East Hampton hearing on proposed drive-on beach limits draws residents who urge preserving access and press for tick action

East Hampton — Residents criticized a proposed daytime ban on driving and parking on a town-owned section of Gin/Jim Beach in Montauk and called on the Town Board to preserve longtime fishing access, while another member of the public urged faster action and more funding on deer- and tick-management.

William Jacob, of the Montauk Surf Casters Association, told the board the proposed restriction would be a “slippery slope” that risks eliminating drive-on access that generations of local anglers have relied on. “The town has been fundamentally available for beach driving for generations,” Jacob said, urging officials to preserve access for fishing rather than impose broad daytime limits.

Tom Pragley, an East Hampton resident, said the draft local law — which would prohibit driving and parking on the town-owned portion of the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between the Thursday before Memorial Day and Sept. 15 — would “effectively eliminate meaningful access during the very months the beach is most used by residents.” Pragley urged the board to adjourn the vote and work with residents to craft a safety-focused solution that preserves access.

Another public commenter, Brad Brooks, urged the board to allocate substantially more money toward tick reduction and deer-management efforts, calling the town’s current responses insufficient given local public-health impacts. Brooks said he has lobbied the town committees for months and urged the board to consider funding measures similar to neighboring towns’ programs.

No member of the public on the phone line testified in favor of the beach restriction during the hearing. After the public comment period, the board did not take a vote on the proposed beach local law; the matter will be returned to a work session for further discussion, according to the meeting record.

Why it matters: The proposal pits two town priorities against one another — public safety and public-access traditions — and its resolution will affect residents who rely on vehicle access for fishing and mobility. The town also faces pressure to address a spike in tick-borne disease concerns raised during public comment.

What’s next: The board signaled it will discuss the beach driving restriction in a work session and has scheduled related committee presentations (the wildlife committee is slated to present on deer management in upcoming meetings).