The Oyster Bay Enterprise Pilot's article "Nine Acre Park Plugs Town Budget" did not include all the cogent issues regarding the sale of this special groundwater protection property in Oyster Bay. One of the controversial issues surrounding this sale, which will be voted on at the Dec. 14 town board hearing, is the creation of a "PUD" zone. This new zone will allow the developer to build housing so dense on this property, that the amount of recharge reaching our underground aquifers will be substantially diminished.

PUD was designed to save environmentally-sensitive land in areas like the Pine Barrens where development was allowed in less sensitive periphery areas to save thousands of acres from being built upon; in the Town of Oyster Bay, it is being used as yet another way for politically connected developers to maximize profit at taxpayer expense.

This new PUD ordinance sets a terrible precedent for not only this pristine parcel, but of any future development of the Underhill property in Jericho and SUNY Old Westbury.

One need not go further than a simple math problem to figure out that the taxpayer is getting less than a good deal on this property. The original deal called for 65 acres (without a bidding process) going for $24 million. Nine acres of less desirable property was lopped off, bringing the price to the developer down to the bargain basement price of $16 million. It now rivals the sale of Manhattan Island for best land deal ever made.

The taxpayers of Oyster Bay are being asked to shoulder the cost of this land at almost $1 million per acre. The $8 million bond issue to fill the gap will cost taxpayers $800,000 per year for 20 years.

What we're seeing here is politics as usual in Oyster Bay, the main nemesis of Mother Nature and the Oyster Bay taxpayer.

If Supervisor Venditto is serious about fixing the town's budget deficit and preserving open spaces, why does he continue to look to unsustainable one-time land sales of environmentally sensitive property.

Why doesn't he consider a long-term revenue-generating plan for this property that would benefit the entire community, like an organically maintained golf course?

If fixing the budget deficit is the priority, why didn't Mr. Venditto sell the South Shore Estuary to the state? The state has an environmentally sensitive long-range plan for these offshore islands that have no potential for development.

Additionally, it seems as if this whole deal is being pushed through at the last meeting of the year so that we, the Democratic minority, do not have a chance to vote on the issue. And, because it is a morning meeting, it will be difficult for the working community to attend.

Did the town board really hear the voice of their constituents on Nov. 2?

Bonnie A. Eisler,

Councilwoman-elect

Town of Oyster Bay

Anthony D. Macagnone,

Councilman-elect

Town of Oyster Bay