Summary AI
The Riverhead Town Board held three public hearings on code amendments (fireworks permitting, special events, and procurement policy), left the comment period open until September 25th, and adopted most items on a lengthy resolution agenda while tabling the school resource officer contract renewal amid concerns about incomplete terms.
Public hearings & comment
- The board held hearings on amending Chapter 231 (fireworks/pyrotechnics permitting, moving review to the Fire Marshal's office), Chapter 255 (special events, requiring fireworks permits per Chapter 231), and Chapter 115 (procurement policy, adding federal grant compliance standards); all three remain open for written comment until September 25th.
- Several residents spoke in support of Resolution 843/854 funding the restoration of the Wading River Duck Ponds, including mention of a Suffolk County downtown revitalization grant and roughly $3.5 million in additional grant funding being pursued with Congressman LaLota's office.
- Multiple residents raised concerns about an alleged ICE enforcement incident on Labor Day near Marcy Avenue in Riverhead and asked whether the town board or police department was aware or had responded.
- A speaker alleged that letters he and another resident submitted were improperly withheld from the agenda packet by the Town Clerk, calling it a First Amendment concern.
- Public comments also addressed a dispute involving a Town Board member's social media post about a resident, with calls for apology and reconciliation, and a proposal to revive a 1990s minority entrepreneurship training program.
Key actions
- The board adopted the Wading River Duck Ponds capital project budget (Resolution 843) and awarded an engineering assessment contract to M&J Engineering, D.P.C. for the project (Resolution 854).
- The board approved a sewer district extension to serve 840 Old Country Road (Suffolk County Tax Map #0600-82-03-9.1) under Resolution 855.
- The board approved a budget adjustment for HVAC replacement at the George Young Community Center (Resolution 844) and awarded the related HVAC replacement bid (Resolution 869).
- The board approved an Ambulance District budget adjustment for repairs to the Armory Building, allowing RVAC to operate from the Armory during construction of a new ambulance facility (Resolution 842).
- The board tabled ratification of the renewal and amendment agreement for the Riverhead Central School District School Resource Officer Program (Resolution 856) due to concerns about an incomplete contract, incorrect dates, and overtime provisions.
- The board accepted retirements of two police officers, a police detective, and an account clerk, and ratified the resignation of a Fire Marshal I.
Money
- The Receiver of Taxes reported August 2026 monthly utility payments of $831,791.95.
- The Town Clerk reported August 2026 monthly collections of $12,911.25.
- The board approved a budget adjustment for 2026 records management and digital conversion (Resolution 877).
Auto-generated from an unofficial, machine-made transcript. It may misstate names, figures, or votes. Verify against the agenda and the full transcript below.
Decisions & Votes AI
Extracted automatically from an unofficial, machine-made transcript; votes are recorded only where the roll call is audible. Resolution numbers and titles are grounded in the official agenda. May contain errors — verify against the full transcript below and the town’s official record.
Full Transcript
Recording in progress.
Thank you.
Good evening, everyone. Today is Tuesday, September 15th. It's 6 o'clock. We are here for a town board meeting. And before we go any further, if we'd stand and say the pledge. Warren McKnight, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you Warren. Councilman Rothwater, do we have someone for the invocation tonight? We do. We have a gentleman here tonight who has many titles. Riverhead Fire District. Our court fostering officer and associate pastor of the House of Praise tonight, Justin Winters Sr. Thank you for joining us. No problem. Would you bow your heads with me? Oh, Heavenly Father, we're so grateful for this night, oh Lord. Father, we thank you for the many seasons that you have given us, oh Lord. But Father, we ask you that you be in the midst of this meeting, oh Lord Father. Father, we thank you for all those who came out here tonight, and Father, we thank you for the great leadership that we have, that you continue to guide them and protect them, oh Lord, Father, and let us continue to go forward in whatever endeavor we need to do. All this we're thankful and grateful for. In Jesus Christ's name, let us say amen. Amen. Thank you very much. Absolutely. Does anyone have any announcements? We do have two racetrack not street this Saturday and Sunday. You can check out their website. Also have the September 27th, the fall festival at Shops at Eastwind. Just want to open it up and see if anyone else has any community events they'd like to bring up. It's okay if not. All right. We'll just keep on moving there. We also have on October 3rd our bid. We'll be having their paddle on the Peconic with some lovely witches. So they'll be doing the festive thing. And so with that, we will move into our correspondence with our town clerk, Mr. Wooten, and our reports. Okay. Thank you. Take it away. Well, at the correspondence, We received several letters about the Roanoke zoning, about the Anti-Bias Task Force, Public Safety, CDA, ICE, Summer Wind. They're all listed on the back of the agenda, as well as posted, published on the website for the town. Some dealt with the 4-H camp preservation, and one about the Monroe balancing test. But as I said, they can all be read verbatim on the town website as a published item. Under reports, the receiver of taxes monthly utility report for the month of August 2026 was $831,791.95. And the town clerk's monthly report for the month of August was $12,911.25. And that concludes our reports. Thank you, sir. We'll move into our first public hearing. The first one was scheduled for 6.05, and look, it is 6.05 on the dot, to amend Chapter 231, Article 13, Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Displays, with our lead counselor, Mr. Howard. All right, thank you. This is a straightforward amendment to Chapter 231, which is the fire prevention chapter. It signs review and issuance of fireworks permits to the Riverhead Fire Marshal's office, and it provides for an appeals structure in the event that an application is denied. And it's otherwise pretty straightforward. So the fire marshal's office, in practice, does everything with the fireworks. They go do the inspections. They do the follow-up inspections. They do the communication with the vendors. So it makes sense to assign this to them through the code. Okay. So if anybody has a comment from up here or if anyone from the community or online Has about this specific and only this specific public hearing will give you a second to think if you need to reflect look at it And then we'll move on in just a second So the one online Does it look to anyone from any council people have any comments or questions? Okay, so we will keep this public hearing open open until the 25th of September and for 10 days for written comment and we will close this portion of it. Our next one will be our public hearing that was scheduled for 6-10 and we are ahead at 6-06. It is to amend chapter 255 article 2 special events and once again with Councillor Howard. It's four minutes short maybe Bob can play something on a guitar or something like that We'll be at a lot of time
It's the cold it's bringing out the best in us Thank you This this is a housekeeping Amendment in light of the prior amendment to chapter 231 Under chapter 255, which is special events this simply clarifies that in the event you're having a special event which involves a fireworks display that the pyrotechnics or fireworks display permit will be required under chapter 231 of the town code so to give once again anybody online or anybody in the room just a second I always hate rushing through these and then somebody pops up online so again this will be left open for written comment just a second for 10 more days, maybe until the 25th in case you go home and you look at it. I want to make sure of that. So, all right. With that, we will close this portion of it and leave it open for written comment until the 25th. Please send those in if you have them. Our next public hearing was scheduled for 6-15, again at 6-07, which is not anything but great, and to amend Chapter 115, Procurement Policy. And once again, Councillor Howard, if you would guide us through that. Thank you. This proposes This is a new guideline to the procurement policy, which was recommended by the outside auditing firm, which is simply intended to clarify that where there's federal money involved in a grant, whether we're the recipient or subrecipient, that the 2 CFR 200.318 through two, I'm sorry, through 327 is required. That section sets forth federal general procurement standards, aren't really dissimilar from our current procurement process, but ensures that we are complying with federal law where there's federal money involved. And those provisions generally relate to compliance with domestic preference, compliance with women, minority, and veteran-owned business consideration, procurement methods, and competition. So this one's a little bit more involved, so I'll give you a second. I don't want to rush anybody through. if we have anyone online or anyone in the room that wants to go over that just give that I'm gonna kind of give us a moment here making sure that anybody that has any questions or if there's any my fellow board members that have a question I want to give you an opportunity so all right with that I don't believe anybody online any board members anybody have anything okay so So with that we'll close this portion of it, keep it open again for written comment for ten days which will be September 25th to our town clerk's office. It'll be great. And so at this moment we'll move into the comments on resolutions. Again we want to give you those guidelines for that which would be you're allowed to speak up to three minutes on a specific resolution. We ask when you come to the microphone that you make sure the microphone is in front of your mouth and that you please let us know what resolution you're speaking of so that we can make sure we're in the same spot. Okay. Can we play first? Go for it. Can we play guess the resolutions? Duck ponds? Is there a duck pond resolution? Resolution three. I'd like to thank the town for, and the town of Brookhaven. And you guys have worked very hard on this project. And it's really coming to fruition. It's not only going to be for, obviously, the benefit of the Hamlet of Wading River. I think it's good for the communities around here. It's good for tourism. And the Ducks have no complaints about you doing this. So thank you very much. I hope you pass it. Thank you. Sid, could you just, when you came up, if you could just say your name and your house. Oh, Sid Bale, president of Wading River Civic Association. Thank you. Thank you. Just for the record. Yes, sir. Outstanding. Sid, we thank you. Sid, I just want to also thank you. Sid, if I could just thank you. We did get a confirmation from the Suffolk County that they had received all applicants. For those that are not aware, Weeding River Civic Association had filed for a grant application through Suffolk County's downtown revitalization grants. And so we got, which I thought was very impressive, the approval that the duck ponds would be considered a downtown revitalization zone that was step one in our grants they're going to be voting on grants uh coming up this week i believe and so and i believe there's very good news forthcoming and so there's a lot of good things happening so there's first the beautification grant which will be a placement of curbing and sidewalks lighting SIGNAGE, SOME OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT WILL BE MORE COSMETIC SIDE OF WORK AND WHAT WE'RE ALSO VOTING ON TONIGHT IS WE WORKED REALLY GREAT, DANLA SQUADRO HAS BEEN FABULOUS IN THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN AND THANK YOU TO THE CBA, COUNCILMEMBER MERRIFIELD HAS BEEN ON TOP OF IT WITH ME AND VISITING THE SITE AND WHEN WASKI WAS DOWN AT THE SITE. WE'RE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY $3.5 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING AND WE'RE WORKING WITH CONGRESSMAN the Lola and that's going to be where you're going to see the major overhaul where there's going to be new bulkheading and dredging and a full restoration of the area as well. So there's lots of good things coming down there, but it's a two-step phase. And the lighting is only decorative lighting. It is not street lighting. It's going to be beautiful ambient lighting. It's a beautiful part of the town. Warren McKnight, Wading River. Are you really? well