LVIS outlines 2025 community budget, highlights tree and greens stewardship

The Ladies Village Improvement Society presented its 2025 community budget to the East Hampton Village Board on Jan. 24, stressing long-term volunteer stewardship of town trees, greens and historic sites.

Joyce Tuttle, speaking for LVIS, said the organization is observing its 130th year and remains a major volunteer force in the village, with more than 300 members and many volunteers contributing hundreds of hours annually. "We are dedicated to the goal now as our founders were in 1895," Tuttle said.

Andrea Cooper, chair of LVIS' finance committee, walked trustees through the group's budget process and figures. Cooper said LVIS proposed spending $785,695 on community projects tied to village-owned assets and other local investments; an additional "all other" line totals about $13,000. Cooper also reported that LVIS has contributed about $1,255,679 to village projects over the last five years and has raised $735,766 for high-school scholarships.

Tuttle and Cooper detailed operations the group funds and manages: tree care and a replacement program for village street trees (LVIS said it helps oversee about 3,500 trees), a memorial-dedication plaque program (approximately 700 plaques), a greens-maintenance program dating to 1907, a nature-trail committee and partnerships with Cornell University and the Garden Club of East Hampton for tree and habitat care.

Board members thanked LVIS for its long partnership with village departments, noting the group's role in supplementing municipal services. No formal vote was required at the meeting; LVIS representatives said the membership voted to approve the organization's internal budget on Jan. 11, 2025.