The East Hampton Town Board is considering plans to shift the review of artists’ studios to the town planning board and to make several changes to the zoning code in connection with what happens when a property with an artist’s studio is sold.

John Jilnicki, the senior assistant town attorney, presented the proposal to the town board at a work session on Tuesday. Specific regulations governing art studios would remain the same but the code would require those who sell or lease a property with such a studio to inform anyone entering into such a transaction that a restriction or covenant exists that limits the building’s use to an artist.

“We’re finding that studios get transferred to those who aren’t artists,” Mr. Jilnicki said. “That’s been problematic. We’re telling the new owner, ‘By the way, you have a structure on your property that can’t remain in its current state.’ Some buyers are not aware, and some sellers are not telling the buyers.”

Under the proposal, the size of artists’ studios remains the same. They cannot have more square footage than the ground floor of the main house, cannot take up more than 5 percent of the lot, and cannot exceed 2,500 square feet, whichever is less. Other accessory buildings are limited to 600 square feet. “If the property is not sold to an artist, it has to be removed or reduced in size. That’s the issue that’s arisen a few times for us,” Mr. Jilnicki said.

In addition, an artist wishing to expand an artist’s studio beyond these limits would have to apply for a variance from the town zoning board, as would someone who wanted to build a new one larger than the code allows. The request would have to provide “a clear and concise explanation as to the applicant’s need.”

The zoning code defines artists’ studios as buildings intended for “painting, drawing, sculpting, or other similar activities involving the crafting or manipulation of materials into objects of fine art by one or more members of the family of the owner or tenant of the residence located on the property.”

Other limits, such as a prohibition on sleeping quarters and on plumbing except for a sink, would not be changed, and the town would retain the ability to send in a building inspector. Penalties or violations would also remain as is.

The number of artists’ studios in the town was not available by press time yesterday.

After a brief discussion, during which town board members seemed amenable to the changes, Mr. Cantwell suggested scheduling a public hearing. The town will meet next for a work session on Tuesday at 10 a.m. and on Thursday for an open meeting at 6:30 p.m., both at Town Hall. 

Sag Harbor Village officials have been mulling how to regulate signs that are posted at the entrance to Long Wharf, with some calling for a ban on signs there altogether. The board also discussed parking after Nada Barry, the owner of the Wharf Shop, asked how it was that about a dozen spaces on Main Street had been reserved for a group of “fancy” cars late last month. 

For as long as anyone can remember, the village board has approved signs for community events, such as HarborFest or the American Music Festival, on a  40-by-50-foot grassy area at the wharf. Over the past few years, the number of requests has increased, with more organizations asking for permission to place signs there and the appearance of a number of different sizes. 

“It’s out of control, we all know that,” Ms. Barry said after Mayor Sandra Schroeder raised the issue and noted that there had been talk about prohibiting or finding another place for them.

“I’ve been opposed to signs on the Long Wharf for quite a while,” said Ed Deyermond, a board member, who has recently voted against sign requests. James LaRocca, another board member, agreed there was room for improvement, but said signs offer the community something  that he would hate to get rid of. He suggested taking the next month to consider ways to make the area more attractive.

According to Ken O’Donnell, a board member who is the liaison to the Highway Department, signs are doing irreparable damage to Long Wharf plumbing, with stakes being driven through an irrigation system. “I think it definitely needs to be looked at,” he said. 

Robby Stein, the deputy mayor, commented that the area had become a magnet for professional advertising signs. 

“It’s out of control and not all those signs are permitted,” Mr. Deyermond pointed out. Mr. LaRocca asked if tickets were issued to those who put up signs that were not approved by the board, but no answer was immediately forthcoming.  He also wanted to know how surrounding communities handle signs. “I’m feeling like, I’d hate to shut it down altogether, if it serves a purpose,” he said, adding that he likes seeing reminders for community events, like the blood drives by Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps. 

Ms. Barry said community members may have some good ideas about how best to handle the situation, and a few ideas thrown out by the audience at the meeting were to create a community bulletin board or an electronic sign on which only the village would be able to post events. The board will continue the discussion at its Nov. 8 meeting. 

The Main Street parking issue was not unexpected. In July, the village board had approved a request from Aaron Hsu on behalf of Club 369, a limited liability corporation, reserving 14 parking spaces across from the American Hotel during the Historic Automobile Tour on Sept. 27 from noon to 3 p.m. 

