Affordable Housing On Agenda At Annual Fishers Island Meeting

SOUTHOLD, NY — Carrying on an annual tradition, the Southold town board and key government representatives boarded the ferry Wednesday for an annual Fishers Island board meeting.

At the meeting, a number of key issues were discussed, according to Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell. First off, he said, the board set a public hearing that will amend the code to allow Fishers Island utilities to petition for a change of zone.

The utility wants to create affordable housing on property it owns but to do so would require a change of zone to the affordable housing district, he said. "Under the current code, they can't even request a change of zone. It's a glitch in the code we are correcting," Russell said.

In addition, another proposal is on the table to create affordable apartments in a vacant building the town owns; the board adopted a resolution that will keep that initiative moving forward by approving a lease, Russell said.

Also discussed was a sidewalk capital project that will install or repair sidewalks in key pedestrian areas to the tune of $620,000.

A resolution was also adopted creating a part-time liaison to serve as a point person representing the island on town, county and state matters; that person must be a Fishers Island resident.

The meeting is important for both residents of Fishers Island and Southold Town representatives, Russell said.

"It is good to see such strong interest from so many governmental agencies that send representatives each year," the supervisor said. "The somewhat remote location of Fishers Island makes it difficult for the residents to interact with agencies and the trip each year is intended to provide that point of contact. It was a good day and, I think, a productive one."

Patch courtesy photos.