I originally I was from Wading River until 2000 and I spent every day by the duck ponds from 1985 to 1995 my wife and I got the rest of Seoul we had McKnight Music and Craft Barn and I could tell you it is a treasure between the marshlands the other pond and every once in a while, that's where you've got to put up signs, humongous turtles would cross right at the Brookhaven River headline from the other lake, the deeper lake, and go into the ponds. So I'm taking it you're talking about Resolution No. 3 as well, Mr. Warren? Yeah, with the ponds. All right, good stuff. Just want to make sure I'm tracking with you, buddy. We have to put up so many signs. The more signs you go to, because it's so environmentally sensitive. And when you get down the road, I forget the crazy road between the two ponds. Zelfanils. You've got to put bulkheads there and the egrets. And, you know, I see a mother deer and two little fawns drinking down there. And it's so beautiful. And its rough thing is the cars park across the street, and some of the cars have run off, if you know what I mean. And of course, the cars park where I used my old store over there, it's an antique store now or whatever it is. And you know, that area needs help there too because, you know, as far as that goes, so the areas. So it is a treasure. Look at it carefully. I mean, it is a jewel and it's also one of the last things on earth that protects the beautiful wildlife down there. You can't imagine, you know, the bats come out at night, everything, it's a, you know, this is a treasure. You know, you go down the creek road, you'll see all the different birds, all the, you know, and it's wonderful. So thank God you're doing it. Great comment. Oh, yeah, you guys, look at that, Warren. Any other comments on resolutions? I don't believe we have anyone online. Just want to make sure, give you a second in the room. Only on resolutions. So you would just come to the podium and state your name and your Hamlet and the resolution number if you could, please, sir. Yes, sir. Just a question for clarity. Yeah, just a question. My name is Kevin Shea. it's about clarity on 20 which is the technology because I mean I went to school for technology and I really support any technology my question would be something that's probably going to show my ignorance so it's resolution the one that deals with the grants for technology I believe it's on the list number 20 to 0 ok is that good All right. Thanks, guys. Again, I'm going to be showing my ignorance, but is it going to involve at any point looking for grants to bring in flock cameras in Riverhead? If you don't know, it's okay. I'll just do it for you. But I just wanted to know if it may involve flock security surveillance cameras in the town of Riverhead. Anyone? I do not believe. I think our CDA director is here who helps with our grants, so she can answer, but I do not believe that this is, I don't want to misspeak. So it's, Dawn, I'm not sure if you're able to come up. It's 860. It ratifies authorization for a red police department to apply for grant funding through the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Technology and Equipment Program. Thank you. If you'd just step to the side, she'll. Captain Wilsey is working on that with Liz Keller in our office. I don't think either of them are here, so I don't have a lot of detail on that, but it's for PD. Yep, for PD. Yeah, we can get you that answer though, so I
Don't believe there's any I don't see any other Comments on resolutions. All right. Well with that said if we're ready, we'll ask our town clerk. Mr. Wooten to guide us through the resolutions I'm not ready. Okay
Okay, our first resolution is number one, which is 841 Adopt SUA District Capital Project Number 82619, New York State Secure Grant Infrastructure Improvement. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Murrayfield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Well. Yes. And Halbin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. I'm getting there slowly but surely. All right. Resolution number two, 842. 2. AMBULANCE DISTRICT BUDGET ADJUSTMENT FOR REPAIRS TO THE ARMORY BUILDING. SO MOVED. SECONDED. VOTE PLEASE. WASKE. YES. LARRY FIELD. YES. KERN. YES. HOTHWELL. IN CASE PEOPLE ARE WONDERING WHY WE'RE DOING REPAIRS TO THE ARMORY, THE RIVERHEAD VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE COMPANY IS GOING TO BE RESPONDING FOR EMERGENCY CALLS FROM THE ARMORY BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO BE TAKING DOWN THE BUILDING SHORTLY TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION on a new RVAC ambulance facility. This is where they'll be responding from and then you will be having your meetings and office personnel in another location. But we just need to prepare this in the interim over the next course of the year while construction is taking place. I vote yes. Halpin. It's a great point. They even erected their sign out front that said, Help Us Grow. And so if you want to help them move along, you can donate to that. Absolutely, yes, sir. That resolution is adopted. Resolution 843. adoption for capital project 12620 restoration of the wading river duck ponds so moved second vote please yes merrifield yes very much kern yes bothwell mayor of sid bale yes and how could yes sir resolution is adopted resolution 844 budget adjustment for replacement of hvac system at george young community center so moved second vote please waski yes Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 845. Sets the fees for the 2026 Fall Recreation Brochure. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waskie? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 846. extends internship for town board councilman Robert Kern. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske. Yes. Berryfield. Yes. Kern. Yes, and I just want to say thank you to Danielson for doing a great job. Yes. Rothwell. Initially thought we were keeping Bob around for a little bit, but Danielson does a great job too. Absolutely, yes. He's replacing me. And Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 847. Appoints an automotive equipment operator to the highway department. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Berryfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 848. Changes the status and set salaries of current seasonal employees to call in employees in the recreation department. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Berryfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 849.
Accepts the retirement of police officer Brogan. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waski? Yes. Best of luck to you, Ray. Merrifield? Yes. Congratulations. Kern? Yes. Thank you for your service. Rothwell? Yes. A true gentleman. very grateful for years of service for everything you've done thank you very much enjoy retirement vote yes and happen officer Brogan you've been amazing at the court thank you so much and yes yes sir that resolution is adopted resolution number 850 accepts the retirement of a police officer Lipinski so moved second vote please waski yes congratulations Eric enjoy your retirement. Maryfield? Yes, congratulations. Ern? Yes, I was just teaching his little daughter how to play golf the other day. Good luck on your retirement. So moved. Rothwell? Yes, Eric. Enjoy your retirement. We'll miss the solving the world's problems, sometimes sitting down over at the Wading River Fire Department substation before or after your shift. Best of lucks. You have worked very hard. God bless. I vote yes. Hopin? Congratulations, Eric. Yes. Yes, sir. That resolution is adopted. Resolution 851. Accepts the retirement of Police Detective Schmidt. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waskey. I have to say it's about time. Mike and Mike Schmidt was actually my husband's partner in the detective division for Riverhead PD. And it was always a comfort to know that when my husband was showing up at a call that Detective Schmidt was going to be by his side as well as the other detectives and people on a police force. So Mike, to you Susan and your children, enjoy your retirement. I can't believe I'm actually here to vote on this, so I vote yes and again, congratulations. Mary Field. Yes, congratulations, Detective. Yes, congratulations, Detective Schmidt. Rothwell. Congratulations, Detective. It sounds like Patrick is waiting for you. Commence retirement. Good times ahead. Thank you for your service. I vote yes. Ann Halpin. Thank you, Detective Schmidt, for all you've done for our town, and we hope that you enjoy your retirement. Yes, sir. That resolution is adopted. Resolution 852. Accepts the retirement of an account clerk. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Congratulations. Kern. Yes. Congratulations. us. Rothwell? Congratulations, Lisa. Thank you for all your years of service. Enjoy your retirement. Vote yes. And Halpin? Thank you, Lisa, so much for all your service to our town, and we look forward to seeing you out and about town. Yes, sir. The resolution is adopted. Resolution number 853. Ratifies the resignation of a fire marshal one. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waske? Yes. Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 854. Authorizing an award contract to M&J Engineering DPC Engineering Assessment for the Restoration of the Wading River Duck Ponds, Wading River, New York. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes, sir. Resolutions adopted. Resolution 855. Town of Riverhead Resolution 2026. Order establishing extension to the Riverhead Sewer District to serve... Hold on a minute. I have to put the glasses on. 840. Old Country Road, Riverhead. Suffolk County Tax Map number 600-82-03-9.1. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 856. Ratifies authorization for the supervisor to execute renewal and amendment agreement for the Riverhead Central School District Resource Officer Program, so moved. I'd like to, before we second that, open just for some discussion with the town board. On this resolution, there's really lacking, it says we're a renewal and amendment agreement. but there's a lot missing here and I think it's kind of a two-step piece together but I see I just would like to really have seen the entire contract to put forth and I think that it should be stricken out towards what's being changed and it should be underlined towards what's being added to it as we've done with every other formal contractual changes or town board code changes and so forth and if there's a lot of unclear questions here it does state that there's a fiscal impact which we know and it's coming out of fund balance but my question I'm sorry that it says it's coming out of general fund but I'm thinking why not shouldn't it be coming out of fund balance as opposed to you know utilizing the surplus funds for this as opposed to the general town funds. The dates are incorrect on the contract. It says the top just states the 26-27 school year in May and down below it says 2027 to June 2027. The school board votes on this, voted on this in May and the dates are just they're not correct. The biggest concern it discusses overtime and this says that overtime is at the discretion of the superintendent or his designee which i don't think is appropriate i think perhaps our chief of police and if so what is the financial impact of this towards you know it says that you know the superintendent of schools wants to allow them to go to athletic events concerts hearings proms homecoming that just you know what's the overall going to be the fiscal impact of this so i really would like to see a fully written contract with the changes towards what's being stricken out, what's being added, perhaps underlined, because I think I'd like to be able to vote on the fully contract and not it's pieced together here. And the other thing I just, I don't want a disruption in the SRO program. So it's, you know, I fully support the SRO program. I want it to go forward. I just think when we're voting, this is just, it's not organized and put together in the proper way. If I may, I'd like to also add a comment on this. The original agreement from 2024 talks about the agreement was effective from 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026. The agreement states in Article I that the agreement may thereafter be renewed upon mutual consent of the parties for one additional year, periods. The point I want to make is this new particular resolution talks about this being a renewal and amendment agreement. This is actually a big significant change. It says that the school district, the agreement would be between the town board and the school district effective for 2026-2027. and it goes on to say the agreement shall thereafter be negotiated for any subsequent years through collaboration of both the town and the school district. The words may and shall have very significant meanings in the law. May means it could be. It doesn't mean it's