It's not too late – Call 749-1848 to reserve for the League's Annual Meeting & Brunch – Saturday, June 21st, 10:00 am - Noon at Gardiner’s Bay Country Club – w/ Deputy Supervisor and Town Councilwoman, Chris Lewis, who will talk about her experiences in politics in remarks entitled “Marching Onward.”  Cost is $25 per person, reservations are required.

 

Mark your calendars for Shelter Island’s annual Fireworks -- Crescent Beach, Saturday, July 12th – bigger, better than ever!  Be a part of the action – and play a part in keeping this tradition alive with a contribution.  Checks should be made out to: SI Chamber of Commerce, Fireworks and sent to the CofC at P.O. Box 598 in the Center. 

 

All members of the Shelter Island Town Board were present at today's Work Session, as were Police Chief, Jim Read, Highway Superintendent, Mark Ketcham, Planning Board Member, Emory Breiner and several residents and/or observers.

 

Suggested Stop sign on Menantic Road at Smith Street was discussed at a resident’s request to the Town Board.  It was noted that because Suffolk County and Shelter Island Town share responsibility for this intersection – Smith Street and Menantic Road north of Smith Street are Suffolk County roads, while Menantic Road is a Town Road south of Smith Street – the county will have to be consulted.  Police Chief, Jim Read, asked for a recommendation, suggested a “more balanced” reaction reflecting totality rather than responding to a single complaint.  He recommended starting with Suffolk County and added that the county may want to evaluate conditions at the intersection before taking action.  He noted that the Town did a comprehensive study in 2000 and will compile more data.  Highway Superintendent, Mark Ketcham, noting that Shelter Islanders pay taxes to the county, agreed to follow up and report back to the Town Board.  In the meantime, the Town will respond accordingly to the person who complained.

 

Storm Cleanup Update – Supervisor Dougherty noted that the Highway Department report has been received, the Police Department report is on its way and that a meeting had been scheduled at 10:30 am on Friday, July 11th with representatives from LIPA – Supervisor of East End Response, Larry Taurez, a senior management representative Mark Hervey as well as Ted Repper and Doug Sherer.  He asked Chief Read, head of the Island’s emergency response efforts, Highway Superintendent, Mark Ketcham and Councilman, Ed Brown to attend – and later added a representative from the Town’s Emergency Service unit.  All agreed – Ed Brown, in fact, said he’d “love to be there,” prompting a request from Councilman Glenn Waddington to also attend as an observer.  A discussion of the pros and cons of this session as “an open meeting” – including via taping for Channel 22 – ensued.  Jim Dougherty, characterizing recording this sort of meeting as “chicken bleep,” saw no need for taping, but noted that Cara Loriz [editor of the Reporter] would be invited. Councilwoman and Deputy Supervisor, Chris Lewis suggested that the problem was not with the Town Board, Highway, Police and Emergency Services personnel attending, but the distractions caused by focus on individual situations of attending residents.  Chief Read asked what the goal of the meeting was, to which Jim Dougherty replied it was intended to be the first phase of an effort to better coordinate response to electrical emergencies on the Island.  It was decided that Chief Read would draft an agenda to be discussed – and presumably fine-tuned – at next week’s Work Session, and shared with LIPA prior to the meeting. Ed Brown stressed that the meeting should center on coordination with LIPA and pointed out that the problem invariably turns to the lack of existing protocol – that is, with LIPA’s management, and changes therein, not its linemen. He recommended that procedures be agreed on, set and signed off on in writing.

 

MS4 Update – Mark Ketcham reported on a meeting held on MS4 this morning and the work that is being done while waiting for state regulations, most of which involve how Shelter Island is dealing with keeping water from running into the bays (via outflow pipes, drains, etc.)  He said he had consulted with Walter Bundy, an engineer in charge of Southampton’s MS4 compliance program and is working to coordinate with other East End towns.  He noted that wildlife and animal management and other agencies – e.g., Fish & Wildlife – are involved and pointed out that Southampton had recently been fined $1.5 million for non-compliance.
The Highway Superintendent's office is preparing an analysis (due in MS4's first year, 2008-09) of what Shelter Island has done – including reviewing Town codes, regulations, legislation, etc., identifying strengths and weaknesses and formulate plans for improvement, conservatively estimating the latter.
Town Attorney, Laury Dowd clarified deadlines, noting that the MS4 Committee will present options for compliance prior to the Town’s budgeting period – June 2008-09 : Evaluate in-place activities, i.e., marinas, businesses, homes, the Town Code; June 2009-10: Prioritize and begin implementation;   June 2010-ll :Set implementation and establish compliance.
She also pointed out that because of the need for public hearings, etc., it would be necessary to have a (at least preliminary) report by April, 2009.
 Jim Dougherty stressed that effort be made to take credit for prior actions of compliance – e.g., the near shore overlay – and Mark Ketcham assured him it was being done.  In fact, Mark said, he’d reviewed much of this with Walter Bundy who had responded that “in a lot of respects, you’re ahead of the game.”
 Glenn Waddington asked about other East End towns – East Hampton, Southold, Riverhead.  Mark said that quite a bit was being done, primarily with outside contractors, and that he’s currently trying to set up a meeting with other towns in the hope of sharing some of those resources, particularly in terms of training and enforcement.  Jim Dougherty suggested that he formalize these get-togethers into an alliance or committee whose members might meet regularly to maximize the sharing of resources.   Southold Town’s $80K grant for training (part of a Local Waterfront Revitalization [LWR2} grant).  Further discussion of this later in the agenda, specifically in regard to the Town’s application for said grant.

