Faithfully Serving the Hamlet of Yaphank Since 1963
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Who We Are…. |
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We are you! We are citizens, like you, who care deeply about our community! |
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The Yaphank Taxpayers & Civic Association, Inc., formed in 1963, is a Not-for-Profit Corporation in the State of New York. Our mission is “to render constructive civic services for the promotion of the welfare of the community and of the citizens of the hamlet of Yaphank, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, and State of New York.” As such, we formulate, disseminate, and vigorously promote and protect the general welfare of the Yaphank community in order to preserve and enhance its unique residential character. Our territorial boundary is the area defined by the postal zip code 11980 and the Yaphank Fire District. Our members reside or own property within this geographic boundary. Our officers & trustees are volunteers, elected from our membership, who contribute their time and effort to maintaining and improving the quality of life we enjoy, consistent with our governing documents. For almost 50-years we have been dedicated to protecting and improving our community. We have grown to become an active and dedicated association making a difference in a wide range of neighborhood issues throughout our hamlet. The cornerstone and foundation of this organization has always been to make life better for our residents. Our community is strengthened through the coordination of persistent voices and efforts of those who care! We believe that the voice of the community is more effective when we work together to address issues and problems that affect us all. Come join us. |
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Sources see possible casino site in Yaphank March 18, 2012 – Newsday by Mark Harrington. Read More... |
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Landfill cells 5 and 6 getting capped |
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Brookhaven Community Coalition at Albany DEC March 15, 2012 – L.I. Advance by Linda Leuzzi. Read More... |
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Carmans River plan on hold for now March 8, 2012 - L.I. Advance by Peggy Spellman Hoey. Read More |
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Brookhaven puts off Carmans River plan March 6, 2012 – Newsday by Patrick Whittle Read More... |
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Carmans River protection wins support March 2, 2012 – Newsday By Patrick Whittle. Read more... |
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A revised plan for Carmans River |
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Carmans River Preservation Vote Tues. March 2, 2012 - Newsday By Patrick Whittle Read More… |
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Compost services are vital- Letter |
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Plan must protect the Carmans
February 24, 2012 – Newsday Editorial |
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The Dark Side of Composting- Opinion |
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Changes at Yaphank Compost Site |
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Blue Green Farms cited for sand mining |
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Geography |
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Yaphank encompasses a total area of 14.1 square miles, of which, 14.0 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles is water. Elevation is 43 feet. YYaphank is located at: 40°50′7″N 72°55′45″W40.83528°N 72.92917°W (40.835277, -72.929159). |
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Yaphank – History |
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Information from Wikipedia, U.S. Census, & public records. |
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Yaphank, a community in the Town of Brookhaven is served by the Longwood Central School District and the Yaphank Fire District, except for the extreme southwestern section of Yaphank, where it is served by the South Country Central School District and the Brookhaven Fire District. Yaphank may best be known for Upper & Lower Lakes, which are part of the Carmans River. The Dam that created Upper Lake is located at Mill Road and was originally constructed in the 1740’s for grist and saw mills. It was re-constructed in 1932 for recreational purposes. The Dam that created Lower Lake is located at Yaphank Avenue was originally constructed in 1762 for mill use. It was also re-constructed in 1940 for recreational purposes. Historically, much of the area surrounding the two lakes was comprised of farmland. Today, residential areas have replaced the majority of the farmland and both lakes support strong populations of bass, sunfish, and several other warm water fish species, making them popular fishing spots. These two mills inspired the first name for the town: Millville. In 1846 a post office was opened in town, but because there were thirteen other towns named "Millville" in New York State at the time, the town was renamed "Yaphank", from the local Native American word "Yamphanke", meaning "bank of a river". The US Postal Service also refers to Yaphank, its neighborhoods, and surrounding areas as Carver Park. In 1843 the Long Island Rail Road built a railroad station in Yaphank (still named Millville