Town of Southampton

The session reviewed the draft agenda for the upcoming board meeting, noting an absence of public hearings. Key agenda items discussed included the adoption of resolutions for enacting a local law regarding hotel development overlay districts, registering vacant buildings, and authorizing shared computer services with neighboring villages. Other resolutions authorized contracts for engineering design services for a photovoltaic system, stewardship agreements for custodial services at Tiana Beach Activity Center, and the purchase of Ford vehicle parts. Further resolutions involved authorizing HVAC service purchases, accepting a grant for household hazardous waste expenses, authorizing purchases for plumbing supplies, and extending a no-cost contract for the Southampton Animal Shelter sanitary system upgrade. Additionally, the board addressed the payment for removing an overhead faculty, authorizing water aerobic classes for seniors, contracting for absent survey professional services, executing a service order for business licenses, and entering a master services agreement for bus scheduling assistance. The board also reviewed resolutions related to CPF appraisal services, copying machine contracts, elevator maintenance, awarding a bid for golf center sanitary system upgrade, authorizing a developer agreement with Apple, Inc., purchasing roadside mowing equipment, and issuing notices to bidders for parking improvements and the Southampton Red Creek skate park. Several resolutions concerned budget amendments for the highway and parks departments, and amendments to the 2026-2030 capital budget. The session included the continuation of legal services and the authorization for the sale of town-owned Pine Baron credits. Personnel matters involved accepting a retirement and appointing several individuals to various roles including Director of Information Management and office assistant positions. Finally, the board reviewed resolutions for the acquisition of properties for water quality purposes, including 130 Old Riverhead Road and 3841 Lake Avenue (an abandoned gas station site), and 13 Cove Road North, all subject to CPF plan amendments. Walk-on items included authorizing purchases for Microsoft Office 365 licenses and considering an application for a Community Housing Overlay District for rental housing construction at 99 Montalk Highway. The session concluded with a discussion regarding the proposed landmark designation of the David and Maria Burluk House and Studio, detailing its historical significance as a center for an avant-garde art colony and Burluk's role as the father of Russian futurism.

The work session involved the approval of prior meeting minutes. A significant portion of the discussion focused on general permit applications. For one application concerning 86 Cedar Lane, the Trustees considered its location over a buffer area and discussed concerns regarding depth, property line setbacks, and the potential for multiple vessels. The applicant proposed modifications including reducing the pier extension, ensuring a 2.5 ft water depth at the float's landward side, installing solar lights, and potentially changing the structure from a straight configuration to an 'L' shape, while removing a proposed jet ski lift to adhere to vessel count regulations. Another general permit application for 11 Lighthouse Road was reviewed, and the applicant agreed to modifications.

The meeting included opening discussions following the pledge of allegiance and attendance confirmation. Key discussion points focused on the Picconic Estuary Program (PEP), including an overview of its framework under the Clean Water Act, guiding themes (strong partnership, resilient communities, clean water, healthy ecosystems), and its organizational structure. Financial information detailing federal ($850,000) and state ($750,000) funding, along with Community Preservation Funds matching, was provided. The primary agenda item involved the bulkhead removal at Cold Spring Pond, framed as a pilot project to demonstrate nature-based shoreline adaptation. This initiative involves seeking an engineering RFP to study the removal process, addressing stakeholder concerns regarding recreational access (shellfishing) and determining appropriate erosion control measures, such as step-down core logs or vegetation, while navigating the regulatory permitting landscape. Updates were also provided on related efforts, including the Shoreline Viability Assessment, hardening shoreline assessment GIS data, piloting a site suitability model with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and updating the climate-based criteria ranking tool.

The work session focused primarily on water quality initiatives, particularly addressing nitrogen pollution stemming from on-site wastewater septic systems, identified as Public Enemy Number One. Discussions covered the results of annual water testing, which indicated high performance from the sewage treatment plant effluent compared to typical systems. The importance of expanding the sewer service area (SOAR) to cover low-lying areas where residents experience issues during high tides was emphasized, referencing the master sewer plan by Cameron Engineering. Further topics included planned implementation of rain gardens in Amherst and Covedor areas to mitigate runoff, and testing in Sag Harbor Coves, including areas affected by boat discharges. Long-term planning involved discussions on securing funding to study the feasibility of relocating the sewage treatment plant from its waterfront location to potentially serve downstream areas, including portions of East Hampton, to restore water quality and potentially support the scallop population and submerged aquatic vegetation.

The work session focused on proposed changes and additions to the Topping Rose property, located on the east side of the Bridge Hampton Sag Harbor Turnpike. Key discussion points included a modest expansion of guest accommodations, resulting in a total of 41 suites upon completion, compared to 22 currently. A significant aspect of the proposal is the substantial reduction of impervious surfaces by moving parking and the sewage treatment plant underground, acquiring two northern parcels for this purpose, and increasing green space. The existing surface parking of 74 spaces will be reduced to 27 above ground, with the majority of parking and the new sewage treatment facilities situated below grade. A new larger pool is proposed for a courtyard area created by the new construction. Sustainability features include green roofs on the new cottage buildings and a proposed photovoltaic solar array on the studio building. The project team noted that site plan approval authority rests with the Planning Board, while expansion approval will require proceeding to the Zoning Board of Appeals.