East Hampton Town Board Work Session 05/19/26

001One. East Hampton Town Board, we are live being streamed and recorded. Thank you. Thank you, LTV. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the East Hampton Town Board work session of Tuesday, May 19th, 2026. Michael, if you could please read the roll call. Council member Flight. Present. Deputy Supervisor Leese. Present. Council member Rogers. Present. Council member Guilder Piedmont. Present. Supervisor Burke-Gonzalez. >> Present. If we could all please stand for the pledge. >> [clears throat] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. So, this morning, we open up with public portion. We ask you to please kindly keep your comments to [clears throat] 3 minutes. And then, we have a number of topics

002today. First, we'll do bids with Genie Carosa. Then, our finance division is going to be presenting their 2025 accomplishments and 2026 goals. So, we're going to hear from Naji Valera on accounting and payroll, Genie Carosa on purchasing, Christine Schnell on tax receiver, and then we're going to segue into the 2026 beach season update with Council member David Leese and other members of our public safety and beach departments. That'll be followed by a presentation by Andy Drake from land acquisition and management. He's going to he's been doing YouTube videos of many of our trails. So he's going to be presenting Buckskill Meadow Preserve, Boys and Girls Harbor Park, Rod's Valley, and Turtle Cove. And then Ian will be giving a presentation on the 1904 Osborne Farmhouse exterior restoration project. And that'll be followed by two after

003hearing discussions. The first one is the definition of affordable housing. The second is rent restricted employer sponsored housing and those discussions will be led by Eric Schantz. That'll be followed by liaison reports and resolutions. So I have one person signed up, Hersey. You're on. Thank you for joining us today. Good morning. I'm on board. And best wishes for a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend and the ensuing season. I am Hersey Egginton and I'm here representing the Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee. On behalf of the committee and I would hope all the citizens of Wainscott, I would like to commend consulting engineer Drew Bennett for his firm's thoughtful and meticulous plans for the exterior restoration of the 1904 Osborne Farmhouse at 66 Main Scott Wainscott Main Street. The Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee is on great is

004on record gratefully applauding the town's acquisition of this property with community preservation funds. We would now like to add to that record our acknowledgement of the additional costs associated with restoring this property with traditional building materials, restored or historic represent reproductions, excuse me, of needed windows and ADA access that is behind the structure and doesn't interfere with the iconic view shed. We would also like to draw the board and the public's attention to the letter of support for this restoration from Chip Rae, the chair of the town's architectural review board. As you know, the Wainscott Citizens Advisory Board strongly urged the board, ultimately unsuccessfully, to amend the property management plan to preclude any future agricultural use of this property. And for this reason, I would like to quote, in closing, Mr. Rae's letter. The best

005advice we can offer is, "Do no harm." In capital letters, I might add. That means, "No fences, no fertilizers, no asphalt, and no institutional improvements. The site is perfect now as it ever will be." End quote. And I might add, with the addition of this, uh, uh, restoration of the Osborne property. So, with that, I thank you and, uh, wish you a happy season. Thank you, Hersey. All right. Jason, is there anyone on the line that wishes to speak during public comment? >> Yes, I think we have three callers on the line right now. I will unmute the first caller. Hello, caller. And >> Good morning. My name Good morning, you're on the air. Good morning. My name is Claudia Chamberlain for Horse Neck. I'm the owner or beneficiary of the >> we could just

006pause for a second. Chamberlain Estate. Can we just pause for a second? Jason, we're having a hard time hearing in the meeting main meeting room. Understood. Um, give me a second. Let me see if I can increase the volume on Are you having a hard time hearing me as well? Yeah, you were a little low, too. Okay. Sorry. Oh, one sec. No, what It's It's on me. Give me a second and I'll I'll take care of it. One minute. How about now? But you're you're coming in loud and clear. Okay, and caller, can I get your name one more time? Good morning. My name is Claudia Chamberlain Zahorsky. Okay, can everyone hear her well? Yes. Perfect. All right. Please We apologize about the interruption. We'll start again. Thank you. No problem. Good morning, everybody. I

007am the beneficiary of the Eileen Chamberlain estate who supported the sale of the Wainscott land parcel to the town of East Hampton. The use of the land as represented to me for preservation was a significant aspect of a choice to sell to the town. Had I been aware the plan was to develop a high-density housing project against both the interest of surrounding neighbors and environmental protections that are in place to maintain the aquifer, I would never have agreed to this sale. It appears to me this deal was disingenuously represented for two reasons. Because the Wainscott parcel represents an unusual opportunity for the town, and sadly because it disenfranchises nearby residents. I only learned of the town's plan to develop this parcel last week, and when I consulted our realtor to find out what was going

008on, she conveyed that representatives of the town were assuring her this parcel was not only undevelopable from an environmental standpoint, but also was not slated for development now or in the future. The decision of the board to permit development of my family's land after representing it as slated for preservation is a misuse of our estate asset that would negatively affect nearby homeowners and environmental protections. For the sake of all involved, most immediately, including my family, I formally request the town of East Hampton reverse its decision in favor of preserving the Wainscott land parcel for public recreational use as represented to me for consideration of this sale. And I implore the town of East Hampton to act with integrity. Thank you very much for your hearing. Um and I hope that this is resolved for the

009benefit of of all East Hampton. Thank you. Jason, if you could put the next caller through, please. Copy that. Hello caller everybody ending 7779, you're on the air. Hello. Okay, moving on to the next caller. Caller ending 4221, you're on the air. Hello. Hello. Good morning, town board. This is Jane Nearing and I'm a citizen and speaking as an individual citizen, not as a member of any uh town appointed board or committee, although I also acknowledge I am a member of the board of the Wainscott Heritage Project. Um so, just some quick comments about 66 Wainscott Main Street. We do see it on I see it on your agenda. I'm very excited to see the board, you know, quickly moving to protect and restore the Osborne Farmhouse. So, uh thank you for that. Um I

010did want to just note one thing. I think it came up in the ARB that um Mr. Snodgrass um would also be opining and weighing in on the restoration project. I don't know if but saw it in the long uh any of the his comments in the long memo from Mr. Bennett. It's very thorough, but I just wanted to flag that again hopefully that will come in on the process. Again, not undermining any of Mr. Bennett's expertise, but obviously the extra historical review I think would be amazing to uh bring into this. But more broadly, um actually a few weeks ago Councilman Slate in the discussion we were having on water quality improvement plans, you're talking about the approving the first stage of of water quality improvement on Lincoln Park. And I think Councilman Slate

011turned to your council and said, you know, would having had uh put a historic designation over the whole property um conflicted with or prevented the water quality um actions that have already been talked about or will be. And I'm you asking council on the line here. I don't want to put it on TV, but I wanted to actually go back and read something that Lincoln Park Ridge project wrote back in 2025 at a work session. Um because we did think about this very hard. So, um at the time I wrote, I have read Mr. Attorney Mr. Jim Nickey's memo to the board about Lincoln Park Main Lincoln 66 Main Street um designating the entire site land and improvements as historic extends beyond structural improvements to the premises and can arguably arguably set an historic design

012which could limit introduction of additional uses. However, he continues, if the desire is to include the real property in the designation, it would be prudent to carve out certain exceptions in order to allow the above improvements to be made in the future. So, there we have always said that it would be prudent to make sure to call out the need for water quality um improvements. And then we went on to write with respect to the notion that water quality remediation of the pond is not understood or could be prohibited by designation. I don't see that proven here. First of all, there are pretty clear templates looking at the decades of work on Georgica Pond that I imagine we can have pretty clear understanding of the options for Winthrop Pond. We have access to a lot

013of expertise about what will likely have to be done there. Also, as I understand it, most structures related to water quality cleanup and improvement are temporary in nature or permanent but are not visible. So, this notion that historic designation would impede environmental cleanup of the pond seems to be something of a red herring. And then also finally we cited there have been remediations including one recently at Pussy's Pond smack in the middle of and contributing asset to the Springs Historic District and that included clearing structural changes to the shoreline, none of which was prohibited and also got ARB review. Um water quality improvement is conducive and positive for the character. So, I just wanted to bring that back again. Again, Councilman Flynt asked the Council, not me, but wanted to just reiterate that. So, thank

014you and look forward to all the ongoing preservation and restoration of the structures and we'll be seeing you at the work session in full later. Have a good Memorial Day weekend everyone. Stay safe. Thank you, Jane. Jason, is there anyone else on the line? Yes, I'm going to unmute that caller that we didn't have a response from earlier and because they joined and rejoined again. Hello, caller ending 77. >> Hello. Hey, you're on the air. Hey, thank you so much. This is Alan Rosenbaum calling. I have spoken with the Council member and that I today the day you guys are speaking about 549 and 550 Wainscott Northwest Road to make your decision. Mhm. So, that's not on the agenda today. Okay, well, I This is This is public comment. >> we're we're curious about We're

015We're just curious about what's going on. I'm curious and concerned now because I'm hearing these neighbors call about other preservation in Wainscott. I can't believe that the uh owner just called you also and told you this land should be preserved. And it 100% should be. It's on our aquifer. It's a place where for 50 years we've heard about how important the aquifer is. So, I'm confused and I would like to hear from you, Kathy. I know you're running again. Is Is the aquifer no longer a priority of the town? Is all the aquifer open now for development? And how come you're going around the environmental review? Uh legal aside, don't you think residents deserve that for our drinking water quality? Golan, this is public comment. So, we're happy to take your comments. This is not

016a back-and-forth discussion. You're happy to reach out to council people. We can have that conversation over the phone. No problem. I was just calling in the spirit of transparency and the election. Sorry. Um but um can you tell me when the town is making a decision on this and what the status is? I I Again, you can call our offices and we can discuss it. It's not on the agenda for today. Okay, well, my comment then is that after 50 years of preservation and you're preserving other properties in Wainscott and spending all of this money, our drinking water and environmental review should be the town's priority, not buying the cheapest land they could because the seller thought that it was going to be preserved and it's not going to be. That doesn't seem like a

017kind of town that residents deserve. For 50 years, we have listened to and trusted in the environmental restrictions. It's part of what makes this town great. Uh preserving our aquifer is the number one most important thing, and I think that buying land on there is ridiculous for housing. And I sent you guys a lot better options for housing, and I would love to discuss them with you further so that we can have a great town that has wonderful affordable housing, transparency, environmental review, and that we preserve land where it's supposed to be. Thank you, Alan. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Jason, is there anyone else on the line? We have no other callers on the line. Okay, I'm going to go one more time in the room. Would anyone like to address the board during

018public comment? Okay, we're going to move on then to our topics. So, first topic up is bids. Oh, you would Do you want to speak, Kirby? Okay, I'm sorry. I didn't see your hand go up. Please. Yes, I'm Kirby Mark Antonio. Uh I want to thank the board for having this uh meeting today. And I hadn't planned to speak, but um there's a common thread that runs through a lot of the um observations about affordable housing in particular, that it's a quick, easy, simple, take a napkin out, draw some numbers on it, um put it in the hopper, and 6 months later people are living somewhere. It's a very long, a very laborious project, which it should be. And in the 4 and 1/2 years that I've worked with the town, the planning board, and

019the planning department, I found that the care and attention that goes into these projects is granular. We've had so far nine 391 pages of correspondence between the town and us for our project. We just got a memo today that we read that is 60 pages of Eric's analysis of aspects of it. When folks come to these meetings, they should really understand that there's nothing done quickly, there's nothing done summarily, there's nothing done that isn't done with true transparency for those people who choose to follow the process. And that process is public. There is nothing being done behind client closed doors, there's nothing being done over a cup of coffee at a local restaurant. There is absolutely nothing that cannot be looked at by the public, commented at by the public, and given credence by the

020town board members. So, as much as I certainly have some very specific ideas about affordable housing, my ideas have been shaped by the town. And my ideas have been refined by the process, and I think it's all for the better. It does take time. It's 4 and 1/2 years for me so far working on a project that I first talked to Kate about back in 2022. So, anyone in the audience who believes or anyone watching who believes that there is a rush to construction, it simply isn't there. And I would urge everyone who has a stake in this, who cares about the welfare of the hundreds of people who do not have housing in this town, who work for the town, the police, teachers, your local barista, whoever it may be, those people are counting

021on this process to deliver something for them that's tangible. All of these other back and forths that may occur are of course valuable, and everyone has a chance to voice their opinion. But when it comes down to the actual execution of a project, there is nothing here that is mysterious, it simply takes a very long time. And I thank all the folks in the town government for their patience and their understanding and their ability to move forward in a way that can help the town itself. Thank you, Kirby. >> [applause] >> Okay. So, now we're going to move on to topics, and we're going to start with bids. Welcome, Genie. Good morning. I'm going to break it up. I have um several resolutions on for today, and then some more for Thursday. So, the first

022resolutions on for today would be the acceptance of um bid we did for shade shelters. That's at the Montauk Skate Park and the Fred W. Thiele Park. Play Sites and Surfaces is the apparent low bidder in the amount of $310,000. Also, the acceptance of the purchase and installation motors on aquaculture boat boats. Spellman's Marine is the apparent low bidder in the amount of $32,414.97. And um the acceptance of the a bid for the SYA or Springs Youth Association HVAC improvements. Traditional Air Conditioning Systems and Services in the amount of $467,000. And also, we're going to accept the proposal for Statewide Roofing, which is off of the um Suffolk County contract which we are piggybacking for the Atlantic Avenue Beach Comfort Station. The that amount is $109,725. The extension of the contract for annual con- cesspool

023cleaning and tank pumping services. Quackenbush Quackenbush Cesspools, Incorporated for that one. And um let's see. The rejection of the bid for the Abraham's Path Comfort Station site improvements. We're going to revisit that one because everything came in over budget. And two notices, the bids will be available on Thursday, the 21st. The first is for the 1904 Osborne Farmhouse exterior restoration. And the other bid noticing will be surplus oyster seed sale. And then the resolutions for the Thursday meeting, um first is the East Hampton Airport mowing, suburban maintenance and landscaping in the amount of $17,028 for two mowing two mowings per season. The rejection of the bid we did for t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other uniform items. And then we're going to notice the Springs Park restoration. And the another uh rebid for the t-shirts, sweatshirts, and

024other uniform items. And that should do it for bids and notices. >> [laughter] >> You've been busy. I'm glad you didn't get called for jury duty so far. >> Yeah, me, too. Not going anyway. I can just add one thing to Jeanie. I want to thank Jeanie. Uh to the town board, uh some of these resolutions are on for today, which typically they'll be on for Thursday. I will not be at this Thursday's meeting as I will be cheering on the East Hampton High School softball team in the opening round of the playoffs, first Eastport South Manor at 4:30 at home at the high school if anyone else wants to cheer next to me. Bring a microphone megaphone. But, uh that's I Jeanie, I want to thank you and I also want to thank Michael

025Hansen also for and Becky Hansen for assisting me getting these things changed. It truly helps my family and my enjoyability in my life out here. All right. All right. see you in a minute. >> [laughter] >> You'll be back, Jeanie. Okay, so now we're going to move on to the finance division 2025 accomplishments and 2026 goals. And first up is accounting and payroll. Welcome, Naji. And John's going to pull up the presentation for you. You got to go back to First up is accounting and payroll, John. Oh, here we go. Great. Welcome, Nita. >> Good morning, Madam Supervisor and council people, council members. Uh thank you for having me here. So, the first slide is our mission statement, which hasn't changed since last year. Accounting is a very repetitive um activity. Um it's everything is

026happens, you know, the same as last year um for the most part. Um but uh the mission statement for our department is to follow the New York State Comptroller's uh general municipal laws, state and federal laws, and to um keep our accounting records um very transparent and complete, and um our internal controls um to the highest standards as well. So, we can go to 25. So, our 2025 accomplishments, we maintained our AAA um bond rating, which is the result of sound budgeting, management, and accounting practices. Uh the town received in early 2025 the award of the financial reporting achievement from the GFOA of the United States and Canada for the year of 2023. We recently received the same award for the 2024 year-end financials, which we're very proud. Um we completed our New York State

027Retirement System reporting um conversion to the enhanced reporting. Uh that was that happened in the first quarter of 2025. It was a big project, and we completed that. So, now we are um on the enhanced reporting which is what the New York State Controller wants all the local governments to follow. The fourth item is we closed 115 capital projects last year versus 80 in 2024 and 65 in 2023. We keep adding projects as you know the needs of the town change. You know new cars for police you know more roads improvements and all kinds of capital projects as and as they are complete we close them because if there are any funds remaining funds that were not needed those funds are used to pay for the debt service which saves money on the budget. Um

028we completed our step number one of the migration from Novatime to UKG. We set up the new time clocks and now we are working with UKG on the actual migration from Novatime to UKG. And this is is more it's a big bigger process than we expected so we're working on it right now. >> [sighs and gasps] >> Um the finance department we are always reviewing our banking relationships and we recent last year we we secured a new banking relationship with Metropolitan for higher rates where we have all our reserves in there you know earning higher rates. So those were our accomplishments for 2025. Our 2026 goals we our goal was always to maintain the AAA uh, because that saves us money on the interest expense when we issue bonds and bond anticipation notes. Um, our

029goal is to continue with the highest standards in record recording and reporting financial transactions with the purpose of accurate and transparent reporting of town audited financials. That is in my mind every day when we are posting cash receipts, cash disbursements, journal entries. Um, we we strive to maintain um, the backup documentation for every journal entry. Um, we have supporting documentation for every activity that we post in the accounting department. Um, we would The third item is to um, increase opportunities to um, make our collections more efficient. Um, in sanitation, I would like to We we implemented uh, credit card collections with the sanitation department in the year before, but there is a next step that we can do that we can take which is to uh, automate the monthly statements for the accounts. Um, so

030I needed to work with uh, the software company to accomplish that. It would avoid our department, sanitation department, to mail all the statements. And it would also allow those uh, people that that have accounts to pay online which would um, uh, make things more efficient. Um, my dream project is to assist the town clerk in setting up the um, credit debit card payments. We're working on it. We're moving forward with that. Um then the step two for the migration on the timekeeping, uh we're working on that as well. Um the other the other goal that I have is to provide training to the departments in how to use our financial software, Munis. Uh it's a very um intimidating software, but once you get the hang of it, you'll end up loving it. So, >> Is

031that every department? >> Um and this way, if the departments know how to access the information, instead of calling me or somebody in my staff, oh, did we issue payments to this vendor? They can actually look it up themselves. So, I would like to um do more of that, to do more training. Um And my dream project is to have the invoices that are paid um in our town clerk's office to be scanned. All the supporting documentation could be scanned and attached to the invoices that the electronic records in Munis, which would um save us um it we would have the records easily available. If so So, if somebody calls me or reaches out to us and says, oh, why did we pay this bill? Um can I see the backup documentation? We don't have

032to ask Lynn at the town clerk, oh, can you go downstairs to the lower level and retrieve voucher number blah blah blah. Uh we can actually ourselves access um that record in Munis, and that would be great for us, but also for the auditors. The auditors would not spend a whole week long downstairs looking through the records, uh the paper records. So, that's my dream project. Um So, our 2024-25 stats, um you can see we do about 50-some bank reconciliations per month. Um you know, I'm just going to let you see the numbers, but I want to touch bases on the tax dollars disbursed. >> [laughter] >> So, the town of Easthampton, we provide assessment, tax collection, and tax distribution not only to for the town, but also to the school districts and fire departments.

