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Good Morning, North Fork! Today’s productivity powered by: weekend dreams.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

• Zoning Code

• Oysterponds Budget

• Weekend Preview

Ready, Set, Go!

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The Lowdown

Zoning Talk 📢

Southold Town dropped the first look at its long-awaited Zoning Code update Monday night, and let’s just say, it was standing room only at Peconic Lane Community Center. About 100 people showed up, proving once again that nothing gets the community going like pavement, patios, and planning documents.

Planning Director Heather Lanza had the unenviable task of distilling a 190-page zoning overhaul into a two-hour crash course. Spoiler: it was a lot. And the crowd? They came with questions. Sharp ones.

Here’s what’s got folks talking:

• No mention of coastal erosion or aquifer protection (cue the conservationists).

• Patios, gravel driveways, and even pavement will now count toward lot coverage. RIP backyard projects.

• Pre-existing, non-conforming uses? Still allowed, but people are nervous.

• Hotels and restaurants could be banned in some newly drawn zoning districts.

• Affordable housing: not enough of it, especially for the under-30 crowd.

• And confusion over what even counts as a hotel now (hint: everything from cottages to motels).

The updated code does bring some order to the chaos, simplifying zoning districts, encouraging more housing types (like employee housing and cottage clusters), and streamlining permit approvals by shifting some powers from the Zoning Board to the Planning Board.

But not everyone’s sold. Locals want flexibility for businesses, real protections for natural resources, and serious solutions to the housing crisis. And fast.

More meetings are on deck, if you’re zoning-curious, or just really passionate about lot coverage, head to southoldplanningupdate.com for all the juicy details.

Oysterponds Budget Breakdown 💰

Oysterponds Union Free School District just dropped its proposed budget for 2025–26: a cool $5.84 million. That’s up about $205K from last year, but still snug under the state’s tax cap. If your house is assessed at $6,000 (welcome to the North Fork pricing matrix), your annual tax bill would go up by about $69.48—a few fancy lattes, give or take.

Where’s the money going?

• 80% ($4.67M) to programming—keeping core academics strong, especially early reading and literacy.

• 6.18% ($360K) to capital expenses.

• 13.83% ($808K) to administrative costs.

But wait—there’s more on the ballot:

Proposition 2: Move $175K from the 2024–25 fund balance into the repair reserve fund, and bump that fund’s cap from $50K to $250K. Translation: let’s fix things faster.

Proposition 3: Create a shiny new $5 million capital reserve fund for renovations, tech upgrades, and facility improvements over the next 10 years.

Meanwhile, Board President Thomas Stevenson, Erin Stanton, and Miriam Foster are all running for reelection unopposed. Democracy light.

Budget vote + trustee election goes down May 20 from 2–8 p.m. at Oysterponds School. ($)

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Happenings: Weekend Preview

Friday

🍕 CAST Teen Night Calling all 7th–12th graders. Join CAST for a night packed with fun, food, and good vibes. It’s all about hanging with friends, boosting social wellness, and just having a great time. Included: Pizza, treats, and a mix of games, activities, and connection programs designed to help teens relax, laugh, and connect. More Info

🌿 Moss Wreath Workshop Get crafty and bring a bit of the forest home. Head to Greenport Harbor Brewing (Peconic) for a hands-on Moss Wreath Workshop with Imaginariums by Elissa where you’ll design a lush, preserved wreath using a grapevine base, soft mosses, twigs, dried florals, lichen, and more.Perfect for your door (covered areas only) or as a show-stopping candle holder centerpiece. More Info

🎶 Greenport Amplified Turn up the volume with a night of live local music and art. Catch performances by Julia King, Franklin & The Rhythm Revival, and the Jon Divello Band, all under one roof at the Greenport American Legion. Plus, browse an art show by Kara Hoblin and the North Fork Art Collective — with pieces available for purchase. More Info

Saturday

🚗💦Car Wash Get your car sparkling clean and support a great cause! The Southold 6th grade class is hosting a Car Wash at the Southold Fire Department—and they’re ready to scrub, rinse, and shine. Swing by, show some love, and leave with a spotless ride. More Info

