Town Board Advances Key Revitalization Projects and Community Initiatives
During the past few months, the Town Board has made significant progress on several important projects aimed at revitalizing Riverside and Hampton Bays, addressing traffic concerns, and enhancing community facilities.
The completion of the Maritime Park walking trail marks a major milestone in the Riverside revitalization project. This beautiful new trail provides residents with a scenic outdoor space for recreation and relaxation. In addition, the district for the proposed sewer treatment plant has been established, which is a crucial step toward improving infrastructure in the area. The Board has also retained a consultant to design the next phase of the Maritime Park, which will include a kayak launch and a fishing pier, further enhancing Riverside’s appeal and accessibility to the community.
In Hampton Bays, the Board has made strides in determining the location for the proposed sewage treatment plant. A public hearing is scheduled to discuss the adoption of a Pattern Book of design standards, which will guide future development and ensure it aligns with the community’s vision. Additionally, the demolition of the Bel-Aire Cove Motel is moving forward. Bids have been received and an award of the bid is planned for this month.
The Battery Energy Storage System Steering Committee has been actively working with NYSERDA, PSEG and community members to develop new code provisions for the siting of these systems. This collaborative effort aims to ensure that energy storage solutions meet the needs and concerns of the community while supporting sustainable energy goals.
The Traffic Mitigation and Safety Task Force has held two meetings to gather input from the community and to discuss potential solutions to the Town’s traffic issues. A rally at the Hampton Bays train station in May highlighted the need for additional train service and the expansion of the South Fork Commuter Connection to better serve our east end community.
Bids for the design of the new Westhampton Community Center have been received, and the award of the bid is expected to be made this month. This new facility will provide much-needed space for community events and activities.
The construction of Mill Creek Parkland in Water Mill has been officially approved by the Board. This project, which has been eagerly awaited by the community, fulfills a longstanding dream of the Water Mill community and was acquired by CPF.
Members of the Board continue to meet with community groups throughout the town, listening to concerns and discussing possible solutions. These ongoing conversations are essential for ensuring that the Board’s actions reflect the needs and desires of the community
Maria Z. Moore
Supervisor Michael A. Iasilli Councilmember
McNamara Councilwoman William Pell IV Councilman
John Schiavoni Councilman Sundy A. Schermeyer Town Clerk
Theresa A. Kiernan Receiver of Taxes Charles McArdle Superintendent of Highways
Scott M. Horowitz
Richard T. Maran, Jr.
Joseph R. Mc Loughlin Matthew Parsons
Southampton Youth Bureau 2024 Battle of the Bands
The 21st Annual Battle of the Bands, organized by the Town of Southampton Youth Bureau, witnessed intense competition among three local high school bands. Held on June 7th at Ponquogue Beach in Hampton Bays, the event showcased the incredible talent of these young musicians. We are thrilled to announce the winners: DAYDREAM of Hampton Bays/Westhampton Beach/Riverhead/Southold secured first place, followed by Endless Summar of Hampton Bays/Westhampton Beach in second place, and Glass Culture of Hampton Bays in third place. These talented bands were rewarded with generous prizes, courtesy of our esteemed sponsors including LTV Studios, Dream Recording Studios, Hampton Coffee Company, Music & Arts of Riverhead/Patchogue/Rocky Point, Skidmore’s Sports & Styles, Francesca’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, and IHOP.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the finalists of the 2024 Hamptons Got Talent competition, Samantha Hayes, Cole Dawson, and Gimena Valdespino, for their captivating opening performance. Congratulations to all the participating bands for their outstanding performances, and a big thank you to our incredible sponsors who played a vital role in making this event a resounding success.
Furthermore, we extend our special thanks to our judges, Town Councilmember Michael A. Iasilli, Jody Gambino of LTV Studios, and Matthew Zazzarino, a local musician. Local community groups, HUGS (Human Understanding & Growth Services), FOSTY (Friends of Southampton Youth), Music & Arts, OLA (Organización Latino Americana), as well as the various departments of our Town, including the Southampton Youth Bureau, Parks & Recreation Department, Town Police Department, Southampton Police Youth Explorers, Sun20TV, and CRC. Their support and contributions have been instrumental in ensuring the success of this event year after year.
Southampton Town Police Youth Academy
The police department’s youth academy provides an action-packed experience that mirrors the STPD Police Academy in a condensed format. Throughout the week, incoming 8th graders – 12th graders will engage in a variety of activities such as physical fitness training, defensive tactics, handcuffing techniques, search and seizure laws, crime scene investigations, building and room searches, gun safety, first aid, and more!
