Montauk Pioneer - October 10, 2008

There is an ongoing dispute between the residents of Montauk and former New York Post publisher Peter Kalikow, over the use of his beachfront property along Lake Montauk, which has been a popular family recreational area since the 1920's in this village.

Kalikow bought a 140-strip of lakefront property in 1986, near his estate on Star Island Road, and had allowed the locals to continue their use of his lake access for boating, swimming, clamming and waterskiing.

This is only one of three or four possible public accesses to this large lake, according to Julie Brumm, who presented a petition and letters signed by 750 residents of Montauk last Tuesday, during the work session meeting of the East Hampton Town Board at the Montauk Firehouse.

"It is also the only place where the bottom is graded in such a way that it drops off deep enough to allow for water skiing," said Lorraine DeRose, who grew up waterskiing in this lake, and has taught her children to do the same. "It is also the calmest area of the lake, for children to play and learn to swim and waterski."

But this Spring, Kalikow had decided to ban the public from his beach, preventing their access by putting up snow fencing and "No Trespassing" signs. Since then, the public has been denied access all summer, and many of them have continued to go there, but have been chased off by police.

At last Tuesday's meeting of the Town Board, local residents said they want to have their lake access back. They complained to the East Hampton Town Board during their meeting in Montauk, that they want the town to either negotiate with Kalikow to give them back their long-held recreational access, or condemn the property and buy it for the public to use.

"We have maintained this beach and cleaned it of garbage and debris," said B.J. Wilson, who also used "The Cove," as he called this lakefront section, all his life. "There should be ways the public can use this beach and not have it privatized." He said perhaps an agreement could be made.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Bill McGintee agreed to try and negotiate with Kalikow, explaining that this property has been used for decades by the local residents. He and Town Attorney John Jilnicki said condemnation would be costly, involve legal issues, and take a long time to complete. When asked by one resident, Velaine Pfund, McGintee said he would also look into something called, "shared access," which involves a property used more than 10 years.

Residents also asked the town to buy this property under their Community Preservation Fund (CPF) but McGintee said this involves only sellers who are "willing" to sell, and so far, Kalikow has not been "willing."

He said the petition and letters give the Town "credibility," and to "keep on getting them," and that the Town will do more research and get back to the residents at their next meeting.

East Hampton Town Councilwoman Julia Prince said she has been researching this property and will also continue to do so. "I have spoken with Mr. Kalikow's attorney, and so far they don't want it used for the public," she said.

Peter Kalikow could not be reached for comment as of press time Tuesday. The Town Board said they will get back to the residents after they do their research.