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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB-08/14/1996-FI 4 l SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD FISHERS ISLAND August 14, 1996 1 :30 P.M. A Regular Meeting of the Southold Town Board was held on Wednesday, August 14, 1996, at Fishers, New York. . Supervisor Cochran opened the meeting at 1 :30 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Present: Supervisor Jean W. Cochran Councilwoman Alice J . Hussie Councilman Joseph L. Townsend, Jr. Councilwoman Ruth D. Oliva ' Justice Louisa P. Evans Councilman William D. Moore Town Clerk Judith T. Terry Town Attorney Laury L. Dowd SUPERVISOR "COCHRAN: I'm going to go over here and do introductions. It' will take a few moments, but I feel it's important. If there's anyone here from your local government, or from the County, and the State, that you would like to. speak with; who you have questions for, we would like you to know what they look like to go along with the names. Would you please stand? We have Nancy Aiello, who is the Staff Assistant for- Honorable Michael Forbes. Any questions for Mike, that's the lady to see. Alan Croce for the Honorable Patricia Acampora. We're pleased today to have with us Supervisor from Southampton Vincent Cannuscio. Thank you for joining us today. From the Suffolk Department of Planning, we have Director Stephen Jones, and Betty Gallagher, and I believe Ed Rich, also. Is Ed with us? Suffolk County Department of Health Services Drinking, and Water Bureau Paul Pontura. Thomas Martin and Peter Akras from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Drinking and Water Bureau. Frorn the Suffolk County Department of Probation we have Lee Usher, and Director Vincent ' (aria. From the Department of Fire Rescue Emergency .Services, we have Deputy Commissioner Fred Daniels., and also, Resource Officer Brian Hassemann, Suffolk County Department for Aging Robert Stanonis. The gentleman that takes care of most of our Town insurance is John Stype. We also have some fire people, and I think .they are over at a meeting still, so we'll continue down the list here. New York State Police Department, Fishers Island, James Fagan, New York State Police Department Eugene Corcoran. We spell our names differently but it's pretty much the same. We found that out on-'the boat coming over. We have Robert Gerts from the the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Ken Bergman from the New York State Emergency Management Office. James Baker, he is our Labor Management attorney, Michael Carey for the Honorable Ed Romaine, the County Clerk, Department of Citizens Affairs, William Baessler. Ray Cowen, Regional Director of New York State DEC, we have Cathleen Shigo, and Mary Carpentieri. We have Paul Szpara from Channel 27. We see him every two weeks. Connie Scheffer for Edward Petrou, Regional Director of New York State Department of Transportation. It's nice to have you with us. Janet VonBerg from the American Cross, and AUGUST 14, 1996 ;,A 7 John Thatcher, you all know him from the Fishers Island Conservancy. We have David Faulkner for.. the Honorable James Catterson, the D.A., We have Janice Marinor from the Suffolk County Department for the Aging. I would like to introduce to you from the Highway Department, Jamie Richter. Jamie is our Engineer. From the Building Department we have Tom Fisher here with us today, and John Boufis. From the Human Resource Center we have Venetia McKeighan way in the back row. From Community Development we have Jim McMahon. From the Police Department we have our new Chief of Police, Chief Joe Conway. John Raynor is here. He'll be on the program a little later. John is one of our - Radio operators; and is my Deputy Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. A special thanks to our custodial staff. John Jerome is floating around here somewhere doing all the lugging, and making sure we're.. all happy as far as lunch, and on the boat is concerned. Town Attorney isn't with us today. She's on vacation. She is rafting up in New England somewhere. We do have with us, though, the gentlemen that goes out and gives summons when they are needed, as far as signs, and other things. Ed Forrester, he is with us. Recreation Department, we have our Recreation Director, Ken Reeves. Fire Inspector, we have Bob Fisher. Receiver of Taxes, representing that office is Dorothy Pfaizer. Zoning Board of Appeals, we have Gerry Goehringer, Jim Dinizio, and Serge Doyen, Jr. Board of Assessment Review, we have John Sullivan, Jonathan Wiggin, Phyllis Atkinson, Jess Wolf. CAC, Conservation Advisory Council, we have Bruce Loucka. From the Town Trustees we have Jim King representing the Town Trustees. From the Planning Department we have Melissa Spiro, members of the Board, Bill Cremers, and Rich Latham, and Ken Edwards. Transportation Committee, this is a hard working gentleman. In addition to his Transportation Committee he serves as Co-Chairman of the Southold Town Promotion Committee, Neb Brashich. From the Assessors we have Bob Scott, and representing the Shellfish Advisory Committee we have Donald Frederick. From my office I would like to give a very special thanks to Ruth Woodhull, my Executive Secretary, who keeps me on the straight and narrow. I've saved my buddy, my gang, my group for last. We're all partners- in crime. On my I far left is Joe Townsend, Councilman, Ruth Oliva, Councilwoman, Bill 6 Moore, Councilman, Councilwoman Hussie, Alice, and of course, your Louisa Evans, Councilwoman, and our Town Clerk Judy Terry. So, if you questions of any of these people. Also, Suffolk County Department of Social Services Joe Murphy, he's the tall guy with that nice little lady. Oh, yes, Tony Cava from the New York State DEC. A special thanks to Mr. O'Connell, Superintendent of the school here on Fishers Island, and Tom Bushevitis, who is the custodian