At the time of separation, the two largest villages in the Town were at Wading River and Lower or Old Aquebogue, which is now Jamesport. As government grew in Riverhead, the Town became responsible for many aspects of life within its borders. The Town began to provide recreation also. In 1923, it accepted a gift from Cora Reeves Barnes for 14 acres on Long Island Sound - this gift is known as Reeve's Park. Growth of the town population created a need for more ordinances and local laws covering such matters as marinas, housing, junkyards, jail terms, burning and building construction, carnivals, developments, advertising, agriculture districts, taverns, site plans and swimming pools.
Different departments regulate and enforce our ordinances and laws.
The Building Department, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Architectural Review Board, Environmental Quality Review Board, Community Development Agency, Police and Recreation Departments. Elected officials of the Town of Riverhead include Supervisor, Councilpersons, Town Clerk, Justices, Receiver of Taxes, Assessors and Superintendent of Highways. Since 1975, the Town Board has included 4 councilpeople and the Supervisor with 2 Town Justices serving separately. Justice Court takes care of criminal and civil cases, traffic violations, small claims court cases and jury trials. Today, the annual general Town meeting has been replaced with bi-monthly meetings which are held on the first and third Tuesday evenings.