Now more than ever, local news matters.
Now more than ever, local news matters.
Three new full-time police officers were hired and sworn in during the Riverhead Town Board meeting on Tuesday.
The board appointed Sabina Costantini and James Mettrock, two part-time officers in the department, and John Dahlem Jr., a Riverhead fire marshal, to the position of probationary police officer.
“We got three great candidates and we couldn’t be more proud as the Town Board to have you come on board,” said Councilman Tim Hubbard, a retired Riverhead police detective.
“Congratulations again, please be safe, know you have our support. As a former law enforcement officer, I know that today’s a very special day in your lives forever,” said Supervisor Yvette Aguiar, a retired New York City Police Department sergeant.
Aguiar said the hiring of the three new officers brings the number of full-time officers to 88, which is what the town has budgeted for. “We’re going to be working on enhancing your department,” she said.
In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, the board: Hired a new personnel officer, Ashley Striplin-Tio, to replace longtime Personnel Officer Margaret Ferris, who resigned at the end of May. Striplin-Tio will be paid a salary of $75,000 plus benefits and will start Aug. 1. Authorized applications to New York State for the Empire State Development Corporation’s consolidated funding application grant for two proposed town-sponsored town square projects: $1.5 million for the riverfront amphitheater and $1.1 million for the riverfront park and playground. Both these projects are recommended by the Downtown Revitalization Initiative’s local planning committee for a piece of the town’s $10 million grant award. The application pledges a $275,000 match from the town for each project, $150,000 of which will come from town square master developer J. Petrocelli Development Associates, according to the resolution.Authorized applications to New York State for the Department of Environmental Conservation’s consolidated funding application grant for the funding of the construction of sludge volume reduction/biosolids process control improvements for the Riverhead sewage treatment facility. The town board authorized the issuance of $10.5 million in 40-year bonds in May for the project, which will drastically reduce the amount of sludge materials that will have to be shipped off-site for disposal and save the town money over the long term.Approved special event permit applications for the 27th Annual East End Arts Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival (May 29, 2023) and Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation Run 4 Life (Sept. 18, 2022).Adopted an amendment to the alcohol policy for special events on town-owned land, including to allow the sampling of spirits at events. Set a public hearing for its meeting on Aug. 16 to consider an amendment to the town code increasing the fines for littering violations. [See prior coverage: Riverhead considers litter fine bump to crack down on commercial property owners]Authorized an agreement with M&R Wholesale, Inc. of Southampton for the installation of vending machines at various town facilities. The agreement states that the town will receive 30% of the profits each month from the company’s machines.Granted final site plan approval for the site plan application for a 36-seat restaurant at 133-139 Railroad Avenue, the former location of the Loose Caboose bar.Passed a resolution that “endorses and supports” the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation grant application of Peconic Hockey for an ice hockey rink project currently in negotiations with the town to be built at Stotzky Park.
Agricultural worker housing permit approved for Harbes
The board approved an agricultural worker housing permit for Harbes Old Fox Farm on Sound Avenue.
The proposal includes building two 14’x70′ one-story mobile homes each containing two bedrooms, and relocating one two-story, four-bedroom single-family residence located on a neighboring property in Southold onto the farmland. The relocation of the home on Sound Avenue will allow the property to be used for more parking for the farm stand, Ed Harbes Sr. told the town board at its work session last week.
Public hearings: new outlet center and residential uses in Roanoke Avenue business district
The board held a hearing on the special permit application of Dries-Specchio for a manufacturer’s outlet center, located between two existing Tanger properties off Route 58.
The board heard one comment from project architect Martin Sendlewski, who asked the board that the special permit include both specially permitted uses spelled out in the town code: manufacturer’s outlet center and establishments engaged in selling goods or merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption.
The Town Board granted a special permit to the owners in 2004, but nothing was ever constructed and the permit expired.
The board also held a public hearing on a proposal to amend the zoning code to allow for single-family housing in the Business PB zoning use district on Roanoke Avenue. New residential uses were eliminated as a permitted uses in the Business PB zoning use district in a code amendment that implemented the recommendations of the 2003 comprehensive plan. The hearing drew no public comments. The survival of local journalism depends on your support. We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community. Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support. We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community. Support RiverheadLOCAL today.