The Hill-Agor Farm in Mahopac Falls connects Putnam’s proud history to the 21st century, but a safe roadway to provide easy access to ballfields consumed a legislative discussion Monday evening.

The farm, originally 245 acres, was purchased from the Wappinger Indians in 1741 and was the subject of a precedent setting U.S. Supreme Court case dealing with land ownership.

In 2003 the county purchased the 375- acre Country Club at Lake McGregor including the former Mahopac Airport, the farm and Putnam National Golf Club for $11 million in order to prevent a developer from erecting town houses and condos.

The Putnam Legislature’s Physical Services Committee Monday conducted a lengthy discussion concerning the construction of a road through the site allowing for easy ingress to ball fields that will be used this summer by thousands of youngsters participating in a series of programs sponsored by the Mahopac Sports Association.

The county leased the property containing the ball fields to the Town of Carmel for one dollar a year for the next 99 years. Unfortunately, the road cuts through the farm, which environmentalists believe will interfere with its preservation.

Plans proposed by the environmental group to construct a new road that would not impact the farm containing a safer entry way onto Hill Street carried a price tag of $220,000.

Neither the town nor the county is willing to spend that kind of money. As a result, the town will construct its planned access road for $32,000 since it has received approvals from both the New York State DEC and New York City DEP.

Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt said Wednesday that since the situation was one of “health and safety” the town plans on initiating the re-direction of the road as soon as a highway permit is received from Putnam County, which is expected within the next few days.

The committee consisting of Legislators Dini Lobue, Carl Albano and Richard Othmer approved the resolution regarding a grading easement by a vote of 2-1 and forwarded it onto the full legislature for a vote at its meeting March 5. LoBue who chairs the subcommittee voted against.

On Wednesday afternoon LoBue said she voted in the negative because the “Town of Carmel was dictating the purpose of the meeting by demanding our approvals.” She said it was not urgent.

Others, however, believe the farm preservation has expanded far beyond the original farm buildings, and shouldn’t trump safety.