The Southold Tree Committee on 2/15/22 presented a proposed code to require permits to remove trees and discourage rampant clear-cutting.
Mini-Railroad into Moores Woods:
As of 2/17/22 the Mayor stated the project continues to move forward and a sketch of the “Head House/bathrooms” was submitted though not in the agenda package.
On 9/21/21 destruction continues:
On 9/20/21 the destruction began:
On 8/26/21 the Village Board approved a contract to allow the Rotary to damage Moores Woods for the creation of a fenced-in Mini-Railroad loop. The main change negotiated in the week after the work session was to require that if the Village did not operate it, the Rotary could find another entity but that entity needed to be a non-profit.
8/19/21: It became clear at the Board Work session that officials and the Rotary have been going back and forth privately on a 45 year contract for the Rotary to loan the Village one engine and three cars, install tracks and a trestle bridge into the woods as described below and if the Village chooses not to operate it, the Rotary can find someone else, a carnival operator was mentioned. Peter Clarke was the only one who took issue with the contract and said more details were needed. Mary Bess Phillips suggested that more citizens should be brought into the conversation and a Village committee would be anticipated to help with the operation. They intended to post the contract/s on the website prior to Thursday, 8/26th meeting at 7 PM. Should the public find out about it they can speak on any topic at the beginning–and then the Board would immediately vote on the contract. No other municipality can be found that runs a tourist railroad, though many special interest organizations and museums operate them. A museum operates a ride in Riverhead included with admission to their museum, a much more elaborate one in Brookhaven, run by an interest group, operates two day a month May to October for free.
Approximately 1,000′ of tracks and service area will be laid into the woods adjacent to wetlands and surrounded on one side by a 6′ high chain link fence. For 350′ it will obstruct the Nature Trail. It was surprisingly approved by the DEC with stipulations. There has not been a public hearing even though the Village Board is assuming maintenance and contributing the woods. The Rotary has raised money for the tracks and wants to proceed with implementation but still needs to raise money for the combination public restrooms/storage building. They also need contracts for the Lease and an Operating Agreement that should be considered at any moment by the Board. For more information. See pdfs, first has photos and background information, next North Fork Audubon comments, and finally the DEC approved plans and permit:
Earth Day Clean Up: Huge success! Check out photos here:
Suffolk Battery Storage Proposal: The Zoning Board of Appeals approved this project with minimal stipulations. If Savion is awarded the contract there will be more Town reviews and the cpposition is prepared for a long fight to prevent good battery storage at this very wrong wetlands/gateway to Greenport location. They hope to win an RFP from LIPA. Email the LIPA Board at boardoftrustees@lipower.org. After that they will submit a site plan for approval to the Planning Board, who offered this initial feedback to the ZBA:
Read Group for the East End’s reasons to call for a full environmental review:
On Tuesday, February 4th, the Southold Zoning Board of Appeals held the comment period open until March 4th on a proposal to build large batteries across from Drossos on #25. A battalion of representatives for the private developer spoke in favor while concerned locals were horrified by the selected location. It has already been identified by every level of government for preservation, is surrounded by fragile wetlands, on #25 a scenic corridor and visible for 500′ of the Bay to Sound Trail. It is surrounded by adjacent public lands purchased with public monies.
Download Battery-Storage-Proposal for more information and what you can do:
Read Southold’s Department of Land Preservation comments: