OK, so it's the week before Christmas (Hanukkah's already underway) and I'm pretty grumpy about how slowly grind the wheels of progress around here. But grumpy is just not an appropriate way to be feeling at this time of year. So, I've made myself a deal. Today, I'll make a list of the positive developments in the Sag Hampton area in an attempt to improve my outlook. Next week -- or the week after -- I'll tell you why many of those same things are also sources of angst.

Meanwhile, here's the good:

1. Sag Harbor Mayor Greg Ferraris and Trustee Tiffany Scarlatto have been working diligently on a plan to encourage affordable workforce housing in the Village of Sag Harbor. They've recently shown a draft of the plan to the other Trustees, and the press. I've seen a copy of the document and I believe that it is well intentioned, well reasoned and has a good chance of actually achieving the results at which it is aiming. Three cheers for local leaders who are not afraid to tackle the tough issues.


2. The Planning Department of the Town of Southampton has agreed to undertake a study of the area along both sides of the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike between Sag Harbor Industries and the Village Line. They agreed to this study due to the sudden onslaught of development in this area, and the potential for a great deal more. If development is left unchecked, Sag Harbor could find itself with an unplanned, and unappealing commercial strip at the southern gateway to the village. Neither Mayor Ferraris nor Southampton Supervisor Heaney see this as a desirable outcome, and so both are committing some resources to a study that hopefully will result in somewhat less development in this area than would be allowed under current zoning.


3. The two "building" subcommittees of the John Jermain Memorial Library's Library Development Committee (LDC) met with Southampton Public Transportation and Safety Director Tom Neely in a proactive attempt to tackle potential problems related to traffic, parking, safety, pedestrian and bicycle access and mass transit at the proposed site of the new library building at Mashashimuet Park. Mr. Neely was quick to point out that the library location is at the southern gateway to Sag Harbor (yes, we're talking about the same gateway), and that appropriate development of gateways between less developed and more developed areas is one of the key concepts of the recently completed SEEDS (Sustainable East End Development Strategies) study. As such, he reasoned, State and or other grant monies ought to be available for studies of and subsequent improvements to the gateway area. He's going to take it up with the East End Transportation Council, which is anxious to put the SEEDS recommendations to the test. This could be a win-win for the library, the park, Sag Harbor and the entire East End.


4. Speaking of the library, the work of the LDC continues to move ahead with due deliberation. An RFP (Request for Proposal) has been written by the multi-talented Alison Cornish (with help from others), to enable the Library Trustees to choose an architect specializing in preservation and restoration of historic buildings. This architect will be charged with coming up with a plan that will encompass both the restoration of the library's existing building, and the updating of its systems, allowing it to function as both a community centerpiece and a usable public building well into the future.
   


5. The intrepid Bryan Boyhan, editor and publisher of the Sag Harbor Express has made it his business to ensure that Sag Harbor has a proper 300th anniversary celebration in 2007. (I know the date is in dispute; get over it) He's organized  a large committee consisting of representatives from almost all of Sag Harbor's community organizations, and he's pushing them mercilessly to put together a five-month long program of events, exhibits and performances commemorating Sag Harbor's multi-faceted history. If all goes as planned, 2007 will be a fun year indeed, for residents and visitors alike.


6. The holiday light-up on Main Street looks better than ever this year. (Sorry, my camera's broken, or there'd be a photo.)

So, that's the list, or most of it. I'm sure there's more, but this post is getting rather lengthy, so I'll stop for now. I'm feeling better anyway. It's always good to remember some of the things we have to be thankful for. The feelings of good cheer thus engendered should carry me through the holidays. Time enough then to think about why things may not all be quite so rosy as they at first seem.

In the meantime, have a very happy and safe holiday season!