Will issues move off the town back burner?


Now that Election 2009 is behind us — how nice to see those political signs come down so quickly — and the town’s 2010 budget is all but approved — although we may hear more about it when tax bills land in our mailboxes — we can take a deep breath, shake off the political detritus and move forward on town issues.


First things first, however. Before we regroup for 2010, we need to pay for 2009. The town just received a big check from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the tune of over $500,000, a reimbursement of money spent to restore the shoreline of Shell Beach. We needed that before we begin the $1.2 million public works project on the first Ram Island causeway. The roadwork is long overdue, but footing the bill for big projects that just keep coming is a fiscal strain. The Town Board will keep it on track but we’d like to have the end of this train in sight.


Town Attorney Laury Dowd is keeping the Town Board focused on its obligations to comply with MS4 federal runoff rules. Originally portrayed as some kind of big “state mandate” bogeyman, it all seems pretty reasonable moving forward. Mitigating runoff is perhaps the single area of environmental regulation that can reap the greatest rewards in enhancing recharge to our sole-source aquifer and protecting the water quality in our bays and creeks.


Councilfolk Chris Lewis and Glenn Waddington continue to meet with members of the Comprehensive Plan Committee to zero in on top priorities for meeting the 1993 plan’s original goals. Public input is needed in this process. Everyone agrees that zoning can be tweaked to protect the aquifer, but exactly how? Also, a focus on the business zone — and input from Island businesses on zoning and more — is long overdue.


What will become of legislative misfiring earlier this year? New rules will always be met with resistance so the town needs to have a strategy as it considers new legislation. One good strategy is leading by example — any property use changes on the table should apply first to the town. Make lighting on town property compatible with Dark Skies criteria, thereby illuminating, so to speak, the public benefits and, hopefully, inspiring private compliance. 


Why not do the same with energy efficiency standards for construction? Show taxpayers how much money they save every day through the town’s efforts to use less energy and they’ll be more receptive to suggestions about improving the efficiency of homes and businesses.


Although the political signs are down, the issue of prohibiting real estate signs won’t go away so easily.


We look forward to renewed and creative leadership to accompany any legislation on these issues.