The Brookhaven Town Board on Tuesday tabled a discussion of the it recently enacted for town beaches and marinas, voting unanimously to postpone the resolution until the next board meeting on May 8.
Councilwoman Jane Bonner originally intended to present a resolution that would repeal the resident fee for beach and marina parking, originally established the first week in April.
Bonner said she is working with town agencies to find $625,000 in budget savings that would allow the town board to consider repealing the parking fees; for instance, she said, the parks commissioner gave up $25,000 in overtime allowances to make up part of the difference.
However, Bonner said, they remain $175,000 away from their goal.
Additionally, town supervisor Mark Lesko said Tuesday's already-packed meeting schedule would likely have prevented the town board and residents from being able to devote proper time to the discussion.
Bonner asked residents to be patient until the board's next meeting.
"In good conscience I can’t put forward a resolution that repeals a fee that creates a budget deficit," she said. "We continue to comb through the budget…to reduce budget lines that we don’t need to have."
However, some feel May 8 may be too late to talk about changing the town law, as it will begin enforcement on May 12.
"We are taxpayers but not lawbreakers and we need to get to our boats, slips, and moorings," said Thomas Lynch of Miller Place. "When I am paying $1,700 in town taxes, $150 in mooring tax, and $85 in boat launch tax, why do they need another $25 from my family?"
Affected beaches and marinas include: Mt. Sinai Marina, Port Jefferson Marina, Blue Point Marina, Sandspit Marina, Cedar Beach Main and West, Shoreham Beach, West Meadow Beach, and Corey Beach.
Should the parking fee be repealed, Bonner said, those residents who have already paid the fee will receive a refund.
Editor's note: This story has been updated from its original version to include the refund information.
