Consider C.P.F. Purchases

       Hearings will be held by the East Hampton Town Board next Thursday on four land preservation purchases to be made using the community preservation fund. They will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

       On Neck Path in Springs, 16.5 acres of woodland are proposed to be purchased for $2.7 million for open space or recreation. The land is owned by Catherine Lederer and Rodney Plaskett.

       A second purchase to be discussed is that of almost four acres at 143 Middle Highway in East Hampton, owned by Christopher Barnett and Christine Marra. The cost is $750,000.

       According to the town land acquisition department, the property contains “high quality oak, pitch pine, and white pine forest,” and contains a trail that could connect to an extensive trail system at the end of Middle Highway. The parcel is in a groundwater protection area.

       Also being considered for purchase, at $885,000, is an 8.3-acre property at 303 Town Line Road in Wainscott, which is in a county-designated pine barrens area and in town and regional groundwater protection areas. It is adjacent to 166 acres of preserved land and is owned by Wendy Fitzpatrick.

       Also in Wainscott, the town plans to join with the Peconic Land Trust to buy the development rights over 4.4 acres at 7 Beach Lane in order to preserve farmland and open space. The total cost of the purchase is $7 million; each participant will pay half. The land is owned by Jane Weigley.

       Hearings will also be held tonight on including each of the properties to the town’s community preservation fund management and stewardship plan, another step in finalizing the proposed deals.

       Last Thursday night, with a resolution of the town board, Zachary Cohen was appointed to be East Hampton’s representative to the Peconic Bay Region Community Preservation Fund advisory opinions bureau. The group was established to develop guidelines and issue opinions on use and administration of the land preservation fund in the five East End towns where it has been established. The fund receives the proceeds from a 2-percent tax on most real estate transfers.

       Mr. Cohen will serve for two years, until the end of 2015.