Town Of Huntington Rocks The Boat Of Incorporated Villages

Asharoken, Huntington Bay, Lloyd Harbor and Northport moorings and waterways would be patrolled and regulated by the town if the code change is adopted. Pictured are the dock and moorings in the Village of Northport waters.

By Jim Kelly
jkelly@longislandergroup.com

A battle is brewing between the Town of Huntington and the villages of Lloyd Harbor, Asharoken, Northport, and Huntington Bay.

A change to town law would take control of moorings and policing waterways from the villages and put it in the town’s hands. The villages contend the move is illegal as they have control of waters up to 1,500 feet from their shorelines.

In 2004 and 2005, the NYS Attorney General issued an opinion that said that the villages are responsible for both the mooring rights and associated placement of moorings, as well as policing of the waterways.

Under a proposed change to existing town code, Huntington would assume control both of mooring rights as well as the policing of the waterways.

A public hearing at this past Tuesday’s town board meeting on March 10 had many of the villages represented.

Mayor Damon McMullen of Northport said it was by “mere happenstance” that he found out about the proposed change in code. The mayor said it is an illegal action as it has been long recognized as the right of the village to maintain up to 1,500 feet from their shoreline.

John Ritter, an attorney representing the village of Lloyd Harbor, said each of the villages clearly have exclusive authority for up to 1,500 feet offshore to regulate mooring rights and the activity of boating.

Huntington Bay Mayor Herb Morrow spelled out the details in a letter to the town board. Philip Butler, representing the Mayor who could not attend due to a prior engagement, likewise stated that no prior conversation on this issue had been held with representatives from the four villages.

Philip Plonski, commodore of Huntington Boating Club, said boaters were not part of the discussion either. Stakeholders have a right to be heard, Plonski said.

No action was taken on the proposed code change at the end of the public hearing.