Riverhead Industrial Development Agency

The Riverhead Industrial Development Agency’s newest member has proposed forming a task force with Riverhead Town officials to concentrate on redevelopment of vacant buildings in the town.

In short order, new IDA member Larry Simms cast two “no” votes on resolutions approving applications pending before the agency: an new application for IDA benefits from Twin Fork Beer Company and an application for a modification of a prior approval granted to a doctor’s office on Roanoke Avenue.

Councilman Tim Hubbard broke ranks with his party today, joining with the board's two Democrats to support the appointment of Larry Simms, an outspoken critic of the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency to that body’s governing board.

A resolution appointing Larry Simms of South Jamesport to an IDA board of directors term ending Dec. 31, 2021 was pulled from consideration so that additional applicants could be interviewed.

The Riverhead Industrial Development Agency yesterday approved financial assistance including a 10-year partial property tax abatement for Calverton Addiction and Treatment, developers of Peconic Care, a 130-bed addiction research and rehabilitation facility proposed for the Calverton Enterprise Park.

What does the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency do and why does it do it? IDA executive director laid it out in a presentation to the town board Thursday morning.

Riverhead's IDA was established by state law at the request of the town in 1980, so it can't be dissolved without an action of the state legislature. However, the town board can and should require more transparency so the public — and the school board — can know details of the agency's actions and their impacts.

The Riverhead Chamber of Commerce and the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency have joined forces to host the East End Employment Expo for Riverhead and surrounding areas.

The total value of the abatement over 30 years will be $2,352,750, according to IDA counsel Richard Ehlers.

The developer of the Residence Inn got a sales tax exemption increase and the developer of a proposed medical office on Ostrander Avenue just north of Route 58 got a package of benefits including a five-year property tax abatement.