Town of Brookhaven

Photo from Councilmember Kornreich's office

By Samantha Rutt

Residents gathered at the Setauket Fire Station on Main Street Feb. 5 for the Three Village Civic Association’s first meeting of the calendar year. The meeting agenda featured a presentation by local Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook). The event served as a platform for the councilmember to provide vital updates on community projects, initiatives and future plans, while eliciting engagement and feedback from attendees.

With a focus on transparency and community involvement, the meeting kicked off with an overview of ongoing and upcoming projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents across Three Village. Kornreich mentioned the emergence of a “Founder’s Park” to be constructed near 25A and Gnarled Hollow Road. The park, still in its infancy planning stage, would be set on the presumed landing place of Setauket’s founders. In the park would feature a playground, to be donated by a local family currently fundraising, as well as the historic Roe Tavern, eventually to be relocated to the park’s assumed location. While still in the early stages, the park plans to serve as a place for the community to gather and celebrate its rich history.

Among the key topics discussed was the progress of various infrastructure projects, including sewer system infrastructure. The councilmember emphasized the importance of prioritizing infrastructure investments to ensure the safety and well-being of residents while fostering economic growth and development.

Kornreich explained the necessity of more wastewater infrastructure within the bounds of his district, primarily along 25A. The councilmember further clarified that the installation of sewers and their intended placement is simply theoretical at the moment.

“In theory, the purpose of the sewer study is to determine the feasibility of running a sewer line from the university all down 25A, including Stony Brook village, and connecting to the Port Jeff STP [sewage treatment plant],” he said.

The potential installation of this sewer system would enhance environmental protection for the Three Village community. 

Additionally, attendees were briefed on community related initiatives, including changes to signage displayed along the roadside, the Commercial Redevelopment District legislation, the abolition of both Town of Brookhaven’s accessory apartment and planning boards, and the Highway Department’s upgrades. 

During his presentation, Kornreich laid out the improvements to local highways sharing that the Highway Department will soon install new antique lighting along 25A over the next two years. The department also plans to combat consistent flooding seen along Dyke Road by pitching and adjusting the roadway accounting for overflow of water. 

Kornreich also mentioned the town’s Community Choice Aggregation program, helping the community to understand the realities and complexities of this program. The program’s goal is to help residents who use natural gas to save by opting for a fixed rate. Kornreich explained that all town residents were automatically opted into this program, though since the adoption the National Grid rates have come in under that of the fixed rate. 

“I realize that it’s not a good deal at the moment because the National Grid price, which fluctuates, has on average been much lower than the fixed CCA price since the inception of the CCA,” Kornreich explained. “You can opt in and out of the CCA whenever you want.”

Throughout the presentation, attendees had the opportunity to engage with the councilmember, asking questions and providing feedback on specific projects and initiatives. The interactive nature of the meeting facilitated meaningful dialogue.

As a former president of the civic association, Kornreich expressed his gratitude in connecting with residents and sharing updates on the ongoing efforts to enhance the community. He emphasized the ready availability of his office and staff, calling on residents to stay informed and actively participate in shaping the future of Three Village. 

For those unable to attend the meeting, information and updates on the community and related civic association matters can be found at www.3vcivic.org.

Photo from Councilwoman Bonner's office

On January 6, Councilwoman Jane Bonner was on hand to swear in the new board members of the Rocky Point Civic Association at the Fischer Hewins VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point. The association was founded to promote the welfare and quality of life in Rocky Point and the surrounding community.

“The Rocky Point Civic Association has a long history of community service that has helped make it a great place to live,” said Councilwoman Bonner. “I congratulate the incoming officers and look forward to working with them in the future.”

Pictured from left are Trustee Quentin Palifka; Trustee Alicia Palifka, Trustee; Sargent at Arms Tina Bogart; President Gary Pollakusky; Vice President Jennifer Hald; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Secretary Tom Buttacavoli; Membership Secretary Kathy Weber and Trustee Lea Buttacavoli.

The Rocky Point Civic Association regular meetings are on the first Thursday of the month. For more information, go to www.RPCivic.org or email [email protected].

Suffolk County’s most famous weatherman did not disappoint. This morning, at 7:25 a.m., before a crowd of several hundred spectators, Holtsville Hal awoke from his slumber and did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring for the Town of Brookhaven.

According to tradition, if a groundhog sees its shadow after emerging from his burrow on Groundhog Day, there will be six more weeks of winter weather; if not, spring should arrive early.

Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro read from Hal’s official prognostication: “…At sunrise, the sky was filled with more than one cloud, And so I hope your cheers will be quite loud. I did NOT see my shadow in the early morning hours, And so the wait will not be long until we see flowers. Sun and warm temperatures the next few weeks will bring, I hope everyone enjoys this year’s early Spring!”

