The East Hampton Village Board tackled a handful of minor matters and one major one, covered separately in this issue, at a work session held last Thursday at the 1770 House.
The board is seeking ideas for the future management of the 13 Sea Spray Cottages at Main Beach, and has already received several submissions, including one from a West Palm Beach, Fla., company, and others from current tenants.
“The board holds the view that the village shouldn’t be in the landlord business,” explained Marcos Baladron, the village administrator.
Currently, he said, the cottages, which the village owns and rents for the season, occupy about 20 acres of land just east of the beach, bringing in $1.2 million annually for the village. They are leased from May 15 to Sept. 15.
“The buildings weren’t designed to be long-term housing like we’re using them for,” said Dave Collins, superintendent of public works, explaining that the cottages sit on posts in the ground. Salt air and ocean winds cause much wear, he said.
“They’re in bad shape,” agreed Chris Minardi, the deputy mayor. “If you do substantial renovation you have to go through FEMA. There’s a line we’ve been trying not to cross. They’re bad. I’m shocked they’re still there.”
“Many are used as cabanas for people that don’t even live there,” said Carrie
Doyle, a village trustee. “We’re not looking to build giant things.”
“There’s a lot of people who would love to attach their name to the new Sea Spray Cottages,” said Mr. Baladron.
“We’re looking for information” as to the future of the buildings, said Mr. Baladron, adding that the proposals the board deems best will go to a public hearing. “It’s public land, the public should hear about it.”
Just west of the cottages is the entrance to Main Beach, and the board discussed plans to realign handicapped parking spaces there. Police Chief Michael Tracey said a “nice ramp” had been built for handicapped access next to the 15-minute parking zone, but that “the only thing missing was handicapped spots in close proximity.”
Several spots will now be close to the 15-minute zone, and striping for a walkway will be added. Handicapped spots that were previously on a slope — “You don’t put handicap spots on a hill,” said Mr. Tracey — will be moved to the bottom of the slope and will connect with the striped walkway.
Also planned to improve handicapped access in the village is a new sidewalk, to be installed along Pantigo Road next to the Sheep Fold, between the post office and Egypt Lane.
“There’s a well-beaten path there,” said Mr. Collins. “A lot of people already use it.”
A brief discussion about the merits of a brick-versus-cement walkway — Mayor Jerry Larsen favors brick — ensued.
“I have a feeling the state will require concrete,” said Mr. Collins.
Because Route 27 is a state road, the village needs to submit plans to the Department of Transportation. The village board will present a new sidewalk contract at its March 17 meeting.
Finally, Sarah Amaden, a trustee who was not at the board’s last meeting in February, reopened a conversation about beach passes, and the extension of the beach season to Columbus Day.
“If you’re a town resident, you would not be able to park at the beach on weekends between Sept. 15 and Columbus Day,” said Mr. Minardi.
“I’ve been getting a lot of feedback about this,” said Ms. Doyle. “I do feel there’s a sense, after Labor Day, that the locals feel they are reclaiming the beach. I think to take away one more thing and not let them park there for that month, it’s sort of making money off the backs of the locals. Tumbleweed Tuesday, there’s a collective sigh of relief. I just have a problem with trying to get more money for people to pay to use the beach then.”
The board agreed to forget about restricting parking after Sept. 15, but to provide lifeguards to keep village beaches open until Columbus Day.
“I don’t think we have such a demand after September 15th that it’s going to overflow the parking lots,” said Mayor Larsen. “We can try it this year and see how it goes.”