 

Shell Beach Bulkhead – Councilman Peter Reich reviewed the status of the bulkhead and groin(s) at Shell Beach with a slide presentation, the bottom line of which is that the bulkhead is not functioning, it’s just there – and, in definite need of repair, replacement or removal as it threatens to be a hazard to boaters and swimmers.  He also briefly reviewed Mable’s Creek bulkhead, currently stressed by fill-in after recent dredging.
Chris Lewis, noting that the D.E.C. will not let us replace the groins, asked if “maybe we should just take it down?”  Only low profile – 3-ft – groins are allowed by the D.E.C., Peter Reich pointed out and recommended professional consultation.  Glenn Waddington added that he thought letting it go seems risky, especially in light of its removal impairing Suffolk County’s planned dredging of the entrance to West Neck Bay. 
Chris Lewis suggested that Costello Marine[?] be asked for an estimate on just this one project, and Jim Dougherty asked Mark Ketcham to do so and report back to the Town Board.
 
Peebles Wetlands Application – Laury Down asked for a review for completeness, noting the applicants’ have shortened the time line – a hearing scheduled for Friday, July 11th.  Jim Dougherty noted that the Conservation Advisory Council had approved the application (unanimously, 5-0) at last night’s meeting, with mitigation's: 1) direct west side water flow out of gutters into rain barrel(s) and 2) use of misters, rain-chains or other devices.  The Planning Board, he noted, would meet next Tuesday.  Laury Dowd asked if other information was needed – e.g., materials delineation, etc. and Peter Reich said the applicant’s needed to show the location of drywells.

 

Prasad Wetlands & Special Permit Applications – Jim Dougherty reported that he had received a call from Enid Prasad this morning from London asked to withdraw the wetlands application and continue to pursue the special permit.  Laury Dowd requested a note to the file to that effect.  Ed Brown requested that the term “irrigation” be deleted; Chris Lewis suggested substituting “plant watering.”  A comma was deleted, a misspelled word corrected and the application was then declared ready for Friday’s agenda.

 

Application for Waterfront Revitalization Plan Grant – The discussion began with the comment that “Southold has been eating our lunch,” and concluded with an agreement to “put in an application and see what happens.”  Ed Brown asked who would write a comprehensive plan for a granted project, the answer to which is “whoever the grant money hires.”  A member of the audience asked about state vs. Island control, and Laury Dowd replied that the Island policies take precedence over State policies, giving us control.  With a June 30 deadline, an agreement that the application was not a commitment to anything, that Shelter Island needs to be more aggressive on the grants front and, especially, that the Island has many opportunities,  – and that this application might “open the gate – the WRP grant was placed on Friday’s agenda. 

 

Continued Discussion of Proposed Community Housing Law – It was decided that the Committee’s fine-tuning of the statute had answered key questions, that fines issues will be addressed and that the legislation would be voted on at Friday’s Town Board Meeting.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

Ed Brown reminded the Board that the meeting with Tim Bishop on insurance rates needed to be rescheduled;
asked about a film application that may be coming up Friday
requested that a review of the new WICKS Law be scheduled for next week’s work session
and, requested a status report from Mark Ketcham on Bridge Street Work, particularly railing(s).

Mark replied that cleanup and removal of hay bales had been completed, he’s working with Peter Reich on specs for railings and that anything more, specifically plantings was a waste of time and money until the Fall. Chris Lewis wondered if some sort of indoor-outdoor carpeting might be considered in the meantime, but the idea was not embraced. He also noted that, at Wade’s Beach, benches had been placed in both men’s and women’s restrooms, louvers are being researched for the windows, but that painting had been delayed by the storm. He added that picnic tables are up, there’s been at least one bocce game, Garth Griffin has set up volley ball.  

 

Peter Reich suggested that some thought be given in application fees (e.g., special exceptions, etc.) and that the issue be discussed at next week’s Work Session.  Jim Dougherty said he is still researching Vail, Colorado’s McMansion fees as a prototype.

 

Jim Dougherty reported that according to St. Gabriel’s provisional leader, more than cash flow seems to be involved and that St. Gabriel’s might be coming into play and he/the Town was following it closely;
the CAC has had extended discussions on Geothermal issues and that follow-up with WMAC, Green Options and the Comprehensive Planning Committee was also in the works;
that he would be on hand to hear Chris Lewis who is speaking at the League of Women Voters’ Meeting and Brunch on Saturday [see reminder, above] and recommended it to the rest of the Town Council as “she is just a heartbeat away from the big enchilada job.”

 

Glenn Waddington said he had received a call from the Water Advisory Board about the geothermal issue(s).  Peter Reich invited him to a meeting next Tuesday at 11:00 on the subject and wondered if a presentation shouldn’t be made to the Town Council at next week’s Work Session.  Emory Breiner asked how many geothermal systems are on the Island and it was estimated that there are some 20 here, most having been installed within the last three years.  Control of insulation on these systems is a Town issue, Glenn maintained.  State regulations, it appears, are generic, and Peter Reich pointed out that Shelter Island is unique.
Glenn also reminded everyone to vote on the School Budget today – School Auditorium, until 8:00 pm.

 

Chris Lewis wondered if there was an answer on funds for the Senior Center’s computer, to which Jim Dougherty replied he would have it by next week.

 

Shelter Islander, Carol Galligan, asked if the Town was aware that the new “false alarms” fines applied to medic alert devices and if they thought that was fair.  The Town is aware and the question of fairness was punted to Chief Read who said he did indeed think the statute was fair and should be left as it is, given our limited resources, strain on Town services and the need to protect our volunteers.  Chris Lewis said to Ms. Galligan, who wears the device and was recently fined, that “the important thing is that you need to find out why that’s happening.” 

 

The Work Session was adjourned at 2:30 to accommodate an Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations.

 

Phyllis Gates
for the League of Women Voters of Shelter Island