The Southold Town Board isn’t ready to throw out a $6 million proposal to expand Greenport Village’s sewer district. But it’s not ready to get on board either, said Supervisor Scott Russell, who said the town must determine its own needs before agreeing to fund the project in Greenport.

“This might have a lot of merit, but how do we know this is top priority?” he asked at Tuesday’s work session. “We need to look at the biggest bang for your buck.”

The proposal has long been discussed at Greenport Village Hall, where previous administrations commissioned studies on whether to expand municipal sewer lines into three neighborhoods near the village border: about 60 homes from Sixth Street to about Ninth Street, about 75 homes north of Main Street toward Route 48 and the area near Sterling Basin, where about 40 homes exist and about 150 boats dock in the summer.

Elected Greenport officials have said the village sewage treatment plant is now operating at about half its maximum capacity and could take on additional sewage flow.

Deputy mayor Jack Martilotta took his pitch to the Southold Town Democrats earlier this month, saying that the town’s Community Preservation Fund money, which is normally used for preservation of land, could be used toward the sewer upgrade.

If passed, a referendum on this fall’s ballot would allow up to 20 percent of a municipality’s CPF money to go toward water quality projects, like the Greenport sewer upgrade.

Mr. Martilotta and fellow Trustee Mary Bess Phillips have met privately with members of the Town Board to discuss the idea, but Mr. Russell said the Greenport Mayor George Hubbard Jr. has informed him that the Village Board as a whole hadn’t yet endorsed the idea.

Mr. Russell and other members of the Town Board also took issue with insinuations that Southold Town has used its CPF money more often in other areas of town than in Greenport.

Town Councilman James Dinizio said the Greenport area has the highest percentage of preserved land in the town. Mr. Russell also noted that the town applies other resources in the area, like law enforcement.

But the largest issues were whether the sewer expansion would benefit the town and whether residents in the designated areas — who have private septic systems — would be forced to connect to Greenport’s system.

Mr. Russell was also skeptical of the idea that the area’s waters were in dire need of protection. Michael Collins, a town engineer, said the town has conducted studies in the area and determined that the waters are not significantly impaired by pollution.

“There’s no science guiding this right now,” Mr. Russell said.

Mr. Dinizio agreed, saying the town should be more prepared before it agrees to spend CPF money on the project.

Elected officials said the Town Board has to set priorities about how its spends CPF funding and noted that the town doesn’t have to commit to the Greenport sewer project before the November referendum.

“It’s not like we’re losing the money,” Mr. Russell said. “We still retain the right to do that … There’s so much we want to get done.”

Mr. Dinizio and Town Board member Robert Ghosio, who were designated as liaisons to the Village Board, said they’ll get more information about the project so the board can later make an educated decision.

“Opening the dialogue is always good,” Mr. Ghosio said.

psquire@timesreview.com

Elsbeth Linn Dowd is traveling across the country from Oklahoma to return to Long Island to serve as Oysterponds Historical Society’s new director.

After growing up in Huntington Station, Dr. Dowd went on to earn an undergraduate degree in art and archaeology from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Oklahoma.

“Growing up on Long Island, I don’t think I ever really appreciated the deep history that was there,” she said in an interview Monday. “I love Oklahoma, but I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss the Sound and I really miss fresh seafood, but I definitely encourage everyone to get away from where they grew up in order to broaden their horizons.”

Dr. Dowd’s passion is in Native American history, which she said has a strong presence in Oklahoma. After college, she became a registrar at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, Okla. Her job there involves making sure the museum follows federal and state laws when collecting artifacts. She also does some work with arranging artifacts, opening exhibits and organizing educational programming.

As director at Oysterponds Historical Society, Dr. Dowd said she’ll do similar tasks. In addition, she’ll be working with the society’s board of trustees to implement their master plan, review its disaster management plan and locate a better storage facility to house historic artifacts and archival documents that cannot be replaced.

In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations, Dr. Dowd hopes to enhance the historical society’s offerings.

“I want to see about including more diversity and gathering more oral history collections of longtime residents,” she said.

John Holzapfel, the society’s president, said he and other board members loved Dr. Dowd’s ideas and direction. He added that she has all the qualities they were looking for and was selected from among roughly 30 candidates.

“We were looking for a professional that was experienced, interested in the community and willing to take on a very large job,” Mr. Holzapfel said. “She was qualified in all of these areas.”

After living in Oklahoma for 11 years, Dr. Dowd said she’s very excited to return to Long Island and believes being away has helped her develop an appreciation for its history. She will begin her new role next month — just in time for one of the historical society’s biggest events, North Fork Fresh. The fundraiser features food and drink tastings from the area’s most popular restaurants, vineyards and shops.

“I look forward to spending a beautiful summer on Long Island,” Dr. Dowd said, “and encouraging the knowledge of Long Island’s history among adults and young people.”

Photos: (Top) Oysterponds Historical Society’s headquarters in Orient. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch); (Bottom) Elsbeth Linn Dowd (Credit: Courtesy) 

Commit errors against the Center Moriches High School softball team at your own risk.

Center Moriches is too good a team to give extra outs to. The Red Devils will punish teams that don’t play a clean game, as Bishop McGann-Mercy was reminded on Wednesday.

Mercy dropped its opening game in the Suffolk County Class B Tournament, 12-2, in Center Moriches. Seven of those Center Moriches runs were unearned thanks to four errors by Mercy.

The loss drops fourth-seeded Mercy (12-9) into the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination tournament. On Thursday the Monarchs will play at either No. 2 Babylon or No. 3 Southampton.

