Two federally mandated programs requiring village employees in the Department of Public Works to receive training on safe handling of hazardous chemicals and on responding to emergencies involving hazardous materials were adopted by the East Hampton Village Board on Friday.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires municipalities to develop a hazard-communications program, and a hazardous-material response program. To comply with the former, Deputy Superintendent of Public Works Michael Bouker must maintain a list of all hazardous chemicals used on a job and the corresponding safety data for each. He must also make sure that containers of chemicals are properly labeled and include hazard warnings.
The village must appoint someone to train both D.P.W. employees and outside contractors on safety measures, including being able to identify chemicals by sight, smell, or other methods as well as learning how to prevent exposure and to manage a spill or leak.
The second program requires D.P.W. employees to be trained to act as first responders during an emergency involving hazardous materials. In that capacity, they are expected to safely assess the hazard, immediately report the incident to a dispatcher, and request that the police and fire departments are notified.
In other business, the board resolved to accept a $343,182 proposal from Ronald Webb Builder for the restoration of Village Hall. The work will include reshingling the exterior, restoring the front door and the window sashes, and repairing the south eaves, window trim, and the top of the east chimney.
A public hearing was scheduled for Nov. 15 for a proposed law to make parking restrictions consistent at the adjoining lots at 88 Newtown Lane and 8 Osborne Lane. Both will be available for two-hour parking between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The board approved several events proposed by Fire Chief Gerard Turza Jr. A breakfast benefit for the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center will be held on Nov. 17, a Sunday, from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Emergency Services Building. And the fire department will hold free monthly dinners there on Tuesday nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, and March. 10. “We’re looking to give back,” Chief Turza told the board.
During a public hearing, Randy Johnston, a village resident who has frequently criticized the board for the lack of recycling bins in the commercial district, asked why no action has been taken on the matter. “People don’t know what to do with the cans and bottles,” he said. “The village has an obligation to lead by example.”
Richard Lawler said the board had discussed providing recycling cans there, and adding more to village beaches, but there were differing opinions. Some residents think there are too many cans already and others would like to have the containers, he said. He also pointed out that some municipalities in Connecticut don’t provide garbage cans at all, choosing instead to encourage visitors to take refuse with them. “We haven’t decided exactly what we’re going to do yet,” he said.
Mr. Johnston, who has previously spoken to the board about the negative environmental consequences of fireworks, also took issue with a recent mailer from the fire department seeking donations for next summer’s fireworks display, an event that has yet to be approved by the village board. “Isn’t it wrong to solicit funds for an event related to a municipality when the event hasn’t yet been approved?” he said. “Last time I was here, you told me that a discussion would take place before the next fireworks event.”
He also asked board members why they haven’t banned balloons from being sold at village stores. Earlier this year, the board passed a law banning the intentional release of balloons. “We figured that was a first step,” said Barbara Borsack. “I think sometimes you need to go slowly with things, and we do have people who sell balloons in the village. I’m hoping they would begin to get the message that they shouldn’t be selling them.”
Arthur Graham agreed. Rather than legislating a ban, he said, “I’m a little-government kind of guy, I think we’re better off telling people why they shouldn’t buy this or do that.”
Rose Brown defended the board’s environmental credentials. “I speak for all my colleagues, we take our responsibility of being stewards of the environment very seriously,” she said. She cited several actions the board had taken, including banning cigarette smoking in public places and plastic straws, and approving the installation of hydration stations, which allow residents to use reusable bottles rather than single-use plastic ones.