Priorities
Priorities
Lake Agawam
Lake Agawam should be the heart of our community and a place for our community to enjoy. Instead, it is polluted and toxic due to harmful algae blooms that produce Cyanobacteria. In 2018, Lake Agawam had its worst algae bloom ever recorded, and our beautiful lake glows with a sheen green color. The lake’s toxins may have long-term health consequences for anyone who lives near the lake and children who use Agawam Park
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As Mayor, I would like to make the cleanup of Lake Agawam a top priority. The lake has been ignored for at least the last decade and needs to be addressed immediately. This involves reducing nitrogen loading into the lake with improved innovative alternative septic systems and water treatment systems, reducing run off into the lake, limiting the use of imported nitrogen, phosphate, and chemical heavy fertilizers and herbicides, and we must employ new technologies such as permeable reactive barriers (PRBs).
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Furthermore, the Village needs to be more proactive and aggressive in obtaining CPF, County, and plentiful state funds that are available. In 2018, New York State issued over $100 million in grants for water improvement projects. Southampton Village not only received zero dollars, but may not have even applied.
Downtown District
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Our once vibrant Village Center is now falling further and further behind other villages such as Sag Harbor and East Hampton. This past year’s vacancies were reminiscent of those in 2009 after the financial crisis. We need to bring vibrancy back to Southampton Village with a focus on wet use, the arts and the humanities as well as experiential activities. As a business owner in the Village, I bring a unique qualification to address this issue.
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Southampton Village already has a extensive master plan. That plan must now be followed and updated. We need bold and transformational ideas for our Village center to address changing times over the next decade.
Sustainable Development and Zoning
The job of local government is to determine zoning that sets at the tone for the community as a whole This applies to all parts of the Village from the downtown area to our smaller streets. Zoning needs to be revamped to create a community that encompasses everyone, yet still incorporates our historic charm.
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Moreover, there has been an influx of McMansions that seem out of place and are pushing millennials and seniors alike out of our Village community. We want to encourage free enterprise within the confines of fair and sustainable zoning that works for everyone.