By Claire Walla

It began last month with a letter from North Haven Village resident Carol Ahlers.

Addressing the village trustees, Ahlers wrote that she didn’t exactly care for the new, handmade wooden address that now sits on the corner of Ferry Road and Maunakea Street. The wooden carving, featuring a blocky rendition of the address “144 Ferry,” rests against a large, vertical surface of overlapping twigs.

Ahlers’ letter has since prompted village officials to re-examine the portion of village code that pertains to signage. While the Ferry Road sign is relatively large and sits very close to the road, the trustees said it wasn’t quite clear in the village code whether or not it is technically permitted.

Homeowner Kathie Russo said her boyfriend created the sign for the front of the house merely because in the past people couldn’t easily find their home.  “We did it for convenience and to be artistic,” rather than putting up a street address featuring “run-of-the-mill numbers,” Russo said.  “Not in any way was it our intention to be offensive to anyone.”

But according to Village Clerk Georgia Welch, “The thing is that the definition [of ‘sign’] does not get into specifics.”

According to North Haven Village Code, there are specific parameters for real estate signs, which cannot rest within 15 feet of the property line, or within 25 feet of the street. However, these specifics do not extend to any other type of sign. And while one “non-illuminated nameplate” sign (not to exceed two square feet) is permitted per household, Welch said the current code still leaves much open to interpretation.

“Signs can be troublesome. Everyone’s interpretation of a sign is very different,” she continued. “Anything that identifies anything can be considered a sign.”

Village Trustee George Butts sparked a dialogue about the specific aspects of the village code and expressed an interest in homing in on what exactly those changes should entail.

Currently, the village code defines “sign” as “a letter, word, model, banner, pennant, insignia, trade flag, device or representation used as, or which is in the nature of, an advertisement, attraction or directive.”

The proposed law as it currently stands (though it’s likely to be amended before the board’s next meeting) more clearly defines what this definition should encompass as: “any material, device or structure displaying or intending to display one or more messages visually and used for the purpose of bringing such messages to the attention of the public.”

It continues, “The term ‘sign’ shall also mean and include any display of one or more of the following: any letter, numeral, figure, emblem, picture, outline, character, spectacle, delineation, announcement, trademark or logo.”

The need to clarify what types of signs would be permitted in the village was made clear during the course of the meeting when Trustee Diane Skilbred said in reference to the Ferry Road structure: “The problem with that is it’s not 25 feet in [away from the road].”

However, Butts explained the situation is not that simple. For example, he said he has a small rectangular sign on his property that displays his home address; it is fastened to the front gate of his home. Should the 25-foot restriction go into effect, he argued, then he’d have to move his address back, as well.

For the record, Butts said “I have no problem with the sign [on Ferry Road].”

But, he urged the board to hold off on voting to change the wording in the village code until the wording of this aspect of village code had been worked out.

“We could end up with a whole big thing on our hands,” he added. “I don’t want to start that. I just want it done once.”

Welch said the village trustees would submit their comments and concerns to Village Attorney Anthony Tohill, who would draft another proposal to amend the definition of a sign, as laid-out in the village code.

As of Wednesday, Russo said she had yet to be contacted by anyone from the village on the matter.  “It’s not a huge deal for us,” she said.  “If we have to take ti down, we take it down.  I’m all for communicating with everyone.”

In other news…

The Village Trustees voted unanimously to approve Local Law #1 of 2012, which extends a law passed in 2011 to provide a temporary moratorium on wireless communications towers and antennas.

Board members also voted to hold two public hearings at next month’s meeting regarding two additional new laws. The first would extend the moratorium on dock applications, which was originally voted into law in 2011. And the second would provide for a procedure for issuance of demolition permits.

Popularity: 1% [?]

By Claire Walla

Citing net losses of nearly 30 percent over the past few years, the North Haven Village Board of Trustees have voted unanimously to raise the fee for applications before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The cost will increase from $600 to $950 — effective immediately.

“We shouldn’t be losing money,” said Village Trustee Diane Skilbred, echoing the sentiments of her fellow board members at the trustees monthly meeting on Tuesday when the vote was taken.

