05/04/2026
We’re writing to alert you to an urgent local land preservation issue that could be determined this morning (Monday, May 4) at the Suffolk County Environment, Parks and Agriculture Committee meeting at 9:30 a.m.
Here’s the issue: As a last minute addition to the Riverhead Town Board Work Session last Thursday, Suffolk County Legislator Greg Doroski appealed to the Town Board for Riverhead to partner with the County for the preservation of nine acres of land on Peconic Bay Blvd., known as Peconic Farms, which lies adjacent to the East Creek boat launch parking area. The County is considering purchasing and preserving this land if Riverhead agrees to maintain it. If it’s not preserved, the parcel, which borders sensitive wetland areas, has already been approved for the development of four homes. (You can watch the Work Session online, the portion with Legislator Doroski begins at 42 minutes. There is much important information until the very end.)
If the Town partners on this preservation, the Town can control how it would be used and who may access the land. What does maintenance mean? Possibly clearing a short walking trail. How much would maintenance cost? Based upon the data presented by Legislator Doroski at the Work Session, about $46 per acre. Alternatively, how much positive tax revenue would four homes bring into the Town? Legislator Doroski said that for every $1 in tax revenue generated by new development, a town spends $1.15 in infrastructure to support that home. For each child attending Riverhead schools, the Town spends $19,000. Only a few students in a new development wipes out positive cash flow from property taxes.
We urge you to phone our Town Board members first thing this morning (before 9:30 a.m.) or email them ASAP and ask them to agree to the County’s proposal to preserve this parcel. The County is offering the Town a valuable opportunity. Let’s try to get the Town to say “yes.” Thank you.
Contact the Town Board:
Town Supervisor Jerome Halpin - [email protected]
Phone: 631-727-3200 Ext. 251
Councilman Robert Kern - [email protected]
Phone: 631-727-3200 Ext. 224
Councilwoman Denise Merrifield - [email protected]
Phone: 631-727-3200 Ext. 223
Councilman Ken Rothwell - [email protected]
Phone: 631-727-3200 Ext. 225
Councilwoman Joann Waski - [email protected]
Phone: 631-727-3200 Ext. 226
Town Clerk James Wooten - [email protected]
Note: All correspondence to the Town Board should be also sent to the Town Clerk in order to be entered into the official town records.
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