Water Quality Project Completed at Gamecock Cottage

After an extensive environmental review and environmental stewardship approval process, the Town of Brookhaven recently announced the completion of a water quality improvement project at the recently restored Gamecock Cottage at West Meadow Beach.

The water quality improvement project consisted of the installation of two macerator septic pumps and a 150 gallon high density polythene storage tank.

Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld, who oversaw the implementation of the project, called it "another significant step to help preserve and protect the sensitive ecosystem of the park."

“Installation of the new septic system is one of the most important elements to protect the water quality of West Meadow Beach and preserve the environmental integrity of this ‘crown jewel’ of Brookhaven’s parks,” Fiore-Rosenfeld said.

Robert DeZafra, archivist for the Civic Association of the Setaukets and Stony Brook, praised the project, saying: “This is an important step forward in protecting the water quality of West Meadow Creek as well as that of the Sand Street bathing beach, while providing live-in caretakers of the Gamecock Cottage with a safe and modern septic system for the first time since the Gamecock was built 150 years ago."

The restoration of the Gamecock Cottage – which is on the National Historic Registry – will soon move ahead with the raising of the structure between two-and-a-half and three feet. Restoration will also include the renovation of the upstairs living quarters to accomodate a Three Village Community Trust caretaker, which was authorized by the town in 2010, during the summer months.