Southold Town Supervisor Candidates Discuss Environmental Issues

The two candidates for Southold Town Supervisor talked about environmental issues during a forum on Monday night.

The forum, organized North Fork Environmental Council and the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fun, was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cutchogue and moderated by NFEC President Bill Toedter.

It was the first chance that incumbent Supervisor Scott Russell and challenger Damon Rallis spoke about the local environmental issues.

In regards to town’s water quality and quantity problems, Rallis, who has worked as a plans examiner in the building department and in code enforcement for the Town for the past 15 years, said that the town can require advanced septic systems that are not approved by the Suffolk County which has been a “major stumbling block” in the effort to upgrade the septic systems, according to a report in East End Beacon.

Russell said that the Town is planning to form a Water Resource Management Committee, which would look to solve the water issues, and that several East End towns will be working on environmental issues could help fund a Cornell Cooperative Extension program that will work with farmers to reduce their fertilizer use, according to the report.

The candidates were also asked what they would do to increase awareness, education and participation of local children and young adults in environment protection and preservation.

Rallis, a Cubmaster of Pack 51 in Greenport says that the Town has not done enough for youth.

“Everything we teach our boys is about stewardship and protecting the environment,” he said, according to SoutholdLocal. “We’re teaching them the tenets of Scouting: Leave no trace.”

Russell said that he had started the town’s youth bureau which has created a “great working relationship with schools and teachers,” according to a report in SoutholdLocal.

The students have participate in several local initiatives including creating a recycling brochure, creating an environmental club in Greenport and getting involved in beach cleanups, according to the report.

In terms of their position on permitting peaker plant construction in Southold, Rallis said that it doesn’t sound like he would support peaker plants but would have to do more research and Russell said he has supported the proposal for the construction, according to both reports.

To read more, visit: eastendbeacon.com or southoldlocal.com.