During the work session, after discussing a draft policy updating codes for mostly bike limitations as well as prohibiting engine idling, mayor Maureen Veitch addressed the Ho-Hum flap with the town.

“Residents are asking, ‘Why now?’” she said, referring to the racial allegations of Bellport Village not opening up their ferry to Ho-Hum Beach to North Bellport residents and claiming that according to a 2018 resolution, the beach was annexed to the village with town wording.

The village purchased the property in 1963; it owns and maintains the beach. According to general municipal law for village-owned territory: If a village is the owner of uninhabited territory adjoining the village, such territory may be annexed to the village if the town board of the town in which such territory is situated, by a concurring vote of a majority of its members.

“I tell them, ‘I don’t know,’” she said.

Veitch explained she was blindsided at town supervisor Dan Panico’s swearing-in ceremony in January, which she attended, when the supervisor made comments that she felt were unfair about Bellport Village not being inclusive. Panico called after to smooth that over, she said.

“But there was no conversation about the town using the ferry,” she said of that talk. “Since the swearing in, there were conversations with the parks department about [collaborating] with the Boys & Girls Club [of the Bellport Area]. [And other youth groups.] But also, in our Kids Camp, we had 170 kids signed in, of which two-thirds of them were outside the village. We invited 188 kids on Aug. 21 and 22 from the Boys & Girls Club [to go to Ho-Hum], but only 40 signed up. It was planned, it was safe, and we had chaperones.”

Veitch mentioned her calls and texts to Panico about sponsoring other groups that were ignored; then the town-sanctioned ferry rides via water taxi from the village dock were offered on Instagram, for Aug. 25, Sept. 1 and Sept. 8, without notifying or consulting with the village.

“Yesterday [Sunday, Sept. 8] were the last two town ferries,” Veitch said. “There were two town buses on Bellport Lane. Our response is to serve notice of violation to H2O Water Taxi. I personally met with their captain and said, ‘You can’t use our docks.’ We will secure special counsel if needed. We’ll try to solve this with the board.”

She showed a video of the water taxi passing the dock where the village ferry was stationed. A total of 16 people used it, she said.

“We don’t have a space for it that’s safe,” Veitch emphasized.

Veitch reached out and had a meeting with deputy supervisor Neil Foley last week.

Foley concurred. “The town and village have had meetings and calls on the subject the past week or so, and the meetings have been very productive and cordial,” Foley told the Advance. “I feel the next couple of weeks we will find a happy medium [on] both sides. And we are communicating on a weekly basis.”

As for the lively discussions on the two proposed code changes: “I find it offensive to be on the dock and see six cars idling,” said mayor Veitch. “A resident came up to me and asked, ‘Can you do something?’ New York State law says no vehicle idling for more than three minutes.”

After Veitch commented, “I really hate it, it pollutes the air,” the board was in unanimous agreement. A public hearing will be held Sept. 23 limiting idling for 3 minutes.

On amending the code regarding limitations on play vehicles (bikes, skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades, bicycles or tricycles), that discussion was a bit longer. The main overall agreement was the no bikes on sidewalks. “Our code says you can’t ride your bike on the sidewalks in the municipal areas,” said Veitch. “We had a resident hit at the four corners, also dangerous riding on Main Street with a person opening their door (and getting hit). Please weigh in on a practical solution.”

Deputy mayor and trustee Steve Mackin pointed out, “[Right now] bikes are not allowed on sidewalks. Do we want to maintain that, then expand to scooters and everything else?”

One suggestion was putting in bike lanes, but Veitch pointed out that would eliminate parking on Main Street.

“Do we want to do a cycling detour down Bellport Lane and through the municipal parking lot or leave it be?” she asked.

The $500 penalty fine was thought to be too high. It was agreed this code needed more discussion with input from residents before voting.

Among other discussions

This past Sunday represented the final day of the pilot trash program at the DPW yard. “There were 30 bags each week with about nine people. The opportunity has been terrific for the people using it,” she said. The program will be evaluated for next year.

Deputy mayor Steve Mackin conducted fire safety checks on several local churches. Some violations were found, nothing arduous, recommendations made with follow-up. The Blue Water Vagabond Surf Festival was cancelled. According to trustee Nathan Rohrmeier, the waves aren’t breaking as the breach has been closing. So, a movie night is planned at the bandshell for Sept. 26, “North Shore,” a cult classic about friendship and surfing.