Dan's Papers - May 9, 2008 - Running Fence Cuts Off Slice of Paradise

We all have our secret beach. It's the one that we tell only a few friends about. The one where we go to get away from it all, that doesn't have huge crowds or glitz and glam. Sure it's off the beaten path, and maybe it doesn't even have a lifeguard, but it's yours and you love it.

What would you do if someone came along and bought that little slice of beach that you and so many others love? Would you move on and find another beach? Or would you try and fight for your little slice of paradise?

This is the question that has been raised in Montauk where a group of bathers and beachgoers have noticed that a fence has gone up around a favorite bathing beach. An extremely small patch of sand on the shore of Lake Montauk, it's a spot that the universe decided to make perfect. And that's why, during the past 26 years, the beach has been home to the Mighty Montauk Triathlon and to locals who love its serene location, calm waters and the lack of jellyfish.

There's one other guy who really likes that beach too, and his name is Peter Kalikow. Last month, he decided that he wanted to buy it. Why does that name sound familiar to you? Because Peter Kalikow used to own the New York Post, was the former chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and is a very wealthy landowner and - wouldn't you know it - he doesn't want anybody hanging out on his property, especially those he doesn't know.

The property in question is the first parcel just as you cross the causeway from the mainland, and it's owned by Kalikow. But according to reports, unhappy beachgoers are alerting the media about the situation, in an attempt to urge Kalikow to allow them on "his" beach.

When it comes to things like this, Montaukers tend to look at every angle and although it seems a bit hopeless, considering the property is private and was never owned by the Town Trustees, The Montauk Concerned Citizens Committee got together with about forty people in attendance to discuss the matter. Julie Evans Brumm of Montauk loves this beach, and is the leading the way for something to be done. Kalikow did not attend.

At the meeting held last week, East Hampton Town Trustee Julia Prince announced that she contacted East Hampton Town's Natural Resources to see if Kalikow got a Natural Resources permit to put up the fence. She learned from them that there was no record of a permit issued to Kalikow, and by law he needs to have a permit to put a structure up on his property. The Town Board has sent a letter to Kalikow urging him to seek out the permit or take down the fence. The Board is also going to do a title search on the property to see if they can come up with any ownership rights regarding the beach.

There was a recent concession by Kalikow. We learned from the Board that he is willing to allow the start of the Mighty Montauk Triathlon take place at his beach, and will open it to racers for two days. He could not be reached for comment on whether or not he was willing to take the fence down however, and there has been no indication that he will allow bathers there this summer.

In the meantime, the fence is still up. The property that was purchased by Kalikow extends beyond the little slice of beach. There have been reports that the fence is, in fact, getting longer.

As far as the private beachgoers who bring their children to the lake to enjoy the safer water, they will likely have to find another bit of beach to enjoy. That's, of course, unless they make friends with Kalikow. Only time will tell what the future of the beach is and if a compromise can be reached. In the meantime, Kalikow will get to enjoy every bit of it.