Angry Residents Demand Answers from Greenport Officials Over Proposed PSEG Cable Plan

GREENPORT, NY — Residents who live on Fifth Street in Greenport packed the firehouse Thursday night and stood at the podium, blasting elected officials for a lack of information about a proposed PSEG underground electric cable to Shelter Island that they say will shatter their quality of life and possibly pose health and environmental risks.

Four of the trustees had met with PSEG this week and Trustee Doug Roberts said the fee paid to the village would be raised from $755,000 to $1 million, with penalties, should the project run over, hiked from $5,000 to $10,000 per day.

In addition, Roberts said, a new dedicated line promised to Greenport could mean enhanced service to village, with 97.5 percent reliability for residents should power go out in the future. He added that the project is the same type of work done off North Haven when dredging was done for the South Ferry and said he's seeking input from South Fork residents to get their take on noise and other disruptions.

The proposed project, Trustee Mary Bess Phillips said, is "not the same process as Greenport West," a project that many say failed and was ultimately abandoned.

"One of the problems we have to fight is the fact that this past project went poorly," Trustee Jack Martilotta said.

Trustee Julia Robins said that past project took place in the middle of summer; she said the current proposal is "not the same people. That was National Grid. There won't be the same kind of noise associated with this project."

"We can't trust the people who desperately need this," Roberts said. "We need to get someone who works for us to verify that."

He added that residents do not want to live next to a power line that's installed to benefit Shelter Island. But, if the street is still safer, with the electric line underground, than other streets on Long Island where electric lines, also safe, hang above ground, the information is critical to disseminate, he said.

"We cannot rush"

Roberts said that as it stands, there is no agreement on paper with PSEG. "We cannot rush this," he said. "No paper, no deal."

He added that an environmental consultant should look at the project on the village's behalf.

"I think PSEG has heard us," Phillips said, adding, "I have to give them credit. They are trying to communicate, come out here."

"We've been here the whole time," Roberts countered.

Roberts said that if the village ever does decide to move forward, the funding, which could equal a year's worth of village taxes when all was said and done, "would do great things for the kids and families who live here," such as park improvements, work on road endings, and road repairs.

Residents cry out: "Slow down"

One by one, Fifth Street residents stood up to express their fury with a plan they say could very well force them out of their homes or shatter the foundations of their houses.

"I pay a mortgage and I don't know if I will be able to live there," said Chris Miller. "What am I going to do? Is PSEG going to pay me for relocating, for however long it takes?"

He also raised concerns about overall impacts to public health.

Voiceover artist Tom Spackman said he has a recording studio in back of his Fifth Street property. "No way will I be able to work," he said. "I have a floated floor, soundproofing, an isolation booth — none of that will stop what we are talking about here."

The vibrations could shatter his home's foundation, Spackman said. He also expressed concerns for the environment.

"What really gets me is that all of this is because Shelter Island refuses to have a substation. People that don't live in the village dump on the village and I feel that's what Shelter Island is doing. Let them handle it."

He added that $700,00 to $1 million offered Greenpport is "chump change" with the project expected to cost around $30 million.

"Who's going to compensate me for the work and clients I lose because I can't work in my studio?" Spackman asked.

Roberts said the project is expected to last three months.

Spackman said it would likely extend past that, maybe to eight months.

"They should be paying $5 to $6 million," Spackman siad.

Richard Kossman said he'd like to see annual payments from PSEG for the next 30 or 40 years.

Christian McShea said he's worried about the health impacts to his children, ages two and five.

"I can't say enough how extremely ridiculous this project seems to me, at the price you guys are getting. I believe this is completely undervalued. There wasn't enough research as far as what we can get. I don't even know what you can do with $1 million. It's not enough money."

He added vehemently, "I'm against this, and I'm going to do everything I can so this doesn't happen, even if it means jumping in front" of the workers, he said. "I can't have this."

He added, "This is going to affect my life dramatically and it doesn't seem necessary. Basically, we are being bamboozled."

Sarah Duffy spoke passionately from the podium. "We have gone from 'Should we do this?' to really feeling like we are being rushed into this. Stop pushing us! We don't have an answer to even a half dozen of the questions this community has, and yet, here we are hearing this will be voted on possibly as soon as next Thursday? Please slow down!"

Seth Kaufman asked why Greenport had been chosen for the project, and why not Shelter Island or the South Fork. "We're going to shoulder a ton of risk. For what?" he asked.

