A proposed law that increases the number of littering offenses in East Hampton Village and makes it easier to prosecute those who improperly dispose of garbage in public receptacles was passed by the village board at a meeting on Friday.
Whereas an existing law forbids people from using public receptacles to deposit "domestic, commercial and industrial litter arising from the conduct of their daily activities," the new one, which will take effect in a few weeks after being filed with New York's secretary of state, is more expansive. It prohibits the deposit of "any" domestic, commercial, or industrial garbage, and says all litter and refuse must be "deposited in such a manner as to prevent it from being scattered."
To enforce the existing law, police officers are required to witness someone illegally depositing garbage, Beth Baldwin, the village attorney, said at the meeting. The new one will allow them to use evidence found in the refuse to pursue prosecution. "A lack of eyewitness testimony shall not bar prosecution under this chapter," the law says. "A violation of this chapter may be established if litter . . . contains substantial evidence of that person's identity."
The penalty for offenses will remain the same. There are minimum fines of $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second, and $1,000 for a third.
The board approved the purchase of two pieces of equipment for a new mobile parking enforcement system that will use license-plate reading technology. The village will pay $62,000 to Tannery Creek Systems AutoChalk Parking Enforcement System for a vehicle-mounted system, and $650 per month for a hand-held unit.
It also approved the renewal of an agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for the level monitoring of Georgica Pond. The cost will be shared with the Friends of Georgica Pond organization, and the village will pay $2,853.75 per year.
The board approved an application from the Ralph Lauren store on Main Street to have a temporary pop-up coffee shop on site with proceeds benefiting the East Hampton Historical Society. The coffee shop will be in operation through Sunday, and from Wednesday through Sept. 6.
John Forrester was accepted as a new member of Fire Department Engine Company No. 5, and the board also accepted a donation of a 48-star American flag from the Stone family. It will be displayed at the Home Sweet Home Museum.
