Quick Takes

Charter School withdraws application for renewal. The Riverhead Charter School has , at least temporarily, withdrawn it's application to renew their operating charter. Administrators expect to submit a new renewal application within the next few months.

Romaine Fights LIPA Increase. County Legislator Ed Romaine is challenging LIPA's plan for a 2% increase claiming they have more than enough funds without the increase.

Landfill Cap Low Bid is 7.4 Million. Low bidder is 1.7 million under all previous estimates. Expect early confirmation for work to begin and be finished by end of 2008.

Apollo Offer is Rejected. The Apollo offer to purchase 7 downtown buildings has been rejected setting up a probable series of condemnations to enable reconstruction of the down-town area.

Andrea Lohneiss Leaves CDA. Director of Riverhead Community Development joins the Empire State Development Corporation as Regional Director.

Riverhead Resorts Needs Contract by 12/27-28 The Town and Riverhead Resorts are trying to get something signed before the end of the year. Some of the newly elected Board members are not in favor of the ski-lift/resort planning and may scuttle the idea after being sworn in on January 1.

Councilman Dunleavy Warns of Tax Increases. John Dunleavy, in a conversation with radio host Bruce Tria, warned that many of the emergency class functions (firemen, ambulance drivers, EMT, etc) now manned by volunteers, may, one day, become paid positions. This could result in a serious increase in taxes for the Town's residents. Dunleavy suggests that the younger men and women who normally fill these volunteer rolls are moving away because of high taxes and lack of affordable housing.