Preview
FILED: ALBANY COUNTY CLERK 02/15/2023 04:33 PM INDEX NO. 907862-22
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 37 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/15/2023
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
ALBANY COUNTY
---------------------------- ---------------x
In the Matter of the Application of
TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN,
Petitioner,
For an Order Pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice
Law and Rules and Agriculture and Markets Law§ 37
-against-
RICHARD A. BALL, Commissioner of the New York
State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and
DELEA SOD FARMS, INC., Index No. 907862-22
Respondents,
-and-
CENTRAL PINE BARRENS JOINT PLANNING &
POLICY COMMISSION,
Additional Respondent
Joined as a Necessary/
Affected Party Under
CPLR l00l(a)
------------------------------------------- X
VERIFIED ANSWER, OBJECTIONS IN LAW AND
ADMINISTRATIVE RETURN OF
RESPONDENT RICHARD A. BALL
Respondent Richard A. Ball, Commissioner of the New York State
Department of Agriculture and Markets ("Department") for the verified answer to
the Amended Verified Petition ("Amended Petition") of petitioner Town of
Brookhaven ("Town") [Doc. No. 1], alleges as follows. The Department:
1. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 1, as they are
the Town's characterization of its own Amended Petition to which no response is
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warranted, except admits that the Department issued an Order dated November 22,
2022 ("Order").
2. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 2, as they are
the Town's characterization of its own Amended Petition to which no response is
warranted, except admits that the Department issued a final determination dated
September 14, 2022 ("Final Determination") as well as the Order.
3. Denies the allegations of paragraph 3, except admits that the Order
bars enforcement by the Town of certain zoning code provisions, admits that the
Farm engages in mulch and compost activities, admits that the Farm is located in
the Compatible Growth Area as defined under the Long Island Pine Barrens
Protection Act codified in the Environmental Conservation Law, and respectfully
refers the Court to the Order and the Final Determination as the best evidence of
their contents.
4. Denies the allegations of paragraph 4, except admits that the
Department issued the Order pursuant to Agriculture & Markets Law ("A.M.L.")
sections 305-a and 36 and issued the Final Determination pursuant to A.M.L.
section 305-a, and respectfully refers the Court to the Order and those statutes as
the best evidence of their contents.
5. Denies the allegations of paragraph 5, except admits that the
Department issued the Order and the Final Determination, admits that the Final
Determination contains, among other things, language substantively the same as
the quoted language except for nonsubstantive errors introduced by the Town, and
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respectfully refers the Court to the Order and the Final Determination as the best
evidence of their contents.
6. Denies the allegations of paragraph 6.
7. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 7, as the
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the laws cited as the best evidence of their contents.
8. Denies the allegation in paragraph 8 that the Department has taken
any "impermissible" action, and otherwise neither admits nor denies the allegations
of paragraph 8 as those allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response
is warranted.
9. Admits the first sentence of paragraph 9, except denies knowledge and
information sufficient to form a belief as to the whether the operations of DeLea Sod
Farms, Inc. at its Miller Place location ("Farm") are in all respects lawful. Neither
admits nor denies the allegations of the second sentence of paragraph 9, as they are
the Town's characterization of its own action to which no response is warranted.
10. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 10, as the
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the laws cited as the best evidence of their contents.
11. Denies knowledge and information sufficient to form a belief as to
whether the operations of the Farm are in all respects lawful, denies that the
attached photographs accurately characterize the Farm, and otherwise neither
admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 11, as they either (a) are expressions
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of the Town's opinion to which no response is warranted, not allegations of fact, or
(b) call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully
refers the Court to the laws cited as the best evidence of their contents.
12. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 12, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the laws cited as the best evidence of their contents.
13. Admits that the language of the long quotation in paragraph 13
accurately reflects language found on the cited web page, admits that the language
of the long citation sets out information regarding the Pine Barrens Act and Central
Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, and otherwise neither admits
nor denies the allegations of paragraph 13, as those allegations call for a legal
conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to
the laws cited as the best evidence of their contents.
14. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 14, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
15. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 15, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
16. Denies the allegations of paragraph 16.
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17. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of the first sentence of
paragraph 17, as those allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response
is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best
evidence of their contents. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of the second
sentence of paragraph 17, as they are expressions of the Town's opinion to which no
response is warranted, not allegations of fact
18. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 18 to the
extent those allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is
warranted, otherwise denies, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited
authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
19. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 19 to the
extent those allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is
warranted, otherwise denies, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited
authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
20. Denies knowledge and information sufficient to form a belief as to the
truth of the allegations of paragraph 20, except admits that the Town is a municipal
corporation of the State of New York.
21. Denies the allegations of paragraph 21, except admits that respondent
Richard A. Ball, in his capacity as Commissioner of the Department, issued the
Order and participated in other ways in the administrative proceedings leading to
his issuance of the Order.
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22. Denies knowledge and information sufficient to form a belief as to the
truth of the allegations of paragraph 22, except admits that the Farm operates on
an approximately 258-acres site in Miller Place, New York and approximately 10
acres of that area is used for mulch and compost activities.
