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LIPA to Approve Wind Farm 30 Miles Off Montauk

LIPA to Approve Wind Farm 30 Miles Off Montauk

By
Christopher Walsh

The Long Island Power Authority has formally recommended to its board of directors a proposal from Deepwater Wind, a Rhode Island company, to construct a 90-megawatt, 15-turbine wind farm in federally leased waters approximately 30 miles east of Montauk, the utility's chief executive officer has confirmed.

The announcement comes ahead of LIPA's July 20 board meeting at which it is expected to announce selections from a request for proposals issued last year by PSEG Long Island, which manages the electricity grid on LIPA's behalf, for an additional 63 megawatts of electricity for the South Fork, to be installed between 2017 and 2019. The offshore wind farm, which could be operational by the fourth quarter of 2022, is in addition to selections from the R.F.P.

"It's a go," Thomas Falcone, LIPA's chief executive officer, told The Star on Thursday. "We're recommending this to the board for approval next week. The board is anticipated to approve it."

Contract negotiation and permitting have yet to be completed, Mr. Falcone said, but "the nice thing about this is it is using an existing federal lease area that has already been licensed and reviews done for conflicting resources like shipping lanes and fishing. It's in good shape."

The proposed wind farm is to be the first phase of Deepwater ONE, which would produce up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity from turbines spanning waters from Long Island to Massachusetts and would be built in several stages. Deepwater Wind is at present building a five-turbine wind farm that will provide power to Block Island, R.I.

Demand for electricity on the South Fork has far outpaced the rest of Long Island, with particularly high usage in the summer and on weekends and holidays. "On the South Fork, we have a resource need," Mr. Falcone said, "so we were looking at various options to meet that need."

Deepwater Wind's proposal not only satisfies LIPA's renewable-energy goals, Mr. Falcone said, but it is also cost-competitive with traditional energy sources. "When we looked at the options and alternatives to meet the growing need in East Hampton and Southampton, it turns out this is the lowest-cost proposal. It makes sense to bring this generation in while also meeting some renewable energy goals our board has established."

Jeffrey Grybowski, Deepwater Wind's chief executive officer, said in a statement on Thursday that "New York is boldly leading the way on a clean-energy revolution that will transform the nation's energy future. Our project is not just the best site for offshore wind in the country, it's also the right solution to meet the South Fork's energy demands in a clean and cost-effective way. There's real momentum for offshore wind in the United States, and Long Islanders are leading the charge."

East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell said in a statement on Thursday that "Deepwater Wind's project was an integral part of the town board's plan when it unanimously adopted the town's 100-percent renewable energy goals. . . . The town's policy is paving the way for renewables, wind, solar, and conservation to become a real alternative to massive transmission lines and greenhouse-gas-emitting fossil fuels."

Gordian Raacke, executive director of Renewable Energy Long Island and a member of the town's energy sustainability advisory committee, added that LIPA's selection of Deepwater Wind "will also mean that New York State gets a head start building an offshore wind industry in this country." He said that Mr. Cantwell and the town board "have shown visionary leadership and deserve credit for making this possible here."

Not everyone was cheered by the news, however. "There is absolutely nothing environmentally sound or safe about this project," said Bonnie Brady, executive director of the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association, who has been a vocal opponent of offshore wind. The construction process, she said, will be devastating to important habitat areas and migration paths.

"No one seems to understand," Ms. Brady said. "If you want to call yourselves environmentally safe, it should be. People that work for environmental groups can't speak publicly, but tell me personally. It's very disheartening, and I'm very disappointed with the Town of East Hampton for not addressing it with the fishery communities."

But a multi-year environmental review for the site in question has been completed, Mr. Falcone said, with input from stakeholders including fishing and shipping interests. "Having gone through the stakeholder process, there is always someone who is disappointed," he said. "But that said, you have an answer as to what has been determined to be the best use."

 

Police Investigating Apparent Drowning

Police Investigating Apparent Drowning

By
Taylor K. Vecsey

An 83-year-old man was found floating in his pool on Ocean Avenue in East Hampton Village on Saturday afternoon. 