here at the school, and has helped Louisa set up, so we thank him also, very generous. Thank you. So, at this time we have a very special honor that I am going to perform on behalf of the Board, and the people of Southold Town. If I may ask Annette Scott, sister of past Councilperson, and Judge Raymond W. Edwards, Jr., to step forward. We would like to present this memorial plaque on behalf of the Board, and I would just like to add a couple of personal notes. There were a few years that I did serve with Ray when was on the Board as a Councilwoman. Every once in awhile he would nod off to sleep, and ;I sat next to him. I would give him a little kick, or he would come over, and go to dinner, and he was always a good person to have there, because he always-' brought something. Once in awhile we did get over to eat dinner on the island. I'm sure helped many, many of you people through years, as far as your motor vehicle licenses were concerned. That was one of things, every time he saw you, where are you going? I'm going to Motor Vehicle, so I think he spent half his life up there. We thought it would be especially nice, because it was eleven years that he gave service to the Town of Southold, and so we thought it was appropriate to present a plaque, that perhaps can be placed somewhere here on Fishers Island. If 'I may read it. It reads, in memory of Raymond W. Edwards, Jr. In appreciation for his service to the Town of Southold, as Justice, Councilman, representing Fishers Island from January 1, 1982 through December 31, 1993. It's signed by myself for the Town of Southold, August 14, 1996, and Annette I present it to you. 48 AUGUST 14, 1996 ANNETTE SCOTT: I was very pleased when my niece asked me to accept this. Ray and I were born in New London. We came to Fishers Island, when we were two weeks old. That was over seventy years ago. Ray loved Fishers Island. I don't think ever forgave our. parents for moving to New York City in the fall of 1942, but the government took over the boat, and Dad's job was gone, .so he had to go , to New York City to run the ferry boats there. Ray loved the island. Ray loved his work with the Town. Thank you very much. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: At this time we have one resolution for the Island, that should be passed here today. As you are aware, just recently there's a house that could possibly go on the market. As far as the WPB, the affordable housing, this house is not yet available, but once there is surplus land through County, it's usually offered to the Town first, but it's important that the Town notify the County that we are interested in the particular property. Once it gets put into the book it's difficult to take it back -.out. So, if we pass this resolutions it's the property owned by Mrs.. Ernest 'Middleton, and the County has obtained it, or it was acquired by the County for unpaid taxes. If we put a request in now, when the time comes for the County to sell it, it just makes the whole process a lot easier. So, we're- going to pass this resolution today. May I have someone to read the resolution? Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it was RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby goes on record in favor of purchasing, from the County of Suffolk, the property identified on the tax rolls as 100-010-7-7, owned by Mrs. Ernest Middleton at the time of her death, and acquired by the County due to unpaid taxes; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED that Supervisor Jean W. . Cochran be authorized to send a letter to the Suffolk County Department of Real Estate indicating the Town's interest in purchasing the property before it is offered for tax sale. JUSTICE EVANS: Can I explain a little bit? What it is, we are trying to keep this house, so that it would be an affordable house for a year-round resident. It's not that the Town wants to own the house. We want to make it an available house for affordable housing out ' here, whether it be through Walsh Park, or whatever. This is just one step in the process. Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, -Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Supervisor Cochran. This resolution was duly ADOPTED. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: At this time, we try to develop the agenda somewhat, as far as things .that might interest the - people here on the Island. So, ,the first part of our program today is going to be Steve . Jones, who is Director of'the Suffolk County Planning; ,and his co-worker, Betty Gallagher. They are going to update you, and fill you in on the Watershed Protection Study. So, at this time, Steve Jones and Betty, and your are,more than welcome to: use the podium, and the mike up here. STEVE JONES: Thank you very much, Supervisor Cochran, and members of the Board. I've been here, I guess, the last couple of years talking about the Watershed Protection Study, that__. we are working with the Fishers Island Corporation, and the Conservancy, and the Town of Southold, and the County Health Department, to develop a set of regulations in order to help you protect your water supply, and your groundwater aquifer from whence comes your drinking water over here. We've reached a point now, where we have developed. a document, which is a draft series of watershed rules and regulations, which has.. been reviewed by the Fishers Island Civic Association, by the development company, by the Water Company, and the Conservancy, and other interested parties over here on the island. We have been going on a course for a number of years of having this series of regulations .adopted by the New York State Department of Health, and then the Suffolk County Health Department would work with the Water Company in implementing these regulations. However, with the change in administration up in Albany, I have . a feeling that the State is trying