Summer 2024 Newsletter

It’s Summer and we are all enjoying everything that Orient has to offer at this time of year.  The bountiful farm produce, beautiful beaches, clean water, fresh air and open spaces. Since part of our mission is to keep you informed about the issues that might affect you, here are some heads-ups!

PROTECTING WATER RESOURCES

Many people we speak to ask what they can do at home about keeping our ground and surface waters clean. We have put a lot of information on the OA website.  https://orientassociation.org/best-practices-to-protect-water-resources/  Please note – the next Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day is on Saturday, August 17th at the Town Transfer Station in Cutchogue. You don’t need a sticker, but they may ask for proof of residency.

LAND PRESERVATION/SUBDIVISIONS

The Orchards subdivision Conditional Final Plat Public Hearing is on the agenda for the Monday, August 5th Planning Board Meeting which starts at 5:00.  

This proposal is for a Clustered Standard Subdivision to subdivide a 13.3-acre parcel into five lots where Lot 1 = 9.33 acres including a 1.35 acre building envelope and 7.98 acres of Open Space (planted with corn), and Lots 2 through 5 are each +/- 1 acre in the R-80 Zoning District. The property is located at 2595 Orchard Street, on the northeast side of Orchard Street. Information can be found here http://24.38.28.228/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=1035797&dbid=0&repo=TownOfSouthold

This will probably be the last opportunity to weigh in on this proposal. It is not necessary to attend this hearing to participate. Written comments received prior to the public hearing date are acceptable. Written comments may be submitted via letter or email to: [email protected]

HURRICANE SEASON

Hurricane season has begun and is expected to be very active through November. Our new OA board member, Jane Asch, is a professional and credentialed Emergency Manager, and is encouraging all Orient residents to start making preparations now in case a storm heads our way. We have added an emergency preparedness section to the OA website, https://orientassociation.org/emergency-preparedness/ and will  disseminate information via our email as best we can if a major storm is expected.

CLEAN WATER MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT

On July 8, County Executive Ed Romaine signed Resolution 1461, which enables Suffolk County voters to establish a long-term funding source to expand sewers and replace nitrogen-polluting septic systems with clean water technology. This was the final legislative step in putting the Water Quality Restoration Act on the ballot this year. It’s official: the measure will be on the Tuesday, November 5th general election ballot. The funding will be provided by a 1/8% sales and use tax in the County.  Oh, and BTW there is a presidential election that day too.

THE ORIENT ASSOCIATION WANTS YOU!

We always want to hear your concerns, so please contact us if there is something on your mind. As a community organization, we also want you to be involved.  We are seeking volunteers for the following Committees:

Finance Committee: do you have experience with basic bookkeeping?  Want to learn? We want you!

Programs and Events Committee: would you like to help organize forums?  Do you have some topics that you would like to see discussed in a forum? We want you!

Contact us!  [email protected]