Mark Handler was found at about 1:15 p.m., according to Police Chief Gerard Larsen. Police started cardiopulmonary resuscitation before emergency medical service providers arrived. He was taken to Southampton Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Mr. Handler's death does not appear to be suspicious; police are investigating it as an apparent drowning. 

Two near-drownings, one in Springs and one in Bridgehampton, were reported over the weekend. Both involved young children in pools.

Montauk Bids Farewell to Most 'Welcome to N.Y.' Signs

Montauk Bids Farewell to Most 'Welcome to N.Y.' Signs

Just before the Fourth of July weekend, state crews erected a sign on West Lake Drive which locals quickly said they wanted taken down.
Just before the Fourth of July weekend, state crews erected a sign on West Lake Drive which locals quickly said they wanted taken down.
Christine Sampson
By
Christine Sampson

Responding to complaints from Montauk residents and town and state elected officials, New York State dispatched a contractor last week to remove seven of the eight "Welcome to New York" signs that went up in Montauk shortly before the July 4 holiday weekend.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell confirmed Monday that the signs, which were widely criticized in the hamlet, had been removed sometime between Thursday afternoon and Saturday. He had likened them to the type of billboard one would see on a state throughway. The last remaining sign, which still stands at the intersection of West Lake Drive and Flamingo Road, is to be replaced by one half its size, he said.

"I'm grateful the state responded to our concerns," he said. "However, their decision to leave one sign is still out of character with a small fishing village like Montauk, and that should be removed as well."

The huge blue signs were erected as part of the Empire State Development Corporation's signature "I Love New York" tourism campaign, a spokesperson for that entity said in a statement on July 2. Similar signs reportedly caused a stir in Port Jefferson and on the North Fork.

On Monday, the corporation issued a statement that said, "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with local leaders which addresses their concerns but continues to promote the world-renowned 'I Love N.Y.' campaign. New York State tourism has generated a record-breaking economic impact of $102 billion across the state, supporting over 894,000 jobs and generating $8 billion in state and local taxes in 2015."

 

Mr. Cantwell, who was joined by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. and State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle in calling for removal of the signs, acknowledged the community effort it took for that to happen.

"I think the community and its elected officials on the local and state level were all on the same side for sure, without question," he said. "I just wish all the signs were gone."

Mr. Thiele said Tuesday that the signs had been part of a $25 million statewide tourism campaign, though he could not pinpoint exactly how much had been spent on the ones in Montauk. "I would say that I could think of a better way to use $25 million than these signs." While he did not have a figure for the cost to take them down, he said, "In contrast, I think it was money well spent."

Mr. Thiele said the lesson learned from all of this is that communication between governmental agencies is of the utmost importance.

"I think a lot of this could have been avoided by simply discussing this with the local town supervisors and village mayors," he said. "These signs simply appeared. One of the things I've learnd about government and politics is that most times, surprise isn't a good thing."

 

Montauk Highway in Southampton Closed by the College

Montauk Highway in Southampton Closed by the College

Montauk Highway in Southampton, between the Stony Brook Southampton campus and Peconic Avenue is closed due to a car accident. 

Southampton Town announced the closure at 3:30 p.m. 

Check back for updates during your evening commute.

Summer Reading Assignment Is Poetry to Their Ears

Summer Reading Assignment Is Poetry to Their Ears

East Hampton Middle School
East Hampton Middle School
Christine Sampson
By
Christine Sampson

Like last summer, when all East Hampton Middle Schoolers were asked to read a particular poem to give them a unifying experience and prepare them for classroom discussions when school started up again, students have again been given a specific summertime reading assignment.

What's different this year, according to Charlie Soriano, the middle school principal, is that the students are being asked to read a set of three contemporary poems, rather than a single classic poem. They are "[Traveler, your footprints]" by Antonio Machado, "blessing the boats" by Lucille Clifton, and "Art & Craft" by Robin Coste Lewis.

The three poems are all available for free on the website poetryfoundation.org.

