Fix the dam thing at Stony Brook Mill Pond

Over Labor Day weekend, I went on a bike ride from my home in Port Jefferson, through Setauket, to Stony Brook. As I approached my destination, I noticed a new lawn sign in practically every yard: "WMHO: After one year - not one shovel." Then, emphatically: "Repair the dam!"

The signs refer to the Mill Pond dam, which burst during a torrential rainstorm in August 2024 — draining the pond and wiping out a 100- to 200-foot section of the Harbor Road bridge. Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine told Newsday at the time, "In Stony Brook, we suffered major damage: the Mill Pond is gone; six houses damaged; cesspools, personal items, all floating toward Long Island Sound."

One year later, no repairs have been made — and residents blame The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO), a nonprofit that "protects and preserves historic and environmentally sensitive properties deeded to it by Ward Melville." The lawn signs have caught the attention of Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, who posted recently, "These signs have been appearing around the community."

Who's responsible for the dam? That's the multimillion-dollar question. FEMA is ready to pay for up to 75% of the reconstruction, but the application requires a signature from the property owner at the time of the loss. Brookhaven commissioned a title report, which found that WMHO is the owner. The nonprofit insists Brookhaven is the owner. Suffolk commissioned its own title report, which confirmed that WMHO owns it. WMHO's president said it "filled out the applicable application in 2024" and they're waiting on FEMA. Back and forth they go, pointing fingers while the damage remains untouched.

Brookhaven and Suffolk offered WMHO a carrot: They will pay for the remaining 25% of the reconstruction if WMHO signs as the property owner. It's a fair, good-faith deal. But WMHO refuses to acknowledge ownership, probably because it does not want to assume liability for the six damaged houses. While WMHO plays games, emergency vehicles cannot pass, and FEMA's money sits on the table, awaiting a signature.

Now a lawsuit by the Village of Head of the Harbor seeks to force WMHO's hand — but that process could drag on for several more years.

The town and county have shown a willingness to solve the problem quickly and protect taxpayers from further burden. But so far their good faith has not been returned. If WMHO continues to drag this out, the burden must shift. Why should taxpayers have to foot the bill for WMHO's private property? The offer on the table is generous, but not permanent.

We tried the carrot. It's time we heed the words of Long Island's native son, Teddy Roosevelt: "Speak softly and carry a big stick." WMHO can voluntarily acknowledge ownership and allow the funding to flow, or it can be forced in court and lose taxpayer support. I suggest they choose the former.

This guest essay reflects the views of Will Sussman is a Town of Brookhaven resident and author of the Substack newsletter, Where There's a Will. Follow him @realWillSussman.