In the midst of this exciting week, the class will visit the Suffolk County Police Aviation Section to learn about aviation pilots’ duties. They will also meet the NYS Troopers K9
East Quogue Village Green
July 2 Soulizik,
Tuesday, July 2 Soulizik, Cool Vibes
Tuesday, July 9 Mean Gene, Rock
Tuesday, July 16 Iris Orning, Jazz
Tuesday, July 23 CC and the Boys, Country
Tuesday, July 30 Southpawz, Youth Cover Band
Community Solar Project in the North Sea
The North Sea Landfill Community Solar Project is the first municipally-led community solar project on Long Island. It will produce approximately 4.5 megawatts (MWs) of renewable energy for the utility grid. This initiative represents a noteworthy advancement toward the Town’s renewable energy objectives. The project will create revenue for the Town as well as energy credits that will reduce operating costs for the Town. Residents participating in this solar project can receive energy bill credits as well, potentially reducing their monthly energy bills by up to 10%, for the 20 years life of the project at no cost to them and with a no fault withdrawal from the project at any time. The solar array will be mounted over the current capped portion of the landfill in such a way as to avoid surface penetration, a design approved by the NY DEC. Other portions of the array not on the capped portion will have tradition ground mounts. The project installation is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.
Volunteers Help Clean Up Trout Pond
The invasive plants cleanup of Trout Pond in Noyac was a joint effort involving Southampton Town Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni, Councilmember Michael Iasilli, the Parks & Recreation Department, and committed volunteers from the Noyac Civic Council. The primary goal was to eradicate the invasive Cabomba and Milfoil plants that were suffocating the pond.
The volunteers played a vital role in removing the invasive Cabomba weed from the pond. They utilized manual raking techniques both from the shoreline and within the pond itself. Thanks to their unwavering dedication and hard work, the endeavor proved to be yet another successful year in the ongoing battle against these invasive plants.
Trout Pond holds a special place in the hearts of numerous community members who deeply appreciate its natural splendor and recreational opportunities.
Honor Flight Long Island
May 4th, 2024
On May 4th, 2024, Honor Flight Long Island (HFLI) was joined by Supervisor Maria Moore and Housing and Community Services Director Kara Bak on its Spring flight to Washington D.C. Supervisor Moore served as a guardian for Vietnam Veteran Dennis Riordan of Hampton Bays and Bak served as a guardian for her father Vietnam Veteran Robert Cheeseman of Westhampton. This flight took 46 Korean War and Vietnam Veterans to visit their military memorials, meet with service branch representatives, commiserate with fellow Veterans and exchange stories. They returned to MacArthur Airport that evening for a rousing welcome by the Nassau County Fire Fighters Pipe and Drum Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters!
Honor Flight’s mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the United States Armed Forces to preserve our freedoms, by providing free, one-day trips so they can visit their D.C. memorials. With this May 4th flight, HFLI has escorted over 2,000 Long Island Veterans to D.C.
For more information on HFLI, please visit www.honorflightlongisland.org or contact Jamie Bowden in the Housing and Community Services Department at (631) 702-2423 or JBowden@southamptontownny.gov.
Pictured L to R – HFLI Flight Coordinator Jamie Bowden, guardian Kate Caporusso, Vietnam Veteran Thomas Coughlin of Remsenburg, guardian Eric Greco, Vietnam Veteran Peter Baldwin of Riverside, Supervisor Maria Moore, Vietnam Veteran Dennis Riordan of Hampton Bays, Housing and Community Services Director Kara Bak, and Vietnam Veteran Robert Cheeseman of Westhampton
Department of Public Safety & Emergency Management
With the busy, summer, tourist season upon us, the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management wants to share some tips and reminders to have a safe and enjoyable summer. The Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management is made up of the Fire Marshal’s Office, Code Enforcement, Animal Control, Emergency Management, and the Neighborhood Services Divisions. All of those different divisions deal with different issues and problems that residents and visitors may encounter in the Town of Southampton. Some things to keep in mind for summer are:
• Rental permits are required for ALL rental properties in the Town of Southampton. Rental permit inspections ensure minimum safety features are present in dwellings and protect both owners and renters. New York State regulations also require properties to have a permit.
• Weather can be beautiful during the summer, but that summer sun can be dangerous. Be mindful of the heat and overexertion while outside. Also be mindful of the effects of the heat on our four-legged friends. Streets and sidewalks can be very hot in the summer sun and can burn paws easily. Air temperatures above 76 degrees can cause sidewalk temperatures more than 130 degrees. Of course, you should also never leave your family members (pets included) in hot cars too.