Village Clerk Georgia Welch explained that while applicants have historically paid to have their applications heard by the board, in recent years the number of applications has risen dramatically. Whereas the board used to hear anywhere from zero to three applications a month, since 2008 the board has typically seen around five applications.

One year Welch said the board ultimately took in $3,000 in application fees, but ended up spending $5,000 in service fees; another year applications totaled $6,000, while service fees cost $9,000. These fees include payments for a stenographer and other legal services, “because it’s a quasi-judicial board,” Welch explained. “There are avenues where court action can be taken.”

The fee will apply to all new applications going forward. Welch said all applications that are currently in the process of being heard will be unaffected by the village’s new fee.

Unsatisfactory Signage, to Some

North Haven resident Carol Ahlers isn’t pleased. In reference to a wooden sign bearing block lettering that was recently erected at the corner of a residence on Ferry Road, she wrote, “you can’t miss it, it’s ugly, it’s illuminated at night and it’s huge.”

She continued, “Can we make this sign disappear?”

Members of the North Haven Village Board said they had already contacted Village Attorney Anthony Tohill about the matter.

“It’s awfully close to the road,” said Trustee Jeff Sander.

“We suspect it’s on village property,” added Welch.

In fact, the only signs permitted in the village are nameplate or professional signs (not to exceed two square feet); real estate signs (not to exceed four square feet); and subdivision signs (not to exceed 10 square feet), for which residents are also required to obtain a building permit.

Popularity: 1% [?]

By Claire Walla

Last Tuesday, September 6, North Haven Village Trustees held a public hearing on a topic not typically discussed in the village: “abandonment.”

Less dramatic than it sounds, the meeting was merely a procedural first step in the village’s efforts to rebuild a fallen fence. Still, for some living at the end of Third Street and Coves End Road, the issue is of great importance: the loss of that fence was almost like opening the floodgates.

Last winter, when an active storm season caused the fence on Third Street to disappear, it created heightened concern for many living along Cove Road and Coves End Lane who complained of an increased flow of cars in their neighborhood. Though North Haven Village officials put cones in the area to prevent cars on Third Street from accessing Coves End Lane, it didn’t deter some motorists.

“I know what happens when the cones are gone,” said Coves End Lane resident Ibar Albinson. “The cars were zipping through there and they weren’t stopping.”

Albinson said it was especially concerning for him because he often walked his dog in the neighborhood.

“[Some drivers] have a tendency to be fast anywhere they can make a short-cut into town,” he added.

According to residents, several drivers — some residents have even reported delivery trucks among them — have used the L-shaped route along Third Street and Coves End Lane to get from Long Beach to Route 114 (or vice versa) without having to drive through the traffic circle in North Haven Village. The village had erected a fence at the end of Third Street decades ago, which effectively prevented motorists from continuing onto Coves End Land, which spits them out right onto Route 114. In order to erect a fence once more, the village must first officially “abandon” that section of Third Street.

As a result of the fallen fence, “a very quiet neighborhood changed dramatically,” said North Haven Village Mayor Laura Nolan. “We recently erected large, orange cones to abate the traffic, but residents are very desirous of [putting up a new fence].”

Ann DeStefanos, a resident on Short Beach Road, also spoke at the public hearing.

“I’ve been a resident there all my life, and the road has been closed at least 35 years,” she said.

DeStefanos continued to cite issues with the orange cones, complaining that some cars have either damaged the cones by running into them, or else motorists have moved them out of position themselves.

“I’ve moved them back myself, but people have dented them with heavy vehicles,” she added. “I really think [the street] needs to get closed permanently. We really need to do something [about the traffic]. They really whip through there.”

Without any further comments from the crowd and with no noted correspondence on the matter, the board voted to close the public hearing. And during their regularly scheduled board meeting following the hearing, the trustees voted to pass a resolution giving the village authority to “abandon” a section of Third Street and close-it-off with a fence.

According to Mayor Nolan, the village’s next step in the process of closing off the road is to close the street while making it safe for emergency vehicles and pedestrians.

She added, “We’ll have a public discourse on how we’re going to beautify this and close it off.”

Popularity: 1% [?]

