East Hampton Town to seek FAA approval on airport tower

The East Hampton Town board last week voted to formally seek approval from the FAA to operate a seasonal control tower at the town-owned airport in Wainscott for next summer, and to store the control tower module -- not currently in use -- at the airport until it is needed. The cost of running the tower will be about $200,000, paid for through airport revenues which can be used legally only for airport operations and improvements.

The resolution led to some public discussion about helicopter noise problems, and town officials said a study now being conducted would provide more information on noise patterns when it is completed. The tower, officials said, was primarily for safety, not noise control.