The floating wave attenuator rendering at Station 3, manned by VHB senior coastal engineer Michael Mann, was mobbed with peering at the design. At one point, Mann discussed aspects of the preliminary conceptual with Tom Binnington during Bellport’s Waterfront Management Commission workshop meeting Thursday night, as others crowded around.

Binnington, a longtime Bellporter, grew up 500 feet from the bay and has owned several boats, experiencing storms and hurricanes. He supported a breakwater or a wave attenuator, but on a smaller scale than what the design showed, citing function and aesthetic concerns.

“The visual impact is important to the area. If you get public input and narrow it down to a reasonable scale, it would be functional,” he said of the concept. “If you can cut down the wind by 50 percent or so, it doesn’t have to be 100 percent. [What’s presented] may be too much for the area. I questioned the lights on the floating structure, but they wouldn’t be putting up bright lights.” Binnington expressed relief that the dock wasn’t being expanded.

The meeting, called by the village to hear VHB’s plans—specifically, a HUD-awarded project to increase marine storm resiliency, replace structures that are deteriorating, improve safety and navigation and accessibility—had been well publicized by the village, with residents encouraged to fill out a 13-question online survey if they couldn’t attend the meeting.

About 60 residents flowed into the Community Center, greeted by VHB environmental planner Christiana Kastalek, who requested sign-ins and handed out the survey forms. Kastalek, Mann, and VHB project manager and landscape architect Carlos Vargas were on hand for questions. So were mayor Maureen Veitch and the village trustees.

Bellport building inspector Peter Sarich and deputy clerk Katie Mehrkens are steering the project for the village. Sarich worked on Patchogue’s Living Shoreline project, now a nationwide model, also completed by VHB, with Patchogue project manager of administration, Marian Russo.

Bellport village was awarded a $2.8 million Community Project Funding grant from the Omnibus Appropriations bill through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the project at 75 percent of the total costs in May of 2022 and issued an RFP for consulting services in October 2023. The village is required to fund the remaining 25 percent up to $933,333.

“We got an estimate for the project from the VHB engineers in September of $4.5 million for the Osborn Park wall dock repair and boat ramp repairs, the stick dock replacement with floating dock replacement, the marina attenuator, main dock wall repairs and spot dredging,” Sarich said. 

The main dock has about 160 to 170 vessels through the season.

According to Bellport Waterfront Commission chair and former village trustee Michael Ferrigno, “We interviewed three engineering firms and chose VHB because of Peter,” Ferrigno said, referring to Sarich’s recommendation. “We’ve gone through this many times, and this is the distillation.”

Ferrigno was concerned, though, about extra costs that will be incurred, he said, due to rising costs of materials as time ticks on. “VHB has led us to believe they can get more grants.”

“They’re breaking it into phases to make it so it’s something the village can afford,” Sarich added. A public meeting was also a requirement for FEMA funding, he said.

Senior VHB coastal engineer Mann responded to Advance questions via email. A resident had expressed concern about water quality. “No issues with water quality are expected since the floating attenuator structures allow flow under the structure,” Mann answered.

Could the wave attenuator be made smaller?

Mann said the wave attenuator size will be finalized in the next design phase.

As for its size: “The wave attenuator is currently shown at 16 feet wide and extends most of the opening of the marina. This will be further reviewed and optimized in the next phase,” he added.

Mann was asked the reason for tackling the wave attenuator first in Phase 1.  “Protection for the emergency vessels is a big part of the grant funding and the attenuator is to provide that protection,” he said.

As for costs, Mann commented costs would be better addressed in the next phase; also, subsequent phases will depend on grant funding.

Environmental planner Kastalek announced some of the survey comments from attendees towards the end of the public session, such as issues to consider like dangerous areas by Osborn Park, safety for boat access, lack of electricity on the main dock, a redesign connecting boats and pedestrians. “We’ll look at that,” she said.

The mood was respectful and engaging, and most of the crowd stayed after the presentations beyond 7:30 p.m. to chat further. Lucy Danziger expressed admiration at everyone having their say.

Binnington was also complimentary. “The village’s approach to this project was thoughtful with the consulting firm, the waterfront commission, and the public’s input,” he said.

Sarich commented that the village has incurred a lot of the soft costs already. “You have to pay the engineers for their plans,” he said. “That’s the first cost. HUD is currently in the process of setting up the reimbursement costs and we should have that shortly.”  VHB is scheduled to incorporate public input in December and prepare final concept plans in January 2025.