Marine Conservation Law Updates, $100K Settlement, Sex Offender Limitations

The Town of Huntington held a board meeting March 8 to discuss and approve various town issues.

Major changes were made to the Town’s Marine Conservation Law, while a meeting was set up to discuss where sex offenders should legally be able to live. Several other matters were discussed. Details are below:

Marine Conservation Law Gets Major Updates

The changes to the Town's Marine Conservation Law include:

• Updating and streamlining the approval process for dredging and deposition of material.
• The construction or reconstruction of marine structures.
• Establishing engineering standards for marine structures.
• Establishing a separate permit for emergency maintenance or storm damage.
• Clarifies that a permit is not needed for routine maintenance of a marine structure.
• Exempts municipalities and special improvement districts from having to get permits for marine structures, provided the construction or use is for a governmental, municipal or district purpose.

The revisions were based on suggestions by several Town departments, the Town’s Conservation Board and the Harbor and Boating Advisory Council.

Business Parking Variances

An approved amendment to Town code will allow the granting of parking variances to allow restaurants or service businesses in large office and industrial buildings.

Representatives Appointed

Craig Levy, Glenn Murrell and Joanne Minieri were appointed to the Melville Plan Advisory Committee. Levy was appointed as the representative of the Melville Chamber of Commerce. Murrell was appointed to the New York State Department of Transportation. Minieri was appointed to the Suffolk County IDA. They replaced representatives who had left their respective groups.

$370,000 State Grant Administered

The Town’s Community Development Agency was authorized to administer a $370,000 state grant on the Town’s behalf. Part of the grant will be used to renovate the farmhouse from the 1900s called the Teich House, located at 12 Academy Place in Huntington Station, to be used as part of Gateway Park. The house will be used for educational programming on Huntington’s agricultural history, for meeting and exhibit space, and to provide a handicapped-accessible restroom for Gateway Park. Ravco Construction of Coram was appointed to do the renovations.

Town to Receive $100,000 From Settlement

The Town approved a settlement dispute between the Town and Center Island Services Inc. and Cablevision over the number of road opening permits Center Island Services obtained on Cablevision’s behalf. The Town will receive $100,000 under the settlement.

No Wake Buoys

The Town accepted a donation from the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs that will be used to purchase two No Wake buoys, which will be deployed seasonally in Town waters. These buoys are proven to help reduce speeding.

Sex Offenders

An April 5 public hearing was approved to discuss the resolution to repeal the Town code that limits where registered sex offenders can live. The repeal will bring the Town into conformance with a State Court of Appeals decision, which would mean that the state, not the Town, decides where sex offenders can live.

Changes to Town Building Code

An April 5 meeting will be held to discuss several changes to the Town building code. They will discuss how cellars and attics will be able to meet State Building and Fire Code requirements to be used as living area.