Read the story at www.suffolktimes.com. What’s ahead for the small island located off the tip of Orient Point in Southold Town, home for more than 50 years to the federal government’s high-security animal disease research center? You’ve read the articles and heard all the rumors about Plum Island: Top secret biological warfare lab founded during the Cold War. Alleged birthplace of Long Island’s Montauk Monster and even Lyme Disease. This week, The Suffolk Times had a chance to tour the isolated island, home to the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, where scientists have for years worked to protect the American livestock industry from foot-and-mouth and related animal diseases. During a Community Day held at the famous facility on Friday, Oct. 2, about 20 residents of New York’s North Fork got the latest word from scientists and government officials on the future of this mysterious and often misunderstood laboratory and an exclusive tour of Plum Island, which may soon be up for sale to the highest bidder.