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Yearly Archives: 2024

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Colin Veit at the finishing stretch of the 5K in Queensbury New York. He is the first Royal to cross the line at 16:33.50. Photo courtesy Shannon Handley

By Steven Zaitz

The 2024 Port Jefferson boys cross-country team experienced the lowest of lows as well as the highest of highs this past season.

The Magnificent Seven — seniors Colin Veit and Max Joyner,  juniors Christopher Nam, Sviatoslav Zalizniak, Chase Davis, Lucas Sweeney,  and sophomore Sean Grossman —captured the Class D New York State Championship on Nov. 16. It was the first state title for Royal runners on the boys side since 1976.

Max Joyner running in the State Championships for Port Jefferson High School. Photo courtesy Shannon Handley

The team was coached to victory by Andy Cosci, who took over the team in 2022 from longtime coach Roderick Cawley, who had served the Port Jefferson School District in a variety of track and cross-county roles for close to four decades. He died this past October at the age of 65, just six weeks prior to the Royals’ historic victory.

“Coach Cawley deeply impacted not only the cross-country team but everyone in Port Jeff,” said Joyner, who ran 16:48.90 in the 5000-meter race held in Queensbury. ”I have two older brothers who ran, going back to 2017 and he really touched everyone. He had nicknames for everybody and he built up the program to what it is today.”

Grossman, the youngest, but tallest, of the winning septet of runners, also felt the warmth of Cawley’s glow.

“Not only was he a coach here, but he also taught here for many years,” said Grossman, who finished up at 17.12.10. “We were devastated when he passed away and we knew that his last wish was to win the state championship. It was one thing he wanted and I’m glad we were able to do that for him.”

Davis recounted when he initially became a track-and-field athlete. 

“Cawley had a great effect on me and he would encourage me to try different events,” said Davis, who ran in 17:56.20. “He really helped me fit in and feel comfortable when I first joined this team.”

The team was led by Veit, who finished 10th overall at 16:33.50 at Queensbury. The team as a whole had the top 5 average of 17:05 – 17 seconds ahead of second-place Remsen.

“We trained for months leading up to this race so we were really well prepared,” said Joyner, “It was really rewarding to have it pay off in such a phenomenal way.”

The entire team made a great tribute to coach Cawley by inscribing his name on their forearms as they ran the state championship race. Cawley was well known throughout high school running circles, as he won 19 league titles, Coach of the Year in Suffolk County 24 times and was a great organizer and promoter of track and field across New York state. Port Jefferson High School was the host of the state meet 17 different times in Cawley’s career.

He will be missed not only in Port Jefferson but by the track-and-field community of coaches, athletes and colleagues throughout the State of New York.

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Giampiero Cali
Photo from SCPD
Photo from SCPD

Giampiero Cali to Pay $50,000 in Fines, Serve Five Years of Probation, Perform 840 Hours of Environmentally-Focused Community Service or Serve Six Months in Jail, and Forfeit his Commercial Dump Truck

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Dec. 5 that Giampiero Cali, 48, of Farmingville, pleaded guilty to Endangering the Public Health, Safety or the Environment in the First Degree, a class C felony, and other related charges, for dumping hazardous materials in Suffolk County that originated from a Brooklyn demolition site.

“Suffolk is no one’s dump site,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This is our home. I will continue to devote substantial resources to ensure we have the purest land, air, and water, not only for our enjoyment, but for our health and safety.”

Cali, a principal at Truck Tec Material Corporation, was charged with intentionally dumping acutely hazardous materials in the form of construction and demolition debris, sourced from a demolition site in Brooklyn, at CMM Landscape Supply in Yaphank. Cali’s unlawful conduct, which occurred on April 12, 2024, was compounded by his effort to defraud CMM staff that his payload consisted of “clean fill,” a deception without which he would not have been able to dump at that facility.

It was further compounded by the fact that, pursuant to a corporate plea in separate case against Truck Tec Material Corporation, taken just two days earlier on April 10, 2024, Cali had been directed to dispose of this specific payload at Posillico Materials, a facility authorized to accept such material by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It was finally compounded by his effort to conceal his unlawful disposal at CMM by creating a “substitute” payload, which he attempted, but failed, to pass off as the original payload to both environmental crime investigators and Posillico.

