Letters

Featured Letter: Southold Town Trustees too lenient

To the Editor:

While I have great faith in our town government and applaud our community’s longtime focus on preservation, I am concerned about the methods and judgment used by our Town Trustees in approving new residential construction.

I am particularly alarmed by the common practice of granting variances that allow building closer to the wetlands than the standard 100-foot setback.

The most recent example of abuse allowed by the Trustees sits at the intersection of Moore’s Lane and New Suffolk Avenue in Cutchogue. Not only was Douglas Moore’s historic residence demolished, but all 20 or so century-old oak trees surrounding the old structure were removed.

A massive concrete structure is now covering most of the firm ground remaining. Unfortunately, much of this new structure violates the 100-foot setback established by our town to protect our wetlands.

Why was the variance granted?

Why was removal of the trees allowed?

Why did our Trustees disregard our community rules about building near the marshland?

And how did we as a community allow the guidelines that were designed to protect our precious marshlands erode to the point that these very guidelines mean nothing?

Our Trustees can and should play a vital role in protecting our way of life. Sadly, they have repeatedly let us down.

I encourage all residents who are concerned about our delicate environment to drive south on Moore’s Lane in Cutchogue and view the horrendous mess allowed by our Trustees.

Then, go call your Trustees.

Russell McCall, Cutchogue