Local officials used the Mattituck Chamber of Commerce’s annual “State of Mattituck” dinner Monday night to emphasize a theme of mounting demands across nearly every level of local government — from record emergency calls and rising fire department activity to aging infrastructure, environmental pressures and uncertain school enrollment trends.
Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski outlined a series of operational, infrastructure and policy updates affecting the town, with a focus on emergency preparedness, environmental challenges and ongoing municipal projects. (Watch Krupski’s full speech below)
Among the most significant issues he highlighted was a major cyberattack that struck the town over the past year, requiring a coordinated response across multiple town agencies, as well as Suffolk County, Homeland Security and the FBI and New York State court systems.
In response, the town has restructured its emergency management operations, the supervisor said. Previously handled within the IT department, emergency management is now overseen by the police department under the direction of Southold Police Chief Steve Grattan. Krupski said the system requires coordination with a wide range of partners, including Suffolk County emergency management.
“I can’t say enough about our police department and our local fire departments,” Krupski said, “how much they do, how much work is done behind the scenes to keep us safe.”
Krupski also detailed new tools aimed at improving storm response and public safety, including the development of a townwide flood map expected to be available online soon. The map identifies areas prone to flooding based on recent nor’easters and coastal storms and is intended to help both emergency responders and residents better understand road closures during severe weather.
Infrastructure challenges were also a focus, including a recent water pipe break at Town Hall that caused part of the meeting hall ceiling to collapse. The incident occurred during the afternoon while staff were in the building, but no one was in the meeting hall and no injuries were reported. The Department of Public Works shut off the water and began cleanup, and repairs are expected to restore the space soon.
Coastal erosion at Town Beach, now known as George Sullivan Memorial Beach, remains an ongoing concern. Krupski said repeated efforts to replenish sand at the site have proven ineffective, noting that large quantities placed before the summer season were washed away in a single day. The town is now exploring longer-term solutions in coordination with Suffolk County and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Part of that effort includes addressing vulnerabilities along Route 48, a county-owned road with low-lying sections near Mattituck Inlet and the town beach that are prone to flooding during storms. Krupski said the town has initiated discussions with county officials, state agencies and Congressman Nick LaLota’s office to evaluate options for raising the road elevation and implementing more durable shoreline protections.
The town has also invested in municipal infrastructure, Krupski said, including construction of a new highway department storage barn in Peconic. The facility is designed to protect increasingly expensive equipment, such as snowplow trucks that can cost nearly $300,000 and $450,000 street sweepers. Storing the equipment indoors is expected to extend its lifespan and reduce maintenance costs.
Environmental conservation efforts were another key focus, particularly a water conservation law adopted last year. The measure requires rain sensors and smart controllers on lawn irrigation systems to prevent watering during rain events. Krupski said eliminating unnecessary watering could reduce that usage by an estimated 15% to 25%. Lawn irrigation accounts for roughly 70% of summer water use, according to the Suffolk County Water Authority.
At the state level, Krupski raised concerns about proposed changes to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), which governs environmental review of development projects. He said town officials are pushing back against what he described as an expansion of state authority into local land-use decisions.
“It’s sort of a grab on local control by New York State,” the supervisor said. “We want to make sure that New York state isn’t going to get into the land use and zoning business.”
Zoning, communications and expiring moratoriums
Locally, the town’s zoning update process is now in its fourth year, with continued discussions planned between the Town Board and planning department. At the same time, the town is advancing several initiatives outside of that process, including efforts to address short-term rentals and proposed legislation related to cell towers, which is scheduled for another public hearing.
Two development-related moratoriums are also approaching expiration dates. A moratorium on battery energy storage projects is set to expire April 21, as the town reviews new state guidance, while a hotel development moratorium is scheduled to expire June 18. Krupski noted that at least one hotel project previously received a waiver and has since entered the planning review process.
The town is also working to improve public communication, including evaluating how best to use platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. A communications survey and committee effort are underway to determine how to effectively reach residents while balancing staff capacity.
Additional initiatives include the appointment of a new youth bureau director, who is developing internship opportunities to connect students with local government and businesses, and the ongoing dredging needs at Mattituck Inlet.
Krupski said the dredging required federal authorization and coordination, and that sediment removed from the inlet was transported out of state because it was not suitable for beach replenishment.
Mattituck accounted for nearly 20% of police service calls last year
Chief Grattan described 2025 as a record-setting year for the Southold Police Dept., with nearly 20,000 calls for service, including more than 9,500 emergency calls and 34,000 non-emergency calls. Mattituck accounted for about 19% of activity.
Larceny was the most common crime in Mattituck, the chief said, including shoplifting and thefts from vehicles.
“We had a pattern crime in the fall last year, where we had about 16 cars that were broken into,” the chief said. “Thankfully, in December, our k9 officer tracked that individual to a rear yard off of Cox Neck [Lane], and he was arrested. And we have not had any vehicle break ins to that magnitude since.”
Grattan appeared to be referring to the arrest in December of Scott Wilcox, 56, of Hampton Bays.
The department is addressing staffing gaps following four retirements, with new officers graduating and additional hires planned.
