Some were wrapped in blankets and others in woolly hats and gloves, but the chilly weather on Sunday did nothing to keep an estimated crowd of some 25,000 to 30,000 people from attending the Montauk Friends of Erin’s 51st annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, with Jack Perna, the district superintendent of the Montauk School, leading the way as grand marshal.

    There was some concern before the parade that the number of spectators would be much lower this year, as there were other St. Patrick’s Day parades scheduled in Patchogue, Glen Cove, Rocky Point, and Farmingdale on the same day, but according to Lt. Chris Hatch, the East Hampton Town Police Department’s Montauk precinct commander, that wasn’t the case.

    He said that police estimated last year’s crowd to be 15,000 to 20,000 people. Five years ago, he said, the crowds came in at 45,000, the most ever. Two thousand five hundred passengers swept into the hamlet on four trains throughout the day on Sunday.

    In addition to at least 150 police officers monitoring the festivities, several stores and restaurants hired private security personnel this year, including 7-Eleven, which had security officers posted outside and inside the store, where by Friday the beer was fully stocked and cases were lining the aisles.

    “I think it went wonderful. Again, we got what we were looking for — it was all families,” said Joe Bloecker, the president of the Montauk Friends of Erin.

    Lieutenant Hatch said the crowd’s behavior was better than average. He said there were nine arrests, four fewer than last year. Twenty-one tickets were handed out for open alcohol containers, public urination, and littering.

    The parade was lively, with more than 62 contingents including marching bands, silly floats, and . . . Bob the Builder? Yep, the children’s cartoon character mingled with kids while walking the parade route. Candy, T-shirts, and beads were thrown to an enthusiastic crowd.

    The winning float this year was from the Montauk School, which seems fitting, given the grand marshal. Mr. Perna said on Tuesday that he was overwhelmed. “It was wonderful, the whole weekend was wonderful,” he said with a hoarse voice. The float featured former students and faculty and staff members dressed in graduation caps and gowns. The school was awarded $500 and a plaque.

    In second place, the Nancy Atlas float, a musical number with several riders dressed as Elvis, won $300 and a plaque. Third place went to Gordon Ryan’s Promised Land Salvage Company float, which had supposed passengers from the Carnival cruise ship disaster from mid-February that left many without food or proper restroom facilities. Some were dressed in stained robes and looked as if they were trying to jump ship. The float won $200 and a plaque.

    In the Pot of Gold raffle that took place during a cocktail party on Saturday at Gurney’s Inn, Mitch Wolman of Sound Beach won the grand prize of $10,000. Henry Uihlein of Montauk won $1,000, and Joan Lycke, also of Montauk, won $500, as did Larry Zimmerman.

    At an otherwise uneventful meeting of the East Hampton Village Board, a public hearing date on a proposed amendment to a local law concerning dogs on village beaches was set for April 19 at 11 a.m. at the Emergency Services Building.

    With Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr., Larry Cantwell, the village administrator, and Richard Lawler, a trustee, all absent, Barbara Borsack, a trustee and the deputy mayor, presided.

    After months of spirited debate and public comment by numerous village and town residents fearful of added restrictions for dogs on village beaches, the changes proposed are minimal. Presently, dogs and other animals are prohibited from village beaches between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from the second Sunday in May through Sept. 30. At all other times, the suggested change would have them “manually restrained on a leash not more than six feet in length within areas that are within 500 feet of any road end along the Atlantic Ocean beaches.” For the moment, at least, additional restrictions, such as lengthening the summer prohibition beyond 6 p.m., as the mayor had suggested, will not be included.

    “For the public’s benefit, this matches the town code, which is the same: 500 feet from the road opening,” Ms. Borsack said. “I think that will make things a little easier for everybody to remember.”

    Almost a year after Provisions Market’s application to expand first came before the Sag Harbor Village Planning Board, the market moved a step closer to its goal of taking over a neighboring space formerly occupied by Style Bar.

    The village zoning board of appeals approved an area variance that will allow Provisions to grow from 2,450 square feet to around 3,000 square feet. Some of the former spa’s square footage will be market space and some will be used for storage.

    This means the market will not need a special exception permit, a costly undertaking that would have required traffic studies and commitments to upstairs affordable apartments that are not under the store’s control as a renter of the ground floor of the building and not its owner. With approval now from the planning board and the Z.B.A., the market will appear next before the village’s architectural review board, according to Dennis Downes, its attorney.

    The market’s cafe will not expand, but will be reconfigured with the existing 32 seats so as not to require additional parking spaces or septic system upgrades.

    Aside from the ongoing discussion by neighbors and Jeffrey Bragman, the attorney for Save Sag Harbor, regarding the Harbor Heights service station, the continued debate over William Egan’s application for front steps at 59 Garden Street was of considerable interest to many neighbors. Several voiced complaints were about the flooding conditions on Garden Street, which the residents feel will worsen with the applicant’s plan to raise his house, which meets requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and does not require any variances.

