Public commentary speaks out against expanded accessibility for Ho Hum Beach

The Bellport Village Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, April 27, the board reiterated the village’s garbage pick-up rules. The Dept. of Public Works collects residential household garbage twice a week and recycling on Wednesdays. The garbage can be put to the curb no earlier than 6 pm and no later 6:30 am for pick-up. Cans must be removed from the curb/street no more than 27 hours after pick-up.

“People who put out their garbage on Sunday night for a Tuesday pick-up wind up having their neighbors pick up their Sunday and Saturday night dinners and chicken bones. And it’s very unpleasant for your neighbors and for the men who work in the village. Trash and recycling cans left in the middle of the street also present a danger to drivers,” said mayor Maureen Veitch.

Residents not abiding by the garbage pick-up rules will be fined. Veitch said that enforcement will be more “aggressive” going forward. As a suggestion, Veitch said to ask neighbors or hire a helper to adhere to pick-up rules.

The main discussion of the evening was allowing non-residents on the Ho Hum Beach ferry once or twice a week. A similar proposal had been introduced by the board two years ago.

Veitch said that the impetus for the current proposal was the village budget. “We have looked at everything to either cut costs or increase rates as they relate to the going rate. What is the average cost of a boat slip per linear foot? Are we keeping with the surrounding areas? Same thing for tennis, same thing for golf. The ferry is also something we wanted to take a look at.”

Non-residents are members of the golf and tennis amenities in the village and Veitch juxtaposed that with the ferry ridership statistics. The ferry is open seven days a week. Tuesday and Wednesday are the lowest ridership days, as low as three people per day or up to fourteen. A full staff operates the concession stand, lifeguard stations, along with the ferry operators and multiple deckhands.

The last proposal to open the ferry for non-residents was met with vocal opposition, but Veitch said that the financial atmosphere had changed since then and perhaps created a more amenable reception.

“I think these are different times because expenses are rising precipitously,” said Veitch.

At the time of the meeting, fourteen letters, not in preference of opening the ferry to the general public, had been received by the board.

The first speaker was Leslie O’Connor, a former board trustee, “When I was on the board we had the same issue…the same problem existed, not enough riders on those days [Tuesday, Wednesday]. I had proposed Kitty Day, which is still in effect, Wednesdays children 12 and under are free with each paid rider and Thursdays, residents are allowed to bring one guest to pay at residents’ rate. When I was on the board this did give the bump in ridership that was needed, but now to hear these new numbers, it is not working anymore.”

O’Connor urged the board to offer expansions on the existing system, including allowing residents up to two to three guests, half-price tickets to seniors on one of the struggling days, increasing the number of children who ride free, providing a half-price fee for the second family member of a resident, or half-price tickets to all residents.

“The one thing I will echo in those letters is that you should not open it up to non-residents,” said O’Connor. She cited possible skirmishes between residents and non-residents and possible litigation as factors to consider before expanding ferry services.

The second speaker was John DeStefano who asked why the ferry would just not run on the low ridership days. Veitch replied that while that was a valid idea, that their conversations with the community proved it was an “unpopular” idea.

The third speaker was Loretta Drew who shared that Ho-Hum Beach had the capacity for over 300 bathers. Veitch specified that this was based on water closets. Drew brought up the rental registration, added tenant fees, and said that the opening of the beach to non-residents was unfair.

The fourth speaker, Sherry Bennington, said that opening up the beach to non-residents would be “setting a precedent” and “opening up a can of worms.” The former board trustee reminded the current board that in 2024, 350 residents signed a petition against the proposed increased accessibility. 

Other speakers cited Ho Hum Beach’s unique environment as a reason to limit traffic to the area.