According to the most recent data from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Irene is now forecasted to make landfall on Long Island sometime Sunday afternoon, the storm’s center hitting somewhere in western Suffolk County or eastern Nassau County.

The affects of the storm are expected to impact East End residents starting on Saturday night. High winds, flooding and coastal erosion are anticipated as Hurricane Irene nears Long Island.

Sag Harbor Village officials spent this morning prepping for the storm, according to Mayor Brian Gilbride. Sag Harbor Village Police Chief Tom Fabiano is leading emergency efforts for the village, he said.

At 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Chief Fabiano convened a meeting with Mayor Gilbride, North Haven Mayor Laura Nolan, North Haven Deputy Mayor Jim Smyth, as well as members of the Sag Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, Sag Harbor Village Police Force and Superintendent of Public Works Dee Yardley to give the team an update on the storm’s path and emergency management plans for the village.

According to Mayor Gilbride, Chief Fabiano has already taken the village’s generator to Pierson High School – the local evacuation center – and has confirmed it is working order in the event the evacuation center is needed.

“We are already talking about how to make sure people are safely evacuated,” said Mayor Gilbride.

He encouraged people to prepare for Hurricane Irene by stocking food and water in their homes, as well as flashlights and batteries in the event of a power outage. Mayor Gilbride added that for residents who need shelter for their animals, the Animal Rescue Center of the Hamptons has announced it has a about 50 slots for cats and dogs who cannot be evacuated to Pierson High School or neighboring evacuation centers.

He added that residents in the village who live in low lying areas should be aware that the storm is predicted to cause massive flooding. While Yardley’s crew has spent the last two days clearing drains in the village to keep flooding at a minimum, Mayor Gilbride said those who do live in low lying areas should prepare their homes for evacuation and if emergency management officials call for an evacuation of any neighborhood, residents should immediately comply.

“Make sure you have any extra medicine if you need it, on hand, top off your vehicles with fuel and if you have an elderly neighbor, please check in on them,” said Mayor Gilbride. “We have all been through this before and if we take care of each other and work together we will get through this fine.”

“We’ve been preparing for [hurricane season] for months,” said Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst.

In fact, Southampton Town actually unveiled its official “2011 Hurricane Survival Guide” earlier this month, which provides detailed notes on how to prepare for and what to do in the event of a hurricane; it also provides a list of emergency contacts and evacuation sites in the town.  (A link to the guide can be found on the town’s website: www.southamptontownny.gov.)

Though hurricane activity—especially 96 hours out from its expected arrival—is relatively unpredictable, Throne-Holst explained, she said will meet with all Southampton Town department heads at 8:30 Friday morning, August 26 to regroup before the weekend.  “By then we should have a pretty good sense of what we’re dealing with.”

The town is currently in the process of putting together templates for emergency orders.

East Hampton Supervisor Bill Wilkinson did not return calls for comment, but Deputy Highway Superintendent Kevin Ahearn said the department is avidly checking the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website for hurricane updates.  In the meantime, he said, “We’re just making sure our equipment is in shape.”

In addition to maintaining a strong supply of fuel oil, gas and chainsaw oil, Ahearn said all highway department personnel will be on-call this weekend.

Throne-Holst added, “I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that it’s no worse than what we’re expecting.”

Should either Southampton or East Hampton Town call a state of emergency and urge residents to evacuate their homes, Sag Harbor residents should go to Pierson High School, which is the local evacuation center. Other important numbers to keep on hand are: The American Red Cross of Suffolk County, 631-924-6700, the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management, 631-852-4900, the Long Island Power Authority, 1-800-490-0075 (to report down electric lines or an electrical emergency and National Grid, 1-800-490-0045 (to report the need for emergency gas service).

Popularity: 8% [?]

Despite torrential rains battering the East End Sunday morning, an annual boat party and concert went off without a hitch in the Inner Cove, although according to Sag Harbor Village Harbor Master Bob Bori the event attracted between 150 to 200 vessels, half of the boats it attracted last year.

And for some Sag Harbor residents, that wasn’t a bad thing.