    Although the variance sought is for steps to be located within seven feet of front lot line, where a minimum setback of 35 feet is required, the issues run much deeper. Neighbors have been fighting this application for five years, Mr. Downes said.

    One of them, Angela Scott, appeared at the hearing to read a letter from a neighbor who could not attend, with a large panoramic photograph of Mr. Egan’s flooded property on display. The letter mentioned rising sea levels and proper water drainage being a matter of survival for which open space is essential.

    Ms. Schoen and Mr. Downes reminded the board that flooding is not the concern of the Z.B.A. “We’re talking about a set of stairs . . . one variance for steps,” Mr. Downes said.

    Despite a no vote from Anthony Hagen, the chairman, and Tim McGuire, a board member, who empathized with the residents, the application was approved, and Mr. Egan will now seek the approval of the architectural review board.

    Since she first started seeing pediatric patients more than 30 years ago, Gail Schonfeld has bemoaned the dearth of mental health services for children and adolescents on the East End.

    With waiting lists stretching six months or more, not to mention the difficulty of transportation and the lack of clinicians who accept insurance, Dr. Schonfeld finally took matters into her own hands.

    After convening regular Sunday morning work sessions with concerned citizens and mental health professionals, Dr. Schonfeld, along with Sheila Rogers of the East Hampton Healthcare Foundation and Kristie Golden of South Oaks Hospital in Amityville, decided to join forces.

    Since December, the partnership has resulted in the South Oaks Child and Adolescent Center of East Hampton — a satellite clinic that operates out of donated office space inside the East Hampton Healthcare Center on Pantigo Place.

    The clinic, which houses one part-time social worker, is just down the hall from East End Pediatrics, Dr. Schonfeld’s medical practice. George Dempsey, who runs East Hampton Family Medicine, also refers patients.

     “Prevention is key,” said Dr. Schonfeld, who described the stigma surrounding mental health as part of the reason behind the continued lack of services. “I have witnessed the consequences of inadequate services and I’ve been continually frustrated by it.”

    The satellite clinic was made possible by a $50,000 seed grant from the New York State Office of Mental Health. The healthcare foundation, which donated the office space, has also provided a $25,000 grant to offset additional costs. For the next year, the grant money will fund the cost of having the social worker, Christina Acheson, assigned to the pediatric practice. She sees patients four days a week.

    Once the year is up, the program will have to rely on insurance billing to meet its bottom line. But relying on insurance money is no sure bet. According to Dr. Schonfeld, most Medicare and managed-care plans reimburse mental health services at a lower rate than the actual cost of the care.

    The alternative is to seek out a non-profit or additional grant money to help subsidize the expenses.

     “Many children have been in desperate need of mental health services and they haven’t been available. It’s been a continuing problem,” said Ms. Rogers, who directs the healthcare foundation. “There have been a lot of problems in the schools and with bullying and this all needs to be resolved here, right in our own community — and not have to run a child all the way to Stony Brook.”

    Dr. Golden, vice president of ambulatory and community services at South Oaks, a well-respected psychiatric hospital, sees the integration of physical and mental health as a more holistic approach to treating a child.

     “It allows for a patient to be seen for their needs in a setting that’s comfortable and familiar to them,” said Dr. Golden, who has been working to integrate mental health services into primary-care offices. “It’s much more likely that a patient or a family member will follow through if the referral takes place in their doctor’s office.”

    Dr. Schonfeld conceded that mental health services remain grossly inadequate in quantity, though not, she said, in quality. Dr. Eric J. Bartky, a child and adolescent psychiatrist based in Southampton, is also seeing patients part-time, and the new program, said Dr. Schonfeld, signals a definitive step in the right direction. In future years, a bilingual clinician is a priority, as increasing numbers of her patients come from Spanish-speaking families.

     “It’s a start, and you have to start somewhere,” said Dr. Schonfeld. “Once the grant is up, the challenge will be to keep it going. There will be some need for raising funds, but we’ve got to find a way to raise the money to keep it going.”

    The East Hampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals is expected to approve a resolution next week allowing two affordable apartments to be built on the second-floor of a warehouse building on Lumber Lane.

    Lumber Lane Associates’ application, which requires several variances, prompted the village board to take a closer look at off-street parking requirements as they relate to affordable housing. In January, the village board adopted a code amendment that eliminates a requirement that anyone who cannot provide mandated off-street parking pay a $10,000 fee per space into the village’s parking fund. The amendment allows the zoning board to waive that fee if property owners are creating affordable housing.

    In the case of Lumber Lane Associates, the village’s attorney has worked out a draft of covenants and restrictions that would guarantee the apartments remain affordable in perpetuity.

