August 25, 2017 – Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) & the Suffolk County Department of Real Estate safely secured the acquisition and preservation of the Hauppauge Springs property. Located across from the Suffolk County 4th Precinct and diagonally across from Blydenburgh Park on south side of Route 347, the newly preserved area is the actual headwaters of the Nissequogue River.
This property has been on the county’s master list of environmentally sensitive priority properties for preservation. This has been a long standing initiative in the 12th Legislative District. The parcel was designated as part of the master list used by the county for acquisition of environmentally sensitive properties during the tenure of Suffolk County Legislator Donald Blydenburgh (1986 - 1996). While serving under Legislator Blydenburgh, Leslie had first hand prior experience working on this very issue and now finally had the opportunity to see it come to fruition during her first term as Suffolk County Legislator.
With the first step of the initiative now being completed, Legislator Kennedy will be submitting a siting resolution to name the acquired property “Herman H. and Lillian Harries’ Sweetwater Farm Preserve”. The Harries family originally bought the property 77 years ago as a homestead farm with the hopes of preserving Long Island History. 93 year old Janice Bradt, the last of the family lineage, parted with the property with a hand written promise from Legislator Kennedy that the County would uphold and honor her parents’ wishes.
“It is truly an honor to have seen a project that was worked on by many preceding legislators finally completed” said Legislator Kennedy as Janice Brandt signed the final closing paperwork. Legislator Kennedy presented her with a bouquet of flowers immediately following the closing. One of the genuinely unique characteristics of this property is that the wetlands and pond serve as a habitat for the last indigenous trout population for any freshwater river on Long Island. “It’s great when all parties can come together for the betterment and protection of our environment” said Kennedy. “I would like to thank John Turner of Seatuck Environmental Association, Janet Longo and Jason Smagin from Suffolk County Real Estate Department for working behind the scenes to help complete this very important preservation effort”.
For more information about this initiative and other initiatives in the community, please call our office at (631)-854-3735 or log onto Legislator Kennedy’s Facebook page at facebook.com/legislatorlesliekennedy.
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Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy represents the 12th Legislative District, encompassing Smithtown, Nesconset, Hauppauge, the Village of the Branch, Lake Grove, parts of Commack, Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma and Centereach. Legislator Kennedy was born and raised on Long Island, is a former nurse and small business manager, and has dedicated her life towards the betterment of our community. She currently serves on the following Committees: Budget and Finance, Education and Human Services, Government Operations, Personnel, and Information Technology, Health, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, and Veterans
(L-R: Janice Bradt, Janet Longo of Suffolk County Real Estate , John Turner of Seatuck & Legislator Kennedy)