Letters

Since the Shinnecock Nation cleared trees from the Westwoods property in the middle of the night in early February, the town has insisted on an approach of open dialogue and friendly communication with the nation.

Since the summer, when the nation brought in large construction vehicles to build a road and dig trenches for massive gas tanks, residents have been asking what’s going on. Responses have reassured residents that the town is working with the nation and that things are okay.

Since August of this year, when the town issued a stop-work order, there’s been no enforcement of it.

The issues at hand are basic questions that the town needs to understand: How will water be supplied to the property? What’s the plan for emergency services? Who will pay for these? Is there a plan for sound barriers? What are environmental considerations around gas spills with a property that joins the fragile Peconic Bay ecosystem?

But, as of early October, months after construction began, the town still had no answers to these questions.

The reality is that the town isn’t effectively engaging with the nation.

In the Q&A with Lance Gumbs [“Q&A: Lance Gumbs Says Agreement With State for Highway Access Would Benefit Everyone,” 27east.com, November 22], he claimed that homes on Quail Run violated town code and were built 30 feet too close to the Westwoods property.

Where’s the town in moderating this conversation or informing residents? Nowhere.

The real problem behind Westwoods is the town. They’re not doing their job.

Jason Davis

Hampton Bays