By Hank Russell
Flanked by North Bellport residents and local activists holding signs that read “Free The Beach” and “Ho Hum Is For Everyone,” Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico held a press conference inside the town hall’s media room accusing the Village of Bellport of discrimination by keeping North Bellport residents from using the ferry to access Ho Hum Beach at Fire Island.
Panico emphasized it was “the actions of some” that has kept North Bellport residents from enjoying the beach.
According to Panico, he and Brookhaven Parks Commissioner Ed Morris met with Village Mayor Maureen Veitch, Village Clerk Mary Pontieri and Brookhaven Parks Commissioner Ed Morris about this situation and, after two hours, “the conversations went nowhere.”
He said he wanted to bring some of the children onto the ferry to Ho-Hum, but that never happened. When asked for a reason, “every excuse was made,” Panico said.
Veitch countered some of Panico’s allegations. She said the ferry is only available to village residents and their guests. But she emphasized that “everyone has access to the beach.”
The ferry is paid for with village taxes, as well as the docks, boats and lifeguards, Veitch said, adding that it is a village amenity. “We’re not permitted to give [these services] away,” she said.
Panico said he told Veitch the town would offer to defray the cost and charge a non-resident fee for taking the ferry. “The mayor agreed and brought it to her board. What happened after that, you’ll have to ask the mayor.”
He also offered a water taxi that would bring over 25 people. But then, “whereas the Town of Brookhaven made good in its word” to transport North Bellport residents to the beach, “We helped a handful of people of North Bellport who might otherwise not be able to get to the beach.” He also dismissed “specious” arguments that the water taxi would disturb the flora, fauna and septic system. “That’s just nonsense.”
Veitch also disabused the notion that Ho Hum is closed to non-village residents. “We had the Greater Bellport Boys & Girls Club [at Ho Hum] for the SEED program,” she said. “Two-thirds of the children who attend [this program] are Brookhaven Town residents, not village residents. They go to the beach every day.”
She was also asked about Panico’s accusations of discrimination. Veitch said the supervisor was “fabricating” these allegations.
Panico said the ferry was set to bring “a handful of people” to the beach when one of the village trustees “took it upon himself” to book the remaining reservations, shutting out the North Bellport residents “Why? You’ll have to ask that person.” He also told the trustee, “You don’t owe me an explanation. You owe the people behind me an explanation.”
When asked about the allegations, Veitch replied, “This is the first time anyone in village leadership has heard about this … I have no way of knowing who signed up and who didn’t.”
There was also a dispute as to who pays for the lifeguards. Panico said the town pays for them but Veitch said that Bellport pays $80,000 to Brookhaven to provide a lifeguard.
Former Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko, who is now an attorney representing Brookhaven in this matter, said “they are looking at all options” regarding the situation. “The first thing we will do is reach out to the attorney general [Letitia James’] office and determine whether she wants to conduct a review of this matter.”
Lesko continued, “We believe this [investigation] is warranted. We believe serious constitutional issues are implicated here.”
She also said she has called and texted Panico, but has not heard back from him. “All things are best resolved through communication,” she said. “I hope to resolve it.”
When asked if he will meet with the village, Lesko responded, “We are open to compromise, we are open to discussion. It’s safe to say … the ball is in the village’s court.”