East Hampton Council To Review Police Pursuit Policy, Farm And Sewer Ordinances

EAST HAMPTON, CT — The Town Council is scheduled to consider a revised police pursuit policy Nov. 10 and continue work on proposed farming protections and changes to water and sewer oversight.

The police proposal would update General Order 3.6 to align with the Police Officer Standards and Training Council’s model policy, according to Police Chief Dennis Woessner. In a Nov. 3 memorandum, Woessner highlights language explicitly addressing drivers or passengers suspected of having participated in a violent crime.

The proposed policy retains a reasonable-suspicion standard for initiating pursuits and requires officers to weigh the danger of a chase against the danger of leaving suspects at large. It also would prohibit officers from pursuing wrong-way drivers against traffic, directing them to notify dispatch and coordinate a response.

Town Manager David Cox recommends approving the updated policy.

Water And Sewer Ordinance

Council members will continue reviewing a draft ordinance that would return the Water Pollution Control Authority to a commission separate from the Town Council. The proposal calls for seven regular members and two alternates appointed by the council.

A public hearing on the ordinance is already scheduled for Nov. 24.

The Nov. 10 discussion will include proposed replacement language describing the authority’s responsibilities. According to Cox’s agenda memorandum, the town attorney objected to a sentence placing primary emphasis on operating in users’ best interests, saying it did not accurately describe the authority’s statutory role.

The attorney’s alternative would emphasize protecting public waters and public health while also providing for fair and reasonable assessments and charges and opportunities for users to be heard about proposed assessments or charges.

Right-To-Farm Proposal

The council also is scheduled to review the Agriculture Commission’s recommended right-to-farm language and set a public hearing. Cox recommends Nov. 24 for that hearing.

Under the commission’s proposed language, lawful agricultural operations following generally accepted practices would not be considered municipal nuisances solely because of ordinary farming activities or changes in neighboring land use.

The proposal recognizes activities such as livestock and equipment noise, agricultural odors and cultivation dust, including work during the day or night. It preserves applicable health, safety, zoning, wetlands and other code requirements and directs municipal boards and commissions to consider protecting agriculture in matters affecting farms and agricultural land.

Personnel, Recognitions And Other Business

Council members will consider approving a job description for a human resources generalist. The position would be part of a proposed two-person department serving both town government and the Board of Education and would report to the human resources director.

The agenda also includes a presentation from the America 250 Committee and proposed proclamations honoring Kevin Burnham, Michael Scranton, James Burke, Shawn Webster, Gary “Red Oak” O’Neil, Kevin Reich and Jack Solomon.

Four tax refunds totaling $248.27 are also listed for consideration.

An executive session is planned for strategy and negotiations involving pending claims and litigation and collective bargaining. The agenda states that no action will follow the executive session other than adjournment.

Meeting Access

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Council Chambers, Room 107, at Town Hall, 1 Community Drive, and through Zoom. The webinar ID is 819 0050 2342. Telephone access is available at 646-558-8656.

The agenda includes two public comment periods, with remarks limited to three minutes per person. Zoom participants should use the Raise Hand feature to request recognition.