Legislator Jay Schneiderman (R-Montauk) announced today the unanimous passage of two bills aimed to protect over 28 acres on the South Fork.

Schneiderman is the cosponsor of Resolution 1143-07, which authorizes the acquisition of development rights that will keep over 25 acres of Bridgehampton a farm forever under the Suffolk County Environmental Legacy Fund. By contributing 40 percent of the property’s $14,760,420 price tag, the County’s assistance to Southampton Town forges a partnership that “will save a piece of history owned and operated by one of the region’s oldest families,” said Schneiderman. The Town will pay $8,856,252, the remaining 60 percent.

The property, located on Halsey Lane in Bridgehampton, is part of the Topping family farm and is within the Town’s Farmland Preservation Target Area. Supervisor Patrick Heaney introduced the resolution before the Town Board, who held a public hearing on the bill in October. The Board considers the land a “high priority” under the Town’s Community Preservation Project Plan. The money for the purchase will come from the Community Preservation Fund, a program backed by proceeds from a two percent transfer tax on real estate transactions.

Schneiderman praised the day’s move as representing a “significant opportunity for the two municipalities to work together for the East End. Today we’ve helped preserve the farm for generations to come,” he said.

Back in June 2006, the Legislature approved a planning steps resolution which authorized the Director of the Division of Real Estate within the County’s Planning Department to have the Topping farm-as well as others-appraised and environmentally audited for ultimate inclusion in Suffolk’s vast farmland inventory.

Resolution 1143-07 was introduced as IR 2116 was introduced at the Legislature’s General Meeting on November 7. A second bill, Resolution 1127-07, brings to a close a County effort begun last March to purchase the Bilski Family Estate on Aspatuck Creek in Westhampton.

The law’s adoption approves the issuance of $450,000 in serial bonds to cover the cost of the acquisition under the Suffolk County Multifaceted Land Preservation Program-an initiative which acquires environmentally sensitive land, as well as that for watershed and estuary protection; and for drinking water protection and parkland purposes.

The land is comprised of 2.42 acres on three parcels at the end of Quantuck and Wyndemere Avenues. It is bounded by County-owned property on its north side and another 2.4 acres of town-preserved open space to the west. Once acquired, the estate, which is currently owned by noted radio personality Gary Sapiane, will be transferred to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation for passive recreational use.

Representing the South Fork, Jay Schneiderman is Suffolk County Legislator for the Second Legislative District. The district extends from his hometown of Montauk westward to East Moriches-making it the largest district (geographically) in county government. He is also chairman of the County’s Public Works and Transportation Committee.