033So, when people look at their tax bill, they think, "Oh my goodness, I'm paying all this money to the town." But, it's not all money going to the town. So, this year, the um the amount payable to the town supervisor from the tax receiver's office is 222.8 million dollars. Out of that, 141.7 million is going to the school districts and libraries. 63% of the tax collection is going to the school districts. 14.3 is going to the fire departments. 6.4% is going to the the fire departments. The town itself is getting 29.79% of our collections. And the county is getting .15%. So, um I just wanted to share that with um you know, with the town board and also to the public um because um you know, I think this is important. It's 20 It's a

034lot of money. It's 200 and 22.8 million dollars and um we collect the money, you know, the tax receiver collects payments, she sends the funds to us here, to the town supervisor, and then we wire the funds to all the school districts, we pay all the fire departments, and we we transfer all the funds to all the appropriate, you know, funds, general fund, all the street lighting districts, um, sanitation, highway, and those are the monies that are providing the services to our citizens. Naja, I'm so sorry, but would you just remind repeating the percentages to the different municipal entities? I just want to make sure I got that correctly. >> Sure. Okay, so the school districts are getting um, 141.7 million dollars, which is 63.6%. The fire departments are getting a total of 14.3 million,

0356.45%. The town is receiving 66.3 per- uh, million, 29.79%. And the county, um, it's $345,000, which is 0.1%. So, out of the 222.8 million dollars that the town the tax receiver is sending to the town supervisor for the collections, only 30% is really uh, funds that are being provided from the taxpayers to the town. Thank you. You're welcome. Uh, the other, um, item that I would like to discuss is interest rates, because we, um, so I just want to report that, um, in New York class, we are earning about 3.5%. It's daily compounded interest. Um, with Dime Bank, we are earning 1.71%. With M&T, we are earning 1.87% and the new bank that we started banking with last year, Metropolitan, we are earning 2.75% uh, which is going up because I've been talking to our

036bank rep and um, he's going to give us a better rate cuz we we got a better situation with the collateral um, requirements. So, we are going to be able to earn better interest and that's all I have to report. And uh, thank you very much. It's an honor working for you. Thank you. Thank you, Niji. Does anyone have questions or comments for Niji? Um, I I do have a few. Sorry, Niji. >> Sure. Just uh, Metropolitan Bank, just the new bank. Um, I I I don't know them. I'm assuming they've been around a long time. Um, what sort of insurance is there on our investments with such bank? >> Sure. Yes. So, all our deposits by general municipal law have to be secure 100%. So, we have a letter of credit with the Metropolitan

037Bank. That's our collateral. Uh, we have also a letter of credit with Dime Bank. Um, we have a mixture of collateral and securities, but we we reconcile those um, collateral, you know, bank balances versus collateral every month and we make sure that the agreements that we have with these banks are followed and and all every penny we have is collateralized. Great. Thank you. Um, the second point was um, you know, a lot of your scanning of documents, etc., digitization. I'm going to be doing an an update in that in the liaison report, but I think it'd be helpful to have you in that group as we kind of move forward with that because obviously there's a lot of benefits your department can get there. Um you know, look sanitation um organization I I again, you

038know, we're we're moving in that direction um and I think we're seeing the success from the town clerk where he's done that with town parking. Um you know, it's definitely a way to go forward where we can with our department. So I'm I'm supportive of that. >> Thank you. >> Um look overall, I think really great job. The the AAA rating is is hugely important. Yeah. Um you know, cuz it affects our borrowing costs and so maintaining that is critical. Um I will say from a software perspective I get why you like Munis, you know, cuz it's very detail focused, but I have real concerns about the summary reporting of it. You know, when you go through and I've I've had some back and forth with you on this. Look, I I try and put

039together some report. It takes some time to kind of for what I consider our management level to be able to drill down to like what we need to be looking at that. We need to get that. Okay. >> on a summary report on a monthly basis because by department and you know, we need to see where you're spending very clearly like where you're at your budget and it's just I I need that. I think it's good operation. >> So maybe we you and I can meet and I can show you I can give you a tour through Munis. Because there are ways of there are better way Actually, I helped the auditors >> [laughter] >> last two weeks ago, I showed them something and they were like, "Oh my goodness, I wish we knew this.

040We were auditing another client with Munis. If we knew this feature, it would have been a lot helpful." So I have some tricks Yeah, no. up my sleeve that I can share with you. >> I think you know, right now you're sending out the monthly budget summary report to us. I think it'd be really helpful and we talked about this previously if we could get that summary report when it gets sent out as well. Okay. We can work on that. Thank you. Thank you, Nage. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Nage. Thank you, staff as well for all the work that you do? Um, the foundation of everything we do is sound finances, so thank you for all your work. Okay, next up is Genie Corosa with the purchasing department. Welcome back, Genie. Good

041morning. Um, my mission statement basically is same year after year, basically stating that um, the department dedicates itself to the procurement the rights, goods, and services at the right price for the various town departments in a timely manner, assuring prudent and economical use of public monies while upholding all laws and regulations of New York State General Municipal Law and the town of East Hampton in the process. I know sometimes people get angry at me because things don't turn around as quickly as they'd like to see, but I just want to make sure I'm doing it the right way. Um, and we also have the um, purchasing policy, town purchasing policy, which we update annually, and that is approved at the organizational meeting at um, at the board meeting in January. Um, the accomplishments for 2025,

042um, I just want to say the purchasing department is sort of behind the scenes and like things that happen, so we're sort of like the middleman, but um, we have a lot of stuff going on in the background. Um, we this past year we 2025, we solicited 58 bids. They ranged from getting dairy products for human services to recently the Carl Fisher House for Innovation in Montauk, which is a huge project. Um, eight RFPs and processed close to 3,000 purchase orders. And um, that's a lot of stuff. But anyway, um, we are a green certified um, from the New York State from New York State furthering the town sustainability goals. I work with the departments on like a human service with getting compostable um you know like the forks and knives and plates and all

043that stuff to the green mowers we see out here and the leaf blowers and that type of thing. Um we organized another successful paper shredding event in the fall for the community, which is great and hopefully we can do that again. And um just the security of the um the town's people knowing that they can watch all of their confidential documentation being shredded at that point was very exciting for everybody. Believe it or not. Um the purchasing department employees again were successful in acquiring scholarships to support the education. This helps us to stay you know, above board with all the rules and regulations come down our way. And um it's because of the great association we belong to, which is SAMPO, that they have a scholarships available um to the different towns. So we put

044in our applications and we have to volunteer at the different conferences and stuff in order to be awarded these um scholarships and um the staff members who go we we do moderate the different classes. We volunteer at the registration table just to help out and it affords us these scholarships for the conferences. Um I found some new bids to use for the departments using cooperative contracts and one of the new bids resulted in a rebate check we received for over a thousand dollars. So that was great. It was very exciting. Um and we implemented a comprehensive telephone audit which the town um saves approximately three thousand dollars annually on phone services. And um right now we increased the town town's bids through BidNet which is attracting more vendors in some of the larger projects. Um,

045we oversaw a public auction conducted by Lisa, um, Lisa Valsich, a member of the purchasing department, along with Ricky Town, which is the fleet manager, and we, um, received over $114,000 in revenue from obsolete and surplus items. And basically, um, those are some of the accomplishments for 2025. And our 2026 goals are, um, again, the continued training for purchasing staff and the town departments. Um, I aim to reduce paper usage by scanning all bids and RFPs in 2026. So, we did receive a new scanner, so we'll have everything digit- digitized there. And looking for options for accepting RFPs electronically, because when we receive RFPs, we get boxes of just proposals, and there's a lot of paper waste. Um, we'd like to do online auction again, and working with the audit firm to reduce utility utility

046expenses, specifically cable this time. So, hopefully that will work out. And the goal is always to save taxpayers money. Um, that's it. Questions for Jean? Jean, I'm going to reach out to Lieutenant Alversa to find out when we're going to be doing drug take back day in October, and maybe we can coordinate and do the shredding event the same day. That was We did that the first time, and I think it's better to have them both on the same day. >> Yeah. So, maybe we can, uh, lock in a date for October for shredding. >> Sounds good. All righty. So, if I could talk just about one of the bids that we're rejecting today, hence is Abraham's path, came in over budget. What I do appreciate is conversations that you have with me about ways

047that we can try again, try different various ways to try to save the taxpayer money, but at the same time complete the projects. Then, too, we've done that in multiple projects together, and I know that how busy you are up in the office yourself and your your department, too. So, Genie, I appreciate you taking my phone calls and you know, sometimes agree to disagree on things, but we work through them together. So, so in front of everyone, I want to make sure you're recognized and Lisa is, too. Thank you. Thank you. Be honest. >> [laughter] >> I mean, the RFP process, which is um so important for municipalities to adhere to so that that bid process is fair and the determinations are made by a systematic review rather than any other way. And actually, I've

048learned that process from you. >> You've been part of a couple of these since I've been elected, and [laughter] you run a really tight ship, and it really has become it's really apparent working with you over time how important it is for you to run that the the way that you enforce. And you do enforce it to the nth degree, which I'm very appreciative of. From the scoring, the way that that we have to score, I mean, you adhere to every step so that this process, although isn't public-facing, can be totally transparent and understood by all parties. And then there's the the also follow-up that you do with even with um bids that have folks that didn't win the bid that applied to go over to take the time to with everything else that you

049do to go over the why they the scoring and where they came out at so that, you know, it it it's just you provide so much information while you're collecting information, and I want to thank you for that. And of course, all your green initiatives to promote sustainability in an area that I have trouble with, paper buildup. So, the more we digitize, the better, yeah. Thank you, Genie. Okay, you're welcome. Okay, thank you, Genie. Okay, and now we're going to hear from our tax receiver, Christine Schwan. Welcome, Christine. Lovely to see everyone. So, uh our mission statement in the tax office is to calculate, uh generate, and distribute the property tax bills. We receive the assessment rates from the tax assessor's office. We receive the budget information from all the different uh municipalities, and I

050spend half of October and all of November getting a little gray hair, adding it all up because this year it was 243 million 706. That was in $444.86. And as Najee broke that down for you, um a lot of it most [clears throat] of it goes to the school districts and libraries. We also send money to fire protection and fire districts, uh the town and the part town, so the A and B parts of the budget, um sanitation, which is refuse, the highway department, uh the lighting district only gets 195,000, but it would be really dark here without our street lights. And Suffolk County receives over 8 million dollars of that 243 million dollars. Um I have a question. Does Christine have a Suffolk County, does that include the hotel tax also, or that just

051the property taxes? That's just property tax related. The hotel tax is totally separate. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate that. Um I appreciate it, too. >> [laughter] >> Uh so, I know people always ask, "Well, where do you come up with these rules and these dates?" And you know, like, "I just thought of it." No, not the truth. Uh we follow the laws and rules of New York State, specifically the real property tax law. And in Suffolk County we also have the Suffolk County Tax Act, which uh because our rules are a little bit different than some of the other counties and how they collect their taxes and when they collect them. So, uh in 2025, I had two staff members leave the office. Um we were extremely lucky to find two highly qualified

052local candidates to fill their positions. Um we also filled part-time positions, which we do every year. Part-time staff, as we all know, turns over um constantly. So, I have to say December was a little interesting as we were all learning our roles and responsibilities and being the one person in the office who knew 99% of the answers, um you know, it was definitely interesting, but now things are running like clockwork. Uh everyone has stepped into their role unbelievably well, and I am so thankful for all of you guys helping that and everything that we've done to um get everybody up to speed. So, hiring those two gals was awesome. Um we spent a lot of time trying to increase the public's knowledge about our different ways that you can pay your taxes. By the way,

053they're due June 1st, which is right after Memorial Day. It's the last day Monday. Um You should do a social media post on that. We could. Yeah. >> Um We have our online payment portal. We get a lot of people that call the office and um myself or my staff literally coach them through the steps to get them to payment, which is very helpful to them. It's helpful for us, and then the next time they're able to do it themselves, which is the goal. Um we work to increase the reliability of your payment, the safety of your payment, and the ease of your payment. Um and that's what our major goal is, to make paying your taxes easier. We even have a candy bar, which everybody appreciates when they come in the office. Um, one

054of the issues that came up was we used to take uh people's credit card and uh checking information in the office. They would call us and during COVID and we would literally write it down and enter them. And it turned out um well, first it's not safe and second, it's against banking regulations. So, we searched for ways to solve that issue um and through Forte, who's our credit card uh processing company, they have a system that's called IVR. It's a payment system where you make a phone call into a private structured line. It did take nearly 2 years with Forte to get the system to work properly with Munis because I'm not with Munis, but uh Govern, which is our financial software. Um, we went through, I don't know, four different managers with Forte and

055finally got it to work. >> [gasps] >> It's been excellent for people who are out of the country because you cannot make an online payment from out of the country. So, we've been recommending that to people um and it's been working well. I'm happy to say that my staff provides excellent customer service. They're very um approachable. Um, they reach outside to try to help people. A lot of people call our office for all different kinds of things. Sanitation permits, beach permits, building permits. Wait, where'd the building department go? There's a sign on the door, it's that way. Um, so there's a lot of that as well as well, which we're happy about. For 2026, uh we're going to continue training and cross-training of our staff. We want to deepen the bench strength of the team.

056The more people know, the better they're able to help our taxpayers and help our fellow employees. Uh we're going to continue to increase the public's knowledge and use of our online uh payment and information systems. Uh this year and even more so this coming 2026, we're transitioning uh the tax billing from govern to open forms, which is the newer version of govern. I did our tax bills this year in open forms and it speeded up my process by about 20% just in the amount of time it takes for the system to calculate because every time I make a change to a rate on a tax line, it would take like an hour and a half to get the result of that change. Now, I get it in about 20 minutes. So, that was much better

057for me. Um as there are changes in software and there's changes in regulations and changes in safety for online security, we will be changing our processes obviously to go along with those. Our goal is to make your payment experience seamless and the most secure that it could be. Um I do have some stats that we sort of put in together this year. I know that you asked me last year. About 41% of our payments are web payments, mean online. Uh right now, the IVR, [clears throat] the phone system is only at 1%, but I'm sure that's going to increase. The dime lockbox service, which is the envelope that comes with your tax bill that's addressed to Newark, New Jersey, that's about 23 to 24% of our payments. You can go into Dime Bank and make

058your payment there. That's about 3% of payments, and that is any Dime branch now. It used to just be the East End branches, but now you can go to one in the city or Melville and make your payment as long as you have your tax bill stub. They will take it. And last, believe it or not, we get 32% of our payments are people that come into the office make their payment. And we were We know a lot of people come into the office, but we were surprised that it was 32% choose to come into the office to personally make their payment. I think a major reason for that is that mail has become problematic. The new postal regulations where your envelopes are not being postmarked the day that you are putting that in the

059postbox caused a lot of people to have to pay penalties this year. And a lot of sadness for them, and we don't take any joy in it, obviously, but it's our job, and we do it. So, I would suggest that if you're going to mail your payment, that you literally walk into your post office with your envelope and have them hand stamp it with the date. Especially the closer and closer it gets to the deadline date. Or send is registered mail. I mean, the relatively low cost may save you a lot of money in the long run. We always advise people to use return receipt or certified mail, UPS, or FedEx because those are valid st- uh Time stamps. Time stamps, date stamps, USPS stamp. That works. So, I don't have to have it in

060the office on June 1st, but it has to be in the care of the postal service or one of those services with that stamp on it. Um, a lot of mail is coming with no stamp on it at all. And B, if you use your online bank bill pay service, please don't do that because those are not stamped 100%. They take the money directly out of your account, so you think it's paid, but they don't send us that check for a few days, and there's no postmark [clears throat] on it. So, when I get it on June 10th, even though you initiated a transfer on May 28th, I I feel terrible for you, but there's nothing that I can do. So. So, I I paid both I'm sorry, you complete I'm done. >> [laughter] >>

061Well, well, thank you. And thank you for the explanations of how the department runs, uh, specifically to individuals out there that were looking to modernize potentially how they might do business with the town. I think the modernization of government is something that, you know, the administration's been working on for years now, and too, I've been able to use that for my family through the process of online payments for our our tax bills to get in front of it. Um, my pops, you know, octogenarian, you know, he wants to see pen and paper. And to get him comfortable with that was a little bit different in explanations of it, but the ease of doing it, uh, the the time saved in explaining how to do it online, I had to explain to him how we did

062it and why it's okay. And I think that that the hopefully that number 32% that walks through the door or 23% that might send in, those numbers hopefully will start skewing to the online effect because it's it's a a viable, safe option, very similar to getting your online resident beach parking permit now then, too. So, I I appreciate that. Uh, I would highly recommend it also cuz I've done it personally a couple years now and it's quite easy. So, thank you again, Christine. You're welcome. Chris, I'll jump in quickly. I I just want to say well done. Thank you. Um like you had a really tough time of it there for a bit and you know you were put on your toes and you responded well. You put together a good team over there. Things

063[clears throat] have improved and you know I look forward to continuing to see that. So well done to you. Thank you. Appreciate that. I have a question for you. So I attend the Eastern um no actually Suffolk County Supervisors meeting and Supervisor Panico from Brookhaven and Schaefer from Babylon say that when they send their tax bills out they have a pie chart in the envelope or on the back of the page that has what percentage goes to what entity, right? So for me in Springs when I get my tax bill 71% goes to the school. So the pie chart would show for for my address 71% is school, you know, and library, you know, um what is the county, what is the town, what are any special districts. So because that would literally change for

064Yeah, every every tax bill would be different. Right. So we have the um we have a sheet that's online that that shows all those numbers but I I guess what I'm asking if you could reach out to the tax receivers in Babylon and Brookhaven and see how they do it and see if it's something that could just you know, maybe it the Because I know in in the budget >> is on you know, the percentage is on your tax bill. Yep, it's it's all right there. But sometimes people like to see the Yeah, they they do it as a as a pie chart so folks can understand where the money where their tax money's are going. >> done in the budget, right Nagee? She said yeah. In all the budget documents but I don't think

065it breaks it down by each district for each bill. Cuz each bill is different. Yeah, no, but it but it's it's already doing the calculation, right? Because it's on your front of your bill. So now it would just be you'd flip your bill over and you'd see the pie chart that should demonstrates 71% is school and library and I will reach out to the tax receiver and get a copy of what they put on there and see >> and Brookline are doing it. >> I know both of them. Awesome. Thank you. I also just I wanted to say open forum some I'm very happy that you've had a positive experience with that as you started to move over. I know that's been out there for a while. Change is hard, but there's other offices too

066in govern and we all have to move to open forums and I think that a big part of that starts with with your office. Do you think that that is realistic to be completed in 2026? Completed? After my IVR experience, I'm not going to like hang my hat on it. >> a goal. It's a goal. >> a goal. We're like literally moving um I'm going to call it module by module because I found when I was doing the tax bills that >> [clears throat] >> they make little changes in the program. And when you're looking at it, you're like, okay, I need to look for this because this is what I needed to do. But then I found out that okay, now this used to be option A and option B and option C. But

067now there's only option and it's A and B together and C. But wait, I only need A. So then I have to >> [laughter] >> call and go through um background with the developers and make sure that I think I'm clicking A because I need the numbers to do this, but now you're telling me the number's going to do A and B, but I only need A. What do we have to do to make it just A? So there's a lot of behind the scenes customization that goes on for each municipality. So, it really is going to depend on how much of that we need to get done. Yeah, it's all it's always hard in the in the process and there'll be details need to be worked out, but I think it's great that you

068started that and I think that um ultimately when we do make the transition, I think things will become easier and and more efficient faster as your experience has been. >> absolutely. Just just in the processing of um the figures was amazing. So, anything I can do to help support that that transfer would love it because then, you know, the assessors and and other departments will get on open forms, too. It's a it's a transition we have to make and I think once we get through the difficulty of the actual transition, we'll all be better off. Yes. Right. Right. Thank you, Christine. >> Have a good Memorial Day. Yes, you too. Thank you, you too. Okay, next up is an update on the 2026 beach season. John, if you could please pull up that PowerPoint. And

069David, if you want to kick us off. >> Yeah, sure. Thank you so very much. Uh Uh I am here joined with uh John Rooney or who's our superintendent of Parks and Recreation and Tim Treadwell who's our chief harbormaster. Uh and yes, this is Memorial Day weekend which is the unofficial start to summer. Out here, um the weather is only sort of kick off and I think it's just one of those seasons in which we are going to be going directly into summer maybe without a spring. Um but again, we'll see how the weather weather pertains. Again, every year what we've been doing recently is making sure that our uh Beach Advisory Internal Work and Beach Advisory Group is coordinating uh to make sure that our beaches are prepared safe uh for the summer season.