The event has been coined different names during its 20-year existence – The Sag Harbor Boat Party, Barcelona Fest, Barcelona Point Boat Party or simply, The Barge Party in reference to the barge organizers set up for live music. It has also boasted a number of venues from its original home off Barcelona Point in Northwest, East Hampton to Major’s Harbor in Shelter Island when Sean Scanlon was at the helm of festivities. Starting in 2010, when Charlie Canavan began leading efforts to organize the event, it was moved to the Inner Cove of Sag Harbor for the first time.

According to Canavan, the location was supported by local officials, including Bori, as it was safer than hosting the party in open waters, and was a more controlled environment for law enforcement to monitor.

Another reason the event has moved so often in its history is due to complaints from neighbors, as well as eventual permit requirements by the towns of East Hampton and Shelter Island. According to Sag Harbor Mayor Brian Gilbride after having the party for two years straight in the Inner Cove, village officials will begin working with Southampton Town Trustees and the Village of North Haven to draft legislation requiring a permit to host a mass gathering event like the boat party in their waters.

“Right now, a lot of the waterfront is considered ‘no man’s land’ and there is nothing we can do about it,” said Gilbride. “My goal is not to discourage it, but if I need to put extra officers out there to keep everyone safe, I am going to do it.”

According to Bori, last year the party drew between 350 to 400 vessels, but very few complaints. However, this year, the complaints began weeks before the event was scheduled.

“Last year, when it occurred people did ask us why it didn’t need a permit, and after being in touch with the town trustees we discovered there was nothing that regulates it to date,” said Bori. “We are hoping to hash something out before next year.”

Gilbride said the main goal was to ensure that taxpayers do not have to foot the bill for the boat party, which is free for boaters, but does cost the village and surrounding municipalities money in terms of staff from the harbors and docks department and police to ensure the event is held safely.

This year, in addition to the Coast Guard, Southampton Town Trustees and bay constables, there were marine patrols on hand from Sag Harbor, East Hampton, Southampton, Shelter Island and even East Quogue.

Not a single “boating while intoxicated” charge or speeding ticket was levied, according to Bori, although there were some tickets issued for minor violations like expired registrations.

Landward, if someone applies for a mass gathering permit for an event that requires extra police presence to handle traffic control or other issues, event organizers, not village residents, carry that expense.

During a Harbor Committee meeting on Monday night, resident Cam Gleason raised the issue of the village having involvement in the planning of the boat party. Gleason said she was not against the event, but was against the location, citing its environmental significance.

“It is a very fragile environment in the Inner Cove,” agreed committee chairman Bruce Tait.

“I like a party as much as anyone, but I don’t like a party that trashes the environment, trashes the neighborhood and uses my tax dollars to fund it,” said Gayle Pickering, architect and wife of Ship Ashore marina owner Rick Pickering.

Pickering said that last year, the boat yard was “trashed” as a result of the event. Her husband grows oysters off his marina, which also makes the family concerned about water quality after a large scale party like that is held.

Pickering acknowledged this year was better, but attributed that to the rain in the morning, which kept many boaters at bay.

On Tuesday, Canavan noted the event has never been advertised, is insured, held for free and this year collected charitable donations to benefit Mick Hargreaves, a Southampton musician brutally assaulted with a crowbar last month outside of a Bayport bar after a performance.

Canavan added that the event was family friendly, boasting people of all ages from seven-year-olds to grandparents and everyone in between.

“I wish people would lighten up and attend the next party,” he said. “Everyone was well behaved, there were no arrests, it was a beautiful summer day and the music was great.”

Canavan added he personally policed the waters for trash after the event was over and that all officials on hard “were very professional, kind, considerate and courteous.”

“I told everyone we were surrounded by friends out there,” said Canavan. “And I want to thank them for doing such a great job.”

Canavan said he would like to continue to have the event in the Inner Cove, but questioned if that could happen under restrictions by the village and town.

“This is a nice event with people singing and dancing, and I would welcome comments on how it could be done better or comments thanking me for bringing commerce into town for a terrific waterborne event,” said Canavan.

Popularity: 4% [?]

