Hammerle Set to Step Down

After four terms on the East Hampton Town Board, Councilman Pete Hammerle withdrew his request for a nomination by the Democratic Party for election in November.

“I screened to run for re-election for councilman for a fifth term but after the screening I didn’t come away with a good feeling,” he said.

Hammerle withdrew the request on April 17 before he had learned whether the Democratic Party would endorse his campaign.

One reason for his decision, Hammerle said, was he thought the Democratic Party may not want him to run, thinking he might be associated with the prior town board’s financial mismanagement. Of the $30 million deficit and ensuing uproar, Hammerle said, “When I found out, all I tried to do is fix it.”

Hammerle, 58, has played a role in East Hampton government since 1992, when he served as chairman of the town planning board. “As of today, my plans are to figure out what else I can do as a career," he said. "I will stay in East Hampton as long as I can pay my mortgage.”

Carry In, Carry Out

Despite his decision, Hammerle's still advancing initiatives. At Tuesday's work session, the councilman rolled out a proposal for a “Carry In, Carry Out” program for the beaches.

The program is known as “a voluntary litter management program” that informs beachgoers and park visitors they must take all garbage when leaving, the councilman said. Signs will be displayed to inform beach goers of the rule; no trashcans will be available.

Hammerle says that the program will increase litter removal efficiency for the parks department, decrease costs and increase environmental awareness.

Hammerle collaborated with personnel from the parks department, the Community Preservation Committee Fund Committee and the Nature Preserve Committee to identify 28 pilot locations. Many already have no garbage cans; the town would only add signs.

Other locations were selected in low traffic areas; in addition, some of the garbage cans were being used for household trash, according to Hammerle.

In total, 43 signs  are needed, with an initial financial impact to the town of $1,300, said Hammerle, The aim is full implementation by July 4 weekend.

Sammy's Beach is one of the 28 spotlighted locations.  “I have been cleaning Sammy's Beach for the past 17 years," Springs resident Beverly Bond said. "Thank God the can is there because I can put garbage into that can.” Bond cannot carry the amount of garbage she picks up home.

Hammerle said the town could work with her because he doesn’t want her to cease her efforts.

One member of the board of directors of Clearwater Beach in Springs voiced concerns, stating a like Hammerle's wasn't successful, and cans are being brought back. Even in a gated community, she said, people still left trash.

Hammerle said the sites would be monitored and the goal is to remain flexible. "If it doesn’t work we will move back to garbage pickup.”

"It is about people thinking about what they are doing and changing the way you are thinking about the beach," Councilman Dominick Stanzione said.

A public hearing on the program is slated for Thursday’s 7 p.m. town board meeting.