Mr. Stein said the European sports cars were parked in spaces reserved through what are called encumbrance permits, which were $50 each, and that the club also made a $1,000 donation to the Sag Harbor Village Police Benevolence Association. Encumbrance permits are available to anyone, he said. He noted that parking was not reserved just to allow drivers to have lunch at the American Hotel, as Ms. Barry said she had heard, but that they had walked around and spent money in the village. Even so, Ms. Barry thought it was a bad idea.

“That’s pretty much exactly what I said, terrible precedent,” Mr. Deyermond said. Mr. O’Donnell agreed, saying he felt it was like “selling our souls” for $50. They voted against it on July 12. 

By phone yesterday, Mr. O’Donnell and Mr. Deyermond said the parking spaces had been “coned” off from at least 8 a.m. on the Tuesday they were expected. As a business owner, Mr. O’Donnell wondered how many times cars would have come and gone in the spaces with people shopping in the village that day, since regular parking is limited to two hours. “Everybody needs everything, whether it’s the weather, the spaces, to make money in this economy,” he said. “Nada could use the spaces for someone randomly coming in and buying toys. Schmidt’s could use it for someone stopping in to buy wine and liquor. Schiavoni’s could use it for someone stopping in to get their needs,” he said. He noted that his restaurant, La Superica, is closed on Tuesdays, however.

Mr. O’Donnell also said he was not in favor of closing Long Wharf again for a weekend in July for the Bay Street Theater’s fund-raising gala. “I don’t want to become the village of no,” he said, but “they could have gotten 13 spots at the end of the Long Wharf at this time of year and not adversely affected anyone.”

In other news, it seems that the purchase by Mitch Winston of Amagansett and his partners of the Morpurgo house at 6 Union Street may finally close. Tom Preiato, the village building inspector, said an investor informed him the closing is set for Oct. 25. The dilapidated, foreclosed house has been on the board’s agenda for months as it considered knocking it down due to health and safety concerns. 

Mr. Winston was the winning bidder at an auction of the house in June, and the village decided to hold off until the new owners could take hold of the property and shore it up. The closing was delayed when a Dix Hills woman went to court in July, claiming a legal interest in the property. Her claim was dismissed in August. David J. Gilmartin Jr., the village attorney, said the closing would take place after the time to appeal the decision had passed.

Correction: The minutes from July 12 reflect Ed Deyermond and Ken O'Donnell voted against the resolution, not in favor, as this article previously stated. 

A decline in revenue from parking despite high attendance at Main Beach and Two Mile Hollow this summer was reported at an East Hampton Village Board work session last Thursday, drawing suggestions about the causes and how to counteract them.

Francis Mott, the village’s beach manager,  described the fall in parking receipts, while Becky Molinaro, the village administrator,  said a four-year, fiscal-year comparison confirmed that expenses had risen while revenues declined.

Ms. Molinaro suggested that the shuttle bus called Free Ride, which takes beachgoers from the long-term parking lot to Main Beach, was partly responsible and noted possible solutions under consideration, which she said were an increase in the number of daily passes available for Main Beach and Two Mile Hollow, an increase in the fee itself, or an increase in the number of nonresident permits sold. The board, she said, would have to decide how to address the problem.

Mr. Mott also told the board that summer at Main Beach had been “very nice,” with only a few bathers rescued from the surf and none hospitalized. He also said dog owners had generally abided by the regulations and cleaned up after their pets. A new employee charged with picking up trash between 5 and 7 a.m. made for a cleaner beach, while reducing the burden on other staff, he said. 

“On behalf of the board of trustees and everyone that took advantage of the beach, we offer our compliments to you,” Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. said to Mr. Mott, asking him to convey the message to the staff. “It’s an asset, and we’re very proud to put our best foot forward.” 

Meanwhile, the board’s attention was drawn at the meeting to the two bioswales, drainage courses designed to trap pollutants and silt from surface water runoff, which are under construction in the village, and to standing water in the one at the green north of Town Pond. The other bioswale is near Hook Mill and the North Cemetery. The project is an effort to improve the health of Hook Pond, where cyanobacteria, or toxic blue-green algae, bloomed this year.  