definitely going to happen. The agreement that's being posed says this agreement shall thereafter be negotiated for any subsequent years. Shall means it's a requirement, must be. So that's a very significant departure from the original agreement, and I think that's something that should be brought up. And I would concur in tabling this for those reasons. MR. And so I also believe, too, that we were going to add in this that there would be a stipulation that the following year that the school district would pick up the cost of this. And I think that otherwise we're back here next year, we're doing the same task repetitively, And we've talked about how it affects seniors that get star exemption and other discounts through the school district. It belongs in the school district item, so the seniors get that. It affects Shoreham-Wading River School District, Manitowoc, Laurel, and just so it belongs in the right column. And I think that's not what's happening. So I do think that we should simply table this to have the proper contract in front of us so the residents can review it. They can see exactly what we're voting on, understand how we're going forward before we vote on the piecemeal. If I may, I wanted to bring one other point to light. There's a Senate bill 2025-S9336, Comprehensive School Resource Officer Training and Implementation Program. This would create statewide SRO program for districts outside New York City, requires retired police officers to be certified with the Department of Education to serve as SROs. The significance of this program is it authorizes school districts and non-public school districts to hire retired police officers and deputy sheriffs and state troopers or contract with local agencies. It defines SROs primarily as improving school safety and security on school grounds. It allows the SROs to carry firearms if licensed. And here's the most significant part for our purposes. It establishes a grant program to reimburse the districts. The significance is it reimburses the school districts. It would not reimburse the town for our contributions to the SRO. So I think these are all things that should be taken into consideration when we review this. Again, I want no interruption in the SRO program. I want to continue. The officers are great on the job. However, we've got to clean up this contract. Eric, this is your office, correct? I put this contract together? I wrote the contract. So would you like to speak to it? No. I think I heard what the board wants to do and I will do that. Okay, you got it. So we'll table this I just would like to add that I Would like to make sure that we remain to have money in the police budget because I would like to speak with the Chief of police and I would like to see the juvenile aid bureau reinstated throughout all the schools You know, I think that their presence is needed elementary all the way up. You know, not on an everyday role for the younger schools, but to have them coming in and out and be able to advocate for the students. And that includes parochial schools as well. So I just want to make sure that this is not something ongoing, that the town is going to have to continue paying into the SROs and that the district is able to do that so that we can do what our police officers do best with the Juvenile Aid Bureau, and I'd like to see that come to fruition. Thank you. Do we have a motion to table? Yes. Okay. So, Councilman Wazowski. I'll second that motion. Well, do you want to make the motion or do you want me to table it? Councilman, do you want to? I make a motion to table the resolution. Second. Who seconded it?
Okay. Wazowski? Yes. table. Merrifield? Yes to table. Kern? Yes to table. Rothwell? Yes to table. Hoppin? Yes to table. Motion has been tabled. Resolution 857. Authorize the supervisor to execute an agreement with New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, NYSEFC. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Berryfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 858. Authorize a submission of letter of intent and execution of contract by the supervisor for operation and maintenance grant program to New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, EFC, so moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Berryfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Hoppin yes, sir resolution is adopted resolution 859
Authorizes commencement of an action at 47 Bayside Avenue so moved second, please Waski yes, very few. Yes, turn no Rothwell yes And hoping yes, sir. Resolution is adopted resolution 860 ratifies authorization for the Riverhead Police Department to apply for grant funding through the Department of Justice's Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services, Technology, and Equipment Program. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 861. Authorize town clerk to publish and post public notice to consider a local law to amend Chapter 289 of the Riverhead Town Code titled Vehicles, Traffic, and Parking Regulations, Article 2, Traffic Regulations. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Wosky? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Alton? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 862. Authorizes the town clerk to publish and post notice for public hearing regarding US HUD Community Development Block Grant CDBG 2027 funds. So moved. Second. Vote please. Lusky? Yes. Berryfield? Yes. Hearn? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Albin? This is a great program if you're a nonprofit out there or in the housing development and you're looking for that check into it check with our CDA department absolutely yes sir. That resolution is adopted. Resolution 863. Authorizes the town clerk to publish and post notice to bidders for annual emergency maintenance contract hydraulic control valve Riverhead Border District. So moved. Second. Vote please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Stern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 864. Authorizes the town clerk to publish and post notice to bidders for annual emergency maintenance contract. Distribution System. Riverhead Water District. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Berryfield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Alton. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 865. Authorize the town clerk to publish and post notice to bidders for annual emergency maintenance contract. Directional drilling. Riverhead Water District. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Berryfield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted resolution 866 Authorizes the town clerk to publish and post notice to bid is for annual emergency maintenance contract Electrical Riverhead water district so moved seconded vote, please. Waske. Yes Eric you yes, yes Like electrical and water shouldn't go together. But yes Yes, sir Resolution is adopted. Resolution 867. Authorizes the town clerk to publish and post notice to bidders for annual emergency maintenance contract process control systems, Riverhead Water District. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Murrayfield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Hoppin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 868. extends bid 2024-27 non protonk for highway department grinding of yard waste on site at Southside Young's Avenue yard waste facility. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolutions adopted. Resolution 869. Ward's bid for replacement of HVAC system at the George Young Community Center. So moved. Second. Vote please. All right. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Alton? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution number 870. Extends bid 2024-2022 for well and pump testing for Riverhead Water District. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waski? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Alton? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 871. Extends bid 2025-24 non-protect for fertilizer and lawn chemicals. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Earn. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 872. Approve special event chapter 255 application for DMS Apex Holdings LLC Skip Barber Advanced Auto Cross. So moved. Seconded. Vote please. Waske. Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 873. Authorizes designated alcohol service vendor to serve alcohol at the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce concerts in the parks. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waskey? Yes. Merrifield? Yes. Kern? Yes. Rothwell? Yes. Halpin? Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 874. What the rise is designated alcohol servicemen is to serve alcohol at the Village Live. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Alton. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 875. Adopts the Suffolk County 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waskey. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Alton. Yes, sir. Resolution is adopted. Resolution 876. Hayes Bill. So moved. Seconded. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. Rothwell. Yes. Halpin. Yes, sir. Resolution 877. Budget adjustment for the 2026 Records Management and Digital Conversions. So moved. Second. Vote, please. Waske. Yes. Merrifield. Yes. Kern. Yes. This is something that's long overdue, and we're getting our building department digitized, and it's going to cost us a little bit of money up front, but we will, over the course of about three years, bring in that revenue back and then proceed to make revenue thereafter. So I vote yes. Hoppin. Yes, sir. That resolution is adopted. Can you give me just a seat for a second? Yeah, thanks. We're going to be a minute. so with that said i know mike your first up just kind of got me there i just want to make sure that what we have online we're good to go so we'll go through the the just the scenario we have three of three minutes we ask that you speak uh kindly and then also that you uh you adhere to the time limit so mike if you want to step up say your name and where you're hamlet from i just looked over and you were there and how long you've been there so about 30 seconds before you notice wow That's pretty good. So I hire you for good evening. Mike Foley, Reeves Park. I'm grateful that all five town board members support participating in the purchase, along with the Peconic Land Trust and Suffolk County, the 4-H property. I'm thankful that we are unanimous on that now. There are four of you that have stated that you are in favor of preserving it in perpetuity as open space slash passive recreation, which as we discussed was really talking about no beach access, no need to extend the present Sound Avenue reserve parking, pathways that would extend from what we have now to the beach, a couple of picnic tables and would call that a day. Four of you feel that that's the way we should go with this. We're thankful for that. Bob, I know that you wanted to reserve a right to possibly try to monetize this down the road, and I hope you'll reconsider that. Three of you have mentioned that we want to get this at a fair price, and I wholeheartedly agree. I think the fact that Riv-Ed's the poorest of all the East End towns, that we are the richest in space that needs to be preserved, that the rights need to be purchased, that the Peconic Land Trust and the County of Suffolk can get their money in places better than charging a premium to the town for this 36 acres. And the difference is about a million bucks between the $3 million at the $69,000 an acre rate and 110,000 that is on the table. And I haven't heard anything to dispute that number yet, and I'm sure there's going to be ongoing conversations. And I know that at least three of you feel that this is a worthy debate. But certainly, in light right now of the fact that the farmers are now having the toughest time in the history of this country between the prices of diesel and the prices of fertilizer, it is very difficult for them to make ends meet. I know before the board now you guys authorized at the last meeting and okay to appraise 150 acres of sod. I think there's going to be more applications coming at you. I think a lot of these farmers are going to need to sell their development rights while keeping their family legacy intact and allowing them to continue to farm. I'm wholeheartedly in support of that. We have a very limited amount of community preservation funds. certainly the richer towns are finding other uses for it spending a lot more per acre on the South Shore than we are but they also have a now have a loophole where they can fully develop their underground water system at the expense of the Community Preservation Fund rather than what we did which is to bond it out and our residents pay I think about $90 a year so I certainly hope that we'll continue this conversation and I thank you again for for all of your support. Thanks, Mike.
