The town of Brookhaven is planning to sell the Port Jefferson Marina to the village of Port Jefferson.

An agreement has been made verbally. The $8 million deal includes 8 acres of the waterfront.

Boaters who keep their vessels at Port Jefferson Marina say they currently pay less than other marinas on Long Island. Some told News 12 they are worried the price will go up.

"I believe that once you privatize something, rules change year by year," said Glenn Altman, of Setauket. "This is just another way [for the town of Brookhaven] to step back and taking less responsibility and pass the buck to someone else."

Port Jefferson Mayor Margot Garant says that if the deal goes through, the fees for boat slips will go up. She says the money will be used to revitalize the entire waterfront.

Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine says the sale is meant to help the village and save the town money.

"We would not have to staff the marina. We would not have to make capital improvements," said Romaine.

Civic leaders who spoke to News 12 say the public had no input in the decision to sell the marina. The sale will not be finalized until it receives village and town board approval.

The village will also have to ask its residents to approve a bond to finance the project.