HomeMy WebLinkAboutBeck-Witt, Richard & Antoinette re: Claudio, 2600 Gull Pond LnRichard and Antoine tte Beck-Witt
171o Gull Pond£ane
1900 Gull Pond£ane
Greenport, 9 lew york 1194,
6.~1-477-$973 631 379 79oo
July 7 2009
Dear Supervisor Scott Russell and Board members;
JUL 1 0 2009
SUPE~VISOR'S OFFICE
TOVfN OF SOUIHOLD
On July 12, 2007, Ed Forrester w~ote a letter to William and Janice Claudio,
2006 Gull Pond Lane. He cited Town Code section 280 - 111 i.2 and told them to
remove the encumbrances they had placed on the town roadway.
On September 6, 2007, we paid an attorney to legally inform the board members
and the supervisor of this encroachment.
On March 24, 2009, we provided each member of the board with a file containing
correspondence and highlighted surveys explaining the situation. We took the
time to come to a board meeting one night and I asked the board, "please do not
force my hand".
Over this period of time, the Claudio's have installed sod, a sprinkler system,
paving stones, a flower garden, a mailbox, two dry-wells, all on town property. The
town has done nothing. This has caused the following problems.
1. '90 feet of our road access of 1900 gull pond lane has been rendered
useless.
2. The traffic circle does not meet state specifications. A fire truck could not
turn around, if it had to. It is a safety issue.
3. The access to our's and the Quintin's dock, has been blocked. Our main
water shutoff valve for the dock has been buried. We used to park 100-ft away on
the road. Nowwe must either park 200 ft away or on "the Claudio's" lawn. If we
dock at night, the only way home is through a working sprinkler system, or mud.
4. I am sure that this immense "curb appeal" is not taxed as it should be. The
encumbered area adds tremendous value to the Claudio's home and detracts
from ours. The subdivision of their land wes approved, leading to an obfuscation
and reduction in their taxes.
5. When we install a fence on our property line, we will cross ro~d asphalt and
make the circle completely unusable.
We will not let this continue. We will do whatever is needed to remove these
encumbrances. We understand that Bill Claudio is a popular local businessman,
but all taxpayers in a town must be treated equally under the law. When elected
officials show favor to selec~t local businessmen, at the expense of other
taxpayers, we begin to head down a horrible path. Law is the glue that keeps our
republic functioning. I grew up in East Hampton and I am ashamed to see what is
happening there. Their town hall has become corrupf.
We are not asking for the end of Gull Pond Lane to be paved. We understand the
financial troubles facing the town. America as a whole, is tightening it's belt at all
levels. All we ask is that the encumbrances be removed and the area be cleared
so cars can turn around and we can go to our dock safely.
Our patience has run out. If we do not hear from the town immediately, we will
be forced to take actions to recti~' the situation on our own. Whatever we decide
to do, it will be very public. We have been approached by different media-outlets
for a "story", and even-though we have cherished our anonymity through the
years, the current state of affairs has left us no choice but to put a spotlight on Gull
Pond lane and oUr local government.
Sincerely,
tte Beck-Wit'(
Scott Russell
cc Thomas Wickham
Albert J Krupaki, Jr
William P. Ruland
Vincent M. Orlando