East Hampton highlights 33,034 meals in 2025 and expands senior, transportation and recreation services for 2026

Town staff presented 2025 accomplishments and 2026 goals for human services and recreation at the April 7 work session.

Diane Patrizio, Director of Human Services, said the department’s work in 2025 expanded case management, immigration outreach, senior nutrition and in‑home repair services. She highlighted the grab‑and‑go and congregate nutrition programs and, upon request from the board, read the total number of meals prepared in 2025: "The total number of meals that we prepared last year were 33,034," she said. Patrizio said about 90 seniors participate in the grab‑and‑go program and staff prepared thousands of meals that also function as an access point for broader services. She reported roughly 7,916 transportation rides in 2025, with focused medical transports to Southampton and improvements to scheduling and staffing.

Patrizio described 2026 goals: improving data systems, expanding nutrition education tied to grab‑and‑go programming, broadening Wellness 60+ offerings (including evening programming for working older adults), installing a raised herb garden outside the kitchen, and increasing medical-trip transportation Monday–Thursday to Southampton.

John Rooney, Superintendent of Recreation, reviewed 2025 highlights: the new multi‑purpose turf field at the Fred Thiele Jr. Recreational Facility, record participation in the John Keeshan Memorial Montauk Turkey Trot (1,294 paid residents; 1,074 runners), changes to beach mat placement to improve accessibility, and increased pickleball participation. He also noted equipment upgrades for lifeguards (new utility vehicle and watercraft) and ongoing capital projects at multiple parks. For 2026 Rooney said the department will pilot a Beach Guardians Lifeguard program for adults, roll out new handheld radios, install real‑time surf and beach signs, and pursue facility and accessibility improvements across the town’s parks.

Board members praised both departments’ outreach and emphasized parking and facility‑size constraints at the senior center as a growing challenge. No formal policy decision or new funding appropriation was made in this session; board members indicated interest in capital planning for facility expansion.