Town Board wrap: Nov. 18

Several community groups requested a share of Riverhead Town’s anticipated Community Development Block Grant funding of $143,261 in 2015 during a public hearing before the Riverhead Town Board Tuesday night. The Riverhead Community Development Agency expects to distribute $5,000 each to Bread and More Inn, Open Arms Care Center, Maureen’s Haven, Dominican Sisters Family Health Service and the Riverhead Community Awareness Program, CDA director Chris Kempner said in a memo to the town board. The town’s home improvement program will receive $75,000 and $29,000 will be allocated to pedestrian and bicycle improvements.

Representatives from Riverhead CAP, Open Arms Care Center, Maureen’s Haven and the Dominican Sisters Family Health Service addressed the board Tuesday, advocating for continued funding through the CDBG program. Riverhead CAP asked for a funding increase to $10,000 to support its alcohol and drug prevention, education, counseling and community services programs. CAP has been the major provider of prevention programs for the town and Riverhead Central School District since 1982, CAP board president Nancy Binger said in a letter to the board. The organization faces a budget deficit that may force it to eliminate one of the social workers it currently has working in Riverhead public schools, Binger said.

NFAWL monthly low- cost spay/neuter clinic approved

The North Fork Animal Welfare League will soon offer a monthly low-cost spay and neuter clinic will be held at the Henry Pfeifer Community Center. The town board Tuesday authorized the use of the town’s River Road, Calverton community center for the clinic. The spay-neuter services will be performed in a mobile veterinary unit that’s paid for by an ASPCA grant obtained by NFAWL. The community center building will be used as a recovery area and for an administrative office during the clinic.

Agreement to issue final C.O. for Costco

The town board approved an agreement with Brixmor Property Group, the developer of the Costco site, authorizing the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy for the Costco building within one week of the completion of certain site work, exclusive of planting and reseeding. Brixmor is required to give the town a security deposit of $75,000 to ensure the outstanding work, including planting and seeding is completed. Planting and seeding are to be completed on or before May 1, 2015. The town will hold the security deposit until May 1, 2016 to ensure that trees planted survive a full season. The agreement gives the town the right, on 10 days written notice, to complete the work itself, at the developer’s expense, if Brixmor fails to complete the work as detailed in the agreement.

In other action Tuesday night, the town board:

• extended the time for payment of property taxes by seniors 65 and over until June 8, 2015 (five business days after the May 31 statutory deadline);
• banned parking on the east side of Ostrander Avenue for 300 feet from the intersection with Corwin Street;
• banned parking on the north side of Pulaski Street, between Marcy and Sweezy avenues (in front of St. Isidore’s church) with the exception of parking for funerals and weddings;
• changed the zoning code to allow, without a variance from the ZBA, the placement of temporary trailers for residents whose homes are inhabitable due to fire or storm damage;
• set Dec. 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. as the date for the 15th annual holiday bonfire on the Peconic Riverfront (rain date: Dec. 14);
• authorized cosponsorship, with the Riverhead Business Improvement District Management Association, of the weekly Sunday farmers’ market at 221 East Main St.;
• appointed Robert N. Peeker to the position of automotive equipment operator in the highway department, effective Dec. 1;
• approved the following special event permits:
  • Riverhead Adventures 5K trail run at Veterans Memorial Park in Calverton, May 30;
  • Paddle Battle water race, Peconic River, July 18;
  • Riverhead Rocks Triathlon, Peconic River and various locations, Aug. 8 & 9;
  • Deep Pond Triathlon, Schiff Boy Scout Camp, Wading River, Aug. 15 & 16;
  • Riverhead Adventures 5K trail run at Veterans Memorial Park in Calverton, Sept. 19;
  • Deep Pond Triathlon, Schiff Boy Scout Camp, Wading River, Sept. 26;

A move to call a vote on the 2015 operating budget, offered by Councilman John Dunleavy, failed in a 2-2 vote, with Supervisor Sean Walter abstaining.

The board also rescinded a 2010 resolution that gave department status to the personnel office. The personnel director and a staff member will now work under the town attorney. Councilwoman Jodi Giglio and Councilman George Gabrielsen called the move punishment for a “whistle-blower.”