to move away from AUGUST 14, 1996 'A 9 additional regulations rather than embracing additional Statewide regulations. It's our feeling in Suffolk. County, anyway, that if we were to continue on this course it's not likely that anytime soon these watershed rules and regulations would be adopted into law going through the New York State Department of Health.' Therefore we're going to be proposing a series of modifications to these regulations to involve the local jurisdiction, the Town of Southold, in the implementation of these regulations. This will done in a number of ways. These are proposals that we will be providing to the Town of Southold for their consideration in the coming months. One of things that we want to do is to provide the Town of Southold with the means where they can review under their site plan jurisdiction, which is given to them by the New York State Constitution. They can review developments over here on the island with respect to the amount of land, that is being cleared for the development, and the amount of the land that may be put into fertilized vegetation, as to means to help to protect it, and preserve the water supply in the primary watershed area, which is the area around Barlow, Mill Pond, Treasure Pond, that area where the water supply is most important. In addition to that we want .to give some additional prospective to the Town of Southold Planning. Board a review of subdivisions over here on the island to, again, corporate some measure of development restrictions relating to surface water runoff, drainage, positive drainage, or other forms of drainage for any streets, that might need to be built, and that sort of thing, to help, again, to protect the water supply over here. Thirdly, there's a mechanism that we had provided for, for people who seek relief from this series of regulations. We'll be proposing that the Suffolk County Board of Review be the group that would handle variances, or waivers; because that's what they do, now. There is a Board of Review of Suffolk County Health Department that considers waivers from Health Codes, and these kind of rules and regulations. This would be entirely removed from, and separate from the rights, and duties, and responsibilities of the Southold Board of Zoning Appeals, which will continue to exercise authority with respect to waivers of bulk and area requirements relating to zoning, and other matters of original jurisdiction that they currently have. 'So, we will be providing a package for the Southold Town Board considered legislation. They will presumable have public hearings on these Local Law and Ordinance changes. The underlying, and fundamental basis of the ordinances, and the laws that we've laid out remains the same, which is that the Fishers Island community water supply system, which is the Fishers Island Water Company would remain as the local representative here to protect basically the water supply on the island. So, we are basically removing, a State agency from the mixed, and substituting a more locally based organization in the form of the Southold Town Board, and the Southold Planning Board. We think that since those have historically, and presumably continue to have Fishers Island representation on it, that, that is a good thing, and the right thing to do. You'll probably be hearing more about these proposed legislative changes, when you submit them to the Southold Town Board for their consideration in the coming months. Thank you. SUPERVISOR COQHRAN: ;Thank you. Does anyone have any questions? BILL RIDGEWAY: Steve, would, the hearings on this legislation be held on Fishers Island? STEVE JONES: That would be for the Town of Southold to decide. JOE HENDERSON: Just so that everybody knows, there is in fact a Civic Association committee, and what that tries to do is get information from all the different agencies at a County and Town level, and when something [ comes in, ask them then to, please, send that to, it could be the Civic Association, to take that material, and then send it the Conservancy, so everybody knows about it. So, if you could remember that there is an entity through which applications should be highlighted. STEVE JONES: We have it in the past, been working through the Conservancy, and Leslie Goss. j AUGUST 14, 1996 JOE HENDERSON: This is a specific committee. There are so many centers off the island that are making decisions, whether it's . building permits, health matters, that effect the Island, the , residents on the Island, and before it was not quite making a pass over, so there is, in fact, someone here tries to do that. I would ask you, and other folks on those committees to remember, that when . you are called by somebody, who is saying, I'm on the advisory committee, that what they're doing is planning a group meeting. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: . When you have input, would you please state your name first for the record. Any other questions of Steve? If not, we'll move right along. ' At this time I would like to introduce the Regional Director of New York State DEC Raymond Cowan. He is going to tell you a little bit about a project that is beginning to develop here on the island, and before it moves along too far, we think it's important that you know what is happening. It looks like a good one. Ray, it's all yours. RAY COWAN: It isn't quite literally an exceptional idea, that we have. Ducks Unlimited, which is' a conservation minded organization, which you have a chapter here on Fishers Island, it's working on habitat improvement all over the country for quite a number of years now. They are very adapt at raising money, and they are very good at restoring the habitats. What they have in mind is an organization nationwide to focus now on the east coast of the United States, particularly the Atlantic fly way states, New York being one of them. Of course, Long Island