Historic sites preservation plan on hold

Suffolk's Council on Environmental Quality Wednesday asked for changes before voting on a pilot legislative proposal to spur private investment in five historic sites the county cannot afford to properly preserve.

Council members spoke favorably about Legis. Wayne Horsley's plan to preserve the sites -- the Elwood Schoolhouse in Huntington, the Black Duck Lodge in Flanders, the Robinson Duck Farm in Yaphank, the Robert Cushman Murphy House in Manorville and the Commendinger House in Ronkonkoma -- but held off on formal action until revisions can be made.

Horsley's proposal calls for the county to sign long-term leases with private investors, who would rehabilitate the buildings in return for using a portion of the property for private use -- such as a bed-and-breakfast or law offices -- as long as the public retains access to part of the site.

"We all agree we have to do something about maintaining and keeping our old buildings," council chairman Lawrence Swanson said.

Suffolk parks officials hope the pilot, if successful, could be expanded to many of the county's other 240 historic buildings. Amid ongoing county fiscal woes, park officials are concerned historic buildings will crumble if nothing is done. They noted that states including Maryland, Massachusetts and Delaware have adopted similar initiatives, and New York is in the process of establishing a program of its own.

However, council member Michael Kaufman said the current resolution is flawed because it institutes the program before determining whether there is interest in it. "If you establish a program and there's no interest, you have nothing there," he said. Other council members said the agreement should include connected facilities such as parking lots and even surrounding landscaping.

Horsley has revised his original proposal to address members' concerns that sites remain accessible to the public and has inserted language to ensure revenue generated is dedicated to preserving the site and not going to other county uses.

"I think we are kindred spirits here," Horsley said. "The bottom line is that we have hundreds of historic sites about ready to collapse and if we don't do something, we won't have any heritage left to appreciate."

A council vote could come at the next meeting, Nov. 16, now scheduled for the Long Island Maritime Museum in Sayville. The council's recommendation is forwarded to the county legislature, which has the final say.