The East Hampton Village Design Review Board ruled on April 6 that a metal sculpture situated outside a recently opened art studio on Gingerbread Lane must be removed.

Shortly after the sculpture by Steve Zaluski was erected outside the new Mannix Studio of Art, code enforcement officials informed Karyn Mannix, an East Hampton artist and gallerist, that if she did not remove it she would face a fine.

Dan Reichl, a code enforcement officer and building inspector, said last week that per village code, “anything that goes outside of any commercial building in the village, or any changes to the exterior, needs to be approved by the design review board prior, which it wasn’t.”

Ms. Mannix was initially allowed to keep the sculpture  in place pending the D.R.B.’s decision, but now has 30 days from the notice of violation to remove it. She said last Thursday that, while she had asked for an explanation as to why the sculpture could not remain, it would be removed over the weekend. It remained in place as of yesterday.

“It’s no big deal,” she said last Thursday. “I wish I went to them first, but I didn’t know. I’m disappointed that it didn’t get okayed, because I’m not in the main ‘walking’ village. Granted, I am in the incorporated village, but I’m shocked. Disappointed and shocked.”

Ms. Mannix said that she will return to the D.R.B. with a rendering of a different sculpture and seek its placement in a different location on the property. Had the D.R.B. allowed the sculpture to remain, it would still have had to be moved, as a portion of it was situated on village property.

The studio, which opened last month, offers classes for adults and children 6 and up.

“There’s a lot coming up,” Ms. Mannix said, “but people need to sign up for it to stay open.”

Despite the East Hampton Village Design Review Board’s approval in August, and apparent compliance with the village code, lighting at the recently renovated Newtown Lane branch of Capital One Bank is being called excessive and hazardous.

Mary Busch, chairwoman of the Ladies Village Improvement Society’s landmarks committee, said the L.V.I.S. was “very concerned about the light” emanating from the bank’s automatic teller machines, which are behind a glass facade. The organization’s landmarks committee met on Monday, she said, and was to contact village enforcement officials. This followed a visit to the branch, at which Ms. Busch said an assistant branch manager said that, to bank officials’ knowledge, there was no code violation.

Ken Collum, a code enforcement officer and fire marshal, said on Tuesday that his department did not have the ability to measure the light emanating from a fixture. “We make sure that the plan has been implemented, and to the best of our ability we think it has been.” Yesterday he was awaiting a reply from the bank’s maintenance department for confirmation that code-compliant lighting had been installed. But, he said, “from what I’m hearing, it is technically in compliance.”

Susan Harder of Springs, the New York section leader of the International Dark Sky Association, said the lighting was not only excessive but a serious safety hazard. The lighting, she said, was “far above the professional recommendations for safe lighting.”

At the East Hampton Village Board’s March 18 meeting, Ms. Harder had asked that it “address the large blue and red cabinet” of A.T.M.s at the bank, calling them “clearly inappropriate here.” She said this week that she had written to the bank’s president detailing what she said were numerous problems with the lighting, and asked that the fluorescent lights behind the cabinets be turned off.

“It’s a safety issue, not to mention an aesthetic issue,” she said. “When you’ve got that much blue light in your face, it closes the pupil down. Your eyes get blown out, and always adjust to the highest light source. It makes night vision worse, not better.”

A representative of the branch had not returned a call seeking comment by press time yesterday.

On Tuesday, Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. acknowledged the concerns voiced by Ms. Harder and the L.V.I.S., saying, “the village is trying to do due diligence. It’s been brought to the attention of code enforcement. We’ll see if they are in compliance.”

On Monday East Hampton Town Councilman Peter Van Scoyoc introduced to the Montauk Citizens Advisory Committee the Rental Registry Road Show, as he jokingly called the team made up of Michael Sendlenski, the town attorney; Ann Glennon, chief building inspector, and Betsy Bambrick, director of ordinance enforcement.

The team is visiting local civic groups to discuss the new rental property law, aimed at overcrowded share houses, and to go over its application form, noting several areas, highlighted in red, that are mandatory before a registration number can be assigned. The application pertains to rental homes that are not owner-occupied and is considered a self-inspection checklist for renters.

Anyone who rents out a house must fill out a form, pay a $100 fee, and verify that a certificate of occupancy is on file with the building department. The form gives the town enforcement leverage in cases of overcrowding, and the assurance that single-family homes are not turned into hotels, as happened in one Montauk house last summer. If a landlord writes that there are three bedrooms in the house, there had better be three bedrooms in the house or stiff fines can be levied, Ms. Bambrick warned.

The checklist goes over other mandatory responses including swimming pools and their fencing, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (which must be installed in every bedroom and within 10 feet of any bedroom in a hallway), and whether the house has a fireplace or wood stove that is screened or has doors. Applications must be signed and notarized.