being very uniquely situated in that fly way as a significant habitat area for migrating water fowl, and Ducks Unlimited has approached me, and I believe, the Supervisor as well to talk about perhaps doing a project here on Fishers Island to restore some freshwater wetlands, that have been somewhat degraded over the years, and those wetlands are, in fact, are located behind us here, over behind the movie theatre, and behind the State Police Barracks, east of the airport. I have a aerial photograph, that I pulled up, but you really have to see it in the. back, so what I will do, I'll put it on the table over here. At the end of the meeting, if - you want to come over I can talk about some more details of this project, but right at this moment it is strictly conceptual, -and the reason that I'm here today to announce it at this meeting is to find out if any of you would like to be on the management team, that we're going to form, it will be a partnership of at least three organizations. It will be New York State DEC, Ducks Unlimited, and the Town of Southold, and certainly if there's a ;;specific Fishers' Island organization on top of the Town of Southold, that would like to participate, and I hope someone from the Island will, then we all will become partners in this restoration project, that Ducks Unlimited will try to raise some money for, and of course, will be providing in kind services, and technical education, and that sort of thing. We would be looking for some kind of service from the Town of Southold. Essentially, it is - the wetland system that is behind over here, and it has .some very,. I think, some very good promise for being upgraded back to a state where it used to be perhaps a hundred years ago, or- more,e, anal we're looking to develop a management plan before we actually start any kind of work in the field, so that we will know where . we want- to be at the end of this project, what we're going to be expecting these wetlands to be used for, and so forth, and we're going to do that first, and then get into some sort" of construction project over there to enhance these wetlands. So, again, I was just announcing today the concept is being born, and we're looking for volunteers from the local unit here. Perhaps they can even give us a historic prospective of what it used to be like over there. Is there anyone that old? I don't know if there is, or not,. but if there is, that would be great. JOHN THATCHER: John Thatcher from the Fishers Island Conservancy. Ray, I was approached by the head of Ducks Unlimited for Long Island a few days ago. He mentioned the. project that you just said. I toured the area with him. We've done part of the preliminary research on it. There's no question for those of in this room who are familiar with the wetlands just south of the movie theatre. There are two of them. One of them is actually to the left of that road that goes down to South Beach. That's not the one that's an issue here. It's on the eastern side of that dirt road. We're talking about wetlands that existed for many, many years. I took a look at the old 1880 map of Fishers Island. It's definitely there. AUGUST 14, 1996 513 It's not man-made wetlands. It's natural wetlands. What has happened to it is the ditches now drain it. As a natural wetland, that used to exist, the Conservancy, although we have not discussed this as a Board, it's my opinion that it would possible to provide that any shooting, that takes place there, aims to the south, and not the north. But, the Conservancy would be happy to work with the DEC, and the Town of Southold on this issue. RAY COWAN: I don't think shooting, or hunting, is the main issue here. In fact, I'm not even sure that the Ducks Unlimited is interested in that. I think they are more interested in preserving the habitat. JOHN THATCHER: Well, the guy turned several shades of white when I, in fact, mentioned the possibility of gun fire there, but, again, I think if it does occur, and we're talking about a wetland here, where ducks go, then certainly any gun fire. . RAY COWAN: In those kinds of issues, as we discussed, are exactly the kinds of issues you would discuss at a local level. JOHN THATCHER: I'm sure the -Conservancy would be happy to participate. RAY COWAN: The beauty of this particular area is that it's owned by the Town of Southold, so it's in public ownership. You don't have to worry about easements, and things like that from a private owner, so it looks like an exciting project to me. I look forward to forming a partnership' to get this done. JOE HENDERSON: Joe Henderson. If the Conservancy wishes to .get involved there is also a DU Chapter, here. There are also a private sportsmen's clubs here, which probably. provide a very high amount of fodder for birds, ducks. We have three organizations. RAY COWAN: We would look to you to suggest organizations, that are appropriate to join this task force. I would tell you to work through the Supervisor's Office to make your desires known to be involved in the project, and we can all work together. We've done several of these: already. We've got some in other areas of Long Island, and they turn out very well. That's about it. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you, Ray. I would just like to say that I've been DU member for about fifteen years, and Secretary for Peconic Bay, and Chairman two or three times, and I could never fire a gun, so we really are interested in the preserving the habitat. 