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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC-06/03/2026 . r W Carol Brown,Chairperson 4 Town Hall,53095 Route 25 Lauren Standish,Secretary ''�'f 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., June 3, 2026 4:30 PM Conference Room and Zoom Online Platform A meeting of the Southold Town Conservation Advisory Council was held on Wed., June 3, 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 Brian Mealy, Town Board Liaison Lauren Standish, Secretary Absent: Burke Liburt, Member Eric Sepenoski, Board of Trustees Liaison Trevor Fitzgerald, Student Member Guest: Anne Murray, NFEC CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Carol Brown called the meeting to order at 4:35pm. ANNOUNCEMENTS No announcements. 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Maggie Merrill, seconded by Alexa Annunziata, to Approve the Minutes of May 6, 2026. REPORTS Youth Environmental Council Update— Phoebe Faint reported that a meeting was held on Wed., May 27tn The next trail restoration will be held on June 17th possibly at Arshamomaque Preserve, however they are waiting on confirmation from John Sepenoski. There was recently an article by Kate Rossi-Snook published in the East End Beacon regarding the Oysters and their Reefs. Carol mentioned that SUHRU Vineyards in having a wine and oyster event and suggested the YETI look into collecting their oyster shells. Alexa suggested that they look for a source for buckets with seal tops and consider preparing them for restaurant staff, for shells only, English and in Spanish. It was also suggested that they write letters to hardware stores for donations of buckets. Brian asked to be included in the YETI emails. Phoebe will add him on Google Classroom. Board of Trustees Meeting —A CAC member was not present at the meeting held on May 13th CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES PROGRAM-UPDATES Barbara Friedman suggested the CAC consider withdrawal from the program. Inga Van Eysden recommended "do nothing" for now and eventually there could be more interest. Councilman Mealy agreed to "leave it alone" for now and he will continue to advocate. NEW AND CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS/UPDATES • Residents Guide — Councilman Mealy provided feedback from the Town Board. They asked that the Town logo be added to the guide, and removal the reference to residential leaf burning. Alexa suggested adding QR codes and links to the Town Code. The CAC members will assist Alexa by going through each page and link the chapters of the referenced codes. Carol will contact the IT Dept. for assistance with the links on the Town's website. The members will create a list of recommendations for outreach for the posters, brochures and hand-outs. The members agreed to finalize the guide and post on the Town's website. • Matters Concerning Town Hall Native Garden and Maintenance Schedule—the members thanked Erick Haas and his team for their assistance and cooperation with the garden. Carol will draft a letter to the editor thanking Erick and his team. Alexa brought a free-standing rain barrel with a tap, and will set it up next to the garden. Carol suggested placing a sign on the barrel, along with the sticker from 3 the Peconic Baykeeper. Alexa will look into the possibility of getting another rain barrel for the Town Hall building. The members discussed a mulch and watering schedule and agreed on the following: Inga Van Eysden will water the garden on Mondays, Carol Brown will water on Wednesdays, and Maggie Merrill will water on Fridays. The hours of watering will be early morning or after 4:OOpm. Carol Brown stated that there wasn't support from town staff to move mulch. She will contact Dan Goodwin from the Highway Dept. to deliver the mulch. YETI will assist with spreading the mulch, as well as assist with the watering on Saturdays and Sundays. Alexa will create a spreadsheet and share with the members. Inga and Barbara shared their draft for signage for the Southold Native Garden. The draft will be sent to Councilman Mealy and he will forward to the Town Board for approval. Inga submitted a request for reimbursement for the purchase of a hose for the native garden. Councilman Mealy will seek financial guidance from the Town Comptroller. • Gas Powered Leaf-Blowers — Carol will invite a representative from ChangeHampton to a future meeting. • Clearing Code-Participation in Code Committee, Letter of Concern/Support—The members discussed bringing awareness to YETI and consideration for participation in a future Town Board meeting, June 16tn or June 301n Southampton Town Board officially voted to enact a new law, "Land Disturbance Ordinance," Res. No. 2026-0826, adding Article XIIIA to Chapter 330 of the Town Code. This landmark legislation establishes a comprehensive permitting process for the removal of natural vegetation and significant topographic changes town wide. Barbara Friedman will research the code for the Village of Port Jefferson. The CAC will send a letter to the Town Board and ask they be included in code committee meetings. Maggie will draft a letter and share with the members within two (2) weeks, then present to the Town Board at a future work session. • Review of Evaluations from Environmental Expo and Possible Additions for Next Year—Alexa shared positive feedback and some of the top comments. 4 Comments included consideration for a native plant sale and a knife/scissor sharpening workshop. There was also a suggestion for septic system consultation, and a possible demo as a visual aide. The next expo will be scheduled for the beginning of April 2027. The next meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council is scheduled for Wed., July 8, 2026 at 4:30PM in the Conference Room. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 PM. Respectfully submitted by, � n 'm � La ren M. Standish, Secretary Conservation Advisory Council