Video: Westhampton Beach Village Celebrates Arbor Day

The village of Westhampton Beach celebrated trees on Thursday with Mayor Conrad Teller proclaiming May 26 Arbor Day in the village. Also during the celebration, Mary Kramarchyk of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation presented the village with a Tree City Award for the 23rd year in a row.

According to Kramarchyk, was one of 100 municipalities across the state to be given the tree city designation this year.

In addition, Kramarchyk said the DEC has also chosen to award the village with a growth award for “additional achievements” in their tree-planting mission.

Village Trustee Sue Farrell accepted the award for the village, thanking members of the village’s beatification committee for their hard work. She also thanked Ridgie Barnett, a former member trustee, who started the tree project in the village.

Westhampton Beach High School CURE Club members wrapped up the event by planting a tree outside of village hall.

According to the students’ teacher, Jok Kommer, the CURE members work throughout the school year on environmental projects, including tree plantings, recycling, and elementary education seminars.  They raised funds for the installation of solar panels on their school’s roof.