Court plans are tabled
With budget crisis looming, expansion on hold
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With rough economic times in his scope, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said at Tuesday's Town Board work session that he doesn't see Southold with a new justice court any time soon.
"With [only] $12,000 in grants, it's just not likely," he said.
Councilman Tom Wickham reiterated his frustration at the latest way the board has approached the subject: spending $7,800 to price out a plan for a 7,500-square-foot modular structure to be placed on town property next to Town Hall.
"I've not seen a plan, nothing in writing," Mr. Wickham told Mr. Russell, who'd said he was looking at options other than the modular structure. "It's the design flavor of the week. Where does the justice court fit into the Town Board's priorities? ... I will not support the hiring of someone to look at a specific floor plan."
Justice Louisa Evans agreed with Mr. Russell that spending money for a new justice court really isn't a priority in these economic times ("The other justices are going to shoot me," she said), but she did admit that there "truly is a safety issue."
Town engineer Jamie Richter said no matter what the fiscal climate, the pricing phase will help him prepare a Request for Proposal and "be more accurate with what we're asking for."
n The bucket list
Jim McMahon, director of public works, asked the board for $6,140 to have P&G Fleet Services of Holtsville repair a 1997 bucket truck. According to Mr. McMahon, the truck failed inspection by the company and has been sitting for two weeks in need of new hoses, brakes and an emergency power switch. In the meantime, he said, streets lights that have been out for those weeks remain dark and residents are "getting antsy."
He said P&G has to do the work, because they would not approve work done by a place like North Fork Welding, or anywhere else for that matter. Mr. Wickham said that wasn't "a good business model in this day and age," but if that was the case, he would give his support to overhauling the aging truck.
n Signs of the times
Southold Town might be getting signs proclaiming it a North Fork Trail Scenic Byway soon.
Neb Brashich and Steve Norman, planners from RBA Group, presented a preliminary plan to place informative and historic signs in high-traffic areas of Southold and Cutchogue hamlets.
Mr. Norman said the plan addresses concerns about proliferation of signs and offers to consolidate as much as possible. The goal, he said, is to "bring out the history and natural elements of the town."
Mr. Brashich said that if the board approves, the entire project would cost $200,000.
Councilman Krupski said he was against the project initially, but he said the concept was important.
"No one knows [Main Road] is a scenic byway," said Mr. Norman. "This is how we can make it better."
n Disaster drill
In the wake of a series of hurricanes hitting the country, Councilman Vincent Orlando said he'll organize an emergency drill for the town.
"It's like a playbook," he said. "Practice before the game."
The drill would require law enforcement officers and emergency workers to go through the steps they would take if an actual hurricane were to hit the North Fork: whom to call, how to power up the generators and where to find supplies.
Mr. Orlando added that the drill will also help identify repairs needed to generators and other emergency equipment that hasn't been used in a while.
n Let the public be heard
The board scheduled a number of public hearings for its Oct. 21 meeting, including hearings on the town's proposed community block grant application; the town's community preservation project plan, which contains the town's wish list of parcels to acquire for preservation; proposed local laws that would amend design standards, limit the dwelling size and increase open space requirements for residential site plans. (See separate story, page 4.) The Oct. 21 Town Board meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall,
eschultz@timesreview.com
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