23. Admits that the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy
Commission is a New York State commission comprised of the identified members,
and otherwise neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 23 to the
extent those allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is
warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best
evidence of their contents.
24. Neither admits nor denies the assertions of paragraph 24, as they
either (a) they are the Town's characterization of its own Amended Petition to which
no response is warranted, or (b) call for a legal conclusion for which no response is
warranted, they are the Town's characterization of its own Amended Petition to
which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited
authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
25. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 25, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
26. Admits the allegations of the first sentence of paragraph 26. Neither
admits nor denies the other allegations of paragraph 26, as those allegations call for
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a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the
Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
27. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 27, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
28. Denies the allegations of paragraph 28.
29. Denies that the allegation in paragraph 29 that the Department
wrongfully ignored relevant information or legal authority, and otherwise neither
admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 29, as those allegations call for a
legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the
Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
30. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 30, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
31. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 31, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
32. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 32, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
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respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
33. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 33, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
34. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 34, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authority as the best evidence of its
contents.
35. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 35, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authority as the best evidence of its
contents.
36. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 36, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
37. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 37, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
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38. Neither admits nor denies the allegations of paragraph 38, as those
allegations call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and
respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their
contents.
39. Denies that the Town has made any showing of environmental harm
resulting from the Farm's activities, and otherwise neither admits nor denies the
allegations in paragraph 39, as they call for a legal conclusion for which no response
is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as the best
evidence of their contents.
40. Denies knowledge and information sufficient to form a belief as to the
truth of the allegations of the first sentence of paragraph 40. Denies the allegations
of the second sentence of paragraph 40.
41. Denies know ledge and information sufficient to form a belief as to the
truth of the allegations in paragraph 41 regarding the Farm's intent, and otherwise
neither admits nor denies the allegations in paragraph 41, as they call for a legal
conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to
the cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
42. Denies the allegations of paragraph 42, except admits that the
Department issued an informal opinion under Agriculture and Markets Law section
308(4) dated July 24, 2020 (the "Informal Opinion").
43. Denies the allegation in paragraph 43 that there is a material
inconsistency between the Order or the Final Determination, on the one hand, and
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the Informal Opinion on the other, and otherwise neither admits nor denies the
allegations in paragraph 43, as they call for a legal conclusion for which no response
is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited documents as the best
evidence of their contents.
44. Denies the allegations of paragraph 44.
45. Denies the allegations of paragraph 45.
46. Denies the allegation in paragraph 46 that the Order or the Final
Determination rest on any flawed bases, and otherwise neither admits nor denies
the allegations in paragraph 46, as they call for a legal conclusion for which no
response is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as
the best evidence of their contents.
47. Denies the allegations of paragraph 47, except admits that mulch is
generally not used to install sod, and avers that the Farm's sale of mulch is
incidental to the sale of nursery stock.
48. Denies the allegation in the first sentence of paragraph 48 that any
Department conclusions were irrational, and otherwise neither admits nor denies
the allegations in that sentence, as they call for a legal conclusion for which no
response is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as
the best evidence of their contents. Denies the second sentence of paragraph 48,
except admits that the Farm does not produce mulch at its Miller Place location and
mulch is generally not used to install sod, and avers that the Farm's sale of mulch is
incidental to the sale of nursery stock.
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49. Denies the allegation in paragraph 49 that any Department
conclusions were contrary to any law, and otherwise neither admits nor denies the
allegations in that sentence, as they call for a legal conclusion for which no response
is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited authority as the best
evidence of its contents.
50. Denies the allegation in the last sentence of paragraph 50 that the
Order or Final Determination rested on any improper basis, and otherwise neither
admits nor denies the allegations in that paragraph, as they call for a legal
conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to
the cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
51. Denies the allegations of paragraph 51.
52. Neither admits nor denies the allegations in paragraph 52, as they call
for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the
Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
53. Denies the allegations in the first three sentences and footnote 9 of
paragraph 53, except admits that the Farm does not produce mulch at its Miller
Place location and mulch is generally not used to install sod, and respectfully refers
the Court to the Order and Final Determination as the best evidence of their
contents. Denies the allegation in the last sentence of paragraph 53 that the Order
or Final Determination is contrary to any controlling law or policy, and otherwise
neither admits nor denies the allegations in the last sentence of that paragraph, as
they call for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted.
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54. With regard to paragraph 54, repeats and realleges the responses to
paragraphs 1 through 53 as if fully set forth herein.
55. Neither admits nor denies the allegations in paragraph 55, as they call
for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the
Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
56. Neither admits nor denies the allegations in paragraph 56, as they call
for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the
Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
57. Neither admits nor denies the allegations in paragraph 57, as they call
for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the
Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
58. Neither admits nor denies the allegations in paragraph 58, as they call
for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the
Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
59. Neither admits nor denies the allegations in paragraph 59, as they call
for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, except admits that the
Final Determination cited E.C.L. § 57-0133, and respectfully refers the Court to the
cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
60. Denies the allegations in paragraph 60.
61. Denies the allegations in paragraph 61.
62. With regard to paragraph 62, repeats and realleges the responses to
paragraphs 1 through 61 as if fully set forth herein.
