Thorne Announces Deal That Turns Blighted Bianchi/Weiss Property into Nature Preserve

Agreement with Post-Morrow Foundation Preserves Open Space in East Patchogue

Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) and Post-Morrow Vice President Tom Williams announced last week an agreement that converts the Bianchi-Weiss site into a nature preserve.

“This is a tremendous win for the community and the taxpayers of Suffolk County,” said Thorne. “I want to thank Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey and the rest of my colleagues in the legislature for their support in bringing this deal to fruition. We have to preserve every inch of land we can.”

The superfund preserve in East Patchogue will now be maintained and run by the Post-Morrow Foundation. The Department of Environmental Conservation cleaned up the 14-acre site in 2016.

The property was transferred on Friday, February 17th. Thorne and Williams have been collaborating on the initiative for nearly one year.

The county assumed control of the Bianchi-Weiss property through an unsatisfied tax lien.

“We had to purchase the land and paid $10,000,” Williams said. “Our idea is to leave it as is, clean up the edges, put up a fence, and install a walking trail around the circumference,” he said.

It’s been a long haul for the Bianchi/Weiss Greenhouses site to get to this finish line.

The property was utilized for commercial growing from 1929 until 2005. Although the land was rezoned for residential development, the community voiced its concerns about contaminants, including many pesticides, in the soil.

The Post-Morrow Foundation was able to acquire the property for $10,000 when it became subject to a tax lien and was taken over by the county. The Foundation's primary goals are to maintain the land and put up a path for visitors to walk around the outside.

Commissioner of Suffolk County Economic Development and Planning Sarah Lansdale first brought the property to Thorne’s attention in early 2022, when she proposed a joint effort with Post-Morrow. The acquisition of the Bianchi-Weiss property also removes $22,000 in taxes yearly and relieves residents of the burden.

“The residents will no longer be responsible for $22,000 in property taxes each year, and they have gained a new preserve in their community,” said Thorne.

Legislator Thorne sought community input through three Zoom meetings and one face-to-face gathering with nearby residents. Those that attended stated that they only wanted open space for this site.

“We listened, and we delivered,” said Thorne.

Cleanup will start this spring, according to Post-Morrow's Tom Williams.