The case against Truck Tec and Cali began in February 2024, when Cali directed a Truck Tec employee to pick up a payload of demolition debris in Brooklyn using a Truck Tec-registered commercial dump truck, and then bring that payload to a residential site in Medford for disposal. When the employee arrived at the Brooklyn construction site, he texted Cali that the payload was not clean fill. Cali responded to the employee to take only small pieces, mix it with other fill to disguise its characteristics, and load it. The departing Truck Tec vehicle was flagged by members of the New York City Business Integrity Commission, who notified detectives with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST) to be on the lookout for the vehicle for possible illegal dumping. BEAST detectives then tracked the vehicle and intercepted it just as it was about to dump the dirty payload onto residential property in Medford.

The truck was impounded for safety violations and on suspicion of contaminated fill. A laboratory analysis was conducted on the fill and revealed the presence of cobalt, an acutely hazardous substance under New York State regulations. Truck Tec, through corporate counsel, subsequently took a corporate plea for attempted unlawful disposal of solid waste, ultimately resulting in a $15,000 fine against the corporation with a direction to cure all safety violations with the truck itself and to dispose of the dirty payload at Posillico Materials with compliance reporting on each aspect to the court. Cali initially made arrangements with Posillico, however, after permissions were secured to release the truck, he instead drove the contaminated payload to CMM, where he falsely informed CMM staff that the payload was “clean fill,” resulting in a greatly reduced price for disposal and permission to dump on CMM grounds.

When BEAST investigators soon thereafter confronted Cali, he fabricated paperwork with Posillico and attempted to pass off a separate load of fill as the contaminated payload. After BEAST investigators conducted a comparative fill analysis, Cali’s fraud was exposed.

For his actions, Cali was subsequently indicted, in his individual capacity, for:

  •   One count of Endangering the public health, safety or the environment in the first degree, a Class C felony;
  •   One count of Endangering the public health, safety or the environment in the third degree, a Class E felony;
  •   Five counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, Class E felonies;
  •   One count of Unlawful Dealing in Hazardous Wastes in the second degree, a Class Amisdemeanor; and
  •   One count of Unlawful disposal of solid waste, a Class B misdemeanor.On December 5, 2024, Cali pleaded guilty to all the charges contained in the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.Justice Horowitz sentenced Cali to 840 hours of environmentally-focused community service and five years of probation. If Cali is unable to complete all of the community service within six months, he will be sentenced to six months’ incarceration as an alternative. In addition, Cali will have to pay an additional $50,000 in fines (on top of the $15,000 incurred against his corporation), and his dump truck has been forfeited to Suffolk County. Under New York State law, the District Attorney’s Office has the authority to seize and forfeit property used in the commission of environmental felony crimes. The District Attorney has continuously pledged to use every legal tool at his disposal, including civil asset forfeiture, to strip criminals of the means to commit these acts.

    Cali was represented by Vito Palmieri, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kendall Walsh and Jed Painter of the District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team (BEAST), with Assistant District Attorneys Michael Reynolds and Craig Pavlik of the District Attorney’s Asset Forfeiture and Intelligence Bureau (AFIB) handling the civil asset forfeiture aspect of case. The criminal investigation was conducted by Detectives Walter Justincic, Thomas Smith, and Donna Giordano of the District Attorney’s Squad, with valued support from the NYC Business Integrity Commission and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. The asset investigation was conducted by SCDA Detective Investigators Paul Rauseo and Michael Dunn.

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Ernie and the Band perform on Dec. 1 at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook. Photo by Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) held a jam-packed, two-day 20th Anniversary Holiday Celebration Party, on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, at its museum in the back section of Stony Brook Village.  

The event featured continuous Long Island-connected entertainment giants, including Mark Newman and his band, Kerry Kearney, DMC, with Johnny Juice, Stanton Anderson, Ernie & the Band and American Idol contestant Christian Padavan. During the two-day event,  music videos of LIMEHOF inductees played on the wall-sized screens throughout the museum, as visits from Santa Claus took place. The gala also did its part in community support by organizing a Christmas Toy Drive in partnership with Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church’s Gerald J. Ryan Outreach Center, supporting 1,500 children in need on Long Island during this season of giving. 

