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?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Merrifield said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)(Environment)
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.
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.
Sound Shore Guild bulkhead replacement
Funded by a transfer from community benefit funds.
Preservation of 1458 Middle Road, Calverton
The town will pay for the appraisal now; an actual purchase price depends on the appraisal results.
Crown Recycling Enforcement Activity
Rental program brought in $53,000 in April; two new part-time officer salaries add cost.
Proposed concrete and asphalt crushing facility on Middle Road, Calverton
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.
Pumpkin Smash and Food Scrap Program
Past town-funded pickups cost taxpayer money; a new partnership aims to shift costs to the school district.
PBMC Planting Plan and Invasive Species
Pet store sales ban on commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits
Coastal bluff deck expansion in Jamesport
2026 bow hunting for deer on town property
Helicopter Noise Task Force Reconvened
Shellfish and Finfish Permit Fees
Small new fees for recreational shellfishers.
Bluff erosion and invasive species removal in Jamesport
Land Preservation Push from East End Hamlets
Navy Groundwater Cleanup in Calverton
Recycling coordinator position
Roughly $60,000 salary, with the grant covering about half — but the town could be on the hook for the full amount if the grant falls through.
Textile recycling program
Costs taxpayers nothing; the town earns 10 cents per pound collected.
Jamesport Land Preservation Partnership
The county would cover the ~$2 million purchase, but town management could cost tens of thousands annually — and taking the land off the tax rolls shifts costs to remaining taxpayers.
Decisions during term (3)
Recorded while Merrifield was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Res. 2026-504 — Environmental Protection Fund Grant Acceptance
2026-390 Authorizes Submission of Letter of Intent and Execution of Contract by the Supervisor for Operation and Maintenance Grant Program to New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC)
2026-259 Approves ClearRiver Environmental Service Corp. as a Drainlayer for the Sewer District
Voting record (5)(Environment)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.