[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6190693,"mediaKeyId","5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79","parentId",5045470,"title","Brookhaven holds hearing on proposed Mastic Beach sewer district; engineers outline $43M plant, $20M ARPA gap","audioSeconds",550,"startMs",9555000,"endMs",10105000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79&start=9555&end=10105","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79/thumbnail_9555000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6190693/Town-of-Brookhaven/Suffolk-County/New-York/Brookhaven-holds-hearing-on-proposed-Mastic-Beach-sewer-district-engineers-outline-43M-plant-20M-ARPA-gap","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190693-29c4244ee198d1a602156686237bb897/orig.mp4?Expires=1770770674&Signature=Z-8qj7t0OuD4U229fjDySsFP1tPwZjwJvS3SLbV~~IbWZNOobPbYQD9Whslr1VQ5R6tA9FLo-Nh2jKBCv7cY0PKdnjueGv-pEMOIu2JqsEyRupL4Ieb1dfGitwioIGKSy5mIUez-pMSfQvipj~CbeGvqHu7fuNv3psR~PX3rUkiOWIrvqgfdBM59aqpoBQcZGGDWYzwCSXvG7rB8~MUyvym1BLZ7kG9Ir1S0xOXnC91gJhIoLfNfG1e~wr0uoGc2GuM5aE4e8Y27b0BUB6GG6P33ZnY8LWgerng6hk5Izdfe~R6k9zX5tIIMEfYpwYNVSQWVl2OWZHLJglyvd88DhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Brookhaven","date","2025-05-22T00:00:00Z","article","Town of Brookhaven officials and project engineers on Thursday presented the map, plan and report for a proposed Mastic Beach Sewer District, a multimillion‑dollar effort intended to enable downtown redevelopment and reduce nitrogen pollution from antiquated cesspools and septic systems.

The engineer of record, Steve Hajduk, told the Town Board the plan envisions a roughly 286‑parcel district centered on Neighborhood Road, Mastic Road and portions of Comac Road. The project includes a primarily gravity collection system with two pump stations, and a new wastewater treatment plant currently sized at 300,000 gallons per day. Hajduk said the current capital cost estimate is approximately $43 million and annual operation and maintenance costs are estimated at about $1.1 million.

The town has secured $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from Suffolk County through an intermunicipal agreement, Hajduk said, but that leaves roughly $23 million that would need to be financed or funded through additional grants. Using current assumptions, the engineering team presented a benefit‑based user charge model (billing by sanitary flow / single‑family equivalent). Under the model shown in the map/plan report, a typical two‑bedroom condominium unit (the most frequently occurring unit type projected in the redevelopment) would face an estimated annual sewer use charge of about $4,297 in year one, falling to about $2,788 per year after Phase 5 of neighborhood redevelopment, and to roughly $3,300 at full future buildout — numbers Hajduk and town staff emphasized are contingent on additional grant awards and project phasing.

Supervisor Padico and Hajduk both stressed the numbers in the report reflect a “worst‑case” financing scenario required by statute and by grant reporting rules. Padico said the district formation and map/plan filing were necessary steps to unlock additional grant opportunities and to meet ARPA spending timelines; he added that, without significant additional grant funding, the project would not be economically viable and therefore would not proceed in the form presented.

Public speakers at the hearing offered mixed input. A supporter representing a local conservation group said sewering was essential both to revive the downtown business district and to improve Great South Bay water quality. Longtime Neighborhood Road business owners asked for clarifications about who must connect, hook‑up costs and traffic/parking impacts during construction; town counsel and staff said existing residential properties are not automatically required to hook up unless redevelopment triggers health department connection requirements, while commercial connections would typically carry a hookup cost (engineering estimate presented in the report: approximately $26,500 per commercial connection, subject to final design and permitting).

Hajduk described a tentative financing plan: subtracting the secured $20 million in ARPA funds from capital costs leaves an amount to be bonded and repaid over time; that debt service, plus annual O&M, is the basis for the user charges shown. Hajduk and staff said more grant funding applications will be pursued as the project advances, particularly once the district is in formation and designs are further developed — milestones grant programs often require.

