With new codes pertaining to events now in place, party planners hoping to host shindigs in Sagaponack this summer are coming forward to share
their plans with the village board — and some are finding it difficult to get approval. The new local law requires that a letter of intent be sent by party hosts to the village 180 days before the day of the event – which means now is prime time for those hoping to throw parties in Sagaponack come July. Justin Taylor Ward, an event planner with a dozen years of experience who has planned parties in the area for the last eight years, went before the Sagaponack Village Board of Trustees on Monday night at the board’s regular work session. As required, Ward had sent the board his letter of intent to throw a bash in the village for 300 guests as a fundraiser for the Harlem Children’s Zone. The party is planned for July 18 and begins at 7 p.m. The board of trustees voiced some concerns about the event, the first being that the party wouldn’t benefit a local charity. Ward told the board that he will hire local people to staff the event and added that local artists were invited to showcase their work at a silent auction and a local chef would be offering the cuisine. He also said that one of the three wines to be served at the event would be a Wolffer Estate wine. Trustee Alfred Kelman said he was concerned how much money would actually be going to the charity, Ward said he would be giving 25 percent of the proceeds to the charity, while Ward would keep the remaining 75 percent to pay for costs of the event and his overhead. “I am the fundraiser of it … it does take a year to put it together,†Ward said. “Well it sounds like a profit making venture for you, rather than the Harlem Group,†mayor Don Louchheim said.
“They [Harlem Children’s Zone] get a considerable amount of money,†Ward maintained. “I’ve worked with many businesses and have volunteered my services in the past.â€