Fall 2024 Newsletter

Happy Fall! Here are some of the issues on the Orient Association’s agenda:

• OA Board members met with Town Supervisor Al Krupski recently and learned that the Broad Meadows project was finally out to bid, with bids received on October 17th. This RFP is for the design phase of the project. To learn more about this project-check out the 2021 presentation about Broad Meadows on the OA website.
• On October 18, four OA Board members met with the Town Engineer Mike Collins and Superintendent of Highways Dan Goodwin to discuss flooding issues in Orient.  There are two Town projects currently in the pipeline (so to speak), one at the Navy Street and Village Lane intersection and another at the intersection Harbor Road. The State is planning work on the Main Road at Lands End Road.
• Several community members have complained about safety concerns for crossings at the Village Lane/Youngs Road/Main Road intersection. The OA has alerted the Southold Town Transportation Commission of these concerns. Since Main Road is a state road, any changes would need to be made by the state. If you would like to voice concerns about this intersection, please send them to the Town Transportation Commission by contacting the Town Clerk Denis Noncarrow at [email protected].

Deer

Hunting season has begun. The Pilot Program discussed last year has not materialized, and a sterilization plan would cost millions and might not be effective.  For now, responsible, competent hunters are our best option in controlling the deer population. Those of you who have larger properties (preferably 2 acres or more) please consider allowing hunters on your property.

Saltwater Intrusion

The Orient Association held a Forum on saltwater intrusion on Sunday, October 27th at 2pm in Poquatuck Hall. The ongoing water study points to sea level rise and saltwater intrusion as a substantial threat to the Orient community.

Saltwater intrusion is a slow and insidious process of salt water seeping into well water to the extent that it is no longer drinkable. The salt water can also be detrimental to plumbing and other equipment in the home. This can happen due to excessive pumping, an increase in sea level rise, and during drought conditions. Coastal areas are zones of high risk for saltwater intrusion and Orient is one of those areas.

Speakers Frederick Stumm, Research Hydrologist, from the USGeological Survey and Greg Nissen from Mermaid Water Solutions shared their knowledge of the hydrogeology of our region, vulnerability and mitigation strategies.

Takeaways from the forum:

• The USGS is working with the NY State DEC on a Study to Assess Groundwater Sustainability of the Long Island Aquifer System which involves mapping the saltwater interface in Suffolk County. They have two ways of collecting data. One is a surface study where they can use electromagnetic waves to determine the depth to saltwater. The second method is drilling wells either to reach the saltwater interface or deeper wells to bedrock. This method also uses electromagnetic waves to study the area around the well. They are looking for sites on the North Fork where they can collect data. For the surface study, large open spaces are preferable. The wells require some space for drilling equipment, but the permanent well would be a simple manhole cover.  The wells would be monitored by the USGS periodically to monitor changes to the saltwater levels. Eventually all of the data will be used to create a groundwater flow model which can help predict future issues. If you are interested in allowing the USGS to do either type of study on your property, please send an email to [email protected] ASAP.
• Greg Nissen explained how our wells work and talked about the importance of conserving water to prevent saltwater intrusion due to upconing. He emphasized the importance of protecting well heads, limiting irrigation and testing consistently (see below!). Greg cautioned that over pumping sometimes occurs when pipes break when owners are away. Turn off your water pump when you leave for any extended period.  As Fred and Greg said the maximum contamination level for chlorides is 250 mg/l. At that point the water will taste salty. Greg said that 150 mg/l is the practical maximum. Certain reverse osmosis filters can filter out chlorides of up to 1,200-1,400 mg/l. Often adjustments to the well can resolve the problem.

The zoom recording from the Saltwater Intrusion Forum can be viewed here.

Water

Suffolk County Department of Health Services has recently expanded their PFAS survey area for the third time. The new area includes the west side of Platt Road, Halyoake Avenue, and some houses on Orchard Street south of Halyoake Avenue.  We urge everyone in the community to get their water tested annually, including for PFAS. If you are in the previous survey area, and your water was under the maximum contamination limit for PFAS, you are eligible for a free test every year. The number to call for private well testing by SCDHS is (631) 852 5810.

Zoning Update

The zoning update timeline was recently modified. A full draft of the new zoning code and zoning map is now expected to be available for public review from mid-January to March. Revisions based on public input are expected to take place in April and May of 2025, followed by SEQR review and formal public hearings in June and July.  The schedule now calls for final adoption by the Town Board in July or August of 2025.

If you have ideas about zoning, please send them to [email protected].

Link to Letter from North Fork Civics to TB and Planning Department sent 9/25/24

November Election

Early voting starts on October 26th and ends on November 3rd at the Southold Town Recreation Center click here for the schedule.

Regular voting on November 5th 6am to 9pm will be at Poquatuck Hall.

There are two proposals that will be on the ballot this year. The first is a NY State amendment that includes adding rights protections for certain individuals. The second is a Suffolk County proposal for a 1/8 percent sales tax that would go towards clean water projects.

Details of the two proposals below:

Proposal One, An Amendment

Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment

This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity,

national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender

identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on

reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

A “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.

A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.

Proposal Two, A Proposition

Resolution No.526-2024, “A Charter Law Pursuant To The Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act (Chapter 58 Of The New York State Laws Of 2023, As Amended) To Amend Article XII Of The Suffolk County

Charter In Order To Extend And Revise The Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection Program And To Establish A New Water Quality Restoration Fund Supported By An Additional One Eighth Percent (1/8%) Sales And Use Tax”

Resolution No.526-2024 Extends And Revises The Drinking Water Protection Program Funded By The Existing One Quarter Percent Sales And Use Tax, And Creates A New Water Quality Restoration Fund Supported By A One Eighth Percent Sales And Use Tax For Clean Water Projects

Shall Resolution No.526-2024, To Extend And Revise The Drinking Water Protection Program And Create A One Eighth Percent Sales And Use Tax To Modernize Suffolk’s Sewers And Septic Systems To Improve The Quality Of Surface And Groundwater, Be Approved?

A Yes Vote Ensures County Funding To 2060 For Clean Water Projects, Improvements In Drinking Water, Bays And Harbors And A No Vote Continues Water Quality Degradation.

Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation State Tax Credit  

If you have a house in the Orient Historic District and are planning a renovation, you may qualify for a New York State tax incentive. The Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Credit program offers a state income tax credit equal to 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenses associated with repair, maintenance, and upgrades to historic homes. The value of the credit is applied to your NYS tax liability to reduce the amount you owe. The program covers 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenses up to a credit value of $50,000 per year and may be carried forward to subsequent years. For more information please review the program’s qualifications and FAQs below, or call Division staff at 518-237-8643 and request to speak to Jeffry Iovannone

[email protected]

Qualifications:

• The applicant must own and live in the house. Second homes are eligible.
• The house must be listed in the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places individually or as a contributing building in a listed Historic District. Note: In some cases, a local historic district has been certified to participate in tax credit programing.
• The house must be located in a qualifying census tract. The town of Southold is a qualifying census tract.
• The rehabilitation expenses must be $5,000 or more with a minimum of 5% of that being spent on exterior work.
• All projects must be approved before work begins.

Homeownership Credit Program Frequently Asked Questions

Note that there is also a credit available for rehabilitation of barns built prior to 1946. Barns do not have to be on the State or National Register.

Orient Historic District Map

Thank you for your continuing support of the Orient Association. Please use our website to learn more, renew your membership, and to share your thoughts and concerns.

Barbara Friedman
President, the Orient Association