Letters

On July 13, my neighbors and I voiced our strenuous objections to the Southampton Fire District’s proposal to build a fire substation at 319 Upper Seven Ponds Road, with 40 parking spots, in the middle of our residential neighborhood.

One neighbor, a volunteer firefighter who has consulted in firefighting science and safety, questioned whether this substation is needed, and offered many reasons why the proposed location is not suitable. We learned it is questionable whether fire response time will improve when the firefighters come from their own locations.

Our neighborhood serves as the back roads to the Hamptons. Traffic is frequently at a standstill. There is nowhere to go. There are no shoulders and only one lane in each direction of traffic. It is already difficult for residents to get their mail, ride a bicycle or take a walk. What will happen in the event of an emergency when there is nowhere for cars or trucks to pull over? How will pedestrians manage when fire trucks repeatedly come barreling down the road as they must to address an emergency? Will our roads have to be widened, at great cost and expense to the taxpayers?

The proposed substation will negatively impact our property values and cause other social and economic harm, which would never be offset by any savings on fire insurance premiums. Who will pay the attendant costs of this substation? Will our taxes go up substantially?

Further, it is near wetlands, ponds, and in an area that tends to flood during heavy rain. What will happen to this environmentally sensitive area?

Finally, where did the fire district get the money to buy this residential property? Was a bond issued? Did the neighbors get to vote on this purchase?

The fire district already owns a huge property on North Sea Road with approved plans for a fire station, as well as additional locations. We don’t need the proposed substation here.

Carol R. Finocchio

Water Mill