HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC-03/11/2026 Carol Brown,Chairperson Town Hall,53095 Route 25
Lauren Standish,Secretary P.O.Box 1179
Southold,New York 11971-0959
Fax(631)765-1823
Telephone(631)765-1889
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
MINUTES
Wed., March 11, 2026
4:30 PM
Conference Room and Zoom Online Platform
A meeting of the Southold Town Conservation Advisory Council was held Wed., March
11, 2026 in the Town Hall Conference Room and via Zoom.
Present were: Carol Brown, Chairperson
Maggie Merrill, Member
Inga Van Eysden, Member
Nancy May, Member
Barbara Friedman, Member
Alexa Annunziata, Member
Phoebe Faint, Student Member
Lauren Standish, Secretary
Absent: Burke Liburt, Member
Brian Mealy, Town Board Liaison
Eric Sepenoski, Board of Trustees Liaison
Trevor Fitzgerald, Student Member
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Carol Brown called the meeting to order at 4:35pm.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Town Board appointed Phoebe Faint as a student member of the CAC at their
regular meeting held on March 10, 2026. A discussion followed as to whether the
students could log their attendance hours for community service. Update: It was
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confirmed that the student members could track their meeting attendance, and have a
Town official or CAC Chair sign off on their forms at the end of the term.
The CAC members received Financial Disclosure Forms from the Town Clerk. Lauren
will verify this requirement with the Chairperson of the Board of Ethics. Update: The
Board of Ethics will discuss this matter at their next meeting and report back.
Carol Brown will be participating in the Southold High School Volunteer and Job Fair on
March 24th from 12-2pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Maggie Merrill, seconded by Inga Van Eysden, to Approve the Minutes of
February 4, 2026.
REPORTS
Nancy May attended the Board of Trustees meeting held on February 11th. The
application made on behalf of 3705 Duck Pond Road, SCTM#83-1-12, Cutchogue was
Approved despite the findings by the LWRP coordinator. The meeting minutes will be
reviewed by the CAC as soon as they become available.
CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES PROGRAM-UPDATES
Inga Van Eysden re: CSC Outstanding Pledges — Inga e-mailed the CAC members a
draft memo to the Town Board on February 17th. She will send a revised memo
addressing the Town Board and removing the Board of Trustees. She noted this is time-
sensitive and that the points have expirations.
NEW AND CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS/UPDATES
Environmental Expo, Sat., May 2"d 12-4pm — Maggie drafted an Outline and Planning
document for the review. She will send the final version to the CAC members, all town
committees and departments. She asked if the Town could help promote the event, ie.
website, Ch. 22, WLNG, press release, etc., and use the Town's logo. Barbara
Friedman asked if there would be activities for children. Phoebe will reach out to YETI
for ideas. Maggie will also share her contact list with the committee and invited them to
add other contacts to the bottom of the list.
Resident Guide — Power Point Presentation
Carol Brown — CAC members presented the Resident Guide to the Town Board on
March 10th. The Town Board and the Town Attorney will review the draft and submit
their comments within two weeks. The CAC will finalize the draft and have it translated,
present and distribute.
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Re-Wild Garden at Town Hall — Power Point Presentation
Carol Brown would like to thank Anne Sande and Barbara Friedman for their time and
hard work designing this project.
Carol shared the plans with the members and will forward as a PDF to the Town Board.
Inga Van Eysden indicated that the plants are expected to be delivered by May 2"d to
the North Fork Flower Farm. Carol will contact Erick Haas, DPW to discuss the timing
for the site to be cleared, and funding for ADA materials.
Youth Environmental Task Force Update
Phoebe Faint reported that the group is currently working on a trail restoration project.
This summer they will break out into smaller groups and work on the Curing of Oyster
Shell project. Carol mentioned that She recently spoke with John Sep and he said that
the Bay to Sound trails could use their help. The students will also be taking part in the
Environmental Expo on May 2"d
Tree Code — Carol Brown asked if the CAC should meet with the Tree Committee and
ask for a status of the tree code. Anne Murray noted that it was part of the Zoning
Update. Maggie Merrill and Anne Murray will get an update from Heather Lanza.
Leaf Blowers — Carol Brown received an e-mail from Randy Wade regarding the status
of leaf blowers. There was a brief discussion regarding noise and if there was public
support for the banning of gas-powered leaf blowers. Noise complaints are mostly from
amplified music, which is in the Town Code.
Skip the Stuff Campaign
Brody Eggert and Jenna Schwartzman will attend the CAC meeting on April 8th to share
information and explain how the CAC can get involved.
Goals-Comprehensive Plan
Carol Brown suggested the committee Table this discussion and review in June since
they already have too much on their plate. All were in agreement to discuss in May and
present in June.
The next meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council is scheduled for Wed., April 8th,
2026 at 4:30PM in the Conference Room.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned
at 6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted by,
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Lauren M. Standish, Secretary
Conservation Advisory Council