• Outdoor activities can be fun in the summer. People should always remember when using grills or outdoor firepits to not leave them unattended and to make sure they are fully extinguished before going to sleep. Never assume that a fire is out or that it is far enough away from a structure to be safe. Always have a fire extinguisher or water source identified for emergencies.
• While outside having fun, remember to carry off what you carry on to any of our parks or beaches. There are plenty of regular insects out during the summer, we don’t need to add litter bugs to the mix. Our Town Litter Crew has disposed of more than 25,000 pounds of litter and debris from roadsides and public spaces so far this year and we aren’t halfway through the year. Please help keep Southampton the beautiful Town we know it to be.
Along with all the information above, we encourage all residents and visitors to stay informed. Whether it is being informed about regulations, traffic, weather emergencies; Knowledge is power. There are many different Town notification lists that people can sign up for to stay informed. Knowing what to do and what not to do in different situations will help to have an enjoyable and safe summer
Threatened & Endangered Species Program
Since its founding in 1686, the Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Southampton has consistently demonstrated its dedication to protecting the various natural resources of the town. Southampton is home to a vast coastline that includes both ocean and bay beaches. Within this fragile coastal environment, three species that are federally and state listed as threatened and endangered make their habitat.
During the summer monitoring period, Coastal Stewards diligently carry out daily tasks related to the breeding of piping plovers, terns, and American oystercatchers. These tasks include activities such as identifying suitable habitats, locating nests, protecting nests, monitoring chicks, and recording data. They also assist in gathering data for the Long Island Colonial Waterbird Survey. Additionally, they install, maintain, and remove symbolic fencing, predator enclosures, and signage to safeguard the breeding and migratory patterns of shorebirds, as well as other vulnerable species found on barrier beaches, like seabeach amaranth. Educating the public about shorebird and barrier beach ecology is crucial, as monitoring protected areas plays a vital role in the incubation process of eggs. Trespassing by the public through symbolic fences poses a significant threat to these endangered shorebird chicks.
Furthermore, litter such as balloons, fishing lines, human clothing, food scraps, kites, fishing line, and trash from social events or gatherings have been discovered on both beaches and bay locations. This presents a significant risk to the shorebirds. Let’s all do our part in protecting these species and ensuring the cleanliness of our beaches.
Safety and Accessibility of Jobs Lane Bridge and Dune Road has been Improved by the Highway Department
On April 17, 2024, the Highway Department began a project to increase the Jobs Lane Bridge weight restriction from only 8 tons to 45 tons. We needed the bridge to be able to support the heavy paving equipment across Jobs Lane Bridge. The project’s leader was Deputy Superintendent Marc Braeger, who proposed that the Highway Department rent a portable bridge to minimize costs and traffic disruptions on Dune Road. Braeger’s plan for Dune Road involved widening and paving along the entire length of the road from Mecox Beach to Scott Cameron Beach. The objective of this work was to restore the roadway to its original width and resurface it. By doing this the residents have a safer area to walk and ride bikes.
In addition to repairing Dune Road, the Highway Department took the opportunity to pave both Mecox and Scott Cameron Beach parking lots during the paving process. This ensured that the beaches remained accessible and well - maintained for residents and beachgoers alike.
Overall, the project undertaken by the Highway Department in Bridgehampton aimed to improve the safety and accessibility of Jobs Lane Bridge and Dune Road. By reclaiming the roadway and resurfacing it, the department aimed to restore the integrity of the roads and accommodate the growing number of residents and beachgoers in the area.
SENIOR SERVICES
Our Home Repair program has been operating seamlessly during the spring and summer seasons. This program is dedicated to ensuring the safety of seniors in their homes by offering assistance with various small chores and repairs. Our skilled handyman, Merritt, has been diligently working on tasks such as installing air conditioners, fitting grab bars, changing and installing locks, replacing lightbulbs, switching storm windows and doors to screens, and cleaning gutters. It’s also a great opportunity for seniors to have their homes undergo yearly safety checks for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Whether they own or rent their homes, anyone aged 60 and over is eligible for this program. In 2023, we were delighted to have served 350 seniors in our community through the Residential Repair program, with our handyman dedicating over 1,500 hours to provide these essential services! For more information or to schedule an appointment, please feel free to give us a call at 631-728-1235
Ribbon Cutting for Ronnie Campsey Pavilion and Bay
Avenue Marina in East Quogue
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, June 12th for the dedication of the Ronnie Campsey Pavilion and Bay Avenue Marina in East Quogue. The property located at 33 Bay Avenue in East Quogue was purchased with Community Preservation Funds in 2007, and upgrades and improvements have been a priority for Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara.
