Since the operator will be making beer on the premises, it is considered a manufacturing facility by the IDA. The building will house a brewery and tasting room. Twin Fork Beer Company plans to build an 11,480-square foot building on a 2.1-acre vacant lot at 807 Raynor Avenue in Riverhead. Simms did not make a statement explaining his vote against the brewery application before casting his vote, but his questions to the board, its attorney Richard Ehlers and executive director Tracy Stark-James, centered on the appropriateness of an enhanced property tax exemption being considered and ultimately granted. Simms objected, then cast his vote in opposition. At one point, IDA chairman Tom Cruso told Simms, who was questioning the terms of the benefits being considered for the brewery, to “calm down.” When it came time to vote on the Twin Fork Beer Company application, Cruso tallied the vote as four to one before Simms even voted.
His dissent came as no surprise to anyone in the room, given his longstanding, pointed criticism of the agency’s policies and practices.Īs Simms probed the brewery applicant for more information and pressed board members on details, the discussion grew somewhat tense.
and an application for a modification of a prior approval granted to a doctor’s office on Roanoke Avenue.
Simms took his seat at the table and in short order cast two “no” votes on resolutions approving applications pending before the agency: an new application for IDA benefits from Twin Fork Beer Company Inc. IDA critic Larry Simms attended his first meeting as an IDA board member yesterday.
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