The board closed the public comment portion of the hearing and held the public hearing open pending the board’s secret (executive/closed) review on June 12, 2025, to allow staff and the project team additional time to pursue grants and supply requested clarifications. The Town Board did not vote to form the district at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Board Meeting - May 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town of Brookhaven officials and project engineers on Thursday presented the map, plan and report for a proposed Mastic Beach Sewer District, a multimillion‑dollar effort intended to enable downtown redevelopment and reduce nitrogen pollution from antiquated cesspools and septic systems.","taxTitle","Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York","taxId",53859,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6190670,"Relief granted for Tennessee Court clearing limits; town orders homeowner to resolve masonry wall in highway right‑of‑way",620,1848000,2468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79&start=1848&end=2468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79/thumbnail_1848000.jpg","/articles/6190670/Town-of-Brookhaven/Suffolk-County/New-York/Relief-granted-for-Tennessee-Court-clearing-limits-town-orders-homeowner-to-resolve-masonry-wall-in-highway-rightofway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190670-9a6eb3b5dbd8cebc610cba3dd3f17b63/orig.mp4?Expires=1770770674&Signature=REPaBTtDljyQeVTsEEL376u6fhqwmlGy~5kmuUtHXZ4HC-5FoO5PjIpMnSxsxorm50t247jQlJTrnXzSydVwcoDnqyKPx4zirEs7YHViSxFQBzf7vbmPc5V7CNa9ff77EKq7j~ckDY8p1~hZl4D07~jGbp4MBb14469S~yS4KYGx5em6YMIbnMQYMrq9mkHV8HUQmRDUHbwRxFoWh041Lh0smzTXrtuWelja4yscxEc4ZBd6IgKYxF7IJlXMI00GYEtx9cSA7VExBj9E8GPFqBtgkn~rS4EW~jqfR-sx50OB8SdoE3uurrYX1EMHBsaeI4mxgJV-E8qCRbn3rEJeQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Board approved an amendment to restrictive covenants for a property on Tennessee Court in Port Jefferson Station to increase the allowable clearing limit, but town officials told the property owner he must address an unpermitted masonry wall that intrudes into the town highway right‑of‑way.

Planning Director Don Holm explained the lot’s subdivision covenant limited clearing to 47 percent. The applicant requested relief to legalize 69 percent clearing; the Department of Environmental Protection recommended allowing up to 65 percent, and the Planning Department recommended approval consistent with the DEP recommendation. The board voted to grant the amendment increasing the limit to 65 percent.

At the same hearing, board members and staff raised a second, separate compliance concern: the homeowner has built a masonry wall and pillars at a street corner, with lighting atop them, that the town’s survey shows lies within the highway right‑of‑way and obstructs sight lines. Deputy Town Attorney and highway staff told the homeowner a highway work permit was not issued for that wall; the town’s traffic safety division described the wall at the apex of the corner as a visibility hazard.

Board members directed the homeowner to obtain the necessary highway work permit or otherwise move or reconfigure the wall and remove or modify lights as needed; staff said the highway superintendent and traffic‑safety personnel would inspect and provide guidance. The board approved the covenant relief but emphasized the right‑of‑way issue must be resolved promptly; the homeowner was given contacts at the town to arrange inspections and to discuss options with the Highway Department.","The Town Board granted limited relief to increase clearing limits for a Port Jefferson Station lot but ordered the homeowner to remove or reconfigure a masonry wall and lights that sit inside the town highway right‑of‑way and impair visibility.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6190675,"Brookhaven approves clearing limit increase for Medford property; neighbors press lighting and parking concerns",1371,455000,1826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79&start=455&end=1826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79/thumbnail_455000.jpg","/articles/6190675/Town-of-Brookhaven/Suffolk-County/New-York/Brookhaven-approves-clearing-limit-increase-for-Medford-property-neighbors-press-lighting-and-parking-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190675-11c5dc358d921f6ed677ff764433e125/orig.mp4?Expires=1770770674&Signature=Ni0CKbSazqNVzGxYzzqUAua8iwnTY4zRLs-pzKjqhusoM66ZCb4GdNLwluwiA7fDaC72t5AgvXVv9ANby5FqO40DlqBdy3925l0V2FCjd6R3rsgQNC31IeGp-f2T2GQcEf8AMOJltdEGp7wwKkOOfnKDE40BD7H91qfIMJ8Gv2tTMu6CJerPiqAdNLl1w~B3euacwT4WqypHXap9WVsA3l~WRL8iNMs~wd-B9JxVUCKdJUtIt36R75hE03A9gpJNcowMB~HzuBtvR30OjXEFTboAct4~bY3rjf0gfjSgMkEZQab~Jw3aahE4TL~cp7AtzJfdzl13-vyzFP-eaJfWZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Board approved an amendment to restrictive covenants allowing a Medford homeowner at 7 Lorraine Court to increase lot clearing limits from 36% to 58%, following a recommendation from the Suffolk County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Planning Director Don Holm explained the subdivision covenant recorded in 1987 limited clearing to 36 percent per lot; the homeowner’s survey showed an existing clearing of roughly 73.4 percent and the applicant asked to legalize 79 percent. The DEP recommended increasing the limit to 58 percent — matching relief previously granted in the subdivision — and required revegetation of any areas cleared beyond that level.