Thank you so much. Del Wallach, Riverhead. As I stand here, I wonder how the world has become filled with so much hate and as a result, loss of decency and respect. Then I remember how life was September 12, 2001. People came together in the aftermath of what would be a day none of us will ever forget. Lives lost and lives changed forever. But love and respect and caring for anyone in need happened without a second thought, no matter what the color of your skin or religion. Unfortunately, here in Riverhead, on our town board, we have two councilwomen and one councilman who have no respect for anyone. But I'll focus on just Ms. Waske today. Your attacks on Kevin Shea, backed by Ken Rothwell, are beyond unconscionable. You have publicly attacked a man who risked his life on 9-11 to save others and almost lost his doing so. You had no idea of the facts from that day. I do. I was there. The initial report that was received by NYPD, FDNY, and the security guards at schools was that a tour plane had hit the first tower, making it an accident. It wasn't until minutes after 846 and just before 903 when the second plane hit that confirmation of an attack was reported. That was the only information Kevin had when he left his station to go to find his battalion. You attacked a man who every day of his life works hard to make the world a better place, a man who opens his heart to anyone in need, who has made saving our environment a lifelong mission. That is who a good human being is. The only thing I see and hear from you is hate. Hate towards a hero, hate towards anyone of color, hate towards the LGBT community, hate towards anyone who doesn't follow your way of thinking. You are a disgrace to this town. You haven't even had the decency to apologize for the lies you spewed on public media, social media. Kevin is my friend, and I will defend his honor always. Thank you. Alison Matway, Wading River. I'm going to read the first part of the OLA law, a local law enacting amendments to the town code in order to promote public safety, peace, and good order. Be it enacted by the town board of the town of Riverhead, section one, legislative findings. The town of Riverhead hereby acknowledges the authority of the federal government to enact and enforce federal immigration laws pursuant to its constitutionally granted authority. The town further recognizes that state and local governments are bound by the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution and are preempted from enacting state and local laws that infringe on the federal powers regarding immigration. However, under our federal system, that power is not unlimited. The town of Riverhead further recognizes that under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, those powers not given to the federal government nor forbidden to the states belong to the states, local governments, and the people. Among those powers reserved to the states and to local governments is police power. The police power is a critical power reserved by the states in order to protect public safety, peace, and good order. The police power of local governments in New York State is enumerated in the state constitution and the municipal home rule law. Pursuant to its police power, the state of New York did enact Chapter 55 of the laws of 2026. Specifically, part of said chapter was enacted to address potential abuses related to federal immigration enforcement that threatens public safety. Chapter 55.1 prohibits state, local, and federal officers from wearing face covering while interacting with the public. 2. Requires such officers to visibly display identification. 3. Prohibits local governments from entering into 287G agreements or similar agreements with the federal government that allow for local law enforcement personnel and facilities to be used for civil immigration enforcement purposes. 4. Establishes a remedy whereby New Yorkers can bring a lawsuit against federal, state, and local government officials for a violation of their constitutional rights. 5. Prohibits the use of local civilian agencies and public school resources, including employee time, for immigration enforcement. 6. Prohibits civilian state, local, and school employees, including higher education and K-12, from permitting access to any non-public area of a state-owned or operated facility to immigration authorities without a judicial warrant, including state or municipally owned or operated facilities such as housing accommodations, parks, child care facilities, preschools, hospitals, schools, dorms, health care facilities, community centers, libraries, and shelters. Thank you.
Bree and Ahern, Riverhead. I'll continue with the legislation. I'm sorry, just if you could say your name one more time as far as clerk, he couldn't hear. Sure. Bree and Ahern, Riverhead. Thank you. I'll continue with the legislative findings in the May 29th draft of the OLAW legislation. The town of Riverhead has been blessed with a professional police department that has done an outstanding job in protecting the safety, peace, and good order of its residents. Because of their efforts, the Town of Riverhead is one of the safest communities in the nation. The public is highly supportive of these efforts, and the Town of Riverhead enjoys excellent police-community relations. The Town Board of Riverhead recognizes that across the nation, the federal government, through the activities of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Customs and Border Patrol, CPD, including the Department of Justice DOJ, has launched unprecedented immigration enforcement operations. Such efforts have been reported and confirmed as occurring across eastern Long Island. Because of the lack of transparency and accountability, these operations in some parts of the country have resulted in rampant fear, disruptions to public safety, violence, injury, and even death, undermining the local police power. Chapter 55 of the laws 2026 imposes certain duties and responsibilities on local government with regard to public safety. Further, the town of Riverhead, under its constitutionally recognized police power, bears the primary responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. Under the state constitution and the state municipal home rule of law, the town possesses board authority to enact policies that promote public safety, peace, and good order. The town also possesses broad authority to establish policies for the administration of its police department that promote these goals. Finally, the town has the duty and responsibility to protect the constitutional rights of its residents, including but not limited to the right of free speech and to petition its government. Therefore, it is the purpose of this local law to facilitate the implementation of Chapter 55 within the Town of Riverhead. In addition, through this local law, the Town Board of Riverhead seeks to enact policies to foster transparency and accountability to the public relating to immigration enforcement conducted within the Town. This local law exercises its authority under the police power and enacts policies intended to protect public safety, peace and good order where appropriate without interfering with the legitimate activities of the federal government with regard to its immigration enforcement powers the next reader will continue on with the legislation
kevin shea beating hollow section two federal authority recognition and preemption avoidance the town of Riverhead acknowledges the authority of the federal government to enforce federal immigration laws within the United States, including within the town's jurisdiction. Nothing in this local law shall be construed to prohibit, restrict, or interfere with the proper exercise of the federal immigration enforcement by an immigration authority in accordance with the federal law. This local law is intended to operate within the town's legitimate police powers to protect public safety and ensure transparency in law enforcement operations within its jurisdiction. Section 3 is about definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this local law. Law enforcement agencies shall have the same meaning as provided in Section 9967 of the State General Municipal Law. Immigration enforcement shall have the same meaning as provided in Section 3194 of the State Executive Law. Immigration authority shall have the same meaning as Section 3193 of the State's Executive Law. Section 4. Federal Immigration Enforcement Activity Reporting Requirements. Where the town's law enforcement agency responds to an incident involving immigration enforcement in the town, the chief of the law enforcement agency shall report said incident to the town supervisor's office or village mayor's office the town supervisor's office shall provide copies of such reports to all members of the town village board no later than the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board after providing copies of such reports to the town the town supervisor shall make such reports available to the public consistent with the state freedom of information act they'll shall be established by the that there shall be established by the town board a community task force on immigration enforcement the members of the task force shall be appointed by the town and shall fully represent the full range of community stakeholders with an interest in maintaining public safety during immigration enforcement where no judicial warrants are produced the town shall consult with the task force concerning all relevant matters regarding immigration enforcement within the town including but not limited to the local implementation of the provisions of chapter 55 of laws of 2026. the task force shall also consider recommendations to the town regarding other policies necessary to ensure the safety of the public in response to immigration enforcement thank you
hi sarah reynolds from riverhead hi i'll read sections five through nine of the 529 draft of the ola proposed ola law section 5 identification in order to provide for the orderly enforcement of Article 10 of the State Civil Rights Law and Section 190.26 of the State Penal Law, criminal impersonation in the first degree. The Town Village Law Enforcement Agency shall have the authority to request any unidentified person engaged in immigration enforcement to provide identification to the Town Village Law Enforcement Agency. Section 6, Enforcement. A, the Town Village Attorney, pursuant to a resolution of the Town Village Board, shall be authorized to institute an action in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking appropriate judicial relief for the purposes of enforcing this local law and enjoining or restraining any violations of this local law. B, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, any taxpayer domiciled within the town or village or any person aggrieved by a violation of this local law shall be authorized to institute action in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking appropriate judicial relief for the purposes of enforcing this chapter and enjoining or restraining any violations of this chapter. Section 7, construction. A, nothing in this local law shall prohibit town village officers, employees, and agents from cooperating with an immigration authority in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity when required by law. B, nothing in this local law shall be construed to restrict compliance with federal or state law where such compliance is mandatory. Section 8, severability. In any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this local law, if, sorry, any section, subsection, et cetera, or portion of this local law is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, Such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this local law. Section 9, effective date, this local law shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State of the State of New York. That concludes the draft. Thank you. Male Speaker 2 I think he, was he not next? Female Speaker 1 He said I could. Male Speaker 2 Oh, okay. Female Speaker 1 Yeah, I thought he was just cutting the line. Cindy Clifford from Riverhead. I'm sure you're all happy to see me. All I want, all most of us want, is to have a supportive community. Working to build a more united accepting population was part of the mission of the former anti-bias task force before I and others were unceremoniously dumped and the first new event of the task force was to honor Hispanic American month where some of you joined in a rousing sombrero wearing rendition of tequila. Sadly, that did little to support the sense of community. That there are residents who have as much right to be here as any of us, and yet you are reluctant or refuse to offer them a sense of security, let alone a feeling of being supported by the community. Today, we only have to go on Facebook to see the impact of letting that culture fester. Yes, there are people who have no conscience, perhaps, maybe weren't raised to believe we're all the same, but please consider setting an example, stepping away from fueling or looking the other way at the division that blocks the chance that we will ever be a supportive community. There should be no reason that I can think of that division should be tolerated, let alone ignored. As town officials, it falls on you to set the example and pave the way to bring our residents together rather than letting this us versus them continue. However you do it, we deserve better. Thank you.