In an email, Dr. Soriano explained that the poems tie into the phrase "believe in yourself," which has been adopted as a school-wide theme for next year. He outlined several "focus questions" the students should think about as they read the poems. Those include:

- What does it mean to believe in yourself? How do you enact that? What can get in the way?

- Are there times that fear can be positive? Negative? How do you overcome your fears?

- What makes you effective as a learner? How can school best help you?

- How do the three poems relate to one another? How are the voices different? Similar?

- How do these poems compare to last year's Walt Whitman poem, "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer"? Or with Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken"? Are Machado and Frost's travelers different? The same?

In comments directed to parents, Dr. Soriano said, "I am asking that you please join us: Read the poems, talk at home about them, and about what your child is learning at the middle school. Your involvement is welcome."

 

Coldplay Coming, but Where?

Coldplay Coming, but Where?

By
Joanne Pilgrim

The announcement Monday of an intimate concert by Coldplay on Aug. 7 at a "secret location" was accompanied by a poster picturing the band in front of a structure that appears to be the Montauk Lighthouse.

The invitation-only show will be sponsored by SiriusXM Radio, which is holding a contest for its subscribers to win tickets to the performance, which will be broadcast live on SiriusXM, as well as a trip for two to "New York," along with a hotel stay.

The announcement prompted speculation that the band would play at Montauk's Surf Lodge, which recently reinstated its concert series after a music license snafu delayed the start of its summer music season. But Steve Kasuba, a Surf Lodge spokesman, said Wednesday that the Coldplay show would not take place there; a band called Bob Moses is scheduled for that day.

Chris Martin, Coldplay's lead singer, has a connection to the area; he was married to Gwyneth Paltrow, and the couple bought a house in Amagansett. He and Ms. Paltrow separated several years ago and were recently divorced, but are often still seen together with their children.

The band is touring following the release of its most recent album, "A Head Full of Dreams."

A Bear Hug Ended Badly

A Bear Hug Ended Badly

Timothy M. Egan, shown here before his arraignment last Thursday, has been charged with assault after allegedly punching a man hard enough to cause bleeding on the brain.
Timothy M. Egan, shown here before his arraignment last Thursday, has been charged with assault after allegedly punching a man hard enough to cause bleeding on the brain.
T.E. McMorrow
Alcohol appears to have been involved
By
T.E. McMorrow

An East Hampton man is facing an assault charge after allegedly punching an acquaintance on the side of the head hard enough to send him to the hospital with bleeding on the brain.

The incident occurred at Little Albert’s Landing beach in Amagansett on July 2, where people had gathered to watch the fireworks display. According to Detective Sgt. Greg Schaeffer, alcohol appears to have been involved. 

Alexander Alvarado gave Timothy M. Egan, 33, such a “playful bear hug,” the detective said, that Mr. Egan’s sunglasses fell to the ground and broke. Enraged, Mr. Egan “cold-cocked him,” knocking Mr. Alvarado out. He was taken to Southampton Hospital, then to Stony Brook University Hospital on July 3 early in the morning, “due to the fact that he had incurred bleeding on the brain,” his mother-in-law wrote on a GoFundMe page set up for the Alvarado family. Though he has since been discharged, he has been unable to return to work at his automobile repair company, Alvarado Mechanical, on Three Mile Harbor Road in East Hampton. 

Mr. Egan was arrested last Thursday morning and arraigned before East Hampton Town Justice Lisa R. Rana. His lawyer, Trevor Darrell, told the court that Mr. Egan, who has family in East Hampton, was here for the summer but lives year round in Merritt, N.C. 

Justice Rana, reading from the record, noted that Mr. Egan has one felony conviction and four for misdemeanors. Bail was set at $2,500, which was posted.

Police Chiefs React Pensively to Shooting Deaths

Police Chiefs React Pensively to Shooting Deaths

Keep doors open, acknowledge issues ‘even here’
By
Taylor K. Vecsey

A longtime resident of Sag Harbor Village, an older black man, stopped in to police headquarters this week to have a word with the police chief. Austin McGuire, a former East Hampton Town police lieutenant who took the top spot in the small village force less than a year ago, was happy to see him.

