By:  Progress for Westhampton Beach

This month the work session was Wednesday, July 15th, the earliest date for a third Wednesday.  The Work-Session-Agenda was full and with the meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. public business was not concluded until 9:15 p.m. when the Board voted to enter executive session.

The work session began with a report from Beecher Halsey as the village liaison to the Gabreski Airport advisory committee.  Mr. Halsey gave an informative report to the trustees concerning anticipated commercial development, and those matters more directly within his committee’s jurisdiction air traffic and noise abatement procedures in place to reduce the air traffic over the village.

The IGHL Kayak event originating at the village marina was authorized again for this year.  Kayakers will launch here and paddle to Smith Point Park to camp overnight.

The Board adopted a Resolution to correct and clarify that the reconstituted Conservation Advisory Council is indeed a “council” and not a “board” as had been incorrectly stated in the original resolution.¹⁾the error was noted, and is now corrected.  This council will be called upon to assemble important information concerning marine water quality; and will provide important insights to appropriate cost effective means to address such concerns as it identifies.  See NY DEC technical briefing on nitrogen pollution and adverse impacts on tidal marshlands.  We  can expect Brian Tymann and William Bennett to add their important voices to this discussion with their past experience as Town of Southampton Trustees.

The Board discussed various code changes to:  the Peddlers and Soliciting Law; Commercial Temporary Outdoor Displays; and Fast Food Restaurant laws.  The Village Clerk was authorized to publish notice of a public hearing to consider a change in the definition of Fast Food restaurant to include establishments with three or more cash registers, at present businesses can only have a single register — otherwise they are classified as a prohibited fast food restaurant.

Brian Tymann agreed to speak with Southampton Town Trustees about coordinating the establishment of a pump out station for boats at the marina with the caveat that such an improvement will be considered in conjunction with the development of a sewer district.

The Board of Trustees in April budgeted funds for a Master Plan update, and insofar as village planner Kyle Collins has informed the trustees that he would prefer to serve in a supportive role rather than a primary architect, the firm of Nelson, Pope and Vorhiss has submitted a proposal to be considered at the next meeting of the Trustees on August 6th.

The Board of Trustees discussed a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the preparation of a sewer district map and plan.  Once such a plan is prepared the Trustees and the residents will be able to take the first steps in an informed process that will consider both environmental and fiscal impacts of waste water treatment for the village.

Ron Hill from Dunn Engineering was present to discuss the Main Street project directed towards the milling and repaving of Main Street and sidewalk repair in many portions along Main Street.  Of particular note is the rainwater catch basin located by the Beach Bakery that requires structural repair.  This will be the right time to address this concern.

The CVS – Sunset West application for a special exception was discussed.  The applicant had filed architectural drawings and responses to questions of the trustees.  However, those drawings were then withdrawn and a new submission has now been made for review.