Government

Town to require bulkhead repair licenses?

TIM KELLY FILE PHOTO | The remains of bulkheading on Veterans Memorial Park beach in Mattituck are slated to be replaced this year.

The Southold Town Trustees want to require marine contractors to obtain a town-issued license before beginning construction on private bulkheads and docks.

During its work session Tuesday, Town Board members met with the Trustees to discuss that request.

The Trustees, who are charged with enforcing the town’s wetland code, said they have noticed an increase in “shoddy” workmanship on marine structures that required rebuilding post-Sandy. That board believes mandating marine contractors to apply for seasonal work licenses each year will protect homeowners from being slapped with code violations due to substandard construction and better ensure that the contractors abide by town policy.

While Suffolk County requires all contractors to hold home improvement licenses for household construction, including construction on marine structures, the suggested policy would separate the two, giving the town more control over building near the coastline.

Supervisor Scott Russell said creating such a license may required amending the town’s wetland code. He suggested a joint meeting of the Town Board, Trustees and building department before proceeding.

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