East Hampton Notebook: Helo Advisory Committee Forms and Town Says 'Yes' to Green Program

The East Hampton Town Board passed a number of resolutions on Thursday night, including the formation of a new advisory committee on helicopter patterns, the settlement of a claim for work that had been unpaid for the justice court building construction, and the support of a state-wide program to help property owners make their homes more energy efficient.

Multi-Town Helicopter Noise Advisory Committee

The board approved a helicopter noise advisory committee that Councilman Dominick Stanzione had proposed last week. It will be comprised of representatives from the five East End towns; East Hampton, Southampton, Riverhead, Southold and Shelter Island.

The committee will review noise from helicopter traffic and report back to the towns and the East End Mayors and Supervisors to present their findings concerning solutions, such as re-routing traffic, legislation, and protocols. Stanzione was appointed to the committee, and Sen. Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., I-Sag Harbor, were also invited to participate as non-voting members.

There are two airports in town -- , which is run by the town airport manager, and the , which is privately run. There is also a concern about noise generated by helicopters going to and from Gabreski Airport and the .

Springs Property to be Preserved

About 4.7 acres of land on Squaw Road in Springs, owned by Duck Creek Marina, is being considered for acquisition under the Community Preservation Fund. The proposed purchase price is $1.35 million. The town board will hold a public hearing on the matter on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.

The property was only just added to the CPF list, an action Councilwoman Julia Prince said that she was aware was not the best process. "It will be the last time, I hope," she said.

Town Pays Up on Justice Court Work

At the meeting on Thursday, the town board settled a suit from EMTEC Consulting Engineers, which worked on the building, for a $75,000 of alleged additional work. The case was before the Hon. Judge Elizabeth Emerson when the settlement was reached on Jan. 14. The justice court building was completed in 2007.

More Money for Snow Cleanup

Town Scott King requested more money be transferred to his budget for snow and ice removal supplies, subcontractors, and maintenance supplies thanks to the sever winter weather so far in 2011. According to the resolution, because "the winter season still has several months before it concludes and there is potential for more storms and severe weather," the town board approved the transfer of $65,000 from other line items. The board also moved $12,000 to cover snow removal from the December 2010 storm. 

Town Supports 'Green Jobs, Green New York'

Councilwoman Prince proposed the board's support of a program that is working on creating more jobs through green upgrades. The Community Development Corporation of Long Island is already administering the NYSERDA funded Long Island Green Homes and Buildings Consortium program for seven Long Island towns -- Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, North Hempstead, Smithtown, and Southampton -- and is continuing to scale across Long Island.

The state has established a revolving loan fund for property owners making energy efficient improvements through the program. Unsecured residential loans are $13,000 with 5, 10, or 15 year terms and are offered at 3.99 percent to 3.49 percent.

The program also provides free energy audits to individuals with incomes up to 200 percent of the area median income, as well as reduced priced energy audits for  households with incomes up to 400 percent of the area median income.

According to a resolution in support of the "Green Jobs, Green New York," the town could see significant impacts on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The program can provide "hundreds of jobs both directly and indirectly, providing a much needed stimulus to our local economy," the resolution reads.

The CDC of Long Island is proposing a model program to target low and moderate income areas within the town.

Gilliam Retires with a Payout

Flora Gilliam, the long time senior clerk typist who retired from the in December, will receive $22,690 as part of a her retirement package. In accordance with the CSEA, Gilliam accrued nearly 104 hours of vacation time and 1,122 hours of sick time.

Councilwoman Prince congratulated Gilliam at a meeting of the board on Thursday night. "She worked very hard for many year and we wish her good luck on her retirement."

With Reporting by Kerry Goleski