Letters

After the two-week period during which the Southampton Town Board agreed to consider the Canal BESS applicant’s plea not to be considered in the extended battery energy storage system moratorium, two letters were sent to the board concerning the decision and timing of the plea. Requested also was confirmation of public comments by the BESS advisory committee that no BESS installation would be in a residential area.

No answer.

Now we learn that the Shinnecock Nation sovereignty is making a mockery of our Town Board [“Hampton Bays Residents Call for Road Closure or Protests To Slow Shinnecock Gas Station Construction,” 27east.com, August 28].

Months ago, at a Hampton Bays Civic Association meeting, where a member of the Town Board was present, the midnight actions of the said sovereignty to start the process of building their gas station was featured in citizens’ comments. When asked about a future hotel, the nation’s representatives nimbly sidestepped the question.

The audience was told that the board was on the problem, gathering and soliciting information and trying to solve this complicated issue.

The sovereignty does not believe it has to ask permission to do what it wants. We were repeatedly reminded by sovereignty representatives that night — sovereignty, sovereignty. They, of course, added that they want to be good neighbors.

Since then, our Town Board continues to observe and consult while they do nothing but observe sovereignty. Meanwhile, the sovereignty is acting.

We can be sure the sovereignty won’t ask for forgiveness for stomping on the rights of citizens of the sovereignty we live in, because … why bother asking permission when they believe they don’t need to? They promise to be good neighbors.

The board knew months ago that events were occurring that were damaging some of the best citizens of our town.

At the last board meeting, where we learned that cease-and-desist orders were ignored, we were informed that, well, this is a tough problem and it’s a tough job. We should rest assured our government is working and consulting hard with other government agencies.

Meanwhile, the sovereignty is building 30 feet from residential property.

Our feckless government is allowing precious time go by as they “consult.” Their motto seems to be: “Let time go by; we are working on it.”

And to make matters worse, we are treated to a board member campaigning for donations by congratulating proponents of a real estate venture disguised as public improvement for having a good meeting at a public site that is supposed to be off limits to commercial activities.

There is concern among the citizens of Hampton Bays. But concern should be directed at our feckless board. They do nothing but should know that is doing something.

And when they choose to do anything, they make sure they consult for a long, long time.

Steve Crispinelli

Hampton Bays