1 would just like to 'mention that the harbor plan, the Town Attorney is presently reviewing it before it goes to the Code Committee. Just so you know what the status of that is. At this time I'd like to ask John Raynor to join us. John is. Deputy Emergency .Preparedness person for the Town of Southold. We make decisions on snow storms, and everything else. As you may, or may know we -were over;-here several months ago. We feel it's very important that the Town of Southold, County of Suffolk, and the State of . New York, begin to develop an emergency preparedness plan for Fishers Island. In the past it has been „part of the Connecticut plan, but it becomes my responsibility to make decisions in relation to emergency on Fishers, and I think it's important that we have the support of our County, and State, for any kind of an emergency on the island. It's even more important, when we had the meeting with a gentleman from Connecticut, who works with the Emergency Preparedness Plan there, brought it to our attention more than once, that if something did happen in relation to Millstone, that you are now dealing with, since the plan was written years ago, or a .few years back, you are now dealing with thirty or forty thousand gamblers a day at Foxwood. So, there's going to be a lot of who does what on the Connecticut shore if something does happen. The present plan does not fully guarantee that the ferry would come pick up people if you had to evacuate. If you did you would only head back to New London towards the site of where everything was happening. So, we're taking this very seriously. The State has begun to 52 AUGUST 14, 1996 work, and we have County people, and I've asked John to .just update you, as to where the status is, because this is something that we're going to move along as quickly as we can. It takes awhile to develop a plan. Mr. Daniels from the County, too, if you would like to add anything to what John has to say, please, feel free. John? JOHN RAYNOR: Mention was made earlier about utilizing the resources on the island, and over the last few years we reversed four areas of emergency on the island. One was the day to day 'emergencies. That was the plan to bring you into the Enhanced 911 System. We also had the coastal storm and hurricane initiative. Just today we started a fire plan initiative. In case there is ever . a serious fire on the island, and outside resources are needed, right now there is no planning for that, and 'as the Supervisor mentioned before, the most difficult one is a nuclear. I would just like to thank our island resource, that was really overused, and that's my partner Alan Thibodeau. He's been a part of all this, and I just want to' thank him. It's been most difficult, and nuclear power scares people, and it's there. I don't debate the pros and cons. of it, but it's there. Right now all three lines are shut down due to violations from the NSC. They are not going to stay shut down forever, and we really expect Millstone 3 - to be back on line relatively shortly. There is a plan .in place, as the Supervisor said, we started a review of it this year. Many parts of the plant are adequate, and some are not. The one blaring inadequacy is if, and that's a big question, if, because not every incident at Millstone is going to require evacuation of the island. It's one thing to evacuate the island on a January day when there are a few hundred people here. To do it this time of year it would be 450. The present plan calls for you to go to New London. We have conducted drills with the Federal government, and the last one they wanted Fishers Island to evacuate to New London. New London had already been evacuated two hours prior to that. Obviously you can't go into this kind of zone. If it's a big enough incident to evacuate Fishers Island, Connecticut is going to be in a state of panic. I think it's going to be harder to convince people to get on ferry boats to head in the general direction of the plant, and listen to people like me, that guarantee you five compass degrees to the east is going to guarantee you safety. Then when you get to New London what is going to happen to you? So, that is why we want to address our plans. Every community in Connecticut that is affected by this plant has two, or three escape routes. That's what we want for the island. You are residents of Southold Town, Suffolk County, New York State. The most logical thing that we have. come up with in our planning, you are our responsibility, so our number one escape route would be the Orient Point ferry. That requires boat transportation, and we're looking at that now. The Ferry District is a - resource, but we're going to need more than that. Second escape route is going to Connecticut, and we're working closely with the State of Connecticut on that. They both have their pluses and minuses because you are going to have to decide how great the incident, etc. Within this year we started, working' lot of this goes beyond the expertise and training of, the Town. For that reason we got the County involved, and the State. We had our first meeting on Fishers Island about a month ago.. Alan assembled. all possible agencies, that .could be involved in this. We also discussed sheltering in places. There might be times when it might profit to train the population, and have a shelter in place. One. thing we've learned in the last two years in Suffolk County, if anyone ever said that we would have a fire, that we would gain national attention, or plane crash gaining national attention, it makes you think if there is a threat there, it could happen. We really have responsibility to plan for it. It's going to be a very difficult plan. It requires a lot of coordination between many, many agencies. The Supervisor introduced some of the people, Ed Burton is here from the State today, and both FEMA, State organization and Suffolk County, were going to start in Southold, and plan the evacuation centers in the coming weeks, and talking to our local fire department over there, their personnel, our County resources, we'll have enough resources to help, but you are going to be hearing a lot about this, and certainly if anyone has any questions. AUGUST 14, 1996 13 SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Does anyone have a question of either myself, or