The United States Supreme Court has ordered the Friends of the East Hampton Airport, a group comprising aviation businesses and advocates, to submit a brief by May 19 describing its opposition to the town’s petition for Supreme Court review of an appeals court decision last fall that found the town did not have the right to enact laws that restrict the use of East Hampton Airport in order to reduce aircraft noise.

The town is seeking to overturn the ruling, which struck down three 2015 town regulations: an overnight curfew, an extended overnight curfew for noisy planes, which was in effect for two summer seasons, and a once-a-week limit on takeoffs and landings by noisy planes, which a lower court already had blocked after aviation interests filed suit.

The town will have two weeks after the May 19 submission to file a brief in reply. “We are pleased that the Supreme Court is taking a serious look at our petition,” Town Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, the town board’s airport liaison, said in a press release last week.

“The town welcomes the opportunity to be further heard, by the filing of a reply brief, on the drastic impacts that the Second Circuit’s decision will have on our airport and airports across the country. The court’s order is a positive step in our march to regain local control of East Hampton Airport.”

Real estate transactions in the first quarter of 2017 raised less money for the Peconic Bay Community Preservation Fund than they did in the first months of 2016, although the number of sales was virtually the same.

The preservation fund receives the proceeds of a 2-percent transfer tax imposed by the five East End towns, which provides money for land preservation and, starting this year after a successful referendum, for water quality improvement.

The fund, which has generated $1.2 billion since its inception in 1999, including $89.9 million last year, will continue until 2050. First-quarter revenues over all were $22.1 million this year, as opposed to $25.9 million last year, a 14-percent drop.

The decline was most pronounced in East Hampton Town, New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., who sponsored the C.P.F. legislation, announced this week in a press release.

East Hampton’s revenue for the first three months of the year decreased by just over 37 percent compared to the first quarter of 2016, coming in at $6.3 million this year while the revenue was $10.1 million last year. Transfer tax income for Southampton Town also declined, but by only 2.7 percent.

Scott Wilson, East Hampton Town’s director of land acquisition, said this week that the first-quarter revenue decrease is not unusual or of concern; the real estate market generally slows in winter months, he said, and preservation fund receipts in the ensuing months reflect that. He said he expects a “significant uptick” in proceeds during the year’s second quarter.

In the other three East End towns, Shelter Island saw a 30-percent drop in preservation fund revenue for the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2016. In Southold there was a 20-percent decrease, and Riverhead’s revenue decreased by 7.6 percent.

“Real estate sales on the East End have plateaued since reaching a record high in 2014,” Mr. Thiele said in the press release. “C.P.F. revenues in 2016 were 13 percent lower than the program’s highest year in 2014, declining by about 7 percent a year over the last two years. The first three months of 2017 has continued that trend.”

A historical Montauk property will see some changes soon, even though the members of the East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals, who approved them on Tuesday, were concerned that its appearance would be different. 

Known as Eothon, the estate, which is owned by Adam Lindemann, an art dealer, was once owned by Andy Warhol. The guests who stayed there are legendary: Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minelli, Halston, John Lennon, and the Rolling Stones are just a few.

The property is at the end of Cliff Drive, near Deep Hollow Ranch, and has four cottages and a main house on it, connected by a circular driveway. The Church family, founding partners of Arm & Hammer, developed it long before zoning was adopted.

Mr. Lindemann applied for permission to add a 450-square-foot swimming pool, a pergola, and some decking, and the board said okay. One mitigation that the board instructed Beth Baldwin, its attorney, to put in the resolution of formal approval is an increase in the size of a buffer between the property’s lawn and its wetlands. Cate Rogers, a member, had pointed out that mowing was done right up to and into what should be a naturally vegetated buffer between the lawn and the wetlands.

The former director of Concerned Citizens of Montauk, Jeremy Samuelson, had opposed the changes during a Feb. 28 public hearing, and while the board took note of his opposition, the members found that besides being small, the pool would be in a location that fits with the overall look of the place. In addition, the pergola will be on an existing patio.

“This property is one of the most unique properties I have seen,” Roy Dalene told fellow board members. “I agree with Jeremy Samuelson.” Nevertheless, he voted for approval, saying he was saddened.