On Tuesday night, Sag Harbor resident Mare Dianora sat in the front row of the Sag Harbor Village Board of Trustees meeting with a virtual library of books on raising chickens and building coops in her lap. Her young son Finny, came into the board room clutching a stuffed chicken he has brought to some four meetings to wish his mother luck on the approval of a proposed law she has championed to make it legal for residents to raise and keep chickens in Sag Harbor.

Neither Finny nor Dianora left disappointed.

With only one resident questioning aspects of the law, although supportive of the measure overall, the Sag Harbor Village Board of Trustees officially made it legal. Residents can now raise and keep chickens and bantams, a small variety of poultry, on their properties.

The law allows people in the residential districts of the village to keep up to six chickens per 20,000 square-feet of lot area, or just shy of a half acre of land. Residents will not be able to have more than 18 chickens on their property, regardless of its size, and the sale of any poultry items, including eggs is prohibited.

The intent of the law is to allow families like Dianora’s the ability to raise their own poultry for fresh eggs and fertilizer.

As trustee Robby Stein illustrated with a large plastic figure of a rooster and smaller version of a chicken, roosters are expressly forbidden under the new law, which has been lauded by the board with little protest from residents since Dianora proposed the legislation in April.

The law allows the keeping of poultry as a special exception use — meaning residents will have to apply to the building department and will need approval from the village planning board before they can start raising their broods. Coops or any structures used to house the animals are limited to 100 square-feet or 10 feet in height and must be kept in the rear yard. A coop must also meet a 20-foot setback to the property line and any outdoor pen must meet the standard for an accessory structure, keeping a distance of 10-feet from the property line – an issue clarified by the board at the questioning of resident Peter Price.

According to Sag Harbor Village Attorney Fred W. Thiele, Jr., the legislation is nearly identical to a law adopted in North Haven Village last year, after Brett and Kristin Morgan successfully lobbied that village board for the right to keep chickens on their property.

After the meeting, Dianora said she planned to apply for her coop and chickens through the village building department as soon as possible, meaning Finny will soon have more than a stuffed chicken to cuddle.

Dianora added that throughout the process she was actually surprised more members of the public didn’t come forward in opposition to the law, but that it spoke of the community’s commitment.

“I felt there was a great deal of support from the community in the people I have spoken to along the way,” she said. “We are very excited and hope to be taking care of chickens very shortly.”

Popularity: 2% [?]

Current North Haven Village Trustees Jeff Sander and Jim Smyth will maintain their seats on the village board after beating out newcomer Lawrence LaRose on Tuesday, June 21.

The village saw a marked turnout of voters this year with 191 total ballots cast (12 absentee). According to Mayor Laura Nolan, last year’s election only had 63 voters. In all, Sander and Smyth each received an equal 125 votes, while LaRose earned 73.

Popularity: 1% [?]

A democracy by definition is a government for the people, by the people.

In the Village of North Haven, this concept was practically all but forgotten until just last month, when resident Lawrence LaRose got out, rallied his neighbors, raised some noise and — after appealing to the village board to rescind a newly passed law allowing for a 140-foot tall cell phone tower on village property — was the cause of great change.

The village complied with his wishes and rescinded the law.

LaRose is one of three candidates on next Tuesday’s ballot for North Haven Village Board of Trustees. There are two seats open and while La Rose won’t be receiving our endorsement this time around, it’s not because we aren’t pleased by his efforts to engage in local government and better his community. Even if the cell tower debacle seemingly prompted his foray into public service, LaRose didn’t take his campaign lightly. He did his homework and proved a vested member of the North Haven community with numerous ideas on how to make it better.

But a successful government is a two-way street. And last month, North Haven Village was witness to democracy in its purest form. Because when the people spoke, the village listened.

So we endorse current village board members Jim Smyth and Jeff Sander because they listened to what the community had to say, and put great effort into doing what the people said was right.

What’s more, until this heated election season, Smyth and Sander have served on a board that has worked hard to ensure property taxes remain level, and controversies remain at a distance.

Though we couldn’t see a reason to toss either Smyth and Sander out of their seats in favor of LaRose, we hope he continues to be a vocal part of the North Haven community and are glad for the spark he added to a somewhat quiet spit of land in recent days. We would love to see LaRose get a seat on one of the village’s appointed boards in the meantime where he can really delve into the inner-workings of this municipality. We would encourage others to do the same. Because, if there’s anything residents of North Haven can learn from what transpired this election season it’s this: you do have a voice.

