By Hank Russell
Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven entered into an agreement to purchase an 11.59-acre parcel of land in Manorville for preservation purposes. The announcement was made on September 13 at the property, located off North Street.
The property also has historical significance, as it was once home to the Arch Family, a historically significant African American family. Abraham and Huldah Arch acquired the property in 1865. Annie Arch, their daughter, was heavily involved in the AME Zion Church in Center Moriches. Annie was a close friend of Mary Bell, whose historic home is located nearby.
“Our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the Central Pine Barrens and our natural endowments because of what we do today,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. “This historically significant property is an important chapter of Long Island’s African-American history, and I thank my partners in the Legislature and in town government for supporting this purchase.”
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico said Suffolk is “in a race against time when it comes to combating overdevelopment, preserving our environment and preserving wooded lands like this in Manorville.”
Approximately $3 million of the purchase was funded through Suffolk County’s Drinking Water Protection Program and $1.1 million was funded by the Town of Brookhaven.
The land is partially within the bounds of the Central Pine Barrens and entirely within the Forge River Watershed, as Legislator James Mazzarella (R-Riverhead) pointed out. “The importance is not only the open space, but the preservation of land that protects our drinking water that we currently stand on.”
Town Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig, a Manorville resident, said she is “very proud” to see a partnership happen in which they work to protect the land’s pristine properties. “This is a great day for everyone involved,” she said.
Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) added, “It’s always a great day” when the county, town and state can preserve such a large parcel of land, especially one with historical significance, “which makes it even better when we can help preserve a piece of land and when we can help the environment.”
(Photo: Freddie Cain) Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (behind podium) announces the town’s partnership with Suffolk County to purchase an 11.59-acre piece of property in Manorville. He is joined by (left to right) NYS Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig and Suffolk County Legislator James Mazzarella.