John Whelan, the Z.B.A. chairman, said the pool would be “very tastefully situated,” and he added, “You feel like you’re in Scotland.”

East Hampton Town

Water Protection Projects

East Hampton Town’s water quality technical advisory committee, convened under the new law that allows the town to spend up to 20 percent of community preservation fund revenue on water quality protection and improvement, has begun rating prospective projects. Using a ranking system based on legal criteria, they will make recommendations to the town board as to what should move forward; a list of projects that are ready to commence has been prepared. The town board will vote on whether to proceed with each initiative, individually, after holding a public hearing.

Amagansett’s New Loo

The new public restroom in Amagansett, constructed by East Hampton Town in the municipal parking lot to the north of Main Street, will be officially opened on May 8 at 6 p.m., a half-hour before the May meeting of the Amagansett Citizens Advisory Committee begins. The committee has long had the loo on its agenda.

Discussion of and plans for a public facility in the hamlet have taken place over many years and several town administrations, with one plan after another delayed and waylaid. The final wrinkles, having to do with county health department approvals, have been ironed out, and the restroom has been readied for its first user, who has not been selected.

Affordable Housing: Apply Now

The application period for those interested in buying a house or condo through East Hampton Town’s affordable housing program ends on Friday, April 28. Those who would like to be included in the lottery selection process for the opportunity to purchase the next available residences can contact the town’s Office of Housing and Community Development, or fill out an application available online at the town website, ehamptonny.gov.

‘Drug Takeback’ Day

Pharmaceutical drugs that are no longer needed or are expired can be safely disposed of on “drug takeback” day, April 29, when a collection point will be set up between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Town Hall.

In order to avoid drug contamination of drinking water or the environment, drugs cannot be flushed down the toilet or thrown into the garbage. The East Hampton Town Police Department’s Wainscott headquarters provides a safe drug-disposal box in its lobby, and there are others kept at various pharmacies in town.

Hamlet Studies Advance

Continuing the town’s hamlet study effort, presentations of draft plans for each community’s discussion are expected to take place from June 1 through 3, Councilwoman Sylvia Overby, who is overseeing the effort, announced this week. 

A tentative schedule includes a discussion of plans for East Hampton and Springs on the evening of June 1, an overall presentation by consultants for the town board on June 2, an evening meeting later focusing on Montauk’s dock area and downtown, and a June 3 morning presentation regarding Wainscott.

A program proposed by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone would provide grants and low-interest financing to help homeowners replace antiquated septic systems with new ones that remove nitrogen, which has been identified as a major cause of surface and groundwater pollution.

Part of Mr. Bellone’s Reclaim Our Water Initiative, which has targeted water pollutants, the proposal will be the subject of an April 25 hearing before the County Legislature, which must approve it before it can take effect.

If approved, applications would be accepted from property owners starting in July. Funding — $2 million annually through 2021 — would come from a county reserve fund, following voters’ approval of a 2014 referendum that authorized its use for nitrogen-reducing septic systems.

Representatives from a number of regional environmental groups have voiced their approval of the proposal.

“We are an island — our bays, creeks, harbors and rivers, along with the sole-source aquifer beneath our feet, make up the very engine that drives our economy,” Legislator Bridget Fleming said in a release. “But for decades we have made the mistake of ignoring the detrimental impact that septic discharge had on our waters. This important program is a critical step to addressing these issues.” Ms. Fleming thanked Mr. Bellone for “partnering with local municipal governments, and leading the charge in implementing this program to reduce the nitrogen pollution that threatens our way of life.”

Grants of up to $11,000 would help homeowners — approximately 400 in the program’s first two years — to cover the cost of an advanced technology system, estimated to be between $14,500 and $17,500. Homeowners could qualify for low-cost financing to cover the remainder of the cost, at a 3 percent fixed interest rate over 15 years.

In-kind replacement of traditional cesspool or septic systems, which do not eliminate nitrogen, costs an estimated $6,000 to $8,000, according to the county. Experts believe there are more than 360,000 sub-par cesspools and septics in the county, and that tens of thousands of improved wastewater systems will have to be installed to cope effectively with declining water quality.

