The volume of tickets given out led some event guests to speculate that cash-starved East Hampton is looking to hand out more tickets this season in order to make up for budget shortfalls. Not so, said East Hampton Village Police Chief Jerry Larsen, who told Plum there has not been an increase in parking tickets this season.

Nonetheless, there was widespread confusion Saturday evening among some guests who wondered what amounted to a parking violation since there were no parking signs posted on Further Lane. But according to Chief Larsen, parking rules are simple: "When there are no signs prohibiting parking," he told Plum, "the rules of the road apply."

According to the New York State Drivers Manual, parking is prohibited "alongside or opposite road excavations, construction or other obstructions if your vehicle would block traffic." Cheif Larsen notes, "It is basic common sense."