Across the five East End towns, the Community Preservation Fund took in 5.3 percent more in the first four months of this year than over the same period last year—$31.91 million, as opposed to $30.31 million.
April was a slower month in 2016 than in 2015, however, with a CPF tally of $6 million, compared to $7.69 million last year.
Southampton Town saw a 6.7-percent decline in the first third of this year, from $18.04 million to $16.83 million. On the other hand, East Hampton Town had a robust 33.8-percent increase, from $8.76 million to $11.72 million.
In the Town of Riverhead, CPF revenues rose 2.2 percent, from $920,000 to $940,000. Southold had a 10.1-percent increase, from $1.79 million to $1.97 million. Shelter Island’s revenues tumbled 45.7 percent, from $810,000 to $440,000.
“It is clear that real estate sales on the East End continue to be in strong, particularly in East Hampton and Southold,” State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. said in a statement. “The towns are well positioned to extend the fund for an additional 20 years and add water quality protection to land preservation in our efforts to protect the East End’s community character.”
The five East End towns can choose to hold referendums this year on whether to use the CPF to protect water quality as well as for land preservation and similar uses.
The Peconic Bay Regional Community Preservation Fund has generated $1.125 million since its inception in 1999.
27east on Jun 6, 2016