“This financing model provides an affordable means for working and middle-class homeowners to improve their water infrastructure, clean our environment, and ultimately increase home property values,” Mr. Bellone stated in a release.

East Hampton Town is drafting its own septic system rebate program, which could cover the entire cost, up to $15,000, of installing nitrogen-reducing septic systems in high-priority, environmentally sensitive areas of the town. Rebates of up to 75 percent of a new system’s cost could be available to other town residents who meet income-based eligibility requirements. The money would come from the 20-percent portion of the community preservation fund that is earmarked for water quality initiatives. 

Along with the rebate program, the town is planning to require that new construction or substantial reconstruction will use the new-generation septic systems.

Since December 2014, the county has overseen a pilot program to test new wastewater treatment technologies, selecting 42 homeowners to receive a system at no cost in order to assess the efficacy of various technologies. As tests are completed, the health department is expected to approve additional systems for use. Thus far the department, which sets regulations for septic waste treatment, has given provisional approval to three different nitrogen-reducing wastewater systems.

County officials will present details of the septic replacement incentive program in the coming weeks at a series of meetings that will include comments from water quality experts and local officials. The first such meeting will be held in Flanders on April 24, at the David W. Crohan Community Center, at a time to be announced.

Residents can also direct questions about the new septic systems and the financing program, including questions regarding eligibility, to the Suffolk County Health Department, by email to [email protected].

As expected, the East Hampton Town Republican Committee formally endorsed its 2017 slate of town board candidates at its meeting on April 5. Manny Vilar, a sergeant with the State Parks police, is the party’s candidate for supervisor.

Jerry Larsen, former East Hampton Village police chief, and Paul Giardina, who recently retired after a long career with the Environmental Protection Agency, join Mr. Vilar as candidates for town board.

“This dynamic team, with over 100 years’ collective management experience in federal, state, and local government, will tackle the challenges facing East Hampton efficiently and professionally,” Reg Cornelia, the committee’s chairman, said in a statement Friday.

“The three of us love meeting and talking to people,” Mr. Vilar said in the statement. “We are already hearing the concerns of so many residents who feel their voices are not being heard by the current administration and are concerned for their family’s future in East Hampton. Small-business owners, fishermen, farmers, artists, environmentalists, East Hampton employees, all will have a seat at the table in our administration.”

The candidates, who have held regular, informal meetings with residents, will do so on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Springs Tavern, formerly Wolfie’s, on Fort Pond Boulevard. They have also encouraged residents to attend the official opening of the committee’s new headquarters, Suite 17 at the Red Horse Market complex at 74 Montauk Highway in East Hampton, on Friday, April 21.

A draft three-year capital budget discussed by the East Hampton Town Board this week calls for $5.2 million in spending on capital projects this year, an estimated $8.3 million next year, and $7.9 million in 2019.

The plan covers 84 projects for which the town board would individually issue bonds. Ten projects included in it are ongoing, and eight would take place over several years.

Big-ticket projects anticipated over the three years include the construction of a new senior center building for $4.3 million, and the construction of a new town hall building on the Pantigo Road campus for $4.1 million. Both would be offset by the sale of town assets, including office condominiums currently occupied by town departments that would move into the new space.

A total of $5 million in spending has been projected for 2018 and 2019 for a comprehensive upgrade of the town’s emergency communications system, but that overhaul, “critical because the system is now 17 or 18 years old,” said Supervisor Larry Cantwell, should be moved up.

Other items in the capital plan are “normal, everyday items,” Len Bernard, the town budget officer, said at a board meeting on Tuesday, such as building and sidewalk repairs, road paving, and replacing cars and trucks.

Mr. Bernard said the draft budget complies with a policy of keeping new borrowing each year under the amount of debt that is being paid off, for a net decrease in the town’s indebtedness. The indebtedness in 2009 was $141 million, he said, which has since been reduced to approximately $100 million and is projected to drop to $92.3 million by the end of this year.

Payment on already incurred debt will cost the town about $15 million this year and next, and $14 million in 2019. Two bonds issued in 2010 and 2011 to cover a deficit that accumulated under a previous administration, totaling $22 million, will be paid off within the coming years; one by the end of next year, and the other in 2020.

Future town boards, saddled with less debt, Mr. Cantwell said, will have more flexibility in budgeting and addressing the needs of the town and its residents.

