Riverside Sewer Proposal Won't Tap Into Riverhead Plant

Members of the public turned out Monday night in Flanders to talk about two of the most important issues facing the community -- a traffic circle some deem dangerous, and a new sewer district that could make way for an economic boon.

And a controversial plan to tap into the Riverhead sewer district was cut down.

First, according to Vince Taldone, president of the Flanders, Riverside and Northampton Community Association, representatives from the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman and Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst led a discussion of State Route 24 traffic circle proposals -- including one that would reduce the number of roads that enter the circle from five to "a more functional and safer" four. 

"The shape of the circle would change and, possibly, one leg or street would be rerouted behind the diner and motel property. Two of the original six options for redesign remain to be finalized, each achieving the desired safety and improved traffic flow," Taldone said.

The traffic circle redesign has been the subject of a number of FRNCA meetings and continues to evolve, based on community input and study.

The second topic on the table Monday night, Taldone said, was the Riverside sewer study. Taldone said the final report is expected to be issued in early September at FRNCA's monthly meeting. 

In 2011, a meeting was held to discuss the idea, with some believing that sewers could be the key to economic development along Route 24 in Flanders and Riverside. Government officials said at the time that the first step would be to determine what to include in the district and where to put the treatment plant.

Suffolk County set out to analyze the issues in a $250,000 year-long sewer district study with consulting help from Melville-based H2M and Woodbury-based CDM. The county had a dedicated $48 million fund for adding sewer mains in certain areas, but the Southampton Town project would still need outside funding, said Schneiderman at the 2011 FRNCA meeting.

Monday night, Taldone said both DPW and its consultant, CDM, "have already concluded that connection to the existing Riverhead plant, though desirable from a practical standpoint, simply can't be done due to limited capacity at the plant and downtown Riverhead's need for whatever capacity remains for is own growth."

Instead, Taldone said the new aim is to consider one or more small plants such as the membrane bio reactor (MBR) or other new, high-performance treatment technologies that "can support the revitalization of Riverside while stabilizing or reducing the environmental damage caused by existing septic systems that leach nitrogen and other contaminants into the Peconic River."

He added, "Riverside is not looking to compete with or become another downtown Riverhead.  We hope to redevelop in a synergistic way with each area supporting the growth and prosperity of the other."

Next steps include Southampton Town issuing requests for qualifications, to attract developers to consider the redevelopment options.  

The sewer and traffic issues will be very important to decisions about density and characteristics of any commercial revitalization, Taldone said. "FRNCA is very supportive of this effort, which has taken off thanks to Anna Throne Holst's Riverside Economic Revitalization Committee."

Although started several years ago by Throne-Holst, the project has become a bipartisan effort with Southampton Town Councilwoman Christine Scalera, who is co-liaison to the community with Councilwoman Bridget Fleming.

"FRNCA is thrilled to have a town board that is now fully committed to making things happen for Riverside," Taldone said.