Brookhaven, New York

Town of Brookhaven, New York
—  Town  —
Location of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New York
Coordinates:
Country United States
State New York
County Suffolk
Settled 1655
Incorporated 1686
Government
 • Type Civil Township
 • Supervisor Mark Lesko
Area
 • Total 531.5 sq mi (1,376.6 km2)
 • Land 259.3 sq mi (671.6 km2)
 • Water 272.2 sq mi (705.1 km2)
Elevation 79 ft (24 m)
Population (2009)
 • Total 490,416
 • Density 1,822/sq mi (703.5/km2)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 11719
Area code(s) 631
FIPS code 36-10000
GNIS feature ID 0978758
Website www.brookhaven.org

The Town of Brookhaven is one of the ten towns into which Suffolk County, New York, United States, has been divided. Part of the New York metropolitan area, it is located in central Suffolk County and is the only town in the county that stretches from the North Shore to the South Shore of Long Island. The population of the town was 486,040 at the 2010 census. It is the largest town (by area, if including water area) in the state of New York, and the second most populous, exceeded only by the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County.[1]

Contents

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 531.5 square miles (1,376.6 km²), of which 259.3 square miles (671.6 km²) is land and 272.2 square miles (705.1 km² or 51.22%) is water. It is the largest town in New York in terms of total area. Excluding water, however, there are four towns in the state with more land area: Webb in Herkimer County, Long Lake in Hamilton County, Arietta in Hamilton County, and Ohio in Herkimer County.

It has coastline on both the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound. Riverhead and Southampton lie to the east, and Smithtown and Islip lie to the west.

A large part of Fire Island and the Great South Bay are in the town.

It has a large hill, known as "Bald Hill", in the hamlet of Farmingville, which marks where the glacier which formed Long Island stopped. At the top of Bald Hill is a Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Telescope Hill, to the west of Bald Hill, is slightly taller and the highest point in the Town.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is located within the town.

History

The first known inhabitants were Algonquian-speaking Native Americans, of the Setauket and Unkechaug tribes. The first English settlers arrived in 1655 and purchased land from the inhabitants. Early English settlers farmed, fished, and hunted whales.

The first English settlement was named Setauket after the native American tribe. In 1666, Governor Richard Nicolls granted a Patent for the town which confirmed title to the lands purchased, and permitted additional purchases. Governor Thomas Dongan issued a Patent in 1686 which granted powers to the town and established a representative form of government.[2]

The letter "D" on the official seal, associated with the original Dongan patent officially establishing Brookhaven, is a cattle branding letter assigned to Brookhaven in the mid-17th century, along with whaling harpoons.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1850 8,595
1860 9,923 15.5%
1870 10,159 2.4%
1880 11,544 13.6%
1890 12,772 10.6%
1900 14,892 16.6%
1910 16,737 12.4%
1920 21,847 30.5%
1930 28,291 29.5%
1940 32,118 13.5%
1950 44,522 38.6%
1960 109,900 146.8%
1970 245,260 123.2%
1980 364,812 48.7%
1990 407,779 11.8%
2000 448,248 9.9%
2010 486,040 8.4%

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 448,248 people, 146,828 households, and 112,910 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,728.8 people per square mile (667.5/km²). There were 155,406 housing units at an average density of 599.4 per square mile (231.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.43% White, 4.33% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 2.90% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.21% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.04% of the population.

