In what is being described by some Sag Harbor residents as a great loss, the Southampton Town Board voted on Tuesday to eliminate a special parking accommodation that’s been on the books for over 40 years.
Those who live on the East Hampton side of the village used to be able to buy Southampton Town beach parking passes for the discounted rate of $50. Now, a pass could cost as much as $450. Among the beaches affected are Sagg Main, Scott Cameron Beach, and Mecox Beach. Parking at Long Beach would not be impacted.
Sag Harbor Village Mayor Thomas Gardella was present at Tuesday’s meeting to try to sway the board, which tabled the matter at its last meeting on Jan. 27 while awaiting public comment. Mr. Gardella said he’d only learned about the new permit fees from a newspaper article and had not been informed by the town about the changes. Now, he said, the village has to “defend ourselves against Southampton Town.”
The town board did agree to hold a public hearing on a discounted $150 fee for Sagg Main and Mecox beaches. That hearing is scheduled for Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. Although the entire six-person board signed on to the resolution, one member, Michael Iasilli, asked that his name be removed from it. He did, however, vote for the amendment.
“This is very unfortunate,” said the mayor on Tuesday night, at a Sag Harbor Village Board meeting. Mr. Gardella, who himself would be affected by the change, suggested that the East Hampton side of Sag Harbor has become something of a scapegoat for an overcrowding problem at Southampton beaches. “We’re not the problem,” he said, predicting that excluding the people affected would not cut down on the crowds. “It’s a cannibalistic thought process.”
Laurie Gibbs, who lives on the East Hampton side of Sag Harbor, said that former village boards had been able to protect the parking rights of residents on the east side of the village. “Whatever efforts have been made have been insufficient,” she said of the current board. “This is a very significant loss.”
Board members did not agree that they hadn’t tried hard enough. Aidan Corish, a trustee, said the village does not willingly give anything up. “It’s something that has been taken from us,” he said.
Mayor Gardella also took exception to Ms. Gibbs’s characterization, saying the village had even offered to pay for the permits but were told that wasn’t an option.
First responders who live on the east side of the village, however, will continue to receive free parking at Southampton Town beaches.
