SAGAPONACK: Concerned Over Airport Noise Some on other side of Town Line Road are seeking restrictions

By Jennifer Landes

The frequency of jet and helicopter traffic over parts of Southampton Town in the flight path of East Hampton Airport is a matter of concern with the Sagaponack Citizens Advisory Committee.

Gay Wasserman, the committee co-chairwoman, has drafted a letter to the Southampton Town Board that raises the committee's concern about the "increasing noise levels, low flying planes, and planes taking off and landing at all hours of the day and night" that have "continued to annoy the residents of Sagaponack both north and south." She shared the letter with the advisory committee at Tuesday night's meeting.

Ms. Wasserman said that the Southampton Town Board encouraged her to write to them so that they had specific complaints to bring to the East Hampton Town Board.

The letter asked for two specific measures. The first is to limit noisy helicopter traffic to between 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The second is to increase the minimum altitude to 2,000 feet.

The East Hampton Town Board recently approved the installation of tracking devices that would monitor planes for excessive noise. Pilots who ignored the East Hampton Town guidelines, which are voluntary, would be asked to comply by town officials. The system would also allow tracking planes that land after the airport is closed. East Hampton will also hire a consulting firm to help it draft an environmental impact statement for the airport.

Southampton Town Councilwoman Nancy Graboski, who raised the issue at a recent town board meeting, said she will work with East Hampton Town Councilman Pete Hammerle to include three Southampton residents on an advisory committee of "interested parties" for the airport. They will make recommendations for the environmental impact statement.

Ms. Graboski, who lives in the flight path, said that people from affected areas such as Sagaponack, Bridgehampton, North Sea, and Roses Grove would be considered.

William Tillotsen, co-chairman of the Sagaponack Citizens Advisory Commmittee, said he had received a call from Ms. Graboski and might join the committee.

The Sagaponack C.A.C. will not send its letter to the town board until it has been amended to address some of the committee members' concerns.

Pingree Louchheim, the C.A.C. secretary and a pilot, recommended waiting to see if the new remedies proposed by East Hampton have an effect.

Ana Daniel, another C.A.C. member, offered a contrary view to that of most members, noting that many at the meeting were "describing the airport as though it was a place of recreation rather than a public transportation facility. . . . People have a right to transport themselves by plane or helicopter. By no means can you stop them. We can't write the rules."