There were 146,828 households out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

According to a 2006 estimate, the median income for a household in the town was $73,566, and the median income for a family was $84,705.[1] Males had a median income of $48,601 versus $32,157 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,191. About 3.9% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

Historical Population
(see also sidebox for U.S. census data)

1865 10,159[4]
1845 7,461[5]
1825 5,393[6]

Economy

Top employers

According to Brookhaven's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[7] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees Location
1 Stony Brook University 13,623 Stony Brook
2 Internal Revenue Service 3,332 Holtsville
3 Sachem School District 3,100 Holbrook
4 Brookhaven National Laboratory 2,500 Upton
5 John T. Mather Memorial Hospital 2,047 Port Jefferson
6 Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center 2,030 East Patchogue
7 St. Charles Hospital 1,520 Port Jefferson
8 Three Village Central School District 1,454 East Setauket
9 Verizon 1,440 Patchogue
10 William Floyd School District 1,300 Mastic Beach

Government and Politics

Brookhaven government is led by a town Supervisor and a six-member Town Council, which are all two-year term elected positions. Council members are elected by district.[8]

Prior to 2002, the Brookhaven Town Republican Party controlled the majority of the town board for several decades, except for a two year period in the mid-1970s when Democrats held a majority under Supervisor John Randolph.[9] This one-party domination, and a series of scandals, led to a tarnished reputation of local politics accorded the nickname "Crookhaven".[10][11]

In 2002, a voter proposition was passed to create council districts, replacing the prior system of electing the six town council members at-large.[1] Steve Fiore-Rosenfield became the first Democrat to be elected since the 1970s in 2003.[12] In 2005, Brian X. Foley, a Democratic county legislator won the Town Supervisor race against Republican Councilman Edward Hennessy.[13] In addition to Brian Foley, Constance Kepert and Carol Bissonette were also elected to the town board. As a result, the Democrats gained control of the Brookhaven town board.[14]

Following the election of 2007, the Republican Party regained a majority on the Brookhaven Town Board, and elected Councilman Tim Mazzei as majority leader.[15]

In 2008, Brian Foley was elected to the State Senate; he was replaced as Supervisor by Mark Lesko, a Democrat, in a special election in early 2009.[16] However, the Republicans retained their majority on the Town Council.

On November 14, 2009, Town Councilman Keith Romaine, son of Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine, died. A special election was held March 9, 2010 to fill the vacant seat, with Daniel Panico being the victor.

Current Town Board as of March 9, 2010[17]

Supervisor Mark Lesko (D)

Town Clerk Patricia Eddington (former Assemblywoman)Non-Voting Member (D)

1st Council District Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfield (D)

2nd Council District Councilwoman Jane Bonner (C)

3rd Council District Councilwoman Kathleen Walsh (R)

4th Council District Councilwoman Constance Kepert (D)

5th Council District Councilman Timothy Mazzei (R)

6th Council District Councilman Daniel Panico (R)

Tax Receiver LOUIS J. MARCOCCIA (R) [17]

Communities and locations

Villages (incorporated)

Brookhaven has 9 villages:

  1. Belle Terre
  2. Bellport
  3. Lake Grove
  4. Mastic Beach
  5. Old Field
  6. Patchogue
  7. Poquott
  8. Port Jefferson
  9. Shoreham

Hamlets (unincorporated)

Brookhaven includes all or part of 50 hamlets. One of those hamlets is also named Brookhaven.

  1. Blue Point
  2. Brookhaven
  3. Calverton (in part with the Town of Riverhead)
  4. Canaan Lake
  5. Center Moriches
  6. Centereach
  7. Cherry Grove
  8. Coram
  9. Crystal Brook
  10. Cupsogue Beach
  11. Davis Park
  12. East Moriches
  13. East Patchogue
  14. East Setauket
  15. East Shoreham
  16. Eastport (in part with the Town of Southampton)
  17. Farmingville
  18. Fire Island Pines
  19. Gordon Heights
  20. Hagerman
  21. Holbrook (in part with the Town of Islip)
  22. Holtsville (in part with the Town of Islip)
  23. Lake Ronkonkoma (in part with the Towns of Smithtown and Islip)
  24. Manorville(in part with the Town of Riverhead)
  25. Mastic
  26. Medford
  27. Middle Island
  28. Miller Place
  29. Moriches
  30. Mount Sinai
  31. North Bellport
  32. North Patchogue
  33. Ocean Bay Park
  34. Port Jefferson Station
  35. Ridge
  36. Rocky Point
  37. Ronkonkoma (in part with the Town of Islip)
  38. Selden
  39. Setauket
  40. Shirley
  41. Sound Beach
  42. South Haven
  43. Stony Brook
  44. Strongs Neck
  45. Terryville
  46. Upton
  47. Wading River (in part with the Town of Riverhead)
  48. Water Island
  49. West Manor
  50. Yaphank

