Bus Depot Plans Undecided

An agenda item on Tuesday’s East Hampton School Board meeting caused alarm among several audience members until they were reassured that it did not mean the board had decided to build a bus depot on the high school campus.

What is known as a negative declaration in an environmental impact study prepared by the district’s engineering company, V.H.B., regarding a bus depot near Cedar Street caused the alarm. Such a study is required if the board goes ahead with the plan, and V.H.B. found that doing so “would not result in a significant adverse environmental impact.”

J.P. Foster, the board president, cooled down the reaction of those at the meeting who are members of the ad hoc Cedar Street committee by announcing that the board was continuing to investigate the possibility of building a depot on Springs-Fireplace Road, along a mostly industrial stretch.

Vito Brullo, a member of the Cedar Street committee, said he had prepared remarks but, in light of Mr. Foster’s assurances, would reserve his comments “until further developments come about.”

Mr. Foster reminded those present that the district does not own the Springs-Fireplace Road site and would need to purchase it from East Hampton Town. “We’re working with the town,” he said, adding that Supervisor Larry Cantwell is “very aware of our intentions, and we’ve made our intentions very clear to him. . . . We’re going to do our best.”

In response, Chuck Collins, who was in the audience, voiced relief. “Thank you guys for listening to our concerns. I trust and hope you will continue to listen. I’m heartened to hear you are still looking at Springs-Fireplace, which we feel is a good option,” Mr. Collins said.