Government Briefs 08.15.13

East Hampton Town

Metal Posts and Sand Fencing

    The East Hampton Town Board was presented Tuesday with recommendations made by a committee that examined rules on beach fencing.

    The use of metal posts to erect the sand fencing put up along ocean dunes to trap and hold sand is banned, but they are being used in Montauk in spots where, property owners say, it is too difficult to hammer metal into the hardpan below the sand.

    Lifeguards have told the board that the metal posts work their way out and become dangerous projectiles in the surf, while those who install them say that wooden posts break off, becoming hazards on the beach.

    The committee has suggested that metal posts be permitted where they are  proven to be needed, and that they be marked with tags identifying the permit number and who has installed them, so individuals can be held responsible for them. John Jilnicki, the town attorney, suggested that specific criteria be developed, outlining when metal posts are to be allowed.

Bicycle Safety

    Bicycle safety advocates asked the town board on Tuesday to consider and adopt a set of principles that would guide the development of bike lanes or paths throughout the town.

    East Hampton Village has already signed on to the concept, Howard Lebwith and Paul Fiondella told the board. The next step, they suggested, would be for the municipalities to join forces and seek an experienced design consultant to develop a comprehensive bicycling plan.

    With traffic congestion and accidents increasing, they said, action is needed. “To be frank, it’s anarchy out there,” Mr. Lebwith told the board. “You cannot ignore this any more. It’s a serious problem.”    J.P.

Sagaponack Village

Regulating Yard Sales

    The Sagaponack Village Board unanimously passed a local law on Monday to regulate yard sales. The purpose is to “limit such sales to casual and occasional occurrences and to avoid extended sales that have the character of a business.”

    The law, which grew out of a resident’s complaints about a neighbor’s ongoing sale, has been the subject of discussion for several months and had no opposition at any public hearings.

    The new law requires a permit from and a fee to the village, and restricts such permits to one per calendar year. Sales may not exceed two consecutive days and can only take place between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Adjacent neighbors must be notified prior to the event.    C.A.S.