Wearing Colonial garb, costumed Brookhaven officials weigh modern matters

Brookhaven officials decked out in Colonial garb checked their cellphones for messages.

A Thomas Jefferson impersonator read the Declaration of Independence while cars and trucks rumbled by on Middle Country Road.

And with the tolling of a handbell and the words, "Hear ye, hear ye!" Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico took the town board back to a time before artificial intelligence and battery energy storage controversies.

To celebrate America's 250th birthday, the board met Thursday at the Davis Town Meeting House in Coram, an 18th century inn-tavern that hosted official town gatherings from 1800-1886.

Panico and the town's six council members wore period costumes — vests and high collars for the men; long dresses for the women. Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig added a bonnet.

Backed by a flag-bearing honor guard wearing tri-corner hats, Eagle Scouts recited the Pledge of Allegiance (written in 1892, six years after the last meeting at the Davis house).

Quill pens, pewter mugs and old books sat on tables on the house's porch, while the town board voted on 21st century matters like solar panel installations.

Panico said British troops during the Revolutionary War held a Davis family member, Goldsmith Davis, upside-down over a well at the house for being a suspected traitor.

"This building has seen some extraordinary moments in our nation's history," he told the crowd of about 40 people, some of whom also dressed for the occasion. 

Modern life occasionally intruded.

A concealed microphone was no match for the traffic, causing officials to strain to speak over the noise.

And an automated sprinkler suddenly turned itself on (no one got wet).

The meeting ended after 40 minutes. Town board meetings usually run three hours or more.

Councilman Neil Foley quickly peeled off his woolen outer garments on the 83-degree day.

"It was something that was a little fun," he said.