Brookhaven Town supervisor wants Suffolk not to auction six properties in the town

Brookhaven Supervisor Edward P. Romaine has asked Suffolk County to remove six properties from an upcoming auction because he believes they have "significant" environmental or recreational value.

The parcels, which total 26 acres, including a 15-acre farm in Eastport, had been seized by the county for nonpayment of back taxes.

Town officials said the properties -- including single parcels in Middle Island, Eastport, Moriches and Manorville, and two in North Shirley -- are near environmentally sensitive areas such as the Pine Barrens and Carmans River.

County officials say the properties don't meet their guidelines for open space acquisitions, and their sale will help recoup more than $400,000 in delinquent tax payments. The six properties are among 211 parcels scheduled to be auctioned from Oct. 28 to Oct. 30 at the H. Lee Dennison county office building in Hauppauge.

Romaine, in an Oct. 10 letter to County Executive Steve Bellone, said the properties "possess significant ecological, recreational, environmental and agricultural value." Romaine asked that the parcels be declared open space or transferred to the town.

"If the county feels that the reimbursement is the most important thing, we're certainly happy to have that discussion," Romaine said in an interview. "What we don't want to see happen is that parcels that shouldn't be developed get developed."

Deputy County Executive Jon Schneider said the county is willing to discuss the properties with Brookhaven officials.

Schneider said owners of the six parcels owe a total of $419,062 in back taxes. County officials believe the properties may be worth as much as $577,000, he said.

"We have a fiduciary responsibility to Suffolk County taxpayers to make the county whole," Schneider said.

He added that the properties do not meet the county's criteria to be included on a list of more than 1,000 properties that the county wants to buy for its open space preservation program.

Those criteria are based on federal and state guidelines for wetlands, groundwater protection, endangered species and unique geological characteristics.

Councilwoman Connie Kepert said the town should consider buying the Middle Island parcel, a vacant 6.1-acre property on state Route 25.

"I don't think it will cost very much," she said. "I don't think it's crucial that nobody build on that, but if we can get it for open space, wonderful."

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.