A recent audit by the New York State comptroller’s office of the East Hampton Housing Authority, covering 2015 and part of 2016, is critical of a number of the authority’s financial practices and calls for  better oversight and tighter controls.

The housing authority is an autonomous agency created under state law. Its 2015 operating expenses were $745,802. The authority manages three affordable housing complexes with a total of 93 units in East Hampton Town — the Accabonac and Springs-Fireplace Apartments in East Hampton and the Avallone Apartments in Montauk. A new project in Amagansett with 40 units is planned.

While the authority’s funding comes primarily from the Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as from rents, the agency often works hand in hand with the East Hampton Town Housing Department.

In a March 10 letter in response to the audit, Arthur Goldman, the chairman of the Housing Authority’s board of directors, said the board would meet to discuss each item in the auditors’ report, and that a corrective plan for increasing security and oversight and improving recordkeeping would be submitted to the comptroller within 45 days.

Among the issues cited in the comptroller’s report were a failure to separate responsibility for cash receipt, cash disbursement, and bank reconciliation, a lack of consistent review of transactions in the authority’s various bank accounts, and a practice of keeping signed blank checks on hand for use in emergencies. While the checks issued, auditors said, “all appeared to be for appropriate authority purposes,” having them on hand “increases the risk of unauthorized payments.”

Democrats to Hold Elections Forum

The East Hampton Democratic Committee will host an event that will focus on participating in elective government tomorrow from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Amagansett. “Candidates for Our Future: How to Elect and Be Elected” will feature presentations from Democratic Party leaders including Supervisor Larry Cantwell, Councilwoman Sylvia Overby, Betty Mazur, the East Hampton Democrats’ vice chairwoman, and Andrew Harris. The event is free and open to the public.

“It’s a response to a couple of things,” Jeanne Frankl, the East Hampton Democrats’ co-chairwoman, said. “First of all, the activists — a huge and burgeoning group — have begun developing an awareness that, ultimately, electing people to office is the way to make change. They’ve expressed an interest in how can they run and nominate candidates.”

Second, Ms. Frankl said, “We have seen that in the era of Trump it’s going to be action at the local level that will make change in the directions that interest us. So we’re more interested than ever before in getting involved at the local level. This program will tell people about East Hampton government, its component parts, and how candidates can help potential candidates learn the ropes in a sequence of more important roles in offices.”

“And, above all,” she said, “how we do a campaign to get people elected.”

Mr. Cantwell will deliver a presentation with the self-explanatory title “Getting to the Top,” Ms. Frankl said. Ms. Overby will speak about the town government. Ms. Mazur “is going to tell the story of how East Hampton turned from red to blue,” Ms. Frankl said, “and how we register voters in campaigns.” Mr. Harris will discuss the importance of data in contemporary elections. Party officials will take questions from the audience.  

G.O.P. Candidates Push Water Quality

Republican candidates for the East Hampton Town Board have signaled that water quality will be a primary issue in their campaign with the release this week of a plan for the protection of environmentally sensitive waterways and drinking water reservoirs from failing septic systems.

Paul Giardina, a candidate for town board who spent more than 40 years at the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, drafted the plan before voters approved a referendum to allow up to 20 percent of the Peconic Bay Region Community Preservation Fund’s proceeds to be used for water quality initiatives.

That amendment to the C.P.F. is a step in the right direction, the Republican candidates said, but inadequate relative to the magnitude of the problem, chiefly aging septic systems from which nitrogen is leaching into groundwater and waterways.

Their plan would incorporate the State Environmental Facilities Corporation and the E.P.A.’s Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund. Under the plan, residential septic systems would be inspected, with those within a specified distance to a watershed given priority. Those that do not pass inspection would be identified for each watershed and included in databases to be kept by the Building Department. Watersheds identified as having a high number of failed septic systems would be referred to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services in order to obtain funding for upgraded systems using the Environmental Facilities Corporation and the revolving fund. After 2020, all septic systems would have to be inspected within 25 years of their initial installation or upgrade.

The plan includes the creation of at least one full-time position, an engineer who would be tasked with establishing the watershed databases and preparing the watershed funding lists for the county.