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63. Denies the allegations in paragraph 63.
64. Denies the allegations in paragraph 64.
65. With regard to paragraph 65, repeats and realleges the responses to
paragraphs 1 through 64 as if fully set forth herein.
66. Denies the allegations in the first sentence of paragraph 66, except
admits that the Farm engages in mulch and compost activities on approximately 10
acres of its more than 250-acre site in Miller Place, New York, and denies
knowledge and information sufficient to form a belief as to the whether the Farm's
operations are in all respects lawful. Neither admits nor denies the allegations in
the second sentence of paragraph 66, as they call for a legal conclusion for which no
response is warranted, and respectfully refers the Court to the cited authorities as
the best evidence of their contents.
67. Neither admits nor denies the allegations in paragraph 67, as they call
for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, and respectfully refers the
Court to the cited authorities as the best evidence of their contents.
68. Neither admits nor denies the allegations in paragraph 68, as they call
for a legal conclusion for which no response is warranted, except denies that
Agriculture and Markets Law section 305-a must be interpreted to prohibit the
Farm's mulch and compost activities.
69. Denies the allegations in paragraph 69.
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70. Denies each and every factual allegation of the Amended Petition that
is not otherwise herein admitted or denied, or for which the Department has not
denied knowledge and information sufficient to form a belief.
OBJECTIONS IN POINT OF LAW
1. The Town lacks capacity to sue.
2. The Long Island Pine Barrens Maritime Reserve Act, Envtl. Conserv.
L. §§ 57-0101 through -0213, does not limit or otherwise alter the Department's
authority under sections 305-a and 36 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
3. The Central Pine Barrens Comprehensive Land Use Plan adopted by
the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission does not limit or
otherwise alter the Department's authority under sections 305-a and 36 of the
Agriculture and Markets Law.
4. The laws of the Town of Brookhaven do not limit or otherwise alter the
Department's authority under sections 305-a and 36 the Agriculture and Markets
Law.
5. The Department's issuance of the Order and the Final Determination,
and any other Department findings, conclusions, decisions or actions that are the
subject of this case were not (a) made in violation of lawful procedure, (b) affected by
an error of law, (c) arbitrary and capricious, or (d) an abuse of discretion.
6. The Department's issuance of the Order and the Final Determination,
and any other Department findings, conclusions, decisions or actions that are the
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subject of this case were rational, a proper exercise of the Department's discretion
and fully complied with applicable law.
7. The facts and circumstances do not warrant this Court ordering
invalidation, rescission, vacatur, annulment, reversal, costs and disbursements, or
any other relief against the Department.
ADMINISTRATIVE RETURN AND AFFIRMATIVE
STATEMENT OF THE GROUNDS FOR THE
DEPARTMENT'S ACTIONS
The Department has acted in accordance with all relevant procedures,
policies, laws and regulations applicable to it, and the bases for its actions are
rational, for the reasons set out in the Department's return in this matter, which
includes the documents in the certified Administrative Record (February 14, 2023),
the Affidavit of Kathleen E. Tylutki with exhibit (February 14, 2023), the
Affirmation of Andrew G. Frank with exhibits (February 14, 2023), and the
accompanying Memorandum of Law, all of which are filed herewith and
incorporated herein.
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Dated: New York, New York
February 14, 2023
LETITIA JAMES,
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK
By: A+- G _(2_(_
Andrew G. Frank, Esq.
Assistant Attorney General
New York State Attorney General's
Office
28 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10005
Telephone: (212) 416-8271
E-mail: andrew.frank@ag.ny.gov
Counsel for Respondent Richard A. Ball,
Commissioner of the New York State
Department of Agriculture and Markets
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VERIFICATION
STATE OF NEW YORK )
) ss.:
COUNTY OF ALBANY )
Danielle C. Cordier, being duly sworn, deposes and says:
I am an Associate Attorney at the New York State Department of Agriculture
and Markets (the "Department"), and was involved in the Department's issuance of
the November 22, 2022 Order, the September 14, 2022 Final Determination and the
administrative proceedings leading to those issuances. I have reviewed the annexed
Verified Answer, Objections in Point of Law and Administrative Return and know
the contents thereof. The Verified Answer, Objections in Point of Law and
Administrative Return are true to my knowledge, except as to matters stated to be
alleged upon information and belief, and as to those matters, I believe them to be
true. The sources of my knowledge, information and belief are the records kept in
the Department's files, my personal knowledge, and discussions with Department
staff.
...
Danielle C. Cordier
Swo n to before me this
{ y, 2023
NICOLE PERSAUD
Notary Public, State of New York
Reg.No.01 PE6248087
NO Qual!tied in Kings County 3
/I
Commission Expires September 12, 20© _
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