No. 1 Center Moriches (20-1), which has beaten Mercy four times in as many games this year, will play host to Babylon or Southampton on Friday.

Center Moriches showed why it has the impressive record that it has. The Red Devils can do a lot of damage with bats in their hands. In the third inning, they picked up half of their 10 hits for the game with a seven-run salvo that made it 9-1. Kayla Hujber’s bloop single dropped between the second baseman and the right fielder, plating a run to start the rally. Later, with the bases loaded, Erin Copozzi cleared them by lifting a double to deep center field. Madison Hujber chopped a two-run single through the middle, and Gina Reese lined a run-scoring single for the final run of the frame.

Like Copozzi, Madison Hujber had three runs batted in for the game.

Kylie Castellano, a left-hander, went the distance for Center Moriches. She did not give up an earned run, conceding six hits and no walks with five strikeouts.

Mercy scored first in the second when Kate Wilkie reached base on a throwing error before coming home on an outfield error after Izzy Sorgi slapped a single.

That 1-0 lead didn’t last long, though. By the time Mercy scored again in the sixth, the game appeared safe in hand for Center Moriches. Olivia Valle scored that second run for the Monarchs after successive singles by Valle (her second of the game) and Margaret Terry and a fielding miscue in the outfield.

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Bishop McGann-Mercy’s Jordyn Stromski connects on a pitch from Center Moriches’ Kylie Castellano. (Credit: Garret Meade)

Here are the classifieds for May 19, 2016. If you are interested in placing an ad, please call Karen, 631-354-8029 or email kcullen@timesreview.com.

Times Review classifieds: May 19, 2016

Here is the Suffolk Times Service Directory for May 19, 2016. If you are interested in placing an ad, please call Karen, 631-354-8029 or email kcullen@timesreview.com.

Suffolk Times Service Directory: May 19,2016

Southold Webelos with their donation ‘check’ for North Fork Animal Welfare League. From left: kennel manager Gabby Glantzman and scouts Stephen Clements, Jack Goscinski, Noah Berry, Matthew Molnar and Michael Lucak. Not pictured: Justin McGreevy, Brendan Mullen and Bobby Doering. (Credit: courtesy photo)

My Facebook feed this weekend was flooded with news of graduation, prom, talent show and college kids coming home. So many wonderful, uplifting photos and videos. Congratulations to all involved in such wonderful events.

Happy birthdays go out to: Matt DeSimone, John Jaklevic and John McCaffrey on May 21; Dawn Grzegorczyk, May 22; Alex Poliwoda, May 23; Isabel Hegel and Carol Losquadro, May 24; Debbie Conrardy, Brian Walker and now 85-year-old Verna Fitzpatrick, May 26; Charlie Poliwoda, May 28; Tiffany Law, May 29; and Gina Bifulco, May 30.

At the library through the end of June is an interesting series of paintings titled “Do Animals Daydream?” This thought-provoking series is by local artist Nick Cordone. Go experience his take on human emotions as displayed by animals.

The Nautical Museum at the Horton Point Lighthouse will reopen shortly. Hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — plus Monday holidays from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

And on the subject of the historical society, I need to correct something from my last column. The SHS Treasure Exchange is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Consignments are accepted Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come pig out at the fire department! Protection Engine No. 1 will host an all-you-can-eat pulled pork and shrimp dinner Saturday, May 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. Beer, wine and soda will be served. The ticket price is $30. Credit cards will be accepted and T-shirts will be available for purchase.

The North Fork Italian American Club will hold its scholarship fund luncheon Wednesday, June 1, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Giorgio’s restaurant in Baiting Hollow. The cost is $40 per person, with a cash bar. There will also be a chinese auction and raffles. Call Grace at 631-298-1145 for details. The club is proud of its tradition of granting scholarships to high school seniors on the North Fork.

It’s the end of an era. After more than four decades, the Ecumenical Nursery School is closing its doors. A party will be held Friday, June 10, to celebrate longtime Southold teacher Emily Gundersen and her aides Cathy Campbell, Liz Gordon, Barbara Shalvey, Virginia Buono and Darlene Girzadas. The festivities will take place at Southold Presbyterian Church from 7 to 9 p.m. Former ENS families are invited to come and say goodbye. Please RSVP to Sarah at 631-965-7859 or Megan at 516-983-8699.

Webelos II den of Southold Pack 6 did an interesting fundraiser recently. They collected cans and bottles for the five-cent return fee. When it was all added up, the boys collected $318 — that’s more than 6,000 bottles and cans! The den then donated the money to the Southold Town animal shelter. The den consists of Noah Berry, Stephen Clements, Bobby Doehring, Jack Goscinski, Michael Lucak, Justin McGreevy, Matthew Molnar and Brendan Mullen. Great job, boys!

Seventh-grader Juliet Rand has been invited to sing the national anthem at the Walt Whitman Birthplace in Huntington Station for its 30th annual Student Poetry Contest awards ceremony on Sunday, June 5.

My next deadline is early because of Memorial Day. I think I just heard the entire town groan or cheer. Cheer for summer and foot traffic for businesses. Or groan for the traffic the holiday marks. So my deadline for the June 2 issue is Wednesday, May 25, no later than noon.

Find time to enjoy the little things. They will help boost you up when the big stuff hits!

Contact Southold columnist Tina Koslosky at SoutholdTina@aol.com or 631-765-2774.

The first thing one notices when passing the barn on the Peconic Land Trust property in Cutchogue is the fortresslike security of the 8-by-16-foot greenhouse behind it.

