Letters

In deciding to run for reelection as village trustee, I have thought a great deal about what I, as a trustee, have done and can continue to do to preserve and nurture the qualities that make Southampton Village such a special place to live.

One is continuity. While a great deal has changed since I was a boy, biking from my grandmother’s to get Dad a newspaper at Silver’s, the essence of this beautiful place remains: the ocean’s omnipresent murmur, Coopers Neck beach, our wonderful churches, and going to the movies, to name just a few. Many thanks to the Southampton Playhouse team for revitalizing this treasure.

Another quality that makes our village special is its historic nature. To protect our architectural heritage, the village established its historic district in 1986. This year, the Board of Architectural Review and Historic Preservation received a state grant to review areas not currently in the historic district to assist the BARHP’s determination of whether expansion of the historic district is warranted.

It is important to note the study is just a survey, not a fait accompli. While the BARHP currently has the responsibility for making the final decision, its members also must weigh public input in resolving this important issue.

While we hold our history dear, we should also pay heed to changes in societal priorities. Concern for the environment — energy conservation and reducing our carbon footprint — are goals most residents endorse, and which New York State mandates that municipal governments must pursue.

In response, the village has initiated an ambitious green program, which has included upgrading all streetlights with LEDs, replacing inefficient HVAC systems and installing solar panels on the roof of many village buildings. But to reach the goal of net-zero carbon footprint, more solar panels are necessary than can fit onto village buildings’ roofs.

Several locations were considered; the parking lot south of Jobs Lane was deemed the most appropriate. They are in an already paved area, are barely visible from the street, and will shield parked vehicles from the sun. In return for their presence, they help the village eliminate the annual emission of 149 tons of carbon dioxide. An added bonus is that the energy savings will offset the program’s entire cost.

As a young man, I learned St. Paul’s statement: “Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.” It is a principle for how I believe we should try to guide our village: Value and respect our past, the things which make us special, while at the same time considering changes that can help us continue to be both a wonderful place to live and a force for good in the world going forward.

Roy Stevenson

Trustee

Southampton Village