meeting minutes

march 27, 2003

I. Opening

Meeting opened at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

II. Reading of the Minutes

Minutes of February 27, 2003 meeting were distributed, read through, and approved.

III. Treasurer’s Report

$2,814.61 in Civic Account, $1,839.88 in Duck Pond account. Reminder to pay 2003 dues.

IIV. Correspondence

• Ken Densieski of the East End Fishing Club wrote to discuss club outing.

• Grace Ionetas from Mastic Beach wrote regarding the “proliferation of ‘sober houses’ in the area.” These types of facilities require the least amount of supervision, etc. She will be proposing county-wide regulations on these homes. There will be three public hearings held – one March 27, two more to follow. Looking for WR Civic support.

V. Committee Reports

1. Energy Committee – The “Shoreham Noise Monitoring Report” has been issued. This is a 5 month study based on local comments about the noise levels coming from the new PPL facility. According to the report the noise levels are well within the permissible limits. The acceptable noise limits are based on Brookhaven Town Noise Requirements.

VI. Unfinished Business

1. Last Chance Riverhead Coalition is meeting regularly regarding the Master Plan Update. The Riverhead Town Board needs to enact necessary zoning by the end of the current moratorium, which will end in June. Jill Lewis distributed pre-written post cards for Riverhead residents to sign and mail to Town Hall.

2. Wading River Public Parking Lot project is finally underway. The approximate completion date is Memorial Day. There will be the same number of parking spots as there were previously: 35. There will be ornamental lighting included, as well. One member asked where the handicap parking spots will be located. Sid Bail said he assumed they would be in the same location as before.

VII. Member Concerns

1. Helga Guthy asked members to log on to the News Review website (www.riverheadnewsreview) to vote in latest poll regarding an airport at Calverton.

2. Mike Harrigan asked about Policeman’s Park (Bayberry Park) and what’s going on with the piles of dirt. Also, what about fencing and kids playground? Councilwomen Blass and Sanders responded that they would investigate these issues and get back to the civic. They reminded members that we should contact the town when we have concerns such as these, since the town staff cannot possibly check all these places as often as they’d like.

VII. New Business

1. Brookhaven Town has asked Dr. Lee Koppelman to do research on Planned Retirement Community’s (PRC’s) in the town. There seem to be a surplus and locations don’t make sense, i.e. they’re not close to services and located in the middle of the Pine Barrens. There are 13,000 more residences of this type in pipeline currently. There has been talk of a moratorium on further building of PRC’s. The Association of Brookhaven Civic Organizations (ABCO) has asked the town to consider such a moratorium. Members voiced concern about this issue as well.

2. Duck Ponds “Sprucing Up Day” will happen first weekend of May. In the morning, volunteers will clean up around ponds, plant, trim, take down lights. Sunday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Historical Society will be holding its annual craft fair. There will be great exhibits of craft-making and many vendors.

3. Duck Pond Dredging – still working on funding from PPL

4. North Shore Public Library will have a vote on the library budget April 8. All members are encouraged to vote. Also, Suffolkweb funding is in jeopardy. Go to NSPL website to find out more info.

5. Nominations Committee will be led by Helga Guthy. Sid Bail will propose two new bylaws for June’s election: Raising member dues and adding a new position on the executive board – a second vice president is needed to assist with executive responsibilities.

VIII. Guest Speakers

Riverhead Councilwomen Barbara Blass and Rose Sanders
The council women began with outlining three issues of importance: Airport rules and regulations, Master Plan update and recreation related issues.

A. Airport Rules and Regs public hearing will be held April 15 to gather opinions and questions regarding the proposed rules. The councilwomen feel many aspects of the draft require clarification. There was an informational hearing held with about 10-12 members of the community. From this meeting a list of issues and questions was compiled to be addressed on or before the 15th. Tom Chastain (consultant hired to prepare the draft) is expected to make a presentation at the public hearing.

1. Several members expressed concern about whether these rules are within what the current zoning allows. An important question is : have these rules and regulations gone beyond the current agreed upon zoning?

2. Another member asked why we are having these details put out there when there is no operators’ lease in place yet. Ms. Blass indicated that the Airpark rules and regulations would govern whomever does sign a lease.

3. Another question was asked about whether residents already voted down a referendum against an airport at Calverton. Also, whether these regulations take into account other uses of the site, such as incubator, and High School.

4. Members discussed these issues at length.

B. The Riverhead Master Plan: The planning board is still working on recommendations. Town Board hopes to have draft plus planning board comments by next week. Then there will be an Environmental Impact Statement done and public hearings are expected by the end of April. The entire plan should be implemented by June 12, and there should be no gap between end of moratorium and new zoning.

C. Recreation Committee – Rose Sanders was on the recreation advisory committee before being elected into office. She’s been looking for a location for a second town recreation center, on the western end of town. The old guard house at the former Grumman site in Calverton is available at no cost and improvements are estimated at $300,000. There would be programs for children and seniors and it could be a place for kids to “hang out” after school. There has been evidence of gang involvement within the schools. This will act as an alternative. Members asked about the out of the way location and how children without parental supervision would be able to get there. Ms. Sanders said that transportation was being considered.

This concludes the minutes of the Wading River Civic Association for March 27, 2003.