Popularity: 1% [?]

By Claire Walla

The possibility of a cell phone tower being constructed in the middle of North Haven has thrown many residents into a tizzy.

Trustee Jeff Sander said the issue was pursued late last year to address the village’s spotty cell phone reception, which Sander explained “has been a common complaint for many years.”

Plus, he said the village would be able to profit from a tower, which would potentially reduce village taxes by about 10 percent.

“Those are the two motivating factors to see whether this makes any sense at all,” Sander explained in an interview along with his fellow trustee Jim Smythe. “It’s not for me and Jim, it’s for the citizens of North Haven.”

Though not everyone appreciates the favor.

“It just goes against everything North Haven stands for,” said resident Susan Lamontagne.

She is one of several community members spearheading an effort to oppose any hint of a cell phone tower in North Haven — a group that includes her husband, Lawrence LaRose, who is running for a position on the North Haven Village Board based largely on his opposition to the wireless structure.

“I’m not against trying to improve people’s cell phone service,” Lamontagne continued. “But what I don’t understand is why the board didn’t look at other options.”

At a village board meeting at the beginning of this year, town trustees heard from officials on behalf of a company calling itself Suffolk Wireless, LLC, which was asked by North Haven Village Mayor Laura Nolan to present a comprehensive plan for a 140-foot tall monopole to be placed on village property.

According to the presentation, the proposed structure — which could carry signals for up to seven service providers — would be painted a tan color on bottom and pale blue above the tree line to blend in with the natural surroundings as best as possible.

The proposal was discussed among village trustees, most of whom looked favorably upon the plan, though Suffolk Wireless, LLC has yet to actually submit an application to the village. Last month, however, the village passed a local law laying out the ground rules for potentially implementing wireless devices in the village. Trustee Diane Skilbred, who would have a view of the proposed tower from her home, was the only board member to oppose the law.

Though the village ran legal announcements in The Sag Harbor Express giving public notice prior to board meetings in which cell phone tower issues were to be addressed, some residents are upset that they hadn’t heard about the issue until after the board voted the legislation into law.

“I don’t think the actions taken to date are the ones that necessarily require a bull horn [to announce it to the public],” Sander continued. “We haven’t even discussed a site application. There isn’t even any plan or proposal to construct a tower.”

Sander and Smythe said that the Suffolk Wireless, LLC presentation at the beginning of the year is not a plan that has been submitted to the board for approval.

Plus, Smythe clarified that the board “wouldn’t even be able to entertain the good, the bad, or any other wireless options” without the local law being added to the village code book.

Initially worried about the potential health risks associated with the proposed structure, Lamontagne first addressed the issue by bringing it to the community. After talking to neighbors near her home on West Drive, Lamontagne found that many North Haven residents were concerned about the notion of putting a cell tower in the village — and many didn’t know about it. Most notably, residents worried about aesthetics and property values.

“The number one thing that we hear is that a 140-foot tower does not belong in North Haven,” she said, adding that this height is just 12 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty.

This is of particular concern to Brian Ehrlich, who said his home on Stock Farm Lane would look directly onto the tower proposed by Suffolk Wireless, LLC.

“In my case, I’ve got a beautiful view of the creek and the wetlands — without humanity,” Ehrlich said. He noted that he’s also currently in the process of undergoing a $1 million renovation on the back deck of his home to enhance this view.

Ehrlich said he met with mayor Nolan last week to express his concerns, and learned that the proposed tax break from the tower would save him about $80 a year on his village tax bill.

In other words, he continued, “for a savings of $80 a year, I get to see a cell tower.”

“It just doesn’t add up economically,” he continued. “I appreciate the fact that [Mayor Nolan] is trying to save money for the village, but saving 10 percent of a $1 million operating budget doesn’t make sense” for a relatively wealthy village, he said.

Though Sander confirmed that village taxes haven’t rising in the last five years, he and Smythe expressed concern that finances might not stay so level in the future, given the shaky economy.

