Riverhead OKs $1.2 million in sewer project increases: April 21 Town Board meeting wrap

More than $1.2 million in sewer project cost increases, a new special event fee schedule and an appraisal tied to preservation of part of the Nassau County 4-H Camp property topped Tuesday night’s Riverhead Town Board agenda.

The three sewer change orders were among the biggest-ticket items on the agenda.

The board approved a $524,381.25 change order for the plumbing portion of the biosolids project, bringing that contract to $7,487,706.36. It also approved a $256,027.94 change order for electrical work, bringing that contract to $1,597,610.94, and a $416,247.60 change order for general construction, bringing that contract to $7,320,282.70.

Town documents attributed the increases to higher labor, equipment and material costs resulting from the long delay between the original March 2024 bid submissions and the November 2025 notice to proceed.

Later in the meeting, the board also unanimously ratified publication of a public hearing notice tied to a proposed increase and improvement of Riverhead Sewer District facilities, another step connected to the same biosolids project.

The board also amended the town’s 2026 special event application fee schedule.

Under the revised schedule, events with 100 to 1,000 attendees will carry a $375 filing fee, events with 1,001 to 4,000 attendees a $700 filing fee, and events with more than 4,000 attendees a $3,500 filing fee. Not-for-profit organizations will receive a 50% reduction from the standard application fee. The schedule also imposes a $150-per-day late fee and a $150 amendment fee for certain changes requiring a revised Town Board resolution.

The board also unanimously approved a resolution authorizing an appraisal for a portion of the Nassau County 4-H Camp property on Sound Avenue, a step supporters hope will move preservation of the property closer to reality.

Council Member Joann Waski, who has worked on the issue for years, received public praise during the open comment period from Calverton civic leader Toqui Terchun, who called the proposed preservation of the property “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The board also approved an agreement with BRYCER, L.P. for third-party fire and life-safety compliance services intended to improve tracking and reporting of required inspections for fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, standpipes and related equipment. Town documents state the cost of the program will be borne by system owners or service providers rather than by the town.

Another contract item drew the night’s lone dissenting vote outside the science center matter.

The board ratified an agreement with Brandbuilders Media LLC to create and host a website for the town’s compost bin and rain barrel program. Council Member Denise Merrifield said the program is already used by other towns and will allow Riverhead residents to purchase composters and rain barrels online for pickup June 13 at the Youngs Avenue facility.

Council Member Bob Kern voted no, saying he did not have enough information and did not understand why the town was paying a for-profit company to be on the town’s website.

The board also approved a state NY PLAYS grant application for the adaptive children’s playground planned as part of the town’s downtown revitalization effort. Town documents state that previously awarded grants and private funding commitments could be used to satisfy the required local match if the grant is awarded.

In another infrastructure-related action, the board awarded the bid for the Meetinghouse Creek Road bulkhead renovation project to South Shore Docks and approved a related transfer of $113,613 from remaining NextEra community benefit funds to support the capital project.

The board also approved two battery energy storage resolutions for Calverton properties, granting special permit approval for the Hampton Jitney battery energy storage system at 253 Edwards Avenue and special permit plus preliminary and final site plan approval for the 221 Scott Avenue energy storage system.

Several personnel and administrative items were approved.

Among them was a salary increase for detention attendants, raising the hourly rate from $20 to $28 in an effort to improve recruitment and retention. That item briefly required an on-the-floor correction when officials realized a companion hiring resolution still listed the old pay rate. The board amended the hiring resolution to reflect the new $28 hourly rate before approving the appointments.

The board also waived town beach parking permit fees for veterans and volunteer fire and ambulance members residing in Riverhead, with several board members thanking veterans and first responders before voting yes.

Other actions included extending the consulting agreement with Urban Design Associates, approving a home maintenance and repair program agreement with the Suffolk County Office for the Aging, approving the annual food distribution memorandum with the state Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and making a long list of committee appointments and reappointments, including appointments to the Disability Advisory Committee and terms for the East Creek Advisory Committee.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents also pressed the board on several issues not directly tied to the resolutions.

Multiple speakers urged the board to consider proposed public safety legislation drafted by OLA in response to ICE activity in the community, arguing that fear among Latino residents, students and business owners is hurting public trust and safety.

Residents also raised renewed concerns about potential future uses at Scott’s Pointe, particularly drifting and other motorized track uses. Waski said she firmly supports enforcing a covenant adopted less than a year ago and does not support drifting at the site. Merrifield likewise said she did not support drifting or other motorized vehicle use around the lake and noted she had not supported the earlier settlement legislation tied to the project.

One other brief item of note came from Kern during the open comment period. He asked that Urban Design Associates be invited to a future work session to update the public on its ongoing consulting work related to the town square project.

Also Tuesday, the board voted 3-2 to set a public hearing on the proposed condemnation of the Long Island Science Center building at 111 East Main Street, though that issue drew its own focused public opposition. See separate story.