OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Huntington Town Board Meeting - April 14, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyHuntington, New York
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:31:50

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Please join Councilwoman Hebert for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:23

All right, thank you all for coming out this evening.

0:26

I we have several presentations, and let me first start by apologizing.

0:29

Our air conditioner wasn't working all day in town hall of all days.

0:34

So I think it's on now, but uh without any further ado, I would call on Councilman Bernardo for a few presentations.

0:42

My grandmother would say a black of ice and a fan will do it.

0:44

That's what she used to tell me.

0:46

Um I'd like to bring up three very special people Mike Bohr, Karen Matt Mott, and Rob Schwartz.

0:52

If you're in the house, would you come on up?

0:59

And John Clark, would you join us, John?

1:03

I'm gonna ask John to speak, but there are certain moments that remind us that we live in a really wonderful place surrounded by good people.

1:13

You turn on the news media and you hear nothing but the bad things going on around the world, around the communities.

1:19

We have some special people.

1:20

We have some angels among us.

1:22

And right now, you can hear a story of three angels among us that could have turned their head and done nothing for something very little, but they took care of they took care of life, and it was beautiful.

1:32

John.

1:35

Well, I have the distinct pleasure of uh talking about Mike, who runs the sewage treatment plant for the town of Huntington.

1:46

Uh Mike will soon be retiring after 30 years of service, but he is the kind of guy that no matter what time of day it is, no matter what time of night it is, the sewage treatment plant runs 24-7, and Mike never turns down a request after hours, no matter what it is.

2:03

And most recently, uh we had a swan that uh had clipped its wings on the uh electrical wires and had fallen into the Center Port pump station and was trapped in there.

2:16

Swans have a long runway that they need to take off.

2:20

So it was trapped inside of there.

2:22

Mike got a call at the sewage treatment plant.

2:25

Um they sought Mike out and he answered right away, as he always does.

2:30

He unlocked the uh gates there and worked together to get the swan out.

2:35

And uh that is an indication of the type of person that Mike is, and we just want to say thank you, Mike.

2:47

Now, to add to that story, who do you call when wildlife needs to be protected in the town of Huntington?

2:53

You call Rob Schwartz, you call Karen Mott.

2:56

And they are two individuals who um they happen to be the Centerport Eagle Association uh royalty, but but more importantly, they happen to be people with tremendous hearts and tremendous care for our community and tremendous love in their souls.

3:09

So I want to thank the three of you for proving that there are still good things among us.

3:13

God bless you.

3:19

Congratulations and thank you.

3:23

All right, thank you.

3:24

Families, you have to get through your family.

3:50

Thank you.

4:08

Thank you for everything you do.

4:13

Okay.

4:15

Now I I ask Larry Mercantini to come on up.

4:23

I think everyone, just about everyone in the room knows Larry.

4:26

Um I think it was Calvin Cool Coolidge who said the business of America is business.

4:32

Well, the business of Huntington is family business.

4:35

And we have an individual here who for marks 60 years now of family business, smack in the middle of our town, taking care of people's cars, taking care of people's families, making sure that our sons and daughters, when they got behind the wheel for the first time, we're doing it safely.

4:51

Um, but I can't do justice to Larry.

4:56

I think no no man would want anything more than to have his daughter come on up and speak a little bit.

5:02

So uh will you join us?

5:04

Where were you?

5:10

The whole family can come, but I knew he wanted his angel to speak.

5:20

My father asked me to be happy to be a half to me.

5:23

And just to be clear, it's not because he doesn't like to speak in front of the crowd.

5:27

In fact, if you know my dad, you know he's usually doing exactly that.

5:30

Fun fact, we actually call him the mayor of Huntington because he tracks with everyone he meets, and over time has come to know just about every face in town.

5:38

But reading speeches isn't his specialty, so he asked me to step in and do the reading while he enjoys the moment.

5:43

Larry's automotive has been part of Huntington Village for over the over 60 years.