The front door opens to another door, creating an airlock. The windows and floor drains are covered with plastic netting. The greenhouse is filled floor to ceiling with plastic shelving, each leg resting in a plastic container filled with salt water.

So, just what are these safety measures protecting? Snails — or, more accurately, escargots. 

“The whole system we have here: the greenhouse, the enclosure; we can never let these loose in an outdoor environment,” said Taylor Knapp, co-founder of Peconic Escargot, the only snail farm currently operating on the East Coast.

The idea to create a snail farm came in part from Mr. Knapp’s experience working as a chef at First and South in Greenport, where he struggled to find farm-fresh snails.

Read more about Peconic Escargot at northforker.com.

Photo: Chef Taylor Knapp holds up a snail at his farm in Cutchogue. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)

On Nov. 25, 2003, Suffolk County Executive Robert Gaffney transferred a foreclosed property to the Village of Greenport, earmarking it for use as affordable housing.

Now, after 13 years with no activity at the site, its purpose may finally be fulfilled.

In January, Diane Burke, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, approached the Greenport Village Board about the possibility of using that parcel, at 324 Johnson Court, to build an affordable house.

According to the county, however, “all time periods for construction and occupancy … have expired,” which means Suffolk would have to grant an extension for the project to proceed.

Suffolk’s 72-H program, as it is known, allows the county to transfer repossessed parcels to other municipalities for affordable housing purposes. Such transfers generally come with time limits, but extensions are largely procedural and, as Greenport has received several in the past, another is likely to be approved, opening the door for a qualifying family to put down roots in Greenport. So it appears the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place.

Village attorney Joe Prokop said at a recent Village Board meeting that, with a resolution sponsored by county Legislator Al Krupski (D-Cutchogue) on the table, the transfer of 324 Johnson Court from the village to Habitat for Humanity “will be moving ahead now.” 

Trustees Mary Bess Phillips and Doug Roberts both seem to have been considering the property’s future, following different tracks to the same goal: transforming the derelict parcel, where a decrepit building is surrounded by overgrown trees and trash, into something of great potential value. Ms. Phillips was wondering how, or if, the village could use apply existing grant funds toward the effort while Mr. Roberts reached out to see if Habitat for Humanity would be interested in taking it on.

Ms. Phillips said her research revealed the earlier covenant requiring that the property be used for affordable housing — a covenant that will remain in force should the village end up granting the land to Habitat for Humanity.

“Anything that deals with giving someone the availability of house ownership is a real positive thing,” Ms. Phillips said.

Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk has expanded from two crews to four in recent years and completes about a dozen homes per year, Ms. Burke said. In 2013, it granted one lucky local a home in Orient — though it doesn’t come entirely for free. A down payment of $1,500 is expected and prospective owners must put in 300 hours of sweat equity helping with other Habitat houses. In addition, they must take courses on financial responsibility.

It remains unclear why no movement has been made on the property since Greenport first received it in early 2004. Former mayors Dave Kapell and David Nyce did not return calls seeking comment.

The site is located near the old village dump, so contamination could be an issue. Ms. Burke said Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk “probably would not abate a soil problem.” Once the two entities are in contract on a transfer — after Suffolk approves an extension for Greenport — tests would be done to determine if there is any contamination on the site.

Until then, village leaders are hoping at least one more unit of affordable housing makes its way into the village, especially amid an overall surge in area real estate prices. A recent Douglas Elliman report noted that the prices of single-family homes on the North Fork rose over 20 percent in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the previous year.

“We have an affordable reasonably priced rental and housing problem here in our region, and it comes to a head here in the village,” said Mr. Roberts. “And the village owns a couple of lots. The village doesn’t have the capacity to build houses. It’s not what we do.”

jpinciaro@timesreview.com

Photo: The Greenport Village Board is considering turning this house at 324 Johnson Court over to Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing. (Credit: Nicole Smith)

As the Suffolk County health department prepares to release its new regulations on septic systems later this year, Southold engineers want to draft a report of their own in the meantime.

During a presentation at the Town Board’s meeting Tuesday, town engineers Michael Collins and Jamie Richter proposed compiling an inventory of all the septic systems in the area.

When Suffolk County releases its new regulations — and details about potential sources of funding for septic system upgrades — the town could use the inventory to target the oldest and largest systems.

Aging septic systems pose a threat to the environment, experts say, because nitrogen can leech into the watershed and wreak havoc on the ecosystems.

Mr. Collins said he has discussed having a student from Stony Brook University’s geographic information systems department to help the town develop the list over the summer and work on creating a database of all septic systems in town.

Mr. Collins said the county has identified 360,000 septic systems across the area, but those only include residential setups. While the county should have records detailing all the septic systems in Southold Town, those documents are not digitized and would take too long to sift through, he said.

“Apparently, they have the information — they just don’t use it,” Supervisor Scott Russell said. “As a town, we need to get ready. Quite frankly, we’re going to do what every other jurisdiction should be doing.”

psquire@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Rust tide caused by Cochlodinium in Peconic Estuary in 2012. (Credit: Bill Portlock)

Navigating the Suffolk County Class C girls lacrosse playoffs this year is like walking through a minefield. One misstep and — ka-boom!

Just look at that field: Bayport-Blue Point. Mount Sinai. Shoreham-Wading River. Mattituck/Greenport/Southold. Babylon.

One might be tempted to say that any of them could beat any other on a given day if not for the fact that top-seeded Bayport (16-0) has yet to lose this year.

