As expected, the East Hampton Town Board passed three resolutions last Thursday that will ensure the continued operation of the child care program at the Montauk Playhouse Community Center after the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk pulls out.
The council has operated the child care program at the Playhouse for 17 years, but recently announced plans to discontinue operations there as of May 3.
Last Thursday, the board passed a resolution accepting a proposal for infant to 4-year-old child care services at the Playhouse from Project Most, which runs after-school programs in the East Hampton and Springs School Districts and summer camps and other programs throughout the year. The town board had voted to issue a request for proposals for day care days after the Economic Opportunity Council’s announcement. Project Most’s proposal best met the guidelines, an evaluation committee concluded.
A new provider will need approximately three months to obtain the needed license from the New York State Office of Children and Families Services, and the Economic Opportunity Council offered to continue its services until the first week of July. A second resolution passed last Thursday authorized an emergency grant of up to $50,000 to the council to continue operations beyond May 3.
A third resolution authorizes the supervisor to enter into a temporary, 62-day lease with the council for continued operation of the child care program. That lease expires on July 4.