Weekly Roundup: Fire, Biotoxins and Contests

1. Village Officials to Chat Music Merits on Main Street

With the outdoor season for Main Street eateries quickly approaching, the Village of Westhampton Beach resolved, on Thursday night, to hold a discussion at it's April 18 work session to discuss music permits.

According to Rebecca Molinaro, village clerk, village trustees must discuss details of the permitting process before music can go live on Main Street in May.

2. Local Firefighters Recount Brush Fire; Head Home

Of the 50 volunteer fire departments called to fight the in Brookhaven Town, four departments were some of Westhampton-Hampton Bays bravest.

At 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, area departments helped make a final sweep of the area and started to pack up and head home after 22 hours of firefighting.

3. DEC: Biotoxins Found; Shellfishing Closed in Southampton and Riverhead

The Department of Environmental Conservation has closed shell-fishing in Southampton and Riverhead on Tuesday after it has detected a marine biotoxin.

It will be closed until further notice.

According to the DEC, some 3,000 acres in Southampton are affected, including all underwater lands in the Shinnecock Bay west of the Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays and to the western side of the Post Lane Bridge in Quogue.

4. Westhampton Beach Farmers Market Opening Day Set

The will open for the season at 9 a.m. on May 5, according to the , which runs the market.

Victoria Hedberg Kingwell, market manager said Tuesday afternoon that the opening will be marked with a vine cutting ceremony in which village and chamber officials will attend.

The opening will also feature music by Grant Werner of the group, The Boomers.

5. West Hampton Dunes Seeks Best Restored Beach Title

The is looking for support to win an ASPBA contest that celebrates past winners of it's annual Best Restored Beaches Across America contest.  As a winner three years ago, West Hampton Dunes has been automatically entered.

"We are looking to kick some butt," said Gary Vegliante, mayor of West Hampton Dunes, who noted that while by mistake the village was entered into the contest's urban beach category as opposed to the community beach category, his village has a good chance of topping.

"We were ahead a few days ago and we are still within striking distance," said Vegliante.