See More

Other communities

  • Bayberry Dunes
  • Bellview Beach
  • Coram Hill
  • Crystal Brook
  • East Yaphank
  • Hallock Landing
  • Old Mastic
  • Poospatuck Reservation
  • Rocky Point Landing
  • Patchogue Highlands
  • Sigfield Park
  • South Manor
  • South Medford
  • South Setauket
  • South Yaphank
  • Squassux Landing
  • Smith Point
  • Wading River Landing
  • West Yaphank
  • Woodhull Landing

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Lambert, Bruce (January 23, 2002). "Council-Districts Referendum Wins Narrowly in Brookhaven". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/23/nyregion/council-districts-referendum-wins-narrowly-in-brookhaven.html. Retrieved June 4, 2009. 
  2. ^ Brookhaven Town History, Town of Brookhaven, accessed 5 June 2009
  3. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  4. ^ "Census of the State of New York, 1865, Tables p. 14". http://nysl.nysed.gov/. Retrieved 2009-05-29. 
  5. ^ "Census of the State of New York, 1845". http://nysl.nysed.gov/. Retrieved 2009-05-29. 
  6. ^ "Census of the State of New York, 1825". http://nysl.nysed.gov/. Retrieved 2009-05-29. 
  7. ^ Town of Brookhaven CAFR
  8. ^ Brookhaven Elected Officials, Town of Brookhaven, accessed 5 June 2009
  9. ^ Rather, John (Jan. 23, 2005). "Brian Foley Is Running For Brookhaven Supervisor". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE7DA1E38F930A15752C0A9639C8B63&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss. Retrieved June 4, 2009. 
  10. ^ "Crookhaven: The Brookhaven Town Republican Party". Newsday. Nov. 12, 2003. http://www.newsday.com/ny-limoments-3,0,2129913.story. Retrieved June 4, 2009. 
  11. ^ Lambert, Bruce (Nov. 5, 2005). "BROOKHAVEN; With Republican Party in Shambles, Change Is in the Air". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807E3D7173EF936A35752C1A9639C8B63&sec=&spon=&&scp=5&sq=brian%20foley%20and%202005&st=cse. Retrieved June 4, 2009. 
  12. ^ Toy, Vivian S. (Jul. 18, 2004). "A Better Way To Govern? Taking Stock In 3 Towns". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/18/nyregion/a-better-way-to-govern-taking-stock-in-3-towns.html. Retrieved June 4, 2009. 
  13. ^ Lambert, Bruce (Nov. 9, 2005). "Democrats Score Gains in Nassau and Suffolk". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/09/nyregion/09nassau.html?scp=25&sq=brian%20foley%20and%202005&st=cse. Retrieved June 4, 2009. 
  14. ^ "Talkin’ bout a revolution". North Shore Sun. Nov. 11, 2005. http://archive.timesreview.com/pubfiles/mat/archive/images_pages/suna01_11_11_2005.pdf. Retrieved June 5, 2009. 
  15. ^ "Mazzei to run for Brookhaven supervisor". Long Island Business News. Dec. 5, 2008. http://libn.com/blog/2008/12/05/mazzei-to-run-for-brookhaven-supervisor/. Retrieved June 5, 2009. 
  16. ^ "Newcomer Lesko wins Brookhaven supervisor". Newsday. Mar. 31, 2009. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-libroo0112601679mar31,0,1660348.story. Retrieved June 4, 2009. 
  17. ^ a b www.brookhaven.org

External links