The Town is the easternmost town on Long Island (Suffolk County, New York State). It encompasses a land area of 70 square miles on Long Island's south fork and has almost 70 miles of waterfront on three sides. The Town is bordered by the Town of Southampton to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, and Gardiner's Bay to the north.

The original land, purchased from the Montauket Indians, covered about 30,000 acres. The first settlement within the present jurisdiction of the Town was made by Lion Gardiner on his privately-owned Gardiners Island in 1639, but organized settlement did not take place until 1648. The original name of the Town was Maidstone and fourteen years later became known as East Hampton. Whaling, fishing, farming and cattle-raising were the basis of the settlers' early economy (see the History page).

Present day East Hampton provides many artistic, cultural and historic points of interest including the Montauk Indian Museum, Old Hook Mill (built in 1806 and later restored), Deep Hollow Ranch (the oldest cattle ranch in America), Guild Hall (home of the John Drew Theater), among many others. The Atlantic Ocean, the bays and the harbors remain the Town's prime attractions, providing swimming, boating and fishing for summer visitors and year-round residents alike.

FORM OF GOVERNMENT

The Town of East Hampton was established in 1788 by the State as a separate political entity vested with independent taxing and debt authority. There is one incorporated village wholly situated within the Town's borders, the Village of East Hampton, and a portion of a second village, Sag Harbor. The Town has four independently governed school districts wholly located within its borders and portions of two others, all of which rely on their taxing powers granted by the State to raise revenues for school district purposes. The school districts use the Town's assessment roll as the basis for taxation of property within the Town. The Town has four fire districts wholly or partially located within its borders, all of which rely on their taxing powers granted by the State to raise revenues for fire district purposes.

The legislative power of the Town is vested in the Town Board (see the Town Board page).

The Town Clerk serves as custodian of the Town's legal documents and papers, maintains the minutes of proceedings of the Town Board and is responsible for the publication and filing of all official notices. The Clerk is elected to serve a four-year term. The number of terms the Clerk may serve is unlimited. The Town Receiver of Taxes is responsible for receiving and collecting all State, County, Town and School taxes and all assessments that may be levied in the Town. Other officers of the Town include: the Highway Superintendent, which is a two-year elected position; the Town Assessors, who are elected to four-year terms; and the Town Attorney, Town Budget Officer and Town Receiver of Taxes, all of whom are appointed by the Town Board.

SERVICES

The Town is responsible for providing most governmental services to its residents. Water service is provided by the Suffolk County Water Authority and sewerage is provided by the individual private property owner although the Town does accept sewage for processing at its own treatment facility.

Highway construction and maintenance is a Town function. In addition, recreation is provided via parks and beaches, which are maintained through Town government. Other services performed at the Town level include: property assessment, building inspection, zoning administration and the local justice court system. The Town furnishes police protection, while the State police provide intermittent patrols of highways and the County police supply special police services. Fire protection is contracted for through the Town's several fire protection districts. Education is the responsibility of the six independent school districts located in the Town. The County provides various social and health services. Certain services are provided through Town Operated Special Districts. Town Operated Special Districts are managed and operated by the Town Board.

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS

The Supervisor is the chief fiscal officer of the Town; however, the Budget Officer, as the chief fiscal advisor to the Town Board, is responsible for the Town's accounting and financial reporting activities. The Town Board serves as the Town's finance board.

The Supervisor, with the assistance of the Budget Officer, prepares a preliminary budget for submission to the Town Board. The tentative budget must be filed in the office of the Town Clerk on or before September 30th of each year. The tentative budget is submitted to the Town Board not later than October 5th. Following review and modification, a preliminary budget hearing is held by November 15th. At this hearing, members of the public may express opinions, which the Town Board may take under advisement. Approval of the budget is not subject to a vote of the electorate and the Town Board may make changes following the hearing process. The Town Board is required to adopt the final annual budget by November 20th. From time to time, the Town Board may make changes or modifications in the amount of annual appropriations subject to legal provisions.

The Town prepares an annual financial report, which must be filed with the State Comptroller. Financial statements are annually audited by an independent public accountant and the Town is audited periodically by the State Comptroller.

The Town of East Hampton Comprehensive Plan