“Thankfully, after a wet and rainy January, Hal has given us a sunny outlook for the remainder of this winter season,” Losquadro said.  “Regardless, the Brookhaven Highway Department is prepared, as always, for whatever Mother Nature sends our way.”

Holtsville Hal is just one of the more than 100 animals who reside at the Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve.  The center, which is open all year-round, includes a wildlife preserve, greenhouses, gardens, and jogging and exercise trails. For more information, visit www.brookhavenny.gov or call 631-451-5330.

Photo from Town of Brookhaven

 Brookhaven Town Highway Superintendent Daniel P. Losquadro and Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner have announced the completion of the reconstruction of North Country Road in Shoreham from Woodville Road in Shoreham to Pheasant Run in Wading River. This $3-million paving and sidewalk improvement project was partially funded with a grant administered by the New York State Department of Transportation in the amount of $1,780,000.

North Country Road, a major arterial roadway for residents in the area, was resurfaced from Woodville Road in Shoreham to Pheasant Run in Wading River; also paved during this paving project were Briarcliff Road, Cordwood Path, Missapogue Court, Southgate, and Randall Road from North Country Road to 25A in Shoreham. In addition to the resurfacing of the roadways, this project involved removing damaged and non-compliant sidewalk and replacing with new, ADA-compliant sidewalk and ramps along a nearly two-mile stretch from Woodville Road to the Town beach entrance; 2,250 square feet of retaining wall; additional drainage and 175 linear feet of piping; as well as intersection improvements.

The total cost for the engineering and concrete work was approximately $2.4 million; the resurfacing of the roadways cost approximately $592,000.

“I am extremely grateful to have secured NYS funding to assist with this comprehensive road and sidewalk reconstruction project that helped to correct a multitude of problems on this main thoroughfare for the SWR community,” said Superintendent Losquadro. “This project had been on my radar for some time and I am very pleased with the new and improved North Country Road which is safer for pedestrians, students, bicyclists and motorists.”

Councilwoman Bonner said, “Thanks to Superintendent Losquadro for securing the funds and getting all the work done before it’s too cold to pave. Winter is a busy time for the men and women of the Highway Department, but the residents of Brookhaven Town can rest assured that infrastructure improvements are a year-round priority.”

Councilman Neil Foley being sworn in by Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico on Jan. 11. Snapshot from the town website

Newly elected Supervisor Dan Panico (R) headed the first Town of Brookhaven board meeting of the new year Jan. 11. Panico opened the meeting with a brief call to recognition of children, noting, “Children in this world do not ask for war and are the most innocent among us.” He urged everyone to “think about the children of our world and what they are enduring.” 

Before the meeting commenced, Panico swore in Councilman Neil Foley (R), for his 10th year in office. Foley serves District 5, which encompasses Blue Point, parts of Lake Ronkonkoma, Holbrook, Holtsville and Medford, North Patchogue, Patchogue, East Patchogue and Davis Park Fire Island. 

Following Panico’s opening acknowledgment, the members of the Town Board addressed their several agendas for the Thursday evening meeting. Each meeting has a built-in time slot welcoming public comments, though this particular meeting had no cards registered for comment. 

Some of the most important topics addressed were:

• Approval of a one-year intermunicipal agreement to provide demolition and disposal services for the Village of Port Jefferson for its blighted properties. Approval of this agreement further addresses Port Jefferson’s vacant, abandoned, derelict and blighted properties needing to be demolished.

• Establishment of a Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program for Cedar Beach Habitat Restoration. The cost of the program is projected around $120,000. The project plans to remove invasive plants, establish native plant species and install wildlife tunnels in order to reduce erosion. Additionally, to promote coastal resiliency, improve water quality in Mount Sinai Harbor and the Long Island Sound and support the improvement of vulnerable local diamondback terrapin populations.

• Approval of various improvements to the Brookhaven Town landfill using proceeds from serial bonds totaling $4.5 million. The funding will go toward the cost of various original improvements including, but not limited to, gas management, odor control and leachate control improvements.

• Improvements to localities such as town parks and recreational areas, town parking lots, road reconstruction and right-of-way improvements, among others, were also approved using bonds. 

• Authorized the issuance of $250,000 in bonds for the development of a Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan for the North Shore. 

More information on this Town Board meeting can be found at brookhavenny.portal.civicclerk.com. The next meeting will be held Feb. 1 at Brookhaven Town Hall.

Dan Panico, alongside his family, being sworn in on Jan. 8. Photo by Aidan Johnson

By Aidan Johnson

Dan Panico (R) was sworn in as Town of Brookhaven’s supervisor Jan. 8, marking the first time in over a decade that the town has a new supervisor. He takes over from Ed Romaine (R), now Suffolk County executive. 