5:48

The story begins in 1962.

5:51

Huntington Village was a very different place back then.

5:54

The buildings were different, some of the names have changed.

5:57

But what makes this town special is the same thing that makes it special today.

6:01

The people and the sense of community that defines Huntington.

6:04

At that time, my father's father, my grandfather Lawrence, was working at Arnold Fewick.

6:09

Life wasn't easy.

6:10

My grandmother Marcella, who was in and out of a hospital, and my grandfather was raising two small children while trying to hold everything together.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Energy Management██████████████14%
Historic Preservation█████████████13%
Public Safety███████7%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Public Engagement████4%
Youth Programs████4%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Summary of Proceedings

The Town of Huntington Town Board held a regular meeting on April 14, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall. The meeting included presentations recognizing community members and first responders, seven public hearings, a public comment period, and the adoption of numerous resolutions, including a major special use permit for the Melville Crossing development and the scheduling of a public hearing on a battery energy storage moratorium.

Presentations

  • Swan Rescue Recognition: Councilman Bernardo recognized Mike Bohr (retiring after 30 years as wastewater treatment plant operator), Rob Schwartz, and Karen Mott (Centerport Eagle Association) for rescuing a swan trapped in a Centerport pump station.
  • Larry's Automotive 60th Anniversary: A proclamation celebrated 60 years of family business in Huntington Village. Larry Mercantini's daughter spoke about the history and community connections.
  • Anti-Vaping Initiative: Councilwoman Maury and Mr. Ferrandino presented certificates to 58 student leaders from five school districts (Cold Spring Harbor, Commack, Harborfields, Huntington, Northport) for peer-to-peer awareness projects on the dangers of vaping.
  • Firefighter Rescue: Recognition of Assistant Chiefs Matthew Getter and Ryan Doyle, Ex-Captain Mike Plant, and Firefighter Dominic Rolden for performing life-saving measures (Heimlich maneuver and life-fact airway device) on a choking patient at Southdown Marketplace on March 8, 2026.

