The East Hampton Village Board abandoned a proposal that would have extended the prohibition of animals and trucks on its beaches from the current date of Sept. 15 to Columbus Day, after a brief discussion on Friday.
The village had formalized an extension of the beach season in February 2023, after previously extending it for a couple of seasons. The proposed law, introduced last month, would have amended the code pertaining to prohibited conduct on beaches to disallow dogs and other animals between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 15 to the second Monday in October. Mayor Jerry Larsen said last month that the legislation would also prohibit vehicles between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. through Columbus Day.
A Jan. 16 public hearing drew no comment from the public, but did draw an objection from Carrie Doyle of the board, who said she is among many residents who “go to the beaches Sept. 15, as soon as I can,” with a dog. “I think we all feel a collective sigh of relief after the summer season, when people — the traffic and noise — have abated and we can bring our dogs” to the beach.
A change in the law would have required approval of the East Hampton Town Trustees, who have jurisdiction over the village’s five ocean beaches. In their deliberations last month and earlier this month, they were less than enthusiastic about the village’s proposal.
“My concern is, it’s the beginning
Celia Josephson echoed Ms. Doyle’s concerns, and Christopher Carillo, the trustees’ attorney, added that, as a town resident, he and his peers “have that day circled” on the calendar as a date for families to take the afternoon off and enjoy the beach after most summer visitors have departed.
The proposed law had come from a recommendation from beach staff, Mayor Jerry Larsen said on Friday. “We keep our beaches open until Columbus Day weekend, but the regulations stop on Sept. 15,” he said. “It was really about the trucks driving on the beach, and the staff felt it was kind of unsafe. But what happens is, it also extends all the other laws, which would require the parking. The dogs wouldn’t be allowed on the beach. When that was printed in the paper, it stirred up a lot of concerns from dog owners who really wait all summer. They have very limited access to the beach with their pets, so they were not in favor of that.” Village Hall had received “a lot of emails” on the topic, he added.
He asked Christopher Minardi, the deputy mayor and the board’s beach liaison, to weigh in. “I think we should withdraw it,” he said of the proposed legislation. “Fine the way it is.” Ms. Doyle and Sandra Melendez of the board agreed.
“I agree, too,” the mayor said. Addressing the public, he asked, “Rather than ask people to come up and speak against it, is there anybody who’s in favor of this law? Please come up now.” There were no takers. “We are going to withdraw this law,” he said.
The hearing was officially closed. “The dogs are safe,” the mayor said.
