As has become abundantly clear during the battery energy storage system mess, our various government agencies need to modernize and professionalize the process of accepting and reviewing applications for industrial installations (“proposals”), as well as the procedures for receiving answers both from the promoters of a proposal and the experts being paid to advise Southampton regarding a proposal.
Specifically:
1. All proposals seeking approvals from agencies of our Southampton government should be submitted electronically as well as on paper, so that any party in favor of, or against a proposal can download a submission without having to travel to the town or village offices to read the documents in person. Proposals should include several USB drives containing all documents, at least until such time as our government agencies have upgraded their websites.
2. Answers to questions posed to the promoters of a proposal by a Southampton government agency must be filed in writing and electronically.
3. Experts who are being paid by the town or the village must submit a resume listing their professional credentials with respect to the paid advice they are providing about any proposal, to be attached in writing and electronically with the proposal. Self-proclaimed experts should so acknowledge.
4. The advice provided by experts for which any Southampton government agency is paying must also be filed in writing and electronically and attached to the proposal.
Rome Arnold
Southampton Village
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