Once again we are writing on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Community and are reaching out to you, as the fate of our community and the future of the Town of Oyster Bay is in further jeopardy.

As you already know from our prior letters, the Town of Oyster Bay, Supervisor Venditto and the six town council members are currently preparing to vote on the final environmental impact statement for the proposed "Colony at Olde Oyster Bay." This massive development situated on a state-designated special ground water protection area poses a threat to our environment as this critical environmental area is designated to remain as permanent open space. Dr. Lee Koppelman, executive director of the Long Island Regional Planning Board, recently indicated in a televised interview that of the nine original special ground water protection areas, all have complied with this plan except the Town of Oyster Bay. Further, as mentioned in our former letter, Legislative director John J. Turner of the State Legislative Commission on Water Resource Needs of New York State and Long Island, co-chaired by NYS Assemblyman DiNapoli, also cited the Town of Oyster Bay for this unprecedented proposal.

Simultaneously with this, we now have the threat of the intended sale of 144 acres of Nassau County property located along Old Country Road (including: Cornell Coop, Nassau Office Park, the soccer fields and open space). It appears that a frightening trend is evolving where municipalities are selling off open space as budget deficits are encountered. However, this is only a temporary solution in lieu of comprehensive planning and good fiscal management. This form of management is occurring at the expense of our precious environment.

At the last town council meeting the town supervisor acknowledged the outpouring of concerns that have been brought to his attention regarding the "Colony." In response, he has extended the review period to afford more time to weigh all the facts.

Now is your "golden opportunity" to voice your concerns to the town supervisor and all six town council members. Every member of our community must take a proactive role in ensuring the future of our environment and suburban lifestyle. Everyone is welcome to attend the March 2 town council meeting at 10 a.m. and talk personally to our elected officials. If you cannot attend, you can still voice your concern by calling every council member and the town supervisor today at 624-6300.

Thank you for your continued concern. The following is a review of the situation:

* A New York State commission, in a letter on Dec. 28, cited the Town of Oyster Bay and recommended scaling back the proposed 538 unit "Colony at Olde Oyster Bay."

* The State Commission on Water Resource Needs of New York State and Long Island, co-chaired by NYS Assemblyman DiNapoli, in a letter written by Legislative Director John L. Turner, faulted the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) as inconsistent with the Long Island Regional Planning Board Study on Ground Water, which called for this property in particular to be preserved as open space or, only if necessary, low density commercial development that would have a minimal impact on ground water. It went on to further state that the proceeds of any sale should be utilized for the acquisition of open space within the state designated special ground water protection area.

* This development, if built, will set a precedent for the Town of Oyster Bay as the largest and most dense under construction in Nassau County. It will also request the unprecedented creation of a new town zoning ordinance for these Planned Unit Developments (PUD).

* The original proposal included a "senior" housing component of 160 affordable units. This concept has been eliminated from the plan and replaced with units at a higher price that have no age restrictions.

* The executive director of the Long Island Regional Planning Board, Dr. Lee Koppelman, recently stated, in a televised interview, that of the nine original special ground water protection areas all have complied with the plan except the Town of Oyster Bay.

* Local civic groups and concerned citizens have been protesting the size, density and environmental impact since the Dec. 8 presentation of the DEIS. Approval of the Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected in March.

* The town supervisor and the six town council members may be reached every day at 624-6300, if you wish to comment.

* The next town council meeting is Tuesday, March 2, at 10 a.m. at Town Hall, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay. It is open for public comment on this and all subjects.

Carol and Lance Meschkow

Concerned Citizens