Preserving land in Moriches

The Town of Brookhaven has been moving forward with acquiring several parcels in Moriches off Montauk Highway for the sake of land preservation.

“It's critically important for the future, for the environment and the character of the community,” said town councilman Dan Panico. “Most people who live in the area see what the pressure and overall development from Nassau and Suffolk has done and choose to live here for a variety of reasons, mainly the high quality of life, lack of congestion and lack of overdevelopment.”

One of the parcels is located at 285 Montauk Highway in Moriches. The property features a dwelling, a large detached garage unit, truck bodies, carnival equipment and several other items deemed garbage. Brookhaven Town’s task here is to demolish the structures and clear out the existing debris. The town partnered with Peconic Land Trust here with the end goal of preserving the 13-acre parcel.

The property is shaped similar to an umbrella, with the staff and handle reaching southward to touch Montauk Highway. Panico said there is great progress being made on the parcel.

“This is part of the continued effort to preserve property,” Panico said, referencing the more than 70 acres that have been preserved in the Moriches in roughly the last 18 months.

A second property of three acres at the corner of James Hawkins Road and Montauk Highway in Moriches, across from Moriches Bay Diner. The parcel is majorly wooded.

Additionally, there has been serious discussion between the town and Breslin Realty for the acquisition of the 18-acre triangular parcel to the east of the acquired parcel off James Hawkins Road. This property stretches eastward toward the parking lot of Lidl and Wendy’s on Montauk Highway.

Panico also expressed that there is another heavily wooded 18-acre parcel just south of that one in which he said the town is interested in pursuing preservation eventually.