Town Board Feb 18 meeting wrap-up

The Riverhead Town Board on Feb. 18 conducted a public scoping session for the proposed Duffy MX motocross track in Calverton, held several public hearings — including two battery energy storage system applications, a major accessory dwelling unit code overhaul, a sewer code cleanup, and a new tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty. The board also adopted a series of resolutions, ranging from PFAS-treatment bidding to tax certiorari litigation support.

Duffy MX scoping session

The board opened the night with a scoping session on the draft scope for the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Duffy MX Motocross Track at 2822 River Road in Calverton.  See prior story: Duffy MX Motocross Track proposal scoped for environmental impact review

221 Scott Avenue BESS

The board held a public hearing on a special permit and site plan application for a Tier II battery energy storage system proposed at 221 Scott Ave. in Calverton, an approximately 5.0 megawatt/20 megawatt-hour system within a 0.13-acre portion of a 7.45-acre industrial parcel in the Planned Industrial Park zoning district.

The applicant’s attorney, Jason Stern of Weber Law Group, said the five-megawatt system is designed to support grid reliability by charging overnight “when demand is low” and discharging during daytime peak hours, particularly summer afternoons. He said the goal is “to avoid blackouts and prevent price spikes,” calling the project “a low impact, high utility addition” that would provide “additional security for local businesses and residents that rely on a stable power supply all year long.”

Hampton Jitney BESS

The board held a public hearing on a special permit application for the Hampton Jitney battery energy storage system at 253 Edwards Ave. in Calverton, an approximately 1,000 kWh Tier II system consisting of four units within a 5,000-square-foot area of a 13.9-acre parcel in the Calverton Industrial district.

The applicant’s representative explained that the company is seeking to install the system as it plans to electrify its bus fleet. The project is “behind the meter,” said Maria Fields of Sprocket Power, meaning it is intended primarily to support Hampton Jitney’s operations as it transitions to electric buses. “Electrification and charging of electric buses can…pull a lot of power from the grid…put a big strain on the grid, and can also be very expensive,” Fields said, adding that systems like the proposed BESS are “a way of alleviating that strain.” She also said there can be “some resiliency benefit” to the neighboring grid.

Councilman Ken Rothwell, referencing diesel emissions, said the move toward electrification is welcome. “Anybody that has driven behind the Suffolk County buses and watched the diesel emissions should be delighted to find out you’re going electric.” The supervisor responded, “Thank you very much. Thanks for leading the charge. Literally.” The board left the hearing open for 10 days, till close of business Monday, March 2.

Accessory dwelling units

The board also held a public hearing on a proposed local law repealing the town’s existing accessory apartment chapter and replacing it with a reorganized accessory dwelling unit framework under the town’s building and housing standards code, shifting from an accessory apartment board model to an administrative permitting process through the building department.

Laura Jens-Smith of Laurel said she supports ADUs overall but urged the board to tighten the proposal for undersized, nonconforming lots, arguing that allowing units up to 1,000 square feet (or 40% of the principal dwelling) on lots already below current minimums could “incrementally” increase residential intensity beyond what those parcels were intended to support. She suggested limiting ADUs on nonconforming lots to parcels that are at least 75% of the required minimum lot size, capping those units at 800 square feet (or 30% of the principal dwelling), and adding a three-year phase-in so the town can monitor impacts such as parking and septic capacity.

Sewer code update

A public hearing on amendments to Chapter 265 (sewers) included testimony from sewer district superintendent Tim Allen, who described removing outdated references and updating fees, including replacing a longstanding $10 inspection fee with higher fees to reflect the cost of repeat inspections. The board closed the sewer hearing and left written comment open for 10 days, until close of business Monday, March 2.

Tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers
killed in the line of duty

The board held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to Chapter 279 (taxation) implementing a state-authorized exemption of up to 50% of assessed value for surviving spouses of police officers killed in action/line of duty, including definitions and an application process through the assessor’s office. With no public comment offered, the supervisor closed the hearing that night so the board could vote on the local law that night.

Other actions by the board during the Feb. 18 meeting:

• PFAS treatment at Riverhead Water District well 5-2A: The board rejected bids after determining they exceeded the Wicks Law threshold, requiring specifications to be split into separate contracts and rebid.
• Stotzky Park lighting replacement: The board ratified an amended grant application, increasing the requested state grant amount and match based on a higher project quote ($772,675), with a revised request for $695,408 in grant funds and a $77,267 town match from parks and recreation fees.
• Tax certiorari support: The board authorized Lawrence Indimine Consulting Corp. to conduct an appraisal for a flat fee of $25,000 in connection with an Article 7 tax certiorari proceeding commenced by United Riverhead Terminal Inc. seeking reduction of its property taxes.
• Water District legal services: The board authorized the supervisor to execute a retainer agreement with Timothy James Hopkins, Esq., d/b/a Hopkins Law Services, to provide legal services on a project-by-project basis for the Riverhead Water District.
• Volunteer first responder tax exemption (two-year service threshold): The board adopted the local law amending Chapter 279 to reduce the length of service required for a volunteer firefighter or volunteer ambulance worker to qualify for a real property tax exemption (a measure that had been the subject of a Feb. 3 public hearing).
• Surviving spouses exemption adopted: Following the public hearing, the board adopted the local law amending Chapter 279 to enact the exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty.
• Reappointed the members of the Riverhead Business Advisory Committee: Monique Parsons, Connie Lassandro, Steve Shauger, Den Del Prete, Ray Castronovo, Ike Israel, Lee Mendelson, Scott Middleton.
• Stotzky Park lighting project: Ratified amendment of application to NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for Stotzky Park Lighting Replacement Project, to increase grant request after receipt of updated project quote
• Agreement with law firm: Authorized supervisor to sign an engagement letter with Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman for litigation against New York State Cannabis Control Law.
• Approved special event applications: Home Depot plant sale (March 23-May 11); Run for the Ridley 5K (Oct. 17); Slow Food East End Earth Day event (April 18); “Blessing of the Cars” Car Show (May 23);
• Employee discipline: The board appointed Robert E. Draffin as hearing officer for a Civil Service Section 75 disciplinary hearing and authorized suspension (including without pay for up to 30 days) for an employee identified by employee number.

OLA proposal:  The meeting also included extensive public comment on a proposal by OLA of Eastern Long Island for a local law it said would protect public safety in light of ICE activities. See prior story: Latino advocates urge Riverhead to adopt local law addressing public safety during ICE activity.