Public Hearings

  • Public Hearing #1: License agreement for a recharge basin and driveway encroachment (No speakers, closed).
  • Public Hearing #2-5: Adding stop signs on Avdon Lane, Bruce Lane, Chesterhill Lane, and Garden Court (No speakers, closed).
  • Public Hearing #6: Local Law Introductory No. 15-2026 amending Chapter 50 (Public Nuisances) regarding sale of vaping products to minors (No speakers, closed).
  • Public Hearing #7: Local Law Introductory No. 16-2026 amending Chapter 50 to increase penalties for prostitution (No speakers, closed).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Peter Gollin (36-year resident): Noted poor road conditions on Southdown Road; urged that payment-in-lieu from National Grid (Resolution 2026-180) be used for repaving. Also spoke on electrical supply challenges, advocating for utility-scale battery storage to prevent rolling blackouts.
  • John Fornato (86-year-old Northport resident): Requested town help restoring the Old Northport Burying Ground (est. 1740), citing support from historical societies, Boy Scouts, and NY State Preservation. Supervisor Smith reported a recent cleanup and offered further assistance.
  • Sal D'Angelo: Expressed support for the Melville Overlay project but urged pursuit of tertiary sewage treatment to protect the aquifer. Also supported a ban on gas leaf blowers for health and environmental reasons.
  • Richard Barlin (Commack resident): Expressed concern about rising school taxes as a senior citizen with no children; sought advice on relief. Supervisor Smith noted the town controls only ~6-7% of property taxes and recommended engaging the school board and state legislators.
  • Billy Roberti (renewable energy consultant): Urged rejection of a battery storage moratorium, citing safety improvements, updated NY fire codes, and the need to avoid blackouts and lower energy costs.
  • Jordan Christensen (Citizens Campaign for the Environment): Opposed extending the moratorium, noting NY's stringent fire code and the need for storage to support renewables and grid stability.
  • Joe Stallone (NY League of Conservation Voters): Opposed the moratorium, calling battery storage a practical solution for resilience and lower costs.
  • Eddie O'Brien Carroll (Halesite resident): Expressed concern over government mission creep in the Human Services Department, specifically the Anti-Bias Task Force and Social Justice Ambassador Program, citing lack of political oversight.
  • Lucia Yu (Key Capture Energy developer): Opposed reenacting the moratorium, stating NY's updated fire code ensures safety and that battery storage lowers electricity costs. Noted 900+ systems operating safely nationwide.
  • Don McKay (Northport observer): Criticized golf fee increases (youth, seniors) and removal of the Northport Observer as an official newspaper for legal notices, calling it a transparency issue.
  • Mario Ferro (Climate Jobs NY): Asked town board to vote no on scheduling a battery storage moratorium hearing, emphasizing safety improvements, union jobs, and tax revenues.
  • Melanie De Palma (Huntington Station homeowner): Urged rejection of the moratorium, citing Texas battery storage preventing blackouts and saving $750 million in energy costs in winter 2024.
  • Robert Lamont: Suggested property tax grievance and veterans' exemptions; urged use of heat pumps.
  • Robert Schwartz (Centerport Eagle Association): Requested residents slow down for migratory birds; reported 300+ kids visiting Manor Farm for bee/environment programs; noted three bald eagle eaglets born this year (22nd total).
  • Cheryl Blum (resident): Thanked town for support of Huntington Station revitalization; noted items on agenda including battery storage moratorium, marriage officer appointment, park improvements, and sewage treatment discussions.
  • Daniel Carpen (Huntington resident): Opposed Resolution 2026-164 (Melville Crossing special use permit), warning it would increase school enrollment and taxes; urged Councilman Bernardo to vote against it.
  • Gail Jospa (resident since 1969): Raised concerns about groundwater, sewage, schools, fire department capacity, and tax abatements for Melville Crossing. Questioned status of IDA applications and school district negotiations. Noted ongoing lawsuit from oystermen.
  • Elizabeth Engelbrand: Expressed concern that greed is overriding careful planning; criticized the Melville Crossing proposal for insufficient commercial space (11.5% vs. 25% minimum), parking shortfall, and lack of independent environmental studies. Urged safeguards and pause.

Discussion Items

  • Melville Crossing Special Use Permit (Resolution 2026-164): Councilman Bernardo and Supervisor Smith spoke in favor, highlighting the process, community input, commitment from developer (Steel Equities) to tie into tertiary sewage treatment if built, financial impact agreement with school district (triggered by school enrollment), and a water study committee. Councilwoman Hebert made her support conditional on written commitment for tertiary sewage treatment (received) and the creation of a water study committee. Councilwoman Lupinacci voted no, citing need for further clarity. The resolution passed 4-1.
  • Water Study Committee (Resolution 2026-243): Councilwoman Hebert introduced a resolution to seat a town committee to explore improving sanitary sewage treatment services town-wide. Passed 5-0.
  • School District Financial Impact Agreements (Resolution 2026-244): Councilman Bernardo introduced a resolution to schedule a public hearing on May 5, 2026 at 2 p.m. to amend the code to require financial impact agreements with school districts for mixed-use developments town-wide. Passed 5-0.
  • Battery Storage Moratorium (Resolution 2026-165): Councilman Bernardo offered a resolution to schedule a public hearing on a six-month moratorium on permits for battery storage systems. After public comment, Supervisor Smith noted the fire chiefs have raised safety concerns and requested a facilitated meeting between developers, lobbyists, and fire chiefs. The resolution passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Melville Crossing special use permit approved (Resolution 2026-164) – 4-1 vote (Councilwoman Lupinacci opposed).
  • Water study committee established (Resolution 2026-243) – 5-0.
  • Public hearing scheduled May 5, 2026 at 2 p.m. for local law requiring school district financial impact agreements (Resolution 2026-244) – 5-0.
  • Public hearing scheduled for battery storage moratorium (Resolution 2026-165) – 5-0.
  • All remaining resolutions (2026-166 through 2026-250, plus BT and CD/LDC items) adopted, many unanimously, including: appointments to Anti-Bias Task Force, Opioid Task Force, Ethics Board; budget amendments; grant applications; contracts for services; bond authorizations for roads, parks, marina, parking lots, etc.; approval of LOSAP credits; and scheduling of hearings on blighted properties, traffic signs, sewer district improvement, water district improvement, and marina variances.
  • Road bond (Resolution 2026-229): $5 million for road improvements – passed 5-0.
  • Recycling center bond (Resolution 2026-228): $180,000 passed with Councilwoman Lupinacci abstaining, citing need for more information.
  • All other bond resolutions passed with 5-0 roll-call votes.

