Councilmember· January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2027
Denise Merrifield
Town of Riverhead
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 48
- Total speaking time
- 2:29:44
- Avg per meeting
- 3:07
- Segments
- 2772
Want every word Merrifield has said?
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Top issues during term (20)
2027 preliminary budget amendments and tax levy reduction
Cuts the proposed 2027 tax hike by a full percentage point — a 35% reduction in the tax increase.
Golf course zoning district and golf cottages
Rezoning could theoretically add up to 111 net homes town-wide if courses close and TDRs are fully used, but is designed to keep courses viable instead.
RVAC Ambulance Barn Project and 75-Year Lease
An $8-9 million project funded by donations and ambulance revenue, not taxes.
ICE Enforcement and OLA Safety Law Debate
Tooker warned of potential civil liability if officers are drawn into immigration enforcement.
Brownfield cleanup grant
$350,000 federal grant for tank removal and site cleanup, with future tax-base gains expected.
Indoor agricultural facility at 645 Grumman Boulevard
Converting 34,000 square feet of asphalt to green space and reusing vacant industrial buildings could bring jobs and activity to the Calverton Grumman area.
Home occupation in detached structure requires Town Board special permit
No direct cost to taxpayers; the property owner bears the cost of moving the shed, clearing the buffer and getting code inspections.
Sweezy Avenue two-lot subdivision variances
If approved, one new single-family home would be added to the neighborhood with its own sewer connection; if denied, the family may pursue an accessory dwelling unit instead.
Business PB zoning modernization
Opponents warn the change could depress property values and shift tax burden if commercial vacancies spread.
SCWA North Fork pipeline / Monroe balancing test
No direct cost to taxpayers yet, but the town is spending significant staff and consultant time, and residents face potential traffic and business disruption during 12-18 months of construction.
8-foot fence variance at proposed Wading River house of worship and cemetery
The applicant can still build a code-compliant 6-foot fence by permit; the denial adds no cost to the town.
Summerwin stop-work order update
The developer faces about $722,000 in water infrastructure costs plus $75,000 in parks and recreation fees.
School resource officer funding dispute
Potentially shifts SRO costs onto town taxpayers, including ~1,865 residents who pay school taxes to other districts.
Breezy Hill crushing facility environmental study rejected
Residents fear property values within miles could drop if a 120-decibel crusher operates nearby; the applicant has spent hundreds of thousands on engineering over ten years.
Preservation of the 4-H Camp property
A potential multi-million-dollar purchase from the Community Preservation Fund — supporters want a fair price, critics call the asking price a 50% markup.
Church Lane Speeding in Aquebogue
Wading River Duck Ponds Restoration
Grant-funded if approved — no town tax hit for phase one, with a much larger federal-funding ask down the road.
Calverton water main extension funding
Costs are borne by the Riverhead Water District; specific figures not stated.
Retail parking ratios and assessment of outdoor commercial use
Unresolved — the variances requested to legalize the addition remain pending.
Downtown Parking Utilization Plan
Estimated at $4,724.50 for striping services.
Decisions during term (840)
Recorded while Merrifield was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Appeal 2026-019 – 645 Grumman Blvd. parking interpretation granted
Appeal 2026-016 – Brenner four-family dwelling interpretation adjourned
Appeals 2011-03 & 2014-028 – 1500 West Main Street reopened
Appeal 2023-051 – Lucharito's Restaurant extension granted
Appeal 2024-020 – Stepnoski garage and shed extension granted
Appeal 2024-028 – Mallas Family Trust subdivision extension granted
Appeal 2025-028 – 505 Lincoln Street off-site parking adjourned
Minutes approved for September 10, September 24, and October 8, 2026 meetings
Motion to enter executive session and adjourn open session
Resolution 2026-930 – Budget Adoption of Community Benefit Funds for Open Space Project
Resolution 2026-931 – Highway Capital Project #52621 National Grid Road Restoration Budget Adoption
Resolution 2026-932 – Water District Capital Project #82308 Well No. 5-2a Budget Adjustment
Resolution 2026-933 – Water Capital Project #82335 Youngs Ave Landfill Solar Project Closure
Resolution 2026-934 – Highway Budget Transfer for Drainage Repairs
Resolution 2026-935 – Amendment #1 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Resolution 2026-936 – Amendment #2 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Resolution 2026-937 – Amendment #3 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Resolution 2026-938 – Amendment #4 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Resolution 2026-939 – Amendment #5 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Resolution 2026-940 – Amendment #6 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Voting record (620)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
2026-940 Authorizes Amendment #6 to the 2027 Preliminary Budget
2026-935 Authorizes Amendment #1 to the 2027 Preliminary Budget
2026-937 Authorizes Amendment #3 to the 2027 Preliminary Budget
2026-936 Authorizes Amendment #2 to the 2027 Preliminary Budget
2026-938 Authorizes Amendment #4 to the 2027 Preliminary Budget
Resolution 2026-930 – Budget Adoption of Community Benefit Funds for Open Space Project
Resolution 2026-931 – Highway Capital Project #52621 National Grid Road Restoration Budget Adoption
Resolution 2026-932 – Water District Capital Project #82308 Well No. 5-2a Budget Adjustment
Resolution 2026-933 – Water Capital Project #82335 Youngs Ave Landfill Solar Project Closure
Resolution 2026-934 – Highway Budget Transfer for Drainage Repairs
Resolution 2026-935 – Amendment #1 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Pleased the board is lowering the tax increase below the supervisor's proposal.
Resolution 2026-936 – Amendment #2 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Resolution 2026-937 – Amendment #3 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Resolution 2026-938 – Amendment #4 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Resolution 2026-939 – Amendment #5 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Resolution 2026-940 – Amendment #6 to 2027 Preliminary Budget
Sees the dental plan as a way to give back to employees when salaries cannot be raised.
Resolution 2026-941 – Accepts Donation of "Grateful Turnout" First Responders Sculpture
Resolution 2026-942 – Accepts GM Dealer Programs Donation for PAL Football & Cheerleading
Resolution 2026-943 – Appoints Public Safety Dispatcher to Police Department
Resolution 2026-944 – Appoints Kerri Figurniak to Helicopter Noise Task Force
Resolution 2026-945 – Appoints Patricia Berry to Helicopter Noise Task Force
Resolution 2026-946 – Appoints Claudette Bianco to Helicopter Noise Task Force
Resolution 2026-947 – Reappoints John Cullen to Helicopter Noise Task Force
Resolution 2026-948 – Reappoints Sid Bail to Helicopter Noise Task Force
Resolution 2026-949 – Reappoints Connie Carlin to Helicopter Noise Task Force
Resolution 2026-950 – Ratifies Resignation of Maintenance Mechanic II
Resolution 2026-951 – Ratifies Termination of Maintenance Mechanic III
Resolution 2026-952 – Amends Water District Extension No. 97, Forge Road, Calverton
Resolution 2026-953 – License Agreement with Bold Broadcasting LLC (Bold Media)
Resolution 2026-954 – Intermunicipal Agreement with Riverhead School District for Salt/Sand
Resolution 2026-955 – Addendum to Smalley Engineering, P.C. Agreement
Resolution 2026-956 – CSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement
Resolution 2026-957 – Consultant Agreement with Theresa DeFilippis
Resolution 2026-958 – Notice for Local Law Amending Chapter 279 "Taxation" (Disabled Veterans Exemption)
Has received calls and letters and supports the measure.