Letters

It has been my privilege to serve as your village trustee for the past two years.

I am proud of what we have accomplished. With Trustee Bill Manger’s leadership, we drafted a new village master plan with key provisions to control the village’s future density, require the inclusion of affordable housing units in new multifamily developments, and support a greener, more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly environment.

I’m proud of the quality-of-life resolutions we have passed, most notably a total ban on gas-powered leaf blowers that will take effect in 2024, giving landscapers time to migrate to battery-operated equipment.

But I am most proud of the work I did in my role as liaison to the ambulance and fire departments in strengthening Village Hall’s relationship with the men and women of those essential organizations, without whose volunteer service the village would not be the wonderfully safe place that it is.

We negotiated a new contract with the fire district that increases their contribution to the fire department’s budget by 5 percent and guarantees that $875,000 will be set aside per year in capital funding, which will ensure that our firefighters have up-to-date, reliable equipment to carry out their all-important duties.

Thanks to EMS chiefs Cheyne Finocchiaro and Kyle McGuinness and Fire Chiefs Alfie Callahan and Manny Escobar, and all the men and women who serve with them. Thanks also to Captain Suzanne Hurteau and the Southampton Village Police Department for the amazing job they do keeping us safe. And thanks to Village Administrator Charlene Kagel-Betts, Village Clerk Cathy Sweeney, the department heads, and all the employees who, day in and day out, make this village the special place it is.

I’ve worked diligently for two years as a member of the Clean Water Task Force to replace the failing septic systems in the village with modern clean water sewage infrastructure. This project is not an option — it is a necessity. Without it, Lake Agawam will continue to be polluted, and there will be no opportunity to convert unused office spaces into affordable housing in the business district.

It is not an easy task to find the best site for the treatment plant. But conflict with the town is not the way to go about solving the problem. This is a critical issue. The Village Board, the Town Council and the residents of the entire area must cooperate to find a solution that all can support.

This is my message: We must work together to make progress. I believe my Better Together running mates, Bill Manger for mayor, Robin Brown for trustee, and I provide the best team to do that.

I would be honored to earn your vote on June 16.

Roy Stevenson

Southampton Village