More than $1.2 million in sewer project cost increases, a new special event fee schedule and an appraisal tied to preservation of part of the Nassau County 4-H Camp property topped Tuesday night’s Riverhead Town Board agenda.
The three sewer change orders were among the biggest-ticket items on the agenda.
The board approved a $524,381.25 change order for the plumbing portion of the biosolids project, bringing that contract to $7,487,706.36. It also approved a $256,027.94 change order for electrical work, bringing that contract to $1,597,610.94, and a $416,247.60 change order for general construction, bringing that contract to $7,320,282.70.
Town documents attributed the increases to higher labor, equipment and material costs resulting from the long delay between the original March 2024 bid submissions and the November 2025 notice to proceed.
Later in the meeting, the board also unanimously ratified publication of a public hearing notice tied to a proposed increase and improvement of Riverhead Sewer District facilities, another step connected to the same biosolids project.
The board also amended the town’s 2026 special event application fee schedule.
Under the revised schedule, events with 100 to 1,000 attendees will carry a $375 filing fee, events with 1,001 to 4,000 attendees a $700 filing fee, and events with more than 4,000 attendees a $3,500 filing fee. Not-for-profit organizations will receive a 50% reduction from the standard application fee. The schedule also imposes a $150-per-day late fee and a $150 amendment fee for certain changes requiring a revised Town Board resolution.
The board also unanimously approved a resolution authorizing an appraisal for a portion of the Nassau County 4-H Camp property on Sound Avenue, a step supporters hope will move preservation of the property closer to reality.
Council Member Joann Waski, who has worked on the issue for years, received public praise during the open comment period from Calverton civic leader Toqui Terchun, who called the proposed preservation of the property “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The board also approved an agreement with BRYCER, L.P. for third-party fire and life-safety compliance services intended to improve tracking and reporting of required inspections for fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, standpipes and related equipment. Town documents state the cost of the program will be borne by system owners or service providers rather than by the town.
Source: RiverheadLOCAL
