Politics & Government
Village of Old Field Proposes Lighthouse Restrictions
Board moves forward with new law that would close park at night.
The Village of Old Field is weighing a proposed law that would restrict nighttime access to the historic lighthouse at Old Field Point.
The proposal, which was discussed at Tuesday's board meeting, comes in response to residents' complaints over the last several months concerning visitors' use of the property to access the beach there.
"The grounds were being abused," said Mayor Michael Levine. "People were hopping the fence, littering, urinating, things like that."
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The proposed law follows a special August meeting called to address the issue. Levine said there are signs at the location restricting beach access, but the law is only a draft as of yet.
The board's concern is that non-residents mistreat the area and disturb village residents, but no law can be passed discriminating against non-resident use according to a federal guideline that says the property must be made available to the public. This prevents the village from distinguishing between residents and others. The federal government retains the right to take back the property if the guideline is violated, according to village attorney Anthony Guardino.
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Several attendees at the meeting voiced concern over residents' ability to use the site for special events. Board members debated the proposed 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. closing of the property, citing use of the grounds for events such as July 4 celebrations, wedding parties, etc. Later closing times were suggested, as well as hours depending on the season.
"One way to deal with that is to allow special applications, but there is no language for that in the proposal yet," Levine added.
The mayor asked board members to submit their comments on the issue within the next seven days, and asked Guardino to put the proposal on the village's Web site for public feedback once certain elements had been tweaked.
The proposal will be discussed further at the board's next meeting on Oct. 12.
The 9.3-acre site was deeded to the village in three separate parcels beginning in 1929 and subsequently in 1935 and 1971. The largest parcel, given in 1935, contained a reverter requiring the site to be used as a public park or for other public use.
