Pumpkin pickers may be prohibited from parking

Southampton Town wants to ban roadside parking across the street from a favorite pumpkin picking farm in Water Mill, citing safety concerns.

The town held a public hearing to ban parking on Fairbanks Court, across from the popular Hank’s Pumpkintown Farms, from Sept. 1 to Nov. 15 each year. The state had already agreed to the town’s request to ban parking on Route 27 in front of the farm. Fairbanks Court runs perpendicular into Route 27.

A few Fairbanks Court residents attended the hearing to support the farm’s activities while expressing approval of the ban. But they asked for temporary signs to be put up each year instead of permanent signs.

The farm, owned by Hank and Lynn Kraszewski, is one of the town’s more popular pumpkin and autumn celebration farms, and draws large crowds each year for its corn maze, wagon rides and pumpkin and apple picking. It opens this weekend then reopens seven days a week on Sept. 24, according to the farm’s voice mail.

Officials also said that the Kraszewskis plan for more on-site parking to alleviate street parking problems.

Town director of traffic Thomas Neely said he would look into temporary signs after neighbors at the meeting complained of “sign litter” — permanent signs needed only the short window during which parking wouldn’t be allowed.