According to Ms. Molinaro, Drew Bennett, a consultant, had informed her on Oct. 4 that standing water caused by silt at the Town Pond bioswale required remediation. A soil boring the previous day had indicated a two to three-and-half-foot layer of silt under the topsoil. Its removal, and replacing it with sand, would alleviate the condition, he wrote. 

Once the silt has been removed, the area is to be hydroseeded — planted with a slurry of seed and mulch — and rain gardens created, Ms. Molinaro said. She said the rain gardens would help remove nitrogen and phosphorus from surface water before it seeps into the ground. Piazza Horticultural, a Southampton firm, and the Eastern Long Island chapter of the Surfrider Foundation are donating design and materials for them, she said. 

“We are extremely proud and supportive,” the mayor said of the effort. “It’s tangible, and I think it shows the commitment of our board of trustees as it relates to overall water quality issues.” 

The water fountain in the Amagansett School’s gymnasium tested above New York State’s action level for lead last month, as did the faucets of six sinks, according to a letter from the district addressed to parents, guardians, community members, and staff. 

The letter, dated Tuesday and signed by Eleanor Tritt, the district superintendent, said that the school had complied with the state’s mandatory regulations for the testing of lead in water, which Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law on Sept. 6. The school’s Sept. 23 samples of water were “first draw,” meaning they were collected from outlets where water was motionless for a minimum of eight hours. 

Lead is extremely harmful to young children and can result in lowered I.Q., behavioral problems, and brain damage, a statement announcing the new regulations read. The State Department of Health also issued emergency regulations pursuant to the legislation requiring that school districts test water for lead contamination by Oct. 31 and report results to parents, the department, and local government officials. 

The gym’s fountain was the only drinking source to test above the action level of greater than 15 parts per billion. It was taken out of service immediately, with a bottled-water cooler currently in its place, according to the letter. An earlier test, in March, revealed no trace of lead. 

“We will explore a cost-effective remediation of the original fountain,” Ms. Tritt wrote. 

Water from sinks in the coach’s office, the girls locker room, a janitors’ closet, and the first-grade closet also tested above the action level, according to the letter. These, Ms. Tritt wrote, were used for hand-washing only, and the latter sink not used at all. Signs have been posted at all locations stating that the faucets are used for hand-washing only. 

As reported in The Star in June, test results on the South Fork showed that the Sag Harbor Elementary and Sagaponack Schools had very small amounts of lead in water samples, but in both cases the levels were less than 15 parts per billion. 

Lead is extremely harmful to young children and can result in lowered I.Q., behavioral problems, and brain damage.

The presence of lead in school drinking water gained national attention earlier this year when high levels were found in the water supply in schools and residences in Flint, Mich. In March, testing found lead in the drinking water of 30 Newark schools, prompting parents across the country to question the quality of the water their own children were drinking and washing with. 

“I think we’re all finding out there’s a lot more in the water than we realized, between chromium and lead,” Kieran Brew, who has two children in the Amagansett district, said yesterday. “It’s an eye-opener.” 

With Reporting by Christine Sampson

A 911 call in which a neighbor complained that a deer was being kept in a backyard as a pet took East Hampton Town police, and then code enforcement officers, to 7 Cedar Street in Springs on Tuesday afternoon, leading to 17 charges against the owner of the house, Angel Otavalo.

Most of these were misdemeanor charges. Kelly Kampf, assistant director for public safety for the town, said that the house, which has a certificate of occupancy allowing three bedrooms, had been converted into a seven-bedroom residence. Two of those illegal bedrooms were in the basement, with no safe egress in case of emergency, she said.

The deer was not the cause of the call to code enforcement by police. Rather, Ms. Kampf said, it was the eight cars parked in the driveway.

The initial 911 call came in at about 2:15 p.m. Code enforcement was contacted soon thereafter. Because the end of the day was approaching for the officers in the Code Enforcement Department, Ms. Kampf, who was promoted to her post just a month ago, and her supervisor, David Betts, the town’s director of public safety, took the call themselves.

Ms. Kampf said that there were eight people in the house at the time, however, it appeared that many more lived there, but were out at work or at school. In several of the rooms, “there were children’s cribs, children’s beds, and toys,” she said.

