Movement Forming to Preserve Open Land Near Highlands

Residents of the Highlands at Port Jefferson have taken up the charge of saving the six-acres of open space near the condominium complex that belongs to the village by forming a grassroots movement calling itself “Highland Park.”

Kathleen Riley, a resident of the Highland condominium complex in the village, showed up at the village board meeting on Feb. 6 to read a statement imploring the mayor and board of trustees to take actions to preserve the space as parkland.

“Because I have such faith, and trust in all of you, that you hold the best interest of this village in the highest regard, I have little doubt that you will act on this request with caring, diligence and dispatch,” she said.

Riley was joined by another resident, Christina Giacomazza-Yost, near the Port Jefferson Library recently to gather signatures, on a petition supporting their effort and making sure the village got the message, according to a report on the Port Times Record's website._

According to village attorney Barry Warren, Port Jefferson has already started looking into recording the property as dedicated parkland.

“I’ve been directed by the mayor to look into whatever steps needed to make that property parkland in perpetuity,” he said.

Mayor Margot Garant said that the village will not make any decisions until they receive a report from Warren. At the meeting, Warren assured residents that if the village decided to do so a recording can be completed “a matter of months not a matter of years.”