Letters

Last week, the Southampton Town Board heard more input from the community on the need for the STAR AquaCenter and the potential location of the facility on the CPF parcel on Magee Street in Southampton. Fifteen people came out to share their reasons why we need a year-round, affordable place for everyone in our coastal community to swim; only one naysayer. The board has also received over 70 letters of support for the project.

We wish to thank the Town Board for taking the additional time to hear from the community. While this project has been around for many years, it is important to have allowed the hearing process to unfold.

We believe that it is now time for the board to vote to clarify the language of the Community Preservation Fund plan for Magee Street to include an aquatic facility. The Magee Street property was purchased for “parks and recreation,” and a swimming pool is an activity that meets the definition of active recreation.

STAR Corporation is comprised of community people who have volunteered countless hours for a project they are passionate about: building a healthy community through water safety, fitness and fun for everyone. We are not developers looking to make money! We are in this for the common good, not our own self-interest.

We welcome input on our work, which is why we reached out to every citizens advisory committee in the Town of Southampton in July. We will continue to operate in a transparent, fair and equitable fashion. And we will not stop until our goal is accomplished.

Please visit our website to see how you can get involved: staraquacenter.org.

Josephine DeVincenzi, Ed.D.

President

STAR Corporation