From left to right: LIMEHOF board of director members Norm Prusslin, Jim Faith, Tom Needham, Jeffrey James and Ernie Canadeo discuss the evolution of Long Island music scene with the crowd. Photo by Steven Zaitz

On the first day, LIMEHOF board of director members, including Chairman of the Board Ernie Canadeo, Norm Prusslin, Tom Needham, Jeffrey James and Jim Faith waxed nostalgic about the origins of the organization, its trials and tribulations throughout the years, how it established its current home in Stony Brook and its association with Long Island music legends like Billy Joel, Twisted Sister, Mariah Carey and Blue Öyster Cult. 

“Long Island, the people in the area, and the artists of the area were so happy that we have established this organization and this place,” said Faith. “In the 1970’s and 1980’s musicians were told to say that they were from New York City, because the perception was that Long Island wasn’t “cool.” No musician has to say that anymore. They can say they are from Long Island because we helped change the perspective of music on the Island.” 

In attendance on Saturday was Larry “Duck” Dunn. Dunn was a disk jockey at WLIR, a station which introduced “New Wave” bands like Long Island’s Stray Cats, INXS, The B52’s and Depeche Mode, to area listeners in the 1980’s. He sat and listened as the LIMEHOF board of directors spoke of the past, present and future of the music scene on Long Island.

Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage being an important resource, which should be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Brooklyn, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms. In 2022, LIMEHOF opened its first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook Village. To date, the organization has inducted more than 120 musicians and music industry executives, and offers education programs, scholarships and awards to Long Island students and educators.

Photo by Steven Zaitz

Since 2004, the not-for-profit organization will now be able to be recognized in a permanent home. The space — covering 8,800 square feet — features a large exhibition area, theater, gift shop and an official “Hall of Fame Museum.”

“We always wanted a permanent home, but for a long time the organization never had enough money,” said LIMEHOF Canadeo. “We were using a 1998 Winnebago as a mobile museum for many years and now we are lucky enough to have this beautiful facility.”

Aside from original concert posters and promotional material that adorn the walls on both levels of the building — much of which is related to Hicksville-raised Billy Joel — the museum features artifacts, such as musical instruments, famous awards, apparel and other memorabilia from many of Long Island’s favorite artists. The wide variety of talent represented by the 120 inductees includes names like Joel, KISS, LL Cool J, Debbie Gibson, Louis Armstrong, Vanilla Fudge, Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond and Run-DMC, among many others.

LIMEHOF is also proud to partner with Steven Van Zandt’s TeachRock.

Launched by Van Zandt, who is not only Bruce Springsteen’s longtime guitarist, but also starred in the HBO hit series the Sopranos, created TeachRock, along with Bono, Jackson Browne, Martin Scorsese and Springsteen, to provide free, standards-aligned resources, which use music to help K-12 students succeed in science, math, social studies and language arts. 

TeachRock improves students’ lives by filling every classroom with the sound, stories and science of music.

It aspires to keep the arts in the DNA of school systems, empower teachers with a methodology to engage a generation with the internet in their pocket, create inclusive spaces through the arts by providing teachers well researched, abundance-framed classroom resources, which feature positive representations of all Americans. This is done in the hopes of increasing graduation rates.

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The Long Island Museum (LIM), 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook and LIMarts are delighted to announce the opening of the 11th Annual Members’ Exhibition, Milestones. This year’s exhibition holds special significance as the museum celebrates its 85th anniversary, reflecting on its legacy as a cultural cornerstone in the community.

On view hrough December 22 in the LIM History Museum, Milestones brings together the creative visions of over 100 LIMarts members. Each piece represents a unique interpretation of personal and collective milestones, highlighting moments of growth, change, and reflection through art.

‘Fam*ly of Humans – THEY ARE US!,’ mixed media installation by Linda Louis

Embracing the goal of enhancing and supporting Long Island’s rich artistic talent, LIM established LIMarts: a collaborative arts group for visual artists. LIMarts provides its members with opportunities to exhibit and sell artwork, participate in programming events and lectures, and engage with both fellow artists and the public. Designed to foster a creative forum within the cultural community, LIMarts has become an essential resource for the region’s artists.