🐶 Dog Park & Adoption Join the tail-wagging fun at the Grand Opening of the new Mattituck Park District Dog Park! Bring your pup to explore the brand-new space and stick around for a special Adoption Event featuring adorable, adoptable dogs looking for forever homes. More Info

🎨 Artists' Showcase Step into a world of creativity at the Artists' Showcase, hosted by the Old Town Arts & Crafts Guild at Darts Barn. Discover fine art, stunning photography, hand-crafted treasures, and so much more, all made by talented local artists. More Info

🫖 Mattituck History Day Step back in time at Mattituck History Day, where the past comes to life. Enjoy charming tea parties and guided tours through the historic Tuthill House Museum. More Info

🥟 Dumpling Pop-Up Savor hand-crafted dumplings by local chef and entrepreneur Linh Trieu of Southold’s beloved Wednesday’s Table. Enjoy a delicious selection of meat and vegetarian dumplings, perfectly paired with your favorite Bedell Cellars wines. More Info

🐑 Fleece & Fiber Festival Enjoy artisan-made goods, live demonstrations of shearing, spinning, and weaving, plus special fiber-focused tours of the historic Hallock Homestead. This year features hands-on workshops in weaving, crochet, and knitting, live music, kids' activities, and more. More Info

🌱 Sang Lee Farms Open House Kick off the 2025 season with Sang Lee Farms at their FREE Open House. More Info

🥕 Meet Farmer Fred and enjoy guided farm tours through scenic fields
🥦 Sample delicious salads, dips, and fermented treats from the Certified Organic Kitchen
🌶 Watch (and taste!) a veggie-packed stir-fry demo
🍅 Build your own lunch at the Sang Lee Salad Bar
🧅 Join a hands-on garden workshop ($50, register online)
🥒 Bring the kids for creative farm crafts and family fun

🎸🍻 Rock + Brew is back at Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. Enjoy an afternoon of great beer and live music featuring POC, the band made up of talented staff from Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital. Come for the brews, stay for the tunes. More Info

🩰 Brooklyn Ballet is bringing its groundbreaking performance Night / Life to the North Fork Arts Center. This captivating show fuses classical ballet, contemporary dance, and street styles, showcasing Brooklyn Ballet’s signature blend of tradition and innovation. More Info

🍽️🍷 PAWPAW at The Lin Beach House Indulge in a one-of-a-kind five-course tasting experience with PAWPAW, the exclusive pop-up at The Lin Beach House. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted using farmed, fished, and foraged ingredients from the North Fork and now perfectly paired with McCall Wines. More Info

Sunday

🏍️ Suit Up and Ride for a Cause the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride rolls through the North Fork, raising funds for men’s mental health and prostate cancer research. Hosted at Breeze Hill Farm, this scenic ride to Orient and back brings together classic motorcycle lovers for a stylish day of camaraderie and charity. More Info

🍷Spring Picnic & Wine Chat Grab your picnic blanket and head to Lenz Winery for a laid-back afternoon of wine, sunshine, and insider sips. Join winemaker Thomas Spotteck for a Wine Chat: a behind-the-scenes Q&A where you’ll get an immersive look at the winemaking process from vine to glass. More Info

🎨 Glass Painting Workshop Join Maggie from Wine of a Kind at Pindar Vineyards to paint a set of two wine glasses with a breezy ocean/beach theme. No experience needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy a fun, relaxing afternoon. 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 + Fun Breakdown

Thursday

Legends | Ahmad Ali | 5-8 PM
Greenport Harbor Brewing (Pec) | Trivia | 6-8 PM
Green Hill Kitchen | Open Mic Night | 7 PM
Andy’s | Bingo | 7 PM

Friday

Corey Creek Taproom | MJT The Band | 4-8 PM
Billy’s by the Bay | George Barry | 5-8 PM
Palmer Vineyards | Erin Chase | 5:30-8:30 PM
Little Fish | The Libations | 6-9 PM
A Touch of Venice | Marty Attridge | 6-9 PM
One Woman Winery | Thomas Linger Trio | 6-9 PM
Alize Brewing Co | Jay Shepard | 7-10 PM
Greenport Harbor Brewing (Gpt) | Open Mic Night | 7-10 PM

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Tom Loncar- Publisher