Letters

It was very interesting to learn from Southampton Fire District Commissioner David Price at Monday’s Water Mill Citizens Advisory Committee meeting just how many people had refused to sell their properties to the fire district for the extensive development project currently under discussion.

In spite of the claim that multiple properties weren’t a good fit for the proposed structure because of the location on the highway, or the budget, etc., the main reason is that no one said yes. No one wanted to sell their property for this purpose.

Is it possible that the plan proceeded at 319 Upper Seven Ponds Road without transparency or any consultation with the community that it will undoubtedly disrupt because the fire district knew from their previous efforts that it would not be well received? Instead, the fire district commissioners chose to take advantage of the residents of Water Mill and moved forward, during COVID, in a vacuum, putting their ambitions ahead of the serious concerns of the community they are meant to serve.

The commissioner insisted that this massive and intrusive structure be called a substation. I am curious if this designation is important because the requirements to proceed may be less stringent than if it was called what it clearly appears to be, a large fire station inexcusably placed in a historic and rural residential neighborhood?

Judith Verno

Water Mill