It’s safe to say this: The road to the Suffolk Class C championship will not be easy.

Mattituck coach Matt Maloney said this may be the toughest Class C playoff group he has ever seen. Not only that, but he believes it is tougher than Class B, and perhaps even Class A.

“Class C is ridiculous,” Maloney said last week.

The five Class C teams were reduced to four Thursday with Babylon’s exit from the postseason, and now Mattituck has a rematch with mighty Bayport in a semifinal on Tuesday.

That is No. 4 Mattituck’s reward for its 11-2 trouncing of No. 5 Babylon in an outbracket game at Mattituck High School. When the final horn sounded, the Tuckers rushed toward goalie Emily Perry to celebrate the conclusion of Step 1 in their quest for what would be their first county title.

Mattituck (12-4) was impressive, turning in a complete game. The ball movement was fluid. The ride was relentless.

“Oh, it was fun,” said midfielder Chelsea Marlborough.

And, oh yeah, Katie Hoeg reached another milestone. One game after scoring her 500th career point, the senior pumped in five goals, giving her 300 for her six-year varsity career and 55 for the season, along with 57 assists. The North Carolina-bound talent now has 507 career points.

Hoeg’s 300th goal came on a solo effort for the game’s final score with 1 minute 55 seconds to go.

Hoeg also assisted on a goal by Jane DiGregorio and won nine of 13 draws.

Her younger sister, eighth-grader Mackenzie Hoeg, turned in quite a game herself, registering three goals, two assists and a game-high five ground balls.

Also scoring for Mattituck were Audrey Hoeg, who also had a pair of assists, and Francesca Vasile-Cozzo. Riley Hoeg had two assists.

Claudio Hoeg, who was replaced in Mattituck’s goal by Perry with a little over six minutes left to play, made some nice saves early on as the Tuckers took control of the game, building a 7-0 lead by halftime.

The game was unlike Mattituck’s second game of the season when it edged Babylon, 10-8.

“Our team came out to play … and we played great,” said Mackenzie Hoeg.

Babylon (12-5) didn’t get on the scoreboard until Amanda Guerra struck off a feed from Shayne Antolini 1:39 into the second half. Guerra also had Babylon’s second goal, scoring off a rebound from her own shot.

Now the question is, can Mattituck, winner of seven of its last eight games, beat Bayport in Bayport?

“No one has beat them yet,” Maloney said. “We will do everything we can to try.”

Audrey Hoeg knows that Bayport presents a challenge. After Bayport defeated Mattituck, 14-7, on the final day of the regular season, she said: “They’re no joke. Yeah, they’re definitely different than any team we’ve seen this year. They’re super aggressive on their ride. They don’t give up.”

And yet, the Tuckers haven’t given up hope.

“I still think we’re at the level where we can compete with these teams,” Marlborough said. “It’s anyone’s game any day. We just have to step up with the same energy we had today.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Mattituck/Greenport/Southold eighth-grader Mackenzie Hoeg, who had three goals, two assists and five ground balls, takes on Babylon’s Megan Nerney. (Credit: Garret Meade)

If you missed A Cappella in the Park Saturday, you missed a really enjoyable time. The Greenport and Riverhead high school a cappella groups, as well as groups from Northport, Plainview and Rutgers University, performed to a packed crowd. Thanks to Trustee Doug Roberts for putting this together. Let’s hope it becomes an annual event.

If you’re looking for a new-to-you bicycle and have another to spare, this next event is for you. A bike swap and rodeo will take place Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at the town recreation center on Peconic Lane.

The Greenport American Legion will celebrate Armed Forces Day Saturday, May 21, with a fundraising spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Third Street Firehouse. Tickets are $15 per person.

A few people have requested an address for my dear neighbor Ann Stanilaus, who had a fall a while back. Now, I have one to pass on. Those wishing to send Ann a card can mail it to her at The Hampton Center, Unit 1, Room 107, Southampton, NY 11968.

I am proud to announce that, for the fourth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has named Greenport High School one of the top schools in the nation. So far, GHS has earned two bronze medals and a silver. Now, it has another silver medal! A hearty round of applause to our students and their teachers for this absolutely wonderful honor.

Special birthday wishes go out to Jim’s uncle Lou Dinizio, who will celebrate his 94th birthday May 24.

Grandma Rosemary Brown and Uncle Tommy of Greenport wish Paige Alexis Ruhf-Brown a very happy 18th birthday on May 26. Love and miss you much.

Happy birthday to my nephew Marcus Tooker, Sue Klipp, Vernon “Jake” Jacobs and Kevin McLaughlin on May 19; Karen Alfero, Nelson Wetmore and Julie Macomber on the 20th; Bekky Peterson, Abe DeJesus, Abigail Heins, Elijah Krause and my cousin Valerie Lessard Rutherford on the 22nd; Dale Ryan, Theresa Pringle, Christopher “Biggie” Doucett, Jean Wetmore, Irene Smith and Sophia Martilotta on the 23rd; Emma Marshall on the 24th; Rick Jensen on the 25th; Jackie Wallace, and Shannon Crowley on the 26th; Robby Belcher on the 27th; Alan Damiani on the 28th; Patsy Dinizio and Mary Ellen “Buzz” Campbell on the 29th; Sean Sepenoski and Kim Corwin on the 30th; Jayme Blasko, Anthony Dinizio, Wayne Mazzaferro and Jade Duell on the 31st; and Bruce Alfero and George Proferes on June 1.