Meeting Transcript

Please join Councilwoman Hebert for the Pledge of Allegiance. All right, thank you all for coming out this evening. I we have several presentations, and let me first start by apologizing. Our air conditioner wasn't working all day in town hall of all days. So I think it's on now, but uh without any further ado, I would call on Councilman Bernardo for a few presentations. My grandmother would say a black of ice and a fan will do it. That's what she used to tell me. Um I'd like to bring up three very special people Mike Bohr, Karen Matt Mott, and Rob Schwartz. If you're in the house, would you come on up? And John Clark, would you join us, John? I'm gonna ask John to speak, but there are certain moments that remind us that we live in a really wonderful place surrounded by good people. You turn on the news media and you hear nothing but the bad things going on around the world, around the communities. We have some special people. We have some angels among us. And right now, you can hear a story of three angels among us that could have turned their head and done nothing for something very little, but they took care of they took care of life, and it was beautiful. John. Well, I have the distinct pleasure of uh talking about Mike, who runs the sewage treatment plant for the town of Huntington. Uh Mike will soon be retiring after 30 years of service, but he is the kind of guy that no matter what time of day it is, no matter what time of night it is, the sewage treatment plant runs 24-7, and Mike never turns down a request after hours, no matter what it is. And most recently, uh we had a swan that uh had clipped its wings on the uh electrical wires and had fallen into the Center Port pump station and was trapped in there. Swans have a long runway that they need to take off. So it was trapped inside of there. Mike got a call at the sewage treatment plant. Um they sought Mike out and he answered right away, as he always does. He unlocked the uh gates there and worked together to get the swan out. And uh that is an indication of the type of person that Mike is, and we just want to say thank you, Mike. Now, to add to that story, who do you call when wildlife needs to be protected in the town of Huntington? You call Rob Schwartz, you call Karen Mott. And they are two individuals who um they happen to be the Centerport Eagle Association uh royalty, but but more importantly, they happen to be people with tremendous hearts and tremendous care for our community and tremendous love in their souls. So I want to thank the three of you for proving that there are still good things among us. God bless you. Congratulations and thank you. All right, thank you. Families, you have to get through your family. Thank you. Thank you for everything you do. Okay. Now I I ask Larry Mercantini to come on up. I think everyone, just about everyone in the room knows Larry. Um I think it was Calvin Cool Coolidge who said the business of America is business. Well, the business of Huntington is family business. And we have an individual here who for marks 60 years now of family business, smack in the middle of our town, taking care of people's cars, taking care of people's families, making sure that our sons and daughters, when they got behind the wheel for the first time, we're doing it safely. Um, but I can't do justice to Larry. I think no no man would want anything more than to have his daughter come on up and speak a little bit. So uh will you join us? Where were you? The whole family can come, but I knew he wanted his angel to speak. My father asked me to be happy to be a half to me. And just to be clear, it's not because he doesn't like to speak in front of the crowd. In fact, if you know my dad, you know he's usually doing exactly that. Fun fact, we actually call him the mayor of Huntington because he tracks with everyone he meets, and over time has come to know just about every face in town.

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