    “We’ve circulated a draft . . . to all the board members that seems to meet with everybody’s approval,” Linda Riley, the village attorney, told Andrew Goldstein, the board’s chairman. “The applicant is prepared to sign this. The thought would be that if you granted it, it would be conditioned upon them signing and recording this in the county clerk’s office prior to getting the building permit for the conversion.”

    “Probably good to go,” said Mr. Goldstein, to which Ms. Riley said she would draft a determination for the board’s next meeting.

    “I have reviewed the covenants. They need a little more work just to smooth it out, because we’ve made additions and revisions,” Pat Trunzo, a contractor and co-owner of the building, told the board. Mr. Trunzo’s two sons intend to live in the apartments.

    “We hope you will see fit to grant the additional variances,” Mr. Trunzo said.

    “We do,” Mr. Goldstein replied.

    The Montauk Citizens Advisory Committee on Monday heard from two members of East Hampton Town’s coastal erosion committee on Monday. The committee has announced recommendations for shoring up the Montauk business district, although they have not yet been submitted to the town board.

    As reported last week, the group’s plan calls for an “engineered” beach that would include a sand-covered stone revetment, starting at Shadmoor State Park and running west through the downtown area to the Ocean Beach Motel. A path similar to a boardwalk would be installed at the top of the structure.

    According to Town Councilman Dominick Stanzione, the town hopes to obtain the $20 million to $30 million the project would be expected to cost from the federal government. “The elephant in the living room is what if we don’t get federal money? There is no plan without the federal government. And what we design with that money is still up for debate,” he said. He added that even if the funding came through it would take at least 18 months to  move forward.

    Paul Monte of Gurney’s Inn and Steve Kalimnios of the Royal Atlantic Resort represented the erosion committee at the meeting. The Royal Atlantic took a severe beating in the last few storms. Mr. Kalimnios said the downtown beaches should be everyone’s concern, not just his. High tides and storm surges have already breached the primary dune in front of his motel and are now encroaching on the secondary dune, he said.

    “We’ve been forgetting for years about our beaches. There’s no line item in the [town] budget to provide funding for them. If we love this community there’s a price to pay,” he said. He warned that should the ocean sweep through his property all the downtown businesses would suffer “devastating” flooding. He noted that about 10 years ago an engineer he had hired to study the situation had said there was no hope. “ ‘You’re gone,’ he told me,” Mr. Kalimnios said.

    Jay Fruin, a member of the citizens committee, expressed concern about a revetment going straight across the area in one long path. “It sounds to me that this would destroy public access to the beach. We need to walk into this with eyes wide open,” he told the committee.

    Other questions about the plan were stymied when members of the citizens committee asked to see copies of it, only to be told none were available. Mr. Kalimnios said he would supply copies if the proposal went through. Diane Hausman, the committee’s chairwoman, said she was sure the erosion committee would make its plan public as soon as it was ready, but Mr. Monte corrected her. He said the plan would go to the town board rather than the public.

    In a follow-up interview, Jeremy Samuelson, executive director of Concerned Citizens of Montauk, said he was baffled by the proposal. “I think this whole process is crazy. They have a plan but they won’t show it to us because it’s Steve’s plan,” he said, referring to Mr. Kalimnious. “Steve is saying, don’t worry, we have a plan and no, you can’t see it because I paid for it. That’s a problem.”

    Speaking to The East Hampton Star yesterday, Mr. Samuelson said, “C.C.O.M. wants an engineered beach that is designed by an engineer that wasn’t hired by Steve Kalimnios.”

    Mr. Kalimnios and Mr. Monte did not return calls for further comment.

    Keri Ann Borowsky and Michael Peter DeLalio of Southampton have announced their engagement. A fall wedding is planned.

    Ms. Borowsky is a graduate of East Hampton High School and is a teacher at the John M. Marshall Elementary School in East Hampton. Mr. DeLalio, a Southampton High School graduate, is a personal trainer at Integrated Exercise Therapy in Bridgehampton.

    Ms. Borowsky is the daughter of Richard Byrne and Suzanne Byrne. Mr. DeLalio is the son of Gary DeLalio and Patricia Staker.

    Much like Punxsutawney Phil, the Am O’Gansett St. Patrick’s Day parade, which kicks off on Saturday at 12:01 p.m., is for many residents a sure sign of spring. The fifth annual parade, which its organizers boldly claim to be the world’s shortest, will proceed west from Mary’s Marvelous to the Mobil gas station before returning to its place of origin.

    This year, the planning and execution have been turned over to the nascent Amagansett Chamber of Commerce, which held its first board meeting last week. The Computer Shop, on Main Street, is raffling a 27-inch Apple iMac computer to benefit the chamber. Tickets are available at the shop and at Crossroads Music. The winner will be chosen at the parade’s after-party, set for 1:02 p.m. at the Stephen Talkhouse.

