Government Briefs 11.15.12

East Hampton Town

Totaling Up Sandy’s Damage

    Reconstruction of roads damaged during Hurricane Sandy, including the Star Island causeway in Montauk and Gerard Drive in Springs, where Gardiner’s Bay breached a causeway and spilled into Accabonac Harbor, washing out the road, will cost $1 million, Supervisor Bill Wilkinson said Tuesday. Other storm-related repairs, including replacing a stairway to the beach at Culloden in Montauk, could cost an additional $750,000, he said.The town board is expected to vote tonight to issue a bond for the money. The town will then seek reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for up to 70 or 80 percent of the costs.

More Free Brush Dumping

    In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Supervisor Bill Wilkinson said Tuesday that the Long Island Power Authority “did an incredible job.” He took time at a town board meeting that day also to thank town employees for their work preparing for and responding to the storm.  The board agreed to offer residents free brush dumping at the town’s two recycling and trash transfer stations over two upcoming weekends. Councilwoman Sylvia Overby suggested the reprieve, in addition to the one the weekend after Sandy, as many residents were still without power at that point and may have been conserving gasoline in light of shortages. The northeaster last week may also have led to a need for more yard cleanup, she said.

    At its meeting tonight, the board is expected to approve the suspension of brush dumping fees on Friday, Nov. 23, and on Nov. 24, Nov. 25, Nov. 30, Dec. 1, and Dec. 2.