Homeowner James Bentley told the board he and his family value outdoor play space for their children and had built a sports field and lighting; he said they were working with the town to comply. Neighbors, represented at the hearing by Rich Sparrow, said the activity at Bentley’s property included frequent youth practices that generate traffic, on‑street parking and occasional unsafe passing on the cul‑de‑sac. Sparrow presented signed neighbor letters alleging recurring parking and traffic problems and asked for enforcement measures.

Board members and staff noted the DEP recommendation offered a compromise that would allow the homeowner to keep most of the sports field while requiring revegetation in excess cleared areas and dark‑sky compliant lighting. The board added an explicit condition: all lighting for sports courts must comply with the town’s dark‑sky provisions (Town Code chapter 85) and not spill onto adjacent properties. Members also encouraged neighbors to exchange contact information for expedited follow‑up on any future traffic or parking incidents.

The board closed the public hearing and voted to approve the covenant amendment with the DEP’s 58 percent clearing limit and the lighting condition. No change to parking or enforcement ordinances was enacted at the hearing; board members said town staff would follow up on lighting compliance and support neighbor coordination.","The Town Board approved an amendment allowing higher tree‑clearing limits at 7 Lorraine Court in Medford — increasing the lot limit from 36% to 58% — while conditioning approval on dark‑sky‑compliant sports‑court lighting and revegetation where clearing exceeds the new limit.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6190680,"Planning board approves Riverhead Building Supply site plan, legalizes rear addition",334,116000,450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79&start=116&end=450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79/thumbnail_116000.jpg","/articles/6190680/Town-of-Brookhaven/Suffolk-County/New-York/Planning-board-approves-Riverhead-Building-Supply-site-plan-legalizes-rear-addition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190680-e18a11c17329cf8baa536bf756876531/orig.mp4?Expires=1770770674&Signature=AuzwY29pCFqMVSt7TI7mo1HmitvL72ln1PQFIHUwuuKONRfi-k72qAUMSkbA7uxIpeMRX37XYLwVr~p2KnDauHy52UuZwaTH3b8E-2QAQuwPMnawgU7oEAQMdwpn3SuFD9GhoXYx1V~aClb3ccPkIdEzc7pXCBenvconEXTM1Og3o5S6q~95uPin1g1TaqSkE7egXk7s5YOtR5wBkSZuSp2Alw626rP03AOqnkcpHR5cdGtPtYprPW~TuE6wUH5rspqYMjEpqOvKxz7Pi2rkt0Bvj2aFK~4cyVGqJOCyJotyGzaRG3rUssfrwwt48L-iBIcqB98eGg63Oq2nJyicsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Board approved a site plan, special permit for stone and masonry supply, and related variances for Riverhead Building Supply’s property on Halleck Avenue in Port Jefferson Station.

Planning Director Don Holm said the property is in a J Business 5 district, about 0.3 acres, currently developed with a roughly 2,000‑square‑foot building and an unpermitted rear addition that had no certificate of occupancy. The application sought to legalize a 1,412‑square‑foot addition, add landscaping, change building elevations and secure a special permit for masonry supply uses.