    The Am O’Gansett parade, which features floats, bands, and various other marching units, has been likened to a St. Patrick’s Day parade taking place in some alternate universe. The grand marshal, for example, cannot be of Irish heritage. “People looking for it to make sense have come to the wrong parade,” said Michael Clark, proprietor of Crossroads Music and an organizer of the event. “It’s really comical. The whole thing is really fun.”

    Or not. “We don’t joke about the parade, okay?” said Patty Collins Sales, another organizer. “This is serious.” Ms. Sales did acknowledge that residents are greatly anticipating this year’s parade. “It’s what brings everybody out in the spring, like crocuses,” she said.

    Or like Punxsutawney Phil? “Not to be confused with Talkhouse Phil,” she replied, referring to Philip Vega, a bartender at the Stephen Talkhouse who served as grand marshal of the second Am O’Gansett parade.

    Htun Han, a principal of Hamptons Realty Group and the grand marshal this year, added to the decidedly mixed messages delivered by parade personnel. “Anything that brings fun and mirth,” he said, “I’m all for it.”

    Col. Frank Kestler and his wife, Chrystyna, the mother and stepfather of the late Lt. Joseph Theinert, a former resident of Sag Harbor and Shelter Island, are developing a property in the Magdalena Mountains of New Mexico that will become a rehabilitative ranch for veterans.

    The intent is that the facility will help veterans adapt to post-war injuries, both physical and otherwise. It is to be called Strongpoint Theinert in honor of their son, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in June of 2010.

    There is an ancient trade route in Afghanistan, also named Strongpoint Theinert, that now functions as a deterrent to the movements of drug smugglers and the Taliban, “named for Joey after he was killed,” his mother said. “Strongpoint” is the Marine term for a forward operating base.

    Plans have been drawn and land cleared for the no-fee ranch, which will serve veterans of all wars and their families as well, the couple said. The land, some 1,100 acres, is home to antelope, white-tailed deer, elk, and other wildlife. It was originally purchased by the Kestlers in the hope that their son, who loved the outdoors, would enjoy hunting there.

    That was not to be. Instead, they have set aside 400 acres for the ranch, which will be fully handicapped-accessible. The Kestlers, who live in Shelter Island and Mattituck, made the decision after speaking with wounded veterans while visiting Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C, two years ago.

    Ms. Kestler visualizes one-week stays, she said in a phone conversation last week, with various programs including hunting, trail rides on quads and horseback, and guided hikes. The couple will make all 1,100 acres available to the veterans and their families.

    Some weeks will be geared toward those with severe physical wounds. Others will focus on post-traumatic stress syndrome, women warriors, and Gold Star families, she said, adding that she has already had positive feedback from combat veterans, who she said are not usually comfortable discussing their experiences with civilians. “They are looking forward to a safe place where they can relax and talk to other veterans,” she said.

    “There is great healing in sharing with others who have the same experience,” said Ms. Kestler. “I talk to other Gold Star mothers, it helps.” Her husband, a dentist who is in the Army Reserve, was in Afghanistan in November, where “he walked on the same field” where her son died.

    A separate 501C(3) charitable corporation is being set up for Strongpoint Theinert. Meanwhile, the couple has used their Joseph J. Theinert Memorial Foundation to put in a driveway and obtain a septic permit. Helping veterans is one of the charters of the foundation, Ms. Kestler explained, in addition to scholarships, which are “all set.”

    “I would start building tomorrow,” she said, “but I don’t have the money.” They hope to raise $2 million for construction and another $2 million for operating expenses. Donations may be made through the Joseph J. Theinert Memorial Foundation at rememberourjoes.org  or by mail, P.O. Box 1650, Mattituck 11952.

    A multicultural festival will celebrate diversity and the Sag Harbor community tomorrow night with an abundance of free homemade food, music, drumming, dance, and games.

    Building upon the success of last year’s event, Pierson High School will be filled with tastes of 28 countries from 5:30 to 9 p.m., with new contributions expected from El Salvador, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Sweden, according to Cheryl Bedini, an organizer.

    The dishes primarily represent countries where parents or grandparents come from, she explained. Ms. Bedini will celebrate her husband, Andres’s, heritage with Peruvian and Argentinean offerings including chicken in chili cheese sauce, spinach and meat empanadas, papas al Huancaino, and a corn drink called chich morado. Bagpipes will kick off the 10 performances, among them Irish step dancers, Shinnecock Nation youth dancers, Japanese drummers, children singing in French and Italian, and a Russian student who will play the piano.

    The event is a giveback to district taxpayers, said Ms. Bedini, from the Sag Harbor Elementary School Parent Teacher Association. An optional $5-per-family donation will benefit the Sag Harbor Food Pantry and the John Jermain Memorial Library.