070So, Tim, if you might want to come up with us and we'll we'll scroll through this. Once again, uh these are the town's Beach and Parks uh Recreation Advisory Group is myself. We work with Chief Sarlo, uh John Rooney, uh Steve O'Brien from Buildings and Grounds, Tim Treadwell, John Ryan Jr. who unfortunately couldn't be here due to family obligations, Francis Bock, Clerk of the Trustees, and also others on here in advisory capacities. I want to thank them all for the time and assistance in keeping the beaches open and safe. Next, please. Thank you, sir. Again, the mission is as convened upon the request of the Town Council to consider the uses of the Town beaches, parks, recreational areas, make a recommendations for safe use. Again, this came out during COVID as when we actually put

071our beach advisory group together because there was a lot of different regulations being passed down from the Governor's office at that time that we had to adhere to to be able to get the beaches open at that time. Next, please. The beach action advisory plan will include the 2026 beach operating permits, which we have received. John will go over those. We have them at the end here. Recommendations from our lifeguard beach operation areas, our safety protocols, comfort station openings, utilizations of Parkmobile once again, staffing levels are maintained for all departments. And again, the continued coordination between agencies and town's departments to make sure that the town's 2026 operational plans and policies are are put forward then, too. Again, this is something that you've heard Madam Supervisor and the board members from other departments recently is

072in that the coordination of the departments makes it's extremely important to make make everything for the residents and the visitors safe and operational. Thank you. One more, sir. John, do you want to start rolling through these ones if you don't mind, sir? Again, John Rooney, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, which the town's lifeguard lifeguard programs are registered under. Morning. I didn't like the COVID reminder. Yeah. I didn't like a lot of the poles. 10-ft poles, yeah. We Remember we walked the beach with 10-ft poles. Oh my gosh. We did a lot of stuff that summer. Two summers. But it worked. Oh yeah. It worked well. >> Yeah. Okay, so we're just giving just the schedule of what's opening [snorts] up starting this weekend. We go for weekends only for the first couple of weeks and

073then we hit mid-June then we go what I call full throttle where everything's opened up. So this weekend we'll be opening up four ocean beach locations. With a lifeguard stand. That's Indian Wells, Atlantic Avenue, South Edison and Ditch Plains. And also one of the bay beaches at Big Alberts. And then when we get uh the 13th of June, that's a Saturday, then we start opening up the other locations. So Kirk Park opens up Motel Row. Um uh oh it's South Edison which is already open but then we also have Gin Beach and and then the other bay beaches as well. So we didn't get to open at that time. Go to the next slide. All right, so recommendations for um to guard the beach operations. So continue to have coordination between East Hampton Town Marine

074Patrol and East Hampton Town Town volunteer ocean rescue when needed. Drone technology will be utilized for life-saving needs and dangerous marine life observations. Um installation of the ADA beach mats which is going on now. Training [clears throat] and testing of new and current lifeguards which is also going on now. Continue use of ATV vehicles to guard beaches and outreach campaigns for residents about beach conditions. We'll be posting at beaches QR codes like you see there on the right. Uh which you can click on and get water temperatures and what's happening. And we're also going to have the live boards which we talked about as well. We handwrite what the conditions are at the beaches. So we're going to be doing that this summer. And the next slide. Uh this is the East Hampton Town uh

075lifeguard. Just some general information. The uh Town of East Hampton is fully staffed with lifeguards for the season. We're still working through that process, but we uh things are looking strong at the moment. Um the back uh beach emergency travel lanes will be strictly enforced as we do each summer. Can we just explain that again? In this picture, you might be able to see the [snorts] >> to say yeah. >> there's a white post there, which is typically closer to the dune line. Yep. We don't always do that a ditch because the uh the width of that beach doesn't really allow for it, but the other bay beaches so we request that individuals don't um place their beach gear in that those locations so we can get emergency access vehicles in and out uh in

076a safe response time. Yep. Thank you. Um and then we also have uh wound packing and tourniquet kits, which we had started last year. We had deployed and then they'll get uh extra training on how to use those uh for when needed. And East Hampton Town lifeguards um will also be uh teaching as usual. We're going through our personal watercraft rescue operators course and uh we get agencies from across Long Island come out and get trained by us, which is uh very important program. So it helps other agencies as well besides our own. John, can you just before we go well one more back if you don't mind, sir. Uh equipment here. Uh I know our Ski-Doos and personal watercraft. We procured them also for this calendar year. >> Mhm. Great cuz I know we

077had a couple issues with with those in the past procurement. I know we have all our equipment in in place also then too. And new new rescue vehicles that would be coming also. Just to go back to the drone. We actually did receive a drone. I believe it was last year earlier last year or maybe end of the year before prior to that. That was actually a um a grant that was uh that was awarded to us by the governor by a drone program uh because of a lot of the dangerous um um maritime sorry marine um animals if you want to say. Uh and now we have drones in all our sectors and are using them very very uh proactively then, too. Thank you. Uh we'll go to the next slide here. I'll cover

078this one with the buildings and grounds, working with Steve O'Brien. Uh we have uh new beach rules and information uh signs that we put the road ends and then the 2024, we can continue to install more of those. Uh that most of all of our So, all of our uh beach road ends have been rechecked on there for updating the town's codes as those codes always change sometimes in the years. The staffing levels are sufficient in uh for the increased workload for our refuse removal. Remember last year, we were looking at uh 19 tons of garbage removed uh from our beaches and infrastructure repairs. Uh the morning beach trash runs in Montauk are staffed and will be implemented. I also want to thank the town board. Uh we uh recently just went out and were

079uh received our new Sorry, I don't know if we've received it, uh but we got a new beach rake that is being uh coming in being deployed and those are being upkept. Uh also, uh those are extremely important and that that staff Those staff members are prepared to go out on those beaches, specifically in Montauk and Amagansett, very early in the morning. Our custodial uh staff levels are sufficient for the increased frequency of bathroom cleanings, uh which is needed. And the comfort stations will be again closed at the night and reopened early morning by town staff through a coordinated effort. Uh this will keep down uh keep uh our vandal- vandalism levels low, which there were minor instances of that last year. We also installed um cameras outside of some of our bathrooms. Uh but

080we found out nothing really good goes on after midnight sometimes. Um I want to thank uh Steve O'Brien. I would just also want to go about the uh some It's not a building and ground aspect of it, but uh the Army Corps of Engineers is actually in Montauk today. They're reviewing some of the crop the three crossovers. I believe those are at um uh uh Embassy Edge Edge Meer and three of the four are complete where they remove some of the dilapidated damaged crossovers from the stabilization project by building 09 and they're still waiting to complete the project from down at Lowenstein in that court. They are that might not be completed until after this weekend. There's a 1:00 call today. Won't be able to make it but I'll I'll let the board know. But

081to the general public all those points are are open. Thank you. We'll go next. Tim. Good morning. Um, so the East Ham Town Police and Marine Patrol we are as our mission is to ensure public safety on our beaches and waterways. We're going to continue to do that. We we we would not be successful in doing that if it wasn't for the cooperation of all these other agencies that are listed here that are part of the beach committee, particularly the East Ham Town lifeguards, East Ham volunteer ocean rescue, buildings and grounds. We get a lot of assists from them when we have a problem on the beach. The Coast Guard and everyone involved. We you know, we constantly communicate with each other all of the different departments. We we have weekly public safety meetings where

082we go over all this stuff which is very very helpful. We we have sufficient staff levels for the season. We we have sufficient staff levels to have sufficient beach patrols as well as boat patrols. Looking forward to hiring two new full-time harbormasters to augment those patrols even further. This season we are working on that. The new voter safety law went into effect last year. We instructed a record number of boating safety classes last year, did five boating safety classes. Um, quite seen the interest in it this year. I think a lot of people got it done. A lot of people also that were the last group to be grandfathered into that. Um, you know, reached out. Um, and it's interesting in teaching a lot of those classes, a lot of people that didn't think that

083thought they knew everything because they've been working on the water or been on the water for 50 years said, "I actually got something out of your class, Tim." So, that made me feel good. Um, the uh so if anyone's interested in a voter safety course, you can email me at my email listed on the slide and I will um once I gauge there's enough interest, I will happily put on another voter safety class free to the public. Tim, how is Marine 1 doing? Marine 1's excellent. Marine 1 is our favorite vessel currently. It uh it it it it it it it runs great. It's fast. It's it's a it's a true asset. And I I know and the reason why I mentioned that Marine 1 is uh one of our new ships that the that

084the supervisor actually moved forward. Uh they got here in a quicker fashion. I believe there was a death uh just recently of a drowning on Shelter Island last this past weekend on there. And so, Marine 1 is one one of our our fastest boats to be able to put that out there with with the help of the Coast Guard and others for any type of search and rescues down there then, too. Yes. That's good. Right after we got it, we had a very legit search and rescue case that if we hadn't found those two individuals, it could have been a negative versus a positive outcome. So, Marine 1 came through right away. If I could just add one to this slide, uh the information is that for beach driving permits, particularly for a resident beach

085driving permits, all resident beach driving permits have to be renewed this year as it is a calendar year uh '26 after the '25. So, please make sure you get those. Anyone that drives uh their vehicles on the beach, uh please make sure you have the the proper equipment in there which also includes uh tow ropes and actually a fire extinguisher, too. That was new to the code. Correct. Thank you. Next. Uh Tim, you want to go through to and our coordinator Tim, >> you know uh We we have a partnership in the stewardship of our beaches and waterways with the trustees. We act as their enforcement arm. You know, we we do you know, we enforce the regulations pertaining to small craft storage, pertaining to moorings and all of that. We work very very well

086with them and very closely with them and also we do a lot of shellfish enforcement. Of course, we checked over 300 permits over 300 shellfish permits last year. And so we work very closely with the trustees. You know, we're the really the ones out on the beach monitoring the beach fires, monitoring beach driving, monitoring you know, any illegal camping or anything like that that we find out there. So we do a lot of work on that also. Also between myself and Steve O'Brien, you know, we also handle the pump out dock uh when that you know, has a problem or something. It's a partnership again between you know, Steve and myself and the trustees trying to get that going. The you know, I know that the trustees do a lot of work in in monitoring

087um water quality as well. Obviously I'm a big fan of good water quality. You know, and you know, you know, we also do a lot of enforcement making sure that people aren't pumping out into our harbors and our no discharge zones. You know, to continue having good water quality. Very important to everyone of course in town. That's right. And that's one of the main things that clerk of the trustees Francis Bock wanted to make sure that they're going to continue to monitor to those throughout the course of the seasons. So thank you very much. Next. John, you want to come in and talk about the town's recreational department and our beaches and our programs. Sure. Um So, just there was a reminder there's no parking in reserved town lifeguard parking spaces and that will be

088strictly enforced. We just helps to allow our lifeguards getting in and out easily. So, just also just asked to please don't park in those areas. Um we'll be continuing our lifeguard junior lifeguard programs. Right now, we're we're going through getting the kids assessed whether or not they can then join that program this summer. It's going on at the Y. So, it just kind of one program goes into the next. We also have our our nippers are also part of that program as well, which is the younger group. And then we have our town open water swim training program that can be tried well at runs over at Big Alberts and uh that runs we run two sessions two five-week sessions during the summer. We also have our usual summer recreation swimming instruction that's free ages

089four and up. It starts at Havens Beach for two weeks, then goes to Maidstone, then goes out to Gin, and then back to Big Alberts. And we're adding this year the Beach Guardian water safety program for adults. We had started that last summer as a pilot program. It was very popular. And all these programs are available right now if you want to sign up online. And we have currently our four same zones for uh Park Mobile where you can pay for daily parking through an app at Atlantic Avenue Beach, Kirk Park Beach, South Edison, and also South Elmwood in the streets on Montauk Village. So, it makes it easy to to pay for parking if you don't have a a beach sticker. But Atlantic Avenue's five days a week, right? It's just weekdays? >> Correct.

090And the others are seven days a week. >> ones, yes. Yeah. Correct. And there's the options paying there for four hours or also eight hours during there and it's actually been very helpful for us all. >> yeah. For for South Edison and for South Elmwood, yes, you have a four-hour option and eight-hour option. Yeah, and it's been very helpful for offsetting the budget for community beautification projects, too. Yeah. Uh, thank you very much. Uh, next on there, uh, we have a new public best restroom and parking map that we'll be posting out there to the Chamber of Commerce and others then, too. This is something that we've had in the past, but we updated it for parking that we can get to our residents and our visitors and visitors and our business owners. That's Tommy's

091a business owner in Montauk. You probably get asked asked to use where the bathroom is a lot. >> Very frequently. >> So, [laughter] uh, we will we'll get this pushed out. I want to thank the town board and the supervisor uh, advisor for helping on that initiative. Uh, next, if you don't mind. Just one comment on that map and just going forward, be great to have the uh, proposed police precinct on there, as Sure. We have that back there and we can change it when we're ready. Sounds good. As I have the Army Corps of Engineers calling me right now. Uh, okay, so let's continue to move on. These are our beach permits here. These are beach operating permits which we have to apply for every year. Successfully, we have those. Thank you. We can

092just keep moving forward on that. Uh, more? >> [cough] >> Quick, uh, we're all ready to go. Again, as always, uh, always uh, swim near lifeguards, be respectful of others and clean up after your litter. Uh, I want to thank all our departments. I know the supervisor uh, will will chime in here, also, for the collaboration that we have on there. Specifically, all our town lifeguards. Uh, we have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world right now. The Town of East Hampton is prepared for the the visitors uh, uh, for the summer season and specifically also to help out the residents on there. We know one of our greatest resources is our beaches, but we want to make them uh, uh, protected and attractive. And that means we make sure they're clean, they're

093guarded, and they're and they're and the laws are enforced. One last one I'll put into here right now. Uh, we should be finishing up about the dish planes beach not beach nourishment, the dune nourishment. That should be complete by tomorrow and then the beach will be fully open and the parking lot will be open by third Thursday is what we're anticipating right now then too. That project is is going full steam ahead then too. The vendors will be back in those locations then too. Um Madam Supervisor, thank you very much. Thank you David and we're going to be sending out a a press release and uh on what our plans are for Memorial Day weekend moving forward like we do every year. All right, [clears throat] you I just questions? >> Yeah, I mean two

094things. One, um Tim I I think it might be helpful just for the public to report surf operations on beaches that have got special events permits. What you're looking for with those operators just so the public knows too because we've recently got a lot of feedback about surf operations on different beaches. So, you know, so people know like look if it's an official surf operation, how will they recognize it? You know, what will kind of be key signs with the rash guards etc. Correct. Sure. So, so you would like me to Yeah, just give a summary summary of how you're regulating that um operators are regulated. >> Absolutely. Absolutely happy to do that. Okay. Um and then the the other one um is just on the ABCs, you know, on that last page. Just want

095to consider one change that's like not clean up your litter, but clean up any litter you see guys. Like look it it's some of it is by accident. And when you see it, I know when I see it out there it it just makes you angry and if you walk by it, you're not fixing it. So, just clean up the litter instead of your litter would be my only change. That works. I like it. And May is water safety awareness month. Yes, thank you. Thank you Bob. Thank you David. You're welcome. Okay, we're moving right along. Uh next up is Andy Drake. And Andy I you're going to this is going to be a delight for everyone. You want to explain what you've been up to? Good afternoon everyone. Yeah, I I I got the

096I got lucky today. I have the best topic. I'm I'm sorry So, you know, I mean it's a um I I the the pleasure of highlighting a couple of our our most visited properties. Um Andy, if you don't mind, yeah, just so Andy Drake is one of our land stewards from our Department of Land Management and Acquisition on there then, too, along with himself, Scott Wilson, uh and Andy Gates, also. They help and other staff members there. They help me make sure we have wonderful uh trails, parklands, uh and stewardship then, too, working with Tom also coming forward with an idea that came out of the Disabilities Advisory Committee then, too, to try to highlight some of our uh some of our uh publicly accessed trails that have ADA components on there. We thought it'd

097be nice to put up some visual references to the town's website. Uh working with John Rooney with parks. Overall, I think what happened, Madam Supervisor, they came out better than we can imagine. And we wanted to put it in front of the in front of the public to see uh what their town taxpayer goes to cuz some of these locations are wonderful. They're pocket parks. You almost want to keep it quiet, but at the same time, we do want to promote and let the residents know what's out there. Thank you very much, Andy. Of course. Uh David, like you said, I our department does manage over 6,000 acres of preserved land. Uh and typically, our work is on more rustic single-track trails uh and more wild spaces. Um the two properties I've listed in the

098title of this presentation, Buckskill Meadow Preserve and Boys and Girls Harbor Park, those are both um collaborative properties that, you know, we manage with the Parks Department. Um With a focus on ADA accessibility, of course. Um these, you know, we have these paved paths. Uh In each location, they're about a half mile in length, 8 ft wide. Uh they accommodate mothers with strollers and and folks in wheelchairs. And they're essentially tick-free uh ways to get out and experience uh the interior of some of our our best properties and areas. Uh so, I it's just I I think they're they're both a home run and they've both been such a success. At each location there's other uh amenities like uh at Boys & Girls Harbor we have the shade shelter with picnic tables. So, a place

099to kind of settle down for a little bit and have a lunch if you like. Uh there's always plenty of dog walkers at both these locations. At Buckskill Meadow uh Park Preserve we have a wonderful disc golf course that was helped set up by uh John Rooney here as well as uh Scott who has become quite an enthusiast uh of playing at the property after hours. Um It has really turned into such a great property uh both of them um and the idea of capturing a virtual experience of of these properties and and other properties as well. We just kind of kicked it off with these two um being that the focus of of the work that we've done so far with uh had to do with ADA accessibility and so really I mean I

100could let John speak on this if you would like um but I the the idea came from a disabilities advisory um committee meeting uh where John is involved and uh the idea to create these virtual experiences and representations without actually having to go out um you know, where physical access may be more um compromised for some. Yeah, it was it was just it was part of a brainstorm at a March meeting. Uh Glenn Hall came up with it. I wish I did. Um and he was uh his thing was it would be helpful for the ADA community especially if they could be able to experience um a park trail or experience the trails. Let's just say they didn't have the confidence to maybe try it even though it's ADA accessible. So, they can at least