In addition to showcasing exceptional artwork, Milestones offers art enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire pieces from some of Long Island’s finest artists. Most works on display are available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds benefiting LIM’s ongoing programs and initiatives. All purchased pieces will remain on view for the duration of the exhibition.

“The annual LIMarts exhibition is one of the most exciting highlights of the year,” said Alexandria D’Auria, Director of Development. “With its eclectic group of talented artists, Milestones showcases the creative spirit of our members while offering an opportunity for the community to support and connect with local artists. This year’s exhibition is a testament to the power of art to inspire, celebrate milestones, and bring people together.”

The exhibition is generously supported by: Robert W. Baird Incorporated, The Carol & Arnold Wolowitz Foundation, The Smithtown Community Trust.

For more information about Milestones or to become an LIMArts member please visit longislandmuseum.org 

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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Paul Albinagorta Allegedly Stabbed his Co-Worker Multiple Times

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Paul Albinagorta, 34, of Central Islip, was indicted for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, for allegedly stabbing his co-worker on the job.

“This defendant allegedly committed a shocking act of workplace violence, attacking an unsuspecting worker from behind during a routine moment of food preparation,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will work diligently to ensure that the victim and public are protected from further violence.”

According to the investigation, on November 24,  at about 11 a.m., Albinagorta, an employee of Gino’s of Nesconset, allegedly stabbed a co-worker with a hunting knife as the employee was preparing a pizza. Albinagorta allegedly approached the co-worker from behind and without warning stabbed him in his side multiple times. The defendant then allegedly chased the victim and several other co-workers out of the store while threatening them.

Albinagorta was arrested at the scene. Suffolk Police officers recovered the knife allegedly used in the attack along with a sheath for the knife. The victim was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital and underwent emergency surgery for his injuries. An investigation revealed that the night prior to the attack, Albinagorta went to the Walmart in Islandia and purchased the knife allegedly used for the attack.

On December 5, Albinagorta was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei for the following charges:

  •   One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony; and
  •   One count of Menacing in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Justice Mazzei ordered Albinagorta be held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond, during the pendency of the case. Albinagorta is due back in court on January 7, 2025, and faces 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Ira Weissman, Esq.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kieran R. Rogers of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Marissa Demeo of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth Squad.

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File photo

Suffolk County Police arrested two women during a raid at a massage parlor in Huntington Station on Dec. 5. In response to numerous community complaints, Second Precinct Crime Section officers, in conjunction with the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Building Department, conducted an investigation into J & Y NY Spa, located at 8 Boston Place at approximately 3:15 p.m.

Two employees, Ying Ma, 52, of Brooklyn and Berlyn Antonia Cruz, 44, of Queens, were charged with alleged Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, a Class E felony under the New York State Education Law, and Prostitution, a B misdemeanor.

Ma and Cruz were issued Field Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

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Kayleigh Smith Photo by Kimberly Phyfe

By Kimberly Phyfe

The Three Village Historical Society (TVHS) is proud to announce Kayleigh Smith as their 2024 Research Fellow.

TVHS embarked on the ambitious Historical House Marker program earlier this year, expanding well beyond the original scope of the first markers by the Society at its founding. Six decades on, this new iteration of the program re-imagined the parameters for what qualifies as a historic home in our community.

So how could they pull off researching the 60+ homes that applied to see which would receive a marker? That’s where Kayleigh Smith comes in.

Kayleigh Smith Photo by Kimberly Phyfe

Smith recently graduated from Stony Brook University where her “major in anthropology has fueled my aspiration to work in an environment that both preserves historical heritage and actively engages and inspires the public. The Three Village Historical Society exemplifies this mission, making it an ideal environment for applying my skills and furthering my professional growth.”

Always eager to dive deeply into the rich tapestry of cultural diversity, Smith was seeking a meaningful volunteer opportunity in the TVHS archives. Exhibits & Collections Coordinator, Scott Ferrara, recognized what a talented researcher Smith is, and recommended an extended project for her.

