution is available online in case you wanted to look um we would just need a a resolution to close the meeting Motion motion. I'm sorry a motion to move the meeting second Mosky yes, Maryfield. Yes, Kern Yes, Rothwell. Yes, Alvin. Yes, ma'am. Okay. The meeting is closed. Thank you so much. Thank you everybody

Thank you.

And I am joined by my fellow town board members and the town supervisor as well. And we have decided to reconvene the Helicopter Noise Task Force just over the abundance of concerns, particularly as the summer has arrived here and additional helicopter flights are coming in and out of New York City. But if you don't mind, if we can just start by standing up just to say the pledge, if you don't mind, please. John Cullen, would you lead us in a pledge, please? I will. 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. I'm just going to introduce the members of our helicopter task force who were summonsed to response to town hall, but I am surrounded by very knowledgeable individuals that have followed this for many, many years. And so just we do have John Cullen with us. Other members are Connie Carlin, Ken Dolan, Sid Bale, Elaine McDuffie, and Teresa McCaskey. So thank you all for joining us today. Basically, some people say, what exactly are they going to do, and what is that task force about? So just to kind of give you a little bit of a background, the FAA helicopter flight path rules were set for Riverhead a number of years ago. For several helicopters operating under visual flight rules along the Long Island's north shore, including the town of Riverhead here, from July 29, 2022 to today, to coming up July 29, 2026. So it's a four-year plan that the helicopters have to deviate from traveling over residential areas, and they're traveling currently on the, for our retrospective, the North Shore flight. And we can put that one graphic right up on the screen so everybody can see. But these are the flights that they're supposed to be routinely following. There's agreement that was created through the FAA. and flying between New York City and Orient Point along the shoreline. The route is designated to reduce low flying noise complaints from residents. Pilots must follow the published North Shore Helicopter.