Recently, a series of articles and letters appeared in
our local newspaper, generating considerable controversy regarding the current commercial operations at the site of the Thompson-Detmer Farm. The Thompson Farm, as it was known for centuries, is the oldest farm in Brookhaven Town and lies in the heart of the Three Village Community. John Thompson, the patriarch of the Thompson family, came to the Setaukets in 1672, and served as a constable. His youngest son, Samuel, was also a citizen-farmer – working the land and serving as a Town Trustee. Samuel’s two sons made significant contributions to both our community and nation. Jonathan, his first born, was a Justice of the Peace. Young Samuel was a physician serving the needs of the sick and poor.
When the time came in our colonial history to throw off the bonds of British oppression, it was these two young men, with prosperous and secure lives, who did not hesitate to take up arms to help create our nation. Both fought, and sacrificed for years, against the British attempt to control Long Island. Today, you can visit the Thompson House on North Country Road and view the gravesites of these patriots that overlook both their home and farmland.
Doctor Samuel Thompson’s son was Benjamin Franklin Thompson. In the late 1700’s, Benjamin would become both a doctor and lawyer with a passion for history. He is widely recognized as Long Island’s first historian and wrote the often-quoted classic The History of Long Island. There are so many Thompsons closely tied to the land, community, and the history of the Setaukets. In the 1800’s Samuel Ludlow Thompson developed model methods of farming that won him worldwide recognition and the first place prize in the International Exhibition of 1851 in London.
Throughout the 1800’s, the Thompson farm was the largest and most productive farm in the area. And while the property was sold to the Detmer family in the 1930’s the farm remained a working agricultural site – a remarkable and unique legacy of four centuries.
It is not surprising that for decades the Civic Association of the Setaukets has advocated for the preservation of this important agricultural site. In 1999, the Civic Association of the Setaukets was a powerful voice in opposing the 40 acre site from becoming a 380 senior apartment complex named The Lodge at Detmer Farm. And, it was also the Civic Association of the Setaukets that supported the efforts of our Suffolk County Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher to either purchase the land or secure the land’s development rights.
In 2004, Suffolk County Executive Robert Gaffney announced that the development rights for the Thompson-Detmer Farm were finally purchased for approximately six million dollars. It is important to note that Suffolk County acquired the development rights to the large parcel of land north of 25A (opposite the East Setauket Post Office.) The three acres of land that is south of Route 25A (next to the East Setauket Post Office) are not under the County’s Farm Acquisition Program.
Following the sale of the land’s development rights and its protection under the Farm Preservation Program, The current owners of the farmland have rented the three acres on the south side of the road and seven acres of the northern property (the farm stand building and surrounding land) to one business concern, and has rented the remaining acreage to another business operation.
Community members have expressed the following concerns to the Civic Association of the Setaukets over the past two years, that are essentially
Town of Brookhaven Government issues: Both parcels of land are A-1 Residential. These parcels are not zoned for the large commercial “farm stand” activities that have developed on both properties over the past several years. Just on the southern property, the extensive line of products is far from those normally allowed or condoned at a traditional, country “farm stand.” On the north side of Route 25A, the Town’s Historic District Advisory Committee and the Town’s Planning Board have been bypassed during the renovations of the farm stand structure. There is a second building on the north side of Rt. 25 A that is apparently undergoing renovation, without review by the Planning Board or HDAC. The loss of tax revenue due to commercial enterprises operating on residential- zoned
property.
Community members have expressed the following concerns to the Civic Association of the Setaukets over the past two years, that are essentially
New York State Government issues: On the large north parcel of the Thompson-Detmer Farm, about 100 feet of chain-link boundary fence erected by the State Department of Transportation was removed, a number of trees on NYS land were cut down, and a large area of land was “graveled over” - apparently to help in establishing additional store-front parking. One immediate result of these actions is the unapproved exit and entranceways to the busy traffic lanes of Route 25A. This100-200 ft segment of highway is now causing hazardous road conditions. On the southern portion of Route 25A, next to the Post Office, an entrance-exit to the building was created without any review or permission by either the Town or the State DOT. It is also believed by some that the business operation cleared, and is now operating on, a significant portion of State-owned property, near the proposed Setauket-Port Jefferson Bike Path. The loss of tax revenue due to a commercial enterprise operating on residential- zoned property. The recent acquisition of the development rights to the Thompson-Detmer property now contractually protects this historic farmland from non-agricultural ventures.
Community members have expressed the following concerns to the Civic Association of the Setaukets over the past two years, which are essentially
Suffolk County Government issues: The erection of a large inflatable plastic ‘play
castle.’ The addition of play equipment and playgrounds for children. The continual expansion of the parking area and growing loss of farmland that is protected under the Farmland Preservation Program.
The Civic Association of the Setaukets is active in working with all public and private parties to uphold the agrarian history of the Thompson-Detmer Farm and adhere to the provisions of the County’s Farmland Preservation Program.