101check it out and maybe say, "Oh wait, this is something I could check out." Or it any member of the public just wanting to see the parks and he had that that idea and we were talking about it and then uh I reached out to Land Act and I said, "We got a great idea. Can you guys help with this?" They jumped at it. And then Andy did his wonderful and when you sent it I was just I was I was just blown away. It was just I'm so excited for this program and just to be on town's website you can visit cuz the original vision for having um different pages uh web pages for each beach and park around the town so you can get an idea of what each location is at. Now

102to have videos like this, this just blows it up to a whole different level. But especially for this community and it was just a great idea. So, here we are. Yeah. Thank you, John. Thank you, John, for initiating the the the project and and getting us involved cuz I we love the idea. Yeah, we really love the idea. And uh at LTV if they want to play uh one of the one of the first couple videos they can just have it running there in the uh there's this ambient music uh but you can relax. This is the Hoyden Croals uh Harbor uh Park Preserve which is purchased in collaboration with the county, with the town, CPR property. Uh there's a pavilion there that you can actually uh uh ADA accessible pavilion that you can uh

103reserve if you'd like to have a a gathering of family and friends. Again, it's an asphalted multi-user path that's 8-ft wide cleared area on each side about 2 ft. Uh what this allows is for the user to go on about a half-mile walking trail through the scenic woodlands on there without actually having interaction potentially with ticks. Uh and at a at a surface that is ADA compliant, also at a grade that is ADA compliant, and just for individuals to get into the woods. What's very nice about this location is that it also ties into other natural single track uh wood wooded uh uh trails that you could take you down to the water if you wanted to go off this more uh this multi-user trail, too. Uh this trail has been in location here for

104about 2 and 1/2, maybe 3 years now. It is actually called uh the Anthony Jexel Duke uh a uh trail. You'll see locations in which we start to use the 3D vision on here and the cleared areas where there used to be either ropes courses or old buildings from when Anthony Duke would use this property to the boys and girls harbor to bring out uh uh individuals and children from the city out here to enjoy the experiences here on this trail. Sorry. You want to go or is that okay? Actually, we went there as as eighth graders, too. We did trust falls. So so this this project um uh like John mentioned for the for the town website um I I see this as a broader project in terms of um basically again I use

105the word virtual experience. I just a representation, a summarization of a property before you know, if you're curious about visiting and obviously we have a lot of eco-tourism here and um folks visiting seasonally um I think we live in the best town in Long Island. I think it's such a great place to live and to visit and we have such great resources and assets in terms of our our public spaces and our our trails and paths and uh and beaches as as was discussed earlier. Um so in terms of the website and uh Patrick should get a a thank you and a shout out here, too. Patrick Durance for um creating a town YouTube account because it just makes posting and sharing these these clips so much more easily. Um but I think the the

106future vision is you know, we have we have properties um not only parks but preserves um such as uh Shadmoor and Turtle Cove and Culloden Point and Grace Estate and Grassy Hollow. I mean all these large wonderful properties around town where if there is is simply that YouTube link video of something that I can I can create and have Patrick post, then we can easily share that link directly onto the town website. >> [snorts] >> So that as As as you pull up the page uh say you know, a resident is or or anybody is is is navigating the town website and they go to the the page for Crocker Beach or whatever. Yeah, whatever Rod's Valley Park Preserve. They can they can click a video and see a 30 or 45 second representation, an

107overview of drone video and property highlights and and then using some of this So, this footage is captured with a Insta360 camera that I borrowed from a friend. Shout out to Chris Lorenzini. He's a good friend. He's a manager at the Sag Harbor Cinema. I borrowed that from him. It's been given back to him and and we're working on getting one for our department to continue this work. Um but I just want to say thank you to him. We have a drone for our department, so I've been easily able to capture aerial videos and photography, but splicing the two together creates kind of a really nice summarization of an area and I'm I'm just very excited. I know John's really excited to share that uh where it can be be as soon as you open

108the town web page, boom, it's right there. If you want to read further on down down the way, great, but you get a really good instant snapshot of our our town facilities. So, um there's plenty more to do. I've already captured some of our our our more primitive single track trails as well uh with that camera on a mount on a on a bike and, you know, it's it's not difficult to do. The editing process is a little is a little bit more tedious, but it's I think it's a worthwhile project and I'm I'm I'm thrilled to be working on this. Can we Can we move on to the next one? If you don't mind. Yeah, move on to the next one. This guy's going to just come around, so you're going to you're going

109to see the pavilion coming in. Yeah, sure. If you prefer, we can time Yeah, uh and then yeah, so the next video um that can that can play will be Buckskill Meadow Park Preserve. We used to play soccer there in the parking lot, actually. If you look at the parking lot, it still has >> Right here at Boys and Girls Harbor. Yeah, if you look at the parking lot, it still actually has the basket basketball courts. Yeah. Back when So, these these they come out pretty pretty nicely, I think. It's maybe because the way I shared it on the OneDrive, it's a little bit glitchy or slowed down in a way. But, on the YouTube page it it it looks really really And what you see there is a nice individual controlling and leashing their

110dogs cuz these these parks have to be controlled and leashed dogs. And there's the pavilion with the picnic tables. Exactly. So, uh the next video if we want to watch is uh the Buckskill Meadow Park Preserve right here. Again, this is the the Zachary Cohen Memorial Trail. >> Zachary Cohen Memorial Path here is shown. One of my favorites. This is a beautiful spot. >> It's a fantastic spot. And like I said earlier, I think it's the most It's one of the most visited properties in town. Every time I go to check in, there's always somebody there. Whether they're playing disc golf or walking or you know, with with their I think there's there's large groups of of kids and parents that go to to ride bikes and learn how to ride bikes away from traffic.

111It's perfect. >> I mean, it's It's got an ADA chess set also on the location then, too, with the trail that's been installed. And I and I agree uh and my wife actually runs this these these a lot. They're half They're half-mile loops. So, if you're training, let's say for a 5K or greater, you know exactly what your loops are going to be on. comes out for an 11-mile run, you can do 22-mile 22 loops of it. That's what That's where I got this crazy tan from. I was like, you know, in preparation for a half-mile run. >> that are not doing mega miles, a half mile's just nice. >> Yeah, that's exactly right. Well, I mean, I've seen folks come from you know, Red Horse Market, that area, you know, on their lunch break

112and they're you know, they're doing laps. I know some folks that go every morning and and and get their walk in that way. Now, I listen, I want to thank both the Disability Advisory Committee, Joan in particular and Andy for doing this. I think this is just a really good example of some of our ADA access projects we have going on in the town that we continually evolve. I mean, we talked earlier about the Mobi-Mats. Um you know, we're actually going out on the 28th with that committee just to review potential sites on the bayside where we might be looking to provide ADA access there cuz right now we don't have any bay beaches and with the lower kind of wave action, you know, they might be more applicable and easier for people to swim

113there. So, you [music] know, that's one project we're doing. There's a lot of really great stuff that's coming from this committee. You know, I I I think one of the next things we're really looking to do and slightly off tangent here is you know, introduce the concept of universal building design. You know, basically changing codes to kind of give better use for everybody. Be it people with ADA issues, seniors, young people. There's better ways to build and you know, better ways to do things. I think this is just a really good example. The more access we can provide to people in the the better we can design our town for people with ADA issues, the better off we're all going to be. Absolutely. Especially as our community ages. Oh. And and and creating a a

114virtual experience too is is nice. It's great to get out physically and be able to [music] use the property is great, but I mean if somebody wanted to set this up on a on a TV like this and and ride a stationary bike. It's It's honestly mesmerizing. We could be staring at this forever. I'm kind of I'm kind of meditating to it. It's taking everybody's blood pressure down in the room. Like weekend relaxation. In the last presentation. >> [laughter] >> I feel so much better. I did want to share a couple of those uh uh uh You have Rod's Valley? Yeah, I wanted to share a couple of the shorter um summary videos. Okay, so okay, so this is the 40 45-second video. It's like it's what I was saying like Look at that. >>

115highlight property. Um >> [music] >> And this was a former mine, guy. This is a former gravel mine back in the day. Yeah. Um and it's turned into something incredible. It's the coastal trail. So, just like that, that's the coastal trail in Heather Woods. So, it's showing access to uh Heatherwood's trails, the Eddie Ecker Memorial Pier. A lot of people confuse this property with Eddie Ecker County Park. Um access on the bay. There is a permanent campsite there for through through hiking purposes only. Except that it's a beautiful By permit only. By permit only. Our department. Um Again, collaboration with the county. It's a very good walking circle, too. thumbnail. Uh and here's the other one that I really like. >> other favorite. But I There are so many that we do. >> They're all

116my favorite. Uh yeah, it's a trail. This is Paumanok Path. This is the end of Paumanok Path, the 125-mile Yeah, I want to thank This right there, I want to thank uh your department for getting out there. We were in conversations with um the lighthouse keeper uh and then also uh Greg Donahue and others to try to make sure the access in that location was a little safer. And and I This is team teamwork. I mean, I was out here the other day on another run, and who did I see but Steve O'Brien out there fixing the bench? Um the bottom of Tiana Cove, and like like making this town as nice as it is for everybody is an amazing team effort. So, um take take some relish. Yeah, I mean, when you think about

117it, it we're considered a small town even population-wise, but the miles of coastline that we have is huge. And also the amount of people and visitors and the ways the different ways and and you keep improving as you're doing right now, the ways for people to enjoy this treasure is uh really amazing. And the amount of maintenance I mean, we don't even really go into that. Uh what it takes for your departments to maintain all the natural beauty without really making the least interruption possible is really amazing. Now I feel like we should really close the meeting. >> [laughter] >> I'm going to do one one quick plug, which if the press wants to pick up would be great, is we are always looking for new members for this advisory committee. We've recently had uh

118two new people sign on, but if anyone is interested in joining that committee, feel free to reach out to Ann Bell. She is the disabilities advisory coordinator. I have a question, Andy. You did both of those loops clockwise. Is that the way you're supposed to go, or is it counterclockwise? This is sort of a debate on on loop trails. I I know there's not a rule, but No rule, but I I guess if if I'm only I'm riffing here just thinking about it. Um I mean, if you're staying on the right if you're if you're you know, if you're staying on the right to somebody, you're you're You're you're staying on the right side. They're coming the right side. I guess it works the same both directions, but I mean, so no strong opinion. Yeah,

119I feel like you run track counterclockwise. Exactly. And so I was a counterclockwise guy, but I might be wrong. No, I you know what? It's interesting because like at Maidstone Beach, the the loop there, like you do it different directions, you see different things. So, you know, so it's I usually mix it up. I don't think there's a rule at either of those properties. You know, that like NASCAR, you only make lefts, right? >> [laughter] >> Thank you. Thank you, John. I love seeing more exciting I'm proud to be doing it and thank CACs will be thrilled with this when we do our go to them and tell them about this new tool for everyone too. It's great. Keep feeding Patrick videos and he can Yeah, and and we'll also for sure. Thank you. And

120if you need help editing, we we can help you with that, too. Perfect. Thank you so much. Take care, Andy. >> Thank you, Andy and John, both. >> [laughter] >> Okay, now we're moving on to the 1904 Osborne Farmhouse exterior restoration project. I know Scott was going to present this and and Ian, we appreciate you stepping in. Scott is on jury duty. Yes, so oh, I'm sorry. No, go ahead. So, Jack, you're it. Thanks to Scott Wilson. He he put this together along with with Drew Bennett, the engineer. And Stuart Preservation Services, who it's a it's a organization that consists of a historian and an architect, so they they were our historic consultants to make sure that the engineering uh fit the history. Um next slide, please. This is a stage one uh of the

121project. And so, what we're looking at here are the floor plans, which you'll see are totally empty. Um the the the reason we're doing this is because we purchased this property largely because of the property itself, but there's two historic structures including this house. We realized shortly thereafter that the it was not watertight. And so, during heavy rains or even moderate rains, there was a leaky roof and and leaks in other places. And so, we thought uh the property management committee and and Scott Wilson, Department of Land Management, thought it was important that we secure um we make it watertight so that there's no no further deterioration while we figure out an end user and an end plan with the the structure. So, um that's why we're looking at no floor plans. Next uh next

122slide. And just That's the roof. Keep right on going. You can't see the holes. And this we'll we'll just pause here for the rest of it. This is This is the exterior of the structure. Um again, Drew Bennett did the engineering plans and and in consultation with the historic consultant. Um the goal here is to replace it uh or to repair it with as much of the original materials as possible. Um if you read through the engineering plans, they're pretty dense, but there's a lot of talk about saving this specific piece, saving this specific piece. He went window by window. And the intent is to salvage everything that we can. And there's even a provision there for whoever bids on this, you know, during these decision-making process, they'll come back to the town so that

123we're aware, you know, what can be salvaged and what needs to be um you know, historic accurate replica. Um one of the changes that we are making that's different from what the house currently looks like is it currently has an asphalt roof. Uh because this was a historic, you know, purchase, we're going back to shingle roof, which is more uh historically proper even though that's not what currently exists there. Um and really there's not there's not a ton more to say other than it's phase it's phase one. The intention is to also redo the interior. Um you know, depending on what the plan is for the property, but uh I didn't want to wait the property management committee didn't want to wait on this because, you know, the longer there's rain and or water intrusion,

124I think the more risk there is for a bigger project and a more expensive project. And so, um Scott and I met with Drew Bennett on site before he he did the plans and he assured us it was possible and not, you know, we're not having having to do anything twice by doing a a complete exterior and then coming back later and doing the interior. The only thing I I'll bring up here, if you scroll actually no, leave it right there. Uh if you look at the top right-hand corner, we do have an ADA access ramp. Um you know, it's anticipated the access is going to be in the rear of this property where where parking will be. You know, the front is is is not likely to be the the main entrance and it's

125important that the ADA access is wherever the main entrance is. Although, I I want to throw it out for conversation that it may make sense for us to remove and I spoke to Scott Wilson about this yesterday to remove that ramp at this point even though I think this is the right place because there's going to be another another part of the project. And so, maybe it makes sense to actually pair that part even though it's exterior um with the interior plan so that the flow because this goes back to what actually used to be the kitchen. You know, I don't think there's going to be a kitchen in this building, but I don't I don't know. And so, it it you know, this is for the board to discuss. Um my proposal would be

126actually to remove this before it goes out to bid and do just the exterior um not counting the ADA access. And then reintroduce the ADA access on completion? Yeah, no, ADA access has to be part of it, which is why which is why we made it part of this, but because it's not after this this is just to to make it watertight, it's not going to be open to the public. Mhm. Um it was obviously Sorry, I apologize. No, it's obviously everybody's concerned to make sure we have the access and so when we do these restorations we always make sure there's an ADA bathroom and ADA access. But the [laughter] more that I thought about it and when I was going over the this presentation with Scott, um you know, there's nobody's the interior's empty.

127You know, it's not it's not open to the >> What is the condition of the current ramp? I mean, is it >> There's no ramp there. Yeah, so it would be new and while I'm pretty sure this is going to be the right place for the ramp. Um there's no reason why it has to be done now. And it's not, you know, precluding anybody from doing anything because it's not open to >> I think it's Yeah, I mean look, as long as the when it becomes open to the public, it is accessible. I'm okay with that. >> Well, frankly, the reason the reason that I had second thoughts about this is because even though I I believe this is the right place, we heard from someone from Wayne Scott who thinks it is. Um what

128if it weren't and the entrance is some place else, then you know, we would have That that was the one part of the project I could see have had in, you know, having second guesses about if we did it and then the design on the interior. >> look, with your permission I'll I'll alert the advisory committee and just see what that feedback is. And I I I think you're on the right lines, honestly. I think um I I get it, you know, just like >> And I mean, until we know how the building's going to be used, it makes sense to hold off because it could take a beating just, you know, when we do get to the interior work. You know what I mean? It's >> it would I think it would inhibit the

129interior work cuz the interior work is a total large scope of scope of work to be done. Uh and it might be limiting to actually get some of the material inside of that out there. And I would rather use during that phase the the back side door more than the front porch. Probably be safer for all the use. So you might be actually be bringing a lot of equipment in through that back door. So um I know I do Ian have the uh have uh because it was going to go out but I'm not here on Thursday a a resolution on two ways maybe it pushes I can withdraw it until we found out if we wanted to change the the bid up how long we want to do or we could see we we

130could prove it but do it an amendment to amendment to the bid package that would be without the ADA ramp. That I'll leave that to you. Yeah, either way I'm supportive. I would I would probably withdraw it then I can reintroduce it as early as Thursday honestly. I spoke with Scott briefly about this yesterday. It's not going to be a big deal. The ramp is pretty separate from everything else. I just want to make sure that when the bids go out cuz this was going to go out as early as as Thursday. So we might delay just slightly to make sure that when people start to bid and get the bid package they have the accurate plans. And Tom have you talked to the ADA committee? Just make it clear that we aren't we aren't

131proposing no ADA access at all. In fact, I think the our error was that we were not not error, but the reason that this exists is because we wanted to make sure that was a fundamental part of the project. In hindsight >> It's I mean that's the only Town vision plan we're looking at in a way. Premature right now. Yeah, I I do think it's premature to put it on before we do any interior work and make those final decisions. As you said the the original problem was to ensure that this is watertight immediately and since that's not a part of that I can see not including it. So I've also reviewed the engineer plans here from Drew Zach Stover off and Joel Snottergrass also have reviewed this for architectural and historical aspects of it

132then too. I think the materials that are planning to be used are correct for the period of of the property for the historical preservation on it. I also appreciate the committee proper management to get this forward so that we don't get into another wet winter season because you you you're exactly right Madam Supervisor the more water intrusion here, the more damaging it would be to the interior, which is actually in very sound shape still. Sound shape from uh but also gutted then, too, you know? So, the the bones are strong. Yeah, the the interior is totally gutted, but it's it is a very solid building, and that's what really made us concerned about any water because it's it's in good shape except for exterior. I'm going to say something it's, you know, I don't wish

133to cause offense to the CAC with their kind of opinion on all this, but like, look, where we can uh we would we might want to consider some more modern materials. I mean, if money in the short and long term is not an issue, I would love to restore this in perfect historical form. But I think we also have to be prudent and cognizant of like, look, maintaining a building of this size with the building and maintenance department we have and we're likely to have in the future is it's going to be a challenge. And we have a lot of properties which are under our management. So, you know, the concept of if it's not on an immediate sightline, can we use, you know, PVC trim uh as opposed to wood that's going to need

134to be cleaned and painted and scrubbed uh you know, over the years continually. Um you know, where can we kind of make those decisions? Um I I I assume Steve has been involved with this as possible, but I think making sure as Steve O'Brien, making sure his feedback on this long-term maintenance and you know, where we could potentially utilize those those materials. I I I it's just something that we might be wise to consider in the longer term. Isn't it codified? It is codified. It would take code changes. >> Yeah. Um across the town, which would impact all historic structures. >> Yeah. Um and uh I think there's a point to historic preservation. Um so, um look forward to the discussion. Yeah, I did not I did you know, look at you you've seen it

135elsewhere like, I mean, London, tons of historically preserved buildings, but where you can modernize certain aspects of it to you know, preserve the building building in the longer term. It It's potentially a wise change. I think it's a good discussion that we might want to kind of look at. You know, I'm not saying that you want to see plastic right in front of you on these buildings when you go in, but if you're talking about under the roof actually having a piece of, you know, long 2 by 4 PVC that people cannot see or touch, um but it's going to give you much more good long-term moisture protection. It's not necessarily about construction. Yeah, I understand what you're talking about using Azek. It gives you I think Azek is a something like that then, too.

