LIPA HAMPTONS BIG POLE UPDATE Apr 29, 2008

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Committee for a Green South Fork (buryLIPAcables.com) April 29, 2008

Dear Concerned South Fork Resident, Please note CORRECTED email address for Supervisor Linda Kabot: lkabot@SouthamptonTownNY.gov

On Monday, State Supreme Court Justice Peter H. Mayer ruled to deny the Town’s Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against LIPA’s construction of the above-ground portion of the powerline route in Water Mill (huge poles). Judge Mayer did not vacate the Town’s Stop Work Order (SWO) against LIPA’s above-ground portion, and delayed his ruling on that.  It is not clear that LIPA will abide by the Town’s SWO, as LIPA had scheduled to begin erecting poles in Water Mill this Friday, May 2.

The Town and LIPA Are at an Impasse.  LIPA demands to be assured of payment for burying all the cables.  LIPA management is willing to make the deal, but the LIPA Trustees must vote to approve this decision.  LIPA wants assurance that…IF they bury all the cables before the LIPA Trustees vote…and IF the LIPA Trustees vote not to accept the residents’ surcharge covering the cost…then Southampton Town will pay. The Town is reluctant to make that assurance, as the expense might have to be borne town-wide in the absence of a special Tax Assessment District (for the East End of the Town).  The proposal of a new Tax Assessment District would take time to work through the approval process in Albany, and might not be approved. YOU CAN HELP – Send an email to Supervisor Linda Kabot and the Southampton Town Board.  Let Supervisor Kabot know you want the Town to make sure there are No Huge Poles in the South Fork!  No matter what!  One way or another, the Town must agree to cover LIPA’s financial liability to bury all the cables – No Huge Poles!  Email Supervisor Kabot and the Town Board today at: LKabot@SouthamptonTownNY.gov Thanks to those of you who have already contributed to our legal defense fund! If you have not contributed to our legal defense fund, please do it NOW!  You can make a credit card contribution securely on-line via PayPal on our website at buryLIPAcables.com by clicking here: Go to Donate Button. Steve Abramson, Chair Committee for a Green South Fork info@buryLIPAcables.com

LIPA Big Pole Update – WE’RE BEING INVADED

Committee for a Green South Fork (buryLIPAcables.com) April 18, 2008

Dear Concerned South Fork Resident, Town Files a Complaint  v. LIPA on April 18 LIPA Agrees to Temporary Hold on Huge Poles Temporary Restraining Order – Judge to Rule April 25

Following our two complaints against LIPA, the Town of Southampton filed a complaint v. LIPA and today the Judge issued a stipulation of a Temporary Restraining Order.  LIPA is now prevented from any construction of the above-ground portion of the transmission powerline until the Judge rules next Friday, April 25.  The same judge has been assigned to the Town’s complaint as to our own two previous complaints in Suffolk County Supreme Court. Two days ago, the Town also issued a Stop Work Order against LIPA, preventing LIPA from working on the above-ground portion. Previously, LIPA Was Served Two Complaints on Our Behalf aimed at blocking LIPA from proceeding with the massive poles and cables on the back roads.  The first action alleges that LIPA, as a governmental entity, did not perform a sufficient environmental impact study regarding the above ground cables. The second action alleges that the installation of the new electrical towers will create: (1) a risk to a hurricane escape route and (2) a nuisance [and a loss in property value], and seeks a permanent injunction preventing LIPA from installing the towers.  In addition to the above complaints, CGSF also filed a complaint with the New York State Environmental Protection Bureau.

Negotiations Continue between the Town and LIPA, and we can take satisfaction in that our pursuit of legal remedies has helped to motivate LIPA to come to the table. Again, we have received contributions from many who joined our petition list, but we are asking everyone on our list to please contribute something to our legal defense fund – NOW!  We are opposing an adversary with deep pockets. You can make a credit card contribution securely on-line via PayPal on our website at www.buryLIPAcables.com Thanks to those of you who have already contributed to get the litigation under way. Steve Abramson, Chair Committee for a Green South Fork info@buryLIPAcables.com