Legislature Overrides Levy's Veto; Spinney Road Property Purchase Moves Forward

In a 17 to 1 vote, the Suffolk County Legislature overrode Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy's on a measure authorizing the county to move forward on a 430-acre parcel in East Quogue.

Legis. Tom Barraga (R-West Islip) cast the sole 'no' vote.

The vote allows the county to order appraisals and enter into negotiations with the property's owners, who have an 82-unit development proposal before Southampton Town.

Levy said he vetoed the acquisition because he felt there is a way to preserve the property without costing the county money.

In his veto message, he said, "This is an opportunity preserve approximately 300 acres of Pine Barrens at no cost to the taxpayers as opposed to having to spend anywhere from $15 million to $30 million on this one closing. Think of all the properties we could purchase with the money that would be freed up.”

According to some estimates, the property, which sits at the end of Spinney Hills Road in East Quogue and contains Pine Barrens and a pristine aquifer, is estimated to be valued at $15 million.

Legis. Jay Schneiderman, I-Montauk, who sponsored the measure, said to purchase the property the county would enter into a 50/50 agreement with Southampton Town, with Southampton using its Community Preservation funds and the county using its quarter-percent sales tax fund.