Letters

I attended the Southampton Town Board meeting on Tuesday, June 27. As usual at these meetings, we began with the Pledge of Allegiance. We followed with a moment of silence in memory of the mother, whose funeral was held that day, of absent Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni. Supervisor Jay Schneiderman read a heartfelt tribute.

During the public comments part of the meeting, people spoke passionately in opposition to the Hampton Bays North Road lithium battery energy storage site (BESS). At the end of the meeting, approval was given to consider a moratorium on BESS facilities in Hampton Bays at the next board meeting — but Supervisor Schneiderman and Councilman John Bouvier refused to include the North Road project.

The opposition to the North Road project is virtually unanimous in Hampton Bays. Both residents and businesspeople have written and expressed opposition. This seems to have no effect on Supervisor Schneiderman and Councilman Bouvier. Councilman Schiavoni was not present but has consistently stood with Schneiderman and Bouvier.

An exception to zoning in the Town of Southampton was made for any BESS facility. BESSes may be placed in residential areas, unlike all the towns around us, which did not make such a radical exception. Council members Cyndi McNamara and Rick Martel have reconsidered their position and are willing to place a moratorium on the project.

I propose that at the next Southampton Town Board meeting, we face our American flag and a moment of silence be held for democracy’s demise in Southampton.

Our paternalistic reps Schneiderman and Bouvier apparently do not believe that they represent their constituents. Rather, they support a company, possibly foreign in part, that cares nothing for the people who do not want the company’s facility where it has been proposed.

One more thing, Southampton Town: You are not immune. Remember that the town code has been opened to BESS facilities where you live. And to the rest of you on the East End, in the event of a BESS “accident,” your air will become toxic, and your evacuation route will be blocked.

Support Hampton Bays now or face unforeseen consequences in your future.

Philip Metzger

Hampton Bays