Robert Cavilla, my wife from Reeves Park. We have a simpler issue, a matter of a retaining wall on a driveway, which we wrote about in a letter. Maybe a little history would help us understand WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THIS RETAINER WALL. WE USED TO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR HOME FROM THE SOUTH. AND MANY YEARS AGO, OVER 50 YEARS AGO, THE TOWN MADE A CHANGE AND DECIDED THAT THAT ROAD SHOULD BE CLOSED AND PERHAPS ALLOCATED TO OTHER HOUSING. I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS, BUT THE TOWN AGREED TO MAKE A SEPARATE ROAD THAT LEADS TO OUR HOME AND OUR NEIGHBORS. AND THE ONLY WAY TO PROVIDE THIS ONE SINGLE ACCESS TO OUR HOME WAS TO DIG through a hill and then we create a driveway that goes to our garage our home and the driveway was great for about 50 years it had railroad ties and they just rotted away they're starting to fall down it presents a dangerous situation I hate to think of children playing anywhere on that wall and slipping and falling who knows what kind of injury could come most of the railroad ties are on the town's property we only learned this when we had a topographical survey survey done about two months ago because we had one understanding of the property line which was certainly challenged by the topographical survey by young and associates and it looks like 90% of the railroad ties or on the township property and working on those ties would require bringing really heavy equipment the remaining 10 percent that would be on our property line is something that could probably be done with a couple of people with shovels we're just hoping to have some kind of cooperation and joint ownership of this property PRO RATA TO THE AMOUNT OF LAND THAT EACH OF THE TOWNSHIP HAS AND WE HAVE. TO GET THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION AND WE SUBMITTED SOME PHOTOS TO SHOW YOU HOW BAD THAT ROAD IS. RETAINER WALLS, SOME OF THE TIES HAVE ALREADY FALLEN OUT. AND IT'S JUST A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND WE'RE HOPING THE TOWN CAN HELP US COME UP TO SOME KIND OF RESOLUTION FOR. Thank you, sir. Yeah, no, I didn't want to cut you off, but keep going. Did you have something else? Oh, yeah. We were just hoping for some kind of maybe 90-10 split on the cost of having the whole driveway with the retainer walls, well, remove all the ties, put in new ones, or perhaps have a second tier cascading, perhaps something that might be less expensive, whatever the the town agrees on to contain costs but still provide good access. We don't feel we can work on this driveway by ourselves because most of the work would be on town property. So we're just hoping to get some kind of further dialogue on this. Sure. Thank you very much for your time. Sure, well, definitely. We have your letter, and we'll make sure that we reach out to you this week and try to get someone over to look at it in the near future to try to rectify if it is on our property and clarify all that for you. So thank you for bringing that to our attention as a whole, and thank you for being here tonight and waiting. Great. Thank you very much, Council People. Good evening. Laura Jen Smith from Laurel. River politics has always involved disagreement. We have fought over development, taxes, preservation, and the direction of our town. But there was generally an understanding that we could challenge somebody's position without trying to diminish the person behind it. And lately that line has been crossed. Councilman Joanne Waski's recent Facebook post about Kevin Shea is a disturbing example, not because you disagreed with him, but because of how you used his verbal mistake to elevate your own political message. At a July town board meeting, Shea was discussing public safety when he mistakenly used the word accident when referencing September 11th. Councilman Ken Rothwell corrected him, and Shea immediately corrected himself and unequivocally stated that the September 11th was a terrorist attack on our country. And that should have been the end of it. Instead, Ms. Swosky, you resurrected the moment around the 25th anniversary of September 11th. You told readers that Shea had called the terrorist attack an accident and went considerably further, declaring he does not believe that it was a terrorist attack. And that assertion is directly contradicted by Shea's own word at the meeting. You then turned the episode into partisan politics. You identified Shea as a former Democratic candidate. You tied him to Supervisor Jerry Halpin and supported a buddy system, invoked socialism, praised your Republican colleagues, and positioned yourself as defending the true meaning of September 11th against people supposedly trying to change the narrative. That framing may enhance your political message, but it does so at another person's expense, and in this case, at the expense of a man whose history makes the attack particularly troubling. Kevin Shea was an FDNY firefighter who responded to the World Trade Center on September 11. He survived the collapse and suffered devastating injuries. Twelve firefighters from his house who responded never came home that day. Kevin does not need you to tell him and teach him about September 11th. He survived the terrorist attacks. And that is bigger than one Facebook post. When an elected official takes a person's verbal mistake, omits his immediate correction, attributes a belief to him that his own words contradict, and then uses the episode to promote a partisan narrative, We have moved beyond legitimate political disagreement. We have entered a politics where diminishing somebody else becomes paramount to elevating oneself. This is dangerous in a community like Riverhead. Republicans and Democrats are our neighbors. We serve together, we volunteer together, and advocate for the same community. Today's political opposition is still tomorrow's neighbor. Every elected official and every resident is entitled to criticize. You can criticize Kevin. We can criticize each other. You can criticize me. Kevin Albanese, Jr.: Laura, Laura, you need to, your time is up. Laura Karpman, Jr.: Okay. But his criticism carries an obligation to represent the facts fairly. Kevin Albanese, Jr.: Laura, your time is up. Your time is up. Sorry. Laura Karpman, Jr.: Hi, Sarah Reynolds again. Kevin Albanese, Jr.: Well, Sarah, we would ask if you wait until everybody that's had initial and we have five online so we're gonna be a couple minutes so if you've already spoken you want an opportunity we do want people that haven't had an opportunity yet to speak first so Susan touchy excuse me from Flanders you might wonder why somebody from South Hampton town is doing over here in Riverhead I watch Riverhead very very closely I like to call it taxation without representation whatever happens in Riverhead affects my taxes. Although some of you may think we're not paying our share, that's another discussion. But what you do here affects my taxes. With that said, I came here for another reason. I've been listening and watching and reading these posts. Everything that this group right here has said about more or less bullying, speaking ABOUT COUNCILWOMAN WASKI. I KNOW HER PERSONALLY FROM WHEN I WAS A CHILD. A YOUNG TEENAGER. AND I MAY NOT HAVE AGREED WITH HER ALWAYS. I WASN'T SURE IF I LIKED HER IN THE BEGINNING OR NOT. YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY? SHE'S PROBABLY THE ONLY ONE THAT GOES BY MY MOTTO. STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN EVEN IF YOU STAND ALONE. YOU HAVE AN ENTIRE TOWN STANDING BEHIND YOU. YOU SEE THIS? an entire town that won't get up here and speak because of this. Okay? I sat in that chair, and when I tried to listen to what you were saying with microphones, Allison, cackling, because, Mr. Kern, you may have said Detective Smith instead of Schmidt. Cackling, laughing, making fun. Talking about juvenile aid, Vera, okay? We have a teacher here that should be teaching anti-bullying, and that's what they're doing. They're trying to bring down and, excuse me, speak about somebody that I know is the exact opposite of what they're saying. I don't care race, religion, what they are. If I ask Mrs. Waskey for help, she's there. She's there for everybody. no matter what. You can agree or disagree, but to listen to the cackling, the name-calling, the immature childlike behavior, this is why we have people that won't come up and speak up their freedom of speech. Keep doing what you're doing. Never change. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we're not going to do this. We're going to keep order in our room. We are not going to speak out. Ma'am, you are out of line.
This is not an exchange. We are not going to do that. I'm going to ask you one more time, then I'm going to have to ask you to be removed. But if you could go ahead. Just go ahead. Just if you just speak. Just the mic. Why, my short? No. My short, Bob? No, no, no. We want everybody to hear you. Come on up. Step, step, step. Dawn Jacobs, Bading Hollow. And thank you, board, for being here. And, yes, one of the reasons I am here is because I too have been watching what's going on in the town and online and bullying and the disruption of you being able to do your job and vote on things that are important in the town, the importance of our duck pond, the gentleman's retaining wall, things like that, instead of having a parade of such about the reiteration of immigration and laws and things like that. You know what? Our officers have a job to do and follow the laws. We have nothing against immigrants. Look at the diversity in our schools, our local fire departments, our police departments, and we embrace them all, whether it's in our homes and our families. It's people that are breaking the laws. That's what we're doing our jobs for. But then you have people that want to make their own laws and go against instead of doing things for their community. And not letting them wear a mask. We have people in this room that demanded we wear a mask wherever we go. We had our students wear masks where our kids couldn't breathe in our schools. But yet, our officers can't protect their identity so they can protect their families and their children so that they could do their jobs to the best of their ability. But yet, every week, we have a circus that way that you can't do your jobs. So that is why I'm here. So I thank you. Address the board. I am. Ladies and gentlemen, if you're in the crowd, you just need to say. Thank you. We'll be addressing the crowd. Thank you. I think we have five online, so we're just going to take a couple of those first. Thank you for being patient with us.
I think Chip has it. Don't forget those great announcements that we have. Our 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 27th, we have the Shops City Swinner having their fall festival through the Wading River Chamber of Commerce. We also have on October 3rd, that's a Saturday, our bid will be doing their paddle in the Peconic, which is pretty cool. Pretty great thing. A lot of great stuff coming up. Oh, I believe we're ready, Chip. All right. If you can hear us.
