Work to rebuild Mill Pond and surrounding areas could begin again after questions about who owns the area halted construction.

Officials from the Town of Brookhaven, the Village of Head of the Harbor and the Ward Melville Heritage Organization met Wednesday afternoon to work on answering those questions.

The areas were destroyed after a heavy rainstorm caused devastating flooding in August 2024.

The federal government requires proof of ownership before work can begin on a project where federal dollars are going.

A question of ownership related to Harbor Road, the dam, Mill Pond, and Mill Pond Road surfaced as the three parties discussed who would help rebuild.

Ward Melville Heritage Organization President Gloria Rocchio told News 12 she feels confident after leaving the meeting at Brookhaven Town Hall Wednesday. 

""The people will have their access again. All of it's being discussed now, a path to move forward. It's very good,” she said. "That's our objective is to help the people wherever we can."

All the parties released a joint statement saying:

"This afternoon, the Town of Brookhaven, Village of Head of the Harbor, and Ward Melville Heritage Organization met at Brookhaven Town Hall. The meeting was positive and productive whereby the issues are now understood by all. All parties agreed to work together to seek a collective path forward to remedy the storm damage to Mill Pond and the surrounding area, and will meet again next week."

There’s no word yet on when the construction will begin nor when it will be completed.