12/05/2025
On the cover of today's Rivereast, there's a story about a letter the East Hampton Town Council decided last week to send to Gov. Ned Lamont, expressing concerns about the state's controversial new affordable housing bill. Here's the text of the letter, as sent this past Wednesday to Lamont's office:
November 26, 2025
(Revised and sent 12/3/2025)
VIA EMAIL AND US MAIL
The Honorable Ned Lamont, Governor
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Dear Governor Lamont,
I am writing on behalf of the East Hampton Town Council. At its meeting on November 25, 2025, it voted unanimously to express its deep concerns about the recently adopted Housing Growth bill, commonly referred to as HB8002, and to urge you to veto the legislation once it was presented to you.
After discussion at two meetings and after receiving citizen comments from residents by both email and through verbal testimony at the Council’s meeting, many in opposition to the bill, the Council expressed several concerns about the legislation that was needlessly adopted at a special legislative session without significant review by municipalities, municipal land use officials, or the public and continues to represent a “top down” pronouncement.
Because you have signed the legislation, it must be reviewed and urgently updated to either eliminate or correct flaws or improper items within the legislation. East Hampton expects to be in contact with its legislators and others to advocate for changes to the legislation in the upcoming regular session of the legislature. The Council urges you and the legislature to work to improve the legislation to preserve and respect local land use decision making, to use the dedication of financial and human resources to encourage municipalities to facilitate the growth needed in the state, and to take steps to reduce the cost of property ownership and aid in the development of a broad spectrum of affordable homes.
Thank you for your service to the state and for your consideration of the Town’s comments.
Sincerely,
David E. Cox
Town Manager
Cc: Town Council
Representative Irene Haines
Senator Norm Needleman