More information on the rental registry is on the East Hampton Town website.

Next up for discussion was the town’s current hamlet study, an intensive look at the unique issues affecting designated commercial areas in East Hampton, Springs, Wainscott, Amagansett, and the downtown and harbor areas of Montauk. How to maintain a thriving economy while serving the needs of both second-home owners and the year-round community is the goal of the study.

Committee members suggested a few areas for study. These include clarifying pre-existing nonconforming uses, transportation, traffic and parking, including vehicles versus bicycles on the roads and bikes versus pedestrians on sidewalks; pedestrian safety, speed limits and lighting, waste management, code enforcement issues, and affordable seasonal housing, which members said has become a very real problem for businesses that hire seasonal employees. “It’s really gotten worse over the years,” said Kathy Weiss.

Mr. Van Scoyoc announced that Fort Pond House will have an official grand opening on May 15. Groups can request use of the property, he said, and the public can use it to launch kayaks and other small boats or just to visit and relax by the water.

Christopher Gobler of Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, who for the last three years has led a water-quality monitoring program for the East Hampton Town Trustees, will lecture on the ecological health of local waterways on April 18 at 6 p.m. at East Hampton Town Hall. The program, hosted by the trustees, will also include a talk by Barley Dunne, director of the East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery, on its efforts to seed waterways with native shellfish. An interactive dialogue will follow.

In 2015, Dr. Gobler tested 17 town water bodies, including Napeague, Northwest,  Accabonac, and Three Mile Harbors as well as Fresh Pond in Amagansett, Hog Creek in Springs, and Georgica and Hook Ponds. Last year, Dr. Gobler delivered a largely positive 2014 report, calling the quality of trustee-managed water bodies generally excellent. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound, he said, strong tidal flushing and movement keep East Hampton’s water quality high, as does the town’s distance from New York City.

 However, a notable exception was Georgica Pond, which, in 2015, experienced a second consecutive year of dense cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae. In both 2014 and 2015, the bloom, which suppresses oxygen and salinity levels, prompted the trustees to close the pond to the taking of crabs and other marine life for much of the summer. The trustees have opened the pond to the Atlantic Ocean on a biannual basis, after which its oxygen and salinity have returned to normal levels and the blooms have dissipated. The East Hampton Town Board and trustees are now pursuing renewal of a State Department of Environmental Conservation permit to the pond; dredging, coupled with the twice-yearly opening, would maintain higher salinity levels for longer periods.

Cyanobacteria blooms were also detected last year in Fort Pond in Montauk, Wainscott Pond in Wainscott, Agawam Lake and Mill Pond in Southampton, and Maratooka Lake in Mattituck. In the summer of 2014, oxygen levels at the head of Three Mile Harbor fell below the State D.E.C.’s standard, with poor water circulation and nutrient loading, such as nitrogen, behind the drop. High levels of alexandrium, or red tide, were also measured there. When filter-feeding bivalves such as clams, mussels, and oysters consume a lot of microalgae, they can accumulate toxins and be unsafe for human consumption. Cochlodynium, or rust tide, was also measured in Three Mile and Accabonac Harbors in 2014. While it does not pose a threat to humans, it is potentially lethal to marine life.

Officials from the town, East Hampton Village, and the trustees have identified excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorous as a hazard to water bodies’ ecological health and fisheries habitat, and with groups including the Nature Conservancy and Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation are in the early stages of developing a mitigation plan.

Macroalgae is to be harvested from Georgica Pond this summer to determine if that is an effective mechanism of removing nitrogen. Other actions could include the installation of a permeable reactive barrier, a device comprising trench boxes filled with ground wood chips. Such a barrier was tested at Pussy’s Pond in Springs with promising results, and the town plans to install more at Three Mile and Accabonac Harbors.

Compared with previous Sag Harbor Village Board meetings and discussions of the proposed residential zoning code revisions in the village, Tuesday night’s hearing was relatively quick and calm.

New limits on house sizes would apply to lots that are 6,250 square feet or more (initially, new limits would have affected all properties over 5,000 square feet). Smaller properties will be governed by the existing 20-percent-coverage rule. The maximum house size on a 25,000-square-foot lot would be 4,000 square feet. A house any bigger would require a special permit.

Anthony Vermandois, an architect who lives on Union Street, said he had gone on “a letter-writing binge” opposing the proposals as they were first introduced. However, looking at the new limits, he had a change of heart and said he supported the amendments, though they weren’t perfect. He said he hoped the board would reconsider them if in future they were found to be “too strict or not strict enough.”

He also asked that the board take a look at the pyramid law next, and suggested reaching out to the design community for feedback.