Overall, Sander emphasized that the village is not yet poised to make any decisions regarding the implementation of a cell tower.

In fact, he added, the board has begun to look at other options in an attempt to address the issue of poor cell service.

“We’re still looking at the Distributed Antenna System [DAS],” Sander said of the system proposed in an editorial last week written by LaRose. DAS claims to distribute cell signals more evenly via nodes placed on top of existing telephone poles, which decreases the amount of radiation sent out, versus what a cell tower would emit. “That’s the one alternative [to a tower] that looks most promising.”

“There might be a superior solution for everyone … I don’t know yet,” he continued. “We’ve had a presentation from [Suffolk Wireless], but we’re looking at alternatives. There will be opportunities for the public to participate, because the public has raised concerned. And maybe we have to do much more than just a notice in the paper. But, once we have public debate, and the benefit of public input, we as a board will figure out what we decide to do.”

Popularity: 2% [?]

By Claire Walla

On Monday, May 16 members of the Democratic Party of Southampton Town gathered to announce the names of the candidates it would endorse for the 2011-2012 election this November.

Current Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst (Ind.) will seek her second term, and current board member Bridget Fleming (Dem.) who was voted into office mid-election cycle last June, will seek her first full-term in office. Added to the mix will be newcomer Brad Bender (Ind.) who has his sights on the third seat that will open up on the board.

Nancy Graboski (Rep.) has announced she will retire from Southampton Town Council when her term is up in November. So, should Throne-Holst and Fleming maintain hold of their seats, and should Bender secure a seat in his first official foray into town politics, this would shift the dynamics of the now-republican-majority board.

Since being elected to a town board position in 2008, Throne-Holst has made the town’s finances her main focus. Then a board member, she initiated efforts to bring on a forensic audit, which ultimately revealed overspending within the town, which had resulted in multi-million dollar deficits.

Anna Throne-Holst

Throne-Holst, who was elected supervisor in 2009, has called herself a “natural consensus-builder” who is “committed to working transparently.”

Most significantly, she points to her effort to transform Planned Development District (PDD) legislation, a process she referred to in a press release as “easily the most significant planning initiative from a town-wide perspective.”

The supervisor also highlights her efforts to instigate a planning study for County Road 39, and says she remains committed to reevaluating the current system for evaluating tax assessments, a process that, she noted, could save tax payers money in the long run.

Overall, Throne-Holst highlights her “determination to put public service over politics,” which has “fueled her many accomplishments and won her public praise, despite being a minority leader on a politically divided town board.”

Bridget Fleming

A Noyac resident who owns a private law practice next to Provisions on Main Street in Sag Harbor, Fleming joined the Southampton Town Board in March of last year, during a special, mid-term election.

“I’m happy to say I feel as though I’ve gotten a lot done in a short time,” she said. “And I’m in the minority, I’m the only Democrat on the board.”

(Though Throne-Holst has garnered support from the Democratic Party, she is a registered Independent.)

Briefly listing what she’s accomplished in the past year, Fleming mentioned four main initiatives: adopting legislation to remove all damaged double utility poles from the town’s roadways, legislation to provide health insurance for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, a project called Farm Fresh Foods (which would start-up a farmers market in Riverhead) and her efforts to create a Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan for the town.

“What I would like to continue to focus on is three main priorities: economic opportunities for everyone, environmental stewardship, and continued efforts to achieve financial responsibility,” Fleming said.

Brad Bender
Though new to politics at the town-wide level, Brad Bender a resident of Northampton (an area near Riverhead) has been active on the local level for the past five years as a board member, vice president and now president of the Flanders/Riverside/Northampton Community Association.

“We’re kind of a drive-by community,” Bender said. In an effort to build the community’s aesthetic appeal, Bender headed two major beautification projects. With help from the county and the town, he replanted the flowerbeds and restored the flagpole at the traffic circle at the end of Route 24, and recently spearheaded an effort to post “Welcome To” signs throughout the community to orient unknown passersby and give the community a sense of place.

“My whole campaign is to continue to bring open and transparent government to the town of Southampton, in order to protect the small-town, rural feel” he said. “The big thing is to bring responsibility [to the town board].”

Popularity: 1% [?]