The Parks Department, Community Preservation, the Trustees and the Highway Department collaborated on this project, upgrading and improving the marina, adding two ADA parking stalls with ADA access ramp and sidewalk, installation of a bulkhead and the newly-named Ronnie Campsey Pavilion. These upgrades ensure that individuals with special needs, like Mr. Campsey who has Parkinson’s disease, have access to the park and facilities.
The idea for dedicating the pavilion came about when Peter Shay, a fellow veteran, wanted to honor Mr. Campsey for his service to our country and the East Quogue Community by trying to name the East Quogue Post Office after him. Congressman LaLota’s office informed him that Mr. Campsey met all of the qualifications except one, he was not deceased. The Congressman contacted Councilwoman McNamara, who thought naming the pavilion after Mr. Campsey would be a fitting tribute.
Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara stated, “Ronnie and his wife Shana own the New Moon Café, which is at the other end of Bay Avenue. They used to walk their dogs down to the marina every day. I thought it was fitting that the pavilion be named in his honor. He is a Vietnam Veteran and has been a great supporter of the East Quogue Community. This was a collaborative project with the Parks Department, Community Preservation, Highway, the Trustees and the community.”
“It would be hard for me to explain how special I felt,” said Campsey. “I didn’t know anything about it and I was surprised. I love this country, it’s been good to me and my family, and I really love East Quogue.”
TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON
New landscaping at the Edith Windsor Heart Memorial
Celebrating Community Preservation Fund 25th Anniversary
The Community Preservation Fund began 25 years ago with a diverse group of government, civic, banking, farming, business, and environmental leaders coming together to preserve the region’s rural character, sense of community, and quality of life. Touted as “our last hope to save what we all love about the East End,” it has been wildly successful.
Signed into New York State law by then-Governor George Pataki and Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. in a Hayground farm field in Southampton Town in 1998, the Fund, financed by a 2% real estate transfer tax, has raised $2 billion in revenue for the five East End towns, with Southampton leading the way.
The Town of Southampton recently celebrated the newly installed landscaping at the Edith Windsor Heart Memorial located in front of Southampton Town Hall with the Southampton Town Board, Town Clerk Sundy Schermeyer, and Nicholas Jimenez, the Public Works Capital Project Manager on June 11th. Sundy and Nick worked together to design the landscaping backdrop to complete the beautiful heartshaped memorial that honors Edith Windsor’s legacy and also now provides a peaceful setting for marriage ceremonies. The Town of Southampton is also honoring Pride Month as we commemorate the remarkable contributions Edith “Edie” Windsor made to LGBTQ+ rights through the Edith Windsor Heart Project. If you wish to leave a lasting tribute, you can purchase and personalize Memorial Bricks online at www.southamptontownny.gov.
This historic and progressive legislation has given Southampton a powerful tool to achieve its longstanding goals of protecting farmland, open space, and groundwater. To date, more than 4,000 acres of land with historic, recreational, agricultural, and environmental value has been preserved.
Traffic Mitigation and Safety Task Force
On February 15th, the Town Board unanimously passed legislation establishing a Traffic Mitigation and Safety Task Force put forth and coordinated to enhance the quality of life of commuters and residents.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, traffic in Southampton Town has increased significantly. After a series of calls to address the traffic crisis last summer, the Suffolk County Executive announced a traffic study of County Road 39. At an Express Sessions in October of last year, then-County Executive Bellone and members of the forum took questions form the audience. Iasilli, who had been present, expressed the need for the Town to play a central role in the development of the County’s study.
Many residents face traffic safety issues on a number of roads from Sag Harbor to Flanders. Councilmember Iasilli stated, “This Task Force is meant to collect input from the public, identify problem roads, and assess what can be done to improve traffic and safety in our communities. There are things we are already acting on to improve safety in partnership with Southampton Town Highway Department, Town Police, and Public Safety in Hampton Bays, Southampton, and Remsenburg, such as creating better crosswalks, enhancing driver and pedestrian visibility, and adding speed monitors. Likewise, there are techniques the Town Highway Department is already looking at to mitigate traffic congestion such as the cone program and blinking yellow lights that may be expanded upon.”
The Councilmember also noted, “However, we must take a regional approach, consider housing and added public transportation too. And we must take action this year.”
The legislation charges the Task Force to collect public input, assess solutions and provide recommendations to the Town Board in a Final Report. Serving on the Task Force will be Supervisor Maria Z. Moore, Councilmember Michael A. Iasilli, Highway Superintendent Charlie McArdle, County DPW Commissioner Charlie Bartha, Legislator Ann Welker, Town Police Chief James Kiernan, Town Highway Consultant Tom Neely, and representatives of the EMS/Fire Safety and local business communities, among others.
