North Fork News

Addressing Peconic Riverfront Flooding

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Town of Riverhead held a virtual meeting May 21 to discuss flooding issues along the Peconic riverfront. Supervisor Yvette Aguiar; Councilwoman Catherine Kent, the liaison for the Downtown Revitalization Committee; and members of the town’s engineering, building and planning, and community development agency departments participated in the meeting.

A substantial amount of information regarding the history of flooding on the riverfront was shared. The Army Corps team was provided with a thorough historical perspective concerning flooding, and advised it will be conducting a site visit in the near future, once the town is in a post-pandemic status. The Army Corps has also offered to assist Riverhead in moving to the next step. The town will be applying for federal funding, which consists of flood plain management services. Flood plain management fosters an understanding of flood risks, management, and promotes prudent use management of floodplains.

Riverhead Waste Disposal Facility Reopens

The Town of Riverhead yard waste disposal facility, located at Youngs Avenue, resumed full operations Tuesday, May 26, and will follow an alternating odd/even calendar day schedule, determined by the last digit of each yard waste permit number.

Through Friday, May 29, the facility will be open from 8 AM to 4 PM; on Saturday, May 30, from 10 AM to 2 PM; and closed Sundays. Starting June 1 and until further notice, the facility will be open from 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday.

Permits for the 2020 season are required and were made available for purchase at the Riverhead Parks Office located at Stotsky Park — 55 Columbus Avenue — beginning May 20. Yard waste permit fees are $15 for a single-day pass and $50 for a full-year pass.

Permits are also available by mail. Contact the Sanitation Department at 631-727-3200 ext. 391 for further information.

Democratic Primary Debates

The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, Shelter Island, and the North Fork will sponsor Democratic Primary debates on Zoom with congressional and state Senate candidates. The debates will be on Monday, June 1 and 8 at 7 PM. Learn more at www.lwvhamptons.org.

Spirits Promise Classroom

Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue will host its farm animal nature virtual classroom every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 PM now through August. The program is free and allows children to “visit” farm animals and learn how to care for them. For more information visit www.spiritspromiserescue.org.

North Fork TV Festival

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the North Fork TV Festival invite writers to submit pilot scripts for a television series rooted in science and technology. The foundation encourages screenwriters to tell stories about technology and science. There will be panel of eight independent judges. Check www.northfork.tv to learn more.

Compiled by Jenna Mackin, Desirée Keegan