Is it? Can you hear me? We can hear you. Could you just say your name and your hamlet, please? Okay, sorry that my camera's not on. I'm not good with tech. This is Sally Dinellen from Bading Hollow. Good evening. Good evening, Sally. Hi, Jerry. ICE in its current form represents fear and anger towards a certain population, which turns into hate. Dealing with ICE has been forced upon us from our federal government. It came from outside of us in this small East End town. No matter what your ideological side on this issue, none of us started this problem. All we are asking for is a public discussion about safety measures for Riverhead. Is a refusal to even discuss this decisive issue actually more about politics than anything else? We are in election season. Who is going to win for supervisor? When creating a strategy to get elected, is it more important to take a certain stance and double down on it to keep the vote in your favor? another strategy to ignore taking a stance and hope the problem goes away. Either strategy puts politics above safety concerns. If undocumented people have been such a problem in Riverhead for decades, why didn't the town do anything about it before now. There were avenues for the town to explore if this has been such a pressing problem. Like I've said before, ICE and the police department cleaned up the gangs and criminals in Brentwood ten years ago where I was a teacher. They truly got the worst of the worst. It was done lawfully. But the tide of lawfulness has turned into assaults on communities all over this country. Innocent and good people are being kidnapped and denied rights. The detention centers are profit institutions of cruelty. I ask you, is this evidence of a society losing its humanity due to politics? Who are we? I hope you think about what I've said. I hope my words are not falling on deaf ears. Thank you. Thank you, Sally. If you want to go ahead and come up, and then as soon as she's done, we'll roll through the next four, which give them an opportunity to speak. Hi, my name's Kimberly Wilder, and I'm in the hamlet of Riverhead, Riverhead. That's the best one. I wanted to say on two subjects. One is entitlement, and one is the Constitution. It's so funny, but I find so many arguments in Riverhead wind up being about entitlement. And I can't believe that people can't reflect on it more, but when someone says that our talking about the Constitutional, our Constitutional rights, our immigrant neighbors, children being afraid at school, masked men coming into our town without notifying our law enforcement. And then it's just, as a poet, I can't believe someone would say that that is circumventing important issues like a duck pond and a retaining wall. Now, I like nature, so maybe the duck pond, but the retaining wall and the money that the retaining wall takes, I'm sure, isn't as important as everybody's civil liberties, your civil liberties, because you don't get it yet, but it'll be your civil liberties too and due process and the Constitution. And the other thing is the part about bullying. The people are bullying is when thousands or hundreds of your neighbors and your neighbor's children and my child who lives among black and brown people are afraid, frightened. They don't know what's going to happen. There's bad ice people and there's even the good ones or the bad ones are wearing masks and going into schools and hospitals and churches and bothering people and scaring innocent people and innocent children. How is that not bullying? If you understand the word bullying, put that into your brain and spin it around and figure out that we shouldn't bully the population. And then the other thing is it's not wrong talking, out of line talking, bullying or bad to defend the Constitution of the United States. When you say that there's two classes of people that you only care about the residents or the residents come first. First off, it's not due process because you can't look at someone and tell if they're a resident. Second of all, it's violating the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution of the United States has rights that everybody who's here has, residents, non-residents, and you always have them before you decide if you're a citizen. Otherwise, none of us have due process. The man with masks can come in this room and take any of us. They could take us because we wrote hate messages on Facebook.
So Warren, we're going to, if you want to have a seat, I'll let you know when I'm ready for you. All right, buddy. Just because we have four. You're fast enough, so. Hi, can you hear me? We can't hear you, yes. Great. Good evening. Christina Janis, Reeves Park. I am following up on my September 1st comments about the Peconic Bay Medical Center planting plan and my letter in tonight's packet on pages 297 to 300. I just want to thank the board first for adding the stipulation that the planting schedule be revised before the supervisor signs the final site plan. I'm here to ask how it is being carried out. The amendment refers to a DEC do not sell list. The New York State DEC has a prohibited and regulated species list, but not a formally titled do not sell list. Suffolk County maintains a separate do not sell transfer list, but I want to point out that both these lists leave significant gaps. Chinese fountain grass, which is on the planting schedule, does not appear on neither the DEC nor the Suffolk County list, but the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area, or LISMA. Their current list classifies fountain grass as a Tier 4 species with high ecological rank, and its guidance is to not plant this species. Additionally, our neighbors in the town of Southhold and the village of Greenport identify fountain grass as a common invasive, and it is prohibited from compost and yard waste facility collections as these plants can regenerate and damage finished mulch, even from clippings. My letter identifies seven scheduled species on the plant on LISMA's list. Their classifications represent different levels of concern, including species needing further monitoring. monitoring. My request is to use that regional guidance to choose better plants now. Lisa Galvelez's letter in tonight's packet on pages 243 to 244 raises concerns about invasive tree of heaven and spotted lanternflies on town property. The infestation, potential ecological and economical threats Mrs. Galvelez describes is another reason we need to take prevention seriously when reviewing new planting plans. Tonight, I'm asking for three things. First, please clarify the list being used and tell us whether a revised landscaping plan has been submitted and whether the final site plan has been signed. Second, please have the town and planning boards use LISMA's guidance in reviewing this plan and require replacement of all seven listed species with native, non-invasive plants suited to the site, selected through qualified professional review. Please also consult LISMA's list for future public planting schedules. Third, I'm asking that one reconciled planting schedule listing species, quantities, substitutions, and substitutions will be published and identify who will verify compliance with the amendment. If signature is still pending, please complete this review and make the revised schedule available before signing. The board has already required a landscaping revision. let's use this opportunity to support local wildlife, local agriculture, protect our unique biodiversity, and give residents a clear record of what will actually be planted. The town of Riverhead is a really important opportunity to set a precedent for our neighbors as well. Thank you.
So after your comments last time, we did look into it. One of our senior planners, Matt Charters, took the initiative and has been working on that site plan. I know it has been moving down the pike. I believe we have one of our, the head of our building department, planning department. Actually, can you probably expand on that? Yeah, that's what I was going to say. Oh, awesome. Matt Charters actually had said at the last meeting that that was in error, that that was part of that resolution. It was corrected during the time that we were voting on the resolution. I know Heather Trojanowski in the planning department, that is her specialty. she is on all the environmental um issues um a former chair of the planning board i've worked directly with her and i i do i was surprised that that that um was in the resolution um i'm glad that you pointed it out but it has been corrected and um the planning board will be made aware of it as well will that list be available for public review i'm sorry will that updated planting schedule be made public i believe it would be part of a resolution pack yeah planning that's what i was it's it's already part of the resolution and it basically indicates that nothing off the no buy list or the invasive species list will be permitted we can't go as far as prohibiting things that are not currently on either of those lists but i think you indicated earlier you were were concerned about inspections. So with the site plan, the planning board, the planning department staff will always do site inspections to ensure compliance with the resolutions. I understand that both of those lists are being consulted, but my primary concern is that those lists are not all-encompassing and something like LISMA has taken really thorough review to look at potential threats to mitigate any sort of invasive species. And I'm asking that that be also considered in current future plans. And understand and appreciate your comments. I think though, that in order for that to be imposed by the planning board or the town board on a site plan application, the board would have to adopt legislation that indicated that that was the case. Currently, there is no legislation that indicates that that's the case. So we would need to adopt something that specified those things that aren't on either of those categories indicated earlier. Female Speaker 2 Thank you. Male Speaker 2 Thank you. Our next online.
Chip is working hard back there. Here we go. Sir, can you hear us? Yes, can you hear me? Can, yep. Colin Tooker from Riverhead. A few weeks ago, I submitted a letter to Mr. Rothwell and the rest of the board asking three basic questions about the Hispanic Development, Empowerment, and Education Committee. And you chose to answer those questions with silence. At a town board meeting a few days later, I spoke about my growing concern that the HCEEC was a committee in name only. And again, you responded with silence. In fact, other than Ms. Waski's unfortunate diatribe about who she represents, silence has become the norm whenever the concerns of or about our Latino neighbors are raised. So given your silence, I submitted a FOIL request to obtain copies of the committee's documents and communications. Most of what I requested wasn't provided, but what was provided was this. This is an email from Mr. Escobar, who's the chairman of the HDEC, to Mr. Rothwell. And the entire text of the email is blacked out, 100% redacted. In fact, I was provided with a total of 13 pages of emails, every single one of them 100% redacted. And I don't even need to say the phrase Epstein files, because everybody who just saw that has already made that connection. When you provide completely blacked out communications regarding a committee whose founding resolution states that it will improve communication and services to better serve the Hispanic community, it's evidence of a covering. The Freedom of Information Law states that you can't do blanket redactions of internal emails, yet you did that anyway. The law also doesn't allow you to redact any communications with parties outside of town government, yet you redacted them anyway. I've already filed an appeal regarding these redactions and the other documents that were requested but not provided. I DID RECEIVE THIS AFTERNOON A LENGTHY EMAIL FROM MR. HOWARD THAT I HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY YET TO READ OVER. AND I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING. I AM ALSO STILL AWAITING RESPONSE TO MY FOIL REQUEST FOR THE COPIES OF THE SAME DOCUMENTS FOR THE ANTIBIAS TASK FORCE, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO THE RECORDING OF THE AUGUST 17TH ABTF MEETING, which is the subject of a separate FOIL request. Whether you decide to voluntarily follow the law and provide this information or whether you stand your ground in the hope that this will go away, the full story of what is going on will eventually emerge. Thank you, Mr. Tooker. Your time is up, so. I know. I understand, sir. We have two more online, so we just want to thank you for your time tonight.
Good evening. Desmond Wong, Graves Park. So my September 10th letter is in tonight's packet, pages 301 through 304. First, I want to thank Chief Frost for confirming receipt of that letter this afternoon and for letting me know that the administration is reviewing the matter. residents continue to express fear and confusion the town closed my FOIL requests but the records and responses still do not identify the civilian procedure and contact or explain the custody rule unclear rules can expose residents town employees local officers and federal agents to avoidable risk. If an immigration officer presents a judicial warrant for access to a non-public town area, what procedure does the covered town employee follow and whom do they contact? Earlier, Councilwoman Merrifield emphasized the distinction between may and shall. Section 996A, which was referenced in the OLA proposal that was read in full earlier, says that municipalities shall implement procedures for checking the warrant. Those procedures shall include a designated contact. So how is Riverhead meeting that requirement? Under Policy 414, if someone would otherwise be released, Can a federal criminal charge or removal order alone justify keeping them in local custody and transferring them to ICE? I'm asking for those operational facts and a clear explanation of the custody rule without disclosing private information or confidential legal advice. the town should be able to explain those its own rules whether whatever anyone's views on OLA or ICE I asked the board to schedule a public work session comparing the applicable law Riverhead's policies OLA's May 29th proposal and alternatives if you decline please identify the alternative public process. If the town still cannot identify the required civilian safeguards, a request for independent review by the Attorney General's Office of Immigrant Trust is warranted. Supervisor and board members, will the review that Chief Ross mentioned across all three questions in my letter, will that be addressed? And then who is coordinating written answers And can you meet my requested date, September 22nd? If not, can you please give another specific date? And for public comparison, please identify the responsible official and timetable. You can respond tonight or in a public written reply. Residents and town employees need clear instructions with any gaps identified and addressed before an encounter. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Wong. One more and then you're up, Warren.
