Action Alert:Natural Resources Division Dropped

by Anne Murray

The Town Board was set this week to vote on the establishment of the long-awaited Natural Resources Division – but a lack of support by three town board members meant the issue never even came to a vote.

The public has long sought a division to manage the town’s precious natural resources in a more efficient and science-based manner. We are very disappointed that the town cannot agree to enact such an important safeguard.

Board members Al Krupski, Bill Ruland and Vincent Orlando are opposed to the division, while Supervisor Scott Russell, Tom Wickham and Louisa Evans are in favor. The stalemate, after months of planning and discussion, led the disappointed supervisor to tell the board he would not bring up the issue again.

The proposed division within the planning department was discussed during many town board work sessions, and was the result of many months of work by principal planner Mark Terry and director of planning Heather Lanza.
"It's clear that the division of natural resources is a dead issue," Russell told the Suffolk Times. "I find it regrettable. The entire process turned out to be a monumental waste of time."
The Natural Resources Division was supposed to improve efficiency in application review by the various boards, such as the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Planning Board and the Town Trustees, achieve greater continuity in the application processes, and establish a clear path of communication and accountability.

Although the measure was budget-neutral and would use existing staff, some board members said they feared the move might require civil service positions in the future.

If you agree that Southold needs a Natural Resources Division, you must act and make your voice heard to the town board members who are reluctant to establish this division. If enough voters pressure the town board they may revisit the issue;

Contact:

Scott Russell- 765-1889
Vincent Orlando - 369-4900 x 215
Bill Ruland - 298-9159
Tom Wickham - 734-6441
Al Krupski - 734-7841
Louisa Evans - 788-7054