Riverhead · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Riverhead public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Home occupation in detached structure requires Town Board special permit
Even if the ZBA grants the variances, running the cleaning business office from the detached garage would need a separate special permit from the Town Board — another full hearing process.
Town Board Meeting
The Town Clerk's office is getting price quotes for AI-powered transcription of meeting recordings, possibly bundled with the town's existing Civic Plus services.
BESS (Battery Energy Storage) Correspondence Wave
A 5-megawatt battery storage facility is proposed near a residential neighborhood. Council members are worried about fire safety, air quality, and the access road cutting through a wetland buffer, and want revisions before any approval.
Termination of Parks and Recreation Superintendent Ray Coyne
The Town Board finalized the termination of a 16-year parks and recreation employee after a hearing officer found misconduct. A neighbor urged the board to reconsider the penalty, citing his community contributions, but the board adopted the hearing officer's recommendation.
Battery energy storage at Hampton Jitney Calverton terminal
Two final resolutions would grant special permits for battery storage systems in Calverton — one for Hampton Jitney's electric bus fleet, one in the EPCAL industrial area with a landscaping waiver under discussion.
Illegal boarding house litigation victory
A court-authorized search warrant executed the morning of the meeting found five illegal apartments and severe overcrowding at a house that had ignored a conditional discharge requiring single-family use. The town plans further enforcement, and council members want a broader crackdown on overcrowded housing.