Government Briefs 10.09.14

East Hampton Town

Downtown Montauk Beach Work

East Hampton Town and Suffolk County will share the cost of maintaining the reinforced sand dune to be built by the Army Corps of Engineers on the beach in downtown Montauk, according to a vote on Tuesday of the County Legislature.

The project, designed as an interim measure to provide flood protection until the Army Corps completes a more comprehensive beach rebuilding effort that is planned, will be paid for with federal money, under a post-Hurricane Sandy appropriation by Congress. However, a “local sponsor” must take responsibility for it once it is completed.

The town has agreed to be the sponsor, which includes undertaking annual inspections and assuming liability, but will split the costs of annual maintenance, such as replacing sand lost from the dune, equally with the county, according to an intermunicipal agreement agreed to this week.

County Legislator Jay Schneiderman and Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell provided information to county officials during a lengthy session before a 17-to-1 vote approving the arrangement.

Montauk Wastewater Meeting

Problems caused by wastewater in Montauk, such as ground and surface water pollution, and potential solutions will be discussed at the Montauk Firehouse on Tuesday during a session with the East Hampton Town Board and Pio Lombardo, a consultant who authored a draft comprehensive wastewater management plan for the town.

Mr. Lombardo will review elements of the plan pertinent to the hamlet, including the impact of septic systems on Lake Montauk and his proposals for neighborhood wastewater treatment systems to replace them. The public has been invited to attend and will have an opportunity to ask questions of Mr. Lombardo.

The meeting begins at 10 a.m.