Government Briefs 05.15.14

East Hampton Town

Scavenger Waste, Mass Gatherings

The future of East Hampton Town’s scavenger waste treatment plant, which has been mothballed pending repairs and upgrades to meet environmental standards, will be the subject of a hearing tonight before the town board.

The plant is being used only for the transfer of septic waste from pump-out trucks for transport to other processing facilities, and officials are considering closing it permanently, based on a recommendation by a consultant.

Changes to the town code regarding permits for mass gatherings, or assemblies of more than 50 people on private properties, or “organized gatherings” of more than five people at public sites, will also be the subject of a hearing tonight.

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

Chain Store Legislation

Draft legislation to regulate chain, or formula, stores in East Hampton Town has been revised to loosen the proposed restrictions.

An original version of the proposed law, being sponsored by Councilwoman Sylvia Overby, called for a ban on chain stores within a mile of the town’s historic districts or within half a mile of a designated historic landmark. That provision has now been dropped.

Also removed from the draft now under discussion were limits to the gross floor area and street-level road frontage of a building containing a chain store.

The legislation calls for formula businesses to undergo review by the town planning board, and would allow them to be established, by special permit, in central business and neighborhood business districts. At a meeting on Tuesday, town board members discussed amending the language of the law to specify that such stores could seek permits for any of the locations in town where zoning allows their specific use category, such as retail store, bar, or restaurant.

Although a hearing was held on the original draft, because of the changes the town board must hold a new hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

More Buses for Montauk Seniors

Transportation services provided by East Hampton Town for senior citizens and the disabled will expand in Montauk between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, liaison to the Human Services Department, announced Tuesday.

On Mondays through Fridays during that period, a bus and driver will be available for residents of the hamlet between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. At present, services are provided on those days only between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Those unable to drive, without access to other means of transportation, may request free door-to-door transport to and from programs at the Montauk Playhouse, to medical appointments at locations throughout Suffolk County, and to accomplish errands such as shopping or banking.

Amy Blanchard, the transportation supervisor at the Department of Human Services, can be contacted to make reservations, which are requested at least 72 hours in advance. Proof of residency and age may be required. According to the Americans With Disabilities Act, personal care attendants may accompany eligible clients.

The Human Services Department operates two vans, three buses, and two cars. In 2013, the department served 159 clients and made a total of 18,053 trips. Through April 15 of this year, the department has served 133 clients and made a total of 4,850 trips.

Carl Fisher Plaza

With a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the East Hampton Town Board gave a new official name to the Montauk circle, or plaza: Carl Fisher Plaza. The name commemorates the real estate developer and entrepreneur who purchased more than 10,000 acres in Montauk in 1925, envisioning the creation of a unique resort community.

According to the resolution approving the new name, Mr. Fisher hired 800 people to lay down roads, install utilities and other infrastructure, build the Montauk Manor hotel, and develop Star Island. He had housing built for them in the area called Shepherd’s Neck. He also opened Lake Montauk to Block Island Sound and constructed a yacht club, golf club, surf club, shopping center, and the Montauk Playhouse, now owned by the town.

Approximately 30 of his original buildings remain in Montauk.

To Reduce Energy Consumption

East Hampton Town’s plans for reducing energy consumption throughout the town, particularly that produced by fossil fuels, will be discussed at Town Hall at a meeting next Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Members of the town’s Energy Sustainability Committee, along with Councilwoman Overby, the group’s town board liaison, will be among the presenters to discuss the town’s “comprehensive energy vision” adopted last year, and ways that the town is promoting and increasing the use of renewable energy technologies.

The initiatives seek to provide “significant cost savings for residents and local businesses, in addition to environmental and public health benefits,” according to a release. Residents and business owners have been invited to attend and learn how they can become involved. Refreshments will be provided.

A Logo for the Arts Council

The East Hampton Arts Council, an advisory group to the town board, has launched a logo contest, seeking a design to be used on the council’s website and in social media. The logo must feature the name of the group, or its abbreviation, “EHAC,” and, according to a release, “be representative of the spirit of the arts community.”

Submissions, in .jpg computer files no larger than 300 megabytes, should be submitted by June 27 to [email protected], with “Logo Contest Submission” in the subject line. All, from students to professional artists, have been invited to participate.