136We actually did that at the Marine Museum with the roof at where we went to asphalt where it was shingled. It was allowed within the historical district on there then, too. Uh that's a longer-term look at it. Either way, in the short term with this project I'm I'm comfortable moving this one ahead specifically uh since it was historically designated locally and the funding source is there to do the work out of a community preservation fund. Thank you. And so uh so I will withdraw that that I will withdraw that uh that resolution when we get to that point just to get the uh and then then you withdraw It goes back on Thursday even though I'm not going to be here. I would support it if I was here. Okay. I'm My goal is going

137to be to get it on for Thursday. Again, if we can do it and make sure that it's clean and we have accurate plans for when it does go out to bid. Instead of relea- My my goal would be to do a resolution on Thursday and release the bid in, you know, sometime later this month when the engineer has a chance to to correct that. Thank you. Thank you. All right, beautiful. Okay, so now we have two more topics to discuss. The first is Wait, John, if you could take that down. Um before we start, we need to get Jason is Eric Schantz in the waiting room? Uh we are waiting for him right now. Okay. He's not here? Cuz the plan, right, is for him to take us through the memo? >> Yep. Okay.

138Hello everyone. Hey Eric, how are you? Good. Um all right, so um the the first um topic is the affordable housing unit uh definition. Um so basically the board held a public hearing on May 7th. Five members of the public spoke at the hearing. However, the substance of those comments pertained to this the subsequent public hearing, which was the one for rent restricted employer sponsored um or were otherwise not relevant to the subject proposed code change. Um what we did was we took the comments that were pertinent to rent restricted employer sponsored and included those in the summary report uh for that topic. Um but the board is reminded that this particular proposed code change is to clarify that when both sales and rentals of affordable housing units are proposed, that both the sale price

139and rent must comply with the mandated maximums already established uh by the code. Um so that's what this code change was for. Um so basically in conclusion, the board should discuss the public comments and determine if any changes need to be made to the draft legislation. The planning department does not recommend any changes. And then it uh just as a look down the road as far as process, um once the board has formed a consensus on the content of the proposed code provisions and provided that no further changes and a no other uh an additional public hearing is ever required, then we'll send a referral to the Suffolk County Planning Commission. This is a type two action under SEQRA, so the board doesn't need to declare lead agency or make a SEQRA determination. Um so

140the next the next step really is just sending it to the planning commission, which I will do after this conversation. Um we should have a response within about a month. Um and at which time, if the board has no changes, um we'll bring a resolution. Okay. Okay. So who wants to go first? Yeah, let somebody else go first. I'm going to go I'll go first. I actually Wait, wait, one pardon. You've got feedback. Eric, is yours One for me? Not sure where it's coming from. All right, it stopped. All right, beautiful. So, let's see if it's back on at all. Let's keep going. Sorry about that, everybody. All right. Yeah, I I actually do think that there's a code code clarification necessary here and I understand why we this was a simple way to to

141to clarify the code, I think to to show what the intention of affordable housing is. I It came up in the in an earlier conversation. I have I have some concerns about I think as long as the rent is is controlled, I I'm not as worried about the sale price. Um just like the development costs of affordable housing projects are actually more than what you can sell them for profitably. Um and so I I do have some questions about this specific code change. I I I believe I'm going to be the minority. I don't have a big problem with the result. I think that there's a clarification that's necessary. Um but I'm just worried that at some point if if someone you know that I can envision a circumstance where people develop affordable housing projects,

142sell them, and they wouldn't be able to meet the affordable standards, but they would still serve the intended purpose of you know, rent-controlled income-controlled affordable housing once they were in use. Okay. Kate, you want to go? Sure. Um I support the legislation as written. Um I think that again, it's very important to realize that this is a clarification and and doesn't necessarily change anything regarding the conveyance of title. I also when I do the you know, it seems like it it's it's onerous, but when you when you zoom out and you look at everything that's happening in the town in in connection to other cuz nothing is really separate. I think the guardrails of affordability require us to also look at sales price because of the town is such a valuable real estate asset to

143investors. I want to take every precaution we can to keep our for anything affordable affordable in perpetuity. We've seen we've had this in the past and in the 80s where a housing was created that then became unaffordable without any guardrails. It's able to be, you know, at at market rate which now with an 18% this season we're seeing the median house price again in the town is $2.4 million. So anything that ensures whether it, you know, may be too much, but I think we still have to be cautious and protect this that any affordable housing stock that we create remains affordable. So I support it as written. I do also. I I think the clarification is needed in the time that we live in right now and also that any public comments we've heard didn't

144really change my opinion on it. Yeah, I I'd echo the same. I mean I think that this is one of perspective for me that if you are really struggling to find housing out here, the rental restriction is key, you know, and that protection is in place. So I I acknowledge [clears throat] that like the value of these assets is is certainly something that will change over time, but we are providing affordable housing with this. So I'm I'm good with it. And I agree with my my colleagues. So I believe we need to do the clarification. So Eric, if you could send this on to the Suffolk County Planning Commission, that would be great. Will do. All right. Now let's move on to our last topic, which is the after hearing discussion for the rent restricted

145employer-sponsored housing. So, you want to kick us off again, Eric? Sure. So, the Planning Department prepared a summary of public comments on this topic. It's a the in memorandum form. It's a long memo, but there's a lot of intricate points. So, my plan here is going to be to read that that memo verbatim, but I apologize in advance cuz it's 10 pages. So, but the board held a public hearing for this proposed local law on May 7th. Nine members of the public spoke at the hearing. Three of these nine individuals also spoke at the public hearing for the proposed changes to the definition of an affordable housing unit, and their comments from that hearing are included in these comments. To summarize, concerns were expressed over the general purpose and effectiveness of the proposed use in

146addressing housing needs while not presenting the potential for significant adverse impacts, as well as over specific aspects of the draft code. For the purposes of clarity, we've broken our comments up into essentially two categories. Those dealing with the concept and those dealing with specific provisions of the draft code. The board should also note that the Planning Board has reviewed the proposed code provisions and offered specific written comments to the Town Board by letter dated March 26th, and these comments are also incorporated herein. Additionally, the board is reminded that this proposed new use in the Town Code is intended to allow for private developers to build condominium units to house employees of local businesses, and although standard affordability restrictions are currently proposed as they relate to tenant income and rent, there is no restriction on initial

147sales price, and therefore the use itself would not be considered affordable housing as it's defined by in the Town Code. A number of comments opposed private developers profiting from the development and stated that the units created would not be truly affordable housing. The planning department notes that this use is not defined as affordable housing and that there are indeed several distinctions between this proposed use and affordable housing as it's defined in the code. So basically the following is the summary of our comments. Obviously I didn't write down the public's comments verbatim, but I think that we you know captured the the spirit of what was being conveyed. So in the sort of general category of the concept of rent restricted so members of the public brought up a management burden. Comments were made that a

148development of this type will likely result in management problems and place a large burden on town resources which in turn will cost taxpayers and that problems are likely to arise such as landlord tenant disputes. The code is currently drafted with provisions that place much of the burden of management and oversight on the office of housing and community development. >> [snorts] >> There is a provision that a third-party management group approved by the town will be required to be hired and oversee placement as well as ongoing maintenance and tennis tenant disputes. The board may wish to inquire with housing as to what resources may be needed or if they anticipate significant problems with management of such facilities. The board may also wish to consider an appropriate fee schedule or some other mechanism to address administrative costs

149associated with applications of this nature to housing. This may be especially important if the applications pursuant to this new use require administrative resources beyond what beyond that which are typically required. The planning department recommends that the town fund does seek to recoup its expenditure of resources to oversee this use. The planning department notes that the maximum number of people per bedroom is two and the maximum number of bedrooms in any one unit is three and that the maximum number of units on any one site is 60. This means that there is a potential within the code for a development consisting of 360 individual tenants. Of course, the draft code already includes the provision that all such proposals apply for and receive site plan special permit approval from the planning board, which will need to determine

150if scale is appropriate for a particular site. However, we know that there is a potential for a large number of tenants, all of which will need to be checked to make sure that they meet the programmatic requirements, namely the income cap and that they are employees of local businesses. The attorney for a prospective applicant to create one of these uses noted that there are many condominium complexes which utilize third-party management groups and do so more than adequately. The planning department notes that such comparison does not address the complexity associated with the new use due to the employee-tenant to employee-landlord relationship and potential issues associated with linking employment to housing. The planning department recommends a fee escrow fund or similar other mechanism to be put in place to provide resources for for oversight and that may

151warrant consideration uh um for um Excuse me, I I read that poorly. The planning department recommends a fee escrow fund or some other mechanism be put in place to provide resources for oversight may warrant consideration should the board wish to consider approval. Apologies. Um so then the next um public comment >> let me just ask the board a question. Would you folks prefer that Eric go through his entire memo or do we want to deal with it one one at a time? I I'm for dealing with it one at a time. Okay. I'm easy either way. I mean, he's in his flow. I'm I'm following. Um yeah. Whatever whatever the board uh wants. I'll be happy to let him go and then we want to go through issue by issue, but it's up to you.

152That's Okay. All right. Keep going, Eric. Okay. There is a summary at the end, so maybe that's a good thing to kind of reference cuz it condenses this a little bit further. Um but anyway, the next um comment that, you know, is really about the the concept here is uh regarding local businesses. Public comment was made that developments of this type will not benefit local businesses as the cost of units will be too high. It was also stated that local school districts and fire departments cannot own housing. Um the code has been drafted and the use considered by the town board both in the hopes that this will provide a mechanism for local businesses to have uh to house workers. Without knowing the prices of the units or local business profit margins, the ability for

153many local businesses to purchase such units is unknown at this time. However, it's noted that the planning board expressed a similar concern that local schools, hospitals, and the like would not be able to afford such units. Um I quote here the planning board memo, but um I won't read it here. Um [snorts] as to whether or not schools and our fire departments are able to own staff housing, the planning department is unsure of any prohibitions and the board may wish to um obtain additional information about this. Uh the planning department notes that there is no clear definition of a quote local business or what type of business as opposed to another would be most likely to be financially able to purchase a unit. The planning department also notes, although this would need to be confirmed

154by council, that it may not be legally possible to restrict ownership to employers or businesses. However, provided the tenants uh provided the tenants meet the income and residency requirements, the status of the owner of the unit, whether they be an employer or a non-employer, um private individual or individuals, uh should not prevent the development from providing housing for the intended segment of the population. Uh with regard to SEQRA, comments were made that the town has not analyzed potential adverse environmental impacts. The planning department notes that an environmental assessment will be uh performed for the subject code change as well as any other uh subsequent development applications that are received. So, in other words, twice. Um as noted in the conclusion of this memorandum, once the town board has determined that no further change to the

155code are needed, a full environmental assessment of this action will be conducted. Um with regard to the employee-employer relationship, um public comments on that. Numerous members of the public questioned the nature of the employee-employer relationship when it is also a tenant-landlord relationship. Who stated that tenants would be less likely to quote make noise, creating a situation of potential abuse by landlords. As tenants whose housing and employment are both tied to the same entity will be afraid of retaliation. Planning department cannot speak to the likelihood of such disputes or tenants having their rights infringed. However, the uh the department has noted this as a concern and the provision for a third-party management company is intended to serve, at least in part, to mitigate the potential for this to occur. In addition, the uh housing office has

156the authority to promulgate rules associated with this use, and this process uh could serve to mitigate the potential for abuses as well. The board may wish to get additional comments from housing, the town attorney's office, or outside housing agencies that have had experience with such ownership um tenant models. Looking at the issue from an alternative perspective, rather than the town trying to say for sure that there are adequate safeguards to prevent against these possibilities, it may be an intrinsic element of this proposal that such potential will always be present, creating risk associated with potential adoption that cannot be fully mitigated at this time, and may have to be monitored should the board proceed. Uh it may also be more appropriate to place the burden on potential applicants, and the board may wish to require more

157information from prospective developers as such uses and uh and/or add provisions to the draft code, which would require documentation be provided, which would address this concern specifically. Uh one member of the public who is seeking to develop one of these uses stated that there are already numerous employer uh owned housing units throughout the town, and that these operate with no special restrictions to preserve tenants' rights, unlike the proposed use, uh which has, among other things, the management oversight of housing and a third and third-party management group as requirements. It is understood anecdotally that many businesses currently provide local staff housing in various forms throughout the town, and these arrangements are currently unregulated, and workers' living conditions are unknown. Um with regard to the profit and business model, members of the public objected to the development

158or developer being a for-profit enterprise, and opined that profits associated with this type of development could be significant, and also make businesses more valuable. It was further stated uh related to this matter that the town should review the offering plan before uh allowing such developments. Um the profitability of this potential development model is currently unknown. Housing development uh is a um for-profit industry. This is also true of many affordable housing developers nationwide. Um while that is acknowledged, the board may want to understand the profitability of this uh development model. This may be important, for example, if current market prices and the density allowed under the potential code make this model so profitable when compared to other options that outcompetes other of housing that are also needed in the town. Regarding the offering plan comment, the

159planning department understands that such a document may not currently be available. However, because the document contains important information about the development, it may be advisable to require its submission as part of the special permit review. Um a member of the public offered that the town as an entity should build needed housing, not private developers. The planning department acknowledges the important role of the town in providing affordable housing. However, because of the significant need for affordable housing, restricting all initiatives to those only advanced by the town does not seem a path that would provide the most solutions. A member of the public opined that the town needs home ownership opportunities and not rentals. The planning department reset all types of housing opportunities are needed and observes that by providing different housing typologies, the differing needs of

160the various populace can be addressed. There will not be one fixed to the housing crisis. Multiple strategies need to be evaluated and those deemed effective should be pursued. Um so with regard to public comments that were made about specific provisions of the draft code, um the first is regarding essential workers. Um an attorney for a prospective developer of one of the uses of one of these uses suggested that the already included cap on tenants income of 130% of area median income should have an exception that in quotes essential workers be permitted to be tenants regardless of their income. Uh the planning department defers to the town attorney's office but suspects such a provision would also carry a potential for discrimination based on type of employment, which is prohibited. Um essential worker has no durable legal

161definition. Any provisions using it would need a definition and whatever definition chosen uh chosen would produce enforcement challenges, including verification of essential worker status and changes in employment. Another member of the public recommended against the town allowing an exception to the income cap noting that once this restriction is removed, the town will have no control over the placement of tenants uh presumably as the definition of essential worker is nebulous, which itself was a comment from another speaker. Um with regard to the income cap itself that's proposed, which is 130% AMI, a public comment there noted that the planning board has suggested that the town board consider increasing the income cap. Uh the draft code currently has requirements that all tenants do not exceed a household income of 130% AMI. This mirrors a requirement in numerous

162different types of affordable housing, but as noted already, rent-restricted employer-sponsored housing would not be considered a type of affordable housing. Even though this new use would not be traditional affordable housing, the planning department observes that this is an important aspect of the proposed use as it confines the housing units to being for those in need, those being households that could not otherwise afford housing on the open market. >> [snorts] >> The planning uh department does not uh see a need to change this provision. However, we do note that the planning board suggested that as this use is not affordable housing, the income cap could be raised as even households above 130% AMI are known to experience housing cost burdens in East Hampton. Um I won't read you the quote from the planning board, but it

163it basically uh hits that point um that the town might want to consider increasing that income cap provision to, for example, 160% AMI. The we might want to look at what that income um would be and then um see if there's still people in that income range that are in need because then it might make sense to increase the housing cap uh the income cap. Uh the planning department in conjunction with housing and other departments could provide the board with additional information as far as what household income is generally needed to purchase a real realistically available lowest cost home or condominium unit in East Hampton to determine what income level would correspond with being unable to af- uh afford available housing. Um and where a household could reasonably be anticipated to be able to afford

164something available on the open market. Um the town board should determine if you um would like additional information about that. Um in in in conjunction with considering the income cap. Um, the next public comment was uh to remove the requirement that sites be within the limited business overlay district and the affordable housing overlay district. An attorney for a prospective developer for one of these uses uh suggested that the requirement that sites be built uh within both overlay districts be amended so that only the AHO designation is required. Uh, this comment was stated to be in response to the fact that not many properties contain both the LBO and AHO designation, which is true as there are only two such properties and one is already developed. However, it's the planning department's view that this uh that

165the requirement that this new use uh new proposed use be within both overlay zones reflects the unique nature of the proposed new use and its connection to both housing needs and business uses. Further, we find that limiting the location of such a new use to the uh these carefully targeted areas may be appropriate given the unknown nature and the profitability of the model. Similarly, the planning board also noted that if both rent-restricted employer-sponsored housing and an affordable housing development, two separate distinct uses, were possible on a particular property, this use would outcompete an affordable housing development, effectively skewing development um towards 130% AMI tenants and failing to address the uh housing needs uh of the town's lower-income residents. Um, with regard to density, members of the public stated uh that 12 units per acre is

166too high of a density to permit. Uh, the planning department notes that this provision of the draft code mirrors one for an affordable housing development. Technically, the maximum permitted density is eight units per acre, but up to 12 units per acre can be permitted by the planning board where special additional requirements are met, namely provisions for sewage treatment, preparation of traffic study, and preparation of a study that um assesses the economic impact on the local school district. Uh, the planning department notes that exploring alternative densities may be worthwhile, especially if the board is concerned about other public comments regarding excessive profitability. The planning department notes that our initial assessment is that with the provisions of these special permit standards, and given an appropriate site and proposal, a development of 12 units per acre can be

167constructed without inherently presenting the potential for significant adverse impacts. However, at the same time, we know that development at lower densities could be considered more compatible with surrounding areas. The board may wish to consider the overall intensity of development that is otherwise permitted in the provisions of the draft code, such as the maximum number of people per bedroom, bedrooms per unit, and units per acre, and and how they relate to one another, and they wish to, you know, essentially adjust those levels accordingly. Uh, another public comment was with regard to long-term or secure housing. Members of the public stated that this model will not provide long-term housing solutions, as evidenced by the 6-month provisions for tenants to remain in units. Um, this use has been crafted with the assumption that many units would be occupied

168by seasonal workers. As such, the standard requirement for affordable housing units of a 1-year minimum lease, um, has been reduced. As such, we concur with the public comment that this will not guarantee a long-term housing solution for a tenant, and note that the town is in need of housing in all of its forms. Providing housing for season, uh, providing housing for seasonal workers could help to reduce demand on year-round housing by removing at least some seasonal workers from the demand for year-round housing. >> [clears throat] >> Uh, the next comment was with regard to restrictions on resale. Members of the public pointed out that the draft code has no provision restricting future sale prices, and that this this will likely result in units becoming too expensive to provide realistic housing opportunities in the future, as