at the time), and virtually overnight the small mill town became a major commercial center. By 1875, Yaphank had two grist mills, two lumber mills, two blacksmith shops, a printing office, an upholstery shop, a stagecoach line, two physicians, a shoe shop, two wheelwright shops, a meat market, a dressmaker and a general store. Today, the Grist mills, blacksmith, physician, shoe shop, wheelwright shops, meat markets and the dress makers are long gone, although the rail road station still exists. Yaphank is home to about 163 businesses that include delis’, a pizza shop, a shooting supply company, a barber shop, a bank, two restaurants, professional offices and many other industrial type business enterprises. Yaphank was the home of Camp Upton, which was used as a boot camp in 1917. In 1947, the United States War Department transferred the Camp Upton site to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and it now serves as the home of Brookhaven National Laboratory. Before the end of World War I, more than 30,000 men received their basic training there. Perhaps the most notable person to have trained at Camp Upton was the songwriter Irving Berlin. It was there he composed the musical comedy Yip Yip Yaphank, which had a brief run on Broadway. Yaphank was also home to Camp Siegfried, a summer camp that taught Nazi ideology. It was owned and operated by the German-American Bund, an American Nazi organization devoted to promoting a favorable view of Nazi Germany. Camp Siegfried was one of many such camps in the US in the 1930s. It was shut down by the US government when Germany declared war on the United States. It had been protected by the 1st amendment until that time, when it became illegal for US citizens to swear allegiance to Germany. There are a number of Suffolk County facilities located in Yaphank, including Suffolk County Police Department headquarters, the Department of Public Works, the county fire academy and the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center, which offers a glimpse into the workings of an authentic 100+ year old farm and educational programs by Cornell Cooperative Extension. Yaphank is also home to the Yaphank Correctional Facility. With a capacity to house 504+ inmates, it was originally constructed in 1959. There were housing additions in 1982, 1986, and 1987. A Correction Systems Needs Assessment was completed in January 2004, which in part concluded the need for an immediate expansion of the system-wide bed capacity. To accomplish this expansion, a new facility will open in Yaphank in early 2012. The John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility is also sited in Yaphank. This nursing home has 264 beds, making the facility larger than the New York state average of 185.96. It averages a 75% occupancy rate. |
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Demographics - 2010 Census |
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According to the 2010 census, the total population of Yaphank was 4,990. There were 4,085 individuals residing in households and 905 who were institutionalized or resided in group quarters. From the 4,085 individuals, there were 1,646 housing units of which 1,578 are occupied. The composition of these households were : Families with children under 18 years comprise 68.2%; Married couples living together with children under 18 years 53.4%; Male householder, no wife present with children under 18 years 3.7%; Female householder, no husband present with children under 18 years 11.0%; 31.8% were non-families; and 25.3% living alone. Households with individuals under 18 years were 490 (31.1%) and Households with individuals 65 years and over 357 (22.6%). The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.11. Of the 905 people in group quarters in Yaphank: 549 people were in local jail or the Yaphank Correctional Facility; 257 people in nursing homes; 26 people in other group homes; 13 people in homes for the mentally retarded; 9 people in other non-institutional group quarters; 6 people in religious group quarters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9 %; rental vacancy rate 2.4%; homes for sale 0.8%; homes sold, not occupied 0.5%; homes for rent 0.3%; and for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use 1.1%. The racial makeup of Yaphank was: White, 8.1% African American, 11.46% Hispanic 0.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, from 0.03% other races. The population was spread out with 20.12% under the age of 19, 8.0% from 20 to 24, 29.74% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, 9.94% from 65 to 84, and 2% 85 years of age or older.The overall median age of the population is 40.50 years. There were 2,739 males with a median age of 37.80 years and 2,251 females with a median age of 44.00 years. The median income for a household was $ $70,052, and the median income for a family was $72,348. The average house value in 2010 was $328,274 (it was $138,900 in 2000). The median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages was $4,930 (1.4%) and with no mortgage $4,401 (1.2%) in 2010. For the population 25 years of age and over in Yaphank: 83.8% have graduated from High school or higher: 21.2% hold a Bachelor's degree or higher; 10.3% hold a Graduate or professional degree; 3.9% are Unemployed and the mean travel time to work (commute): 31.5 minutes. According to our research there were two registered sex offenders living in Yaphank, New York in February 2012. |
