We hope you will read the story on AvalonBay Communities which is proposing a 300-unit apartment complex in Oyster Bay. Not to be negative, but there was a special program on the CBS Sunday morning show centered on the theme of islands.

It mentioned Martha's Vineyard and the explosion of population that has occurred since then President Bill Clinton visited the area. Residents said it is no longer the place they grew up in and loved as a quiet, pristine area. A clammer said he got into an argument with the owner of a new multi-million dollar mansion. The clammer was doing what he has done for years - taking clams out of the water. The new islander said it was his water, his view, his clams.

Martha's Vineyard is getting more development and more cars and people on the island. The people who provide the services for the island are now coming in by ferry, because they can't afford to live on the island. They can't buy a house at the current rates.

Overdevelopment is happening all over. We have to consider what is happening locally.

We hope the town, AvalonBay and Island Properties will do a complete plan of what is being proposed in Oyster Bay. Island Properties mentioned more apartment units being considered over businesses on South Street and at the Uwe's former site that will soon be added to the proposals.

There is a great deal happening here. What is positive is that over the past 10 years we have become more aware of the need for planning. There are land trusts springing up to preserve areas. There will hopefully be government funding for preservation.

We really have to get the wheels in motion to see what the cumulative effect will be of the things being planned. Oyster Bay has remained a pristine area because it has been underdeveloped. The large estates that line the harbor have limited the amount of development that can occur. We have to remember we are a watershed area for the Oyster Bay Cold Spring Harbor estuary and we have to plan for what is coming.

We have to achieve a balance that works to continue to protect what everyone wants to come here for. Now is the time to do so!

-DFK