• SIDEBAR: Few Minorities on the Force 

“He wanted to talk about how concerned he is about the police and everything going on and how much he supports us,” Chief McGuire said during an interview afterward. “I said to him, correct me if I’m wrong, but I feel like we live in a bubble. We don’t experience what other folks are experiencing in other parts of the country,” the chief said. Middle-class and wealthy black professionals have long been a part of the Sag Harbor community, the gentleman agreed. But even so, that didn’t mean he should have no cause for concern. 

Police chiefs The Star spoke with this week say they are not ignoring the deaths that have occurred elsewhere and are taking steps to try to ensure such violence never erupts here. Following the continued shooting deaths of black men in other parts of the country and the recent apparently retaliatory attacks on police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La., they report they are thinking more than ever about community relations and officer safety. 

“It’s a difficult time to be a police officer,” Chief Michael Sarlo, a 21-year veteran of the East Hampton Town Police Department, said. He is more concerned about his officers’ safety than ever before, he said Monday, wearing a mourning band over his gold shield for the eight officers killed over the last week. “To see good, hardworking, family police officers being targeted just because they show up to work is a really tough situation for all of us to accept. It weighs on our guys — even here.”

As a leader, Chief Sarlo said, he was determined to continue building bridges with the community and ensuring that his officers treat everyone with respect. It is a philosophy he said was fostered through his predecessors and his parents, including Chris Sarlo, a longtime principal of East Hampton High School. He believes that “most agencies, most officers do the right thing” and that good training and accountability are big factors. 

“Here in Suffolk County, I think we do a very good job of addressing a lot ofthese issues with use of force and handling traffic stops and treatment of people,” he said. His officers, along with those in the East Hampton Village and Sag Harbor Village departments, have long been trained to de-escalate and diffuse situations without confrontation, using a tactic known as “verbal judo,” he said.

Last year, the East Hampton department piggybacked with the Suffolk County Police Department on a bias-free policing program given through the Department of Justice. Nearly the entire patrol division took the training, with his department one of the only East End agencies to ensure so many took part. Nevertheless, he said, reminders are needed. The three chiefs sent out memos to their officers over the past week about being vigilant and letting cool heads prevail.

East Hampton Village Police Chief Gerard Larsen said he was not only concerned about officer safety and police-targeted shooting but about the community’s safety in light of worldwide terrorism, particularly the attack in Nice, France, last week. “Emotions are running high,” Chief Larsen said. 

He has instructed officers to review the department’s use of force policies as well as freedom of speech. Just because police here believe they have a generally excellent relationship with the community, it doesn’t mean they wouldn’t come in contact with someone who feels differently, he said. “We’re a tourist community. You are getting people from all over.”

As a member of the town’s anti-bias task force, Chief Sarlo said he understands the importance of continually addressing racial tensions. In East Hampton, there is a much larger population of people whose first language is Spanish than of African-Americans. Given so large a Latino community here, he said he recognizes that immigration and mistrust for police are major factors. His department has “zero concern” about immigration status, he said, barring a felony deportation warrant. The hope is that residents will trust the police here enough to report crimes. Allowing crimes to go unreported is one of his major concerns. 

When Chief McGuire attended the Federal  Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Virginia two years ago, he met Ron Johnson, captain of the Missouri Highway Patrol who, just a few months later, would be appointed to oversee the riots in Ferguson, Mo. Even before the shooting death of Michael Brown by a white police officer, the talks Chief McGuire had with the captain about race relations in the Midwest were “eye-opening.” Having an open dialogue is key to repairing damage already done, he said. 

Chief McGuire said many communities around the country have a lack of trust in their officers. “I don’t think locally we have that issue; I’ve never been made aware of it. I think we do a good job. I think the communities are pretty happy with what they’re getting.” He said having educated, well-trained officers who have been well-vetted helps. “Is a bad apple going to slip through every now and again? Sure. But I would say 99.9 percent, you’re getting a good product.” 

