Advocates who petitioned for the creation of a Village of Mastic Beach heard from the community Monday evening at a public hearing held by Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko and the town board at the Mastic Beach Fire Department firehouse.
A map of Mastic Beach (US Census Bureau)
The Mastic Beach Village Exploratory Committee says that the village would provide greater control over the community and protecting villagers from absentee landlords by placing housing regulations that will help clean up the appearance of their community.
“We’re not looking to be a hamptons village and try to push people out,” said Chris Ricciardi, spokesman for the proponents. “We’re not looking to get rid of all the rentals. We’re just looking for people to keep up with the houses and do the right thing.”
The group said that homeowners will not see a tax increase and that the mayor and trustees would serve as volunteers. The village would have the option to create their own police department or remain a part of the Suffolk County Police District.
If approved, it would be the first village created in New York State in four years.
Mastic Beach is a peninsula south of Shirley and Mastic between Bayport Bay and Forge River, facing the east end of Fire Island.
If the town gives the OK, a referendum would then be scheduled for the voters to decide the issue, possiby as early as April.
