Greenport Village Board Votes Unanimously On PSEG Underwater Electric Cable Project

GREENPORT, NY — After months of controversy and heated public debate, the Greenport Village Board voted unanimously Thursday night to approve an underwater electric cable project from the village to Shelter Island.

The resolution approved the temporary construction access license agreement and utility easement agreement with the Long Island Power Authority and PSEG; the reso also noted that LIPA would serve as lead agency in the environmental review for the project.

The board also voted unanimously to approve the creation of a segregated reserve bank account for the access fee for the license agreement, in the amount of $1.32 million.

Despite months of heated discussion, there was little comment from the public before the vote. Resident John Saladino brought up the vote briefly, asking the board to consider, "Is the benefit to the entire village greater than the detriment to the neighbors?"

For months, some residents have pleaded with the board to ditch the proposed project, which, they said, could pose health, environmental and quality of life concerns.

In November, Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard said the board met in executive session and decided that the benefits to the village, including a backup power cable, were "crucial" and decided to proceed.

In addition, PSEG has agreed to another $300,000 over the initial $1.2 million discussed, that Greenport would receive for the deal, Hubbard said at the time.

"The board wants to move this project forward," Hubbard said.

In addition, Hubbard announced that the village was denied lead agency status in the environmental review, on all three criteria. While the decision could be appealed, Hubbard said the board feels it is "the best thing for village and residents that we vote not to appeal."

Of the PSEG project, Hubbard said, "We are going to be on them like a dog," watching every move to ensure they adhere to the contract. A village watchdog will also be hired, he said, to watch work commence.

For months, a sea of residents, largely from Fifth Street, has protested the plan, citing safety, quality of life, and environmental concerns.

In the days before Thursday night's vote, some wrote letters expressing their concerns.

Fifth Street resident Christian McShea reached out to Senator Ken LaValle in a letter, reiterating fears he's voiced vocally for months, and adding that there was no reason the work couldn't be done on Shelter Island, whose residents will benefit from the plan, he said. He has voiced worries over his children's health and safety, as well.

At other public sessions, Trustee Jack Martilotta has said that he, too, has young children in the area and believes the work poses no health risk to residents.

Hubbard said, months ago, that nothing would proceed until the long term health affects would be investigated. "I have four kids, seven grandkids. If it was going to impact my family, I would not do it," he said.

Others have come out to protest at meetings dating back to 2016, saying the work will disturb their quality of life; some have asked that the location be moved to a spot not near a park where children play.

In a letter this week, resident Maritza Budet Winkler said she was "so disappointed. The village board has not remedied any resident's objections despite all the assurances from the village board to protect residents. . . Residents will be forced to sue the village /PSEG if things go wrong, without the benefit of resident specific contract language protections. Residents are on their own."

The board, however, has said the financial boon would mean the ability to focus on much needed capital improvements and projects in Greenport. And another bonus is the backup power line to the village's electrical grid with automatic switchgear, allowing for increased the reliability of electric service to business and residences, Trustee Doug Roberts reminded on his Facebook page after the vote.

"Thank you to everybody who participated in the long, sometimes painful, but productive process around the PSEG project. We all need to take time, both publicly and personally, to give our thanks to the residents of Fifth Street who are doing the village a great service by bearing the brunt of this project. We've done everything we can to get PSEG in and out quickly and protect our infrastructure and private property," Roberts wrote. "Thanks to my colleagues on the board for keeping the eye on the prize even when we disagreed. Teamwork grew the cash portion of this deal from $300K last summer to the $1.3 million it is now. But the work is just beginning. I will be watching PSEG and their contractors like a hawk. I'm sure you will be, too."

He added, "I appreciated the opportunity for us to work together as a board on behalf of the village and applaud Mayor Hubbard for his leadership."

PSEG, too, has spoken to Patch about the project in past months: "PSEG Long Island’s mission is to provide the customers of Greenport and Shelter Island with safe, reliable and resilient power while minimizing the impact to all customers,” said Elizabeth Flagler, PSEG Long Island spokesperson.