First ceremonies with landscape
Town Unveils 2024 Hometown Heroes Banner Program
In honor of Memorial Day, the Town unveiled this year’s Hometown Heroes. The initiative, led by Councilwoman McNamara and Westhampton VFW Post 5350, began last year and aims to recognize and honor our local military men and women, who have served or are serving, by displaying personalized banners with their picture and military service information in Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays.
“While the Hometown Heroes Banner Program wasn’t invented by the Town of Southampton, it’s done differently here than anywhere else. We didn’t want these banners to simply be a decoration on Main Street so we moved them into the park where they could receive the honor they deserve. The bios are my favorite part of this program, because they tell the stories of these great heroes” stated Councilwoman McNamara, liaison to the Veterans Affairs Committee. At either end of the park, there is a QR code that links to a webpage where you can either read or listen to the stories of those being honored.
Bill Hughes, Commander of VWF Post 5350 announced that next year the program will expand to include military men and women who may not have resided in the Town of Southampton. A Town resident would be able to sponsor a banner for a relative or friend who was not from Southampton.
The banner program will run from Memorial Day through Veterans Day at Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays. All sponsors will keep their banners at the end of the program period.
www.southamptontownny.gov/Hometown-Heroes-Banner
Southampton-Brookhaven Joint Committee for Eastport
At the May 14th Southampton Town Board Meeting, the Town Board voted unanimously on a resolution (2024-657) put forth by Councilmember Michael Iasilli establishing a Joint Committee for the Advancement of the Hamlet of Eastport. Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig, who is the Sixth Council District Representative in Brookhaven, will be introducing an identical resolution to establish the partnership and foster intergovernmental collaboration for the benefit of hamlet representation.
Eastport is nestled in-between the towns of Southampton and Brookhaven, which often results in a division of resources, confusion, and a greater need of community coordination. This Joint Committee will seek two members from each respective township to help identify needs, provide clearer communication to constituents, and address needs pertaining to traffic, small business development, and equitable preservation and growth opportunities, among other important items.
Councilmember Iasilli stated, “I am looking forward to working closely with Councilwoman Dunne Kesnig of Brookhaven Town to ensure that Eastport’s needs are heard and that we address the needs of the hamlet as a whole. This committee gets us one step closer to doing that. Southampton Town does not have council districts like Brookhaven, which helps them foster hamlet-specific representation, but this is a way our towns can work together for the betterment of our shared constituents.”
“I commend Southampton Councilmember Michael Iasilli for proposing the establishment of this committee. Eastport has been a very important part of my life for over 30 years and I look forward to working collaboratively to improve the quality of life for all of our constituents,” added Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig.
Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni and other local elected representatives would like your help in advocating for improved train services to the South Fork. The South Fork Commuter Connection (SFCC) is calling on the MTA/LIRR to include funding for necessary infrastructure enhancements in their upcoming capital budget for the region. These upgrades are vital for expanding service to the South Fork and supporting the increasing number of passengers on the LIRR’s fastestgrowing line.
Water conservation is critical in protecting Long Island’s groundwater system, as it is the sole source of drinking water for all of Long Island, including Hampton Bays. Conservation allows us to preserve our water supply, increase water availability for emergency situations, and reduce stress on our drinking water wells and water distribution piping.
Dramatic increases in water usage are seen during the warm weather months (May through September). Given the significant water use associated with lawn irrigation during these months, the District has identified water-sprinkling measures as a simple and effective method to reduce system strain and promote preservation of Long Island’s precious natural resource.
This year, the Hampton Bays Water District is promoting a voluntary Odd-Even Lawn Water Program in which we hope you will participate. All the program asks is for odd numbered addresses to irrigate on odd-numbered days, and even numbered addresses to irrigate on even-numbered days. It is that simple, yet can be extremely effective with everyone’s participation. We also ask to have the system start from the hours of 8:00PM to 11:00PM, and refrain from using the system in the middle of the night, when possible. This will allow the water to be available for the customers for household use for the early morning and ensure adequate fire flow.
Weather Smart Irrigation Controllers are available locally to help with conserving water. Installing one of these units on your system will allow it to use Wi-Fi to connect to a weather station and allow the system to run according to the weather. Another easy and excellent way to save our valuable resource!
As we continue to update and upgrade our infrastructure, we ask our customers to reach out with any questions they may have. We appreciate your support over the years and look forward to providing our customers with the most up to date Water District.
Any questions on this letter feel free to contact us at the office
