Letters

Affordable housing seems to be this election cycle’s mantra. Everyone seems to be for it — except the 46 percent of the Southampton Town populace that voted no in the last election. Curiously, there is no end date for the Community Housing Fund; the only recall is another referendum.

But let’s look at a few issues going on here.

The town has managed to either create or obtain tentative approval for over 200 “affordable” units in the greater Westhampton area in the last few years. We have Speonk Commons, the Quiogue Strebel project, Sandy Hollow, and, potentially, Coast Guard housing and Liberty Gardens. All without the recent revenue stream, the Community Housing Fund.

So, what happens when the fund draws in the expected $10 million to $15 million a year? What happens when an advisory board composed of housing advocates with their own self-interests and agendas get a first (nonbinding) shot to fulfill their goal of massive “affordable” housing construction?

What will greater Westhampton look like in 2043? I’d say Levittown. Build all you want — the infrastructure is not there. The water will be more polluted, and traffic in mid-February will look like the current Fourth of July. The schools will be overcrowded, and school taxes will be much higher.

I realize the need for workforce housing. I’m all for it, in a controlled way that does not hurt the existing populace. I’m only pointing out that the current setup of the housing fund’s advisory board is completely flawed and favors rubber-stamping of projects.

The next line of decision after this advisory group is the Town Board, hardly a nonpartisan unit. When all that money rolls in, there will be heavy pressure to build, build and build. There is no real check or balance.

Housing advocates, be careful what you wish for.

Forest Markowitz

Westhampton Beach

According to State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., the CHF will expire on December 31, 2050, the same date set as the expiration date for the Community Preservation Fund — Ed.