As of last month, the Town of Brookhaven has officially obtained two more parcels for open space including: an 8-acre site on Bay Avenue in East Moriches and a 2.3-acre site in Center Moriches.

According to councilman Dan Panico, who can be credited with the preservation effort, the East Moriches property, known as the finger parcel, is located on the east side of Bay Avenue just north of Smith Street. The town board approved the preservation on April 14.

The total cost of purchase was $2,200,000 and will be paid in three separate purchases over three years—2022 purchase, $550,000.00; 2023 purchase, $825,000.00; 2024 purchase, $825,000.00—plus closing costs and real estate taxes. The Joseph Macchia Environmental Preservation Fund will fund the expense.

“We have made significant efforts throughout the area,” Panico said of preserving land in East Moriches, including a property on Atlantic Avenue.

The town also plans to close on the 3.2-acre wooded property in Center Moriches soon. The board voted to obtain that property located on Montauk Highway on April 15. The total cost of the property is $380,000 plus closing costs and taxes, and will be paid from the capital bond that enables the town to purchase and preserve open space in environmentally sensitive areas.

“In many ways, we are in a race against time because once a property is developed, it’s forever,” Panico said. “We will continue to work on preserving properties in the area to maintain the character.”