Mr. Otavalo, who purchased the house in 2006 for $800,000, according to public records, was charged with six counts of lacking a certificate of occupancy for various rooms, two counts of creating a bedroom without legal egress, one charge of illegally wiring a room via an extension cord, three charges of constructing accessory structures without a permit, and four charges for not having either a smoke or carbon monoxide detector in rooms.

Ms. Kampf said she and her supervisor were taken by surprise by what they found. It appears that the town had never received a complaint about the house on Cedar Street, a dead end off of Harrison Avenue. “They were under the radar,” she said.

The deer was found in the backyard with a dog collar around its neck, which was secured via a rope tied to a stake in the ground. It did not appear to be afraid of humans, according to the town. It was turned over to the State Department of Environmental Conservation, which charged Mr. Otavalo with unlawful possession of wildlife, a violation subject to a $250 fine or 15 days in jail.

According to Aphrodite Montalvo, a spokeswoman for the State Department of Environmental Conservation, the deer was less than a year old. It will be cared for at the Holtsville Ecology Center, which has a license to collect and possess wildlife, including white-tailed deer.

"Deer and other wildlife that become habituated to humans cannot be successfully released back into the wild," Ms. Montalvo wrote in an email. "Keeping wildlife is illegal without proper permitting. Unfortunately, wildlife raised in this manner must often be euthanized due to the danger they can present to people and the environment. It is important to remember that wildlife should remain wild and do not make good or safe pets."

The story, as it appeared in print, Oct. 20: A Montauk woman was killed Tuesday afternoon in a head-on collision with a propane truck near the transfer station in the hamlet. Janis Hewitt, 63, of Montauk, was pronounced dead at the scene, shortly after the 12:39 p.m. crash. The accident closed Montauk Highway for at least nine hours. Ms. Hewitt had been a reporter at The East Hampton Star and covered Montauk for 20 years until earlier this year.

Police said Ms. Hewitt was driving her 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser east on Montauk Highway when she crossed into the opposite lane and hit a Paraco Gas truck. She was the sole occupant of the vehicle. David T. Kelleher, 42, of Mastic, the driver of the 2015 International Harvester truck, carrying 3,000 gallons of liquid propane, was taken to the hospital as a precaution, Town Police Capt. Chris Anderson said Wednesday. Detectives are investigating the cause of the crash.

“At this point, speed does not appear to be a factor, and we’re basing that on an independent witness interview, as well as an interview with the other driver. Certainly, we will continue with our investigation and hopefully be able to confirm that,” Captain Anderson said.

With only one known eyewitness, police have asked anyone with information about the accident to call detectives at 631-537-7575. All calls will be kept confidential.

Detectives took measurements at the site for an accident-reconstruction analysis. Montauk Highway between the intersections of Old Montauk Highway and Lincoln Road was closed to traffic until about 10:30 p.m.

Officers from the Suffolk County Police Motor Carrier Safety Section conducted safety checks of the gas truck at the scene, and the 2005 Chrysler was impounded for inspection. The Suffolk County medical examiner’s office was also called.

While the propane truck remained intact, a small gas leak prompted police to ask Montauk Fire Department officials, the East Hampton Town HazMat team, and gas company personnel to respond.

The Fire Department used its heavy rescue squad to extricate Ms. Hewitt from her vehicle after the crash, a long process that was coordinated with town police. A Suffolk County medevac helicopter was called, but was soon canceled. The Montauk ambulance took the driver of the gas truck to Southampton Hospital, where he was treated and released Tuesday.

Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo was among the many people who were remembering Ms. Hewitt Wednesday. As the Montauk precinct commander in 2009 and 2010, and throughout his career, he followed Ms. Hewitt’s work as she covered community events and reported on committees and issues facing the hamlet. “She was engaged in the community, and was always fair in her reporting. It always appeared to me that she was truly there to document and report for the citizens, with a smile on her face and good sense of humor. She truly loved Montauk, and it showed.”

Many of the firefighters and emergency medical personnel who responded to the accident knew Ms. Hewitt, and county officials led a “critical incident stress” debriefing session for them Wednesday. Information about funeral arrangements will be posted on The Star’s website when available.

Ms. Hewitt wrote about everything from the school board to community happenings to new businesses and residents of note. She was a frequent contributor to the paper’s “Relay” column, which is written each week by a different member of The Star’s staff.

