Riverhead Town Board roundup: Wading River Duck Pond restoration advances to engineering phase 

The long-awaited improvement project of the Wading River Duck Pond is moving into its next phase after the Riverhead Town Board approved funding for engineering work at Tuesday’s meeting.

The board unanimously approved two resolutions to advance the project. One authorized a $40,000 budget adjustment to cover Riverhead’s share of the engineering costs, while the second awarded a contract to M&J Engineering for an assessment costing no more than $78,856.

Additional funding is also being sought for the broader restoration effort. Councilman Kenneth Rothwell said the project is considered to be within a Suffolk County downtown revitalization zone, and the Wading River Civic Association has applied for a grant that county officials are expected to vote on.

If approved, the grant would fund beautification work, including curbing, sidewalks, signage and other improvements, Mr. Rothwell said. 

The councilman also confirmed the town is working with Republican Congressman Nick LaLota to pursue roughly $3.5 million in grant funding for a major overhaul of the Wading River Duck Pond, including new bulkheading, dredging and a full restoration of the area. 

Efforts to restore the pond have been underway for years, but cost has remained an obstacle. Riverhead Town officials authorized the Community Development Agency to seek federal grant money for work on the Duck Pond in October 2023.

Since then, the town has collaborated with neighboring Brookhaven Town to seek funding for dredging and bulkhead repairs at the pond, which borders both towns. The majority of the pond lies within Brookhaven Town, but most of the runoff and bulkheading issues are on the Riverhead side.

Both towns will split the cost of the engineering work 50/50, according to one of the town resolutions.  

“It’s not only going to be for obviously the benefit of the hamlet of Wading River — I think it’s good for the communities around here,” said Sid Bail, president of the Wading River Civic Association. “It’s good for tourism, and the ducks have no complaints about you doing this.” 

RVAC to temporarily use armory building during construction of new HQ

A resolution unanimously passed to transfer $45,000 from the Ambulance District Fund balance to pay for repairs to former New York State Armory building on Route 58.

The repairs will allow the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance to respond to emergency calls from the Armory while construction continues on its new Osborn Avenue headquarters. 

Legal action taken against 47 Bayside Avenue owners in Jamesport 

The Town Board voted to commence litigation against the owners of the 47 Bayside Ave. property in Jamesport over alleged violations of several sections of town code, according to the resolution.

The board also tabled an extension of its school resource officer agreement with the Riverhead school district. Read the full story here.