In attendance: All Board Members, Town Attorney and Town Clerk.

Two Board members will be out of town and unable to attend the Board Meeting on Friday, therefore a special meeting preceded the regular meeting. This concerned the waters at Silver Beach. Peter Reich reported on WMAC meeting where it was decided that lights and life preservers were not required and therefore a permit will be issued for installation of dock. Nothing further. Special meeting adjourned.

Work Session Opened.
1. Police Chief Read gave his annual report (2007) for the Police Department. He began by explaining the records management system and used a slide presentation showing graphs for the various categories of police affairs. This system has been in use for the past five years and compares statistics for those categories. The system has been upgraded with a new server and mobile computers. Some comparisons are:
a. Police calls remain consistent.
b. More traffic tickets issued than any prior year. Also true of parking
c. Calls to station are listed per event.
d. Motor vehicle accidents have taken a downturn. No fatal accidents.
e. Accidents related to deer were reduced in ’07 down to 28 from 66 in’03.
f. Arrests were up in ’07. The majority were DWI. There has been a steady increase in the past five years. Many were drug involved.
g. Noise complaints continue. Many violators comply with investigating officer. Some are unfounded.
h. Domestic disputes are taken very seriously. A second officer is brought
in to accompany the officer on call.
i. No change in number of alarm calls in past five years. He feels it will
remain constant.
j. Medical emergency calls. Police generally respond first until the ambulance arrives. Police maintain a good relationship with the Ambulance Corp.
k. Investigative Section. Felonies and misdemeanors. Larcenies have decline. Burglaries are slightly above 2006.
Drug Charges. Spiked in 04, then ’07 has shown DWI arrests which included drugs has shot up.
Total offenses reported in ’07 were 293. 34 closed upon investigation.
l. Bay Constable. Two officers on duty each weekday and one on
weekdays during July and August. In ’07 there were 165 incidents, lower than ’03’04’05 but slightly higher than ’06.

Training. Includes First Aid, handling of hazardous materials and infectious diseases, defense tactics and use of firearms.

Chief Reed explained that the Police Dept. is looking at quality of life issues including neighbors’ disputes, community events, noise complaints, speed enforcement trailer. They try to take seriously all complaints made to them and they stay involved with the community and community events. They try to stay on top of drug use.

In response to a question from Ed Brown, Chief Read said all immigrants brought in are checked out on the I C E records to see if immigration has them listed as wanted.


1. Public Housing: On Friday, May 30th the public will receive information on what the residents feel is needed. Chris Lewis said it is being realized that need exists across the board, from landscape workers to school employees, office workers and including senior citizens. It was suggested that a waiting list of up to ten names be maintained for persons needing an apartment for fair market value.
The Supervisor feels a public hearing be held to learn what the people have to say.


2. Proposal being made for Historic Designation of Taylors Island. Without such designation grants cannot be awarded. A matching grant has been applied for.
It might be possible for the Town to match their share by “in-kind” services or at least a part of it.


3. South Ferry Cruise to Taylor’s Island on Saturday, May 31 at 5:30 to 8:30 PM
Light refreshments, wine and music. Fund raiser for purpose of Historic Designation.


4. Various applications to the Board were discussed:
Mention made of application by “Crocker” to Planning Board
Discussion re Smyth’s road into his development, a cul-de-sac with five houses. The developer wants Town to determine if the road is built to Town specs if the Town will take over and maintain it. If not an owners association will have to be formed for maintenance. Road is about 1000 ft.
Palmantieri wetlands application was mentioned.
---------- Council requested tracking of open space reserves. Peter Reich felt that if things were spiking out of control maybe we should consider it but sees no present need.

5. The recently acquired patent on the shape of Shelter Island by an off-island manufacturing company was discussed. No one has ever thought to do this before. The Supv. said he shares the concern; the Chamber of Commerce should also. It should be addressed. He feels we have a pretty good shot at having it reversed.


6. The Supv. attended the East End Supervisors Assn. The three local hospitals were represented. He feels the notice given by Blue Cross-Blue Shield of their intention to terminate their association with Southampton Hospital was mostly a bargaining ploy. It may end up not being implemented. Paul Mobius said Eastern Long Island Hospital was not listed as one you could go to in lieu of Southampton. The three hospitals are effectively negotiating together. The Supv. said “we will support Southampton, this is a critical issue to our quality of life.”


7. Discussion of tick control. Pros and cons of burning brush and grass were discussed. Kolina Reiter said she has serious problems with the tick spray and feels it should be banned. There are toxins in all tick remedies. They get in the water and they will affect someone. Using spray in conjunction with the four-poster is very dangerous. We should have the right to say no to spraying while the Cornell study is going on. Supv. said that there is confirmation of total spraying going on Shelter Island. He urged the Board to pursue this.