The measure, which was co-sponsored by Republican majority council members Kathleen Walsh and Keith Romaine, will remove $270,000 from the general fund budget over the next two years, thus preventing Town Council members from utilizing about $25,000 apiece to distribute mostly to not-for-profit entities. The measure was an effort to add more control, transparency and accountability in the way the funds were disbursed, according to Ms. Walsh. She said disbursement of some of the funds could be achieved through other mechanisms.

Prior to termination of the funds, organizations could apply for the funds by outlining what they would be used for and supplying an accounting of how the money was spent. The funds were then dispersed after the Town Board approved it by resolution.

Some past examples of the ways grant money has been disbursed includes $1,115 in June 2007 for the Helping Hand Friendly Club in Gordon Heights to help offset the cost of food, clothing and tuition for the organization. That same night, a grant of $1,000 was also given to the Harrison Hale/Gordon Heights Community Action Center for its annual "Help the Children Bicycle Drive." Grants of $1,000 apiece were awarded last August to both the Saddle Rock Ranch in Middle Island for therapeutic riding equipment, and Patchogue-Medford Youth and Community Services Inc. for sponsorship of their annual golf outing at the Rock Hill Country Club in Manorville. This past November, Town Council members each allocated $2,000 apiece to the Long Island Fighting 69th Family Readiness Group, which requested assistance for supplies for needy military families.

Prior to the roll call on the vote, majority board members debated that removal of the grants was necessary because the town attorney's office questioned whether they are permissible under state law, citing them as possible gratuitous payments to private entities for political gain. An added bonus, the majority argued, is that the elimination of these funds gives added tax relief to homeowners.

Fifth District Councilman Tim Mazzei pointed out that he was reluctant to cast a vote in favor of the measure, but felt it was the best thing at this time.

"I don't want to sound hypocritical in what I am going to do tonight. But what has concerned me in the advice we have been given is that the money maybe has been spent inappropriately -- again, not illegally, or immorally -- but, certainly inappropriate at what we can do at the town level," he said.

"I think that this might be one of those occasions that it should be done," he added.

Second District Councilwoman Jane Bonner said that by instituting this reform, the town has now been enabled to provide much-needed revenue for tax relief "at a time when they needed it most."

Democrats argued that removal of the community enhancement grants needed more discussion considering the benefit they bring to the residents.

Supervisor Brian Foley said he disagreed with putting an end to the practice of disbursing community enhancement monies when it could only be resurrected next month under another name. Considering the board did not have any immediate proposals for consideration, Mr. Foley suggested amending the current system.

"Again, the old saying, a rose is a rose by any other name, it's still a rose," he said. "It's going to still be monies that will be available to be used by the community."

First District Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld pointed out that his own research has indicated a process could be adopted to include more stringent control of the community enhancement grants, which, he argued, would be a better solution than getting rid of them all together. He also pointed out that the grant money removed represented only about .01 percent of the town's budget.

"It's clearly a diminutive amount that can stretch really far out into the public purpose that we've been allocating," he said.

The resolution sparked debate not only among board members, but among civic leaders as well.

Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organization president MaryAnn Johnston argued that the community should not be punished for reforms needed within the community enhancement grants system.

"If the elected officials need to put shackles on themselves and restrain themselves then that should be what they do," Ms. Johnston said. "But the community often doubles the money it is given. And it is work that government cannot do and does not do. That is why it is so critical that you do not throw out the baby with the bath water. This is not the way to approach community enhancement."

Coram Civic Association president Erma Gluck, a director with ABCO, explained how many civic organizations rely on the grant money to fund special projects that help their community on a yearly basis; removing the grants would unfairly burden them. Ms. Gluck explained that her organization relies upon the funding to send out its newsletter.

"If there is a way that you can work the system so it works better, we would really appreciate a way for you do that," Ms. Gluck said.

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