Jane Ratsey Williams agreed. "Shelter Island is not acting like a great neighbor. There is absolutely no reason why this can't be done on Shelter Island," rather than in Greenport, which is densely populated, she said.

She added, "You guys are being so courted by PSEG."

Maritza Winkler was furious. "I am stunned that we have gotten to this place without so much homework that is needed. Our way of life is priceless. It is astounding that so little time from this board has been dedicated to this issue for a project that has been discussed for over a year."

Southold Supervisor Speaks Out

Oyster farmer Mike Osinski said PSEG was "waving a few dollars in front of you" and said PSEG will "walk all over you.

He added that PSEG has an easement through Southold and asked why Town Supervisor Scott Russell was not allowing drilling in Southold.

In an email after the meeting, Russell said, of the previous project, "We were a more than gracious host. We granted them use of town roads and a town beach. The community in the surrounding area was impacted greatly yet we let it proceed. The project went on for months and it apparently wasn't successful. We did our part. Their plan didn't work. They need to look elsewhere."

Russell added, "Frankly, why does Shelter Island get to be the tail that wags the dog? It's their electric problem. Let them solve it."

"Don't let a few dollars mislead you," Osinski said. "You are elected to represent us."

Osinski said he understood that the projected income needed to be considered; he added that he did not believe Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard, who has a business on Shelter Island, was in any way representing anyone but village residents. "Your job is to alleviate the tax burden. It's a hard decision," he said.

Resident John Saladino agreed. "I don't think anyone here has an ulterior motive. For anyone to suggest that the mayor is doing this because he has a business on Shelter Island is insulting."

Vote next week?

Resident Bill Swiskey asked Hubbard directly if the village board would vote on a contract with PSEG at its next village board meeting on Thursday.

"The agenda is not set," Hubbard said.

Swiskey asked if it was possible that the item could show up on the agenda.

"I have no answer for that right now," Hubbard said, adding that agendas go out Monday morning.

The crowd booed his answer.

"Who's being truthful here?" Swiskey demanded. "I'm getting a very bad feeling about this. I know when I'm being lied to. I'm not stupid."

Ralph Edwards asked what side of the street the project would commence on.

Village attorney Joe Prokop said the village had no plans or agreement and did not know what side of the street.

"That's my point," Edwards said. "At what village meeting could I go to, not be able to tell you about a building plan I wanted to put in place, and then, show up four days later and have that approved? How does the board say, to the residents of Fifth Street, that you are representing our interests. You're not. You don't know where it's being done, what kind of drill will do the digging, and you don't have any idea of what the noise is going to be. That's what you don't know. What I don't know is, when my foundation cracks, who's going to pay for it? My insurance company won't."

He added that he was "appalled" by the simple questions the board couldn't answer and yet, the possibility exists that it could be voted upon next week. "Is there a trustee here who will raise their hand and say, 'I will vote against this next week?'

Only Roberts raised his hand.

Phillips asked where the resolution was, that Edwards was "assuming we're going to be voting on?'

Edwards said he'd heard it could possibly be on the agenda.

Roberts said he'd heard that from PSEG reps but they could have been inaccurate.

Hubbard said another meeting with PSEG was set for Tuesday. "I cannot say 'yes' or 'no' if it's going to be on the agenda. That's the truth."

Livid, Edwards said, "There isn't a town board that would approve these kind of plans for my doghouse."

Another resident asked if the village had indemnification should Fifth Street residents decide to sue.

John Winkler asked again if there would be a vote Thursday.

Hubbard said he'd told PSEG that any vote would have to take place at a regular meeting. "I have nothing to vote on. This is a misrepresentation of what someone said to someone else."

Winkler asked why the public hadn't been told the board met with PSEG. "There's a lot of sketchy stuff going on here."

Robert said he wanted to clarify that there was "no secret meeting" held; the trustees met individually with PSEG reps.

A group of residents turned out recently at the Fifth Street Beach to discuss their concerns; another meeting with village residents is being planned for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Old Schoolhouse on Front Street.

“We continue to work with Greenport residents and village officials to answer any questions they may have regarding this project. We understand the residents’ concerns, but this is a different project. It is our hope that residents understand that the benefits to the Village of Greenport far outweigh the temporary inconvenience caused by construction. We look forward to the meeting on Tuesday and to continuing to be transparent, clear and forthright. To meet the proposed project timeline, the project needs to get underway as soon as possible so it can be completed during the winter season," said Elizabeth Flagler, media relations specialist, PSEG Long Island.