East Hampton Town officials are encouraging Springs residents to visit the town’s website by Wednesday to take a nine-question survey that will assist them in applying for $4.5 million in state money for the hamlet.
Samantha Klein, the town’s intergovernmental relations coordinator, presented the possibility of the grant during Tuesday’s work session and asked people to share ideas that will help focus the town’s application, which is due to the state by Oct. 18.
The town only recently met the eligibility requirement to apply for the grant when it was named a “pro-housing community” by Gov. Kathy Hochul in August. Ms. Klein told the board that the grant could be used on a “variety of projects” that can reinvigorate the area, such as sidewalks, street scaping, or even direct assistance to local businesses to make improvements.
Only two grants will be awarded to Long Island communities. At present there are 11 towns, villages, or cities that have been given the pro-housing designation by the state and are eligible for the grant opportunity. Since they may not all be applying for the grant, the town could have a good chance at picking up some extra money, Ms. Klein said.
Another presentation during Tuesday’s work session, concerning the town budget, spoke to the need for the town to gain access to grant money so that town projects could be undertaken without only using taxpayer money.
“If the town’s application is awarded, there will be a fresh planning process,” said Ms. Klein, “specific to the scope of this project, to raise or revisit ideas, and make sure anything implemented is supported by the community.”
Improvements to historic buildings, like replacing the windows at the Springs Library or replacing the roof at Ashawagh Hall, are just a couple of ideas Ms. Klein said could be considered if the grant was awarded to the town. Local businesses could use grant money, likely given as a 75-percent grant with a 25-percent match, on renovations, facade improvements, or equipment purchases.
Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, who previously served on the Springs School Board for nine years, suggested sidewalks for Fort Pond Boulevard. “The school only buses one mile out. Parents are anxious to have their kids walk or ride their bikes down Fort Pond Boulevard and down Springs-Fireplace Road. We need to make our roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s critical to drive that point home.”
The state will announce grant winners by the end of 2024 or early 2025.
