Week in Review: Time Capsule Opened; Ice Rink to Remain Closed

1. 157-Year-Old East Quogue House Designated as a Landmark

The Josiah Foster House, located at 556 Montauk Highway in East Quogue, is now an official Southampton Town landmark.

2. 25-Year-Old Time Capsule Reveals 'Interesting' Artifacts [PHOTOS]

For 25 years a brown, a plastic trashcan sat in the depths of the Westhampton Beach Elementary Schoolbasement, untouched by anyone. A sign affixed to it read, "Do not open until January 1, 2013."

Last week, with the date's passing, Principal Lisa Slover enlisted several fifth-graders to explore the contents of the can.

3. New Push to Legalize Tiana Pines Apartments

The owners of one of Hampton Bay's most targeted housing complexes, Tiana Pines Garden Apartments, is pushing the Town of Southampton for variances that would make its illegal apartments legal, despite objections from many in the community.

4. Westhampton Ice Rink Will Remain Closed

The Westhampton Beach ice skating rink, which has opened at the end of January the past two years at the village marina, won't be opening this season — there is no suitable location for it. 

5. Village Looks to Reduce Speed on Area Roads

At the request of several residents, the Village of Westhampton Beach is looking to reduce the speed limit on four area roads — Rogers Avenue, Rogers Avenue Ext., Hazelwood Avenue and Bridle Path. 

6. Public Input Sought on Homeless Sex Offender Trailers

When Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone missed a Jan. 1 deadline to shutter two controversial homeless sex offender trailers in Riverside and Westhampton, County Legislator Jay Schneiderman vowed to host a community meeting to let residents' voices be heard. To that end, Schneiderman has announced an East End Community Meeting seeking public comment on the county's homeless sex offender trailer program. The meeting will be held on Jan. 30. at 7 p.m. at the Riverhead County Center, in the Maxine Postal Legislative Auditorium. 

7. Locals Question Plan to Scrap LIPA

Superstorm Sandy and its aftermath tore through the Northeast region back in October. Months later, the storm may still be tearing something apart. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Moreland Commission recommended Monday to shutter LIPA and replace it [CBS New York] with a private company after its performance, or lack thereof, after Sandy. Locals in Westhampton and Hampton Bays area responded to the recommendation on Patch Facebook pages and many had questions about scrapping the power company. 

8. DEC to Inform Public on Speonk Plume Decision

A decision by the state Department of Environmental Conservation not to further remediate a toxic plume that runs a few miles under homes and businesses in Speonk will be vetted before the public, according to Aphrodite Montalvo, a spokeswoman for the DEC.

9. Program Lets Parents Take Control of Their Community

Issues surrounding the safety of students are expected to be the primary focus of a 16-year-old parent workshop that will take place in Hampton Bays, starting Jan. 26.

10. Annual Snowball Aims to Raise Funds for Tree Lights

The Westhampton Alliance of Merchants hopes to raise money to light up Westhampton Beach's Main Street trees year round through its 17th annual Snowball fundraiser, set for Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. at Oceanbleu at the Bath and Tennis Hotel.

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