meeting minutes

August 28, 2003

I. Guest Speakers

Ms. Linda Albo, of ALBO (Real Estate) Agency and Mr. Jack O'Connor, of CBRE (Real Estate Services) were our guest speakers. Ms. Albo is a local realtor whose client, FRP Development Corporation (Family Recreational Park), is a group that has already made a proposal to the Town of Riverhead to construct a family-oriented theme park in Calverton. Jack O'Connor is acting as real estate broker for the Town of Riverhead. Their presentation described plans for development of a 130 acre parcel within the former Grumman Industrial Park, currently known as the "Enterprise Park At Calverton" or EPCAL. The Riverhead Town board passed a resolution in July, 2003 to draw up a contract between the Town and FRP. The theme park would also include a 150 to 200 room hotel and a Karting Track (Go-carts, possibly an indoor track). If all goes as planned, the Park could be completed as soon as June 2005. All questions pertaining to the proposed theme park were answered to the best of our guests ability in open forum style.

II. Treasurer's Report

Business Account: $2.432.96
Duck Pond Account: $1,839.88

III. BNL Report by Helga Guthy

The Peconic River Clean-up effort has taken top priority and appears to be on track and going well. BNL responded positively to a letter sent recently by the W.R. Civic.

IV. W.R. Energy Committee

A. The Committee, Shoreham Civic and W.R. Civic were notified that during the power outtage of 08/14/03, the temporary generators were in use and the 79.9 MW maximum was waived for a ten day period. Currently, the restriction is back in place.

B. This Summer, it had been noticed that the sound emanating from the power plant facilities had taken on a different tone. After talks with LIPA and Keyspan Energy, they agreed to set up monitors at six different locations, and then systematically shutdown and run each generator separately to determine which generator(s) were emitting the unwanted sound.

C. Recently, Sid Bail, our Civic President was notified that LIPA has offered to meet with the W.R. Energy Committee to "make some proposals", which could help to alleviate some of our concerns. This action leads Sid to suspect that LIPA found something to validate the claims of the committee.

D. To date, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, Abraham, has ordered that power be transmitted from Connecticut to Shoreham through the Cross Sound Cable indefinitely. They are still trying to determine the cause of the outtage.

V. Waterways Committee

The Long Island Waterborne Transportation Study continues with regard to establishing a need for a new ferry terminal somewhere along the North Shore of L.I.. So far, they do know that the distance between Shoreham and Connecticut is greater than any other proposed location. Also, it has come to their attention that Shoreham has no harbor!

VI. Masterplan Update

The Town of Riverhead's building moratorium will soon expire. Town board members have been working diligently on completing the masterplan update. With numerous work sessions bringing the Plan closer to fruition, Councilwoman Barbara Blass believes that it may be possible to complete the Update without extending the moratorium beyond the October 1st, 2003 date previously set.

VII. New Business

A. There were concerns raised about the prospect of "Mosquito Control" here in Wading River. Solutions were discussed; including contacting "Vector Control", the department of Suffolk County responsible for mosquito spraying.

B. Brookhaven Township, which currently does not impose a 2% real estate tax, as other towns currently do, has decided to place a referendum on the ballot for this R.E. tax to be voted on this November's election. The money garnered from this tax will be used for land preservation in the Town of Brookhaven and is supported by Supervisor John J. LaValle, Assemblyman Steve Englebright and NYS Senator Kenneth LaValle. This tax should generate a substantial amount of revenue for land preservation in Brookhaven as it is the largest township in N. Y.

C. The Calverton Civic is sponsoring a "Meet the Candidates" Night at the Riley Avenue Elementary School on October 15, 2003 starting at 7 P.M.

D. The Rocky Point Civic, Shoreham Civic and the Wading River Civic will be holding their "Meet the Candidates" night on October 16, 2003, slated to begin at 6:45 P.M. at the North Shore Public Library. The guests will be various candidates running for the First and Sixth Districts of Suffolk County Legislature, as well as, candidates for Riverhead Town Board; including the Supervisor's race.

E. ABCO ( the Alliance of Brookhaven Civic Organizations) will sponsor their "Meet the Candidates" night on October 20, 2003 scheduled to commence at 7 P.M. at the Middle Country Public Library in Centereach. Candidates running for Suffolk County Executive, Brookhaven town board members and Brookhaven Supervisor will be the guests.

This concludes the minutes of the WRCA for August 28, 2003.