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Riverhead residents are seeing spikes on their tax bills after a judge ordered the town to pay $6 million to refund the owner of the Friar's Head golf course. The judgment includes $1.6 million in accrued interest. Last year, Riverhead Town residents were on the hook for nearly $2.8 million in tax refunds. This year's total was $7.2 million — the lion's share of which stems from the Friar's Head refund. The Town of Riverhead valued the course property as high as $34 million in 2015. A judge lowered the appraisal to $11.6 million.

Tara Smith reports in NEWSDAY that the tax dispute dates back nearly two decades after the course's owner filed a lawsuit challenging the town’s assessment of the 350-acre property. The land includes an 18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse, three guest cottages and a helipad, according to court documents.

Some residents opening their tax envelopes this year were surprised to see a 160% jump in the “New York State Real Property Tax Law” line without any explanation. The line, featured on all Suffolk tax bills, is used to cover tax refunds across each of the county's 10 towns.

Laverne Tennenberg, who chairs Riverhead’s board of assessors, acknowledged the chargeback is having an impact on tax bills this year. The town made its case for valuing the 85 acres, where there was potential for new housing, she said. Riverhead officials said a developer could subdivide that property to create up to 55 residential lots, a move that would significantly increase the property's overall value. But a judge rejected that argument since the golf course never sought to subdivide the land or build housing there.

“We presented a methodology about the excess land. The judge didn’t want to hear it,” she told NEWSDAY. “There’s nothing we can do about it.” She did not say what the average impact will be on residents’ tax bills, noting it depends on individual property values.

Riverhead, like most towns in Suffolk, has not conducted a townwide reassessment since 1980, Tennenberg said. The Town of Riverhead has a population of more than 36,000, according to recent U.S. Census data.

Just two Suffolk towns, Shelter Island and Southampton, have reassessed since 1980, according to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. Southampton's last reassessment was in 2019, while Shelter Island's was in 2025.

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There are a couple of local events tomorrow that allow us to affordably celebrate the first weekend of Spring 2026.

They're free and all are invited.

Beth Young reports in EAST END BEACON that Greenport Village holds its annual Earth Day Early Spring Cleanup in Moore’s Woods Saturday morning…that’s tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon. Meet at the Moore’s Woods Trailhead at the dead end of Webb Street, or at Monsell Trail and North Street. Bring gloves, tick spray, wagons, or grabbers. For further info visit https://villageofgreenport.gov/event/annual-moores-woods-clean-up-event/

In Hampton Bays tomorrow, The Hampton Bays Hibernians will hold their annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, stepping off from Ponquogue Avenue at 11 a.m.

The Hampton Bays St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a cherished tradition since its first march in 2006. From the very beginning, one of the group’s main goals has been to create a hometown St. Patrick’s Day Parade that honors Irish heritage and brings the community together.

Tomorrow’s parade starts at 11 a.m. near the Hampton Bays American Legion Post 924 and proceeds to Montauk Highway then west through the center of the hamlet. Spectators are expected to line the route to watch pipe bands, school marching bands, community organizations, local businesses, fire departments and colorful floats.

Local events across the East End celebrate first weekend of Spring