Happy anniversary to Lisa and Rich Israel on May 24, Shirley and Bruce Sieverman on the 26th, Joan and Jim Jacobs on the 29th and Lori and Kevin Quillin on June 1.

We have an early deadline coming up due to the Memorial Day holiday. Mine will be even earlier, as I’m heading south, so if you’ve got anything you’d like to see here on June 2, now would be the time to give me a call or shoot me an email.

Contact Greenport columnist Joan Dinizio at Lucky1inNY@aol.com or 477-9411.

Some people pass down family heirlooms to their relatives, like an old watch, a piece of furniture or a lacy dress.

In Wayne Hallock’s family, they pass down a clam chowder recipe — one that dates back to before the founding of the United States and remains a crowd-pleaser at the family’s farm stand today. 

“The men in my family taught me how to make chowder,” said Mr. Hallock, who runs Hallock’s Cider Mill in Jamesport with his wife, Maryanne. “I’m 11th-generation on Long Island and I’m passing it down to my son and my grandson … So we’ve got 13 generations making chowder here on Long Island.”

Read more about the chowder recipe and watch a video featuring Mr. Hallock here at northforker.com.

Photo: Wayne Hallock of Hallock Cider Mill in Jamesport is still making his family’s clam chowder recipe. (Credit: Paul Squire)

Suffolk County legislators were considering pulling the trigger on a single-use plastic bag ban. But then, at a May 5 meeting in Riverhead, they stepped back to reload.

A resolution by county Legislator William Spencer (D-Centerport) would have prohibited the distribution of the bags, which nearly all retailers provide to consumers free of charge. Some people re-use the bags in multiple ways and some take them to local recycling centers.

But those with eyes to see will note that most of the flimsy pieces of plastic don’t get recycled. Instead, they find their way into our streets, fields, beaches, storm drains and waterways.

According to Greenpeace, close to 270 species have suffered from ingesting plastic bags, which don’t biodegrade and travel through ecosystems, causing irreparable damage. Locally, ospreys and other birds are harmed or killed by either eating the plastic, feeding it to their chicks or using plastic bags as part of their nests. On a global level, there are ocean “gyres,” or huge islands of plastic trash in the Pacific and Atlantic that have flowed there from all over the planet, including the East End of Long Island.

In an interview with this newspaper last month, Dr. Spencer, a physician, said now is the right time to confront this persistent issue.

“We know plastic has put a major burden on the earth,” he said. “For the most part we use it for a very short period of time, but that plastic bag is around for thousands of years after that.”

After the May 5 decision to table his proposal, Dr. Spencer said, according to Newsday, that the idea of a ban was “big … bold and the opposition is scared of change; I get that.”

The opposition Dr. Spencer was referring to is the petroleum industry and lobbyists for grocery store organizations — in particular, the Food Industry Alliance of New York State, which has said imposing a small change on consumers would bring on the dawn of Armageddon.

Legislator Bridget Fleming (D-Noyac), who represents the South Fork and Shelter Island, knows firsthand what restricting access to single-use plastic bags can do.

Southampton and East Hampton towns passed bans in late 2014. Ms. Fleming told us recently that “the region-wide effort on the South Fork has removed more than two million bags per year from the environment. I’m grateful that more and more of the community is on board with the effort and doing a great job bringing reusable bags when they shop.”

We hope the legislators concerned about protecting our environment stay strong in negotiations with their colleagues to quickly craft a law that makes environmental sense — not just for individual municipalities, but for Suffolk County.

As the Mattituck Park District weighs its athletic field options for Aldrich Lane park in Laurel, some residents say they still prefer grass over synthetic turf.

Mike Ryan, park district co-commissioner, gave a presentation at Thursday’s meeting outlining the cost for each project. He said it would cost about $800,000 to install a synthetic field and between $250,000 to $500,000 for a natural grass field, depending on site work and soil samples.

He said a natural grass field could be used six months out of the year and would carry nearly $33,000 worth of maintenance during both the regular and off seasons each year.

As for a synthetic field, he estimates it will cost the district about $6,700 annually to maintain.

“Grass is a lateral move,” Mr. Ryan said. “It’s hard to keep growing. It has fewer hours of use because of the maintenance. It would probably be used for games only, not practices. And it’s only open six months a year. With turf, we can extend the season to potentially 12 months.”

He also said the lights already installed at the field allow for night use by players. Coupled with the longer seasons a turf field would allow, the field could get more use by both local residents as well as outside sports teams and organizations, increasing the revenue the field brings in.

[Related: Aldrich Lane park in Laurel could be getting turf fields]

While some residents said they wanted more information about both proposals, a few residents, including Mattituck Park District co-commissioner Nicholas Deegan, said they oppose the turf field idea.

Mr. Deegan countered Mr. Ryan’s financial estimates and claimed it will only cost the district $450 to fertilize the grass fields and $1,000 for irrigation. He also questioned investing in a turf field while school enrollment continues to dwindle.

In addition, Mr. Deegan said he believes the part district’s budget — much of which comes from reimbursement funds from repairing bulkheads at Veterans Beach and the sale of a parking lot on Pike Street — should be used to fix the area’s infrastructure.

“Kids like natural grass better … grass has served the community well,” he said, which received applause from the audience. “I really don’t think [a turf field] is a good idea.”

Mr. Ryan said that while grass isn’t a bad option, the irrigation system at the field is in poor condition and would need to be replaced.

Employees from LandTek Group, an athletic field construction group in Amityville that installs both synthetic and natural fields, explained that turf grass is designed for optimal safety.