Nevertheless, “Anything could happen here. I think you’d be foolish to think it couldn’t,” he said. 

The chiefs reported that few civilian complaints are filed. “Typically they revolve around how someone feels they were treated on a traffic stop,” Chief Sarlo said. “By the time you dig into some of these complaints, you find maybe the person didn’t handle the traffic stop so well themselves.” 

Ninety-five percent of traffic stops in East Hampton Town are now recorded by cameras on patrol car dashboards, installed about a year ago, and supervisors review the footage with officers. East Hampton Village police also have cameras in patrol cars, but neither department has body cameras. Sag Harbor police have neither dashboard nor body cameras, and no immediate plans to get them. 

“We strive to make sure our police officers understand how stressful it is for a civilian to be pulled over by a police officer, as well,” Chief Sarlo said. As a result of what’s happening nationally, he said, stress had risen for both officers and drivers. 

“A kid here in East Hampton may never have had an incident with a police officer ever, and when he gets pulled over for the first time, he’s going to assume what he saw on YouTube or through a news video is the way he is going to be treated by the police officer, and that’s a big concern of mine.” 

He said it had become harder for officers to do already difficult jobs because of the national rhetoric. Overall, he’s seen a respect for authority decreasing and thinks that is alarming. “We all have to come together to improve the situation.”

Earlier this year, the town Police Department distributed pamphlets titled, “What to do when stopped by the police.” Available in  English and Spanish, the material explains why an officer might pull someone over and how to behave if you are stopped. Tips include avoiding sudden movements, keeping your hands on the steering wheel, and turning on dome or interior lights so the officer can easily see inside the car at night. The pamphlet also outlines what officers should do: provide their name upon request, offer credentials if they are not in uniform, and “only use the force necessary to affect the arrest of a suspect.” 

Use of force incidents are few and far between here. They include deploying a Taser — which all officers carry on the South Fork — or using maneuvers to handcuff a defendant.  There have been seven uses of force documented  halfway through 2016 among 458 arrests and 3,567 violations. Last year, there were six in all. In East Hampton Village last year, there were 273 arrests and no use of force, Chief Larsen said. 

Officers know they are under a microscope, Chief Sarlo said. While there hasn’t been a shooting by police in East Hampton in recent memory, officers do draw their weapons from time to time. “It’s not as infrequent as you think,” he said. The officers are well prepared for such instances and training to de-escalate the situation kicks in, he said. 

Three Airlifted After Crashes

Three Airlifted After Crashes

Christopher Rivera, a 21-year-old from East Hampton, was seriously injured when he crashed into a truck near One Stop Market on Saturday evening.
Christopher Rivera, a 21-year-old from East Hampton, was seriously injured when he crashed into a truck near One Stop Market on Saturday evening.
Hampton Pix
Helicopters were called to take people to Stony Brook University Hospital’s level-one trauma center
By
T.E. McMorrow

Between Saturday and Monday there were three serious accidents in which helicopters were called to take people to Stony Brook University Hospital’s level-one trauma center. 

On Saturday evening, an uninsured Yamaha all-terrain vehicle driven by Christopher Rivera of East Hampton, 21, was headed south on Springs-Fireplace Road in East Hampton, approaching One Stop Market, when a Ford pickup truck driven by Fernando Rosas pulled out of the One Stop lot. The A.T.V. struck the front of the truck, East Hampton Town Police Capt. Chris Anderson said yesterday, and Mr. Rivera was ejected. 

Photographs taken by bystanders show Mr. Rivera wearing only a bathing suit. Police issued him several citations, including one for not wearing a helmet as required by state law.

The next morning there was another accident on Springs-Fireplace Road, this time near Church Lane. Shortly before noon, a 2002 Ford driven by Paul Goerz was turning off Church and onto Springs-Fireplace when it collided with a bicyclist, Angela Witte. No tickets were issued.

