Attempt to donate Suffolk parcel hits snag

Suffolk Legis. Kate Browning (WFP-Shirley) wants to help the fledgling Village of Mastic Beach with one-third of an acre of county property that was taken for unpaid taxes -- for a park or a village hall. But the Steve Levy administration wants the village at least to pay the $6,365.13 in back taxes owed on the Neighborhood Road property. Pamela Greene, the county real-estate director, said the county only waives taxes for affordable housing. "We look to make the county taxpayers whole," she said.

The property was to be auctioned last fall with a requested opening price of $10,000, but was pulled when village officials expressed interest. Greene said the village still has not put in an official request for the land nor specified an intended purpose. The request was tabled at the ways and means committee.-- Rick Brand