“Kayleigh’s work with archival management and research has been profound,” said Ferrara. “She quickly picked up on local historical geography and the many genealogical connections between families in the Three Village community. Kayleigh’s efforts particularly shined through the organization of the Society’s archival collections and the navigation of our extensive collections in support of the Historic House Marker Program. Going forward, the lessons learned from Kayleigh’s efforts and the successes she’s had will lay the framework for future historical house research,” he said.

The Historic House Marker program has been years in the making and six long months of in depth compilation of more than fifty research packets for approved home owners. The binders are full to the brim of deed histories, genealogy, newspaper articles, photographs, drawings, and anything Smith could find related to each property and the generations of residents.

“While my research is deeply fulfilling, it is the opportunity to connect with people and share my findings that truly underscores the value of my work,” Smith shared. 

Special events such as Culper Spy Day, the Spirits Graveyard Tour, and the Candlelight House Tour have given Smith additional insight into why TVHS is treasured by the community. 

“Participating in these events and engaging with the community on a personal level instills deep reverence for the significance of this research,” she said.

Funding for this new position was made possible by the generous support of long-time Society Member, Fred Bryant. In 2023, the Three Village Historical Society renamed one of their annual awards in his honor. The newly titled Fred E. Bryant Community Award is “in appreciation of valuable contributions to the advancement of the quality of life in the Three Villages and the fostering of pride in the rich historical heritage of our homes and lands.”

For 2024, the first recipients of the Bryant Community Award were Joe and Laura Troffa. Bryant graciously attached a significant donation to his new award, to be made in honor of the Troffas. Thus, the Bryant/Troffa Research Fellowship was created, and the Society is able to bring on exceptional talent such as Smith to fill the role.

“It was an incredible honor and complete surprise to be awarded the first Fred Bryant Community Service Award” stated Laura Troffa. “Joe and I, like Fred, share a mutual passion for preserving the history of this amazing community.”

Smith said that she is “grateful for the Bryant/Troffa Fellowship because it represents the next stepping stone in my career path. I have long aspired to work in a museum setting — curating exhibits and making meaningful discoveries that resonate with people. This Fellowship has validated that my skills transcend the confines of the classroom and can be effectively utilized in dynamic settings, where I engage with historical, community, and personal narratives on a daily basis.”

The Troffas moved to Setauket in the 1970’s and “we knew it was a very special place,” said Laura. 

“We became avid supporters of the TVHS to learn more about the historical buildings and the events that took place in our community dating back to the Revolutionary War. From that day forward,  we’ve had the pleasure of sponsoring the Annual Candlelight Tour, as well as contributing to various projects that helped preserve and enrich many of the Society’s historical buildings that we all cherish!”

The Troffas “are so excited to hear Kayleigh’s hard work has been instrumental in the success of the upcoming Historic House Marker celebration! Our collections and archives are so important and integral to promoting education within our community!”

Author Kimberly Phyfe is the  Community Engagement Manager at the Three Village Historical Society in Setauket.

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The Village of Port Jefferson hosts the 28th annual Charles Dickens Festival on Dec. 7 and 8. File photo by Kyle Barr

The Suffolk County Police Department is advising motorists of road closures for the annual Charles
Dickens Festival in Port Jefferson this weekend. Due to an anticipated influx of crowds and pedestrian traffic during the event, Main Street will be closed intermittently on December 7 and 8 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Please use alternate routes.

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Pictured from left, Robert Waring, Ed Hugh, Thomas Joy, and Chief of Patrol Gerard Hardy. Photo courtesy of SCPD

Suffolk County Police Detective Edwin Hugh and Police Officer Thomas Joy were among the recipients announced during the Seventh Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing ceremony in Washington D.C. on December 4.

This prestigious award recognizes law enforcement officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to strengthening trust, promoting community engagement, and enhancing public safety.

The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and Tribal sworn officers, deputies, and troopers for exceptional efforts in community policing. The awarded individuals have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations, or innovations in community policing. Twenty-one people were honored in those categories.

Detective Hugh and Police Officer Joy were honored in the Innovations in Community Policing category for strengthening the department’s relationship with the Asian American community.