“Synthetic fields come in when you can’t keep natural grass safe,” said Marty Lyons, vice president of marketing and public relations for LandTek. “Our children are our future — we need to protect them.”

John Sulinski, vice president of operations and COO at LandTek, explained how field safety is determined with “impact testing,” also known as the G-max rating, which evaluates shock-absorption. The higher the rating, Mr. Sulinski explained, the harder the surface is.

Athletic fields between 90 and 200 are determined safe for players, he said, adding oftentimes natural grass fields score over 200 especially in areas where the grass is worn away.

During the meeting, residents said they’re concerned about the health and safety of their children, especially since there have been recent reports about how some turf fields contain materials made of recycled tires and could cause cancer.

While Mr. Ryan said there’s no conclusive evidence that has proved such a theory, Cutchogue parent and local attorney Abigail Field said she opposes the turf field proposal.

“My kid is not a guinea pig,” she said. “Shouldn’t we get more data? Toxicity has a long time to create health impacts. You don’t get cancer two days after you get an exposure.”

Other community members asked for the commissioners to return with a comprehensive chart detailing the current costs of the field, the estimated costs of a turf field and the cost of a natural field.

If the park district decides to move forward with installing a turf field, voters could be asked as early as this summer to approve a $350,000 bond to pay for the project.

nsmith@timesreview.com

Photo: Mattituck Park District co-commissioner Mike Ryan speaking Thursday about a turf field proposal for Aldrich Lane park in Laurel. (Credit:Nicole Smith)

A change to Southold Town’s code last year hoped to strike a balance between the businesses of short-term landlords who use websites like Airbnb to rent out their properties and the quality of life of the renters’ neighbors.

But while many landlords have shut down their operations, the code has pushed some landlords to try to classify their homes under the town’s existing bed and breakfast rules in order to keep their businesses going. On Thursday, one of those homeowners was successful.

The Southold Town Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously granted a special exception for Cutchogue resident Mary Ann Fleischmann to turn her single-family home — which she had previously rented on Airbnb — into a bed and breakfast establishment.

The ruling came with a few conditions, said Zoning Board of Appeals chair Leslie Kanes Weisman. Ms. Weisman had been concerned the home on Holden Avenue would pose a danger for drivers when the landlord’s guests back out of the driveway.

“You can’t invite the public in and then have them back down into the street,” she said.

Board member Eric Dantes said Ms. Fleischman had agreed to alter her driveway to fit the necessary parking and would have the board visit her property after the changes were made to ensure the driveway was suitable.

Mr. Dantes noted that Ms. Fleischman would rent out living space in her basement and would remain living in the home to keep it “owner-occupied,” which the bed and breakfast code requires.

While some neighbors had objected to Ms. Fleischman’s request, Mr. Dantes said the home had never been the source of quality-of-living complaints in the past.

“All I care about is that it [has a certificate of occupancy] for habitable space,” Ms. Weisman said. “It’s legal and it’s safe. The fire marshal has looked at it and it’s copacetic.”

In a previous interview with The Suffolk Times, Ms. Fleischman said she had rented out her home nearly every weekend from mid-May to mid-September in 2015, but since the town’s short-term rental law took effect last November, she has not booked a single rental.

Under the much-debated code that was passed last November, homes in Southold Town cannot be rented for less than a minimum of 14 nights per stay.

Ms. Fleischman and another homeowner, James O’Hagan of Windward Road in Orient, spoke before the Zoning Board of Appeals earlier this month, asking to be able to operate as a B&B.

On Thursday, the ZBA decided to delay making a decision on Mr. O’Hagan’s request until at least July in order to give him enough time to respond to a resident’s comment about the proposal.

Two other homeowners are asking for permission to their rental operations as a previously existing “non-conforming use,” allowing them — and other “grandfathered” short-term landlords — to rent for less than the minimum 14 nights.

psquire@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Zoning Board of Appeals chair Leslie Kanes Weisman discusses applications before the board at its meeting Thursday evening. (Credit: Paul Squire)

There may be no exercise more maddening than checking the weather forecast more than a week in advance of a particular day. On weather.com, the monthly tab lists a forecast for 15 consecutive days.

I can’t imagine there’s much scientific accuracy in predicting weather that far out, but nevertheless, it’s there for anyone to check.

Ordinarily I would never waste my time investigating the forecast two weeks in advance, but this month, with my wedding looming, I couldn’t resist the urge to take a curious glance at the May 14 forecast when it first became available. The initial forecast looked good. Partly sunny. Temperature in the mid-60s. I took a deep breath.

Over the next two weeks, I refreshed the website no fewer than 10,000 times, alternately checking the forecast by the National Weather Service. I came close to calling our sources at the Upton station for a more detailed analysis, pretending I had some sort of news hook.

This may come as no surprise to anyone who ever fretted over the weather, but the predictions seemed to change every day. A chance of showers one day. The next, partly sunny. Another day, mostly cloudy. Sometimes it changed within the day. The high temperatures predicted by weather.com and weather.gov rarely matched.

As the big day neared, the weather logo displayed half sunshine and half rain. The chance of precipitation said 50 percent.

Flip a coin.

When my wife and I chose our venue, Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, the biggest draw was the picturesque outdoor scenery where our ceremony and cocktail hour would be held. When we signed a contract in November 2014, we crossed our fingers for good weather.

As I’ve come to experience this month, the days and weeks leading up to a wedding are filled with chaos, high emotions and the occasional injury (my wife slammed her hand into our staircase as we attempted to carry boxes inside our house while trying to prevent our dog from escaping. It was touch and go for a minute, but she pulled through).