Grattan said a major goal for the department in 2026 is achieving accreditation through the New York State Accreditation Council, which evaluates agencies against statewide standards and national best practices.
“We have an official assessment scheduled for the end of next month, and I’m pretty confident that we will be successful,” Grattan said, noting that accreditation would serve as “official recognition” of the department’s professionalism and help build public trust.
Looking ahead, Grattan said officers will begin using noise meters to enforce town code related to decibel levels, with 10 officers receiving specialized training. The department also plans to increase education and enforcement around e-bike regulations, particularly age and helmet requirements and restrictions on higher-speed roads.
Additionally, two new portable speed trailers — which display drivers’ speeds and collect traffic data — will be deployed throughout the community, with residents able to request their placement in communities that could use them.
The department is also seeking applicants for seasonal traffic control officer positions.
Another record year for Mattituck firefighters
Mattituck Fire Chief Robert Haas said 2025 was another record year, with 735 alarms, including 499 EMS calls.
Firefighters, he said, are “working diligently, training every night,” as call volume continues to climb.
At the same time, the department has seen an encouraging increase in recruitment, with nine new probationary members joining this year. Efforts to attract younger volunteers have included lowering the minimum age to 11 for a junior firefighter training program.
“It [now] cycles from 11 to 17,” Chief Haas said. “So if anybody has any kids, ages 11 to 17, who live in Mattituck and are very interested in it. We do everything with them for EMS and fire.
Recruitment events and outreach efforts are ongoing, including a planned Mattituck Fire Dept. open house in April as part of the statewide RecruitNY initiative.
‘No progress’ on merging Cutchogue and Mattituck schools
Mattituck-Cutchogue Schools Superintendent Shawn Petretti, meanwhile, presented a detailed overview of the district’s proposed $48 million budget, which includes a 3.19% spending increase and a 2.63% tax levy increase, reaching the state’s tax cap for the first time in five years.
The budget supports class sizes generally in the mid-teens to low 20s, a broad range of academic and extracurricular programs, 17 Advanced Placement courses, more than 20 clubs, 64 athletic teams and expanded career and technical education offerings. It also funds security staffing, special education and technology upgrades, including Chromebook replacements.
But Petretti pointed to longer-term challenges, including declining enrollment and the likelihood of reduced state aid, which could strain the district’s ability to maintain current programming levels.
He also returned to a point he raised a year earlier: the potential consolidation of North Fork school districts. Despite suggesting a feasibility study at last year’s event, “at this time, no progress has been made,” Petretti said, even as districts continue to share services informally.
Push for increased LIRR train service on the North Fork
County Legislator Greg Doroski focused on regional issues unique to the East End.
“My primary goal … is really to work to build a Suffolk County that works for us all,” Doroski said.
Transportation remains a key concern, he said, with the North Fork receiving comparatively less investment in public transit. Doroski said he has joined local officials in advocating for increased Long Island Rail Road service to the area.
Water quality is another pressing issue, particularly a plume of contamination in Mattituck that officials are working to trace and address.
“This is really important that we get a handle on it and figure out what we can do to make these people have safe water,” he said, noting the reliance on well water in many parts of the community.
Doroski also highlighted farmland preservation as a priority, pointing to a bill he co-sponsored to secure $5 million in funding to protect local agricultural land. He encouraged landowners to explore preservation options and emphasized the value of coordinating town, county and state resources.
“Our waterways are also very, very important,” he said, noting upcoming efforts to convene a working waterfront committee and explore updates to aquaculture leasing rules in response to recent storm impacts.
Mattituck Park District infrastructure improvements
Mattituck Park District Commissioner Kevin Byrne highlighted a series of infrastructure upgrades and modernization efforts over the past four years, alongside a shift toward sustainability in the year ahead.
Byrne said the district has invested approximately $300,000 into its nine properties — including six waterfront sites — with funds directed toward building maintenance and capital improvements. That spending, he noted, represents roughly 30% of the district’s tax revenue over that period, a level of reinvestment he described as significant.
Beyond physical upgrades, Byrne said the district has overhauled its internal systems, moving to fully automated operations with online billing, electronic records and digitized archives of past meeting minutes. He also pointed to accessibility improvements at Veterans Beach, where upgrades now include Braille signage, ADA-compliant door handles and improved beach access.
Looking ahead, Byrne said the district plans to focus on Bailey Beach, with a proposal to replace its oil-fired heating system with an electric system powered by rooftop solar. The goal, he said, is to make it the first fully renewable-energy-powered park property in the Suffolk County system.
‘Re-scoping’ Mattituck-Laurel Library renovation plan
Mattituck-Laurel Library Executive Director Shauna Scholl said the library is reassessing a previously rejected renovation proposal while continuing to address ongoing building and space challenges. After voters turned down the project last June, the board of trustees has been working to “re-scope” the plan while keeping its core goals intact.
“While the heart of the project and the initiatives have not changed, we’re looking at re scoping, and would appreciate some community feedback. We will be hosting two community planning sessions. They are scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 at 6pm and Saturday, May 16, at 10am.”
Scholl said the library, which serves as a key educational resource across all age groups, has seen evolving community needs that require updated facilities. She also highlighted a new initiative aimed at strengthening civic engagement and closing local information gaps.
