Southampton OKs 'green' policy, sidewalks

At the Southampton Town Board meeting Tuesday, the board passed the following resolutions:

*An amendment to town procurement policy to add a “Green Clean” policy modeled on Suffolk County's program. The policy states that all janitorial cleaning supplies must be purchased from a list of products deemed environmentally safe and nontoxic.

Councilmen Chris Nuzzi and James Malone voted no, but the measure passed with the yes votes of Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and Councilwomen Nancy Graboski and Bridget Fleming.

*The appointment of Lizabeth Plouff to a vacant position of energy coordinator in the Department of Energy. The appointment, which Councilmen Chris Nuzzi and James Malone voted against, is paid for by a federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. Muzzi and Malone said they felt the work could be done by a person already on staff so the full amount of the grant, $200,000, could be spent rebating residents for energy efficient upgrades.

*The appropriation of the town portion of money to install sidewalks along County Route 79 (Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike). The town will pay about $100,000 and Suffolk County will pay $500,000.

*A $1,000 grant to the Flanders Little League; transfer of Riverside property from county to town for affordable housing; the purchase of assorted town vehicles; a contract for professional services for the Tiana Beach Erosion Project; the renewal of a lease with Suffolk County district attorney for space on town property; the renewal of a contract for the Lewis Road Recharge Basin Project; a move to put out bids for the Scuttle Hole Road Traffic Calming at Head of the Pond Road project; an amendment to the capital program for restoration of Rogers House from $1 million to $2 million with funds from other sources; a refund of donated money for the presently defunct Westhampton Community Center project.

*The appointment of David Reilly to a temporary position on the Board of Assessment Review and Dianne Rennard to the Landmarks and Historic Districts Board.

The board also voted unanimously to amend the community development block grant program for the Flanders and Riverside communities to include a Farm Fresh Food project where local farmers will provide fresh food to local residents in low or moderate income areas.

The board tabled a resolution to join the East End Cooperative Health Plan Feasibility Study, initiated by Southampton Village Mayor Mark Epley. The study would research the cost efficiencies of joining together East End towns and villages to buy health insurance as a cooperative. The measure will be back on the agenda at the March 22 meeting.