Riverhead awards $328K HVAC contract, advances sewer projects

The Riverhead Town Board awarded a $328,000 contract Tuesday for replacement of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system at the George Young Community Center in Jamesport.

The contract was awarded to Intricate Tech Solutions Ltd. of West Babylon. Nine bids were received and reviewed by the town engineer and purchasing director.

The board appropriated $375,000 from the town’s available general fund balance to fund the project, based on the Engineering Department’s estimated cost. The winning bid was $47,000 below that estimate.

The project calls for replacing three split-system heat pumps and their indoor air-handling units, along with associated refrigerant and condensate lines, controls, electrical work and modifications needed to connect the new equipment to the building’s existing air-distribution system. The specifications call for the work to be completed within 90 days after the contractor receives notice to proceed.

Three more police officers retiring

The board accepted the retirements of three longtime members of the Riverhead Police Department: Police Officers Raymond Brogan and Eric Lipinsky and Detective Michael Schmidt.

Brogan and Lipinsky will retire effective Sept. 30. Schmidt’s retirement is effective Sept. 29.

The board also accepted the retirement of Lisa Wulffraat, a longtime account clerk in the Assessor’s Office, effective Oct. 1.

State financing for Class A Biosolids Upgrade Project

In a separate EFC-related action, the board authorized the supervisor to execute a financing agreement for the Riverhead Sewer District’s Class A Biosolids Upgrade Project.

The financing documents provide for a maximum principal sum of $17,633,090 in short-term interest-free hardship financing and a $2 million Supplemental Water Infrastructure Funding Today grant. The documents list the maximum combined financing and grant amount as $19,633,090.

Other sewer projects and grants

The board approved extending the sewer district to serve a proposed retail cannabis dispensary at 840 Old Country Road.

The proposal calls for construction of a 6,060-square-foot metal building adjoining an existing 8,368-square-foot masonry building. Property owner Peter Moutafis will be responsible for all costs associated with extending the district, including design and construction expenses, easements and required denitrification fees.

The board also established a sewer district capital project budget for a $278,285 grant from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s Strengthening Essential Cybersecurity for Utilities and Resiliency Enhancement program.

The grant, which requires no local match, allocates $229,775 for sewer infrastructure and $48,510 for engineering costs.

The board also authorized submission of a letter of intent and execution of an agreement with EFC for a program that reimburses municipalities for the operation and maintenance of boat pumpout facilities. Riverhead is eligible for reimbursement of up to $14,000 for the 2026 season.

Police tech grant application authorized

The board ratified authorization for the Riverhead Police Department to apply for $478,000 through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Technology and Equipment Program.

The department is seeking the funding to update and enhance equipment and technology, including body-worn camera technology. No town match would be required if the grant is awarded.

In other action on Sept. 15, the Town Board

• authorized the town attorney to commence a State Supreme Court proceeding against the owners, occupants and tenants of 47 Bayside Avenue in Jamesport over alleged violations of the town code. The authorization allows the town to seek injunctive relief, civil penalties or other relief. Council Member Robert Kern voted against the resolution, which passed 4-1.

• adopted the Suffolk County 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies projects and policies intended to reduce long-term risks from natural hazards and disasters. The countywide plan is updated every five years.

• approved a $300,000 current-year budget adjustment to begin modernizing Building Department records and converting them to digital format.
  • The money will come from the town’s available general fund balance, with $265,000 allocated for professional services and $35,000 for Laserfiche licensing and support. The resolution estimates the total cost of the modernization project at $1,243,621.
  • Council Member Ken Rothwell said during the meeting that digitizing the Building Department’s records was overdue and would require substantial upfront spending but generate revenue over time.

• scheduled a public hearing on the town’s proposed application for 2027 federal Community Development Block Grant funding.’
  • The town expects to be eligible for an allocation of up to $275,000 for projects benefiting low- and moderate-income residents or addressing blighted conditions.
  • The hearing will be held Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. at Town Hall. A 30-day written comment period will run from Sept. 24 through Oct. 24.

Public hearings held

The board also held three public hearings on proposed amendments to the town code and left each hearing open for written comments through Sept. 25.

One proposal would transfer responsibility for issuing fireworks permits from the Town Board to the fire marshal. The fire marshal would consult the chief of the fire district where the display is planned before acting on an application. Applicants could appeal the fire marshal’s determination to the Town Board within 30 days.

Town Attorney Erik Howard said the change would conform the code to current practice because the fire marshal’s office already performs inspections, communicates with fireworks vendors and conducts follow-up work associated with displays.

A related amendment to the special-events chapter would clarify that an event involving fireworks or pyrotechnics must also obtain a permit under the town’s fireworks law.

The third proposal would amend the town’s procurement policy to require compliance with federal procurement standards when the town receives or administers federal funding.

The standards address purchasing methods, competition, domestic preferences and consideration of minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses. Howard said the amendment was recommended by the town’s outside auditor.

Two other matters are covered in separate stories.

The board approved funding and an engineering contract for an assessment of the Wading River Duck Ponds, advancing a long-discussed restoration project being pursued jointly with Brookhaven Town. See: Wading River Duck Ponds restoration moves into engineering phase.

Council members also tabled a proposed agreement with the Riverhead Central School District for two school resource officers, prolonging a dispute over who should pay for the officers assigned to the high school and middle school. See: Riverhead board delays SRO deal with school district over unresolved cost questions. Statements made by council members about this contract drew a sharp rebuke from the Riverhead school board at its meeting of Sept. 16.