Letters

In July 2022, Southampton Village officials, at a public meeting, adopted the New York State Climate Smart Communities pledge: “in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a change in climate ...” It required the village to decrease energy use, shift to clean, renewable energy, and implement climate-smart land use.

The elected officials hired a consulting firm, Johnson Controls, for advice on accomplishing these goals. Solar panels were installed on the police station and other buildings. No one complained.

In order to fulfill the climate-smart pledge, it was clear that solar fields would have to be installed. They had to be located on public land, but not parkland.

The officials decided on putting panels over the parking lot behind the ambulance barn. No complaints. Officials looked into putting solar panels over the parking lot behind Rite Aid, but they were told all trees had to be cut down. Obviously, that was not a good environmental choice. They looked at the lot behind Citarella, but the experts determined it was not viable.

What was viable was the lot behind the stores on the south side of Jobs Lane [“Mayor Defends Installation of Solar Canopy in Jobs Lane Parking Lot as Some Residents Object,” 27east.com, May 2].

The people were shocked! Said it was ugly and asked why they weren’t told. It’s definitely a surprise when you drive back to the parking lot. Never a beautiful place, it includes the backs of stores, dumpsters, and other unattractive stuff. Located on the other side were dilapidated buildings that had to be torn down. Additionally, the machine to clean up Lake Agawam is to be installed there this year.

In fact, the panels are not visible from Jobs Lane. You don’t see them until you get to the flagpole. A row of tall trees could be planted to block the view from Lake Agawam Park. I’m sure our village officials would be amenable to that.

The resolution stated, “Climate change poses a real and increasing threat to our local and global environment and is primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels ...”

We have to do something. We can’t just keep complaining. We need solar solutions. They may not be beautiful or loved by all.

Join our officials in finding solutions. If you know of good sites in the village for more solar or a place for the desperately needed sewerage facility, tell our officials.

Please be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Mackie Finnerty

Southampton