Government

With major improvements planned for North Main Street and Three Mile Harbor Road from East Hampton into Springs, the Suffolk County Department of Public Works and the East Hampton Town Board and town staff want to hear from the public about the road and its future. At a hearing at Town Hall on Wednesday at 7 p.m., officials from the town and county will talk about the plans and take comments from the public.

The East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals agreed with the town Planning Department last month that a detailed and lengthy environmental review is necessary for a proposal to build a 108-foot stone revetment, 83-foot PVC retaining wall, and new house at 117 Bay View Avenue on Napeague. This despite accusations of complicity between the board and the Planning Department from Brian Matthews, the attorney for Nicholas Grecco, who owns the parcel.

The Sag Harbor Planning Board agreed that Adam Potter’s plans for a 61,292-square-foot downtown building including 44 apartments and nearly 8,000 square feet of commercial space would require a lengthy environmental review. The developer said he is “happy to go through the process. . . . We’d love to be able to answer any questions that people have.”

The stage was set as the East Hampton Village Board prepared to hold a public hearing about proposed legislation to restrict business hours in the historic district, legislation that seemed aimed at discouraging Zero Bond, a private membership club, from leasing or purchasing the Hedges Inn and turning it into a night spot for the ultra-rich.

“I have a big list of thank-yous and acknowledgments, because I stand on the shoulders of giants,” Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker said, reflecting on her first 100 days in office.

A reconstructed baseball diamond for Herrick Park, complete with dugouts, will be playable by "Memorial Day weekend, give or take," Chris Hines, an account manager with the LandTek Group, told the East Hampton Village Board at Friday's meeting. The board determined that the project will have little environmental impact, and approved $535,720.60 for the work, which will come out of the village's general fund.

The East Hampton Town Board is considering prohibiting overnight parking at 31 town lots and road ends and is also weighing new stop signs at a number of busy intersections.

Former United States Representative George Santos, who on March 7 announced his intention to run as an independent for New York's First Congressional District, which includes the South Fork, has dropped out of the race.

Starting June 1, the East Hampton Town Trustees, the stewards of beaches, wetlands, and waterways throughout both East Hampton Town and Village, will charge a new $300 fee for events held at the five village beaches, Main Beach, Egypt Beach, Two Mile Hollow, Wiborg’s Beach, and Georgica.

East Hampton Village is moving forward on a few stormwater-abatement projects, which together could improve the quality of the water in Georgica Pond.

After several months of delays related to manufacturing, Suffolk County's expansion of on-demand bus service to East Hampton Town is set to begin on Sunday.

East Hampton Town’s new community housing fund, voted into law in November 2022 and financed by a half-percent tax on real estate sales paid by the buyer, has brought in $4.2 million in its first year, Eric Schantz, director of the Housing and Community Development Department, reported to the town board on Tuesday. The money is intended chiefly for affordable housing and to help first-time homebuyers.