Long Line Of Residents Waits Hours To Buy Beach Stickers

SOUTHOLD, NY — Rainy skies and lengthy wait times didn't keep a long line of Southold residents from turning out in droves to purchase their beach parking stickers Saturday.

Lines were long, with some waiting up to three hours to reach the drive-up window at the Southold Town Hall annex, located at 54375 Route 25 — but the process was orderly, with cones set up on Traveler Street designating a lane for vehicles and residents waiting patiently.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said resident parking permits that expired on December 31, 2019 will remain valid until June 15 to allow residents more time to renew them.

Russell announced recently that the drive-up window would be open on Saturdays and Sundays — and on Monday, for Memorial Day weekend — from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for those wishing to purchase their beach parking permits in person. Permits cost $20 for two years.

The sale of beach permits began the weekend before Memorial Day and during that first weekend, "the line was manageable," he said.

But on Saturday, the wait time spiked: Russell said residents can also apply for permits online or by mail through the Southold town clerk’s office; those with questions can call 631-765-1800.

The idea for a drive-up sale of permits was put into place by Southold Town Recreation Director Janet Douglass, Government Liaison Denis Noncarrow and Russell.

The booth, which used to be the drive up window at the former Capital One bank building, is staffed by town lifeguards and beach attendants who have been trained by staff from the town clerk's office, Russell said.

"They process the permits very quickly and are very hard workers," Russell said. "Today, they earned every penny we are paying them."

For those that found the lines long, Russell reminded that the permits have been available online and by mail since January — and at the town clerk's office until Town Hall was closed the third week of March due to the coronavirus.

"I decided to open the drive-thru to give people every opportunity to get a permit," Russell said. "This is especially true because of stepped-up enforcement of the 'resident only' policy," during the pandemic."

Every town and Suffolk County "have the same policy, because we have to keep the number of people at the beaches as manageable as possible, as best we can, because of COVID-19 and New York State guidelines," Russell said.

On Thursday, Russell issued a release stating that beach, road end and boat ramp use continues to be restricted to residents only. All vehicles must have a “resident parking” permit displayed.

There will be no lifeguards on duty and bathrooms will not be opened before June 27, Russell said. Social distancing guidelines must be maintained, with masks required at all times on the beach unless a person is stationary on a blanket, chair, or towel — or during swimming, Russell said.

Gatherings on the beach must be limited to members of the same household only; gatherings in the water are prohibited, he said.

Tax collection takes place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the drive-up window, so the town is unable to offer weekday sales of beach parking permits.

"Once tax collection finishes on June 1, we will have the ability use it for beach permits on some weekdays, probably Thursdays and Fridays, in addition to weekends," he said.

And, Russell added, while currently, the requirement for transfer station permits and entry fees has been waived, sooner or later, they will be required again; the supervisor said he anticipates selling them at the same location.

Park rules

Parks and preserves will continue to be open for passive use; a limited number of tennis courts and pickle ball courts will be open for public use, subject to the restrictions, requirements and prohibitions posted on site. All team, league or club organized games/competitions are prohibited per state mandate. All other courts/ballfields, and playground equipment will remain closed per state mandate, the supervisor said.

No bathroom facilities, benches, tables or water fountains will be available for use at any of the parks. Masks or social distancing of no less than six feet must be adhered to at all times on all properties, he said.

All residents must carry a mask at all times while on any town property; those who do not adhere to the rules are subject to removal from any park or beach.