Theodore Roosevelt Association President James Bruns has been listening to residents and is tweaking his plans for the proposed TR Museum and Research Center in Oyster Bay.

He said he appreciates the interaction he has had with the community. At the Jan. 10 meeting at Christ Church to discuss the museum's plans he said, "We will give out a pamphlet telling people where we stand, and to tell them that some things will change over time."

One change is that he will not provide any food service at the museum. He said in his museum work he has had experience with food service but said, "Food service and collections and computer inter-actives don't go well together. In Washington we couldn't avoid it. [Where he built a Postal Museum.] There was not a convenient restaurant close to the National Mall. Here there is ample food service. Eighteen percent of consumer space in Oyster Bay is food service, so we are not going to have a cafeteria or our own catering kitchen. We will rely on commercial kitchens."

Mr. Bruns said, "That is the value of these sessions. We are trying to be very transparent and open with people and to let them see what is changing. It shows the value of seeing people."

Mr. Bruns was asked if that space, normally designated to food service, would be used to reduce the size of the museum and he said, "No. That space will be devoted to exhibitions."

When asked if he was considering reducing the size of the museum he said they were looking at creating a smaller footprint for the museum. He said in the 35 ft. height of the building they would be able to put in three floors - not just two - in that height - which could result in a smaller footprint because of maximizing the space available.

"We are looking at every issue. Especially about having a Green building. We would be the first in Oyster Bay and the first on Long Island. If we set the standard high - that will mean that the harbor never has a problem because of construction. And currently all the runoff from Firemen's Field goes into the harbor. We will recover all that grey water to use for flushing toilets and [after processing the water] it comes back as clean water.

"One of the things we are hoping to do is have a consultant come to talk to the community about what a LEED building can be so we can have a clear sense of what we can be to the local community and to the health of Oyster Bay harbor.

"We are not going to have a big box building. We are going to be very sensitive to the environment - just as Theodore Roosevelt would want it," he said.