It's good to see your smile, Warren. One more and then Warren will have you back up there.
Mr. McCullough, can you hear us?
Can you hear me now? Yes, sir. Go ahead. Always, always complicated, but I appreciate the fact that you make this option available when we're not able to be with you. I'm John McAuliffe. I live in Roanoke Landing, which I guess is Wading River or Riverhead. I'm not sure how we fit. At any rate, a couple of things I quickly want to say in terms of what's come up already. Kevin, a friend of mine, so I'm saying this with a certain bias, I suppose. But I think that all you had to do was go to Greenport yesterday and watch him perform in The Guys, which I hope sometime will be done in Riverhead, which is about a very poignant, moving play about what happened after 9-11 and how they dealt with remembering people who were killed from the fire department. I would note just almost ironically that one point that Mieswoski made, which has more to do with current politics than reality, is by connecting Kevin to Supervisor Halpin. She must have forgotten the fact that during that campaign, which she was a candidate for, and Mr. Halpin was a candidate, and Kevin Shea was a candidate, there was a big fracture between Halpin and Shea because of Shea's participation in the Democratic Socialists of America. So it's very hard to tie the two of them together. They don't have the same politics and they don't cooperate with each other. So I think you were reaching very far. I wanted to say that the reason for the readings, I presume, and the reason for two weeks ago, the series of speeches, and I'm sure two weeks from now, there'll be something else, is that lots of people in the community feel that the board has not been responsible in addressing this issue. Today, on Marcy Avenue, there was an ICE presence. I don't know if anyone was detained. I don't know whether the town knows what happened, but I think it illustrates the reason that we really need to adopt something like the OLA legislation. The other thing I wanted to say is in some of the comments that are made illustrate the fact that there are deep, deep feelings in this town about the whole migration issue and ICE. The masks statement was an illustration of that. The masks are there not to protect the people, it's to intimidate the rest of us. And that's going to be there as a factor. Some communities, some states have tried to stop masks. John, your time is up and we really appreciate your comments. Okay. I will come back then later on. One more. I think we have Warren has been waiting. So Warren, if you want to come up, he's been patiently waiting for us.
I'm going to remove my hat. I was cold. Yes, sir. Respect to the town board members. I think people, you know, men, if they wear hats, unless they're Quakers or Sikhs or something. Show respect to everybody, for everybody, all of us. We're all human beings. I've been in Riverhead Town for 56 years. And the first congressional district congressman, I've known all of them, dealt with all of them, but never, never, never have I heard somebody threaten towns to cut off their community development funds, which would hurt people, cause people, you know, it's disgraceful. I'm not going to mention the guy's name, but something's rotten in the first congressional district. Okay, Mr. McKnight, I understand you're upset. First 56 years, and somebody's talking about bullying, you know? Mr. McKnight, Warren, Warren, just talk to us. I'm sorry. That's okay. You don't have to. I'm just so upset. I understand. After 56 years. I mean, he should address this matter. He was running for Congress. Okay. You know? I don't want to, you know. I don't want to see you get so upset. Bad or good or anything else. But that hurt me after 56 years to hear this from a congressman. Okay. Thank you for your comments. That's okay. You don't have to apologize. If you want to come forward, then we have two more. Sure. Thanks. Sarah Reynolds from Riverhead. At every single board meeting I've attended here, the subject of honoring our first responders has come up in one way or another, and this is something we can all generally agree upon, regardless of our political beliefs. We all support and honor our first responders. Which is why Joanne Waski's words on Facebook, attacking and disparaging Kevin Shea, a former FDNY firefighter and 9-11 hero who nearly lost his life on that day, are so shameful coming from someone in her position. First of all, if a Democrat had said something like you did, Joanne, you would be just as pissed off as I am right now. Second, it's not clear to me if you knew that Kevin was a 9-11 hero when you wrote that post. If you did know, that's shameful. And if you didn't, it's also shameful because it tells me you couldn't be bothered to do a simple Google search or you don't read the local papers because Kevin has been written up many times recently and probably before now. Either way, it doesn't give me confidence in your ability to make informed decisions about our town if you rely on reaction, not research, on opinion, not facts. If you were simply a private citizen posting your opinion, that's one thing, but you're not. And as the saying goes, you're entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts, especially for an elected public official. And I see this kind of entitlement from many Republicans. Our national grief and trauma does not belong to one political party. And I'm so tired of this attitude from many Republicans. As if it is impossible that someone with different political beliefs from you could have suffered on that day. Could be a first responder and a hero like Kevin Shea. I'm tired of Republicans acting like our flag belongs to their party alone when in fact that flag represents the opposite. It reflects the diversity of our beliefs, represents liberty and justice for all and freedom for all. Neither our national grief, our flag, our country, or our town belong to one party. Never forget that. Joanne's post, however, shows me that she not only believes these things belong to her party. I worry that in her decisions about this town, she will only represent those who share her beliefs. She owes Kevin Shea and our town an apology, in my opinion. And Joanne, if you were big enough to do that, to admit you made a mistake and apologize, I would think very highly of you. Because we all make mistakes, like Kevin when he misspoke that day and immediately corrected himself. Though I think if you had experienced the trauma he did on 9-11, you might also stammer and slip up in recounting it. And I think most people with compassion would give you a pass if that were the case. I feel Ms. Waskia has disparaged a true American hero simply because he doesn't share her political beliefs. And that's why we're wearing this FDNY gear today to support Kevin and show you all that 9-11 doesn't belong to you alone. It is our shared grief, our national trauma, and all first responders deserve your respect regardless of their political affiliation. Thank you. I would like to comment on what you said, and I appreciate you coming up and saying what you said. Thank you. Can you take a step back for a second? My concern was when Mr. Shea originally came up and referred to 9-11 as an accident, I was taken back. And then when it was said by Councilman Rothwell that 9-11 was not an accident, Mr. Shea corrected himself and said, oh, I'm sorry it was an incident. There are people out there that are trying to erase history, and I'm not saying that Mr. Shea is by any means Mr. Shea. I appreciate that you did what you did on 9-11, and I am sorry that you lost people near to you and dear to you, and I am very thankful that you made it out alive, and I'm glad that you're with us today. and I also thank you for stepping up and and running for public office it's not an easy thing to do it's a constant battle but to be fair I sincerely thought that you were not bringing to the table that 9-11 was a terrorist attack on our land. And that hurt me that I didn't hear those words come out of what you were saying. And I just, I don't want anybody to ever forget. I don't want our children to ever forget. I know that in some of the schools, they're not including 9-11 in their curriculum. And that's concerning because we can't forget these things because it is somebody like you, Mr. Shea, that almost gave your life to the people of our country. And I want other people to do the same thing. So it's a very light apology. I should not have attacked you as I did. I was hurt and worried that other people are going to not recall that 9-11 was a terrorist attack. Thank you. I just have one person online. That's why I asked you to step back. Yeah, we have one online. Thank you.
Mrs. Flanagan, can you hear us?
Try again. Oh, we cannot hear you. You can hear me. There you go. Okay. Carrie Flanagan, Town of Riverhead. A town board member that selectively ignores its residents undermines public trust for all residents. We need representatives who consider the full scope of the community. A town board member is currently running for supervisor under the campaign promise of a stronger Riverhead for all. But is that really promised to everyone with that exception? He says he'll be knocking on doors during his campaign and he asks us to tell him our concerns. But we've been telling him and all of you our concerns for months and you've ignored us. If he knocks on certain doors, will he listen or will he walk away? Will he ask about a resident's status before he decides to talk to them? Will he skip certain doors in certain neighborhoods based on his selective representation? The town board refuses to consider the proposed safety of everyone who resides here. You say you're fine with how things are, yet you also refuse to even answer the question. Will you uphold your oath to the Constitution and represent all residents in the town of Riverhead, regardless of immigration status and citizenship. You may think this is a good stand to take, but it makes me question every aspect of your representation outside of the proposed safety law. Maybe following the MAGA cult of ignoring the people you represent, whether we voted for you or not, and only thinking of yourselves and how you could benefit those who only think like you and using your power to do only what you and the Riverhead Republican Party wants to do, we'll get a town board member elected to be our next supervisor. But one day very soon, the bumbling octogenarian and convicted felon who leads this country will be gone from office and his legacy will be one of disgrace and dishonor. where will that leave the town board members who fangirl over him and fall over themselves to imitate him it may leave those town board members disgraced and dishonored too thank you we're gonna allow her to speak first so i'll come for you absolutely it'll be quick um i just i know john mccullough mentioned about an incident with ICE in Riverhead. It was on Labor Day, Monday morning, 9.30 in the morning. I know that because I drove there to see if I could film, and by the time I got there at 9.55, ICE was gone. I did see a video of someone else who had filmed it, and they did the Kavanaugh rule and pulled over a man because he was driving while brown, and they took his ID, they took his license, they were all masked up, they had three cars surrounding him. It was like crazy overkill for one little tiny Hyundai. They pulled him over. They took his license. They took it to wherever they take it. They probably scanned it and put it into a database somewhere so that they could stalk him. And they realized that he was probably here legally. They gave him back his license and sent him on his way. So my question is whether the Riverhead Police Department is even aware that that happened, whether the town board is even aware that that happened on Monday, Labor Day at 930 in the morning. And I think that's why we're pushing for this OLA law, because we cannot have masked thugs in our neighborhoods harassing our neighbors who are here, documented or not, not committing any crimes. 70% of the people that are in ICE detention have not committed any crimes. Now, y'all have turned this into they're criminals just because they are not documented here, which is a civil offense. They should not be in jails. so I'm tired of hearing all the nonsense they're intimidating and harassing our neighbors and we think that our town police and our town board should at least be aware that it's happening so that you can protect the people who are innocent and keep them safe. Thank you.