Panico had served as councilman for the town’s 6th District since 2010 and as deputy supervisor since 2012. He was elected to the role of town supervisor in last November’s election with 62% of the votes, beating Democratic challenger Lillian Clayman.

“The Town of Brookhaven — I, as the supervisor, and the Town Board — stand ready to meet the needs of the people we represent,” Panico said in his speech during the swearing-in ceremony. “Anyone here who knows anything about me knows two things: I’m not going to let grass grow under my feet, and I’m not here simply clocking time.”

Panico described the issues the town faces that he plans on tackling, citing one of the biggest hurdles as being “how long it takes to get things done in a municipality.” To combat this, he plans on introducing legislation that would shorten the time for necessary projects in Brookhaven to be completed. 

“We are going to shorten the period where a developer with a good project can come before the Town Board, get a change of zone, then site plan approval in the same night, cutting out almost a year on the back end,” Panico said.

Additionally, he announced that the Accessory Apartment Board will no longer exist, and the applications will now be administratively approved by the Building Division, if the application meets the requirements.

The supervisor also said that a partnership is necessary with higher levels of government, citing the need for federal infrastructure money in order to “sewer out our communities” and the environmental bonds from the state government to use for issues such as clean water and the environment.

Panico addressed the lack of access that the residents of North Bellport — which he called “one of the most de facto segregated communities on Long Island” — have to Ho-Hum Beach, that is open only to residents of Bellport, saying that the residents of North Bellport “deserve a means by which to enjoy this Island and go to the beach.” 

“I want to be partners with the village to make this happen, but by no means will I allow this to go,” Panico said. “Even if it means contracting to run our own ferry so that the people of North Bellport can get over to the beach, a community where at times you don’t have two vehicles per household.”

Panico also criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) proposals to build housing across Long Island. 

Panico further said that Albany lacks respect for local government because local elections have been moved to even-numbered years starting in 2026, calling it “a mentality of winning by any means, and it is a mentality that is tearing apart this country.”

Along with Panico, Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro (R), Receiver of Taxes Louis Marcoccia (R) and councilmembers were sworn in. 

District 1 Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook), who serves as the sole Democrat on the Town Council, said that he had total confidence in Panico that “he’s here for the right reasons.”

“I think he’s a guy that once he comes into work in the morning, he leaves the partisan affiliation at the door,” Kornreich said in an interview. 

Photo from Town of Brookhaven

Recently, Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (right) presented a compost tumbler to Diane Enright (center) from Port Jefferson Station, one of six winners of the “Brookhaven Recycles Day” Compost Tumbler Giveaway. Pictured at left is Town of Brookhaven Recycling Educator, Zachary Sicardi.

The online contest was held on Facebook with a winner selected from each Town Council District. For more information about recycling in the Town of Brookhaven, visit www.BrookhavenNY.gov .

Through Supervisor Ed Romaine’s Green Energy and Sustainability Initiative, the Town has been “greening-up” its operations and facilities while saving taxpayer money by utilizing new, and more energy efficient technologies and renewable energy sources. All these efforts lower operation costs and reduce Town carbon emissions. By encouraging waste diversion through recycling and composting, the Town can further realize spending and emissions reductions.

Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico has announced that the Town’s Youth Bureau will hold its annual INTERFACE Coat Drive from January 8 to February 9 to help residents in need stay warm this winter. Donations of new or gently used clean coats, scarves, hats and gloves in infant to adult sizes can be dropped off at the following locations:

  • Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill, Farmingville
  • Brookhaven Highway Department, 1140 Old Town Road, Coram
  • Henrietta Acampora Recreation Center, 39 Montauk Highway, Blue Point
  • New Village Recreation Center, 20 Wireless Road, Centereach
  • Rose Caracappa Senior Center, 739 Route 25A, Mount Sinai
  • Moriches Bay Recreation Center, 313 Frowein Road, Center Moriches
  • Brookhaven Town Parks and Recreation Department, 286 Hawkins Road, Centereach
  • Brookhaven Town Vehicle Control Building, 550 North Ocean Avenue, Patchogue
  • Village of Lake Grove Hall & Rec Center, 980 Hawkins Avenue, Lake Grove

“Many of our residents are going through hard times and may not have proper clothing to keep warm during the winter months,” said Supervisor Panico. “I thank our Youth Bureau for organizing the Coat Drive and I encourage residents to make a donation to help their neighbors in need.

Hours of operation for the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau INTERFACE Program’s Annual Coat Drive are from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. For further information, please contact Josie Lunde at the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau or call at 631-451-8011.

