March 12, 2026
Shelter Island Town Board prioritizes finishing its Comprehensive Plan with public hearings in April and May, aiming for a final vote by summer. Housing and facilities plans also top the agenda amid Suffolk County pressures.
The **Shelter Island Town Board** kicked off 2026 by outlining key goals, placing a **Comprehensive Plan** update at the top with public hearings set for late April and May, leading to a final decision by summer's end.
At their January 6 work session, Deputy Supervisor **Meg Larsen**, a long-time Plan Task Force member, and clerk **Coco Lee Thuman** led efforts to incorporate board changes into the draft, joined by Supervisor **Amber Brach-Williams**. This plan guides development, land use, transportation, and housing policy in the town. The last full plan dates to 1994, with a 2008 update rejected by the board.
New Councilwoman **Liz Hanley** demands a robust housing section, advocating transfer of development rights from **Community Preservation Fund** lands to the Center area for affordable units. Suffolk County Department of Health Services blocks this due to missing sewer and water infrastructure. Hanley also eyes spring groundbreaking on affordable rental sites, calling her goals "ambitious."
The board also targets a **Town facilities master plan**, with Town Engineer **Joe Finora** securing bids from responders. In nearby **Town of Babylon**, the board passed Local Law 4 of 2026 and budget adjustments like $16,851 increases and $14,025 revenue shifts, all by 5-0 votes on January 28. Suffolk towns face tax cap pressures, with seven planning to pierce the 2% limit via supermajority votes.
These moves signal urgent action on growth and services across Suffolk County. Brookhaven is also updating its land use plan for the first time in 30 years, with open houses this month. Meanwhile, the Babylon Town Board recently approved $2.5M in bonds for park upgrades as part of broader municipal investment across the region. Stay informed on local government decisions—explore more **LI Daily** coverage on Suffolk County town board votes today.
