Letters

After years of negotiation, the Southampton Town Trustees have finally achieved an agreement ensuring their own tax line. This has significant meaning for all residents and ensures that, going forward, the Trustees board will be financially independent from the town. This operational change ensures that we can have stronger oversight and protection of the Town Trustee properties that my fellow board members and I have been elected to oversee. In turn, residents will see better cost-saving initiatives and better service related to Trustee operations.

Some of the Trustee oversight includes all bottom lands of town bodies of water (Lake Agawam, Big Fresh Pond and Inner Harbor). Also, I look forward to actively advocating for beach access so residents can be safe while enjoying our amenities. I am always a phone call away and will work to solve issues impacting our town.

At this time, I would like to take the opportunity to thank Town Supervisor Maria Moore and the president of the Trustees, Scott Horowitz, for their leadership on these negotiations. The Town Trustees are the oldest serving elected body in America, and this team effort was passed, in part, from legislation stemming from the mid-1600s.

I am very humbled to have been part of such a historic moment, and the public will see great resources and renewed sense of fiduciary responsibly.

Joseph R. McLoughlin

Southampton Town Trustee