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Residents and board debate Peconic Land Trust plan to buy 4‑H parcel; town weighing participation
Summary
Peconic Land Trust is under contract to purchase a larger parcel that includes 36 acres the town was asked to help fund; residents debated valuation, cleanup costs and whether town participation (CPF funds) is appropriate while staff said county contract likely won't finalize until February and town participation remains under review.
The board heard public comment about Peconic Land Trust’s contract to purchase a large parcel that includes a 36‑acre portion the trust suggested the town help fund. Speakers differed sharply: some urged the town to partner to preserve open space, while others warned about cleanup costs for dozens of outbuildings and potential long‑term tax impacts.
A speaker who identified funding math questioned the town taking on cleanup liabilities and suggested the town might get a better outcome if an investment group purchased the land under cluster‑development rules; others said CPF funds and partnerships with county and the land trust could preserve open space at manageable town cost. Staff said Peconic Land Trust and Nassau County are in contract discussions and the county does not expect to finalize a contractual agreement until about February; the town will evaluate county terms, the per‑acre price and what portion (if any) it could reasonably fund.
