Survey shows Hamlin residents like it as it is

The Master Plan survey results are in and Hamlin residents overwhelmingly said: Leave Hamlin alone. The survey, which was distributed last year, asked more than 50 questions to try to decipher people's thoughts on how Hamlin should develop, and how Hamlin was (or was not ) meeting residents' needs.

"We really appreciate the input, especially considering that a quarter of our population returned the survey," said Supervisor Austin F. Warner III. Warner added that the results of the survey are available on-line, in the town clerk's office, and there will be an information session on the results in the near future.

While many questions drew nearly even positive and negative responses, 83 percent of those surveyed urged the town government to keep Hamlin a rural community. More than half the respondents said it was the town's rural character that led them to choose Hamlin in the first place. Some comments were:

• "Please leave this little rural community the way it is. This is the reason I moved here."
• "I purchased a house in Hamlin because I enjoy the rural setting. I am willing to commute an hour..."
• "Hamlin doesn't need to be a Greece or Henrietta all built up. Keep Hamlin rural and keep out crime, high taxes and urban problems."
• "As residents in Hamlin we have made a conscious choice to reside in a rural area for the peace and privacy of a nature based community ... More development does not constitute a better community."
• Hamlin is one of the few towns within the county that retains rural qualities. It is a wonderful community to raise children and a safe place to live ... Let's keep it that way!"

Three quarters of the residents polled said they frequent Hamlin businesses. One third of the residents said that Hamlin needs no other shopping opportunities.

Of the 911 people who responded, 77 percent wanted to see Hamlin remain agriculturally based, but when given three options to assist agriculture (increase tax, transfer of development rights, allow town to purchase development rights), most were opposed.

Of all the potential upgrades or expansions to the town offered in the survey, the only one that had a larger percentage of positive responses was the construction of a youth center.

Survey respondents were also clear that Hamlin does not have a need for any more affordable housing.