Letters

The Southampton Town Board’s decision last week to use $13.25 million in Community Preservation Fund revenue to acquire 137 Pond Lane is great news for Lake Agawam and Southampton [“Southampton Town CPF Will Move Ahead With Purchase of Pond Lane Parcel; Park Expansion Plans Remain Up in the Air,” 27east.com, December 13]. We owe enormous thanks to Supervisor Jay Schneiderman and Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger for their tireless efforts to preserve this 4.8-acre property for a public park. We also owe thanks to John Paulson, who stepped up to save 137 Pond Lane from spec developers.

The acquisition of this land will allow for a “park swap” with Doscher Park. This swap was specifically authorized by the New York State Legislature. As a result, the village can now locate the AECOM algae harvester in Doscher Park, right next to Lake Agawam.

With the support of the Lake Agawam Conservancy, the village has secured $10 million in federal funds and town CPF for the algae harvester. The village expects that the harvester will be running by summer 2024. The harvester will clean 3 million gallons of toxic Lake Agawam water every day. This harvester should be a game-changer for the lake.

The acquisition of 137 Pond Lane and the installation of the algae harvester are crucial next steps in the process of cleaning up Lake Agawam. But the village still must install a vegetative buffer along one-quarter mile of the lake.

For many years, toxic runoff has flowed directly from Pond Lane into the lake and ultimately onto our beaches. Last summer, Gin Lane Beach had to be closed when the overflow pipe next to the Bathing Corporation was opened following heavy rains. Dr. Chris Gobler believes that this buffer must be at least 25 feet wide to be effective. Without a buffer, the lake will remain polluted.

The conservancy will continue our efforts to clean Lake Agawam, and we remain committed to seeing if a beautiful park can be created in the center of our village. Now that the town has agreed to acquire 137 Pond Lane, the village trustees must agree on a plan for Pond Lane, including the installation of the critically necessary 25-foot vegetative buffer. That’s the next step in the long overdue process of restoring the jewel of Southampton.

Robert J. Giuffra Jr.

President

Lake Agawam Conservancy