The stress for me leading up to the big day was mostly caused by the things out of my control: such as the weather. Last Thursday, two days before showtime, I finally felt a sense of relief. The chance of showers for May 14 appeared to be mostly toward the end of the day and the forecast looked clear during the early afternoon for our ceremony and cocktail hour.

I like to believe I’m a mostly calm, patient person. But the stress of a wedding can be overbearing even for the most relaxed individual — especially when it comes to keeping the bride cool, calm and collected. Ten days before the wedding, the tension between us hit an all-time high. I’ve been told this is fairly normal.

As the week wore on, and with a to-do list bearing down on us, we had no choice but to buckle down and get to work.

On the Sunday before the wedding, we separated to begin different chores. I stopped at Office Depot to pick up labels. Unsure if I had the correct size, I texted a picture to my wife. Lacking service inside the store, the picture didn’t go through. So I bought what she had originally recommended, got in my car and pulled away when I got a text message saying to buy a different size. Back to the store I went.

Over the course of three nights we meticulously tied strings with a card around all 150 favors. My first attempt ended rather poorly, but once I got the hang of it, I was cranking.

On Tuesday, usually my late night at work, we drove over an hour to our venue to drop off the favors, followed by a visit to the florist to hash out final details. After stopping for a bite to eat, we got back home shortly after 11 p.m.

By Wednesday, the next mission was cleaning. With a few guests staying at our place, we needed to deep clean like we’ve never done before. We wrapped up at 11 p.m., exhausted, and headed for bed.

Two days to go.

The funny part about planning a wedding is it eclipses any thoughts about the honeymoon. I’ve barely taken a moment to look forward to our week at a resort in the Dominican Republic. Speaking of which, I need to go check the weather.

Editor’s note: There was a downpour moments after his gorgeous wedding concluded.

Joe Werkmeister is the managing editor of The Suffolk Times and Riverhead News-Review. He can be reached at joew@timesreview.com or 631-354-8049.

Someone stole two black firefighter hoods from Southold Fire Department, according to a petit larceny report filed last Friday morning.

A member of the fire district alerted police to the theft at about 10:45 a.m., according to the report. Police said the hoods were worth about $60 in total. No arrests related to the incident were reported.

The Southold and Greenport school districts are expected to enter into another shared-service agreement, this time it’s for a business administrator position.

David Gamberg, superintendent of both school districts, announced this week Southold and Greenport will have a one-year pilot program following Greenport business administrator Dianna Duell’s retirement this summer.

Chuck Scheid, Southold’s assistant superintendent for business, will oversee the business offices for both districts as a cost savings measure beginning next school year, Mr. Gamberg said, adding Mr. Scheid will travel back and forth between the two schools daily.

While Mr. Scheid’s responsibilities will be split between both districts, Greenport is expected to also hire another administrator who will report directly to Mr. Scheid and handle tasks when he’s not in Greenport, Mr. Gamberg said.

Through the new shared-service agreement, Mr. Gamberg said each district will save about $20,000 to $30,000.

This marks the fourth shared position created between the districts in recent years.

In addition to a superintendent and business administrator, the districts share a director of educational technology, and a plants and facilities administrator.

Mr. Gamberg described the lasted joint agreement as “the most ambitious degrees of shared administrative functions throughout Long Island, and even in New York.”

nsmith@timesreview.com

Listings prepared for Times/Review Newspapers by Suffolk Research Service, dated March 27-April 2, 2016.

AQUEBOGUE (11931)
• Kopp, D to Capetola, Anthony, 257 Overlook Dr (600-113-1-12.1), (R), $862,500

CALVERTON (11933)
• Tyniec, J & M to Palmer, Frank, 12 Golden Spruce Dr (600-81.1-1-52), (R), $462,000
• Harvest Hill Properties to Gunn Properties LLC, 190 Twomey Ave (600-100-2-2.3), (V), $800,000

CUTCHOGUE (11935)
• Truglio, A & J to Cheek, Arthur, 1525 Wunneweta Rd (1000-111-4-31), (R), $666,500

FLANDERS (11901)
• Tomaino, S by Trs to Ahmadi, Austin, 84 Point Rd (900-122-1-51), (R), $150,000
• Catania, E & Wolf by Executor to Blake Realty LLC, 44 Dale Ave (900-148-5-30), (R), $135,000

GREENPORT (11944)
• Levin, R to SV Greenport LLC, 58775 CR 48 (1000-44-2-20), (C), $1,000,000
• Levin Family LP to SV Greenport LLC, 58855, 59670, 59725 CR 48 (1000-44-2-22), (C), $4,500,000
• Frank A Field Realty to Israel, Isaac, 117 Ludlam Pl (1001-5-1-1), (R), $205,000

LAUREL (11948)
• MEW/CF Realty LLC to Gottschall, Jeffrey, 3750 Delmar Dr (1000-125-4-18), (R), $435,000

MATTITUCK (11952)
• Pabon, C & Kirsten, S to Bonanno, Edward, 715 Legion Ave (1000-142-2-4), (R), $445,000

ORIENT (11957)
• Bull, D to Reichard, Amy, 23650 Route 25 (1000-18-5-16.1), (R), $399,000

