Week in Review: On the Forks

At Summer's End, Governments Get To Work

Author

Beth Young
August 24, 2025

Welcome to the East End Beacon’s Week in Review!

On the Forks

In Riverhead & Southold, Lines Drawn Over Water Pipeline

A 2023 ceremonial groundbreaking for the North Fork Pipeline, organized by the Water Authority prior to the environmental review or permitting for the project, has been the subject of much derision on the North Fork in the ensuing years.

The Suffolk County Water Authority and Riverhead Town seem ready for a fight over Riverhead's assertion that the water company will need town permits to place an 8.5-mile stretch of water main through town roads en route to Southold, and Southold is ready to back up its neighboring town.

Want to Help Nature? Sustainable Southampton Has Some Tips

It’s easy to feel that little changes you make in your own life don’t have impact on the world, especially if you don’t see the people around you also changing their behavior.

After a drought day conserving water at home, a drive around the neighborhood will quickly show you neighbors watering their lawns in the noon heat, as garbage cans piled high at the curb remind you that recycling is not something everyone is into.

But little actions do add up, and they’re simpler to take than you might think.

Lawn Care Expert Paul Wagner

In Southold

Zoning Update Committee Finally Has A Chance to Sink Its Teeth Into Analyzing Codee

Southold Zoning Update Advisory Committee members (l-r) Kevin Stuessi, Pat Kirkpatrick, Leslie Weisman and Heather Lanza at the Aug. 19 work session.

As the Southold Town Planning Department weighs the voluminous amount of public comments received earlier this summer on the first draft of a rewrite of the town's zoning code, the town's Zoning Update Advisory Committee (ZUAC) is embarking on a deep dive into how that code will work in real life.

Keep Independent News On The East End

The Beacon is able to provide all of our content online free of charge thanks to support from our readers. Be a vital part of keeping our community informed

Community

Photos: Cutchogue Fire Department’s 68th Annual Chicken Barbecue

Community

UUCSF Announces Grant Awards for Non-Profits Under Stress

THE food pantry at CAST in Southold, which is set up like a market where guests pick out their own food, provides a vital safety net on the North Fork.

This is a time of great need among non-profits throughout the world and across the East End, and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork is again working to meet the need this year with its High Impact Community Outreach grants, which in late July awarded $50,000 to six local non-profits for work reflecting today's economic and political realities.

Dave’s Desk@Ditch

Letter to My Future Self

As a lesson for one of my English classes in middle school, some 50 or so years ago, there was an exercise in which each of us were required to write “a letter to your future self” and store it in a place where it wouldn’t be forgotten. Similar to a time capsule, after a number of years, we were to open the envelope it was stored in, read it and then reflect upon what was written. 

Dave Davis

Featured Letter

Why is Greenport Slow-Walking Sewer Connection?

To The Editor:

Let’s get right to the point.

We need to  entertain the notion that there is something unusual about Greenport Mayor Kevin Stuessi’s stated support for affordable housing and zoning changes for Greenport West; and the slow walking of the (free to the Village) sewer line extension contract signed by the Hubbard administration and CJC I Corporation in April 2018.  

ON THE AIR

Behind the Headlines

At this week’s Behind the Headlines on 88.3 WLIW-FM, Beacon editor Beth Young joins a panel discussing Riverhead & Southold’s reaction to the North Fork water pipeline, recent court decisions regarding cannabis shops and cell phones in schools.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Cars, Farmers & A Circus

Sunday, Aug. 24

Southold American Legion Car Show

All Roads will lead to the 11th Annual Southold American Legion Car Show, where antiques, hot rods, sedans and sports cars will be on view for all to see.

Monday, Aug. 25

Farming for the Future of the North Fork

Farmers Ira Haspel, Russ McCall and Louisa Hargrave discuss organic farming and beyond at this event sponsored by the North Fork Environmental Council.

Tuesday, Aug. 26

The Peconic Community School in Cutchogue hosts this one-hour show, including aerials, followed by a one-hour interactive kids workshop.

Keep Independent News on the East End

The Beacon is able to provide all of our content online free of charge thanks to support from our readers. Be a vital part of keeping our community informed!

A Final Note

“I find comfort in contemplating the sunflowers.” — Vincent Van Gogh

See you next Sunday,

Beth