Red Horse H.Q. for G.O.P.

Reg Cornelia, chairman of the East Hampton Town Republican Committee, has announced the imminent opening of the committee’s new headquarters at the Red Horse Market complex at 74 Montauk Highway in East Hampton.

The committee will hold a grand opening with appropriate festivities “as soon as we get the place somewhere near shipshape as far as decor,” Mr. Cornelia said in a statement issued on Monday. Hours of operation and contact information will be announced before the opening.

One event has already been scheduled, however: Candidates will hold a round-table discussion about the town’s rental registry on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

In the statement, Mr. Cornelia said that the headquarters, in unit 17 of the complex, would serve both as a place for committee members to meet with Republican candidates for town board and town trustee, and as a hub where candidates, committee members, volunteers, and the public can interact.

He expressed confidence in the quality of this year’s Republican slate, which includes Manny Vilar, a sergeant with the State Parks police and the party’s candidate for supervisor; Gerard Larsen, who recently retired as chief of the East Hampton Village Police Department, and Paul Giardina, who recently retired after 40 years with the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The latter two are candidates for town board..

Southampton Town

C.P.F. Purchase

The Southampton Town Board has agreed to purchase enhanced development rights on a property that is under an acre, but next to two larger farm fields, for $958,000 from the community preservation fund. The enhanced development rights at 5 Seven Ponds Road in Water Mill are being sold by the Peconic Land Trust, which is in contract to purchase the property from Ann LaWall. Her house, which she shared with her daughter, Terri Kiernan, the Southampton Town tax receiver, was destroyed by fire last year.

The triangular .78-acre parcel will be returned to its historical use for agriculture after 45 years as a house lot, according to Holly Sanford of the Peconic Land Trust, who spoke at a public hearing on March 28. It will be part of 27 acres of contiguous conserved farmland, which includes Seven Ponds Orchard.

Enhanced development rights are intended to ensure that 80 percent of the acreage purchased remains in food production and that if sold it remains affordable for a qualified farmer. The other properties’ enhanced development rights have not yet been purchased, but Mary Wilson, the manager of community preservation for the town, said she hoped this purchase would be the start of momentum in that area.

East Hampton Airport

The Southampton Town Board approved two resolutions introduced by Councilwoman Christine Scalera on March 28 to help combat noise from East Hampton Airport. One of the resolutions supports state legislation proposed by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. and Senator Ken LaValle, enabling more public say on how local airports are funded. It would make acceptance of state or federal financing for town airports, or aviation projects at town airports, subject to permissive referendum if the term of the assistance is 10 years or more.

The other enables towns, like East Hampton, to post a link on their website to a registry for residents to log complaints regarding noise. The link to Airnoisereport.com was proposed by the town’s airport noise advisory committee,  which hopes to have it available before Memorial Day weekend.

 New Stop Signs

Southampton Town will hold two public hearings on Tuesday at 1 p.m. to consider stop signs at several intersections east of the Shinnecock Canal.

In Bridgehampton, signs are proposed for Hickory Hills Lane at Brick Kiln Road and Fair Hills Lane at Brick Kiln Road, and on Shady Path at Fair Hills Lane. Also, signs are proposed at Two Trees Lane and Polo Court at Hayground Road.

Several signs would be placed on roads at  intersections with Sagg Road, including Widow Gavitts Road in the unincorporated part of Sag Harbor, and Northwest Path, Merchants Path, and Haines Path, north of the highway in Sagaponack. Signs are also proposed on East Wood Path at the intersection of Wainscott Harbor Road, Sagaponack Court at East Woods Path, Forrest Crossing Road at Wainscott Harbor Road, and Ranch Court and Wainscott Harbor Road, both at Merchants Path.

Film Shoots

Using a private property in the Town of Southampton for a film or photo shoot will require a permit in some situations following a unanimous vote by the town board last week. If a crew is made up of more than 12 people and the duration of the shoot will be more than three days, a permit will be necessary.

Depending on the number of people in the crew, permits will cost between $250 and $1,500 per day of filming. Applications for film permits must be submitted at least 20 days before the first day of the proposed shoot. Applications submitted after the deadline will cost an additional $50 per day.

Permits are also required for shoots on town property.