Community Groups Circulate Survey About Remsenburg Mill

Two community groups are seeking to build a public consensus on the desired future use of a crumbling, 156-year-old saw mill in Remsenburg.

The Remsenburg Association and the Speonk-Remsenburg Civic Association circulated a survey earlier this month, via both email and standard mail, asking residents what they would like to see done with the Tuttle-Fordham Mill on Old Montauk Highway if the owners cannot find a private buyer.

Jim Mendelson, president of the Remsenburg Association, said the goal of the survey is to garner enough responses to make a compelling pitch to Southampton Town officials to preserve the property—if a private buyer does not come forward.

“Ideally, the survey will establish that there is a substantive desire to preserve the mill,” Mr. Mendelson said, “which would give the working group some credibility as being a voice attempting to represent the broader community interest.

“I would very much stress that a strong private buyer would be the best solution,” he continued. “We’re not looking to have another town-owned building, but on the other side of the token, it is in a difficult position and its fallen into some disrepair.”

So far, the two groups have gotten roughly 60 responses, with the vast majority being supportive of or, at least, open to the idea of preserving the building, which straddles the Speonk River near the intersection of Old Montauk Highway and Mill Road. Mr. Mendelson said most of the early responders would like to see the defunct mill spruced up and converted into an art or cultural center for the community.

During a meeting in May, hamlet residents suggested that the town purchase the 1.3-acre property, which actually features two buildings, and convert it into a community or senior citizen center. The property was last listed with an asking price of $1.35 million.

The owners of the mill have repeatedly tried to convince the town to purchase the land using money from the Community Preservation Fund, but to no avail. Peter Ring, whose family has owned the property since 1985, said he’s still open to selling the mill to the town.

Mr. Ring noted that his family is in preliminary talks with one potential buyer, but he has received no substantive offers at this point. He added that talks have not progressed with Westhampton resident Bill Vetri, who owns Frameworks America Inc. in Westhampton Beach. Mr. Vetri had previously expressed interest in purchasing the mill and converting it into a factory for producing his acetate frames.

“Whether it’s private or public, I just want to see the property put to good use,” Mr. Ring said. “I have no preference, though it seems with the limited uses on the private end, there’s a lot more available to a public buyer.”