A new law to ban alcohol at Indian Wells Beach in Amagansett will be the subject of a second public hearing on July 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
The East Hampton Town Board is proposing a slightly different law that would limit alcohol at only Indian Wells Beach during lifeguarded hours on weekends and holidays, within 1,000 feet of the road end, going east and west.
The changes reflect the Town Board’s attempt to find a compromise with the East Hampton Town Trustees, who wanted less restriction.
Despite the compromise, Town Board members expressed disappointment, saying the changes wouldn’t make a difference because of the amount of time left in the summer to enforce them.
If adopted on July 17, town officials said they would ask the Secretary of State, who has to sign the law, to expedite the process. That way, the law could be enforced for all four weekends of August. Enforcement would sunset on September 30, when lifeguards no longer protect the beach.
“I’m not happy with it,” Councilman Peter Van Scoyoc said. “I’m disappointed that it’s July 1 and this has not been in place. We talked about this for several years now. This year is done … without any meaningful change.”
Shaye Weaver on Jul 1, 2014