She often mused about Montauk, and in one “Relay” from 2011, she wrote, “When we drove over the Old Montauk Highway and had our first glance at the incredible ocean view, I knew I was home. I had found Montauk, and fell deeply in love . . . I envy the newcomers for their first time and all they have to learn and see in our little salt-scented hamlet. But it’s nothing like the Montauk I first came to love, a place that was still undeveloped, with sand-swept lots of shrubby plants and empty beaches for as long as the eye could see. Parking was available and there were never long waits on sandwich lines.”

Update, Oct. 18, 8:40 p.m.: One person was killed in the head-on collision near the Montauk transfer station on Tuesday afternoon, East Hampton Town police have confirmed.

Janis Hewitt, 63, of Montauk was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Ms. Hewitt had been a reporter at The East Hampton Star for 20 years.

Police said that Ms. Hewitt was driving a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser east on Montauk Highway when she crossed into the opposite lane and hit a Paraco Gas truck at 12:39 p.m. She was the sole occupant of the vehicle. David T. Kelleher, 42, of Mastic, the driver of the 2015 International Harvester gas truck, was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Detectives are investigating the cause of the crash. They took measurements at the scene for an accident-reconstruction analysis. Traffic on Montauk Highway between the intersections of Old Montauk Highway and Lincoln Road remained shut down as of 9 p.m.

Officers from the Suffolk County Police Motor Carrier Safety Section conducted safety checks on the gas truck at the scene. The 2005 Chrysler was impounded for an inspection. The Suffolk County medical examiner’s office was also called to the scene.

The Montauk Fire Department responded with its heavy rescue squad to extricate Ms. Hewitt from her vehicle after the crash. A Suffolk County medevac helicopter was called, but soon canceled.

A Montauk ambulance transported the driver of the truck to Southampton Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Many of the firefighters and emergency medical personnel who responded to the accident knew Ms. Hewitt, who had covered Montauk for The Star until earlier this year, writing about everything from the school board to community happenings to new businesses and residents of note. She was a frequent contributor to the paper's "Relay" column, which is written each week by a different member of The Star's staff.

Anyone with information about the accident has been asked to call the East Hampton Town Police Department at 631-537-7575. All calls will be kept confidential.

Originally, Oct. 18, 1:18 p.m.: Police and fire officials are on the scene of a head-on collision involving a propane truck near the entrance to the Montauk transfer station. At least two people were seriously injured. 

The accident occurred at about 12:40 on Tuesday afternoon. One person was reportedly pinned. The Montauk Fire Department responded with its heavy rescue squad to extricate the person. Chief Joe Lenahan was running the operation and reported "heavy, heavy damage." He initially requested a Suffolk County medevac helicopter to land at the 555 property in Amagansett, but it was then canceled. Two Montauk ambulances responded.

The East Hampton Town hazmat team was requested to respond and assembled at about 1 p.m. The chief reported a possible gas leak. The East Hampton Town fire marshal's office also responded.

Traffic was shut down at the intersection of Old Montauk Highway, just west of the overlook, and Lincoln Road on the eastern side of the accident.

East Hampton Town police detectives are responding to the scene with the town's command van. 

The East Hampton Ambulance Association picked up an unrelated call for emergency medical care in Montauk while Montauk's ambulances were tied up with the accident.

Check back for more information when it becomes available.

Update, Oct. 19: Late Tuesday evening, the Bridgehampton School District removed from its website its initial statement saying its water test results were within normal limits.

Originally, Oct. 18: The Bridgehampton School has removed a drinking fountain in the boys locker room and replaced faucets in four science laboratory sinks after water tests over the summer came back with lead content results higher than state-allowed limits, according to a report released last week by the school district.

New York State regulations allow lead readings of up to 15 parts per billion, but the Bridgehampton School's report showed the locker room water fountain tested at 66 parts per billion, and the four chemistry lab sinks ranged from 24 to 97 parts per billion.

Although the report showed that cleanup efforts were required, the district posted the report online along with the statement, "District test results are within normal limits."

"We really meant to say, in the black bold letters on the link, that at the school right now, the district results on any one of these potable water supplies is within the limits," Robert Hauser, the district's assistant superintendent for finance and facilities, said on Tuesday. "Right now, we comply with the law the way it's written, and all of the locations are within the limits."

