Government Briefs 04.06.17

Southampton Town

C.P.F. Purchase

The Southampton Town Board has agreed to purchase enhanced development rights on a property that is under an acre, but next to two larger farm fields, for $958,000 from the community preservation fund. The enhanced development rights at 5 Seven Ponds Road in Water Mill are being sold by the Peconic Land Trust, which is in contract to purchase the property from Ann LaWall. Her house, which she shared with her daughter, Terri Kiernan, the Southampton Town tax receiver, was destroyed by fire last year.

The triangular .78-acre parcel will be returned to its historical use for agriculture after 45 years as a house lot, according to Holly Sanford of the Peconic Land Trust, who spoke at a public hearing on March 28. It will be part of 27 acres of contiguous conserved farmland, which includes Seven Ponds Orchard.

Enhanced development rights are intended to ensure that 80 percent of the acreage purchased remains in food production and that if sold it remains affordable for a qualified farmer. The other properties’ enhanced development rights have not yet been purchased, but Mary Wilson, the manager of community preservation for the town, said she hoped this purchase would be the start of momentum in that area.

East Hampton Airport

The Southampton Town Board approved two resolutions introduced by Councilwoman Christine Scalera on March 28 to help combat noise from East Hampton Airport. One of the resolutions supports state legislation proposed by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. and Senator Ken LaValle, enabling more public say on how local airports are funded. It would make acceptance of state or federal financing for town airports, or aviation projects at town airports, subject to permissive referendum if the term of the assistance is 10 years or more.

The other enables towns, like East Hampton, to post a link on their website to a registry for residents to log complaints regarding noise. The link to Airnoisereport.com was proposed by the town’s airport noise advisory committee,  which hopes to have it available before Memorial Day weekend.

 New Stop Signs

Southampton Town will hold two public hearings on Tuesday at 1 p.m. to consider stop signs at several intersections east of the Shinnecock Canal.

In Bridgehampton, signs are proposed for Hickory Hills Lane at Brick Kiln Road and Fair Hills Lane at Brick Kiln Road, and on Shady Path at Fair Hills Lane. Also, signs are proposed at Two Trees Lane and Polo Court at Hayground Road.

Several signs would be placed on roads at  intersections with Sagg Road, including Widow Gavitts Road in the unincorporated part of Sag Harbor, and Northwest Path, Merchants Path, and Haines Path, north of the highway in Sagaponack. Signs are also proposed on East Wood Path at the intersection of Wainscott Harbor Road, Sagaponack Court at East Woods Path, Forrest Crossing Road at Wainscott Harbor Road, and Ranch Court and Wainscott Harbor Road, both at Merchants Path.

Film Shoots

Using a private property in the Town of Southampton for a film or photo shoot will require a permit in some situations following a unanimous vote by the town board last week. If a crew is made up of more than 12 people and the duration of the shoot will be more than three days, a permit will be necessary.

Depending on the number of people in the crew, permits will cost between $250 and $1,500 per day of filming. Applications for film permits must be submitted at least 20 days before the first day of the proposed shoot. Applications submitted after the deadline will cost an additional $50 per day.

Permits are also required for shoots on town property.