Government and community leaders celebrated the preservation of Jericho's Underhill property at a reception held on Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.

In October 2002, an agreement was reached stating that New York State, Nassau County and the Town of Oyster Bay would acquire 50 acres of the environmentally-sensitive land in a state-designated Special Groundwater Protection Area above the county's sole source aquifer.

In addition, the development rights of an additional 20 acres would be contributed by Bill and Ellen Doremus who own the property adjacent to Underhill. Added to the existing 25-acre Oyster Bay Town preserve, a 95-acre Underhill Preserve would be established.

According to the proposal, the Holiday Organization, a development company, will build 102 single-family homes on the remaining 31 acres. The developer agreed to sell 40 percent of the homes to people 55 and older to lessen the impact on the Jericho School District.

Richard Amper acted as emcee of the reception starting off by welcoming the guests and thanking everyone who contributed to the preservation of the Underhill property. He thanked land owner Roger Tilles, for working with the community and not being a "greedy developer."

"This deal was very complicated and involved every level of government," said Amper. "What a fabulous achievement and a tremendous coming together of people."

Among the honored were New York State Commissioner of Environmental Conservation Erin Crotty, who was also there representing Governor George Pataki. Crotty spoke on behalf of the governor and also herself as she thanked the many politicians, civic leaders and environmentalists that made this deal possible. "Thank you to everyone here for your passion and dedication in preserving Underhill as this property impacts the health of your community," she said.

Although the governor could not attend the celebration, he issued a press release that said, "By working closely with elected officials, community leaders, environmental organizations and concerned citizens, we have been able to protect the valuable green space at Underhill, ensuring that thousands of Long Islanders are able to enjoy these lands. Our investments will preserve this property and the region's sole source aquifer, which will benefit residents of Nassau County and future generations."

Plaques of appreciation were awarded to Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, State Legislative Environmental Conservation Chairmen Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli and Senator Carl Marcellino, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Assemblyman David Sidikman. Also being honored were William and Ellen Doremus.

"Amid the sprawl of suburbia, we have, after almost 30 years of hard work, preserved an important piece of Long Island's history and an important drinking water well for our children and grandchildren," said Joseph Lorintz, executive director and chairman of the Society to Preserve Underhill. The society spearheaded a coalition of more than 50 environmental and community groups to win joint town, county and state preservation of the property last October.

Community and environmental groups were also honored at the reception, which was co-sponsored by the United Civic Associations of North Oyster Bay, a coalition of Oyster Bay based community groups. They include: ACTION, Birchwood Park at Syosset Home Owners Association, Cedar Swamp Historical Society, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Concerned Citizens of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Community; East Norwich Civic Association, Friends of the Bay, Gates Ridge Plainview Road Civic Association, Glenwood/Glen Head Civic Association, Hamlet East Condominium Association, Huntington Audubon, Incorporated Village of Muttontown, Jericho Fire District, Jericho Union Free School District, Long Island Neighborhood Network, Long Island Pine Barrens Society, Long Island Progressive Coalition, League of Women Voters of Nassau County, Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, Locust Valley Civic Association, Locust Neighborhood Watch, Meadow Brook Club, Nassau/Suffolk Horsemen's Association, North Shore Audubon, New York League of Conservation Voters, Oakwood Park Civic Association, Oakwood Princeton Park Civic Association, Plainview-Old Bethpage Citizens Advisory Group, Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset, Sierra Club, South Shore Audubon Society, South Woodbury Taxpayers Association, Syosset Groves Civic Association, Syosset Woodbury Road Civic Association, White Birch/Old Jericho Civic Association, North Country Garden Club, Manors at Jericho, Brookville Taxpayers Association, Incorporated Village of Brookville, Hunting Hill Civic Association and United Civic Associations of North Oyster Bay.

"The preservation of Underhill would not have been possible without the extraordinary coming-together of these great groups and our elected officials," said Donald Pupke, President of the Society to Preserve Underhill. "This achievement shows what citizens can do when they work together for a common cause - it's an accomplishment worthy of celebration."

The focus of many speeches made on Thursday was on the bipartisan support given to the Underhill property. Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto expressed this best in his speech after Ellen Doremus presented him with his plaque of appreciation. "Many generations of residents in this town have fantasized about this night," said Venditto. "It would be wrong not to acknowledge certain people - Governor Pataki and, of course, Joe Lorintz. Joe and I ran against each other [in the 2001 Oyster Bay Town Supervisor race] and in the aftermath of that campaign - it was our finest hour. Without Joe Lorintz, this doesn't happen," Venditto said to a standing ovation. The support from the Republican supervisor and his previous Democratic opponent was only one example of the various groups coming together to get this deal done.

Venditto also thanked the Oyster Bay Town Board members for their continuous efforts. "Nothing happens without the board," he said.

Through the trials and tribulations endured by everyone attempting to preserve this property, Thursday's celebration was something that all involved parties dreamed of. "This dream has become a reality," said Venditto.