Riverhead proposes "Pumpkin Smash" composting event Nov. 7 to support food-scrap program

A presenter proposed a community composting event at the town yard-waste facility: "So, I'd like to propose um a pumpkin smash event at the yard wastist facility uh to facilitate the composting and education of our food scrap program and have a fun activity for the kids and residents to come and uh recycle their old jacko'lanterns." The board discussed logistics, safety (glasses, gloves, high-visibility vests for children and volunteers), and several family-friendly activities such as mallet stations and cornhole.

The presenter said examples from other municipalities show the events can scale into ticketed fundraisers; the CDA director was reported to have confirmed funding: "I spoke with uh CDA director Don Thomas this morning and she said there's $1,500 in the CDA funds that are available for this, right?" A staff reply noted "For events. So 1,500 was would have covered this already." The board agreed to hold the event after Halloween on Saturday, Nov. 7 and settled on an 11 a.m.–3 p.m. window for coordination with a separate anti-litter activity. The transcript records planning and consensus but no formal motion or budget appropriation during this session.