On March 13, 2025, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico participated as a panelist at the Real Estate Institute’s Annual Spring Luncheon. The event took place at the Heritage Club at Bethpage in Farmingdale and gathered industry leaders to discuss challenges and solutions for Long Island's housing market.
Supervisor Panico was part of a panel that included notable figures such as Mayor Ralph Ekstrand of Oyster Bay, Anthony Bartone of Terwilliger & Bartone Properties, David Pennetta from Cushman & Wakefield Long Island, Cara Longworth from Empire State Development, and moderator Kevin Law from TRITEC.
During the discussion, Panico addressed the challenges facing Long Island’s housing market. He emphasized the critical need for infrastructure to support new development. He referenced the Town Board’s decision in 2024 to eliminate the Brookhaven Town Planning Board as a measure to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
Panico stated, “If there is going to be investment in our housing market, there needs to be infrastructure that comes along with it, most importantly sewer capacity.” He also highlighted New York State's role in funding necessary infrastructure.
The Supervisor underscored the importance of developers engaging with communities where they plan projects. He pointed out that developers should educate residents about their processes to foster better understanding and collaboration.