Parking consultant hired for comprehensive downtown parking plan, including garage: Town Board April 16 meeting wrap-up

A Port Jefferson-based parking consultant has been hired by Riverhead Town to develop a “comprehensive managed downtown parking plan” that incorporates a planned parking garage in the First Street parking lot.

Parking and Mobility Consultants Inc. was awarded a $32,000 consulting contract at Tuesday’s Town Board meeting to analyze and update the town’s existing strategic parking plans for the downtown area, develop a comprehensive parking plan for downtown, make recommendations for implementing a new parking management system for downtown Riverhead, and advise the town on the development of a multistory parking garage as well as on exploring the concept of a separate parking fund to underwrite costs of parking lot maintenance and improvements.

The consulting firm was recently formed by Kevin Wood, who has been employed as the parking administrator for the Village of Port Jefferson since 2017, according to his Linked-In profile.

Board hires lawyer for advice on possible action against Southampton

The Town Board on Tuesday hired attorney Steven Barshov of Haverstraw, in upstate Rockland County, to advise the town concerning the proposed establishment of the Riverside Sewer District at a billing rate of $475 per hour, plus expenses.

Riverhead officials have voiced objections to the proposed sewer district’s boundaries, which do not encompass the Suffolk County facilities in Riverside, whose offices, court and correctional facility are served by the Riverhead Sewer District. Riverhead officials have also recently expressed concerns about Southampton Town’s Riverside revitalization plan, adopted in 2015, which would allow high density residential development in Riverside — a plan that requires a sewage treatment facility for its implementation. Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard has said Riverhead is considering suing Southampton to block establishment of the district.

In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, the Town Board:

• Ratified an application to senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Nick LaLota for congressionally directed funding in the amount of $7.5 million for two Riverhead Water District extensions planned to serve areas of Calverton with public water.

• Issued an agricultural worker housing permit to DeLalio Sod Farms to locate two agricultural worker housing units within two existing single-family homes at 422 Edwards Avenue in Calverton, a parcel presently used in agricultural production.

• Authorized the purchase of two new servers for the town’s information technology systems, and established a budget of $250,000 for the purchase of hardware, licenses and support, drawing the funds from the fund balance in the town’s general fund.

• Accepted the retirement of Deputy Town Clerk Juliann O’Neill, effective April 30, and hired a new deputy town clerk, Vanessa LeCann, at an annual salary of $55,000.

• Accepted the retirement of Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator Arnold Wulffraat.

• Appointed Riverhead Sewer District Superintendent Michael Reichel to the Conservation Advisory Council. The appointment is for a two-year term and fills an existing vacancy on the seven-member advisory board. Members are paid an annual stipend currently set at $1,540.

• Rescinded resolutions approving the special event permit and runway use agreement with Scrambul Inc. for the “Scrambul Elite” drag racing event previously scheduled for April 13 and 14. According to the resolution, Scramble Inc notified the town on April 9 he was withdrawing the special event application. 

• Scheduled the following public hearings for May 7 at Riverhead Town Hall, 4 W. Second St., Riverhead:
  • 2:05 p.m. – Restore New York Communities grant application of up to $2 million to support the town square hotel project proposed by J. Petrocelli Development.
  • 2:05 p.m. – Special permit application for a two-family home at 4592 Middle Country Road in Calverton.
  • 2:05 p.m. – Alleged unsafe structure at 650 Elton St., Riverhead.
  • 2:10 p.m. – Alleged unsafe structure at 1092 Dolores Avenue, Riverhead.

• Approved the following special event applications:
  • Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, Fleece and Fiber Fair, May 18
  • LI Antique Power Association, 5950 Sound Avenue, Riverhead tractor pulls and shows: June 2 (kids), June 8, summer show July 13 and 14, July 27, July 28 (kids), Aug. 10 (kids), Aug. 31, Sept. 22 (kids), Sept 28, Oct. 26, and fall show Nov. 2 & 3.
  • Duck Pond Society, Duck Pond Day, North Country Road and Sound Road, Wading River, June 9 (rain date June 16).
  • Riverhead Townscape Inc., Riverhead Townscape Country Fest, 123 E. Main St., Riverhead, July 20.
  • Riverhead Townscape Inc., Blues by the River, Riverhead Town Square, Sept. 14 and 15.
  • Riverhead Townscape Inc., Riverhead Country Fair, downtown Riverhead, Oct. 13.
  • Riverhead Townscape Inc., Holiday Tree Lighting, Dec. 8.