John? (No response.) We will certainly keep you informed of every step, as we go along. I took a ride over to see the metal dump earlier. It's certainly a lot different than when I was here before at the Civic Association meeting. It's coming right along as they say. It's looking good. Hopefully the fence will be put up soon, and we can finish it off. did notice there's some bunkers with doors missing outside. We have to talk about sealing these places again. JUSTICE EVANS: Jamie Richter, the Town Engineer, has been over, and looked at it, and basically said that what we have to do to make it safe now. If people would like to see what has been done, please, give me a .,phone call, and I will take you up. We prefer people do not go up by themselves, because. of the liability issue. What is happening now is it's been completely cleaned out. Everything has been taken off the island, and we are in the process of filling the west bunker as much as we can, so it will be more like a sloped valley there. The east bunker has a fence around it, . and it's hoped that sometime, not the inside tunnels, but the actual gun emplacement area can be used by someone, by a contractor, or a landscaper to use the space for equipment. Hopefully people will stay out of that area, because even though there's fence up there, there probably are hidden dangers we don't know about. The DEC visited today have basically given us the final approval on it. You all will be happy to know that there was no hazardous materials. There were things like transformers, but they were empty. They did not have PBC in them. There was oil, but it had not soaked through, and it didn't have enough in it to make it positive, and we hope the job is done. It was very expensive job. It's probably going to cost the taxpayers of the town $330,000 to clean up the site, but it's done, and 1 hope everyone is pleased with that. PAT KIBBE: I wanted to ask about what several suggested, a nature trail. I know the Civic Association asked for ideas. I just wondered if you were going to follow through with that? JUSTICE EVANS: There are many, many ideas submitted. At one point it was suggested maybe we could put a park up there. People could go up and see the airplanes coming in. It was decided that, that was really not what Fishers Island wanted, to encourage people up there. One for liability reasons, and two, there' were plenty of places that people from Fishers Island know about, and people weren't particularly interested in encouraging day trippers up there, or parties at night. So, that's why the decision went the way it did. We had suggestions of making it into a youth center, using the bunker for that, and they just weren't practical. PAT KIBBE: Couldn't they make a nature trail, or something there? JUSTICE EVANS: This, is. my personal opinion, I 'm (tape change) that the Town doesn't- want to be responsible for. If the Ferry District should manage.-it, I don't think the. Ferry District, I can't speak for them, but I don't think they want to be responsible. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Is the property out back conducive to a nature trail along with the habitat? If you made that part of your nature trail, it could also give you a outdoor lab for the school, in relation to a wetland, and learn what it is all about. Is there anyone else who would like to address the Board with questions? CAROL RIDGEWAY: Carol Ridgeway. I just have a question on the Middleton property that you had the resolution about. Is there a clear title to that property, or does it matter? SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: I'm going to throw that to Jim McMahon, Community Development. He takes care of acquiring these lands from the County. Jim? 54 AUGUST 14, 1996 JIM MCMAHON: We didn't look really at a question of whether or not it was a clear title. What we were counting on, though, if the property does become available, rather than have it go to tax sale we would prefer to let them know we were interested in it, and under the provision that the town would have first option to purchase it, if it does become available. COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND: ' Jim, on that question, if the County does take it, than the title will be clear. If the County takes it the question is who is it titled to? STEVE JONES: Perhaps I can answer that. The way the Suffolk County Tax Act works is that after the taxes aren't paid after six months, the deed 'goes to the County Treasurer. The owner has an absolute right to redeem it in the first six months. A year after that the owner has the right to petition the Suffolk County Legislature to redeem the property for the back taxes, plus- interest and penalties. During that time, often times, you'll hear from mortgagees, and lien- holders, and other people who have pieces of the title perhaps. Normally what the County does is the County holds property for three more years before the title gets cleared out, but in an instance such as this is where a local Town Board petitions the Legislature to acquire the land, that the County could make it available after the first six months. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Is there anyone else who would like to address the Board? PEGGY CLAVIN: Peggy Clavin. Jean, last year I spoke to you about the piece of property that is on West Harbor, and the owner of the property told me that he is having it appraised. It will possibly be for sale. I'm hoping that the Town of Southold will appropriate money to purchase that property. It's the only parking area for that beach. JUSTICE EVANS: Peggy, I have since talked to the woman, not the woman who owns it, but her son, who was the one who was asking for the appraisal. He verbally informed me that he would let the Town know before they put, it on the market. I have since talked with Jean, and a couple of the Board members about the possibility of using some of theOpen Space Funds. Frankly, once Fort Corchaug is purchased over in Cutchogue on the Island, there's not much left in the Open ' Space Space Funds, and I haven't spoken since to the Civic Association, and I'm hoping to talk to the Land Trust about, . maybe, getting contributions if they feel it's a good piece of property to buy. Maybe it could be a joint purchase, and perhaps through the museum maybe the woman would be willing, if she decides to sell to do a Bargain Sale type thing, too, where she would have some tax advantages. So, we have gotten things moving on that, but my conversation with her son is she is not selling at this point. PEGGY CLAVIN,: What" about the Parks and Recreation, is there anything ,in there? JUSTICE, EVANS: I think the Parks and Recreation Budget, and actually Jim McMahan is probably a better one to answer this, but I think that probably for Fishers Island, doesn't that come from like, the fees from subdivisions? SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: When you develop a subdivision, in lieu of Park and Playground the developer is assessed a certain amount of money, and this is on the one fund. As I went through different attorneys, when I was orb, the Town Board, it was Bob Tasker who first said, the money must be spent on the area from where it came from. Then along came Jay Schondebare, and I said, look, my argument always was that if it's serves the entire township, that it shouldn't have to go back through a specific area. Say if it came from Bayview in Southold, it wouldn't go back to Bayview. Why bother taking it? Let the fellow build the park on his property. Then I saw through the years that it was used for money for paying for dredging, to re-nourish the beaches. I think that is stretching it a little bit. My feeling was the intent of the money was always for acquisition and development, development of the sites, that give recreation to. people. So, there have been ways that the funds have AUGUST 14, 1996 5-5. been spent through, the years, that, I, as an individual, do not agree with. Louisa is right. As far as the open bond is concerned there's .-just about enough money to buy Fort Corchaug, as we have tried to purchase that for many, many years. Park and Playground, Jim, what is there, about $80,000 left in that, about $00,000 left in the Park and Playground? JIM MCMAHAN: Does anyone, have an estimate? SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: You have any idea what the property is worth? JUDY EDWARDS: The last estimate was $150,000. Also, I was wondering, Louisa, is that property zoned commercial like the rest along? JUSTICE EVANS: I don't know what the zoning is. It's more than residential, but I can't remember what the exact business, or what commercial zoning it has. It could increase the value of it, yes. I'm almost certain that it is 'commercial. I'm just not sure which commercial zone it's in. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Anyhow there is not too much money left in the fund, but certainly if there is any way that we can 'help, and certainly we'll look at it, when it's available. Sir? JOE HENDERSON: This is on a different topic. Joe Henderson with the Civic Association. I haven't been asked but I solicit on behalf of the Civic Association your support for a resolution that will be brought to you sometime in the future by Louisa establishing a buffer area, neutral buffer area, around Fishers Island. There was legislation up in Albany this year that didn't get through. It is supported strongly by the Civic Association as well as the Conservancy. I just want to say, we're behind it. We hope that you all can participate, and put as much pressure on Albany as possible. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We certainly will communicate - with . Pat Acompara, and LeValle, as far as legislation up in New York State, and the Board will also discuss this, and it certainly sounds like something we should be supporting. Give us time to look at it, and come back to you. John? JOHN THATCHER: John Thatcher, Fishers Island Conservancy. Jean, I just wanted to thank the Town Board today for a number of things. When the Conservancy was first founded ten years ago one of our key aims was the closing of all four dumps on Fishers Island, the final clearing out of the auto dump, and closing of the metal dump. That aim has been achieved, and without the Town Board, without the Civic Association, don't think it would have been possible. I don't think we could have done it, certainly alone, so I wanted to thank each and every one of you for that effort. It is going to be vastly appreciated by the people of the island. I, also,• want' to thank you. I traveled to Southold as a lone passenger ..on . the "Mannatawket this morning to address the . Southold Town Board, several members of it, on the possibility of Southold contributirng something to the: alliance of which they were part of that which is currently allowing toxic dumping in the dump site, between here and Connecticut, and no, I'm not going to ask for $150,000, $50,000, but if the Board were to, in the 1997 fiscal year, consider a substantial contribution we would just be overjoyed. Everybody tells me, John, don't let Fishers Island do it all. Get our allies into a teamwork situation, and that's exactly what 1 was trying to do this morning. . I didn't mean to buttonhole you, but the matter is urgent, and I just thank you for any consideration you make. