Political Briefs 11.15.18

New York State

D.E.C. Commissioner to Step Down

Basil Seggos, the commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, has announced that he will step down from that post. Mr. Seggos has not set a date for his departure but issued a statement confirming the move. 

“After nearly seven years of serving New Yorkers and implementing Governor Cuomo’s steadfast commitment to the environment, I made the difficult decision to leave the best job I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’m proud that we have re-established the state’s national leadership on environmental issues — and it couldn’t come at a better time, as we face an unprecedented attempt at the federal level to undermine our efforts to stave off climate change and safeguard clean air and water for future generations.” Mr. Seggos said that he would remain in his post into 2019.

His statement touted accomplishments including increasing and sustaining the state’s Environmental Protection Fund at $300 million for the last three years, finalizing the largest forest preserve addition in Adirondack Park’s history with the Boreas Ponds acquisition, shepherding the governor’s $65 million initiative to reduce the frequency of harmful algal blooms, advancing the $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act and investing hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the state’s water infrastructure, action to investigate and clean up certain unregulated contaminants, and encouraging sustainable and responsible outdoor recreation.

- C.W.

Southampton Town

Opposing the T. J. Maxx Expansion

Several members of the Bridgehampton Citizens Advisory Committee, including Pamela Harwood, the chairwoman, spoke in opposition to a proposed 17,000-square-foot expansion of the T.J. Maxx store at Bridgehampton Commons at a Southampton Town Planning Board public hearing last Thursday. 

Ms. Harwood questioned the board’s finding that the expansion would have no negative environmental effect and would not lead to an increase in traffic. She said that none of Bridgehampton’s residents wanted the hamlet to become a destination for big box stores. “I love Bridgehampton Commons, and I love T.J. Maxx, but enough is enough,” she said. 

Since a representative of Kimco Realty, which owns the shopping center, was not present at the meeting, the hearing was held open and will reconvene on Dec. 13.

- J.B.