Riverhead officials talk bike path, downtown marina

Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter will not authorize a grant application to help finish a town bike path encircling most of the Enterprise Park at Calverton, saying he thinks any EPCAL-related project should be done in conjunction with the subdivision application the town is currently undertaking.

The issue came up at Thursday’s Town Board work session. (See blog box below)

Members of the town’s alternative transportation committee, including former councilman George Bartunek, say  the state has made transportation grant money available for projects, including bike paths, costing more than $200,000, of which 80 percent would be paid by the grant.

The deadline for applications is Aug. 16.

Committee members estimate the cost of finishing the nine-mile bike path around EPCAL, of which three miles along Route 25 are done already, is about $250,000, leaving the town’s share at about $50,000.

Councilman John Dunleavy said supports applying for the grant, and council members Jodi Giglio and Jim Wooten were absent.

• The board also discussed Treasure Cove Marina’s proposal to manage the town’s downtown docks.

The marina on the Long Island Aquarium and Hyatt East End property is proposing to set aside 35 to 40 slips for transient boaters and 10 to 15 slips on the eastern part of the dock for seasonal use.

The marina would charge $2 per foot for residents and $2.50 per foot for non-residents for overnight stays, and no fees for resident day trippers.

For a seasonal contract, the fee for residents would be $55 per foot, from April to October 31, and residents would get priority. In addition, a flat fee of $250 per season will be charged for electric use at the docks, under the proposal. Also proposed is a $15 resident boating sticker.

Under the current proposal, 30 percent of revenues on fees would go to the town, with the marina keeping the rest.

The board also spoke of the New York State Little League Softball championships coming to Stotzky Park, beginning July 8.

The winner of the six statewide champions who compete in that tournament will head to Williamsport, Pa., for the overall Little League championship.

Riverhead Little League president Tony Sammartano is seeking contributions to help offset the costs of hosting the tournament.

To see what else was discussed, click here to read the recap of News-Review reporter Tim Gannon’s blog of the meeting.

Agenda June 27, 2013 by rnews_review