169only wealthy businesses will be able to afford them, and the cost impacts will be passed on to the tenants. Uh the draft code contains a provision that no tenant can be charged more than 130% of fair market rent. Um and such a requirement is required to be memorialized in legal documents such as covenants and restrictions. Uh this should prevent increasing cost of units from being passed on the tenants, although it is noted that since this model has tenants also being employees, this could result in lower salary to compensate for the value of the housing unit. It is noted that employers as landlords um would be bound to the minimum wage requirements that all employees uh employers are, and that the impact that providing housing will have on the wages offered to employees will need to

170be determined by the employer and the employee. Uh the code currently does not restrict resale prices um of um affordable housing units. This is likely due to the fact that some affordable housing units such as residential properties in the town's home ownership program have needed provisions that allow for resale of units on the open market where the owner pays a certain percentage back um to the town so that the town can use it to acquire additional affordable housing. However, in most cases, affordable housing units are set up either as rentals with central ownership where individual units will never be sold or through town programs such as the one mentioned where there are already provisions um for that specific project that govern resale rules. As such, consideration of resale prices has not been a point concern

171for most other types of housing developments or housing projects. Um the planning department recommends that provided the restrictions on maximum rent remain in place, the price of such units to the employer landlord employer {slash} landlord {slash} owner should not impact tenants. The board may wish to discuss if any provisions related to resale of units are necessary. Um with regard to smaller lots, a public commenter noted that the planning board sent a comment that this use should uh use should be considered for smaller lots including those that are already within the LBO. Um, the planning department recommends that the minimum lot size of 125,000 square feet, which is in the draft code, um, is recommended at this time in order to place a use such as this on a larger site. This mirrors the requirements for

172an affordable housing development, which is a development at a similar scale. Other mechanisms for different types of affordable housing such as apartments within commercial structure and affordable multiple residences also exist in the code and are permitted on smaller lots. Um, and I'll I'll skip over, um, well, I'll briefly one comment, uh, was, uh, draft code provisions leave the responsibility for design and implementation largely to planning board, which was seen as favorable. Um, that was one comment that was made. Um, so then there's, uh, just, um, six other quick comments that didn't really fall into one of these categories. Um, a commenter noted the, um, proposed code said that the proposed code amendment would permit additional density at Cantwell Court. That is not the case. This code change would not apply to that site. Uh, another

173comment was the proposed code would allow four or more unrelated people to live together, which is prohibited. Um, we note that, uh, that is a provision that relates to single-family residences, not this use type or similar ones. Um, another public comment was a comprehensive plan of where housing open space, etc. should be located should be formulated. Um, just noted, uh, the public made that comment. The Sagaponack Airport is the best location for new housing, uh, was another public comment noted, um, and we say that the board should consider every viable option for providing additional housing. Uh, another public comment was the town should hold a lottery for such units. That is normally only done when there's public financial investment to make sure that it is fairly open to everyone that's otherwise eligible. This is privately

174owned. And then the last public comment was members of the public suggested that 130% of fair market rent was still not an affordable rent for people. We note that that is the standard that's currently for an affordable housing unit. If the board wanted to discuss it in a larger context, we could. But basically in conclusion, the board should discuss the public's comments and determine if any changes need to be made to the draft legislation. For the board's convenience, in our our memorandum, we consolidated everything that I just addressed in bullet points. And just as a closing comment, the code provision is a new concept for for providing housing opportunities in the town. Public comment is an important part of the legislative process that helps to refine such proposals. And several substantive comments were received. The

175board should take any relevant suggestions from this step in the process, determine what if any changes need to be made at this time, or what additional information may be needed to determine if this new model for housing should be included in the town code. All right. Thank you, Eric. So, let's start bottom of page nine with management. Costs associated with town oversight are likely to be expensive extensive and the planning department recommends that the board should consist consider introducing a fee or some other mechanism to cover administrative costs. Do you want to start, Ian, since you're the liaison to housing? Do you want me just to speak about that issue now? >> Yeah, I I think it would be easier if we do it one at a time. No? Um, sure. >> That's the first

176Okay. It's just the first one from the summary. I Well, I mean, I think they're the this requires them to have a third-party manager. >> [snorts] >> I think the idea, and I think we need it to be the case, that the law requires the developer, the project itself, to be self-contained and not put the burden on us. There is reporting necessary to the town, and this does give authority to the housing department to add additional regulations, request information. I don't think I would be in favor of a fee because at the end of the day, this is income-restricted, rent-restricted and income-qualified housing, and that's We need that. The people living there are going to be people who make under a certain threshold, and the rents they're paying are going to be what we consider

177to be affordable. This is not affordable housing, but in those two respects, it it targets a similar part of the population. So, I I think that we need to encourage more housing that's affordable for people, and I do believe that that means we're going to have to increase our staffing. But, fundamentally, this puts the burden on the the owner to to make sure that they're doing these things. Along those lines, I do think we need a little bit stronger language. We talk about third-party management. I think we need to add something about income verification to make sure that they choose somebody to income-qualified people. And we know because I think typically in condo management companies, that is not something they have to do as far as I know. So, I want to make sure that

178that's explicit. Because I don't want to have I don't want to have the housing department be responsible for this. I want that to be sort of self-contained with their ability to provide oversight. Okay. Um yeah, if you're going to go down the line. Um so, the third mandatory third property uh mandatory third-party property management requirement is central to my ability to support the legislation. An independent manager accountable to the office of community housing development, not the employer landlord, is the primary structural safeguard against tenant employee power imbalance um that I described uh and when I summarize my support uh tenants need to be the ability to call someone who is not their boss and the third-party manager provides uh that for the tenant and that's why I think it's important. I actually uh note you

179know the office of the planning department has a recommended a fee escrow mechanism to be established to cover oversight costs and I do agree with that because in general I don't think uh a for-profit uh program such as this should not be subsidized by general town resources. The developers and employees who benefit from it should bear the cost of the administration. That's how I feel about that. Okay. So I'm on the fence about it but what would what would how would we cap that then as far as an escrow? Yeah, I mean I don't we would have we would have to explore what the mechanism would be in order to you know recapture or have some kind of fee or escrow. So um I I don't really have too many hard opinions or feelings. I

180I think Ian says that well I also agree that we should be trying to move uh affordably priced housing along on there and that we since we do have the community housing fund available for uh for O&M that we could put that into uh that project if this comes fortition on there. So I I mean I'm I'm sort of stuck in the middle here on this specific one as far as cost. >> use community housing fund money if it's not affordable housing to offset the cost in the in the department? I mean I think you probably could because the the rental incomes and the incomes of the people which is what they would look at. We'd have to ask council but you know I think that what CH funds can to used used for is

181determined by usually what the tenant makes or what the rent is charged. Yeah, I mean that I think that's something we would Yeah. Yeah, for sure we'd have to get Yeah, I would need an opinion on that because it's not considered under our definition affordable. So, how we would use a fund that's set up for affordable housing for something that's not considered affordable is something we need legal clarification on. But we do have a first-time home buyers down system of payment and that's not affordable either. It's just another program that qualifies under CH law. So, I just need a legal >> Yeah, of course. Of course. But if if we do if we do I think we want to drill down on the details like how much is collected and what happens with that money?

182Are we asking the housing department to have them to track their hours? Comments? And Mark, you know, we jump in. Please jump in. Thank you everyone. Tina Logan from the planning department. Just to clarify a little. The recommendation for the fee was only to, you know, recover the town's cost in administrating like not to have a large impact fee on the developers, but really we were thinking of targeting at the as you said earlier the developers and the owners of the property when they're putting forth applicants to pay the fees. So, it wouldn't go to the to the folks who need the housing, more to the folks who own the housing and who developed it. So, we'd have to think about the mechanism, but you know, recovering costs is something that we do for all

183of our application types. So, it is a pretty standard approach to, you know, impact reduce the impacts to the town's administrative burden cuz as we know we're quite busy. So, would you see that on an application fee per Granted this is going to have to go through his own permanent process to to build anything here, but would it would you see the application fee be per whenever there's a change over per per tenant? Yeah, I mean I think it would be something like that when the when an owner of a unit is proposing new tenants, right? The town does have an oversight role in making sure that the income verification, even if it's done by the third party, was done appropriately, right? So there would be a fee associated with that service that we provide.

184Which is very similar to a fee that we have with an ADU fee of a yearly permitting fee, I believe it's it's minor, like $50 a year. And and you we we would set it just to recover our costs, right? Whatever much time we're spending, we we just take that back in. Yeah, I mean almost like a licensing mechanism, like look, if you wish to own and operate this housing model, then, you know, maybe you need to require to get a license from the housing department to do that, and it's an annual fee that covers any costs associated for the town operating with it. I mean, I'm open to that as as as a concept. I do think the third-party oversight is really key, but you know, in in terms of, you know, how we

185do that, you know, a licensing option might not be the worst idea here because you know, it does give the town some oversight of the project in that way as well. So you're thinking this is a flat fee? Cuz the escrow threw me off a little bit in that it seems like there's some money that like we could, you know, bills come up. If if it's a Sure. Every time there's a new tenant, there's some oversight, you know, that's a certain price. That tracks makes more sense to me. Yeah. Um Yeah, that's what I can support. That's That's how I see it as well, just like any other application. Sure. Yeah, I mean we're just throwing out options for them. >> processing fee. Yeah, exactly. Thank you. Thanks, Tina. Mark, did you have thoughts on

186that? No, I concur with So So that makes more more sense to me Uh, as far as if it's if it's a permanent fee upon change of a of a tenant for income verification if that offsets. But again, it should be something that's commensurate to what to the costs are for staff costs, not as a mechanism for revenue. Right. Uh, cost neutral. Sure. And to be clear, we're already requiring the the owners to to hire the third party to do the third party verification. This would just be a an extra layer for our our oversight of that. Right. Okay. All right. Next up, local businesses. The board may wish to seek additional information as to whether or not schools and our fire districts could own a unit. The board may wish to seek additional information

187as to whether or not sales can be restricted to local businesses or employers. Um, how do folks feel about that? So, I mean, this goes back to essential workforce and I I I acknowledge that I look there's not an official definition that's kind of totally recognized, but we we have had one in the past is the critical infrastructure guidance, you know, and it covers people in healthcare, emergency services, energy, water, wastewater, transport, food, agriculture, communications, government operations, and public works. So, I think there is some guidance we can get out there on this. Um, this one comes back to me at that I I acknowledge that you know, there is there may be some challenges to this, but you know, ensuring that we have our critical infrastructure adequately staffed. Um, measures we can take towards

188that is something I'm supportive of. So, can I just ask for clarification on the discussion? We're talking about the proposal to make it make an exception for essential workers? Is that what we're on right now? Cuz I I was confused by what topic you brought up. I'm following along on uh I am. Bottom of page nine. >> Okay, let me go to that. >> That's That's essential workers is comes later. This is This is um local businesses Businesses? Oh, yeah. >> I'm not sure how relevant this is to the discussion. >> Yeah, I I I don't know how you define I have a problem with the definition of local business. I don't know um Does that mean that the owners live and live in the town? Or I That's a very vague concept to me

189that would be difficult to define. >> a physical business in the town. That's what it was in the previous version of similar legislation that didn't move forward. I agree with Kathy though. I don't think that this is super I mean if the rent is restricted and the income is controlled, then if you know, some do-gooder wants to own this and provide what essentially is you know I don't want to confuse affordable housing, but you know, housing that's attainable, then that'd be okay with me. Mhm. Yeah, I I I think it's a definition that that is really hard to actually have a regulation for. That's So, that's not central to my support or Neither's mine. Yeah. Okay. Employee-employer relationship. The board should consider if this arrangement will inherently create abuses of tenants' rights or not be

190able to prevent them. The board may wish to seek additional comments from housing or any other outside housing agency about this arrangement or other examples. The board may note that the impact that provision of housing has on a worker's salary will not be regulated under this code. So, if I if I may, um so this idea this issue of employee tenant power balance is a central issue that So, my support overall is cautious rather than enthusiastic. And this is the topic that was raised repeatedly at public hearings, taken seriously by the planning department. It's it's the inherent vulnerability of a person who is simultaneously a tenant of and employee of the same entity. And when housing employment are both controlled by the same party, the power imbalance can be acute. The tenant employee who raises

191a complaint about housing conditions risks not just their home, but their livelihood. They may be less likely to assert their rights, less likely to report violations, and more exposed to retaliation, whether it be overt or subtle. The planning department in this memo acknowledges that this may be an intrinsic element of the proposal that cannot be fully mitigated. And that the risk may simply have to be monitored if we move forward. I take that acknowledgement very seriously. I also note that employer-provided housing already exists informally throughout East Hampton in completely unregulated arrangements. I think this legislation, if constructed properly, would bring these arrangements may have the ability to bring these arrangements under town oversight for the first time. For me, that's an argument actually for proceeding with the the codes carefully and with all of the

192robust protections in place. I think the protections as they're drafted is intrinsic to providing the the strongest guardrails against the possible vulnerability of tenants and abuse by landlords. Yeah, I'll I'll jump on this one quickly. I I I agree, Kate. The The last thing you want to see is, you know, the creation of people having their home threatened, you know, by unscrupulous property owners. Like we we we don't want that. I I think that this is This goes back to me to the third-party management piece in a way, which is that they need to have a very clear record keeping system of when that is a complaint by a tenant that, you know, our attorney gives the opinion that like that record keeping is adequate that should this court go to case for unfair housing

193practices, you know, the tenants are adequately protected. Um The last point on here I I think is one that like from the get-go concerns me, which is um whether workers are to be regulated, um you know, and how the salary impacts overall earnings for a tenant. Um while I kind of think there is a risk for abuse here on that, which is like, "Look, um you know, here's your housing, but I'm going to pay you this, but is your housing actually recorded in your salary?" Because it's a benefit in kind. That onus is on the taxpayer themself. I mean, while yes, we kind of do not want it to be abused, to me if a if a resident of this property is not claiming this as as some kind of benefit in kind, then that's

194up for them and the IRS to determine, not us. That's just my first perspective on them. Yeah, to Tom's Tom's point about the the reporting, part of the law does require them to keep track of complaints and report at least annually to the town board, and I believe the housing department too. So, um that's important. Look, I I share everybody else's concerns about this. I think in a perfect world, um housing would not be tied to employment. Um unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world that we're trying to make better. Uh and I think in the case of our town, the more places we have for people to live, you know, low or or moderate-income people, the better. And so I I and I as Kate noted, this already happens throughout the town. It's something

195that exists and will continue to exist in single-family homes. Um I think that this would be an improvement. It's not without without risk or, you know, I'm sure there will be at some point some problems because of that. Um but on balance, I think that we're going to be better off when we can, you know, provide places for people to live in town for our workforce. Yeah, I would agree there. Okay. I Ian Yeah. said it the way I wanted to. Okay. Profit and business model. The board may wish to require that information regarding finances and/or the condo offering plan be submitted as a special permit requirement. Thoughts? For me, I um we have never had a problem in town of of, you know, I think people getting very, you know, the the profit motive

196of constructing housing that will be housing that will be rent-controlled and income-controlled. Um and that's what this is. And so, I I'm frankly not concerned about the the profit. I I think that what I want is is a use. I want to have more housing that's affordable and for people at a certain income. And so, I I I think that honestly that would create extra work for us to to verify that. And I just don't see it as necessary. I think that markets are going to work. These are not going to be condos that can be sold at market rate. There's going to be a ceiling on what profit can be made based on how useful this is to people. I don't think businesses are going to buy these for $3 million when you can

197only charge $3,000 rent. I'm using rough numbers, but I think it'll be self-regulating. So, I agree with that. Ian, I think that the and that's why the rent the the rent restriction requirement is also essential to my support because without that or even for me any exceptions to that at this point does not ensure that this that that even this type of employer sponsored rent restricted housing will remain affordable to the businesses themselves in town to be able to continue to do this if if we didn't have the guardrails in place but I think those guardrails define the affordable the profitability as you say. I agree with that. Any other comments? >> Yeah so I'm not too concerned about the financing on there but I think the offering plan is something that should be presented

198upon application on there. That's where where I would target as far as the resale on the resale is is later on in here. So tell me why the offering plan matters when when they make application. When they make the application cuz I want to make sure they're offering it's first of all something I've been steady on the entire time. I think we see the offering plan we will see what the long-term implications of this project would be and it's another way to be transparent safeguard what the protected project is to work within what the affordable housing scope of the town would be. That's why we like to see it. Tina I think it's going to be too hard to ask. Is that something that would come up at the planning board level anyway? I mean

199it wouldn't come to us I don't think but maybe it's required at the planning board level. >> Well no it's on the special permit and that's what is being discussed. >> So we're we're suggesting that it is submitted as part of the planning board special permit review. We don't do a lot of condos. I don't know that we typically review it. You know here because I mean the Department of State also has a role in regulating condos right? That's very important so that offering plan really does dictate like how the place operates. So for us to have that level of transparency that we have the same information that other regulators do we felt was a good step here. I don't know Eric, do you remember any condo reviews that have been done? Have we looked

200at the offering plan? Yeah, you have. >> seen Well, over here they have the senior senior condos across the street. >> Right. I wasn't here for that, so I Yeah, I haven't looked at an offering plan for it. I guess just to be clear though on this comment, the code already has the draft code already has a provision that says that the planning board during site plan special permit review can ask for any and all legal documents necessary to ensure that you know the standards that are in the code are met. We were kind of getting at more right now that the draft code provision doesn't have a provision that specifically says you must submit a condo offering plan, you know, if you are proposing condominium units. So that's really the change. You know, you

201could argue that the code right now as it's worded does empower the planning board to require that, but it might be beneficial to have that be a specific provision of the code. That's really kind of where we were getting at with that comment. >> Dick, you had thoughts? Yes, it's been my experience that an offering plan, the purpose of an offering plan is the state saying that the owner is permitted to go out and sell the individual properties. >> [snorts] >> The offering plan cannot be approved by the state unless and until there has been local approval. So you're going to get into a chicken and an egg situation here by requiring >> You're you're what? You're getting into a chicken and an egg situation here if you're requiring an offering plan before approval. They

202can't get approval from the state until there's approval here. So So what we do in cases like that, we can say the draft offering plan and the the final could be a condition of either the building permit or the certificate of occupancy, right? If it won't be available at the time of submission. Maybe it's up to the state as to whether or not they're willing to go on proposals or not. No, I'm saying like the the approval would be issued Mhm. and a condition of approval would be that they need to submit the offering plan before a CO or a BP. It would It would be I I worry it might be overkill here. I mean, it's going before the planning board. That's going to be public record as to what the intentions of the

203project are. That's what we'd be hoping to get from the offering plan in the same case and I think we have adequate protection from that record. And >> Cuz we don't have anything in the code that says if an offering plan is not A, B, C, or D, then it's not acceptable. So, we're just wanting it, but we have nothing in the code that says upon reviewing it, if it's not this, then it's unacceptable. We're just seeing it. So, I don't understand why we'd If we wanted to make it a condition that we would approve an offering plan, we should have that. What those conditions would be to approve or deny the offering plan in the code, no? Right. We we didn't get to that level of detail like the substantive requirements in the offering

204plan. Um it It was just because of the importance of that document in in regulating the existence of the condominium. Okay, so I understand what Jake is saying here, the chicken or the egg. I You know, I don't know. I'm fine being the minority here. You know, I would still like to see the offering plan at some point within the town's files. I think that's important. I think we're seeing situations with development in Montauk. >> about. wish I saw an offering plan on that thing initially cuz that narrative can be binding. So, uh either way, that's that's why, you know, if it was upon conditions of, you know, uh they just get submitted before a final review and that might be the CFO. Yeah, I'm not uh I'm not either way yet, David. That's why

