Town land purchase in Riverhead could launch “green belt” project

Suffolk County legislator Al Krupski asked the Riverhead Town Board earlier this month to vote on a resolution at its Feb. 20 meeting to support the purchase of a nearly acre-sized lot at 305 West Main Street by the Peconic River and create a “green belt” of properties allowing waterfront access, Newsday reported. There is no current price tag for the property, which is owned by local resident Tom Mielnicki, who has reportedly sent a letter of interest to the county. The belt of properties would be made up of open spaces and parks for residents. Riverhead doesn’t currently have a plan to create the belt, but studies have suggested that the municipality do so. If the town does buy the property, it could tie into the county’s proposed purchase of a 16-acre former duck farm on West Main Street. In December, some board members were wary of that purchase because it may cost too much to maintain the property. [Newsday]