A law that will require East Hampton Village residents to install low-nitrogen septic systems when conventional systems fail was passed by the village board at a meeting on Friday. The law will take effect in a few weeks, after being filed with New York's secretary of state.
Nitrogen from conventional septic systems has been tied to ground and surface water pollution, and, in February 2019, the village passed a law that requires the installation of low-nitrogen systems for all new residences and for existing ones that expand by 25 percent or increase the number of bedrooms.
Sara Davison, the executive director of the Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation, congratulated the board on the new legislation, noting that 68 percent of the pond's shoreline is in the village. "What happens in the village is really critical to the health of Georgica Pond," she said. Low-nitrogen septic systems are an important tool for protecting water quality, because they reduce nitrogen levels to about 19 milligrams per liter, far less than the output of about 65 milligrams from conventional systems. Still, the benefit of low-nitrogen systems, she said, could be enhanced by the installation of an accompanying shallow drain field system which allows effluent to be further filtered by plants and broken down by microbes. "Nineteen [milligrams per liter] is still quite high for wildlife and plant life, and to get the nitrogen lower would have massive long-term positive effects," she said. "With a shallow drain field you can get the nitrogen levels down to 2 or 3." She encouraged the board to require shallow drain fields on pondfront properties that can accommodate them. Kathy Cunningham, the executive director of the Village Preservation Society, seconded the suggestion.
The drain fields typically measure about 20 by 30 square feet, said Billy Hajek, the village planner. Rather than mandate the installation, the village plans to identify the properties that would be best served by having a shallow drain field, he said, and offer further legislation in the future.
A proposal to create about three new 30-minute parking spaces on the south side of Fithian Lane, adjacent to London Jewelers, was also discussed at the meeting. A public hearing on the matter will be held on Aug. 20.
East Hampton Village Police Chief Michael Tracey said that traffic control officers are cracking down on drivers using handicapped parking placards that have been registered to others. "If you're caught improperly using that placard, not only are you going to get a very expensive ticket, but we're going to take that placard from you," he said.
To get a sense of how village residents feel about the operation of East Hampton Airport, and the use of vacation rental services such as Airbnb, the village will be sending out a survey after Labor Day, Mayor Jerry Larsen said, adding that those who are currently contending with a bothersome vacation rental should send complaints to Ken Collum, a code enforcement officer.
The board approved changing the name of Cross Road, a one-way street between Georgica and Apaquogue Roads, to Privet Lane, and passed a law that requires caterers to apply for a license to cater parties on beaches and other public property. The annual license will be free.
Michael Reid, a public safety dispatcher, and Meghan Harris, a police officer, who were recently hired by the Police Department, were officially sworn in on Friday.
Robert Hefner, who recently retired from his position as the village's director of historic services, received a proclamation and a standing ovation from board members for his work. "It's been my privilege to do my part in preserving the rich heritage of this village," said Mr. Hefner, who helped oversee the restorations of the Thomas and Mary Nimmo Moran House, the Dominy shops, Gardiner Mill Cottage, and many other projects. The village's dedication to historic preservation, he said, "really isn't equaled in any other village in America."
Mr. Larsen also presented Will Schlegel, the village lifeguard who won the beach-flags contest in a recent lifeguard competition, with an achievement award.
