New Trustee Proposal

The East Hampton Town Trustees own and manage the town’s waterways on behalf of the public, as set forth in the Dongan Patent of 1686. They have debated the proposed ban on alcohol in several of their meetings, and have split on whether to support any ban, with a majority opposed.

At the trustees’ meeting on Tuesday, Diane McNally, the trustees’ clerk, proposed a further compromise, should her colleagues agree. “We’re looking at 1,000 feet east or west of the road end at Indian Wells only, weekends and holidays only, during lifeguarded hours only,” she said. In addition, “We’ll verbalize the fact that it’s going to be difficult to enforce a new law without enforcement on site.”

She also said the trustees would insist on a provision that the ban expires upon the summer season’s conclusion.

Six trustees voted in favor, with two, Stephen Lester and Tim Bock, opposed. With a majority vote, Ms. McNally said, “We’ll send a letter to the town board.”

• RELATED: Town Hall Debate on Alcohol Ban at Beach