East Hampton grapples with leafy epidemic

Call it the wrath of the weeds. A particularly nasty plant called phragmites dominated the conversation at last Friday’s East Hampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, having invaded at least two properties on Georgica Pond. Homeowners need a special permit from the board, as well as Town Trustees and the State Department of Environmental Conservation, in order to remove the invasive weeds. Experts said removing the phragmites could take up to two years and may require cutting each strand by hand in order to protect the native wetland wildlife. The Board will resume the discussion Feb. 10. [EHS]