Ten years ago, the pair created a police fraternal nonprofit charity organization, the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society. The goal was to create an organization for Asian American police officers to collaborate, serve as liaisons, encourage Asian Americans to serve their community, and celebrate Asian American culture.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, community police officers including Officer Joy and Detective Hugh transported people with no transportation and mobility problems to and from testing sites. They also provided meals and other personal comfort items to testing site staff, law enforcement and other essential workers to keep morale high.

Even though Suffolk County had very few incidents of hate crimes in the Asian American community, when they occurred, Detective Hugh and Officer Joy made themselves available to the Asian American community. Detective Hugh and Officer Joy became a liaison between the victims and the department and served as a support system to victims.

Officer Joy, being a Recruitment Officer for the department and having made close ties with the community through the Asian Jade Society, was successful in making recruitment information more available to Asian American communities. Those efforts doubled the number of Asian American and Muslim American officers.

“Suffolk County could not be more proud of our men and women who keep our communities safe, and the actions and dedication of Suffolk County Police Detective Edwin Hugh and Police Officer Thomas Joy perfectly exemplify the excellence of the Suffolk County law enforcement community,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said.

“The partnership between Detective Hugh and Officer Joy has benefitted the department and the Asian American community we serve,” said Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring, who attended the ceremony. “Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus now have a strong relationship with the department leading to a high level of access and confidence and I look forward to continuing to build on that foundation.”

For more information about the awards, visit www.justice.gov

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Scientists, clean-water advocates, elected officials and Setauket marina owners pose with buckets of shells stocked with larval oysters. Photo by Mallie Jane Kim

By Mallie Jane Kim

In the thick mud of low tide at Setauket’s Shore Road Marina, volunteers and scientists in knee-high rubber boots dumped out a jumble of shells along the shoreline — each with larval oysters attached, ready to grow and help eventually filter the water.

Photo by Mallie Jane Kim

This Nov. 25 “oyster planting” was part of a partnership between volunteer organization Setauket Harbor Task Force, which monitors area water quality, and the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s marine program. The planting of about 16,000 larval oysters was funded as part of an $80,000 water quality grant secured in 2022 through the effort of Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) during his time in the state assembly.

“We’re making the harbor clean today,” Englebright quipped during the event. “We’re taking the credit, but the oysters are doing all the work.”

Oysters filter feed, removing nitrogen and other harmful elements from the water, either consuming them or binding them into the mud. An adult oyster can filter as much as 50 gallons of water a day, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The larval oysters planted in Setauket Harbor are about six months old and were procured by researchers from the Cornell Cooperative. The hope is that the shellfish will grow and spawn, eventually creating an oyster reef with critical mass that can help improve water quality. Marina owners Seth Walker and Mallory Guerin, who opened their shoreline to welcome this project, are also allowing the group to set up an oyster garden on a floating dock in 2025.

“This is a really important educational thing for the community,” said Matt Sclafani, the Cornell Cooperative senior extension resource educator. “When you get a community invested in it, then that increases ownership, and you get more people lobbying for things. Then you can have a bigger plan to improve the water quality.”

But oysters are only one step in the process of cleaning water.

Sclafani explained that a comprehensive water quality improvement plan must include reducing stormwater runoff as well as improving sanitation systems over the currently prevalent cesspools. 

“The oysters can’t do it on their own,” Sclafani said. “It’s a big picture, it’s a complex picture, but it starts here.”

Photo by Mallie Jane Kim

New York voters in November approved a proposition to add a .125% sales tax increase toward funding new sewers and replacing aging cesspools. According to the proposition, there are currently 209,000 cesspools in “environmentally sensitive areas” of Suffolk County. Additionally, the Town of Brookhaven in 2023 installed a drainage system along Route 25A in Setauket to help decrease the stormwater that was previously running straight into the harbor.

The town was also instrumental in the oyster-planting process. Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) led the council in designating the area as a management district, allowing the initiative to move forward with minimal bureaucracy since the work is intended to improve environmental conditions.

Setauket Harbor has long been restricted from shellfish harvesting because of unhealthy water quality and bacteria.

“This is one piece of a bigger puzzle for us, basically just trying to be stewards of these waters,” Kornreich said at the event. “It’s a full spectrum approach to trying to improve water quality, and shellfish mariculture is a really important piece of it.”

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