Town Hall Notes: Boathouse Approved for Downtown

The town board Thursday gave a green light to Chris Kempner, Riverhead’s community development director, to apply a $90,000 county grant towards constructing a boathouse on the banks of the Peconic River for use by scull racing teams.

Roughly $40,000 of the grant will pay for materials for the 20-foot by 45-foot structure, $40,000 will pay for floating docks and $10,000 for an aluminum ramp. Kempner said that most of the labor for construction would be provided by volunteers, including members of East End Rowing.

The boathouse will store one-person, two-person and 4-person racing sculls, primarily owned by local teams, according to Bill Hale, president of East Rowing.

His group sponsors regattas on the river throughout the spring, summer and fall, including the Snowflake Regatta, which last November saw the participation of 135 teams from throughout the tri-state area.

Building department chief retires

The Town Board Wednesday evening accepted the early retirement of Leroy Barnes, who has served 15 years as head of the building department following 16 years as an elected member of Riverhead Board of Assessors.

Barnes, 55, is taking advantage of the program the board approved in February as a way to save money by encouraging longtime employees to take early retirement.

Offered to all town employees at least 55 years of age and with at least 20 years of service, the package offers retirees two choices: either four years of paid health insurance for themselves and family members or, in lieu of paid insurance, direct payments of $400 a month for four years.

The Town Board also approved early retirement packages for three other employees: Richard Bokinz, Suzzane McEvoy and Maureen Lynch.

Cardboard boat race set for June 26

The Business Improvement District has set June 26 as the date of this year’s annual cardboard boat race, a popular event that in the past has drawn boat builders from Riverhead and surrounding towns.

The rules require that only cardboard and duct tape be used in building the boats, but the vessels can be painted and lettered.

At Thursday’s Town Board work session, Councilman George Gabrielsen, who has competed successfully in the past, recommended Gorilla-brand duct tape and advised people to buy early because supplies had run out last year at The Home Depot and local hardware stores.

Snack vendors approved

Bids to run snack bars at town beaches and Stotzky Park have been awarded to two vendors.

Foxies Ice Cream and Snacks, Inc. had submitted the highest bid, $4,500, for the snack concession at South Jamesport town beach, $3,501 for Stotzky Park and $1,000 for Iron Pier beach. Karl Freundenberg’s bid of $700 earned him the concession stand at Wading River beach.

New name for dead end

The portion of Horton Avenue that was made into a dead-end street when a traffic circle went in connecting Horton Avenue, Osborne Avenue and Middle Road now has a name of its own.

The Town Board voted Wednesday to name it Caffrey Court in honor of the family that has lived on that portion of Horton Avenue for generations.