About INTERFACE:

INTERFACE is a partnership between individuals, generous corporate neighbors and the Town of Brookhaven united in a shared effort to give assistance to Brookhaven’s less fortunate residents all year round.

Representatives of Bicycle Path Group LLC present redevelopment plans for the property at 507 North Bicycle Path. Photo by Raymond Janis

Members of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association went back and forth Tuesday night, Dec. 19, wrestling over conditions for land development within the hamlet.

During its December meeting, the body heard presentations from two separate applicants before the Town of Brookhaven. In a show of local oversight, the civic opted to submit letters for both applicants with conditions.

Representatives of Bicycle Path Group LLC, owner of the property at 507 North Bicycle Path, presented plans to renovate a 4,000-square-foot commercial building into a medical office and construct a separate 20,000-square-foot medical office on the 2 1/2-acre parcel.

Members posed various questions surrounding architectural design, landscaping, parking and proliferation of medical office space locally.

Also before the civic Tuesday, representatives of Riverhead Building Supply explained the setbacks involved with its proposed special-use permit for a masonry showroom at the company’s newly-acquired Hallock Avenue property, seeking to bring the current facilities on-site up to code.

Civic member Jen Dzvonar, also president of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce, introduced a resolution to write a letter of no objection for the proposed renovations for the masonry showroom.

Lou Antoniello modified Dzvonar’s resolution, offering to issue a letter of no objection, subject to improvements to the landscaping at the entrance of the property.

Countering, Dzvonar suggested the conditional letter would place unnecessary impediments upon the local business owner: “I think to try to request exactly what plants, what trees and what flowers they’re going to be putting on their property — I mean, you don’t ask that of your neighbor,” the chamber president said.

Antoniello, however, referred to the modification as a “simple request to see somebody’s landscaping plan,” adding that it establishes a precedent for future development.

“It doesn’t mean they’re not going to come to our community and build — it doesn’t mean we’re discouraging” the property owner, he said. “Precedent is the word we should use here. So when people drive by existing businesses, they say, ‘This is what the community expects.’”

Following these deliberations, the members approved Antoniello’s conditional letter of no objection.

Returning to the proposed medical office, the body again opted to exercise its land use oversight function. The members agreed to issue a letter to the property owner, requesting tweaks to the site plan to accommodate resident concerns over architectural style and parking.

The civic will meet again on Jan. 23.

File photo

By Samantha Rutt

Brookhaven Town Board held its recurring meeting on Tuesday evening, Dec. 19. Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) opened the meeting with a brief moment of silence to reflect on the giving nature of the holiday season and wished the town a clean bill of health and prosperity in the new year.

Following the moment of silence, Chief Fire Marshal Christopher Mehrman gave a brief presentation on the damages sustained from the Dec. 17-18 storm. Several photographs of the related damages accompanied the presentation. Although the fire marshal’s presentation concentrated on Fire Island and the barrier beaches, he explained that every community sustained some damage.

“Though we are mainly concentrated on the barrier beach, Fire Island, every community sustained some degree of damage,” Mehrman said. 

The presentation provided a detailed estimate of the loss of height and width on the shoreline of the Fire Island Pines community. The loss of dunes will affect the overall protection of this area from the nearby ocean. Romaine emphasized the importance of recuperating from this loss.

“It is something that Councilman Foley (R-Blue Point), Councilman Panico (R-Manorville), and I warned about several months ago,” Romaine said. “Our fear would be exactly what has happened, threatening the stability of the island and several of the homes.”

Upon conclusion of the presentation, the meeting continued with its usual discourse before addressing the dedication of the Edward P. Romaine Nature Preserve, an approximately 8-acre property in East Moriches. The land is a mix of native grasses and shrubs that provide a habitat for various species and will be preserved for open space. 

“There’s no better gift you can give than open space on an island that has sometimes been overdeveloped,” Romaine said. 

“Edward P. Romaine, a long-standing elected official in Suffolk County and supervisor of the Town of Brookhaven for the past 11 years, has been an advocate to protect natural resources and the environment,” the town notes in its resolution. “It is the town’s desire to recognize the many contributions made by Edward P. Romaine to the Town of Brookhaven and the environment by naming this nature preserve in his honor.” 

In conjunction with land preservation, a $60,000 grant — that the town will match — was approved as part of the Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program. The project will restore habitats along Cedar Beach by the removal of invasive plants, establishing native plant species, installing wildlife tunnels, promoting coastal resiliency, enhancing habitat, improving water quality in Mount Sinai Harbor and the Long Island Sound, and supporting the improvement of vulnerable local diamondback terrapin population.

Brookhaven Town Board will reconvene on Jan. 11. To learn more about the Dec. 19 meeting and future meetings, visit the Town of Brookhaven website: brookhavenny.portal.civicclerk.com.