The Suffolk County Legislature closed a public hearing on the county's Shellfish Aquaculture Lease Program, with some legislators expressing weariness and irritation at residents pressing for tighter restrictions on the program, and sympathy for oyster farmers who described their nascent industry as under attack from recreational users of Peconic and Gardiner's Bays.
The East Hampton Village Board discussed what looks to be its final plan to charge for parking in the commercial district at a meeting last Thursday, along with allowing the ongoing use of public property for outdoor dining and the use of Herrick Park for movie showings and theater performances.
The momentum building for meaningful action on climate change on the national level was reflected in East Hampton on Tuesday, when the town board heard, and responded enthusiastically to, a recommendation from its energy sustainability committee to declare a climate emergency, something 1,874 jurisdictions in 33 countries have already done.
Len Bernard, East Hampton Town's budget officer, had no shortage of news when he addressed the town board on Tuesday. He presented a draft three-year capital plan, spoke of next month's final payment on deficit financing related to budget mismanagement between 2005 and 2008, and announced his retirement, set for July.
