Cross-Sound Catamaran Soon Will Ferry Freight

A 65-foot customized catamaran that will soon ferry goods between Long island and Connecticut made its maiden voyage to Huntington last week. Long Islander News photo/Peter Sloggatt (

By Peter Sloggatt
psloggatt@longislandergroup.com

A customized catamaran built to ferry freight across Long Island Sound made a test voyage to Huntington last week  in preparation for starting regular operations in early summer.

Harbor Harvest’s cargo craft pulled in to a dock behind its future market currently under construction on New York Avenue in Halesite. On board was just a single pallet which was hoisted by the on-deck crane in a test of what Captain Robert Kunkel hopes will be a frequent occurrence.

Kunkel is president of Alternative Marine Technologies and a marine consultant. The business operates Harbor Harvest, a waterfront farm-to-table market in Norwalk, Conn. Once the Huntington location is open, the operation will begin ferrying produce and locally produced goods like bakery products and craft beers across Long Island Sound. The aim is to open up farm-to-table markets to growers, and artisan bakers and makers on both sides of Sound.

Sustainability is at the core of the entire operation. The catamaran runs on electric power and pickups and deliveries at the Huntington market/warehouse will be by electric vehicles.

“No 18-wheelers,” Kunkel said. The boat is run completely on batteries, so there’s no emissions, no environmental impact and no noise.”

Meanwhile, workers are finishing out the building that will house a marketplace with some seating, as well as a warehouse space. The 4500-square-foot space is being finished with a modern, rustic look with wide plank wood flooring, plenty of exposed wood and custom pieces ion steel and wood. One piece is a whimsical tables with a bicycle for a base.

“The guys in the shop like to get creative,” Kunkel said.

So far Kunkel has about $3-million in the project, he said. A federal transportation grant will fund future operations and expansion.

Town Acquires Property For Parking Lot

Huntington town board members authorized a $3.2-million bond to acquire and redevelop the Chase Bank property in Huntington as a parking lot.

By Peter Sloggatt
psloggatt@longislandergroup.com

Parking-starved Huntington village will soon add more spaces to the inventory with the town’s acquisition of property  at New York Avenue and Gerard Street. The town board last week approved a $3.2-million bond to cover the $3.05-million purchase prices plus estimated  costs to develop the property for parking. The loy is expected to yield 71 spaces, according to a press release from the town.

The vote did not come easy. With bond votes requiring a supermajority of the board, Democrats Mark Cuthbertson and Joan Cergol held out to gain some additonal concessions before assenting.

“We had some leverage because they need four yes votes to bond,” Cergol said. Hoping to answer dissatisfaction expressed by numerous merchants, the dems were able to negotiate a freeze until 2023 on future parking meter fee increases, and gain a commitment that revenues generated by those fees will be dedicated to parking improvements, including construction of a planned parking garage.

Chase bank recently closed its bank branch on the property referring customers to its nearby branch at Main Street and Woodbury Road.

Grower’s Market Opens To Controversy

The Long Island Growers Market at Huntington opened to disappointment for many as one of its largest vendors was shut out.

By Peter Sloggatt
psloggatt@longislandergroup.com

Eagerly awaited by many each summer, the Sunday morning farmer’s market in Huntington village opened to diappointment and controversy last weekend.

Several vendors were absent from the Long Island Grower’s Market on opening day June 2, including it’s largest. Rockland County-based Orchards of Concklin has been selling apples, stone fruits, berries, pies and related products at the Huntington market for over 20 years, owner Rich Concklin said.

Conckin sat it out Sunday because the farmer’s market organizer Ethel Terry had been unable to clarify a question on Concklin’s eligibility since he is not Long Island-based.

The market was established to promote Long Island-grown produce and other products and Terry’s contract with the town states just that. Still, Concklin has participated without anyone making a fuss.

However, when she received the contract form the town attorney earlier this year, the Long Island requirement was underlined, Terry said. Having run afoul of the town last season over health department regulations and vendors providing samples to patrons, Terry said she asked for clarification.

“He sent his insurance in and they approved him, but I felt it would be a violation.

Terry sent a letter to the town board asking for an exception, but when it went unanswered, she advised Concklin to stay home.

Regulars at the market were not pleased.

“I was so disappointed. Turnout was terrible,” a 20-year customer Karen Barasik said. “Concklin bakes pies, they bring fresh eggs, and their quiches are amazing. It’s the largest stall in the market and it was missing.”

While Terry is working to resolve the issue, controversy erupted on social media over the poor vendor turnout. Worse, Terry’s attempts to explain that some vendors were missing because they hadn’t turned in required insurance was met with a sharp rebuke from the town. A post from Huntington’s offical Facebook page put the blame on Terry.

Barasik and others found the town administrator’s comments about Terry inappropriate.

“They insulted her,” Barasik said. “The person who wrote that needs a lesson in business etiquette.

Barasik said the situation could be resolved, simply. “Make an amendment to the contract and let them back in,” she said.