A quick temperature check for Riverhead

I’m not a doctor or a nurse. But when we bought our house in Riverhead in June 2022 there were a host of profound problems facing the community. 

The problems that were my focus (and that I ran on in the last race for Town Board) involved land use. Primarily, EPCAL, but also basic blocking and tackling. There is no point looking backwards. I saw what I saw during the campaign, and my vision is pretty good. However, that works both ways. Here is some of what I am seeing now, which I share with you not out of an exaggerated sense of self-importance, but rather because, for this community (and all communities) to move forward, tribes must count for less than actions.  

Regarding EPCAL, there is some reason to believe that Supervisor Tim Hubbard is stepping up to his responsibility. He has been personally engaged and seems committed to involving residents in the decision-making process. I applaud him for it. 

It is also encouraging to hear Tim speaking out on the flagrant disregard of our code. This is a fundamental and continuing problem. Fundamental because without enforcement, a code is a fig leaf hiding ineptitude that damages many to benefit the very few. Continuing because we are still not enforcing our code. Case in point — the bizarre refusal to require adherence to our dark sky ordinance. Perhaps at some point Riverhead will have enough self-confidence to stand up to business — any business — and make clear that the town actually sets the rules, not vice versa. I look forward to that day. We are not there yet. Until we get there, everything is always in play.

Then there is the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency. As recently reported in these pages, Jodi Giglio co-sponsored an important reform of all IDAs, including ours, that — if implemented in good faith —– will meaningfully inject preserving school taxes into the tax abatement analysis. Ms. Giglio played a key role in creating the monster that was EPCAL. She has much to atone for. This is a small but meaningful step in that direction.

Time will tell whether these green shoots grow. We’ll be watching.  But this time, with more reason to hope than under the previous (mal)administration. 

Lastly, hearty congratulations to RiverheadLOCAL for being recognized at the Media Awards Ceremony. You continue to do a very hard job very well. 

Andrew Leven is an attorney in private practice and was a candidate for Riverhead Town Board in 2023. He lives in Riverhead.

Editor’s note: RiverheadLOCAL welcomes guest columns from anyone who wants to submit a viewpoint on any topic. The opinions expressed in guest columns are those of the author and do not reflect the point of view of RiverheadLOCAL’s publishers. Please be sure to include your email address and daytime phone number with your submission. Submit your opinion here.