Phil Smyth, President
Joshua Berger
Darryl Butkos
Deirdre DeVita
William Heine
John Hull
Michele Le Moal-Gray, Secretary
Hal Levine
Nancy Lombardi, Membership
Jennifer Marwood, Treasurer
Nic Millward
Hello Remsenburg Residents
February 22, 2012
Update on Webb Property Preservation Activity
More than thirty-five people responded to the Association email and letter
of earlier this month. There were many thoughtful emails and an
overwhelming and enthusiastic expression of support for our work.
Great interest and support for preservation of the property and possible
development of a trail was expressed. Some generous residents mentioned
their willingness to make a substantial financial contribution to make
preservation possible and a number of people volunteered to be on a trail
committee.
Unfortunately we now have the unhappy task to advise you that the developer
of the former Webb property on South Country Road contacted the Community
Preservation Fund (CPF) last week to tell them he is not a willing seller
at this time. As a result, CPF is suspending its review of the property
and any further efforts at preservation. (Mary Wilson, CPF Manager, sent
an email advising us of this. A copy follows.)
In view of this position taken by the developer, we must now discontinue
our efforts to work for preservation of the property. This leaves a void.
Starting with meetings with environmental groups beginning last July and
continuing through the Annual Meeting in November that included speakers on
how CPF works, and preparation of a proposal in December, preservation of
the land was a strong focus of our efforts.
If the developer is not willing to consider a sale, there is nothing CPF or
the Association can do. I know many in the community will be disappointed,
maybe most of us. We certainly are, but we can't force an unwilling seller
to sell.
RA Board of Governors
From: Mary Wilson
Subject: RE: Remsenburg Activity
Date: February 15, 2012 3:23:23 PM EST
To: Sally Pope spnyc@earthlink.net
HI Sally:
I wanted you to know that Mr. Citarelli contacted me yesterday and
indicated that he is not a willing seller at this time. Since this is an
essential component to the CPF program and our process, I advised that CPF
would then suspend our new review of this project until such time as the
landowner expresses an interest in preserving the property. Thank you and
please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or comments.
Mary