Underwater Ribbon Cutting At Ponquogue Pier

Southampton Town held at underwater ribbon cutting at Ponquogue Pier in Hampton Bays September 29 to unveil the recently-renovated piers and bridge at one of the most popular diving spots on Long Island.

Supervisor Jay Schneiderman suited up and dove down with a giant pair of scissors to do the honors. The bridge and piers had been badly damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. According to the Long Island Divers Association, which did some research, this was the first underwater ribbon cutting on Long Island.

The official ribbon cutting will be done on land at the South Pier, located at the entrance of Edward J. Warner Sr. Old Ponquogue Bridge Marine Park from Dune Road, Friday, October 11. The underwater ribbon cutting had to be done separately because the tides would not have been suitable Friday.

Feature In The Chronicle

Warner’s son, the Southampton Town Trustees president, was featured in Cornell University’s The Chronicle e-newsletter article “Ripple Effect: Cornell Helps Restore Long Island’s Shellfish.”

The article states Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, the state’s only marine extension office, is using its extensive aquaculture expertise, including that of Warner, to rejuvenate Long Island’s waters by spawning millions of oysters and hard clams and planting them in five coastal sanctuaries in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The effort is a key part of New York State’s $10.4-million Long Island Shellfish Restoration Project, announced in 2017 by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The article mentions the Southampton Town Board of Trustees signed up to host a restoration project sanctuary in western Shinnecock Bay. Warner stated, “The Board of Trustees works diligently with the Southampton Town Baymen’s Association and other user groups to protect the shellfish resources and still enable them to have a positive ripple effect on the waters of the Town of Southampton.”

The full text and video are available at the Cornell Chronicle’s website www.news.cornell.edu.

Workforce Housing

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas was joined by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, other elected officials, and development partners at the ribbon cutting for Sandy Hollow Cove Apartments, a new 28-unit affordable housing development.

The pair were with Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman and Georgica Green Ventures, LLC President David Gallo Monday, October 7, at the Southampton complex located at 161 Sandy Hollow Road to celebrate the opening of the building.

desiree@indyeastend.com