205I'm asking questions. To To point, you know, the other driver in that is that we do feel it's a best practice to like coordinate with other regulatory authorities. So, when there's a wetland permit that needs both the town and DEC, we always want to see both those applications to ensure that all the regulatory authorities are looking at the same information and that we can coordinate with other regulators. Now, I don't think this offering plan coordination would be at the level that we coordinate with DEC, but again, just to ensure consistency in documentation cuz sometimes it's not the same. >> So, the offering plan should match what they're applying for. Right. We should and we should have It's just full transparency. We should have it on file. We should understand um, you know, No. That's not

206how it works. The offering plan is looking at what you have what the applicant has submitted to the town and has approved. So, so the applicant goes to the Attorney General's office with everything that's been approved by the town. So, it's clear what prospective buyers are purchasing. And then after that, there's a system in place for how the condo operates. >> So, you're saying our the planning board's approvals drive the offering plan. >> Correct. It's it's the articulation that offering plan is an articulation of what the planning board approved. Of what the entire municipality has approved, including building permits. >> Okay. And that that's that's all sent to the state and then the state approves the >> office. The The Attorney General a has the final approval on an offering plan? Yes, they have actual

207architects reviewing building permits and attorneys reviewing necessary legal documents to ensure prospective purchases are protected. >> And that they're uh compliance with whatever rules we created. No, they're not looking for local rules. They're looking to see local approvals. Okay. And I remember when we did the aquaponic condos, every time we made a change, it had to go back up Yeah, if you change the price on something, it has to go back for approval. So, it sounds like that's a pretty strong guardrail. It is. So, you don't recommend that we need to have the ability to file on copy. >> No, I I I don't think it's even practical for it to occur because you're asking for something that has not been approved yet. Okay. Meaning they can't get the offering plan approved until the town

208has it provided all of its approvals. >> So, if a condition of approval is then to supply that document once the attorney general has approved it, would that be more appropriate? I don't even know if you could do that because the attorney general might say, "Well, you're not approving the offering plan until you have all approvals from the town." And the town can't come back and say, "Well, we're not approving it until you approve it." That's a chicken-and-egg situation. So, let me ask, you need a CO to go to the attorney general. What what approval do you need? You need at least approved building permits. However, I do not see the attorney general's office saying this offering plan will not be approved until you have a CO. Right. And it conditioning it upon a CO

209because how can a person person actually go into contract and purchase without acknowledging that this is moving forward? Yeah, well, and I don't I don't think we're we're saying I mean, we're open to kind of how it would work, but I think we just want to have the official documentation on file. So, if we received that uh prior to us signing off on the CO, it seems like they would already have it if they got it at the BP. And it doesn't we're not saying to we've issued the approval. But in order to satisfy all our conditions for the like for the planning review, you would need to submit that final piece of documentation. We do that like for example with like DOT permits. Like >> that's a different regulatory agency. Yeah. I the the

210attorney general isn't acting like the DEC or somebody like that. They're reviewing documents to ensure proper compliance and not granting approvals like a regulatory agency. I would recommend that the planning department drop that. The only concern though, Jake, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, is what I mean what if the offering plan came out and said we're going to sell these for $2 million each to whoever wants them? That wouldn't mesh with with our intention, but if they're not looking at local code, they're just looking at safety, we would have a mismatch, you know, a That would be No, that would be in violation of the covenants covenants and restrictions and natural So they would catch it? >> Yes, they actually be caught. So they will check compliance with our approval. So say

211we put covenants, the applicant will be required to submit the covenants and the attorney general's office will be responsible for ensuring those covenants are achieved in the offering plan. When I have worked on offering plans, I have had to submit covenants and restrictions as well and copies of code. Are offering plans um public information or is it private? Public. You can go online right now I I do I do think it's helpful for the town to know what these you know, know have the information about how these these are functioning. It's a new idea to us. I and I have one in my car. I'll bring it to you as you know, I'll show it to you. It's huge. Us having to go and like seek it out though rather than making it a requirement

212for the developers is just another a burden on us. I feel like once they get it approved by the state, we should get a copy of it. Yeah, I don't And and have that onus be on the applicant rather than staff to look it up. >> But why >> we do a little bit of If it's publicly available, especially. Why don't we do a little bit of research on it? It seems like Yeah. >> A good question. >> Like you want a final copy to close out the file. Yeah. Kind of thing. Yeah. Cuz I mean also if they change stuff, I don't know I don't know how that works. Like if they change things between approval and CO, which we have also seen happen. >> Jake? What about notifying the town anytime there is

213a change to the offering plan? You could do that. There's nothing against that. >> There's middle ground there. Mhm. >> Yeah. Okay. Well, let us think about it. We'll talk with Jake a little further and >> I I appreciate that conversation, Jake. Thank you. You're welcome. Okay. So now we're up to essential workers. The board may wish to consider an exemption from the income requirements for tenants who are essential workers, although the planning department suspects this is not a permitted restriction due to other laws. I submitted my comments on this one. I I I Look, I I think yes, we should get definitive guidance from the town attorney's office on this, but it's something I think we have to be somewhat aggressive on as we can, um, because it's such a need. You know, I

214I I think whatever we go wherever we go with this, there will be elements of risk. Um you know, openness to risk on different factors. This is one where I would be more open to being on the risk side. All right. There's no definition though of essential worker, correct? >> Just a protected class that I'm aware of. I mean, this the the it's from the critical infrastructure guidance, which is, um, the they cover cybersecurity and your critical infrastructure for federal government. The that's the definition I gave previously. So for me, since this is a brand new concept, I'm not in favor of any exempt exceptions to the 130% AMI cap on this particular uh, project. In this particular code, we can always come back if we see that there's empty condos and people not getting

215them and revise it, but for me that guardrail is very important to knowing that these are not being going to be sold to anybody that can potentially find housing in another method. That the need for this the the the um that this operates to to fulfill a need. Um and and that's the original need of 130% AMI income cap. I want to see how that goes before I make any adjustments to this code in terms of income. Yeah, I agree. I I don't think I don't think we're ready to add this yet because we just don't have we don't have the definitions of the language yet. I'm open in in concept to this especially when it comes to volunteer, you know, firefighters and and EMTs. Um But I just don't think I don't think we're

216ready to do it and I so I support this going forward without that knowing that it's something we can address later if if we decide to. I I can't support this without just saying if that disappears, I don't think I can support this moving forward. Okay. David? I'm good with it moving forward and get more information about the allowances. We can always come back and change the code on there, but I'm good with the 130 and Thomas continue talking with the attorney's office. The only thing I know again this protected class, I don't know much about what you just mentioned, but we can always work on that. >> Those are two separate things, right? Essential workers and income cap of 130% AMI are can be mutually exclusive. But they're they're related in that the only

217reason you would need an exception is if you're over 130% for only essential workers. And and >> If you're under 130% any essential workers can live there and many would be by the way. >> But I believe I'm but the the um the planning board, if I remember correctly, was open to going above the 130%. >> yes. For everybody. >> Yes. Now, I so that's the cuz they're kind of melting together now. Income cap of 130% AMI, the board may wish to consider amending this figure likely to a higher income range as recommended be considered by the planning board. Yeah, I mean I'm not ready to do that to go higher. Again, this isn't something we've This is brand new and I want to see how this works in its current form which matches what

218we what we're allowed to have for income for affordable housing. It matches what what our affordable housing definition allows and that helps me with this. If there was no income cap, also to carve out an income cap for the idea of essential workers liquor stores were open during COVID because they were essential considered essential. So and and apparently according to David they were essential. >> [laughter] >> So I mean it's legally undefined and I think it's potentially a discriminatory category on who's in it and who's out. I'm still good with the 130 right now, too. I would be open to going higher but that it to to it's like, you know, two people at 130 is making 100 and almost 171,000 dollars combined. Whereas if you went to 150, it would be 197,000 dollars combined.

219I think you're but but I have I guess what I I'm jumping ahead because then I look at density and I would I would be looking for trade-offs on density in order to go up a little bit higher for Yeah, I mean I think that's where AMI I think that's where there might be middle ground, which is like maybe if if it's legally permissible, you do 150% for essential workers. Just to kind of say, "Hey, look, you know, maybe it's a liquor store, you know, maybe it's teacher, maybe it's PD. I know we can't own it, but someone else could own it and rent it to them. Um, you know, to ensure that we have adequate housing for the Look, I know that there's no durable definition, but it wasn't that long ago as you

220as you kind of called out that we were very clear about who essential workers were and who who were not. And there was a reason we made that definition was for us to function as a town. That was the requirement. And I think as we plan, you know, for something like this in the longer term, having that exemption or having a you know, an adjustment on that cap for those types of operations, again, I think it's just good long-term planning. >> So, we're just we're also going back to the idea that this is business-owned housing. So, that means the police department and the fire departments would own them, and I I just think that for me, in terms of the the overwhelming need for affordable housing in this town for people who have businesses whose

221employees, you know, whether they're considered essential or not and are needed to be able to keep that business open, I think that's the audience that that's the target group that I'm interested in in this first go-round of solving. Businesses, right? Who uh have are going to buy these units for their employees. And for me, that means all employees at this point. It It could change in the future. Um, but I think at this point, when this legislation was brought to us over and over again, it talked about the need for businesses to be able to have staff. Um, and so, carving out exemptions for that takes away a unit that may a business may need for their staff, which is the whole purpose to me that this was brought forward. I support the 130% cap

222right now. Okay. Everybody David, you said you did too and Kate did, so. Um Density, the board should consider if the maximum permitted density of 12 units per acre is appropriate. The board should consider the number of tenants that would be permitted on site based on the number of people per bedroom, number of bedrooms per unit, and number of units, and the impact this could have on surrounding properties. I'm Oh, sorry, go ahead. Oh, thank you. Uh so, I'm comfortable with the the special permit to allow 12 units of density on there that matches where we've been adjusting the code on there. Uh in situations like this and in times where this will be in LBOs, the the property size itself, the lot area, is going to limit the the amount of uh parking, uh

223waste water if need to be, or lot coverage on there. So, I think you're going to be targeted and limited a lot uh based on that as far as in the amount of uh individuals that can be in these these property in these locations on there. So, I'm good with the 12. Uh I'm also good with the 12. I I'm good with the 12 uh because I think um environmentally I'm not sure how much more uh we can support. So, I think the special permit to uh lower uh to increase density for this reason is uh again important uh an important pillar for all of this that it's 12. I'm good with the 12 as well. You know, that would require a a sewage treatment. Um it would require a traffic study. You know, they

224they'd have to show that they can handle that. Um so, I'm I'm good with that for sure. And as as far as the number of tenants, that is a fair point. I think that that really is firmly in the planning board's realm. Um you know, I don't know if we feel that there we need to say anything stronger that if we do the math and there's so many people that the parking, you know, calculation changes. Um but to me, that's part of what the planning board will do is look at the, you know, bedrooms, the parking, and they'll go over that. So. >> have the guardrails for that in of the AHO and all limited business. So, we already have two guardrails on there in place for that for me. Yes, I don't I don't

225think that this should be subject to a special permit. I think it should be tied at eight units per acre. And, you know, listening to the public comment and listening to the amount like of unrelated people that could be in an apartment, I think it's just too much density. And so, I'm not supportive of the special permit for this legislation. We do have also the the amount of bedrooms and people per bedrooms as a guardrail in that regard as well. Yeah, but a three-bedroom could have six people. And typically with affordable housing, when if it's true affordable housing, um they typically have like fewer vehicles, you know, per household. This has the ability that, you know, there could be six cars for a three-bedroom house. >> planned for, I think that's okay. I mean, I

226think we have to acknowledge that that true affordable housing exists in town already and it's, you know, it's one of those things that we face a challenge with the code enforcement. There's there's some people who operate under the radar like with illegal structures. We've talked about this with multiple That's the cheapest rent they can afford. I think at least with something like this, planning will have been done, fire inspections will have been done, but you're actually providing work force housing. So, I I I'm open to the 12 months. I think it's the right number. Is there Is there any part of the code that I think there's part of the code that states that you're they're only allowed to have four non-related individuals per unit? >> for single-family homes. But, yeah, and this is a

227special permit. With the special permit, that's the whole point. You could have more. I'm still good with the special permit, but I but I understand the supervisor's concerns. Um resale, the board should consider whether any provisions limiting the resale price of units are required. This one actually came up in my CAC, and I I don't know, Jacob, if this is legally permissible, but would it be a possibility to give CHF the first right of refusal on a resale property? We'd have to look into it. Not sure. Okay. I'd be interested in tying the resale value to CPI. Yeah, I don't have strong feelings about this one. In the the earlier draft of similar legislation, that was part of it. Although, I think if we're talking about staff workload, you know, it's going to create a

228burden on them, and I do think the market's going to self-regulate this. And as long as the the income and the rents are controlled, then I think we're achieving our intended goals. So, I don't think this needs to be there, but I'm not dead set against it. I'm on the I'm in the same position as Ian on this one. That it's self-regulating. Yeah, I I I don't know if the sale price matters, since it's not affordable housing again. I think the rent restrictions is is the strongest guardrail for what for keeping this affordable. Whether businesses can, you know, what the market will regulate what what they're willing to pay for it. I I don't know if because it's not affordable housing, and that's what I want to make these distinctions. I I don't I think

229the market regulation is the most important part for me. But, that going back to the income cap, which will keep these at an affordable rent rate for anyone. The last is smaller lots. So, if I could just So, part of my reasoning behind behind that the CPI is that I don't disagree with you, Kate, and and that that the rent restriction is the most important part about it. I I just want to see that if there was a mom-and-pop store that would you know, one of the There's not never going to be a cheaper time to buy into this formula than first. It's always going to increase a little bit more. So, how do we keep the mom-and-pop stores from from potentially using this type of new designation of of housing compared just to have

230larger entities come in? And I think that's part of just trying to find the balance to increase in resale values. That's all. I see very difficult for a mom-and-pop store to be able to buy into this program right from the beginning. >> I I understand, but if if there was just trying to mean Something. >> You got bunch of mom-and-pop store owners on this board. And to us it's it's challenging no matter what. >> Yes, absolutely. I appreciate that. So, I'm on the fence about that now because I I think that that that is a valid point. But again, now we're we're changing it from Okay, I just How does everybody else feel about that? I have to digest that a little bit. >> I'm good moving forward because again, part about this and we

231said the other one, we can you can you can loosen it or tighten it as you go to see how it works. I Yeah, okay. Thank you. Smaller lots. The board should consider if this use should be permitted on lots less than 125,000 square feet, the currently proposed minimum lot area requirement as suggested by the planning planning board. I don't I At this time I don't support that. Neither do I. Neither do I. Same. Yeah, I I get where they're going. Um I acknowledge it's definitely something we should come back and reconsider, but overall I would like to see a project delivered and see how it operates before we move to small lots. And there's other options that Ian mostly gets. >> affordable multi-family residence was just, you know, introduced and I think that we

232we took care there to have a different density standard because it would be on a smaller lot and I think that, you know, we don't want to throw that out by I will I certainly would not allow want to allow this use in a smaller lot with more density than we would with traditional affordable housing and that's what that would mean. I mean, you also have in the pipeline the um we're looking at uh the ability to have housing on business lots themselves. >> Which may take care of the smaller Yeah. Okay, so I've been keeping score. So, it looks like there's two changes that need to be made to the to the local law. The first is um tying a fee to each application or each tenant, right? And the second is that the

233developer needs to notify the town when there's a change to the um offering plan. But other than that, it looks like from all of my notes that there are no other changes that we're looking for at this point. >> I would like to require a one-year one-year lease term. Okay. Um I I think that I I don't think this can be I think a lot of there was a lot of concern about it being a revolving door and we're talking about management. I think that would go a strong a long ways to alleviate management concerns. I would be open to a shorter term of 6 months or something like that, but we wouldn't want to have six different tenants in one apartment over the, you know, different leases over the course of the year. So,

234I think I think that and then I think that the strengthening the income verification language in addition to the third-party management, being explicit about that. Okay. Everybody good with that? >> I'm on board. All right. You Eric, Tina, Mark, do you have any Is there anything that we didn't touch on that we should have or any red flags that have gone up? No? I I don't >> add anything? Yeah. Um if you're asking me, um I don't see anything else. I guess um and I think this is where everyone's going, just trying to figure out the the next steps. We need to determine um you know, how we would amend the the draft code provisions, but then also determine whether or not um this requires re-notice. I I think it would require re-notice. Yes, it

235requires re-notice. Eric. It's going to take a bit of work, but I'll I'll work with Tina and Eric and Mark and Britney um on these changes. Great. All right, beautiful. >> Yeah, and and with regard to the original question, I don't think there's anything you missed. I was taking notes too as you were going along. Okay. Eric, I just want to thank you for how well you synthesized this memo and the public comments that we heard. So. >> No problem. Thank you. Grateful. Okay, we're through our agenda and we're up to liaison reports. Thank you, Madam Supervisor. I will kick off with Human Services. Um two things to talk about here. The the first is um just some good news coming from our Grab and Go Go program. Um you know, for those who don't

236know, we we offer a Grab and Go program for seniors to bring home a certain number of meals. We also offer the on-site food program. And one of the historical issues we've had with the department is, you know, food waste like everywhere else and how can we improve that? Our grab and go program has been a great way of doing that as the meals prepared, you know, if then the need is not met immediately, they can be flash frozen there and then and transferred into this grab and go program which continues to grow. So, um kudos to the Human Services Department for what they're doing there. Um I also wanted to bring uh to the attention um this is from Human Services the home maintenance repair program uh which provides assistance to residents in the

237town who are 60 years age or older, home owners, renters. Um this can offer us help with program, household chores, um minor repairs, um you know, a a range of issues for anyone who may be in need of this support. Uh you can contact Leanne Rodriguez at the Human Services Department. Her number is 631-329-6939 extension 7209 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Um again, this is just, you know, for minor repairs, plumbing, exterior repairs, installation of safety rails, smoke detectors, patching walls, weather stripping, screen, storm windows. Um we get that it can be hard um for some of our senior populations out here and this is just one of the ways that we kind of look to um make your lives out here better. Um next, fire road access. Just want to give two pieces

238of heads-up here. Um the first is that we are looking to work with Laser Tree, um an external contractor, to do some improvements on the Edwards Hall um reserve. Specifically, we're going to be starting with the Palmer Path, um just removing some of the dead pines which are adjacent to the path and in some areas just widening uh as per direction and feedback from the fire departments just to kind of ensure that they have adequate access in those areas. The second piece is um that we're going to be doing some outreach to the local residents in that area adjacent to the property. Um just highlighting that look, as we look to go forward managing the fire load risk in this area, um, we we're looking to improve access. Um, this is potentially one of two

239avenues we're looking to take. The first is the possible construction or we're not construction, possible reopening of old fire roads which were internal to the property. The second option is working with home owners to get easements, um, to allow for, you know, the town to access those properties. To follow up on this, uh, the letter's just going to be inviting home owners to come to meet with the town, discuss options before we kind of move forward and everything because, you know, whatever we do, it it could it impacts not only your safety, but also, you know, your immediate environment. So, just be expecting those to be coming out in the near future. Um, Easton fire commissioners, Easton fire chiefs, just want to highlight that, um, I sent out to all members of those groups the