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: We certainly as a Town Board discuss this, and see if there are ways which we can support, and help. Thank you, John. AUGUST 14, 1996 PETER BURR: My name is Peter Burr, and I'd like to make two or three comments. One, I would like to again thank the Board. Ed Dart, we would like to thank you once again for the seven trees that we received here, and over forty that we have received so far. They are all doing quite well. One information subject, tomorrow at 4:30 several of us have formed a meeting at the someone's home, to begin to work towards the celebration of the 100th An of Fort Wright, which would be October 22nd of 1998. We are beginning now to plan for that date. I mentioned it in this session, because we hope at some point we can come to the Town for some aid, whether it be financial or otherwise. There might be some historic information, that might be available that we're not aware of. Also, that anybody at this meeting that knows of, or can help us obtain information on the fort, or know people who might have information, we will begin tomorrow officially, and look forward to the celebration in two. years hence. Thank you. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: • I received your invitation, and I was going to ask you about you about it. Anyone else like to address the Town Board? (No response.) If not, is there anyone on the Board, that would like to address Fishers Island? COUNCILWOMAN HUSSIE: I think I 'would. You know you all looked forward, and you all breathed a sigh of relief of the final emptying and clearing of the Metal Dump. You have nothing in appreciation of happiness, that it's all over, like I do. I recall four years ago, when I lightly said, two weeks. The wheels of government, I find, ride slower than I thought, but anyway I join with you in great happiness. I now feel like I can come over here, and not hide. RUTH_ OLIVA: I'd like to say it's always a pleasure for me to come over here. I've enjoyed every visit, and enjoyed meeting so many people here. I do want to thank the members of the Harbor Committee for all the hard work, that they have put into that Harbor Management Plan, and as Jean has said, Laury ,is reviewing it. We're going to be talking to Leslie, and with Louisa, to try to finalize something. We're going to ' send it up to the Department of State for a little consistency, and hopefully by the end of this year we'll have something in the Code, and some policy decisions for you, and the whole matter will be brought to a rest. Thank you so much for all your help. COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND: I'd like to just thank you for the opportunity to visit with you again. It's always a pleasure to visit with you again. It's always a pleasure, and it hasn't lost any of it's charm, and beauty. I did enjoy speaking at some length with John Thatcher this morning about the dumping, and I think it's a very important issue, and I think the Town Board will address it seriously. I think what we have to do is to not only see what has to be done, as far as the next phase of their dumping, but also in terms of what the effect of the existing dumping is. If there's ' anyway that we can monitor it, I certainly would support. that. There area lot of groups on the east end of Long Island I think would support' it. I noticed that one of our sister towns, the second .oldest .town on Long Island, is here, and he may well be part of a Supervisor's group, that would help create some funds, and some interest in, monitoring what's going on, just' on our border, and over our border. It's a serious issue, and I know this Town Board takes it seriously. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you, Joe. Bill, would you like to greet Fishers Island. COUNCILMAN MOORE: I just want to say, thank you for your hospitality. My lovely wife, Pat, and I, opted to not come by boat, but fly over, and I'm happy to meet all of you. I look forward to visiting again, and, please, come visit us. You are part of our town, and we'd love to have you come visit 'us as well. Thank you for your hospitality. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Louisa, do you have anything else to add? AUGUST 14, 1996 57 JUSTICE EVANS: Just to thank everyone for coming, and thank the people that helped organize this, the Civic Association, and all. 1 hope everyone enjoyed the shorter boat trip this year. I thank the Ferry District for arranging that. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Vince, would you like to say, hello, from Southampton? VINCE CANNUSCIO: Sure. Thank you very much for inviting me over today. This is the first time I've been on Fisher Island. You have a beautiful area. Keep it that way. I'm there in Southampton Town. Any burning issues, that could effect us both, Jean, I'm happy to help out in any way that I can. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Thank you. I had a woman speak to me earlier about the Cans for Kids for Program. Please, tell her to give either myself, or Jim, a call. Is there anyone else who would like to address the Town Board? Yes, representing Mike Forbes? NANCY AIELLO: Thank you for the wonderful tour. I didn't catch your name, the gentleman over here. I'm sorry. PETER BURR: Peter Burr. NANCY. AIELLO: Mr. Burr, I'm the Congressional liaison for Congressman Forbes. I do have some access to archives, so I can perhaps obtain Information for: you on Fort Wright. Please contact my office. Thank you. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Is there anyone from any of the other agencies, that came over today, that would like to say something to Fishers Island? (No response.) If not, we thank you for inviting us. It was our pleasure. We look forward again to next year, and Bill said, come on over, and visit us once in awhile. You are always welcome. Thank you. Moved by Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it was RESOLVED that this meeting be and hereby is adjourned at this time, 2:35 P.M. Vote of the Town Board: Ayes: Councilman Moore, Justice Evans, Councilwoman Oliva, Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Hussie, Supervisor Cochran. This resolution was duly ADOPTED. Judith T. Terry Southold Town Clerk