After Outcry, Garbage Cans Return to Sidewalks and Southampton Town Officials Say They Weren't Told of Highway Superintendent's Plans

Southampton Highway Department crews returned garbage cans to Main Street in Bridgehampton, Hampton Bays, Water Mill and East Quogue last week after outraged residents and business owners bombarded town officials with complaints of trash accumulating in their respective downtowns following the removal of the cans just after Labor Day. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

Southampton Highway Department crews returned garbage cans to Main Street in Bridgehampton, Hampton Bays, Water Mill and East Quogue last week after outraged residents and business owners bombarded town officials with complaints of trash accumulating in their respective downtowns following the removal of the cans just after Labor Day. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

Southampton Highway Department crews returned garbage cans to Main Street in Bridgehampton, Hampton Bays, Water Mill and East Quogue last week after outraged residents and business owners bombarded town officials with complaints of trash accumulating in their respective downtowns following the removal of the cans just after Labor Day. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

Bridgehampton Civic Association President Pamela Harwood said that the decision to remove garbage cans from the downtown had been concealed from residents. Town Board members said they had not been told by Highway Superintendent Charlie McArdle that he was going to remove trash cans from the downtowns when they authorized him in June to stop maintaining sidewalks along state and county roads unless his department was reimbursed.