Concern About Sand Pit

Residents of a neighborhood surrounding a sand-mining pit off Middle Highway in East Hampton asked the town board last week to investigate dumping they said was taking place there. The pit, which is legal because it was created before local zoning laws, is owned by the Talmage family and has both local and state Department of Environmental Conservation permits.

Nanci LaGarenne, representing the Freetown Neighborhood Advisory Committee, spoke to the board, as did her husband, Jim LaGarenne. Use of the site is of concern, the LaGarennes said, as it is in an area now zoned for three-acre minimum residential lots as well as a water recharge zone. A Suffolk County Water Authority well is in the vicinity, Mr. LaGarenne said, as is the Soak Hides dreen, a water course that drains into Three Mile Harbor. Ms. LaGarenne also said she thought the property had recently been sold, but town officials said it had not changed hands.

Supervisor Larry Cantwell said the East Hampton Town Building, Code Enforcement, and Attorneys Departments were investigating the status and use of the property, and that it could continue no matter who owns it. But, he said, “We’re not going to tolerate any illegal dumping there, under any circumstances.” He encouraged anyone who observed any allegedly illegal activities there to inform the Code Enforcement Department. 

Betsy Bambrick, the head of that department, said Tuesday that an investigation was ongoing, but she said the only thing observed being placed on the property so far was topsoil.