Barn Raising Simplified?

The process of gaining town approval to put up an agricultural building on farmland would be simplified under a proposed revision to the East Hampton Town code that will be the subject of a hearing before the town board next Thursday.

At present, the law requires review by the town planning and agricultural review boards, as well as approval of the town board for buildings or other structures on farmland over which the town holds development rights.

Under the proposed change, town board approval would not be required.

According to a resolution describing the proposal, “additional approval by the town board serves no significant benefit for the town but results in additional costs and delay to farmers. . . .”

Another hearing at next week’s town board meeting will solicit comment from the public on banning bow hunting for deer on town lands where shotgun hunting is taking place during the January shotgun season.

The state, which sets the hunting seasons, has proposed an extension to the bow-hunting season for deer, which could cause that season to overlap with the shotgun season.

The hearings will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.