Community Corner

Concerned Citizens Leaders To Bring 'New Life' to CAC

Michael Dunn and Simone Scotto are now serving as co-chairs of the Hampton Bays-based group.

Two of the leaders of the newly-formed Concerned Citizens for Hampton Bays have been appointed to head up the Hampton Bays Citizen Advisory committee.

Last month, the Town of Southampton named Michael Dunn and Simone Scotto as co-chairs of the CAC, which acts as a voice for the hamlet, aimed at providing town leaders with a better understanding of community issues.

The Hampton Bays CAC has been struggling to gain new membership for sometime with many meetings cancelled because the group did not have enough members for a quorum — according to bi-laws, ten members must be present to have a meeting.

Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Calls for young blood were made, but went unanswered until now.

According to Dunn, Southampton Councilwoman Christine Scalera reached out to him and Scotto asking that they co-chair the CAC.

Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"There have been issues in terms of a quorum," said Scalera . "These people [Dunn and Scott] said they want to run it and they got the support of the CAC. Hopefully, they can inspire others to join the CAC."

"We want to put some life back into the CAC and get it back on track," said Dunn. "It is my goal in 2013 to make some changes in town."

Dunn said that while the CAC will provide recommendations on development applications as part of its charge, it will also address issues that the Concerned Citizens have outlined in their mission statement, including overcrowding and blight.

"Overcrowding has gotten out of hand in Hampton Bays," said Dunn. "People are fed up."

To accomplish those goals, Dunn said he plans to recruit active community members, as well as business owners to participate in the CAC and ensure that the town hears what they have to say.

Scalera said her goal in the New Year is to ensure that communications are improved between the town and all of its CACs.

"Sometimes there is a lag on getting back to the CACs and they don't always get feedback in a timely manner. I want help them and let them know that we hear what they are saying and provide feedback on where the town is on the issues that they bring to us," she said.

The next monthly meeting of the Hampton Bays CAC takes place on Dec. 18 at 7:15 at the Hampton Bays Library. Those interested in participating in the CAC are welcome to attend.

Related Reading:

  • New Community Group Aims to Clean Up Hampton Bays
  • Concerned Citzens Take Their Fight to the Web

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