Holm listed three relief requests: a 50% variance for street‑tree spacing (the code requires street trees at 30‑foot centers; one existing tree leaves a 50% shortfall), a parking variance (11 stalls required, nine proposed) and the special permit for stone and masonry supply. Architect Bob Fallon, representing the applicant, said the project includes upgrading the driveway apron for ADA compliance under the Department of Transportation, new ADA parking stalls, drainage improvements and a full exterior façade renovation (board‑and‑batten siding, thin stone veneer, new windows and automatic sliding entrance).

The Planning Board closed the public hearing, adopted a negative declaration under environmental review and voted to approve the application and associated variances. No recorded roll‑call tally was provided in the meeting minutes; the board’s motion carried.","The Planning Board approved a site plan, special permit and variances allowing Riverhead Building Supply to use an existing structure on Halleck Avenue in Port Jefferson Station as a masonry supply, legalizing an unauthorized rear addition and making ADA and façade improvements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6190687,"Town board approves rezoning for East Patchogue mixed‑use project with wetland dedication",351,2319000,2670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79&start=2319&end=2670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5045470-95493e45e35e03622abc4ec0cc59df79/thumbnail_2319000.jpg","/articles/6190687/Town-of-Brookhaven/Suffolk-County/New-York/Town-board-approves-rezoning-for-East-Patchogue-mixeduse-project-with-wetland-dedication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190687-edd7f02080e3966d2a961db21f854b87/orig.mp4?Expires=1770770674&Signature=bw6dhjmNj1uTjk-HHnueiQ5Tjj9QH1sNSFzW52qXqwfXi8oqFW~LuT4zzrNHlegMibiP7RHyU8YDWsr5p6vxr~pjIa2K~5BxQUJVLVJ1KJylLkuw1ppsGPh0Fy3YILFccRykLvaBlhVJaV2KI~uadDx44LaH8EuAMo~XEMLbeTjzqdEDXS2NqvzrO87B2WyDPm67MKJFvfpkS-WgeZZ2ffIF1EUprwQRtd1nqjsrCenvo8bg9UD1yPTf9R2GHSaRVqjLy6gGy-S~aQmsNuAtz9hUAupvrlJD864lxd65G7THRrwtfa48X-3KgssobWOVhotUSSI2KM-ED7m8CgNiaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Board voted to adopt a change of zone that will let Oak Walker Holding Corp redevelop a 1.276‑acre vacant parcel on Montauk Highway in East Patchogue into a two‑story mixed‑use building.

Don Holm, Planning Director for the Town of Brookhaven, described the application as a request to rezone a property that was previously split between A‑1 (residential) and J‑business categories to full J business. The applicant proposes a 5,760‑square‑foot, two‑story building with two ground‑floor office/retail suites, two one‑bedroom apartments above and an unfinished basement. The property contains wetlands on its northern edge; the applicant offered to dedicate roughly 24,455 square feet of the northern portion to the town to preserve the wetland buffer.

Christopher LeBait, the applicant’s engineer, said the plan retains one Montauk Highway curb cut, closes the other, provides 31 parking spaces, and includes cross‑access to an adjoining municipal parking area. LeBait told the board two small planning variances will be needed at site plan review because of the lot’s irregular shape.

Holm said the 1996 comprehensive land use plan recommended general business for the parcel, and the 2014 Greater Bellport land‑use plan recommended a transitional area; planning staff and the division of land management supported the rezoning and noted a land‑use intensification fee of $22,500 would be due if the change is approved.

The board passed a resolution adopting a negative declaration under the town’s environmental review standards and approved the rezoning. Final site plan approval and any required variances will be considered by the Planning Board at subsequent hearings.","The Town Board approved a change of zone for a 1.276‑acre parcel on Montauk Highway in East Patchogue, allowing a two‑story mixed‑use building; the applicant offered to dedicate about 24,455 sq ft of northern wetland buffer to the town and a land‑use intensification fee applies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Brookhaven holds hearing on proposed Mastic Beach sewer district; engineers outline $43M plant, $20M ARPA gap

Relief granted for Tennessee Court clearing limits; town orders homeowner to resolve masonry wall in highway right‑of‑way

Brookhaven approves clearing limit increase for Medford property; neighbors press lighting and parking concerns

Planning board approves Riverhead Building Supply site plan, legalizes rear addition

Town board approves rezoning for East Patchogue mixed‑use project with wetland dedication