Together With

Good Morning, North Fork! Welcome to Monday, where ‘just five more minutes’ turns into an hour.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

• Greenport Carousel Updates

• Name That Otter

• Zoning Code Timeline

Ready, Set, Go!

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The Lowdown

Back in the Saddle 🎠

The Greenport carousel—aka the sparkling jewel of Mitchell Park—has been out of commission since September thanks to a pretty major mechanical hiccup. But don’t worry, it’s not stuck in the past forever.

Mayor Kevin Stuessi says the restoration is spinning in the right direction. The final piece of the puzzle (the center structure) is expected back soon, and all the horses have been given a serious glow-up—repaired, reinforced, and ready to ride. This is the first time the whole thing has been taken apart since it landed in the park nearly 25 years ago.

If all goes to plan, the carousel could be back in action just in time for summer. Fingers crossed you’ll be reaching for that brass ring by Memorial Day.

Name That Otter 🦦

The Long Island Aquarium’s newest river otter pups need names—and you get to help pick them. Two boys, two girls, and a whole lot of cuteness.

The naming contest runs through Mother’s Day (May 11), and the finalists are nut-themed for the boys (a nod to Grandpa Peanut) and fruit-inspired for the girls (thanks, Grandma Jelly). You can vote 👉 Here

Right now, mom and pups are laying low until the little ones learn to swim. Once they do, they'll be ready for their daily debut. Prepare to fall in love. ($)

Ethics Overhaul ⚖️ 

Greenport Village is heading into a season of change after a dramatic March 18 election rocked the local government. Mayor Kevin Stuessi stirred the pot by revealing that Deputy Mayor Mary Bess Phillips owed over $100,000 in back taxes and utility bills, leading to her resignation.

But the drama didn’t end there—former Code Enforcement Officer Alex Bolanos accused the mayor of mishandling key enforcement issues, adding fuel to the fire. Trustee Patrick Brennan didn’t hold back, calling out the mayor for his poor judgment in handling the situation, while Phillips apologized and promised to resolve her debts.

As the village grapples with a shortage of staff, especially in the building department, tensions run high over delays in permits and unanswered calls for reform. The board is now looking to overhaul its ethics policies, hire a new Village Administrator, and bring in more professional staff to restore accountability and trust in Greenport’s leadership. Stay tuned—this saga is far from over.

Zoning Code Update Gets a New Timeline 📜

Mark your calendars (again) Southold Town’s Public Review Draft of the Zoning Code Update is now expected to drop around April 18—a little late, but hey, good things take time.

Planning Director Heather Lanza wants you to stay in the loop, so head to southoldzoningupdate.com and sign up for email updates.

This next version will be redlined, to show what’s changed since the earlier “Town Board Review Draft.” That one stirred the pot quite a bit. If you’re zoning-curious (and who isn’t these days?), you can already peep the previous draft, zoning maps, and a consultant summary on the site.

Meanwhile, the Zoning Update Advisory Committee is back in action and meeting monthly. May and June will bring a flurry of public forums: civic groups, business owners, and a big ol’ community Zoom. After that? A final draft should land in September, followed by a public hearing process.

Of course, there’s a little political tension. With three Town Board seats on the line this fall, some officials are wondering if the clock will run out before the current board can vote. Others say the process matters more than the finish line—and we respect the slow and steady approach.

Need help decoding zoning jargon? A new Zoning Update Resource Center is opening soon in the Town Hall Annex (a.k.a. the old Southold Savings Bank). Staff will be there on select nights and weekends to answer all your Qs.

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Happenings: This Week

Tuesday

🗳️ Commissioner on Deck The Southold Park District is holding its annual commissioner election from 6–8 PM at the Wharf House (that charming spot at 1025 Terry Lane).

One commissioner seat is up for grabs. Term? 3 years. Responsibility? Helping keep your parks awesome.

If you live in the district, are registered to vote, and love swing sets, picnics, or just solid civic engagement—get yourself to the ballot box. It’s quick, easy, and yes, there will be democracy. More Info

Wednesday

🏡 Nicolette’s for the Home is on the Move Mark your calendars, Wednesday is the soft opening of their brand new location at 54280 Main Road in Southold (formerly BodySmart). While the full grand reopening is still to come (they’re waiting on some fab new displays and goodies), you can still stop by, say hi, and get a first look at the fresh space.

Keep an eye on their Instagram stories for sneak peeks and stylish surprises. More Info

Thursday

🔮 Psychic Night Head down to Front Street Station for an evening of mystery and insight while supporting a great cause. Enjoy a 15-minute private psychic reading, a delicious three-course meal, and the satisfaction of giving back—20% of proceeds go directly to North Fork Cheer! More Info

^{_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just fun things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something is sponsored}}

Live Music Breakdown

Monday

Tuesday

*Do you know where there is Live Music on Monday or Tuesday? If you do please email us at [email protected] so we can spread the word.

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THANKS!

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Tom Loncar- Publisher