Government Briefs 06.09.11

East Hampton Town

A New Deer Committee

    Councilman Dominick Stanzione will convene a committee to develop a plan to address deer herds and their effect on the town, including the proliferation of deer fencing. Mr. Stanzione said he would include members of the East Hampton Group for Wildlife, the East Hampton Sportsmen’s Alliance, the town nature preserve committee, and farmers. Councilwoman Theresa Quigley has suggested that a landscaper be included as well.

Sick Days for Injured Cop

    Colleagues of Vincent Rantinella, the East Hampton Town police officer who was injured in a collision with a drunken driver on his way home from a Memorial Day weekend shift, which included an extra Stop-D.W.I. patrol, would like to donate their unused sick days to him. A lengthy recovery time out of work, perhaps up to a year, is expected.

    East Hampton Town Police Chief Eddie Ecker asked the town board to pass a resolution approving the donations on Tuesday. Mr. Rantinella, he said, was expected to be discharged from the hospital that day and has a good prognosis, but he will have a “long haul” of rehabilitation because of injuries to his right ankle and heel. For the last three years, Chief Ecker said, Officer Rantinella was the top officer in making drunken driving stops and arrests.

    Supervisor Bill Wilkinson said he is exploring whether, under a provision of the labor laws, Mr. Rantinella might be eligible for workers’ compensation payments, as his injuries occurred on his way home from work.

Amsterdam Beach Trails System

    A plan is taking shape for a trails system through the Amsterdam Beach property in Montauk, which is jointly owned by East Hampton, Suffolk County, and New York State.

    Andy Gaites of the town’s Land Acquisition and Management Department outlined the proposal for the town board on Tuesday. Using segments of existing trails, an approximately two-mile loop could be established that would wind along the bluffs overlooking the ocean, traversing some the property’s highest points for “some spectacular views” of the ocean, according to Mr. Gaites. A portion of the trail where the topography gets lower would allow access to the beach. The East Hampton Trails Preservation Society would undertake maintenance of the trails, Mr. Gaites said.

    The plan includes putting a parking area at a corner of the property adjacent to Montauk Highway, but town board members asked if additional parking could be placed in the interior of the site, allowing those who cannot walk the two-mile trail better access.