Q2: One of the values of waterfront property is a water view. This is frequently obscured by an overgrown jumble of growth in non-disturbance zones. How would you remedy this so our waterfront property owners can enjoy their waterfront views?
Jim King
Jim King, Trustee Candidate: Non-disturbance areas are usually imposed on undeveloped waterfront properties during development. Water views can be accomplished by selective pruning in site specific areas.
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Bob Ghosio
Bob Ghosio, Trustee Candidate: Based upon the parameters of the question, with the non-disturbance area having already been established, and the Town’s codified definition of a non-disturbance zone, there is nothing I could do to “remedy” the situation. There are way too many variables involved to come up with a blanket answer. Is it a view from the house that’s desired or a view from the bluff, for example?
Other valuable information to include would be why the non-disturbance zone was created to begin with, if there is a valuable habitat destruction potential, or an erosion problem. Of course, if someone wants to challenge the establishment of the non-disturbance zone, then upon application, I would gladly look into the history of the property, past determinations, value of the “overgrown jumble of growth”, and the potential harm caused by its cutting for a view. The value of a view, in and of itself, does not necessarily preclude the need for certain restrictions, though whenever possible, I believe we should consider it when discussing buffers.
Bill Ruland
Bill Ruland, Councilman Candidate: The Town Code’s definition of non-disturbance along with the types of plantings required on waterfront property may need to be re-visited so that property owners can enjoy their waterfront views. Developing code that would allow for limited maintenance and plantings that do not become overgrown could go a long way to solve this problem.
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Scott Russell
Scott Russell, Supervisor Candidate: I was under the impression that a property owner could apply for administrative review through the town trustees to maintain non disturbance buffers. If no such review currently exists, it should be created. One of the great ironies that exist in policy and practice now is that the town secures grant funding and “partners” with various groups to remove the highly invasive phragmites. Yet if a property owner removes phagmites on his property near the water without an administrative permit, he is fined 1000 dollars for essentially doing what we pay college kids to do each summer. This is unreasonable and inconsistent.
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Jill Doherty
Jill Doherty, Council Candidate: As a Trustee I have worked with applicants to remove evasive non-native plants from the non-disturbances areas in order for native low lying plants to grow. Thus, giving the property owner a view while still protecting the property. As a Town Board member I will entertain any code changes the Trustees bring forward with respect to non-disturbance areas.
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Steve Brautigam
Steve Brautigam, Trustee Candidate: The vegetation and vista is an important part of water ways, wet lands, animal habitats and human inhabitants. I understand that if you want to encourage and require people to share the land they to need to see it. I know a lot of the waterways and wetlands are overgrown and some are choking on fragmities and other non-local invasive species. I would ask that these species be listed and allowed/encouraged to be removed and be replaced by local plants that are indigenous to the area and protect the beach from erosion and encourage wildlife habitat.
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Bob Meguin
Bob Meguin, Supervisor Candidate:While our water view is often obscured by growth, the natural vegetation is an integral part of our unique habitat of abundant waterways and wetlands.
I would tread carefully in solving this problem by identifying non-local invasive vegetation and then crafting a careful program for their removal while still preserving natural growth and nature’s beauty. Beach and wild life habitats need to be protected and preserved as sacred resources.
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UNRESPONSIVE CANDIDATES
Repeated calls for answers from the following candidates were not answered by press time:
Council Candidates Nick Deegan and Marie Domenici
Trustee Candidate Lynn Summers
Go to question 1: Your Motivation to Run
Go to question 2: Waterfront Views
Go to question 3: Buildable Land
Go to question 4: Coastal Stewards
Go to question 5: Storm Damage
Go to question 6: Bluff Protection
Go to question 7: Qualifications
Go to the Main Elections Page: Candidate Bios
Flickr photo: courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/63385344@N00/3020517303/
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