RIVERHEAD (11901)
• GCG Bayberry LLC to Gambardella, Raffaele, 40 Iron Pier Ln (600-8-1-36), (R), $1,200,000
• Zorovich, O by Executor to Gavila, Robert, 8 Woodlawn Dr (600-13-5-21), (R), $62,000
• Villas at Roanoke to County of Suffolk, Sound Ave Devlpmnt Rts (600-17-1-6.2), (V), $1,703,020
• Occhipinti, L to D’Angelo, Karen, 1904 Cedar Path (600-18.1-3-118), (R), $293,000
• JOH Enterprises LLC to Aloisio, Sam, 45 Tyler Dr (600-64-1-6.63), (R), $455,000
• Bagshaw Rentals Inc to Bohlen Enterprises LLC, 16 Oakland Dr N (600-65-2-8), (R), $145,000
• Garruba, C to Britt, Barbara, 90 Saddle Lakes Dr (600-82.2-1-90), (R), $374,900
• Stoneleigh Woods RH to Donahoe, Madeline, Stoneleigh Woods, #3503 (600-82.5-3-15), (R), $406,620
• Fannie Mae to Governali, Matthew, 59 Further Ln (600-111-3-16), (R), $161,000

SHELTER ISLAND (11964)
• Pope, W & K, et al by Referee to Retained Realty Inc, 8 Tower Hill Rd (700-6-2-29.1), (R), $20,210

SOUTHOLD (11971)
• Reilly Baer, M to Lari, Shahzeb, 10585 Main Bayview Rd (1000-88-1-5), (R), $665,000
• McDonald, M & W & B to Adimey, Marijo, 21515 Soundview Ave (1000-135-1-5), (R), $850,000
(Key: Tax map numbers = District-Section-Block-Lot; (A) = agriculture; (R) = residential; (V) = vacant property; (C) = commercial; (R&E) = recreation & entertainment; (CS) = community services; (I) = industrial; (PS) = public service; (P) = park land; as determined from assessed values in the current tax rolls.)

The sneak attack was thwarted by the alert Mike Carver. Before his players could dump a bucket of water over him, the Southold High School baseball coach averted a soaking. In the end, Dylan Clausen was left holding the bucket with no one to throw it over.

It was one of the few things the First Settlers failed to accomplish during this memorable season.

Last year Southold achieved a team first by reaching the New York State semifinals. On Saturday it pulled off another first, winning back-to-back Suffolk County Class C championships for the first time in program history, according to Carver, who believes it is the team’s fourth county title.

“It’s definitely something special,” pitcher Pat McFarland said after Southold beat Pierson/Bridgehampton, 12-5, to sweep the county finals in two games.

After second baseman Joe Hayes fielded a ground ball and threw it into first baseman Luke Hansen’s glove for the game-ending out, gloves were flung in the air as the First Settlers dashed to meet McFarland for a dogpile on the pitcher’s mound at Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor.

How does it compare to last year’s county title?

“It’s just as great,” shortstop Noah Mina said. “I love these guys, and to win another county championship is awesome.”

Awesome would be the word to describe Southold’s season to this point. The First Settlers (18-4) won their first 15 games of the season. They are undefeated against Class C competition, their only losses coming to Class B teams. Southold is ranked ninth in the state in the most recent New York State Sportswriters Association rankings.

Next up for Southold will be the Long Island final against the Nassau County champion on June 2 at the Dowling Sports Complex.

Despite the graduation of several players, not much has changed for Southold since the magical season of 2015. The First Settlers are still quite good, with a solid lineup and a winning formula of clean fielding and good pitching.

“We lost some guys, but we’re still a family,” Mina said. “That hasn’t changed.”

Neither has the team’s determination.

“They fight,” Carver said. “They’re scrappy.”

That was seen Saturday. After storming out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning, Southold saw Pierson (11-11) slice that lead to 5-4 by the second. But Southold scored the next seven runs to pull away, including another five-run rally in the fifth.

The strong start in the first helped. McFarland set the tone in the game’s first at-bat, clocking a standup double before later scoring on a sacrifice fly by Greg Gehring. With the bases loaded, Hansen drove a two-run single down the left-field line and a third run scored on the play because of an errant throw. Shane Zimmer bounced a single through the middle to plate the fifth run.

Hansen drove in three runs on the day. Doug Fielder knocked in two runs and Gehring brought in two more without the benefit of a hit.

Southold, holding a 7-4 lead, effectively put the game away with its five-run fifth. The only hit during that spurt came when Fiedler chopped a high-bouncer over the head of first baseman Tyler LaBorne. It was good for two runs. The rest of that inning saw two walks, two hit batsmen, a fielding error and a run scoring on a wild pitch.

“We wanted to win this game, so we fought, we fought, we fought, and we got a good win out of it,” said Clausen.

McFarland (7-0), the League VIII pitcher of the year, went the distance, giving up only two earned runs to go with nine hits. He had seven strikeouts against one walk.

Southold is only two wins away from returning to the state semifinals in Binghamton. The First Settlers see it as a real possibility.

“Making it last year just makes us want it 10 times more this year,” said Mina.

It was too cold for a Gatorade bath for Carver under Saturday’s overcast sky.

“I think it would have been hilarious, but we might have gotten in a little trouble,” McFarland said. Then, after giving the matter more thought, he said, “I think it might have been worth it.”

Notes: Southold took Game 1 of the finals, 9-1, on its home field Thursday. Greg Gehring drove in three runs and Pat McFarland went 2 for 3 with a run batted in. Dylan Clausen (5-2) pitched six scoreless innings, with nine strikeouts. He gave up three hits and one walk.

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Southold players celebrate their second straight Suffolk County Class C championship, the first back-to-back county crowns in team history, according to coach Mike Carver. (Credit: Garret Meade)