The third serious incident happened on Monday near Swamp Road on Route 114, where Thomas Sparacino of Peconic was headed north in a 2013 Dodge sedan. “He crossed into the southbound lane,” Captain Anderson said. The Dodge hit two vehicles, a 2016 Mercedes Benz driven by Joseph Giardina and a 2008 Mazda driven by Daniel Bedoya, and then rolled over. Mr. Sparacino had to be extracted from the Dodge by the East Hampton Fire Department, after which the helicopter picked him up. The other two drivers did not request medical treatment, though their vehicles were severely damaged. An investigation is said to be continuing.

Finally, an East Hampton woman was taken to Southampton Hospital July 11 after being struck by a 2012 Jeep on Amagansett Main Street. The pedestrian, Fiona Vonoshen, 19, was looking east, a witness told police, but failed to see the Jeep, which was moving at a slow speed. The Jeep’s driver, Robin Goetz of Springs, was not ticketed.

Memories of Montauketts and Freetown

Memories of Montauketts and Freetown

The salt-box-style house, known as the Fowler house, is slated for designation as a historic landmark.
The salt-box-style house, known as the Fowler house, is slated for designation as a historic landmark.
David E. Rattray
By
Joanne Pilgrim

A house believed to be the only surviving 19th century dwelling of a member of the Montaukett tribe is slated for designation as a historic landmark, after a public hearing on the proposal next Thursday.

 

The 1.7-acre property, near the intersection of Springs-Fireplace Road and North Main Street in East Hampton, is believed to hold the broken-down remains of a residence that was moved from Indian Field in Montauk to the area then known as Freetown. In the late 19th century, Arthur Benson, who owned and developed much of Montauk, offered deeds to plots of land in Freetown to Montauketts, to entice them to vacate their traditional tribal lands.

A number of houses were apparently moved. The saltbox-style house in question, now owned by East Hampton Town, once belonged to George Lewis Fowler and his wife, Sarah Melissa Horton.

Freetown was so called because it was settled by former slaves of wealthy local families. The Fowler house is the only one that remains.

George Fowler worked as a gondolier and gardener for the artist Thomas Moran, whose Main Street, East Hampton, house and studio, a national historic landmark, is being restored. Fowler was also a caretaker at Home, Sweet Home.

His house was moved to Freetown around 1890 and “is possibly one of the most historically significant structures in the Town of East Hampton,” according to town documents.

The history of the area will be the subject of an oral history project, “Mapping Memories of Freetown,” for which those with connections to and memories of the Freetown neighborhood have been invited to the East Hampton Historical Farm Museum, at Cedar and North Main Streets, on Sunday between noon and 5 p.m.  A program at 1 p.m. will include comments by researchers and others.

Allison McGovern, an archeologist and professor at the State University at Farmingdale who has been surveying the museum property (the former Selah Lester farm) for the possible remains of a wind-powered sawmill that was once used by the Dominy family of craftsmen, will be on hand, along with anthropologists, to collect oral histories about the neighborhood, as well as ideas about restoring and interpreting the Fowler house and lot.

A 1790 census reportedly recorded East Hampton’s residents as 1,299 whites, 99 slaves, and 99 people classified as “all other free people,” according to the Center for Public Archeology at Hofstra University.

“The Fowler house completes the picture of the Moran house and Home, Sweet Home,” Robert Hefner, a history consultant to the town, said in a report. “This puts Main Street and Freetown together.”

With its connection to the former Indian Field site in Montauk (now Montauk County Park), and its archeological resources, the Fowler house is also likely eligible for a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, wrote Marguerite Wolffsohn, the town planning director, in a report delivered recently to the town board.

“The house and its property are a valued part of the cultural, historic, economic, and social history of the town,” she wrote. “History tends to record the wealthy and powerful. George Fowler was neither, and we have much less information about the ordinary and poor people in our history. Yet the people who lived in Freetown were the workers who supported the wealthier households in East Hampton Village, Gardiner’s Island, and elsewhere in town. His house and property have the potential to teach us about the lifeways of the Montauketts after they were dispossessed of their homes in Montauk and detribalized by the New York State government. It is a potential interpretive tool for understanding the history of Freetown, which is minimally understood by historians.”

The public hearing on the historic landmark proposal will begin at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday at Town Hall.