Mr. Hauser said the district also removed a water fountain in the girls locker room that had not been working anyway, "just for consistency," and said there are no plans to replace that fountain or the one in the boys locker room. He added that the four new faucets in the chemistry lab sinks have since tested within normal limits for lead content.

Recognizing that lead is extremely harmful to children, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation on Sept. 6 requiring schools to periodically test their water supplies for its presence. The law also requires schools to inform their communities of the water test results, and specifically requires districts that have websites to post the results there.

Last week, the Amagansett School shut off a water fountain and placed "hand-washing only" signs at six sinks after testing found elevated levels of lead in those fixtures.

Representative Lee Zeldin, a first-term Republican seeking re-election in New York’s First Congressional District, holds a wide lead over his opponent, former Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, according to a Newsday/Siena College poll of likely voters. But the race is likely to tighten in the final weeks before the Nov. 8 election, one elected official predicted yesterday, and a politically damaging 2005 recording of Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president, released after the poll was conducted could affect turnout in the district. 

Mr. Zeldin leads Ms. Throne-Holst 53 to 38 percent, according to the poll conducted between Sept. 28 and 29 and Oct. 2 and 4. Nine percent of the 661 likely voters were undecided or had no opinion, and Ms. Throne-Holst was unknown to 40 percent of voters, according to the poll. 

Mr. Zeldin has the backing of 84 percent of Republicans and leads among independents by 17 percent, poll results say. He leads Ms. Throne-Holst among men by 27 points, while women favor his re-election by 5 percent. 

“With one month to go until Election Day, there is very good reason why Congressman Zeldin’s campaign has all of the momentum,” Erin McTiernan, Mr. Zeldin’s campaign manager, said in a statement issued on Saturday. “Throughout his first term in Congress, Lee Zeldin has stood out as a leader on so many of our district’s highest priorities, getting several victories across the finish line in only 20 months in office.” 

“With more than four weeks to go, Throne-Holst’s campaign has its work cut out,” Steven Greenberg, a Siena College pollster, said in a press release announcing the results. “She needs to become more known to voters and she has to convince enough voters to support her over an incumbent who is well liked.” The First District comprises East Hampton, Southampton, Shelter Island, Riverhead, Southold, Brookhaven, and most of Smithtown.

Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., who has endorsed Ms. Throne-Holst, said yesterday that she has time to close the gap, but “a lot of things have to break her way” in the campaign’s final weeks. “In the public’s mind, the race hasn’t really been joined yet,” Mr. Thiele said, citing voters’ low recognition of Ms. Throne-Holst. “Clearly, the race will narrow as more people focus and get to know the challenger.” 

Nonetheless, Mr. Thiele pointed to a worrisome statistic in the poll, Mr. Zeldin’s 53-percent support. “Anytime the incumbent is above 50 percent, it’s very hard for the challenger, because not only are you trying to get undecided votes, you have to take votes away from the incumbent,” he said. 

The poll results also indicated a 3-percentage-point lead for Mr. Trump over Hillary Clinton in the First Congressional District. In the Newsday/Sienna College poll, Mr. Trump, whom Mr. Zeldin has endorsed, led by 21 points among men and 23 points among voters without a college degree, while Mrs. Clinton led by 13 points among women and 14 points among college graduates. 

The poll, however, was conducted before revelation of the 2005 recording, in which Mr. Trump boasted about kissing and grabbing women. Since the recording’s release, dozens of Republican leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have either withdrawn their support for the Republican nominee or said they will no longer campaign for him. 

Ms. Throne-Holst’s campaign moved quickly to tie Mr. Zeldin to his party’s presidential candidate. “While Republicans across the country are abandoning Donald Trump after seeing a video of Trump bragging about committing sexual assault, Lee Zeldin continues to be one of Donald Trump’s biggest supporters,” Andrew Grunwald, Ms. Throne-Holst’s campaign manager, wrote in an email yesterday. “First District voters know bragging about sexual violence is disgusting and disqualifying, and Lee Zeldin should, too. Voters will hold Lee Zeldin accountable for his unwavering support for Trump.” 

Jennifer DiSiena, Mr. Zeldin’s communications director, wrote in an email yesterday that Mr. Zeldin has said that Mr. Trump’s comments on the recording were “indefensible, lewd, and wrong,” but Mr. Zeldin continues to endorse Mr. Trump, she said.