240recent fire grants program from FEMA. There's a new batch of funding that's been released, um, for a range of fire fighting programs. Um, so, please apply as you can. Um, disability advisory board, um, we discussed some of their work, uh, today. Um, the other project that we're working on in conjunction with, uh, Jennifer Elfline at the school, um, as I I mentioned this board previously is that, uh, young adults who age out of the school system, uh, with special ed really kind of at a loss in our community and there is a program in place offered by Rise Life Services that is no cost to the taxpayers, funded entirely through Medicaid, um, that, you know, provides opportunities for them be they work opportunities or you know, just recreation, other areas. The key here has been

241finding a space that's applicable for them to use. Um, we're possibly looking at the general rec room at Windmill 2. Uh, we're going to be meeting on site on the 28th of this month. Um, we're having a day out. Um, the the other option that's been raised by the committee which, you know, I just want to kind of bring up is the possibility of a room at CDCH. I mean, we've had that building vacant for a little while now. I know we've done some great repairs there, but is it a possibility we could find space for them there? Um East Hampton Youth Task Force, I just want to congratulate all the young people out there for a successful and fun prom. I hope you had a good time and the reports we got back weren't

242too bad, so um good for you. Um Arts Council Committee, uh we met last night. It was a very interesting discussion around public art spaces and how the Arts Council can partner with the town just to increase opportunities for artists and you know, in the community. Um you know, they discussed uh the recent uh roundabout on second um I'm sorry, two holes of water road. Um and whether you know, something could be done with that rock installment being painted um or just elsewhere. No. Mon- monument you know, um murals in the town. You know, just different options, you know, what can be done, what can not be done. I don't I don't mind having a conversation, but that that rock being painted >> No, again, but possibly a smaller other different installation. >> I apologize

243for That was that was just yeah, that was just kind of anecdotal example. That's like the rock out in in in what's it called in Block Island? It gets painted every every night. Right. >> That that can just Um other option was like the existing senior center. Look, we we know it's going to be a little bit of time before we kind of get to where we need to with the senior um center and the community center. Um you know, in the interim, could we actually have the Arts Council, you know, go out and review possibilities for artists to come in and paint murals on the front just to kind of make that building look more happy and fun. I think it's you know, one of those things just look, we have a great arts

244history out here and finding ways to celebrate that and encourage um young contemporary artists to thrive out here um with the use of public space to express um it's something you know, that the committee's looking to do. Um Business Committee is meeting tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Um we'll be discussing building department among other things. Um And then lastly the emergency preparedness committee. I had a long call on Zoom this week with the CDC just part of their kind of monthly updates on different things going on across the country and the world. But just to kind of give quick things cuz it's in the press. The Ebola outbreak very low risk over here. You know, the hantavirus again super low risk here as everyone's probably read most people now isolated in Nebraska for that. Measles does

245continue to be an issue and they've issued guidance to all camps in the country about what measures and protocols might be for measles issues. I have forwarded that to John Rooney in our department, but anyone operating a camp in the town, I do recommend you go and just do a quick search for CDC summer camp measles guidance. We'll give you some kind of key updates as to just ensure you have safe operations. That's everything from my update. Thanks, Tom. David? >> I just have a three things. I wanted to let everyone know that the week after Memorial Day being next week, there's going to be two actions happening at Big Albert's. There's going to be a staging area for property owners minor beach or dune restoration efforts. This has happened multiple years in a row

246right now. Also after Memorial Day, there's going to be beautification projects in downtown Montauk and also expansion removal and restoration of the sidewalk along Old Montauk Highway. Lastly, I've been invited and will be engaging on this Thursday in an interagency seafood infrastructure working group meeting. This is being put together by the Department of Agriculture from New York State. I look forward to that. They're trying to target needed infrastructure for the commercial fishing industry uh on Long Island then, too. So maybe we'll bring that up something later on to uh town board meeting also. Thank you. And as everyone um I don't want anyone to lose sight on the importance of Memorial Day. While we call it a holiday, it wasn't a holiday for millions of family members. Memorial Day is a solemn holiday that we

247remember the individuals that gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms of America. So, with that, I hope we all enjoy Memorial Day, but please remember why we have Memorial Day. Thank you. >> Thank you, David. May I just I just got some recent news I just wanted to If I may jump in very quickly. Um as many community members may know, we were very saddened to Allison Spacek recently passed away. Um the Arts Council last night did have a discussion. I just got this email just now um about they they've been granted if the town would be open to it um a selection of her works and possibly if if the Arts Council approves with them to display them in town hall for a short period of time just to celebrate her life as a

248a fantastic community member. Okay, we'll bring that up at a future board meeting. Uh Kate. Yes, um the Waynescott CAC met and the first week of the month and they had discussed uh bringing only one proposal back to the town board this year for stop signs. The subcommittee, um if you recall, had a presentation and had asked for numerous uh stop signs. They've reduced that request to one set of stop signs. I have a map uh just to show everybody. It would be on the here and it would be on the corner of Waynescott Northwest Road and Waynescott Stone Road. If you recall in that discussion, uh the board wasn't opposed to it. Nobody in the uh audience uh spoke out against it. We had some speakers explaining the uh issues that farmers would have

249had with the stop signs down by Main Street. But this continues to be a dangerous intersection for particularly pedestrians and because of the sight lines and because of course most of our roads in our town are not at a 90-degree angle, it's very difficult. We were hoping that there would be some improvement because Wayne Scott Stone Road speed limit has dropped down to 25, but they haven't seen much improvement in safety there and they would like to bring this recommendation back to the board. I of course will go to Steve Lynch and PD for recommendations, but I wanted to put it on everybody's radar once again. I'm I'm comfortable with this one. I I can't Have you spoken to Steve that he could make this a 90-degree angle? As as I said, I haven't spoken

250to Steve about any of this yet. Cuz I'd like to see Wayne Scott Northwest Road if that's a 90-degree angle, which is something that he's done in other in other parts of our township. That would improve sight lines, I would imagine. Yeah, I I recall speaking to Steve about this. I I He had some reservations, but I can't recall exactly what they are. So just do check in with him. >> Yeah, the town board at the time when this was brought forward didn't really have objections to this. The idea was to see what the effect of the lowering the speed limit would be in the discussion and that was really what we were waiting for data on that. There's data now. Um so I'll reach out again to PD and Steve. Is there official data

251about the speeding there? There's the data that's collected by the PD's signs. Yes. >> circulate that. >> I'll circulate that as well. With an analysis from PD. Sure. Yeah, I'd like to hear from from Steve Lynch on that too. And also just just to know, I think part of the issue here is right away encroachments, frankly. Yeah, there's a lot. The sight line is not great there and >> Very it's it's impeded to the point of where it's not safe. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's that's also an issue there. And in many places across town. >> Many places. Mhm. And now you're seeing irrigation even put into the public road right-of-ways, which is another topic. Uh so that's this recommendation. I'll continue to redo the research on that. Um the other uh thing is that the

252uh chain Hampton had their event on Saturday. Ian, you came um to see the uh all of the commercial grade uh electric battery operated tools that are available for landscapers to use, whether it's a homeowner, but these were specifically aimed at commercial grade. I think this uh there were landscapers that came uh who actually already use the equipment and landscapers that uh really had a lot of reservations about it. So I think the um the goal here is to continue the education to landscapers on what's available, with the goal of at some point uh looking towards a transition for landscaping equipment or for leaf blowers to uh electric leaf blowers. I uh myself, when I went, I have an electric leaf blower. Um it's not commercial grade, and I was wondering if it actually for

253me using it, I wasn't quite sure it was actually quieter, but they had sound gauges, and it is considerably quieter uh for the user as well. And of course, you don't have the emissions, the toxic emissions for people that are using this equipment all day long. So, you know, 8 to 10 hours a day of breathing in um gas fumes is not healthy for anybody, along with the most important issue for folks that are making this decision right now for me is every time you look at the price of gas uh going right now in town, it's above $5. So so to in order to save landscaping companies, cuz those costs get translated down to the homeowners and homeowners themselves. I think it's a very timely and good time to take another look at what's

254available out there that's not powered by oil and gasoline. So that I I I hope Change Hampton continues those education events. They were very helpful. I had a great video. Unfortunately, when I replayed it and thankfully I caught it because I'd already sent it to Jason. In my video, there was some unsavory language that it picked up in the background. >> [gasps] >> But they had a commercial grade large robot mowing grass mower mower that was running around out there and again, this is commercial grade for very large properties and it was doing a great job. Unfortunately, I can't show that video unless I Something was picked up in the background that I'm glad I caught before I asked you to play it, Jason. It was a great event and I'll stop there. Thanks, Kate.

255Ian? Yeah, that was a great event. I just want to reiterate the thanks to Change Hampton. I think it was wonderful how many how many different pieces of equipment were there and uh it it was great to see. I I learned a lot myself and then the garden here. So Change Hampton, keep up the the great work. We all appreciate it. I have a very brief liaison report. Maidstone Playground Maidstone Park Playground is still on schedule. I think I had said hopefully for Memorial Day. It's an early Memorial Day this year. So That's true. End of the month. Um but but it's it you know, it's progressing and I got an update today actually and they still anticipate to be done by the end of the month. So that's great. And otherwise, I just have

256two actual cancellations. Spring CAC is canceled tonight, which was a great surprise to me, but I think everyone's getting ready for the weekend and there was nothing pressing to discuss and then Ag Advisory, which was scheduled for Thursday, is also canceled because it's beautiful out and I think the farmers are all busy. Okay. Great. I just wanted to touch base on the Long Island Railroad. You know, as of today we understand that full Long Island Railroad service is expected to be restored by 4:00 p.m. today. This is welcome news for East Hampton because the disruption has had a real impact here. The South Fork Commuter Connection is built around the Long Island Railroad service and while the town shuttle portion is not staffed by MTA employees and there was some confusion out there about that.

257It connects riders to and from Railroad trains. When that service was suspended the South Fork Commuter Connection could not operate and that matters for us here in East Hampton. In April alone the service carried more than 2100 passengers over 22 service days helping workers get between train stations and schools, government offices, retail stores, private offices and other workplaces and we're grateful to the governor and to the MTA to coming to an agreement and that service is expected to resume like I said by 4:00 today and it just demonstrated how much our community and our town government depends on reliable public transportation as we had a number of folks battling the traffic and others working remotely from home. And the last thing I just want to say I announced it the last time but now we

258have a flyer. We're going to be having a town of East Hampton job fair on Saturday June 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. right here in this room. A number of departments have signed up and you know, kudos to Emily Fisher for getting folks to participate. So, human resources will be here, the police department, recreation, code enforcement, animal control, highway and sanitation have all signed up so far. So, we'll be you know, doing outreach on this. Civil Service will also be here. So, um you know, for those folks here, you know, live here, work here. And is it Saturday, June 6th? Saturday, June 6th, 9:00 to 12:00. So, now we have we do have a few resolutions that we need to get approved today. Yeah, jump right in. I will start with resolution 2026

259833. This is to approve purchase of Golden Years video library, the retirement enrichment collection. This is cost the town not to exceed $75. >> Second. All in favor. I. 834 is a resolution to authorize amendments to the payment processing agreement with CSG Forte Systems. Be resolved the town supervisor is hereby authorized to execute an amendment to the original agreement to CSG Forte payments in order to extend its payment processing services to the town clerk's office under the service fee model pricing. Second. All in favor. I. My pleasure to offer resolution 2026 835. This is to accept a donation of services and materials from the Suffern Foundation where the town's property of the owner of 173 Town Line, about 5.2 28 acres. The foundation set forth proposal on November 17, 2025 and the town board is

260now graciously going to accept this proposal. The estimated donation value is $200,000. Second. All in favor. I. 836 is a budget modification. This is where we're decreasing line for fuel in the amount of $7,000 and increasing the budget line of equipment repair in the same amount. Second. All in favor. I. 837 is appoint student intern one aquaculture department Ethan Robin, hourly rate of $19 effective June 15, 2026. Second. All in favor. I. 838 is appoint student intern two in the aquaculture department and Nathaniel Filer, hourly rate of $21 effective May 22nd, 2026. Second. All in favor. Aye. >> Aye. 839 is accept a proposal for statewide roofing for the Atlantic Avenue beach comfort station. And again, this is Oh, cool. All right. Replace Okay. So, we're going with a standing seam roof on here. It's

261$109,725. And the proposal is dated April 24th, 2026. Second. Any discussion? Just to let everyone know we're going we're doing a full revamp of this comfort station. We don't anticipate that it's going to take too long. We will have portable bathrooms out there if needed, but again, it's going to be interior and full exterior work also then, too. It's great. All in favor. Aye. 840 is the notice of bidders for EH26-033. It's It's a four surplus oyster seed sale for 2026. The bid is available May 21st, 2026. The bid is due back June 20 June 11th, 2026. Second. All in favor. Aye. I'd like to make a motion to withdraw resolution 841. Second. All in favor. Aye. 842 is appoint seasonal labor in the parks department, James Lawler, hourly rate of $22.88 retroactive to May

26217th, 2026. Second. All in favor. Aye. I Sorry. 843 is a reject bid EH26-016 is the Abrams Path Comfort Station site improvements. Second. All in favor. Aye. 844 is extend the contract EH25-017 is the annual contract for cesspool cleaning and tank tank pumping services to Bacon Bush cesspools. Second. All in favor. Aye. 845 is accept resignation of part-time labor, and this is was in the Well, I'm going to say it to go. Miller Figueredo, retroactive to May 7th, 2026. Second. All in favor. Aye. 846 is a set bid EH26-024. This is a purchase and install motors on aquaculture boats to Spellman's Marine Incorporated. And amount not to exceed $32,414.97. Second. All in favor? Aye. 847 is to appoint seasonal labor in the Parks Department, Alex Aponte, hourly rate $22.88, effective June 14th. Second. All in

263favor? Aye. 848 is a authorized title search Suffolk County tax map 300-163-4-3. And this is not to exceed $2,950. Second. All in favor? Aye. 849 is authorized payment of a prior invoice to the Highway Department for $180 to Liberty Iron Works. Second. All in favor? Aye. 850 is a resolution to authorize agreement with the Montauk Village Association for funding of where we're further allocating $3,000 to them for cleaning. Second. All in favor? Aye. 851 is a transfer of the Lars Simonsen Skate Park Reserve and budget modification. This is for purposes to be for Lars Simonsen Skate Park. And we're transferring $1,673. We're transferring $1,673. Second. All in favor? >> Aye. This is a set bid EH26-015. This is for the shade shelter for Montauk Skate Park and the Fred Theo Fred Theo locations. This is

264to go to Park Play Sites and Surfaces. And the amount totaling is Okay, we got three three lines on here. Total cost is $310,000 for both. Second. All in favor? >> comment. I I look I I get the need for shade. I do have a little bit of sticker shock at these shade structures like It's just it's a lot of money. I I mean, is is it absolute required? I I I I don't know. I mean, that's I I I have a little trouble with this one. >> [clears throat] >> Um you know, what have we done in this way? Are there other ways to cost engineer this? So, no. So, this actually was put out to bid on there. What we were seeing is the same shade shelter that we purchased at uh Steep

265It's the same exact one at Stephen Hand's Path. >> Mhm. And um there's a secondary one installed somewhere and I'm forgetting where where what location right now, but the cost have nearly gone up by 60%. And that that's what we got back on the bid for the same exact one right now. So, costs are increasing that much on it. Uh the only option later on is potentially go out to uh the uh contract for shade shelters, but you would want to have multiple of those you know you're you know [clears throat] you're you know you're going to do. The one at the Montauk Skate Park was uh part of discussed at the initial installation of the skate park working with the skate park foundation uh that the town would be coming back with a shade

266shelter at a time after we've done the uh the the we did the did the skate park, the basketball courts, and this sort of completes what the town's commitment to the project is. Okay. All in favor? >> Yeah, I know. Yeah. >> Sure. All in favor? I. 853 is a set bid EH 26-025. Uh this is for the Springs Youth Association HVAC improvements. Talk about sticker shock. Uh and this was for $467,000. Second. All in favor? >> I. 854 is provisional part-time appointment to the office assistant Alice Nikolai in the recreation department uh and uh effective May 29th, 2026. Second. >> All in favor? I. I have resolution 855 which is to appoint Jonathan Herman as an additional Litter Action Committee member for 2026. >> Second. All in favor? I. Resolution 856 is to modify

267resolution 2026 382 to increase AKRF budget allotment where AKRF has been retained per adopted resolution to assign work with planning zoning the planning board and zoning board not not to exceed amount was $5,000 where AKRF has provided an updated proposal dated May 11 to increase its not to exceed budget from 5,000 to 10,000 to accommodate the effort required to complete assigned tasks resolve um uh this resolution seeks to modify the not to exceed budget from 5,000 to 10,000 for 2026. Second. All in favor. I. Resolution 857 is approval of various special events for June and July 2026 list and all events below. Second. All in favor. I. Resolution 858 is approval of various events special events for May these are two events at the Surf Lodge for two different fundraisers. Second. All in favor. I.

268Resolution 859 is to retain Farrell Fritz Fritz for best practices for the zoning Board of Appeals whereas the office of Farrell Fritz submitted a proposal May 1 2026 to serve as special counsel to the planning department in assisting with executing the practice analysis for reviewing ZBA applications and procedures limited including but not limited to secret review public hearings work sessions and staff reports where Farrell Fritz has specialized in expertise relating to zoning matter to assist the planning department resolve that the town board hereby retains Farrell Fritz to provide professional legal services to the planning department for the zoning Board of Appeals further resolve that Farrell Fritz shall be paid uh, in accordance with the fee schedule set forth in their proposal dated May 1st. Second. All in favor. Aye. Uh, resolution 860 is approval of

269Surf Angstrom seasonal surf lessons permit 2026. These lessons are given at Marram. Second. All in favor. Aye. Resolution 861 is to authorize attendance for the New York State Association of Tax Receivers and Collectors conference in Niagara Falls, New York for Christie Kenny from June 7th to June 10th. All appropriate fees and travel costs will be paid in an amount not to exceed $1,450. Second. All in favor. Aye. Resolution 862 is to establish a leave bank share time for justice court employee. Second. All in favor. Aye. Resolution 863 is to amend resolution 2026-383. Um, this is for work at 54 Tub Horseman remediation. An additional amount of $3,336 for a total amount not to exceed $28,420. Second. All in favor. Aye. Resolution 864 is to waive fees for the Lamb Building capital project. Um, any internal

270fees associated with the project including but not limited to ARB permit fees and building permit fees. Second. All in favor. Aye. Resolution 2026-865 is the continued retention of outside counsel Ellie Ellie D Ellie Bot 2026. This is to represent the town in all aspects of the wind farm project in an amount not to exceed $1,000. Second. All in favor. Aye. David. Yes, sorry. Thank you. 866 is a budget modification for the recreation department and this is a decrease in budget lines. Uh, computer software for 1,000 and repairs general for 1,000 but increasing for recreational supplies in the amount of $2,000. Second. All in favor. Aye. I'd like to make a motion to go into the session to discuss, uh, real estate advice of council litigation personnel and contracts. Second. All in favor. I. Thank you

271everyone. Have a safe Memorial Day weekend. I hope, you know, the forecast is wrong and we have some sunshine over the weekend. And thank you Jason for today's meeting.