Samantha Ratto
At the May 16 meeting, all members of Brookhaven Town Council wore green ribbons to show their support for mental health awareness. “We’re all wearing green ribbons… this is for mental health,” said Town Manager Dan Panico (R). “Statistics show that one in five people in this country has a mental health issue. This is something that touches all of our lives, all of our families, and in the Town of Brookhaven, we want you to know that you’re not alone.”
Panico continued, “Help is available. If you need help or feel like your family needs help, please contact the Superintendent’s office or your city council member.”
The meeting moved on to the public hearing portion, where several applications were addressed, including an amendment to the site plan for Mount Sinai Meadows. The plan to amend excess material to be removed from the site was approved, with no financial impact.
In Centerreach, Centerreach Hyundai submitted an application for a change of use to reduce the building footprint from 45,150 square feet to 40,091 square feet, update landscaping, lighting and parking, and grant a special permit for outdoor or overnight parking on the property located north of Middle Country Road. The application was approved under the oversight of the town’s Environmental Protection Department, which found there would be no significant environmental impacts.
Shortly thereafter, the Board addressed the resolutions agenda portion of the meeting. As part of the Town’s agreement with the Long Island Housing Partnership, an extension of the original agreement was granted. This agreement, dated May 25, 2022, was created under Section 2 of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. The general objectives of the program include expanding the supply of adequate and affordable housing for low-income and very low-income persons, particularly rental housing. The program is fully supported with HUD federal funds. There is no fiscal impact as there is an adequate budget of $90,000 remaining.
District 1 City Councilman Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) requested improved travel efficiency at the Port Jefferson Ferry Terminal. The Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company is currently working on a major construction project at the ferry terminal that will connect to a sewer main in the Port Jefferson Village parking lot. Approval of the councilman’s request is pending approval from the state Legislature.
Staller Associates’ application for a zone change from a business district to a commercial redevelopment district on Patchogue Road in Port Jefferson Station is still awaiting a decision. The application, first submitted in 2021, proposes the demolition of an existing commercial building and the addition of a new mixed-use development. The proposed development would include seven commercial buildings for retail, restaurants, a health club and a professional/medical building, as well as 280 residential units, 20% of which would be sold as affordable housing units.
The next town council meeting will be held at Farmingville Town Hall on June 6. For more information about town council meetings, visit brookhavenny.portal.civicclerk.com