Mr. Thiele, who is chairman of the Southampton Town Independence Party, said that the effect of Mr. Trump’s candidacy on down-ballot races is difficult to predict, and pointed out that the poll showing a slim lead over Mrs. Clinton in the district came before release of the recording and the second presidential debate, on Sunday, which may have further damaged Mr. Trump’s standing among voters. “Listen, this is a year like no other,” he said. “A big factor in a presidential election year is the level of turnout. If you look at the First District in previous years, Tim Bishop” — the six-term Democrat whom Mr. Zeldin defeated in 2014 — “always did much better in presidential election years. Obama generated a high turnout.” 

  “Will Hillary generate the same kind of turnout?” Mr. Thiele asked. “If Trump continues to crater, will that depress the Republican turnout? There’s a month to go, but the current state of the Trump campaign, I think, should give hope to Anna’s campaign that there’s a possibility that Republican turnout may not be that great if Trump continues to slide in the polls.” 

The poll indicated that Senator Charles Schumer, an incumbent Democrat, held a 20-point lead over his opponent, Wendy Long, in the district.

Voters were also polled on issues including climate change and gun policy. Seventy-two percent of those polled said that climate change is a real and significant threat; 22 percent disagreed. Sixty-one percent said that undocumented immigrants should be offered a pathway to citizenship; 32 percent did not agree. 

Fifty-five percent of responders support a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, 43 percent do not, with 82 percent of Republicans siding with a repeal and the same percentage of Democrats favoring its continuation.

Respondents were evenly split as to their support of measures to control access to guns or a broad interpretation of the Second Amendment to the Constitution, and were split as to whether the federal government should increase or decrease its role in stimulating the economy.

Not too many people know that a short spur of road in East Hampton’s Northwest Woods, perpendicular to Jason’s Lane but on the other side of Old Northwest Road, is named Main Street — and that is a problem for those who live there. The East Hampton Town Board discussed changing the name during Tuesday’s work session, when Alex Walter, Supervisor Larry Cantwell’s executive assistant, told the board that Woodlot Lane had been chosen as a potential new name.

According to Mr. Walter, the residents of the Northwest Woods Main Street had requested that the name be changed for obvious reasons, such as police, ambulance, and fire department services, but also because visitors and deliveries are inconvenienced by accidentally going to Main Street in East Hampton Village.

Mr. Walter said Woodlot Lane had been selected from a list of possibilities after discussion with Averill Geus, East Hampton’s town historian, and Hugh King, the East Hampton Village town crier.

Mr. Cantwell and other town board members were amenable to the change, and a public hearing is expected on it within the next few weeks.

“Some people remember that ‘wood lots’ were a historic term used because a lot of the land in the Northwest Woods area, the wooded area predominantly, were sold, leased, or rented out in wood lots, so that people could cut trees and provide wood for their heating needs down in the village,” Mr. Cantwell said.

Whether the residents of adjoining streets with names that duplicate others in town — Mulford and Dayton Avenues, for example, will want to follow suit remains to be seen.

With the Nov. 8 election looming, Concerned Citizens of Montauk will host its 46th annual meet the candidates forum on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Montauk School gymnasium. Peter Lowenstein of the group’s board will moderate the forum, which is free and open to the public. 

Representative Lee Zeldin, a Republican seeking re-election in New York’s First Congressional District, and his opponent, former Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, will appear in the event’s first hour. Mr. Lowenstein will question the candidates, with a focus on environmental issues. The forum will then be opened to audience members, who can question the candidates on any topic. 

Ms. Throne-Holst will appear on the Democratic and Working Families ballot lines. In addition to the Republican ballot line, Mr. Zeldin will appear on the Conservative, Independence, and Reform Party lines. 

The second hour will feature State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, the incumbent in the Senate’s District 1, and his Democratic opponent, Greg Fischer, as well as Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., who is seeking re-election in District 1 on the Democratic, Independence, Working Families, and Women’s Equality Party tickets. Mr. Thiele’s Republican opponent, Heather Collins, will not attend. Mr. Thiele defeated Ms. Collins and Brian DeSesa, who ran on the Conservative Party ticket, in 2014.

Mr. Zeldin and Ms. Throne-Holst will face off again on Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Suffolk Community College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center in Riverhead. The event is an environmental forum co-hosted by the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Defend H2O, and Save the Sound.