Walter: LIPA Will Set up Shop at EPCAL

With one-fifth of Riverhead still in the dark, according to the Long Island Power Authority, Supervisor Sean Walter called a press conference on Wednesday morning to announce to the public that he's signing an agreement with LIPA to allow the utility company to set up their trucks in Calverton and that communication with LIPA will be more direct in future emergencies.

With 95 percent of the town's powerless residents located in Calverton and Wading River, Walter is hoping the staging area brings power back to Riverhead as fast as possible.

"To the residents of Riverhead, that means we will have them here," said Walter at Town Hall. "Does this mean we're going to have better coordination from them? I don't know. But at least we can drive up and see what's going on because that's where their base of operations will be."

The closest staging areas are reportedly Calabro Airport in Shirley and East Hampton Airport.

The Town Board is expected to allow Walter to ratify the agreement at a special Town Board meeting on Thursday morning.

Officials with LIPA were not immediately available to confirm Walter's announcements.

Walter said the staging area would be at the Henry Pfeifer Community Center on River Road. He added that the agreement with the utility would allow LIPA to stage equipment there immediately and in future emergencies.

In addition, Walter said LIPA will be assigning individuals to serve as liaisons to each town in the case of future emergencies. Currently, towns bring their concerns to Suffolk County Fire Rescue Emergency Services with the County Office of Emergency Management. Police Chief David Hegermiller said LIPA has a member with FRES, as does each town. Fire Marshal Scott Davonski represents Riverhead.

Hegermiller said with 10 towns clamoring for help, "it was probably overwhelming for one person to handle."

Also mentioned at the press conference was the clean-up process. Highway Department Superintendent Woodson said his department would spend the next two to three weeks sweeping through the town collecting roadside debris, followed by another sweep of the town. He urged residents to pick up paper bags at department headquarters on Osborn Avenue to fill with fallen leaves.