Robert Plumb, a member of the zoning board of appeals, spoke in favor of gross floor-area standards, calling it “a vast improvement over what we have.” He said he thought the board had come up with reasonable figures. “I think you’ve averaged it out as best you can,” he said.

Pat Trunzo, who said he owns several vacant properties in the village, asked the board to reconsider some parts of the proposals, though he supported the effort overall. He wants to see a slightly higher percentage allowed on bigger properties.

Alex Kriegsman, a Sag Harbor attorney, once again pressed the village for a figure on how much Rich Warren had been paid to analyze the property and house sizes on which the board based its proposals.

Mayor Schroeder said the board was not taking questions during the hearing and that Mr. Kriegsman had been told, when he asked the first time at a meeting in January, that he could file a Freedom of Information request.

Denise Schoen, who represented the village Tuesday night following the resignation of Fred W. Thiele Jr. as the village attorney, said Ms. Schroeder was not legally obligated to answer the question immediately.

When Mr. Kriegsman also questioned whether Mr. Warren’s report had analyzed the right figures, Ms. Schoen said she didn’t understand the question and asked him to put it in writing. “Whatever the answer is, we’ll provide it,” she promised.

For several reasons, including the recent resignation of the village attorney just one day earlier, the mayor asked that the hearing be held open for written comments for one week. Interested parties will have until Tuesday to submit comments to Beth Kamper, the village clerk.

The board will reconvene to discuss adopting the proposals at a special meeting, tentatively set for next Thursday. Ms. Schroeder said she wanted a full board to weigh in, and Ed Deyermond was away this week on a previously scheduled trip.

The East Hampton Village Design Review Board will decide on Wednesday whether or not a silver sculpture situated outside a recently opened art studio on Gingerbread Lane will have to come down.

Shortly after the sculpture was erected outside the new Mannix Studio of Art, code enforcement officials informed Karyn Mannix, an East Hampton artist and gallerist, that if she did not remove it she would face a fine.

"They were very nice to me," Ms. Mannix said of village officials. The kinetic sculpture, created by Steve Zaluski, "is for the kids. It's fun, fits the studio, and it's not an eyesore. The building looks very nice and clean, because it's an art studio." She discussed the sculpture with owners of neighboring properties before installing it, she said, and none had objected.

Nonetheless, "anything that goes outside of any commercial building in the village, or any changes to the exterior, needs to be approved by the design review board prior, which it wasn't," Dan Reichl, a code enforcement officer and building inspector, said on Monday. "It's up to them whether or not she can keep it there." The design review board meets at Village Hall at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Ms. Mannix has been allowed to keep the sculpture in its current place for now, pending the design review board's decision. Should the board allow the sculpture to remain, it will still have to be moved because a portion of it lies on village property.

The studio, which opened last month, offers classes for children 6 and up and adults, including life drawing, color theory, study of artists ranging from Michelangelo to Bansky, photography, magic, and the circus arts. A grand opening on May 28 will feature a photographic exhibition of rock 'n' roll musicians including the late David Bowie and Mack Bolan, as well as Elton John.  

The Montauk Library has made changes that, once seen, should have the little ones begging to go there. The library has changed the whole children’s section, which is now called the Family Fun Room, opened it up, and added oodles of colorful new toys and books.

The restructuring is part of a plan that enables the library to become an official Family Place library, making it the only library on the East End to offer the free program, which integrates family play with educational toys, books, and other programs for children 12 to 36 months. If parents have an infant and can’t find a baby sitter, they will be welcome to bring the baby along.

Jackie Bitonti, the new children’s librarian, suggested the idea to Denise DiPaolo, the new library director, who thought it a good one. Funding for the two women to be trained and to purchase the materials came from the library’s board, the Friends of the Montauk Library, who didn’t blink an eye when asked for a donation, Ms. DiPaolo said, the East Hampton Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club of East Hampton, and a grant from the Middle Country Library Foundation.

The two women trained to be certified over five days in October at the Family Place Training Institute in Centereach. Ms. DiPaolo said the training made her wish she had had her children later in life so she could have used the tools she learned at the institute when raising them.

The Family Fun Room will be open during regular business hours, but the learn, play, and grow program will be held three times a year for five Saturdays in spring, fall, and winter in the lower level in the Suzanne Koch Gosman Community Room, which has been spruced up with new carpeting and has new chairs that can easily be wiped down. A large, slatted wooden mat will cover most of the carpeting when the program is going on, to allow large metal Tonka-type toys to be played with. It will then be rolled up for the adult programs.