I believe we have Mr. McCullough and Mr. Shea and then we should be close okay, I'm trying to get the I'm trying to get the
I'm picking on it and alright quick John McCullough for Roanoke Landing I was actually referring to this morning, and we don't have any details about it, but there was an ICE raid, according to the OLA information on Marcy Avenue in Riverhead. and all of these raids remind us of the fact that the town in Maine, which is not so different than Riverhead, a little smaller, but the same mix of agriculture and tourism, is where the man was shot and killed by ICE, the Hispanic man. And that could happen here the next time ICE comes to Riverhead. and that's why everybody wants you to take up this issue. The other thing I wanted to talk about is simply, again, there's an invaluable resource now provided thanks to the way the system has been set up, which is the letters. The only downside of them is they seem to fall into a void and sometimes there'll be a verbal response to them as Supervisor Halpin said to one person tonight, but most of the time you don't know what the reaction is. It would be helpful perhaps if the supervisor's office could append a note if action is taken on any of them. I would urge people to read letter number 12 from Ruth and Michael Arnone about the whole scandal about the, which we still need to get some resolution on and which the planning board disgraced itself about of Summerwind Farms. That's worth reading a very substantive letter as there was one two weeks ago. And then also Gary Higum and Connie Lissandro, letter number 15 had a strong case to be made about parking and one of the issues of course being what's going to happen to the cars from the peconic hotel finally i had a letter in which is relevant to tonight's discussion number seven which is articles from the new york times uh one ice arrest soars. People with no criminal record are increasingly targeted. And second, the deportee recounts the harrowing journeys to Africa, shackles a freezer and blows. So I urge people to look at that. And again, thank you for publishing these letters in full. Thank you, Mr. McCullough. We're going to take I don't believe you have had a chance to speak yet, so we'll let you and then we'll let Mr. Shea after that, if that's John Dawson from Flanders. I'm a local health care provider. I probably cared for your children, your grandchildren, many of you over the 35 years that I practice. Currently I'm working in rare disease. I want to address the effects of enforcement on our children, something I don't think anybody has brought up too much of. I did hear a little bit of it before. The families that I serve have rare diseases. They have life-threatening diseases. These children were born, some here, some immigrated here with parents in various stages of becoming citizens. The commonality is that all of these children will not survive in their parents' native countries. They go back to their parents' native countries, their families are deported, these children die. Common theme I'm seeing lately, and more so over the last few years, are parents afraid to come to clinic visits. They're afraid to bring their children in for treatments. afraid to have home care come in to give these life-saving treatments at home. They're being targeted at bus stops, medical offices, schools, affecting not only the sick children of the questionable immigration status parents, but every child that's witnessing these events. Your grandchildren, your nieces, your nephews, all of them are getting affected. Are you familiar with the term aces anybody childhood aces their adverse childhood experiences traumatic experiences this is right off of the website or environmental occurring before age 18 typically categorized as abuse whether it's physical emotional or sexual neglect physical emotional household dysfunction parental mental illness substance abuse incarceration domestic violence and parental separation or divorce. Broader adversaries such as bullying, community violence, and material deprivation are included now. Health consequences of children who are experiencing ACEs, depending on how many they've experienced before age 18, are mental health, depression, anxiety, PTSD, psychotic experiences, suicidality, Cardiometabolic disease, childhood adversity, obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, greater than four ACEs increase the risk of ischemic heart disease, morbidity, mortality. All of these come from these children experiences, whether it be a naturalized citizen here or it be a child of immigrant parents who are here to fight for their kids' lives. My question for the board is what would you do for your child? Where would you go to save your child's life? Would you enter a country for life-saving care despite your citizenship status? Would you go somewhere else if you knew that you weren't welcome there to save your child? Would you avoid potential deportation to continue treatments? The timeline to achieve legalization is lengthy and daunting, time these kids don't have. If your answer is no, you would not do whatever is needed to save your child. I question your ability to parent or your honesty. Thank you.
Kevin, you need to do this. Go ahead, Mr. Shea. Address us, please. Hi. Just pull the mic up for you, Kevin. Thanks. Sure thing. Kevin Shea, Bading Hollow. Just joined the Riverhead Fire Department. I feel good. I wanted to first say thanks to everyone who spoke for me today. Kevin, just to just say thanks. Yeah. All right. Thanks.
Obviously, we had an incident. There was a post done that was an act of defamation. And as you had stated to me, a slight apology you said, it was about your reaction to what I said. So you don't know me yet. And I don't know you. So here's an opportunity, you know, to get to know me better. Because then you won't have to make any judgments. And you won't have to use my name for any political purposes. You'll speak to me. I'll speak to you. I'll know a little bit more about you. And we'll respect each other. You know? I think that's it. I'll speak to you guys another time. Thank you.
We have one online. And then... Mr. Tooker Mr. Tooker can you hear us
I cannot hear you can you hear me now okay I'm going to try to beat the clock Both myself and Allison Matway and probably others submitted letters to be included in today's agenda packet that were withheld by the town clerk. His reasoning being that they allegedly didn't discuss town business. I believe that the town clerk using unwritten administrative discretion to exclude constituent letters that are critical of an official's public statements regarding events that occurred at a board meeting may be an infringement of our First Amendment rights. His actions appear politically motivated in an attempt to shield Ms. Waskey from the fallout of her own words. It should not need to be pointed out that Kevin Shea is a hero for what he did on 9-11. He deserves the gratitude and admiration of every person in this town. Mr. Rothwell's decision to publicly chastise Kevin for his use of a single word, one word that he clarified at the time, was unwarranted. Ms. Waskey's decision to then attack Kevin just days prior to the anniversary of 9-11 in a perverted attempt to bolster Mr. Rothwell's candidacy for supervisor is appalling. I don't know what Ms. Waskey and Mr. Rothwell think they've gained from attacking him in this way, but for anyone who knows anything about Kevin, your attack on him speaks volumes about your own character and not his. You both speak as if you hold some greater historical knowledge and higher patriotic valor than Kevin regarding 9-11, but you're grossly mistaken. Kevin didn't just witness events that day. He literally is the history of 9-11. His actions before, during, and after those events solidify him as a hero. When Kevin Shea has something to say relating to 9-11, we would all benefit from shutting up and listening to him. He has more than earned that level of respect.
Thank you, sir. I believe that is all of our comments online. And I think so we're going to move into our, Warren, you got a chance to speak? Warren, I have one more that's important. Oh, okay. We're just going to ask that you keep it. This might- Bob's charging you. What Kevin said is very important. Get to know. And what I proposed here is the, this is the whole key. And Joanne, you got it when you got that young person up here. We have to get more people involved. And this is called the, if you ever see Miami Lakes, they have a model system of public safety. And it starts off like this. Each one of the town board members, chief of police, fire department, they appoint regular people, you know, maybe other, it should be diverse, Hispanics, African Americans, you name it, young people and everything else, they point it. And then they have various meetings, like Mr. Rothwell says. But they would go into meetings and spread the word, you know, have coffee with the cop, you know, have lunch at the fire department, you know, soda sip with the code enforcement officer. So many things. And they would spread this and get other people to come to get to know all of you. You are not bad people, just because you don't have a red tie like the other two guys, Bob, you're right. Thanks, Wyatt. But the point is, this is what would happen. And not only that, we'd have more voter turnout. We'd have more public safety. People will be mayor. The fire department would educate them on public safety. The police department. so I beg you, all of you, let's get this town to work together and appoint civilian people and young people, like you said, and get them involved, and these other young people will spread it to the other young people, and we're going to have a good vote of turnout. I'm going to leave this handwriting letter to James. All right, well, yeah, we'll do that. We'll ask him later. All right, thank you, Mr. Warren. Thank you, thank you very much. So with that said, I just would like to ask if we could have a first and a second to go into our CDA meeting. We have a motion? So moved. Seconded. All in favor? Aye. So we're closing our town board meeting. We're opening up our CDA meeting. If you do choose to leave our boardroom, we ask that you do it incredibly quietly because we are still operating a meeting. Thank you. We have a very short agenda as per normal in recent months. no resolution, so we would initially take comments on CDA matters only. Anyone has a CDA matter only? Warren? Yes, I do. Hold on one second. We're just going to check online, and I'm going to let you speak. So if you want to make your way up to the podium, Warren? Yes. CDA, you are welcome to leave if you're finished with our normal board meeting. This is for our Community Development Agency, in case you're wondering. In 1990, Joseph Janowski, Curtis Highsmith, Chuck Adams, BOCES staff, along with Riverhead Town, got a minority entrepreneurship training program. You know what it's all about? Getting people to artificial intelligence and getting everything out of the way. Maybe you could check with both these special programs to get this started again. Women in minority entrepreneurship and there's different ways that people, you know, Heinz Catering is successful in that business. Another one, a detailing company. This is something you could develop pride in our town. It's called the Minority Entrepreneurship Program. It's from the 1990s. I have some of the stuff on it, but I was a project coordinator for that, and it was a beautiful thing that happened. And this is, besides getting the big companies in here, you know, all the small town, you know, dairy land, such as, they give so much back to the community. We have to develop the small businesses, and, you know, please check into it for me. Thank you. !
Yes, trust me. I'm sure Rothwell yes helping yes. Okay. See the a meeting is closed. We'll see you next one. Thank you