Some voice worry over Vanderbilt eatery plan

Centerport neighbors of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum peppered officials with questions Thursday night about how the facility is addressing its cash flow problem by planning to bring eating facilities onto the property.

The financially pressed facility announced recently it is negotiating a contract with the nearby Thatched Cottage restaurant to become the exclusive caterer on the property and operate a restaurant and a cafe in the planetarium that would be open daily.

Such an arrangement could boost food catering revenue from $50,000 to $200,000 because, museum officials said, they expect to hold three catered events a weekend during warmer months, instead of one now.

"I have been told by the county if we don't improve our sustainability they will no longer fund the Vanderbilt," said Noel Gish, president of the museum's board of trustees.

Gish stressed that the deal is not final and encouraged residents' input.

About two dozen residents attended the meeting, many of them complaining about traffic, noise and litter the proposal could generate, as well a lack of communication from museum officials, who hosted the meeting.

Nancy Doherty, who is against the plan, said, "It's a done deal. This was just a formality to keep us quiet."

One resident, Diane Rocco, who shares a property line with the museum, said she doesn't mind the proposal. "I'm very concerned about this plan, but I'm even more concerned this place is going to shut down and we're going to have quarter-acre zoning on the property."