Each session of the five-week program will cover a different subject, with a professional on hand for consultations. The subjects range from early literacy to child development, nutrition and music, health and play. The program encourages on-the-floor play interaction for the children and a parent or caregiver, and it can accommodate 12 to 15 children at a time. Registration at the library is required. The first session will take place on May 7 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

“It was a huge undertaking that is so badly needed for Montauk kids,” Joan Lycke, the president of the library board, said.

Relatives of Fran Silipo, the former Springs School District clerk who had a stroke in October, have set up a fund-raising page via the website GoFundMe.com to help her with medical costs and day-to-day expenses.

Ms. Silipo has been on an unpaid leave of absence from her job at the Springs School for several months, during which time she has also been unable to pay her mortgage because she was her immediate family’s main breadwinner, according to her niece, Alyson Follenius.

Ms. Follenius said in an interview this week that her aunt is “the giver” in their family, and “now it’s time for us to help her.” Ms. Silipo, she said, has been very involved in the community, including planning and participating in many fund-raisers for other families in need over the years.

“Neither she nor my uncle is the type who would have asked for help like this,” Ms. Follenius said. “As we saw it progress and saw the stress adding up, we had to do something.”

Her family is concerned that the stress may cause Ms. Silipo to have another stroke. Ms. Follenius cited the National Stroke Association in saying that 24 percent of women who have had one stroke have a high chance of suffering a second one within five years. Ms. Silipo has two children in college and has laid out money recently for an attorney in a lawsuit against the Springs School District. However, Ms. Follenius said, the GoFundMe campaign was set up mainly to help with her aunt’s medical costs and pay for things like groceries and utility bills. About $7,000 was raised in the first seven days of the campaign, which has a goal of $50,000.

“Our vision is that anything that we’re able to raise is going to alleviate some financial stress so that she has the space and the time to focus on herself and on healing,” Ms. Follenius said. “It really is touching knowing that people can be so generous. . . . We’re super grateful.”

Kalie Encie Peters and Justin E. Burkle were married on Jan. 16 in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands. A sunset reception followed on the beach in front of Myett’s restaurant.

The bride is the daughter of Encie V. Peters of East Hampton and the late Robert L. Peters. A graduate of East Hampton High School and the State University’s College at Brockport, she is a physical education teacher at the Montauk School.

Mr. Burkle’s parents are Gail G. and John G. Burkle of Montauk. He is an artist and photographer who owns 41 Degrees North, an online clothing and accessories shop. He graduated from MacArthur High School in Levittown and Bentley College in Massachusetts.

The couple celebrated their marriage with friends and family who traveled to Tortola. The maid of honor was Alicia Fasano of Clifton, N.J., a cousin of the bride. She was also attended by her cousin Jessica Steyskal of Punta Gorda, Fla., and her sister-in-law, Kori Peters of East Hampton.

Mr. Burkle’s best man was his brother, Jonathan Burkle of Denver. Michael Kralik of Connecticut and the bride’s brother, Robbie Peters of East Hampton, served as groomsmen.

The unmistakable signs of spring are stirring. The eighth annual Am O’Gansett Parade, which its organizers proclaim is the world’s shortest, will commence at noon on Saturday and conclude a few minutes later.

The Amagansett Library, which held a 100th anniversary celebration on Feb. 27, will lead the procession as this year’s grand marshal. The family-friendly parade will begin on Main Street in front of Mary’s Marvelous. Marchers will proceed to the Stephen Talkhouse, turn around, and return to the starting point.

Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic shortly before noon and reopen once the parade has concluded.

“The bears, Angus the senior and young Cornelius, are sporting new finery for this festive occasion,” Cynthia Young, the library’s director, said in an email, referring to the popular stuffed animals. “We’re looking forward to a grand day and our 15 minutes of fame leading what is the shortest parade! And I hope all the children coming to the parade will stop in afterward for cupcake decorating and eating, compliments of the Am O’Gansett Chamber of Commerce.”

At that reception, in the library’s community room, the chamber will sell commemorative mugs for $5 and T-shirts for $10.

Last year, Michael Clark, the owner of now-defunct Crossroads Music at Amagansett Square, was the grand marshal, the chamber of commerce citing his tireless efforts to support musicians of all ages on the South Fork. In 2014, the Amagansett School was named grand marshal, its students and administrators leading the procession.

The chamber has encouraged the hamlet’s businesses to join the parade, decorate shop windows, or offer a sale or discount. Merchants have been asked to contact the chamber with information on any such special offers or events. The chamber will help in promotional efforts, said Joi Jackson Perle, its director.

The chamber is also offering a 25-percent discount to members who join this month. Those interested in doing so have been asked to get in touch with the chamber via its website, amagansettchamber.org.

“It’s a grand day for the Irish,” Ms. Young said of the upcoming festivities. “And who isn’t Irish on such a wonderful day? Be sure to wear your green!”