Shelter Island Reporter Letters to the Editor: Aug. 6, 2026
BALANCING CRITICAL OBJECTIVES
To the Editor:
Shelter Island land use policies have been successful in preserving the Island’s unique environmental resources and low density. Over decades zoning, large lot sizes, land conservation, and reliance on wells and septic systems have protected the environment and limited development.
These same policies have substantially constrained the construction of new housing. The limited supply of developable land, coupled with demand for second homes and rising construction costs, has resulted in housing prices that exceed the financial reach of year-round residents and the workforce.
The consequences extend beyond individual households. Employers face growing difficulties recruiting and retaining employees; families struggle to establish residency; older residents have limited opportunities to downsize and remain on the Island. The community risks losing the demographic diversity and year-round population necessary to sustain its schools, businesses, volunteer organizations, and municipal services.
New land use policy should focus on strategically creating housing opportunities rather than broad increases in development. Available policies include revising ADU regulations to allow by-right approvals on existing residential lots and rezoning the Center to create housing above retail.
The challenge is not one of growth versus preservation, but of balancing two critical objectives; protecting our environmental resources while ensuring that those who contribute to our economy and civic life have realistic opportunities to live here.
MICHAEL SHATKEN, Shelter Island
REVISIT THE NEAR SHORE OVERLAY
To the Editor:
No one in the meetings I attended was speaking against community housing. The issue before the Board is spot zoning in the Near Shore Overlay. If one believes in protecting the aquifer, then one should be very circumspect about biting into it. The suggestion was made numerous times by thoughtful, informed residents to revisit the overlay as a whole and adjust the boundaries, possibly removing and adding different properties, rather than randomly poking holes in it. That sounds like “common sense” to me.
An ongoing and persistently divisive, ugly argument insists that anyone who doesn’t agree with this application is anti “local.” Just look at the baseless assumption that second homeowners vote against the school budget. How would one know? If one thinks that some privileged people are allowed to flout the zoning regulations, I suggest taking that up with the source — Town Boards that continually approve applications (some after the fact) that undermine our zoning, and, by extension, the Comprehensive Plan. Privilege, in some cases, is not necessarily about wealth.
Yes, I agree with Mike Shatken that we can protect the environment while providing housing. Let’s do that. Let’s revisit the Near Shore Overlay as a whole and make adjustments that would reflect natural changes over the last 25-plus years. Then, protect the environment by building community housing in places that are not sensitive. Makes sense to me.
LINDA HACKER-TONER, Shelter Island
DELIBERATION OR DELAY?
To the Editor:
On May 9, the Village of Dering Harbor Trustees approved a lot line modification rearranging boundaries among four parcels within the Village.
Two of the four applicants are elected trustees: Mayor Ari Benacerraf and Trustee Eric Deutsch. Both recused themselves.
Deputy Mayor Samuel Ashner presided. Village Attorney Bruyn had included a sixth condition in the draft resolution: that the two improved properties obtain updated Certificates of Occupancy within three months of the final map filing. He cited it as standard record keeping practice, consistent with what other municipalities require. The applicants’ attorney objected and asked the Board to remove the condition or table the vote.
Deputy Mayor Ashner accepted the objection, agreed the condition was unreasonable, and called the vote. The condition was removed. The meeting lasted 17 minutes.
This matters because Deputy Mayor Ashner and Trustee Kelsey are the principal advocates of a local law — continued to the August 8 public hearing — requiring every Village property owner to obtain an updated Certificate of Occupancy as a condition of any sale or transfer. When that same requirement was proposed for their colleagues’ transaction, the Deputy Mayor presided over its removal.
In an April letter to this paper, I warned that dissolving the independent planning board would place the remaining trustees in exactly this position — adjudicating an application by their own colleagues without the institutional distance an independent board provides. The record now confirms the concern was warranted.
The August 8 hearing is an opportunity for residents to weigh in. That CO law has been continued three times without resolution. Whether that reflects deliberation or delay is a question worth putting to the Board directly.
JOHN T. COLBY JR., Shelter Island
THANKS ON BEHALF OF THE BUCKS
To the Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the Bucks bringing home the Championship.
Players, coaches, Bucks staff, the Shelter Island Lions Club, our incredible host families. All monetary supporters, and lastly, the community fans!
Also thanks to Shelter Island Police Department and Shelter Island Ambulance for responding to the field this season when needed.
BRIAN CASS, Shelter Island Bucks GM, Shelter Island
THANKS FOR GENEROUS SUPPORT
To the Editor:
Gardiner’s Bay Country Club and the team behind putting on the Rocking for the Rock fundraiser on July 25 sincerely thank the Shelter Island Reporter and specifically Julie Lane, Susan Carey Dempsey, Adam Bundy and Lucy Browne for their coverage leading up to and including the event itself.
Undeniably it was a smashing success both as a party and a fundraiser. Shelter Islanders came together, young and old, in support of causes they all believe in. We are thrilled to think our efforts could have a positive impact on so many local individuals and organizations that are the lifeblood of our home.
Rocking for the Rock attracted 650 attendees and between ticket sales, a live auction and a “paddle raise,” will contribute over $1 million to the Lions Foundation to be used for the local causes including a new mobile pantry for CAST dedicated to Shelter Island; the Shelter Island Food Pantry; the renovation of the ‘Tot Lot;’ a new sound system for the school auditorium; and several other worthy causes.
Importantly, we do not take the Shelter Island community for granted. We fully recognize that the well-being of the people who live on this very special island is our collective responsibility. As members of this community, we are extremely determined to do our part by making meaningful contributions that strengthen the Island in every way we can. We are committed to doing so now and in the future.
This effort is a five-year commitment so mark your calendars for Saturday, July 24, 2027 when Rocking for the Rock will once again rock for a reason.
Ken Tropin, Ed Brennan, Donna Winston, Samantha Sessa, Lou Bevilacqua, Gardiner’s Bay Country Club
