Two Brookhaven town officials have changed their minds and decided to support the construction of a power plant in Yaphank.

Residents against the proposed Caithness Energy plant say they previously had the support of Councilwoman Kathy Walsh and Councilman Tony Mazzei, who had recently voted to keep the project blocked. Walsh and Mazzei say their questions about the environmental impact of the plant have now been answered, but residents blame a $152 million compensation package to the Town of Brookhaven from the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA).

LIPA will open a new community center worth $1 million in Mazzei?s district, while an additional $1 million will be split between the school system and the Village of Patchogue. Town officials say community benefit packages are standard and assure that votes in the district are not being bought.