Government Briefs 07.28.11

East Hampton Town

Public-Place Recycling

    Though the East Hampton Town Code calls for separate disposal of recyclables at the town’s beaches, parks, landing ramps and other recreational areas, few of those places have bins specifically marked for recycling, Debbie Klughers told the town board recently.

    Ms. Klughers, who is a Democratic candidate for town trustee, said a survey of a number of sites revealed no recycling bins, and trash cans that were largely full of recyclable items, such as water bottles.

    She expressed frustration at the situation, noting that not only does it flout town law, but it costs the town more to dispose of trash than it does for recyclables. In a paper submitted to the board months ago after meeting with Supervisor Bill Wilkinson in February to discuss “public-place recycling,” she said she outlined a conservative estimate of between $20,000 and $50,000 in savings should recycling increase.

    Mr. Wilkinson said he would discuss the situation with the heads of the parks and buildings and grounds departments. Councilman Pete Hammerle recalled that bins for recyclables, with lids allowing only cans and bottles to be put into them, had once been distributed at recreational sites, with stickers prominently placed to indicate their purpose.

New Flagpole for Montauk

    The town board formally recognized the donation of a new flagpole for the Montauk green with a resolution last Thursday night.

    Carl H. Reimerdes, a community member, gave $21,500 to replace the old flagpole, which was sound but rusting and unsightly. Keith Grimes, a Montauk contractor, removed it at no charge.

    The resolution recognized the contributions of both donors “towards improving the hamlet of Montauk and the East Hampton community.”

Open Space Hearing

    A hearing will be held by the town board next Thursday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall on the purchase, for open space, of 25 acres on Six Pole Highway in Wainscott, using $3.2 million from the community preservation fund.

    The property is just off Route 114 and south of the Sag Harbor Village line and is adjacent to other preserved parcels. It is owned by a corporation called One One Nine Six Three.