Riverhead · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Riverhead public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Crown Recycling Enforcement Activity
Code enforcement opened 82 complaints and issued 146 violations in April, with unpermitted construction and junk vehicles big issues. Two new part-time officers start June 8 to boost residential patrols.
Sound Shore Guild bulkhead replacement
The board reviewed awarding the bid for the bulkhead repair, with work expected to start within weeks, plus a budget transfer from community benefit funds.
Breezy Hill crushing facility environmental study rejected
Breezy Hill Group VI wants to convert a nonconforming residential property into a C&D debris processing facility with concrete and asphalt crushing. About 60 residents showed up to oppose it, citing noise, dust, truck traffic, and property values. The ZBA can't decide until the Planning Board's environmental review is resolved, so the hearing stays open.
Preservation of 1458 Middle Road, Calverton
After a year of advocacy, the town is paying for an appraisal of the 5.3-acre Koblenski farm parcel — the first concrete step toward preserving it as open space rather than seeing it anchor a 500-home development. Residents hope the historic farmhouse and kettle holes can be saved.
Preservation of the 4-H Camp property
The town is weighing whether to buy into preserving the 145-acre 4-H camp property with Suffolk County and the Peconic Land Trust. Supporters gathered nearly 300 petition signatures; critics like Ken Zilnicki argue the price — roughly $110,000/acre versus the $69,000 the trust paid — is too high and the land would generate tax revenue if developed.
Pumpkin Smash and Food Scrap Program
A heated exchange revealed the town previously paid employees to pick up food waste from schools — work Councilman Kern argued belongs to the school district. The superintendent and town will model a new partnership this fall.
Wading River Duck Ponds Restoration
Riverhead and Brookhaven signed on to jointly restore the Wading River duck pond after a year of negotiation.
PBMC Planting Plan and Invasive Species
Christina Janus pressed the board on the Peconic Bay Medical Center planting plan, asking that the regional LISMA invasive species list be used to replace seven listed plants before the site plan is signed.
2026 Bow Hunting for Deer on Town Property
The annual deer management program would again allow bow hunting at Enterprise Park at Calverton, 1751 Sound Avenue, and Middle Road.
Pet store sales ban on commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits
A local law would prohibit Riverhead pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits.
Helicopter Noise Task Force Reconvened
Residents say low-flying helicopters over Wading River are unbearable, with hundreds of complaints logged. The board agreed to reconvene the helicopter task force and push the FAA on the North Shore route before its July 29 review.
Coastal bluff deck expansion in Jamesport
A Sound Shore Club cottage owner wants to add 235 square feet near the top of the bluff at North Wading River Road. The plan must first get ZBA relief because additions aren't automatically allowed in the erosion hazard zone.
Navy Groundwater Cleanup in Calverton
Residents praised Councilman Kern and Frank Mancini for keeping pressure on the Navy over tainted groundwater in Calverton, and the board asked the civic association to write a letter demanding county health officials stay in technical meetings.
Textile recycling program
Free collection bins would keep worn-out clothes and shoes out of the landfill while earning the town 10 cents a pound. The town pays nothing — the vendor covers the $4,000 bins — and proceeds could go to school PTAs or youth sports.
Recycling coordinator position
Riverhead lags neighboring towns on recycling, and a state grant would cover half the salary of a full-time coordinator to run outreach, food scrap programs, and school partnerships. The catch: the town risks paying the full salary if the grant isn't awarded.
Bluff erosion and invasive species removal in Jamesport
Two Sound Shore Road properties won permits to dig out Japanese knotweed and multiflora rose and replant with natives — the invasives leave soil exposed and worsen bluff erosion. Work should take about a week, with ongoing monitoring afterward.
Land Preservation Push from East End Hamlets
Dozens of letters from Jamesport, Aquebogue, Baiting Hollow and other hamlet residents urge stronger land preservation — a recurring pressure point on the town's development direction.
Shellfish and Finfish Permit Fees
Modest fee increases for recreational shellfishing — a new $10 permit and $50 temporary-resident permits lasting up to 30 days.
Higher fines for illegal dumping under Chapter 273
The town wants to hit dumpers in the wallet: first-offense fines for basic violations rise from $500 to as much as $2,000, and wetlands/hazardous-waste dumping could cost up to $20,000 for repeat offenders. Councilwoman Merrifield, the anti-litter committee liaison, championed the change.
Preservation of 1161 Peconic Bay Blvd, Jamesport as open space
The board unanimously backed Suffolk County's purchase of a ~9.5-acre Jamesport parcel as natural open space, but only after a public fight over a board press release warning of possible beach access and parking. Legislator Doroski warned the parcel has an approved four-lot subdivision and could be developed if the deal collapses; the board committed to negotiating a management agreement within a 30-day window.
Jamesport Land Preservation Partnership
Suffolk County wants to spend about $2 million preserving a Jamesport parcel as open space, but the deal may collapse unless Riverhead agrees to manage the property. Council members worry it would invite countywide beachgoers, remove the land from the tax rolls, and repeat the painful Sharpers Hill experience — some would rather see it preserved as farmland or a four-lot subdivision of large homes.
NYS Bottle Bill expansion
The Surfrider Foundation asked the town to back the 'Bigger Better Bottle Bill,' saying it could save Riverhead taxpayers over $110,000 in waste and litter cleanup costs and keep plastic off beaches.
Bluff erosion and house stabilization at 24 Beach Hill Drive
A Calverton homeowner who did unpermitted emergency work on a storm-damaged bluff house got the permit he needs to stabilize the site and finish repairs, with conditions protecting neighbors from erosion.
Sound-front land preservation acquisition
The town may buy part of a Nassau County parcel next to the Sound Avenue preserve, giving Riverhead public access to the Sound and completing a nearly 1,000-acre preserved block. The board agreed to order an appraisal and will discuss price in executive session.
Venezia Square open space preservation, Wading River
The town is backing Suffolk County's bid for Environmental Bond Act money to buy the Venezia Square parcels as open space, ending fears of another strip plaza at the Route 25A gateway to Wading River.
Composting and rain barrel program
A low-cost program would let residents buy composters and rain barrels through a town website, cutting food waste going to landfills and conserving drinking water used for lawn irrigation.
Restart of Farmland Preservation Program
After years of paying off CPF debt, Riverhead has about $14 million available to preserve farmland again. A new application form lets owners signal interest without commitment, and the town will partner with the county and Peconic Land Trust.
Peconic River sewage discharge update
Suffolk County Health Department found water samples unremarkable after the sewage discharge — no contamination at bathing-beach levels. Sewer district staff got a shout-out for the quick response.
Proposed concrete and asphalt crushing facility on Middle Road, Calverton
Breezy Hill Group VI wants to convert a nonconforming residential property into a C&D debris processing facility with concrete and asphalt crushing. About 60 residents showed up to oppose it, citing noise, dust, truck traffic, and property values. The ZBA can't decide until the Planning Board's environmental review is resolved, so the hearing stays open.
Creek Road and Sound Road flooding study grant
The town is applying for a New York Sea Grant to study and plan fixes for chronic flooding on Creek and Sound Roads in Wading River.