Dan’s Papers April 22, 2011 danshamptons.com Page 28
The Hamptons They Are A-Changin’ By T.J. Clemente Ah, some things never change, like the fresh scent of that salt ocean air blowing across your face on any given day in the Hamptons. Is it any wonder that after the American Revolution it took the British Army a few years to leave East Hampton? However, change always comes, and in the Hamptons some of the changes for the 2011 season will be noticeable and may alter the way the season is enjoyed. There will be a passenger ferry out of Sag Harbor, a free electric bus shuttle to the beaches in East Hampton Village and Amagansett, and in Southampton and East Hampton
Villages some tough, new “smoke-free laws.” Smoking has become almost public enemy number one. In East Hampton Village there is a new ban on smoking in parts of Herrick Park and Main Beach, with smoking prohibited on the deck at the beach pavilion and within 50 feet of the playground. The East Hampton Village Board amended the “Peace and Good Order Law,” so that all smoking, including cigarettes, tobacco pipes or “similar smoking substance” is now illegal. Those caught puffing there are subject to a $250 fine within 50 feet of any playground equipment in the park or on the deck at the Main Beach pavilion. The smoking ban includes areas such as the con-
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cession stand, shower areas, ramps and cabanas. The Southampton Village board had also adopted similar legislation earlier this year that will prohibit the pleasure of smoking tobacco products at places such as Downs Family Park and Windward Way Park. Like the East Hampton Village law, Southampton Village will also prohibit smoking within 50 feet of any playground apparatus or equipment in Agawam Park. Enforcement will also be in effect within 50 feet of the concession stand, deck and shower areas at Coopers Beach from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.) So smokers beware! Response Marine is awaiting one final approval to launch its passenger ferry service, connecting four locations in the Hamptons. If things go according to plan, the water shuttle will run winter, spring summer and fall, connecting Montauk, Sag Harbor, Greenport and Riverhead. The service will cost $7.50 for children and $10 for adults. What fun will it be to “water taxi” from Sag Harbor to Greenport, Montauk or even Riverhead on a warm summer’s day. The harbor locations for departures and arrivals are still being ironed out, however, it looks like all green lights for this new service. In Amagansett and East Hampton Village, the two hamlets that seems to have a big summer beach population and limited parking, change has come due to the brainstorming of some young local men still in their 20s. Alexander Esposito, James Westfall and James Mirras are being credited with conceiving the idea of the new Town of East Hampton Boardapproved “Hamptons Free Ride,” a shuttle service with electric-powered vehicles to take tourists (actually anyone) to and from the beach during the “season.” The plan is to finance this new free service through revenue that will be raised from local advertisements placed inside the electric vehicles. With pickup sites such as the train stations in both East Hampton Village and Amagansett, the electric vehicles will be buzzing about on their runs 12 hours a day. With gas prices going higher, many wise and prudent beach worshippers will utilize this “free electric service” and leave the car at home. It may be great for children not old enough to drive to have some options instead of waiting for the folks to bring them or pick them up at the beach.