Snowstorm Grounds East Hampton Airport Hearing

An East Hampton Town Board airport hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon that was expected to draw hundreds from around the East End was postponed due to a snowstorm. 

Supervisor Larry Cantwell announced on Thursday morning that the meeting was rescheduled for March 12 at 4:30 p.m. It will take place at the same location as planned previously, LTV Studios at 75 Industrial Road in Wainscott. 

The town board is set to hear concerns and comments regarding four proposed laws designed to restrict operations at East Hampton Airport in an effort to limit noise. The restrictions could go into effect before the summer season.

The proposed legislation would impose a year-round curfew from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on all flights to and from the airport. Takeoffs and landings by aircraft deemed “noisy” — primarily helicopters and jets that fall into a noise-rating category used by the Federal Aviation Administration and internationally — would be prohibited between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. all year long.

Two additional laws would apply only in season, defined as May through September. One would ban helicopters from the airport on weekends (from noon Thursday to noon on Monday) and on holidays. The other would limit aircraft in the “noisy” category to two airport uses, one takeoff and one landing (i.e., a round trip) — per week.